Four Chinese "Tourists" Arrested for Murder; Filipina Embezzler Deported
Four Chinese tourists in Palau arrested for suspected homicide of tour guide
by Leilani Reklai
January 5, 2024
Guam Chief Medical Examiner Dr. Jeffrey Nine who conducted autopsy on burned remains.
KOROR, Palau - Four Chinese tourists have been arrested in Palau for the suspected homicide of a tour guide, authorities said Thursday. The victim, 37-year-old Peng Li, a Chinese national, was found burned in the Ewall area on December 21st, 2023. Charges are expected to be filed in court today against the suspects.
Three male suspects, identified as 41-year-old Ye Fang, 22-year-old Li Songyan, and 23-year-old Xinyu Li, were apprehended Wednesday night. A fourth suspect, a female, Qui Min Yu, is expected to be arrested imminently, according to Acting Director of Public Safety Lt. Gabriel.
Police initially placed the suspects under surveillance but later lost track of them and offered a $1,000 reward for information leading to their capture. On Wednesday, officers spotted one suspect buying food and followed him to a hotel where the others were hiding. “No public tips led to their arrests,” Lt. Gabriel said, “but the dedication of young police officers working overtime was key.”
“We want to assure the public that the suspects are in custody and no longer pose a threat,” Lt. Gabriel said. “We are committed to ensuring a safe and peaceful community for all.”
Guam Chief Medical Examiner Dr. Jeffrey Nine conducted an autopsy and confirmed the death as a homicide caused by blunt force trauma to the head. He estimated the victim may have been dead for at least 24 hours before the body was burned.
Dr. Nine was brought to Palau at the request of President Whipps to Governor Lou Leon Guerrero of Guam to assist with the investigation.
A witness reported seeing a black van leaving the fire scene and provided a photo of the license plate. Police used this information to identify and track the suspects.
The motive for the attack remains unclear. The suspects are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Meanwhile, the Chinese government has requested information about Li’s death and nationality. Palau’s Minister of State Gustav Aitaro stated that with the medical examiner’s confirmation and victim identification, details will be forwarded to the Chinese Embassy in Pohnpei.
https://islandtimes.org/four-chinese-tourists-in-palau-arrested-for-suspected-homicide-of-tour-guide/
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Rowena ordered deported from Palau for 1st degree theft
by Leilani Reklai
January 5, 2024
(Koror, Palau) Palau’s Court accepted the guilty plea agreement Ms. Rowena Cawit, a Philippine national, made with the prosecution, pleading guilty to Theft in the 1st Degree.
Ms. Cawit was hired by Utelligence Limited., a parent company of Palau Solar Corporation. While working for Palau Solar Corp. in Palau, Cawit forged documents, manipulated company payroll and paid herself and her boyfriend illegally, stealing over $33,000 from Palau Solar Corp. Through an independent audit, the theft was discovered, and Ms. Cawit was charged in Palau court.
After accepting the plea agreement, the court sentenced Ms. Cawit to 5 years’ probation, deportation from Palau within 30 days, pay a $500 fine, and mandated Cawit to pay back what was stolen from Palau Solar Corp. Ms. Cawit will not be able to return to Palau until her probation is over.
Theft in the First Degree is a Class B felony with a maximum penalty of ten (10) years imprisonment and a $25,000 fine. The plea agreement made the settlement much less stiff, allowing Ms. Cawit to return to her home country and negotiate an agreement with Utelligence to pay back what was stolen.
https://islandtimes.org/rowena-ordered-deported-from-palau-for-1st-degree-theft/
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Former employee of Solar Pacific Corp charged with Theft in First Degree
by Leilani Reklai
December 15, 2023
A former employee of Utelligence Limited, a parent company of Palau Solar Corp, Ms. Rowena Munez Cawit, was charged with allegedly stealing over $30,000 from Palau Solar Corp. by fraudulently manipulating the company payroll system.
Ms. Rowena Cawit, a former employee of Penthouse Hotel, was released in 2022. She was then hired by Utelligence Limited and worked as an administrative assistant whose tasks included administrating the company payroll.
According to the police report, Ms. Cawit had allegedly obtained the PIN codes of Greg Decherong to process payroll and used the PIN access to make additional payments to herself and her boyfriend Allan Gayona.
The theft was found after a company audit which revealed 32 separate unauthorized transactions to Ms. Cawit’s Bank of Hawaii account of over $21,000 dollars and unauthorized supply payouts to herself and her boyfriend, totaling over $33,904.30.
Ms. Cawit was arrested and charged. Her bail was set at $2,000 or $4,000 surety. Her travel documents were seized and her status conference is set for December 27, 2023.
https://islandtimes.org/former-employee-of-solar-pacific-corp-charged-with-theft-in-first-degree/
by Leilani Reklai
January 5, 2024
Guam Chief Medical Examiner Dr. Jeffrey Nine who conducted autopsy on burned remains.
KOROR, Palau - Four Chinese tourists have been arrested in Palau for the suspected homicide of a tour guide, authorities said Thursday. The victim, 37-year-old Peng Li, a Chinese national, was found burned in the Ewall area on December 21st, 2023. Charges are expected to be filed in court today against the suspects.
Three male suspects, identified as 41-year-old Ye Fang, 22-year-old Li Songyan, and 23-year-old Xinyu Li, were apprehended Wednesday night. A fourth suspect, a female, Qui Min Yu, is expected to be arrested imminently, according to Acting Director of Public Safety Lt. Gabriel.
Police initially placed the suspects under surveillance but later lost track of them and offered a $1,000 reward for information leading to their capture. On Wednesday, officers spotted one suspect buying food and followed him to a hotel where the others were hiding. “No public tips led to their arrests,” Lt. Gabriel said, “but the dedication of young police officers working overtime was key.”
“We want to assure the public that the suspects are in custody and no longer pose a threat,” Lt. Gabriel said. “We are committed to ensuring a safe and peaceful community for all.”
Guam Chief Medical Examiner Dr. Jeffrey Nine conducted an autopsy and confirmed the death as a homicide caused by blunt force trauma to the head. He estimated the victim may have been dead for at least 24 hours before the body was burned.
Dr. Nine was brought to Palau at the request of President Whipps to Governor Lou Leon Guerrero of Guam to assist with the investigation.
A witness reported seeing a black van leaving the fire scene and provided a photo of the license plate. Police used this information to identify and track the suspects.
The motive for the attack remains unclear. The suspects are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Meanwhile, the Chinese government has requested information about Li’s death and nationality. Palau’s Minister of State Gustav Aitaro stated that with the medical examiner’s confirmation and victim identification, details will be forwarded to the Chinese Embassy in Pohnpei.
https://islandtimes.org/four-chinese-tourists-in-palau-arrested-for-suspected-homicide-of-tour-guide/
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Rowena ordered deported from Palau for 1st degree theft
by Leilani Reklai
January 5, 2024
(Koror, Palau) Palau’s Court accepted the guilty plea agreement Ms. Rowena Cawit, a Philippine national, made with the prosecution, pleading guilty to Theft in the 1st Degree.
Ms. Cawit was hired by Utelligence Limited., a parent company of Palau Solar Corporation. While working for Palau Solar Corp. in Palau, Cawit forged documents, manipulated company payroll and paid herself and her boyfriend illegally, stealing over $33,000 from Palau Solar Corp. Through an independent audit, the theft was discovered, and Ms. Cawit was charged in Palau court.
After accepting the plea agreement, the court sentenced Ms. Cawit to 5 years’ probation, deportation from Palau within 30 days, pay a $500 fine, and mandated Cawit to pay back what was stolen from Palau Solar Corp. Ms. Cawit will not be able to return to Palau until her probation is over.
Theft in the First Degree is a Class B felony with a maximum penalty of ten (10) years imprisonment and a $25,000 fine. The plea agreement made the settlement much less stiff, allowing Ms. Cawit to return to her home country and negotiate an agreement with Utelligence to pay back what was stolen.
https://islandtimes.org/rowena-ordered-deported-from-palau-for-1st-degree-theft/
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Former employee of Solar Pacific Corp charged with Theft in First Degree
by Leilani Reklai
December 15, 2023
A former employee of Utelligence Limited, a parent company of Palau Solar Corp, Ms. Rowena Munez Cawit, was charged with allegedly stealing over $30,000 from Palau Solar Corp. by fraudulently manipulating the company payroll system.
Ms. Rowena Cawit, a former employee of Penthouse Hotel, was released in 2022. She was then hired by Utelligence Limited and worked as an administrative assistant whose tasks included administrating the company payroll.
According to the police report, Ms. Cawit had allegedly obtained the PIN codes of Greg Decherong to process payroll and used the PIN access to make additional payments to herself and her boyfriend Allan Gayona.
The theft was found after a company audit which revealed 32 separate unauthorized transactions to Ms. Cawit’s Bank of Hawaii account of over $21,000 dollars and unauthorized supply payouts to herself and her boyfriend, totaling over $33,904.30.
Ms. Cawit was arrested and charged. Her bail was set at $2,000 or $4,000 surety. Her travel documents were seized and her status conference is set for December 27, 2023.
https://islandtimes.org/former-employee-of-solar-pacific-corp-charged-with-theft-in-first-degree/