LAGIM: A Filipino True Crime Podcast

The Mary Jane Veloso Case

In this episode, I thoroughly examine the case of Mary Jane Veloso, a Filipino domestic worker who was arrested in Indonesia in 2010 for smuggling heroin—a crime she insists she was duped into committing by human traffickers. Sentenced to death, her case has been a long and painful journey marked by her family’s tireless fight, the support of allies and advocates, and political complexities that spanned three Philippine presidencies. I highlight how Mary Jane’s case was politicised to her detriment, becoming a symbol during the Duterte administration’s brutal war on drugs, yet offering little hope of resolution. Only recently, in 2024, has her family seen a glimmer of progress. Join me as I trace her story from 2010 to the present, unpacking the legal, political, and personal battles that have shaped her fight for justice. This is the last episode of the year. See you in 2025, LagimFam. Thanks for all your support. All my sources are here [https://lagimpodcast.blogspot.com/2024/12/the-may-jane-veloso-case.html]. Support me: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/juzewoba [https://www.buymeacoffee.com/juzewoba] LAGIM is on social media, so make sure to check me out: https://www.instagram.com/lagimpodcast/ [https://www.instagram.com/lagimpodcast/] https://twitter.com/LagimPod https://facebook.com/lagimpodcast/ https://www.tiktok.com/@lagimpodcast Lagim is now also on Threads! Just search for "lagimpodcast". Subscribe to LAGIM's YouTube channel: https://bit.ly/3rFdWCg [https://bit.ly/3rFdWCg] Follow, rate and review LAGIM on Apple Podcasts and Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3qamBxl https://apple.co/3r3XjzT Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/lagim-a-filipino-true-crime-podcast--5701073/support [https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/lagim-a-filipino-true-crime-podcast--5701073/support?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=rss].

The Cases of Mitzi Joy Balunsay, Queen Leanne Daguinsin and Jastine Valdez

In this episode, I delve into the heartbreaking stories of three young women whose lives were cut short by senseless violence. First, I explore the case of Mitzi Joy Balunsay, a young and promising college student in the Philippines who was murdered in 2017 under harrowing circumstances that continue to haunt her community. I also examine the 2023 murder of Queen Leanne Daguinsin, another vibrant young student whose brutal death revealed unsettling truths about campus safety. Lastly, I recount the case of Jastine Valdez, a Filipina in Ireland whose life was stolen in an abduction that shook two nations and highlighted the need for systemic changes in protecting women. Through these stories, I examine the failures and biases in community and institutional responses, and I question how society can better protect young women from such tragic fates. All my sources are here [https://lagimpodcast.blogspot.com/2024/11/the-cases-of-mitzi-joy-balunsay-queen.html]. Support me: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/juzewoba [https://www.buymeacoffee.com/juzewoba] LAGIM is on social media, so make sure to check me out: https://www.instagram.com/lagimpodcast/ [https://www.instagram.com/lagimpodcast/] https://twitter.com/LagimPod https://facebook.com/lagimpodcast/ https://www.tiktok.com/@lagimpodcast Lagim is now also on Threads! Just search for "lagimpodcast". Subscribe to LAGIM's YouTube channel: https://bit.ly/3rFdWCg [https://bit.ly/3rFdWCg] Follow, rate and review LAGIM on Apple Podcasts and Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3qamBxl https://apple.co/3r3XjzT Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/lagim-a-filipino-true-crime-podcast--5701073/support [https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/lagim-a-filipino-true-crime-podcast--5701073/support?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=rss].

Tales of Modern Slavery + interview with Marissa Begonia of Voices of Domestic Workers (UK)

In this episode, I feature three cases that all involve the heinous crime of modern slavery and its iterations. This episode is in commemoration of Anti-Slavery Day, which is celebrated yearly on October 18th. The first case in this episode is from the US and it involves a Filipina who was kept hidden as a slave by her Filipino "employers" for a total of 19 years. The second case is an Australian case that stunned residents of Sydney in the early 2000s. It involves a young Filipina who was initially hired as a babysitter but was quickly disempowered and enslaved by a Filipino-Australian couple. The last case is a very recent one that was only concluded at the end of September. It involves a young 22-year-old Filipina who was fraudulently recruited by a Swiss-Filipino couple who promised her a residence permit and an education. Little did she know, she will be made not only a slave but a subject of the Swiss man's sadistic tendencies. Please listen with care. Towards the end of this episode, I feature a very informative and eye-opening interview with Marissa Begonia from Voices of Domestic Workers - a UK non-profit that is based in London. As their website [https://www.thevoiceofdomesticworkers.com/] states, VoDW  "is run by and for migrant domestic workers. Our organisation is supported by a Board of Trustees, Volunteers and a small and dedicated staff team. The Voice of Domestic Workers is an education and support group calling for justice and rights for Britain's sixteen thousand migrant domestic workers." "We provide support for domestic workers who need to leave abusive employers and in many cases rescue them ourselves. We find each other emergency accommodations and pool our resources to provide food and clothing. Together we search for ways to overcome our isolation and vulnerability and demand respect as workers, as contributors to the British economy and society, and as human beings. We provide educational and community activities for domestic workers - including financial and employment advice alongside English language lessons, drama and art classes. " My heartfelt thanks goes to Tita Marissa who was very gracious with her time and the rest of the organisation. Please take some time to go through VoDW's website and donate if you can. Please share their link to your socials. More importantly, if you know anyone in the UK or Europe who might be a victim of modern slavery, human trafficking or indentured servitude, make sure to tell them about VoDW. Help is out there. DONATE to VoDW here [https://cafdonate.cafonline.org/10987#!/DonationDetails]. Sources I used are listed here [https://lagimpodcast.blogspot.com/2024/10/tales-of-modern-slavery.html]. Support me: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/juzewoba LAGIM is on social media, so make sure to check me out: https://www.instagram.com/lagimpodcast/ https://twitter.com/LagimPod https://facebook.com/lagimpodcast/ https://www.tiktok.com/@lagimpodcast Lagim is now also on Threads! Just search for "lagimpodcast". Subscribe to LAGIM's YouTube channel: https://bit.ly/3rFdWCg Follow, rate and review LAGIM on Apple Podcasts and Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3qamBxl https://apple.co/3r3XjzT Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/lagim-a-filipino-true-crime-podcast--5701073/support [https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/lagim-a-filipino-true-crime-podcast--5701073/support?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=rss].

UPDATE Episode - The Kingdom of Quiboloy

It has been two years since I last covered the case of Pastor Apollo Quiboloy and his megachurch, The Kingdom of Jesus Christ, The Name Above Every Name. I cover a lot in this episode, so make sure you take breaks in between. In this episode, I make sure to highlight how Quiboloy went from confident preacher to a church leader in hiding. There are going to be details about the case in the US and the Philippines and how Quiboloy became the straw that broke the camel's back when it came to the Marcos-Duterte alliance. Sources I used are listed here [https://lagimpodcast.blogspot.com/2024/10/case-update-on-apollo-quiboloy.html]. Support me: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/juzewoba LAGIM is on social media, so make sure to check me out: https://www.instagram.com/lagimpodcast/ https://twitter.com/LagimPod https://facebook.com/lagimpodcast/ https://www.tiktok.com/@lagimpodcast Lagim is now also on Threads! Just search for "lagimpodcast". Subscribe to LAGIM's YouTube channel: https://bit.ly/3rFdWCg Follow, rate and review LAGIM on Apple Podcasts and Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3qamBxl https://apple.co/3r3XjzT Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/lagim-a-filipino-true-crime-podcast--5701073/support [https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/lagim-a-filipino-true-crime-podcast--5701073/support?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=rss].

Re-Release - The Death of Bree Jonson (Third Death Anniversary)

In this episode, I delve into the life and untimely death of the talented Filipino artist Bree Jonson. Known for her evocative, nature-inspired paintings, Bree was on the cusp of further recognition in the art world when tragedy struck. On 18th September 2021, she was found dead in a hotel room in La Union, a popular beach town in the Philippines. Beside her was Julian Ongpin, the son of a wealthy and influential businessman, which immediately added layers of complexity and controversy to the case. Was it a tragic accident, or is there something more sinister at play? I explore the key facts that I collected when I was blogging about this three years ago. I talk about the mystery surrounding her death, and the fight for justice led by her family and friends. Through witness accounts, legal developments, and reflections on Bree’s artistic legacy, I honour her spirit while seeking to understand the truth behind her untimely demise. *** Three years on and we are still nowhere near any answers to the many questions in Bree’s Death. Justice also remains elusive. I am going to keep re-releasing this episode for as long as this podcast exists. I ask that you help me in making Bree's name appear in algorithms and mentions again. Say her name and keep her case in the media. Thank you. Sources list for this episode is here [https://docs.google.com/document/d/1STlU8-b217EVPBWrPmaWKkA9_F_MmWN0WbRzudt2G_M/edit]. Support me: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/juzewoba LAGIM is on social media, so make sure to check me out: https://www.instagram.com/lagimpodcast/ https://twitter.com/LagimPod https://facebook.com/lagimpodcast/ https://www.tiktok.com/@lagimpodcast Lagim is now also on Threads! Just search for "lagimpodcast". Subscribe to LAGIM's YouTube channel: https://bit.ly/3rFdWCg Follow, rate and review LAGIM on Apple Podcasts and Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3qamBxl https://apple.co/3r3XjzT Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/lagim-a-filipino-true-crime-podcast--5701073/support [https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/lagim-a-filipino-true-crime-podcast--5701073/support?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=rss].