13 July 2005 – Consul General Antonio P. Villamayor of the Philippine Consulate General (PCG) in Osaka, Japan, reported to Secretary of Foreign Affairs Alberto G. Romulo that the first court trial of Mr. Miguel Fernando Paez Vibar, the Philippine Airlines crewmember who was apprehended upon arrival at Kansai International Airport last 12 May 2005 for bringing in a package containing 11.78 kilograms of marijuana, has been scheduled for 27 July 2005 at the Osaka Regional Trial Court.

Shortly after his arrest, Mr. Vibar was able to obtain his own legal counsel in the person of Atty. Motsuhiro Yamane, and has maintained that he had no knowledge whatsoever of the contents of the package. (Please refer to press release SFA-AGR-314-05 of 24 May 2005 for background.)

Consul General Villamayor said that the prosecutor had brought the case to the court last 2 June, and the first court trial has been set for 27 July 2005.

Consul General Villamayor further related that Mr. Vibar was transferred from the Kansai Airport Police Department to the Osaka Detention Center on 10 June.  Atty. Yamane was able to visit Mr. Vibar there last 23 June and related that Mr. Vibar remains physically and mentally fit, although constantly thinking of his family here in the Philippines.  Since Mr. Vibar was prohibited to send letters to anybody, including his family, Atty. Yamane promised to file a petition seeking the court’s permission for his client to communicate with his family.

Consul General Villamayor assured Secretary Romulo that Osaka PCG stands ready to assist Mr. Vibar should he need further assistance, and will monitor the case closely to ensure that Mr. Vibar’s rights under the laws of Japan are respected. END

/jay