History of PREDA

Before Preda Foundation Inc. became "PREDA"

(Or, what exactly IS "PREDA"?)

Before you get started, please look at the above scanned excerpt from Shay Cullen's book "Passion and Power" (page number included) - Is that an admission that he obtained the property that is now Preda Foundation by theft?

In fact, if you compare the original Articles of Incorporation (supplied to me by the Securities and Exchange Commission), you will find that Preda was originally NOT involved in any way with sexually abused women or children!

According to Shay Cullen, he founded PREDA in 1974. What actually was founded, according to a petition dated 5 July 1974 by FATHER GEORGE L. LOISELLE, special assistant to the President of DARE (“Drug Abuse Research”) Foundation (founded in 1972), was a nonexistent organization named Zambales Rehabilitation Center, which was founded by Shay Cullen in his takeover of DARE’s property by filing its Articles of Incorporation with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The complaint was in the form of a petition demanding that respondent CULLEN not be allowed to occupy the property originally belonging to DARE, located at Kalaklan, Olongapo City (which is where PREDA currently is located). The petition is reproduced here (Along with other documents that pertain to this chapter):

Now, the President of DARE was FATHER BOB GARRON. Doesn’t it seem strange that two priests would tie together to complain against one priest over a piece of land? Just the thought of such a happening is astounding! It is my understanding that Father Bob Garron dropped the complaint only to avoid a protracted trial which would adversely affect the operation of its drug rehabilitation center. He simply bore the agony of having been cheated what should have been rightfully DARE’s center in Olongapo City.

Another thought is the statement within the petition that the organization “Zambales Rehabilitation Center (ZARECEN)” NEVER EXISTED (paragraph 1.8, pages 5 and 6 in the above petition).

This accusation, unfortunately, is unfounded, based on the recently supplied documents from the Securities and Exchange Commission (page 1, page 2, page 3, page 4). If you note the myriad of misspellings, the shortness of the form compared to a later one that I provide here (my comments appear at the bottom of each page), it appears that the document may have been rushed into production. Further, on the very first page of the document, it lists the prime objectives of the organization to be called “Zambales Rehabilation Center” (note pen and ink change to correct the misspelling) as “SECOND . . . . . 1. To establish ,operated and maintain a treatment center or centers for the rehabilation of any who have become dependent or addicted to drugs or alcohol in the communities where the said corporation has established a rehabilation center.” [all extra spaces, wrong placement of punctuation and misspellings copied verbatim, first word of first line used only to locate exact position of subject line (note also the glaring point that treatment was not for children, but 'of any' who needed help)]

So, as I see it, Preda was started upon a lie. The property was stolen, the government did nothing to correct the injustice, and the government of the Philippines is owed a lot of explanation by Shay Cullen for his corrupting justice, libeling the people and the government of the Philippines, and throwing falsified charges and documents to cover up for his misdeeds. His deportation is long overdue, does one not think? What about the Catholic Church? Will they continue to support this person in light of this?

Now, according to Shay Cullen, he established the Foundation for the benefit of the Filipino in 1974. Perhaps, but perhaps not. Consider the fact that the property was STOLEN, if the petition by priests can be believed. In said petition, they stated that Shay Cullen was to act only as an agent of DARE, yet he went outside the bounds of his duties to become the sole proprietor of the property. Or was he working in collusion with others who were assisting him for some profit?Another thought is the statement within the petition that the organization “Zambales Rehabilitation Center (ZARECEN)” NEVER EXISTED (paragraph 1.8, pages 5 and 6 in the above-referenced petition).

What is important, though, is that the Articles clearly spell out in its title the singular purpose of PREDA: Prevent and Rehabilitate Drug Abusers, Inc., later changed to Preda Foundation, Inc. Why, then, was he involved in the following documented controversies:

This accusation, unfortunately, is unfounded, based on the recently supplied documents from the Securities and Exchange Commission (page 1, page 2, page 3, page 4). If you note the myriad of misspellings, the shortness of the form compared to later ones that I have access to and provide here, it appears that the document may have been rushed into production. Further, on the very first page of the document, it lists the prime objectives of the organization to be called “Zambales Rehabilation Center” (note pen and ink change to correct the misspelling) as “SECOND . . . . . 1. To establish ,operated and maintain a treatment center or centers for the rehabilation of any who have become dependent or addicted to drugs or alcohol in the communities where the said corporation has established a rehabilation center.” [all extra spaces, wrong placement of punctuation and misspellings copied verbatim, first word of first line used only to locate exact position of subject line]

1974: Father George L. Loiselle files for Father Bob Garron of the organization "Drug Abuse Research Foundation, Inc. (DARE). Note that this is the year listed in several of Shay Cullen's statements to be the year that he founded PREDA. Note also that Shay Cullen’s description of Preda does NOT hold true to the beginning precepts. There is not one mention in the original document of “sexually abused women and children,” yet he and his staff have NO program that is visibly available today to help those who need help for drug/alcohol addiction, the primary goal of the Zambales Rehabilation Center. Again and again I ask “When were drug/alcohol addicts housed with sexually abused women and children?”

1980: The burial of one Wilfredo Tan was disrupted, causing severe grief and hardship for his family, because Preda, located next to the Olongapo Cemetery did not want the grave next to their driveway. The father of the deceased, Mr. Jose Tan, was forced by threat and intimidation of Shay Cullen, who demanded that the son be buried elsewhere, as he had reserved “rights” for the plot selected by the family. This foreigner Irish “priest” has more rights than a grieving Filipino family? This was duly reported on the very first page of a petition for his deportation in 1982.

1982: When twelve young girls were victimized by an American serviceman, Shay Cullen used his contacts as a journalist to report their plight before the American could be brought to justice. As a result of his interference, the American fled, but was eventually brought to Guam where he was convicted to one year at hard labor, a very light sentence indeed. Worse, when Cullen reported the victims, they were referred to as “prostitutes” with no regard for the possibility that they may not have been willing to the abuse. The term “prostitutes” was used by the American’s defense attorney for the arrival of the light sentence. Shay Cullen never attended the hearings, but he takes credit for the conviction.

1983: The mayor of Olongapo City ordered the relocation of squatters from an unhealthy site to a site near Preda. Shay Cullen objected strenuously and claimed the land as his. Whether he won the land or not is not the issue. His obstruction of the government’s attempt to help indigent people is. Read on:

1987: Again, squatters were being relocated from a dump site for health reasons. The order was held in abeyance until after the Christmas season, and when then new Mayor of Olongapo City began to enforce the order, Shay Cullen began a campaign on the squatters’ behalf, claiming that he had been instrumental in relocating the poor to the site next to Preda (see 1983 above). He further claimed that barricades were constructed and that a child died because of the barricades. I have not been able to uncover any evidence of such a death from barricades.

1988: In July, 16 Barangay Captains of Olongapo signed a letter to the Commissioner of Immigration and Deportation bringing to attention the complaints of their constituents for the "excesses of an alien priest, Fr. Shay Cullen in Olongapo City." This document, although sent to the Bureau of Immigration and Deportation, does not exist in Shay Cullen's file in said office. Why?.

Shay Cullen was indicted for libel in CC 9031 in Zamboanga. In 1990, two years later and apparently without going to trial, the Department of Justice overturned the filing of the case. The whole point here is that Shay Cullen again avoided having justice served on him. Whether or not he or his supporters corrupted the government is only partially the issue. The real point is that the people fo the Philippines have been dogged by this man for years and want him out, yet the government ignores the pleas of its citizens

1989: Shay Cullen wrote an article entitled “Fire on the Rim” in which he claims that the clergy and the politicians of Olongapo are not concerned with the fact that a quarter of a million people are supporting prostitution. Interestingly put: Olongapo City in 1989 had a population of 250,000, more or less. Does that mean every man, woman and child of Olongapo was a prostitute, or was he trying to convince his readers that Olongapo was a much larger city? Basically, Olongapo has only three (3) major roads: 1) the National Highway that goes past Preda; 2) Rizal Avenue which turns into the Gapan highway, the major road feeding to San Fernando and other parts of Luzon Island; and 3) Magsaysay, which is only about 150 meters long, connecting Rizal and the Subic base. Notice also that Shay Cullen almost always refers to Olongapo as the haven for prostitutes, etc. As in any country, prostitution can be found in most major cities, especially where any military installation, U.S. or others, and this country is no different, yet Shay Cullen is rather consistent in mentioning Olongapo. Oh, sure, he mentions Angeles City, Davao and Manila from time to time, but it does seem that his major concern is with Olongapo City. Why?

In November, the residents of Olongapo City petitioned for the ouster and deportation of Shay Cullen. He is still there.

In December, more than 120 policemen signed a petition to effect the deportation of Shay Cullen from the Philippines. Why was this signed petition ignored?

1990: A petition to the Department of Labor and Employment was filed in February by no less than the workers for Shay Cullen, claimed by them that he had them working for "Manufacturing and exporting handicrafts" and had not paid them overtime, legal holiday, night shift and thirteenth month pay, did not give them leave and had underpaid them in regards to the minimum wage. Wait a minute: "Manufacturing and exporting handicrafts"? Isn't this supposed to be a DRUG REHABILITATION related organization? Surely, if handicrafts are part of a treatment program, the work would not be done by EMPLOYEES, would it, to the point that employees would make a formal complaint?

This same group of PREDA workers filed with the Social Security System at the same time for Shay Cullen's failure to include them in the mandatory payments as required by law.

The above actions were included in a letter to the Commissioner on Immigration and Deportation asking for the deportation of Shay Cullen BY HIS OWN FORMER EMPLOYEES, yet the request was ignored as of this date, and this letter and supporting documents were not in Shay Cullen's file when it was investigated in July 2004 at Bureau of Immigration and Deportation.

In July, these same workers filed a position paper with the Department of Labor and Employment, referring to PREDA not as a rehabilitation center as originally viewed, but as "PREDA REHABILITATION AND HUMAN DEVELOPMENT CENTER." The change in goals was under way, yet no one noticed.

Shay Cullen was able to obtain a license to operate his organization as “Childhood for Children, Preda Foundation, Inc.” It seems a wonder to me the sudden shift from helping drug addicts to helping children. Were children locked up with drug abusers, or were the drug abusers dumped back on the streets, or WERE THERE EVER ANY DRUG ABUSERS BEING HELPED? I have never known him to mention one by name or description, and my research into his past has uncovered little information supporting any activity in this regard.

Seriously, though, he MAY have helped some drug abusers, but to date, I have nothing to confirm this other than a report by a petition to the BID on July 26, 1988, where the letter stated in the second paragraph of the first page, “At present, however, the center has become, under Fr. Cullen’s administration mainly a factory for a flourishing furniture export business. Drug rehabilitation has become a secondary function, and drug abusers can only be admitted if they can pay P1,200.00 a month.” For drug abusers who most likely had no money to pay at all, and average income for Filipinos was less than P3,000.00 in 1988 for most families in the Philippines, that price is obviously out of reach except for well off families.

Either way, drug abusers and children?

1994: The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) released at least one report that stated without reservation that Shay Cullen interfered with an investigation, threatened, was otherwise abusive, arrogant and troublesome, and apparently LIED to the NBI official about an event that was to occur involving a radio message (remember the nonexistent Zambales Research Center?).

Shay Cullen expanded the ideals to include "human resources, family and community development and research incorporated," according to his statements in various newspapers and on his web site. I have been provided a copy of the revised Articles of Incorporation from the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) that are UNSIGNED. When I questioned the SEC about that fact, they provided the signed Articles of Incorporation of the ZARECEN of 1974, twenty years prior, as proof that PREDA and ZARECEN are one and the same. They refused to answer the question as to why and when drug addicts/alcoholics were ever cared for in the same facility.

Now, I don’t know about the reader, but this is rather confusing: What do these expansion programs have to do at all with drug rehabilitation? I cannot but wonder why children should be locked up within the same walls as drug addicts are purported to be treated.

By the way, the latest download I did from his site if reprinted here. Why does it not even MENTION drug assistance in any way? Does the reader consider the possibility that the reason he no longer has any connection at all with drug assistance within his hype might be because he never really was helping those he claimed to help? When was the prime objective of Shay Cullen totally abandoned? Or was drug dependent assistance ever truly a part of his program, despite the past documents and pronouncements by Shay Cullen?

1995: The NBI released another report involving Shay Cullen, again showing that Shay Cullen was manipulating the media to place himself in a good light and the NBI in a bad light. This wa apparently tolerated by the government because of his title "Father" (or did money or other favors again cross hands to protect this man from the ire of the local people?).

Olongapo City filed complaints against Shay Cullen for Grave Coercion and Resistance and Disobedience to an Agent of a Person in Authority (CC 546-96 and 547-96).

1996: Citizens of Olongapo City sign a petition declaring Shay Cullen "Persona Non Grata" and requesting that the deportation proceedings be revived. The petition further states cases of land grabbing by this Irishman, selling of donations to needy families for his profit, and his interference with justice and government programs in more than one instance. Was this also acted upon? No.

In June, the Barangay of Gordon Heights issued Resolution Number 11, Series of 1996, which was furnished to the Bureau of Immigration and Deportation with a demand for his immediate deportation. Again ignored, and said document is not in the files in the Bureau of Immigration and Deportation.

1997: In April, another complaint fro the deportation of Shay Cullen was initiated by several residents, not only from Olongapo City, but also Subic, San Marcelino, San Filipe, San Antonio, and Castellejos in the Province of Zambales as well as from Morong, Bataan. Again, although the copy I have available is stamped "RECEIVED" by the Bureau of Immigration and Deportation, there is no such document in Shay Cullen's file in the BID.

The Barangay of Barretto, Olongapo City issued Resolution No. 31, Series of 1997, urgently petitioning the authorities to deport Shay Cullen. Again, this petition was ignored and does not exist in Shay Cullen's file.

1998: In February, a letter was sent to the Vatican for help in investigating the abduction of my daughter by Shay Cullen and his organization. No answer was ever given, and that letter and situation was ignored by the Catholic Church. To date, although the Vatican has been informed of this ongoing situation from time to time, there has been NO RESPONSE to ANY letter or package of documents sent to them. Therefore, I have no regret in informing the public of their lack of interest in bringing to justice a priest who is here documented as having committed theft, lies, and rape of a child by his own documents signed by him and his staff.

On 25 July, the Bureau of Immigration sent Shay Cullen a letter demanding an answer within ten (10) days. The filers of said complaints were never given any response, and this letter, sent by the BID, was not in his file in July 2004.

In August, another letter requesting further input for the deportation of Shay Cullen was hand carried to the BID. No reply was ever received, and the letter was not in the file when the file was opened in July 2004.

1999: On 26 January 1999, the Department of Justice forwarded to the Commissioner, Bureau of Immigration, Magallanes Drive, Manila, another complaint for the deportation of Shay Cullen. Although this inter-department indorsement has been uncovered, the file in the BID did not haave this document in July 2004.

In February, the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) sent a letter out in response to a request about the financial statements of Preda. The letter stated that "no audited statements were available for the years 1996-1998.

In March, the above DOST sent out another reponse signed by the very same person stating that Preda was fully accredited. Amazing, isn't it? Was this person paid off by Shay Cullen and/or his supporters?

2000: On 8 August, the BID provisionally dismissed the complaints for the deportation of Shay Cullen. Again, it seems that all the background complaints filed by other Filipinos was ignored for the benefit of a rich Irish person who publicly disparages the Philippines not only in the media here, but also abroad and on the Internet! More than that, this latest document was not in Shay Cullen's file in July 2004!

2004: My Filipina wife and I filed a formal complaint for the deportation of Shay Cullen personally in Manila, including all the documents up to that point that could be uncovered (many of the above documents were uncovered after the filing of the complaint). When Shay Cullen's file was opened, it contained only four (4) documents, none of which were derogatory!

2005: In January, my wife and I wrote to the BID with a printout of a page from Shay Cullen's web site. In it were the following statements:

* - A building permit was denied (apparently in 1991 or 1992) by the local Civil Engineer, but said permit was overruled by the National Government. Now, two things here: Is this a new event, or a rehash of an old event? and: What branch of the National Government ever overrules local building codes? In other words, isn't this an obvious disparaging remark about the local government?

* - He makes a generalized statement that he is under "illegal surveillance." What proof has he to offer for this statement? Is it surveilance by individuals, government, gangs, or what? By the context of the sentence, the word "illegal" could possibly mean "government" and that is certainly not complimentary to the people that allow him to stay in the Philippines.

* - He makes another statement that some wards of Preda were "illegally" detained. First of all, who is he to state what constitutes legal or illegal detention? Secondly, he goes on to say that the officials and police were distracted, allowing the children to get into the Preda vehicle, and although the police persued them, they sped away. Now, I don't know about the reader, but this seems certainly to fall under obstruction of justice, don't you think?

* - Finally, he revives an event that landed him in court in 1995, protesting on a power pole that the government was setting up to distribute more electrical power for the people. Now, these poles were newer, higher, stronger, and nicer looking than the old metal gridwork or wooden power poles that were used in the past, yet Shay Cullen publishes his picture on the pole for the world to see how "terrible" the government is by putting up "dangerous" high power lines around children. If you look at the picture, he is obviously not even halfway up the pole, because the picture, taken from his observation deck at Preda, is angled down at him. Obviously, children could not possibly come within range of the high voltage power lines, and the lines are on a pole much higher than the previously used gridwork or wooden poles. Is it possible that he is miffed at the government for spoiling his pristine view of Subic Bay?

In February, the BID sent a demand to Shay Cullen in reference to this web page with an admonition that he is "urged to submit all immigration documents and evidence to controver the accusation against you." Remember that we filed the case for his deportation in July, and this is the first document we get concerning his defense of said deportation more than six months after the filing, and in that document is not a demand, but only an urge to submit evidence!

On 21 March, another letter was sent to the BID as to Shay Cullen's disregard for this country's laws, based on information submitted from his own web pages, yet up to this time (June), there has been no response. Can the reader guess why?

As can be seen from the information above, there have been no less than eleven attempts for Shay Cullen's deportation, yet the man is still insulting not only the government of the Philippines, but many good and honest people as well, and he continues to distort the facts in order to make himself look like a victim fighting for the rights of the downtrodden. Does the reader think that maybe he is only after fame and donations, or is he truly trying to help the poor?

* - Local officials had filed another complaint for his deportation (strange, I thought my wife and I did this).