Philippines: Human rights news 01/19/2023
Top News: #MariaRessa acquittal hailed around the world, "truth wins"; more summary killings; woman confesses to setting up Leila de Lima; father of abducted activist fears for safety
MARIA RESSA
‘Step towards media freedom’: Nations, groups laud tax violation acquittal of Rappler, Maria Ressa https://www.cnnphilippines.com/news/2023/1/18/Maria-Ressa-Rappler-acquittal-reactions.html
Maria Ressa on tax evasion acquittal: 'Today, facts win, truth wins, justice wins' https://www.rappler.com/nation/maria-ressa-statement-tax-evasion-acquittal-today-facts-truth-justice-win/
‘Important step’ for press freedom: Countries praise Rappler tax evasion acquittal https://www.rappler.com/nation/important-step-for-press-freedom-countries-praise-rappler-tax-evasion-acquittal/
Rappler’s acquittal of tax evasion ‘a victory for press freedom,’ groups say | Inquirer News https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1717993/rapplers-acquittal-of-tax-evasion-a-victory-for-press-freedom-groups-say
Maria Ressa acquitted of tax evasion charges in the Philippines - The Washington Post https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2023/01/17/maria-ressa-acquitted-tax-evasion-philippines/
‘Truth wins’: Maria Ressa, Philippine Nobel prize winner, acquitted of tax evasion charges | Maria Ressa | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/jan/18/maria-ressa-acquitted-tax-evasion-charges-philippine-nobel-prize-winner-rappler-news
Journalists, allies hopeful for media freedom after Ressa, Rappler tax case acquittal | Philstar.com https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2023/01/18/2238504/journalists-allies-hopeful-media-freedom-after-ressa-rappler-tax-case-acquittal
Court acquits Rappler, Maria Ressa of tax evasion - Bulatlat https://www.bulatlat.com/2023/01/18/court-acquits-rappler-maria-ressa-of-tax-evasion/
‘Go bag,’ police raid drills for Nobel laureate Maria Ressa | GMA News Online https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/nation/857860/go-bag-police-raid-drills-for-nobel-laureate-maria-ressa/story/
Amal Clooney: 'Freedom upheld’ by court on Rappler tax case acquittal https://www.rappler.com/nation/amal-clooney-statement-maria-ressa-tax-case-acquittal-january-2023/
'Beacon of hope': Cagayan de Oro journalists hail acquittal of Rappler https://www.rappler.com/nation/mindanao/cagayan-de-oro-journalists-statements-acquittal-tax-cases-january-2023/
EXTRAJUDICIAL / SUMMARY KILLING
2 found dead in Quezon | Philstar.com https://www.philstar.com/nation/2023/01/19/2238574/2-found-dead-quezon
Man slain, pal hurt in shooting incident in Quezon | Inquirer News https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1717980/man-slain-pal-hurt-in-shooting-incident-in-quezon
DRUG WAR / LEILA DE LIMA
Sandra Cam: I was used as a tool for the imprisonment of Leila De Lima | GMA News Online https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/nation/857841/sandra-cam-i-was-used-as-a-tool-for-the-imprisonment-of-leila-de-lima/story/
31 NCR cops on 'watchlist' negative in surprise drug test | Philippine News Agency https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1193036
ENFORCED DISAPPEARANCES
Father of abducted Cebu activist fearing for family's safety | GMA News Online https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/regions/857797/father-of-abducted-cebu-activist-fearing-for-family-s-safety/story/
CHR condemns ‘abduction’ of 2 labor rights advocates, starts own investigation – Manila Bulletin https://mb.com.ph/2023/01/18/chr-condemns-abduction-of-2-laborrights-advocates-starts-own-investigation/
Abduction probe stalled as activists yet to show up | Inquirer News https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1718294/abduction-probe-stalled-as-activists-yet-to-show-up
INSURGENCY
13 Samar ‘NPA leaders’ surrender; Army vows sustained support for ex-rebels https://www.rappler.com/nation/samar-npa-leaders-surrender-army-vows-support-ex-rebels-january-2023/
CARHR-IHL in review: On protection of rights of civilians and non-combatants during war https://dnx.news/carhr-ihl-in-review-on-protection-of-rights-of-civilians-and-non-combatants-during-war/
2 NPA rebels killed clash - SUNSTAR https://www.sunstar.com.ph/article/1951185/zamboanga/local-news/2-npa-rebels-killed-clash
ATTACKS AGAINST ACTIVISTS
Makabayan bloc presses House to condemn alleged abduction of 2 Cebu activists | Inquirer News https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1718020/makabayan-bloc-urges-house-to-condemn-alleged-abduction-of-2-cebu-activists
Calls for justice as murder raps on Asuncion case junked | ABS-CBN News https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/multimedia/photo/01/18/23/calls-for-justice-as-murder-raps-on-asuncion-case-junked
Activists nix Cebu measure on turnover of school calendars to PNP https://www.rappler.com/nation/visayas/cebu-protest-measure-turnover-schools-calendar-pnp/
'
CHILDREN
4 of 17 CICL who escaped from youth detention center have yet to be found - SUNSTAR https://www.sunstar.com.ph/article/1951154/cebu/local-news/4-of-17-cicl-who-escaped-from-youth-detention-center-have-yet-to-be-found
LABOR
DFA hit for ‘sloppy’ legal aid for jailed OFWs | Inquirer News https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1717835/dfa-hit-for-sloppy-legal-aid-for-jailed-ofws
Another batch of OFWs forced to work as 'crypto scammers': Hontiveros | ABS-CBN News https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/01/18/23/another-batch-of-ofws-forced-to-work-as-crypto-scammers-hontiveros
‘Chinese mafia’ forcing Pinoys into crypto scam remains active | Philippine News Agency https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1192997
Migrante hits Tulfo call to deny legal aid to OFWs facing drug charges | Philstar.com https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2023/01/18/2238531/migrante-hit-tulfo-call-deny-legal-aid-ofws-facing-drug-charges
ECONOMY
Marcos showcases PH economic projection, recovery at WEF https://www.cnnphilippines.com/news/2023/1/18/Marcos-PH-economic-projection-World-Economic-Forum.html
IMF: Philippines performing exceptionally well | Philstar.com https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2023/01/19/2238649/imf-philippines-performing-exceptionally-well
DISPLACEMENT
Over 1,800 persons evacuated in Bicol due to flooding, landslides | Inquirer News https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1718282/over-1800-persons-evacuated-in-bicol-due-to-flooding-landslides
Soaked in misery: 30 deaths reported in widespread rains in the south - NDRRMC | Inquirer News https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1718207/death-toll-from-rains-since-january-2-rises-to-30-ndrrmc
Tulfo seeks construction of 'well-equipped' evacuation centers all over PH | ABS-CBN News https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/01/18/23/tulfo-seeks-construction-of-well-equipped-evacuation-centers-all-over-ph
CONFLICT / DEFENSE / MILITARY
Año, US nat'l security adviser Sullivan talk on phone, discuss strengthening alliance | GMA News Online https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/nation/857891/ano-us-nat-l-security-adviser-sullivan-talk-on-phone-discuss-strengthening-alliance/story/
Police say MNLF faction behind illegal firearms seized in Sarangani | MindaNews https://www.mindanews.com/top-stories/2023/01/police-say-mnlf-faction-behind-illegal-firearms-seized-in-sarangani/
MNLF village attacked; 2 dead | Philstar.com https://www.philstar.com/nation/2023/01/19/2238570/mnlf-village-attacked-2-dead
Dawlah bomb-maker arrested in Cotabato town | Philstar.com https://www.philstar.com/nation/2023/01/18/2238465/dawlah-bomb-maker-arrested-cotabato-town