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Cop charged for taking bribe from drug suspect Sione Filipe Jr

By
Kalino Latu
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A police officer has been charged with corruption for allegedly accepting bribe in connection with Sione Filipe Jr’s illicit drug charges.

The accused was officer Fanguna Alalea who had his case called today, July 22, at the Fasi Magistrate’s Court, Matangi Tonga online has reported.

The matter is now before the Court and as such Police have no further comment to make at this time.

As Kaniva news reported last week,  Filipe Jr has been arrested for the second time within the past three months after authorities seized illicit drugs.

Police reportedly said the arrest was in relation to illicit drugs.

A co-accused of Filipe, Siua Sekona has been also charged along with him in charges relating to the seizure of 242 grams of cannabis seeds brought into Tonga, at Fua’amotu International Airport in March, the report said.

Police reportedly said the case was called on July 15 at the Fasi Magistrate’s Court and adjourned to October 7 for investigation to be completed.

“Sekona, who lived in the United States, has been in police custody over the past few weeks. He was arrested while visiting Tonga and released on bail yesterday.”

As Kaniva news reported previously after Filipe’s first arrest, he was facing counts of illicit drug importation as well as firearms and ammunition charges, was scheduled to appear in Fasi Magistrate’s court on Monday, April 29.

It was understood the case has been held over until May 27.

In that case Filipe Jnr, 34, was charged after Quarantine Officers at Fua’amotu International Airport intercepted 242.22 grams of cannabis seeds on March 30.

However, police did not reveal the arrest until April 18 after Kaniva news asked them to confirm reports that Filipe Jnr had been arrested and charged with the importation of illicit drugs.

Police said at the time a search warrant executed at the accused’s residence in Tofoa resulted in the seizure of another 85.33 grams of cannabis liquid, together with illegal firearms and ammunition.

It said the accused had been charged with the unlawful importation of illicit drugs, unlawful possession of illicit drugs, possession of firearms and ammunition without a license and making a false declaration on arrival card.

He was subsequently released on bail.

Filipe Jnr, who is also known as Johnny Filipe, married Princess Pilolevu and Lord Tuita’s second youngest daughter, Hon. Frederica Fatafehi ‘O Lapaha, who is a niece of king Tupou VI.

Hihifo supporters to raise money for new centre at events in Australia, New Zealand and Tonga

By
Philip Cass
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Supporters of the Hihifo rugby union club are hoping to raise TP$200,000 at fund raising events in Australia, New Zealand and Tonga.

The money will go towards building a community centre at the rugby grounds, installing solar powered lights and a water system that alleviates the pressure on the local well.

The first fund raising event will be held in Sydney on August 2, at the Tokaikolo Hall, 213 The Trangate, Granville from 7.30 pm.

Another event will be held in Auckland on September 6 and a third event will be held in Tonga.

Special guests at the Sydney event will be members of the Ikale Tahi team which defeated the Wallabies 16-11 in 1973.

About a third of the squad were from Hihifo.

These include Fakahau Valu, Pēseti Ma’afu, Malakai ‘Alatini, Fa’aleo Tūpī , vice captain Tali Kavapalu, ‘Isikeli Vave and Wallabies of Tongan heritage.

Family members will represent players who have since died, including captain Sione Mafi, Siaosi Sēlupe and ‘Īnoke Lūpina.

Tonga’s High Commissioner to Australia, Princess Angelika Lātūfuipeka Tuku’aho, is expected to attend.

The Sydney event will feature cultural performances, including the traditional Tau’olunga and provide an opportunity to speak with visiting players.

Father ‘Āliki Langi, a Tongan Marist priest based in Sydney, but from Kolovai, a village in Hihifo, volunteered to spearhead the community project.

The main points

  • Supporters of the Hihifo rugby union club are hoping to raise TP$200,000 at fund raising events in Australia, New Zealand and Tonga.
  • The money will go towards building a community centre at the rugby grounds, installing solar powered lights and a water system that alleviates the pressure on the local well.

For more information

Tonga beats the Wallabies 1973

Swimming with whales disturbing natural behaviour

By
Kaniva Staff
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By Radio New Zealand

Swimming with the whales tourism in northern Tonga is disturbing the natural behaviour of nursing Humpbacks who are there to give birth, bond and nurse.

New research from New Zealand’s AUT University shows tourism intensification is forcing mothers away from their calves as they dive to avoid tour boats. 

They’re also providing an unnatural attraction for infants.

AUT PhD researcher Lorenzo Fiori used aerial drones to record whale behaviour inside Vavau’s tourist areas to compare them to whales in their uninterrupted state.

He found clear evidence of avoidance.

AUT’s Mark Orams, who was involved in the latest Humpback research and with cetacean study in Vava’u since the 1990’s, says the industry has grown significantly since that time.

“What’s unique about the Tongan situation is that, unlike most other whale watching destinations, they actually allow people to get in the water and snorkel with the whales. And that is often a really wonderful experience for the tourist but does have the potential to disturb what is a really important part of the life cycle of Humpback whales.”

Professor Orams is referring to the birthing and bonding of new-born calves with their mothers.

He says tourism has the potential to disturb this fledgling bond.

“They learn most of what they need to know from their mother and so that time, that three to four months they spend after being born, up in those warm tropical waters is a really critical time so something that we need to be really sensitive about in terms of our interest in getting close to the whales.”

Mr Orams says increased tour boat activity is forcing mothers to make deep vertical dives to avoid vessels, a tactic which infant calves aren’t yet capable of.

He says these longer separation periods between mothers and calves caused by tourism are not necessarily harmful but indicative of something to be concerned about.

One of Vava’u’s longer term operators, Vaka and Moana’s ‘Aunofo Havea Funaki, has said previously it’s getting unsustainable.

“What I saw was that too many licences were issued in Vava’u and also too many boats.”

There are now over 20 commercial operators taking thousands of tourists out to snorkel close to the whales.

The Tongan government has implemented regulations mitigate negative impacts but Lorenzo Fiori’s shows compliance can be poor.

Wait times between tour operators is not being adhered to and minimum distances from the whales is often not being observed.

The Vava’u Environmental Protection Association’s (VEPA) Karen Stone says, via email, better policing and compliance are needed through active and methodical monitoring.

“With the current regulations, the legislation as attached has clearly laid out fines for infringements on the law, but without monitoring fines cannot be applied.”

AUT’s Mark Orams says caution is also needed to mitigate potential effects of human interaction.

“For example, if we are disrupting nursing behaviour, or if we are inducing stress reaction in the targeted whales, then that is something we should probably think about how we can reduce that negative impact because it is such a critical component of their life cycle.”

He says the research team will continue to work with the government to help educate operators and increase compliance. 

In the meantime, a Vava’u accommodation provider, Vaimalo Fale’s Nikki Griffin, says tourists are overwhelmed with the beauty of the interaction and say curious Humpback calves often are the ones who approach.

“The regulations seem to be followed. The guides that they’re with, the local guides, care about the environment, care about the interaction with the whales. so, it’s just a different perspective from the research.”

The Tonga government says it is committed to providing a healthy environment for whales and the tourism sector and is currently reviewing regulations.

It says its taking on board recommendations from the research including limiting operating hours, installing GPS tracking and observers on boats, and declaring a ‘no-go’ safe zones for nursing mothers.

Senior custom official in meth and firearms charges remains in police custody

By
Kalino Latu
-

The custom official charged in connection with the seizure of about TP$6 million worth of drugs at Queen Salote wharf remained in police custody.

Paula Naitoko. Photo/Facebook

Paula Naitoko’s case has been adjourned to August 9 after a court appearance on July 12.  

Another senior custom officer and a deputy commissioner of police were expected to appear in court to answer questions from Naitoko’s lawyer, a local report said.

Naitoko was expected to apply for his release on bail.

But his lawyer did not attend court when the case was called, it said.

Naitoko, 59, was charged after police busted the drugs smuggled from the US including more than six kilograms of methamphetamine.

Five illegal firearms were also found with ammunition.

“Someone has to pay,” Police Minister says as Turkish tanker blamed for blackout

By
Philip Cass
-

Police Minister Mateni Tapueluelu has vowed Tonga will take action over the internet blackout that cut the kingdom’s communication with the outside world in January.

Hon. Tapueluelu said the loss had cost the kingdom $2 million.

“Someone has to pay,” the Minister told New Zealand’s One News.

“I’m sure some legal action will take place.”

As Kaniva news reported in January, the kingdom’s only internet and mobile phone providers, Digicel and Tonga Communications Corporation, were cut off

Tonga Cable used the local Internet Service Provider (ISP) Easynet via Kacific Satellite to  maintain essential services.

A Turkish-owned fuel tanker that regularly brings essential fuel and gas to the Pacific has been blamed for cutting the underwater fibre-optic cable that carried Tonga’s internet traffic.

One News reported that satellite evidence showed the Duzgit Venture in the same location as the breaks in the cable. It is believed they were caused by a dragging anchor.

The Turkish tanker arrived in Nuka’alofa on a Sunday, despite entry to the port being  banned on the Sabbath

The tanker is reported to have made a circular track across the no anchor area where the cables were cut.

The ship’s owners met with the Tongan Ports Authority in February.

The Duzgit Venture has a gross tonnage of 2166. It was built in 2009 and is registered in Malta.

The main points

  • Police Minister Mateni Tapueluelu has vowed Tonga will take action over the internet blackout that cut the kingdom’s communication with the outside world in January.
  • Hon. Tapueluelu said the loss had cost the kingdom $2 million.

For more information

Tonga keeps close eye on Turkish tanker after it plunged country into communication blackout

https://www.tvnz.co.nz/one-news/world/tonga-keeps-close-eye-turkish-tanker-after-plunged-kingdom-into-communication-blackout

Undersea line has been cut, but could be repaired within two weeks says Tonga Cable

Undersea line has been cut, but could be repaired within two weeks says Tonga Cable

Meeting UN development goals a challenge, but traditional values will help, says Hon. Sika

By
Philip Cass
-

Climate change and the spread of non-communicable diseases continue to pose serious threats to the environment and livelihood of the people of Tonga, a high ranking delegation has told the United Nations.

Delivering the kingdom’s Voluntary National Review in New York this week, Deputy Prime Minister Semisi Sika, said the kingdom faced challenges as it worked to reach the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals for 2030.

Hon. Sika reported on progress made on Sustainable Development Goal 34, Quality Education; SDG 8 on Decent Work and Economic Growth; SDG 10 on Reduced Inequalities; SDG 13 Climate Action; and SDG 16 on Peace and Justice, Strong Institutions and SDG 17 on Partnerships to achieve the goals.

Hon. Sika cautioned that while Tonga was committed to the goals,  the country’s capacity and resource constraints would provide challenges.

He said that Tonga’s cultural and traditional values on sustainable development would help meet the goals.

The Deputy Prime Minister said Tonga had given priority to social protection and human rights with a focus on vulnerable groups.

He said Tonga  was working hard to provide universal health coverage and access to quality healthcare services. He said non-communicable diseases were widespread and there werte concern about the spread o sexually transmitted disease caused by low condom usage.

A National Climate Change Policy and Joint National Action Plan 2018-2028 had been set up to provide strategies for climate actions and a Climate Change Trust Fund has been established to help  vulnerable communities cope.

“Tonga recognises the need for equal opportunities for all, in particular vulnerable and marginalized groups including access to employment, political leadership and social services,” Hon Sika told the UN meeting.

“This is underpinned by our commitment for all men, women and children to live in an environment free from all forms of violence and exploitation.”

Hon. Sika said Tonga’s had met its target of reducing electricity network losses to 11% of total electricity generation in 2017. A total of 10 percent of electricity was produced from renewable sources, with a goal of 50% by 2020.

He said the government was working to make education available to disabled and other vulnerable students and to increase   vocational training.

The main points

  • Climate change and the spread of non-communicable diseases continues to pose serious threats to the environment and livelihood of the people of Tonga, a high ranking delegation has told the United Nation.
  • Delivering the kingdom’ Voluntary National Review in New York this week, Deputy Prime Minister Semisi Sika, said the kingdom faced challenge as it worked to reach the sustainable development goals for 2030.

Joint trial proposal to be heard in Sept for Lord Tu‘ivakanō, Tu‘akoi and Taulua in passport fraud charges

By
Kalino Latu
-

A submission to try Lord Tu’ivakanō, Isabella Satua Tu’akoi and former police inspector ‘Ileana Suliana Taulua together after they had been charged with passport offences is expected to be heard in September.

The crown submitted that the charges against the trio were closely related.

The proposal will be brought before Tonga’s new chief justice who is expected to start working in the kingdom in about two month’s time.

As Kaniva news reported last month, former Prime Minister Lord Tu’ivakanō has pleaded not guilty to a raft of charges stemming from the Chinese passports scandal.

The charges in the Supreme Court involved money laundering, bribery, perjury and fraud.

He had also denied firearms charges.

An audit of Tonga’s immigration divisions, completed in 2013, found a Chinese couple, Sien Lee and his wife, had been issued seven diplomatic passports and 15 ordinary passports since 2003.

A document alleged Lord Tu’ivakanō had received TP$199,408.94 on November 18, 2013 from Sien Lee and Ying Huang Lee while the king’s noble was the Minister of Foreign Affairs.

It said the money was given to persuade him to act in their favour and that he allowed the issuance of documents which proved the holders were Tongan travellers.

According to the document, the application was lodged by Tu’akoi with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ Immigration Department.

A police taskforce was established in 2015 to investigate with help from New Zealand’s Serious Fraud Office.

The defence opposed the request for the joint trial.

Tributes flow for Tongan father hit, killed by train in US

By
Kalino Latu
-

Tributes are flowing online following the death of a 31-year-old Tongan father in the US who was fatally hit by a caltrain.

The San Mateo County Coroner’s Office on Saturday have identified the deceased as Gordon Manuofetoa, the Mercury News reported.

The resident of San Bruno was trespassing on the tracks near the Scott Street crossing when he was hit by northbound train no. 381 about 6.35 pm,  a caltrain company spokesperson Haroon Malek reportedly said.  

“My deepest condolences to my Manuofetoa family of the loss of a son brother uncle and especially a best friend. My prayers are with your family during this difficult time…. Love u guys,” a commenter wrote on Facebook.

“My humble hearts cried aloud with prayers on this day of our family great loss/- the feeling of losing a loved one like stepping on a burning charcoal—we still thankful that God Almighty still in the midst to comfort you and family! Ofa lahi atu,” another wrote.

” Look at your nieces and your Baby Girl ?? Love You Gordon,” one commenter wrote in a post which accompanied by a photo of two young girls and a baby.

The report said: “All trains were stopped in the area following the collision. Malek said the southbound track reopened for train service at restricted speeds of 10 mph about 7:20 p.m.”

Jonah Lomu’s brother denies “niece” claim by Tongan woman guilty in NZ’s largest meth bust

By
Kalino Latu
-

The brother of late rugby legend Jonah Lomu has denied claims by a Tongan woman, who is facing life in jail, that Lomu was her uncle.

Selaima Fakaosilea, 30, and a co-accused, Stevie Norua Cullen, 36, have been on trial in the High Court at Whangārei for the past seven weeks charged with importing methamphetamine and participating in an organised criminal group.

According to Stuff, Fakaosilea was a first cousin of Lomu, although she referred to him as “uncle.”

It said the mother-of-one “comes from a proud sporting family and was a relative of late rugby star Lomu.”

However, Jonah’s young brother Sione Lomu told Kakalu ‘O Tonga newspaper “that was a lie.”

He said they had no family connections at all and he did not know where Selaima and her family get their information from.

“She is not my cousin and I do not know her,” Sione told the paper, which is printed in Tongan.  

Sione also denied to Kakalu that Jonah and Selaima’s mother, Sela Tutu’ila, were first cousins. 

When Selaima first appeared in court the New Zealand media appeared unaware of her controversial claim about blood link to the football legend.

It was only in the reports of the last day of the hearing that Selaima and Jonah claimed connection made headlines, apparently after Stuff interviewed Selaima and her brother Lolo Faka’osilea.

Lolo referred to Lomu as ‘uncle’, telling Stuff he was someone he idolised from a young age.

However, he said he and his siblings did not have a lot to do with their famous uncle, with their parents distancing themselves from the hype of Lomu’s fame.

“For myself, he played a big role because of the influence he had on the game [of rugby] but it was never pushed on us by my family,” he said.

Lolo said the family moved to Australia while the children were still young.

He reportedly said Selaima went to school in Brisbane and was “very smart.”

She was also a talented sportswoman, playing rugby and successfully playing netball to representative level.

But, as the oldest of six children, Selaima had to put aside a potential netball career – and her back-up plan of being a flight attendant – to look after her four youngest siblings, Lolo told Stuff.

“Her main plan was to become a netballer, but she had to give that up when my parents split up [in her last year of high school].”

The drug offence carries a maximum sentence of life imprisonment.

Selaima’s older brother Ulakai Fakaosilea and five others have already pleaded guilty to their roles in the case.

On June 12, 2016, police in the Far North seized 449kg of methamphetamine from a campervan, driven by a 19-year-old known as Witness X, who became the Crown’s key witness. A further 52kg of meth was found by police the following day, buried in sand dunes on Ninety Mile Beach. The 501kg haul had an estimated street value of almost half a billion dollars.

Selaima’s defence was that she was not in Northland when the drugs came ashore and had no knowledge of the drugs or their importation.

She and her co-accused were remanded in custody for sentencing at the High Court in Whangārei. They were expected to be sentenced last week, but it has been postponed until next month.

The main points

  • The brother of late rugby legend Jonah Lomu has denied claims by a Tongan woman, who is facing life in jail, that Lomu was her uncle.
  • Selaima Fakaosilea, 30, and a co-accused have been on trial in the High Court at Whangārei for the past seven weeks charged with importing methamphetamine and participating in an rganised criminal group.

Support for sick sister and children’ education key to Tribunal’s decision to grant residency visas to Tongan family

By
Philip Cass
-

The New Zealand Immigration and Protection Tribunal has ordered that a Tongan family be granted resident visas.

The Tribunal found that they had proved exceptional humanitarian circumstance because it was in the best  interests  of   the    three eldest children  to complete their education in New Zealand and the support the family provided to the wife’s sister, who was seriously ill.

The family consists of the parents, who are Tongan citizens, and their five children, aged 18, 16, 14, six and three.

Before  their arrival  in  New Zealand in December 2007, both the husband and wife had made several visits to New Zealand. When they re-entered in December 2007 with  their  three sons, they held visitor visas.

In July 2008, the husband was granted a two-year Essential Skills work visa to work as a truck driver. He was granted a series of work visas, the last of which expired in October 2018.

The wife also held work visas and the children held student and/or visitor visas. Two daughters were born in New Zealand, in April 2013 and August 2015.

On 19 November 2018, Immigration New Zealand declined to grant the husband a further Essential Skills work visa.

The wife and children’s associated visa applications were also declined in November 2018.

The family filed an appeal in January this year.

In their appeal, the family said the wife’s New Zealand-citizen sister had serious health issues and was due to have major surgery for a pre-cancerous condition of her uterus.

The wife is her only family member in New Zealand and the family provide practical and emotional support to the sister and her family.

They argued that it was in the best interests of the children to stay in New Zealand. If they had to move back to Tonga they would have to live in overcrowded conditions with the husband’s family so the children would be impoverished.

The three sons were senior secondary school students who had been living in New Zealand for more than 10 years and had few memories of Tonga.

The 16-year-old son has significant hearing loss which would be dealt with in New Zealand.

The Tribunal said that if the family had to leave New Zealand, the sister and her family would be left alone to cope with the  trauma  of  the  wife’s  sister’s  forthcoming  surgery  and  an    uncertain future. They had an exceptional need for family support.

It found that the eldest children’s education would be severely disrupted if they had to return to Tonga.

“Weighing this record with the humanitarian circumstances relating to the needs of the wife’s sister and her family and the best interests of the three sons, the Tribunal finds that it would be unjust and unduly harsh for the appellants and their children to be deported from New Zealand,” the Tribunal said.

The Tribunal therefore ordered that the family be granted resident visas.

The main points

  • The New Zealand Immigration and Protection Tribunal has ordered that a Tongan family be granted resident visas.
  • The Tribunal found that they had proved exceptional humanitarian circumstance because it was in the  best  interests  of   the    three eldest children  to complete their education in New Zealand and the support the family provided to the wife’s sister, who was seriously ill.
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