Filipino gets 8.5 years in Bermuda prison for gun, pot-smuggling

HAMILTON, Bermuda — Filipino national Romonito Adlawan, 36, who pleaded guilty smuggling of drugs, firearm and ammunition into Bermuda was sentenced to 8-and-half years in prison June 4 by Puisne Judge Charles-Etta Simmons.

On May 11 Adlawan, who worked on the ship Somers Isle, was arrested along with Jermaine Butterfield, 47, of Sandys and Kimmisha Perinchief, 29 of Southampton, on multiple charges including conspiring to import cannabis, a prohibited weapon‎ and ammunition without holding a valid license into Bermuda. The offenses allegedly occurred between an unknown date and May 5, according to reports by Bernews and Today in Bermuda.

Laurence Sumando of the Philippine Embassy in Washington met with Romonito Adlawan’s lawyer, Lawrence Scott to ensure the protection of Adlawan’s rights. BERNEWS PHOTO

The three were also charged with possessing $8, 000 cash which directly or indirectly represented the proceeds from the crime. Butterfield and Perinchief have not yet made an appearance in Supreme Court.

Adlwan’s lawyer, Lawrence Scott, advised him to seek representation from the Embassy of the Philippines in Washington D.C. as it is the nearest Consulate office.

Laurence Sumando of the Philippine Embassy in Washington, D.C. arrived Bermuda on June 1 and consulted with Scott and Adlawan. Sumando also met with the Commissioner of Prisons Lt/Col. Eddie Lamb.

Adlawan was brought to the Supreme Court on June 4and changed his “not guilty” plea to “guilty.”

Before he was sentenced to eight-and-a-half years he expressed remorse. Scott said they would appeal the sentence.

Filipinos in Bermuda were not proud of Adlwan’s action, but they were helpful in making sure that his rights were respected and some had already visited him in jail, Bernews reported.

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