Amid continued killings, a UN training to probe unlawful deaths; Marcos writes off land debts; Bill seeks to take media out in drug raids; Negros fighting displaces 100s; US helps fund rights program

July 10, 2023: Philippines human rights news

EXTRAJUDICIAL, SUMMARY, ARBITRARY KILLINGS / QUESTIONABLE DEATHS

Training on Minnesota Protocol in PH concludes 1st run | ABS-CBN News https://news.abs-cbn.com/spotlight/07/08/23/training-on-minnesota-protocol-in-ph-concludes-1st-run

Training on Minnesota Protocol necessary for prevention of EJKs - UN special rapporteur | GMA News Online https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/nation/875157/training-on-minnesota-protocol-necessary-for-prevention-of-ejks-un-special-rapporteur/story/

Quezon village chief slain | Philstar.com https://www.philstar.com/nation/2023/07/09/2279769/quezon-village-chief-slain

Pulis na nag-iimbestiga sa binaril na delivery rider, nasawi matapos na barilin din | Balitambayan https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/balitambayan/promdi/875177/pulis-na-nag-iimbestiga-sa-binaril-na-delivery-rider-nasawi-matapos-na-barilin-din/story/

Lalaking may negosyo sa pagpapautang, patay matapos barilin sa Muntinlupa | Balitambayan https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/balitambayan/balita/875115/lalaking-may-negosyo-sa-pagpapautang-patay-matapos-barilin-sa-muntinlupa/story/

‘DRUG WAR’ / LEILA DE LIMA

Bishop David, defender of drug war victims, reelected CBCP president https://www.rappler.com/nation/bishop-pablo-virgilio-david-reelected-cbcp-president-july-2023/

DOJ: Prosecutors asked judge to inhibit to get new perspective on De Lima’s remaining drug case https://www.cnnphilippines.com/news/2023/7/7/DOJ-motion-to-inhibit-judge-in-De-Lima-case.html

De Lima 'irked' by reports repeatedly labeling 'total stranger' Jad Dera as her co-accused https://www.cnnphilippines.com/news/2023/7/8/leila-de-lima-jad-dera.html

Davao police step up drug war after P18-M shabu catch https://www.rappler.com/nation/mindanao/davao-police-step-up-drug-war-after-shabu-catch-july-2023/

POLITICAL VIOLENCE

Quezon village chief slain | Philstar.com https://www.philstar.com/nation/2023/07/09/2279769/quezon-village-chief-slain

Degamo slay victims assured of justice amid gunmen’s retractions | Philstar.com https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2023/07/10/2279950/degamo-slay-victims-assured-justice-amid-gunmens-retractions

Despite recantations, evidence vs Degamo suspects strong – PNP | Philstar.com https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2023/07/08/2279471/despite-recantations-evidence-vs-degamo-suspects-strong-pnp

MEDIA / PRESS FREEDOM

Bill to exempt journos from testifying in drug cases | Inquirer News https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1799148/bill-to-exempt-journos-from-testifying-in-drug-cases

‘Time to remove journos as drug raid witnesses’ | Inquirer News https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1798502/time-to-remove-journos-as-drug-raid-witnesses

Court issues arrest warrant vs alleged gunman in Mindoro broadcaster's killing | GMA News Online https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/regions/875133/court-issues-arrest-warrant-vs-alleged-gunman-in-mindoro-broadcaster-s-killing/story/

DISINFORMATION

Still blaming ‘bobotantes’ for the spread of fake news? | Inquirer News https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1799149/still-blaming-bobotantes-for-the-spread-of-fake-news

Study seeks focus on PH ‘disinformation economy’ https://www.panaynews.net/study-seeks-focus-on-ph-disinformation-economy/

YouTube shuts down channels affiliated with Quiboloy | Inquirer News https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1799062/youtube-shuts-down-channels-affiliated-with-quiboloy

Quiboloy's SMNI News on YouTube shut down | Inquirer News https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1798738/quiboloy-owned-smni-news-terminated-from-youtube

ATTACKS AGAINST ACTIVISTS

‘Stop disrespecting human rights’ – lawyers - Bulatlat https://www.bulatlat.com/2023/07/08/stop-disrespecting-human-rights-lawyers/

COMMUNIST INSURGENCY

Hundreds displaced in Negros Occidental AFP-NPA clashes | Philstar.com https://www.philstar.com/nation/2023/07/09/2279767/hundreds-displaced-negros-occidental-afp-npa-clashes

Clash in Negros Occidental forces evacuations, disrupts classes https://www.rappler.com/nation/visayas/negros-occidental-clash-july-7-2023/

Displaced families in Negros Occidental clash return home, alleged communist rebel killed https://www.rappler.com/nation/visayas/displaced-families-negros-occidental-clash-return-home-alleged-communist-rebel-killed/

Rebel killed in 3 Himamaylan encounters https://visayandailystar.com/rebel-killed-in-3-himamaylan-encounters/

Tip-off from ex-rebel results in clashes - Daily Guardian https://dailyguardian.com.ph/tip-off-from-ex-rebel-results-in-clashes/

LAND RIGHTS / LAND REFORM

‘Emancipation’: P58-B land reform debts wiped out | Inquirer News https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1798843/emancipation-p58-b-land-reform-debts-wiped-out

New Agrarian Emancipation Act signed; P57.5-B debt of 610K farmers condoned | Inquirer News https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1798592/bongbong-marcos-signs-new-agrarian-emancipation-act

After Marcos relieves farmers of debt, gov’t needs to follow through – groups https://www.rappler.com/nation/government-follow-through-marcos-jr-relieves-farmers-debt-agrarian-emancipation-act/

Law writing off P58B land reform debts a ‘second chance’ for farmers —DAR exec | GMA News Online https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/content/875206/law-writing-off-p58b-land-reform-debts-a-second-chance-for-farmers-dar-exec/story/

P1B in loans by farmers in Caraga condoned under new agrarian law https://www.mindanews.com/top-stories/2023/07/p1b-in-loans-by-farmers-in-caraga-condoned-under-new-agrarian-law/

2,687 Caraga region farmer receive land titles | Inquirer News https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1798729/2687-caraga-region-farmer-receive-land-titles

Zamboanga Peninsula farmers get land titles as Marcos signs new agrarian reform law https://www.rappler.com/nation/mindanao/farmers-zamboanga-peninsula-get-land-titles-marcos-jr-signs-agrarian-emancipation-act/

INDIGENOUS PEOPLES

Boracay Island Atis ‘shocked’ by DAR probes on contested land – lawyer - Daily Guardian https://dailyguardian.com.ph/boracay-island-atis-shocked-by-dar-probes-on-contested-land-lawyer/

ENVIRONMENT / CLIMATE

El Niño brings benefits, risks to sugar farmers https://www.panaynews.net/el-nino-brings-benefits-risks-to-sugar-farmers/

Rising temperature affects corn plantation in Cavite | ABS-CBN News https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/multimedia/photo/07/09/23/rising-temperature-affects-corn-plantation-in-cavite

HEALTH

Philippine health care system 'in ICU' – group | The Manila Times https://www.manilatimes.net/2023/07/09/news/national/philippine-health-care-system-in-icu-group/1899779

Only 1 percent of Pinays are screened for cancer | Philstar.com https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2023/07/10/2279929/only-1-percent-pinays-are-screened-cancer

Access to potable water, sanitation still unsure for many in PH | Inquirer News https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1798842/access-to-potable-water-sanitation-still-unsure-for-many-in-ph

At least 5 kids die as pertussis spreads in South Cotabato village https://www.rappler.com/nation/mindanao/pertussis-deaths-spreads-south-cotabato-village-july-2013/

INTERNATIONAL ACTORS

US donates almost ₱7M to PH-UN human rights program https://www.cnnphilippines.com/news/2023/7/9/US-donates-almost--7M-to-PH-UN-human-rights-program.html

Austin concerned about China's 'risky' behavior vs PH vessels in Ayungin Shoal | GMA News Online https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/nation/875080/austin-concerned-about-china-s-behavior-vs-ph-vessels-in-ayungin-pentagon/story/

US concerned over China maneuvers near Ayungin; China insists it’s their territory https://www.rappler.com/nation/united-states-says-concerned-china-maneuvers-ayungin-shoal-china-insists-territory/

AFP, PCG boost patrols vs Chinese ships in West Philippine Sea | Philstar.com https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2023/07/10/2279974/afp-pcg-boost-patrols-vs-chinese-ships-west-philippine-sea

Italy brings Navy ship to PH, eyes more presence in Indo-Pacific | Philippine News Agency https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1205226

US says military plane landed in NAIA to comply with rules, admits 'lack of coordination' — Sen. Marcos https://www.cnnphilippines.com/news/2023/7/7/us-plane-land-naia-explanation.html

Philippines, US air forces start second iteration of Cope Thunder 2023 | GMA News Online https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/nation/875138/philippines-us-air-forces-start-second-iteration-of-cope-thunder-2023/story/