Philippines: Human Rights News 01/27/2023
Top News: #duterte: ICC resumes probe; more #EJKs, #drugwar killings; kin of slain activist appeals dismissal of murder raps vs cops; distressed OFWs alarm CHR; Philippines GDP highest in 46 years
HUMAN RIGHTS WATCH REACTION TO RESUMPTION OF ICC PROBE
Reaction from Human Rights Watch on the ICC judges’ decision to authorize the resumption by the Office of the Prosecutor of its investigation into “drug war” killings in the Philippines:
“The ICC investigation in the Philippines is the only credible avenue for justice for the victims and their families of former President Rodrigo Duterte’s murderous ‘war on drugs.’ As the court’s judges agreed, Philippine authorities are not “undertaking relevant investigations” into these crimes or “making a real or genuine effort” to carry these investigations out. The ICC offers a path forward to fill the accountability vacuum.”
Phil Robertson
Deputy Asia Director, Human Rights Watch
DRUG WAR / ICC / POLICE
ICC moves Duterte drug war killings case to warrants stage https://www.rappler.com/nation/icc-warrants-stage-duterte-government-drug-war-killings/
ICC authorizes prosecutor to resume probe into PH drug war https://www.cnnphilippines.com/news/2023/1/27/ICC-authorizes-prosecutor-to-resume-probe-into-PH-drug-war.html
ICC grants new inquiry into Manila's deadly 'war on drugs' | GMA News Online https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/nation/858784/icc-grants-new-inquiry-into-manila-s-deadly-war-on-drugs/story/
War on drugs: Hundreds file resignations in Philippines police purge - CSMonitor.com https://www.csmonitor.com/World/Asia-Pacific/2023/0126/Hundreds-of-Philippine-police-are-filing-their-resignations.-Why
Pampanga's most wanted slain in 'armed encounter' with cops | Inquirer News https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1721468/pampangas-most-wanted-slain-in-armed-encounter-with-cops
'Notorious drug pusher' shot dead in Mambaling - SUNSTAR https://www.sunstar.com.ph/article/1951838/cebu/local-news/notorious-drug-pusher-shot-dead-in-mambaling
32 persons nabbed, P918K worth of shabu seized in Bakhaw drug bust - Daily Guardian https://www.dailyguardian.com.ph/32-persons-nabbed-p918k-worth-of-shabu-seized-in-bakhaw-drug-bust/
Chopped hands, list of 22 persons linked to illegal drugs found in Bacolod | Inquirer News https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1721464/chopped-hands-list-of-22-persons-linked-to-illegal-drugs-found-in-bacolod
Woman seeks help after name appeared on ‘severed hands’ list https://www.panaynews.net/woman-seeks-help-after-name-appeared-on-severed-hands-list/
PNP panel review of resignations done this week - Daily Tribune https://tribune.net.ph/2023/01/27/pnp-panel-review-of-resignations-done-this-week/
EXTRAJUDICIAL / SUMMARY KILLING
Barangay captain, 5 companions killed In Zamboanga Norte town ambush | Philstar.com https://www.philstar.com/nation/2023/01/27/2240462/barangay-captain-5-companions-killed-zamboanga-norte-town-ambush
Bantag had some inmates killed over Facebook page, says PDL | GMA News Online https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/nation/858769/bantag-had-some-inmates-killed-over-facebook-page-says-pdl/story/
No special treatment for Army general linked to bizwoman's murder | Philstar.com https://www.philstar.com/nation/2023/01/26/2240390/no-special-treatment-army-general-linked-bizwomans-murder
CHR condemns, probes killing of Cagayan barangay captain | Inquirer News https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1721465/fwd-chr-probes-killing-of-village-chief-in-cagayan
ATTACKS AGAINST ACTIVISTS
Slain labor activist’s wife appeals dismissal of murder raps vs cops - BusinessWorld Online https://www.bworldonline.com/the-nation/2023/01/26/501232/slain-labor-activists-wife-appeals-dismissal-of-murder-raps-vs-cops/
Manny Asuncion’s kin urges DOJ to reconsider dismissal of complaint vs. 17 cops | GMA News Online https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/nation/858708/manny-asuncion-s-kin-urges-doj-to-reconsider-dismissal-of-complaint-vs-17-cops/story/
FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION / CYBERLIBEL
Court enters not guilty plea for Walden Bello in cyber libel case | GMA News Online https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/regions/858733/court-enters-not-guilty-plea-for-walden-bello-in-cyber-libel-case/story/
INSURGENCY
Military, police declare another Quezon town 'insurgency-free' | Inquirer News https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1721419/military-police-declare-another-quezon-town-insurgency-free
Communist rebellion dying in the Visayas, AFP area commander sees strategic victory on the horizon https://dnx.news/dnx-defense-communist-rebellion-dying-in-the-visayas-afp-area-commander-sees-strategic-victory-on-the-horizon/
LGBTQI
PH ready to repatriate transgender Filipina found dead in NY | Philippine News Agency https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1193697
LABOR / MIGRATION / TRAFFICKING
CHR to DMW: Probe 'alarming' reports of distressed OFWs seeking refuge in shelters | GMA News Online https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/pinoyabroad/dispatch/858706/to-dmw-probe-alarming-reports-of-distressed-ofws-seeking-refuge-in-shelters/story/\
Labor calls for ratification of ILO 190 | The Manila Times https://www.manilatimes.net/2023/01/27/news/national/labor-calls-for-ratification-of-ilo-190/1876064
Enhance labor agreement instead of imposing deployment ban: Ople | Philippine News Agency https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1193702
EXPLAINER: How OFWs are trafficked into crypto scam operations https://www.rappler.com/newsbreak/explainers/how-ofws-trafficked-crypto-scam-operations/
Lawyer pushes for revisions to Kuwait labor law | ABS-CBN News https://news.abs-cbn.com/video/news/01/26/23/lawyer-pushes-for-revisions-to-kuwait-labor-law
CHILDREN / EDUCATION
Students, teachers evacuate QC school due to bomb scare | ABS-CBN News https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/multimedia/photo/01/26/23/students-teachers-evacuate-qc-school-due-to-bomb-scare
Another Quezon City school gets bomb threat | Philstar.com https://www.philstar.com/nation/2023/01/27/2240488/another-quezon-city-school-gets-bomb-threat
DepEd to tap mental health experts, advocates to address violence in schools | GMA News Online https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/nation/858718/deped-to-tap-mental-health-experts-advocates-to-address-violence-in-schools/story/
Boy, 12, accidentally kills self with pa’s gun | Philstar.com https://www.philstar.com/nation/2023/01/27/2240446/boy-12-accidentally-kills-self-pas-gun
ECONOMY / POVERTY / INFLATION
PH posts 7.6% growth in 2022 - Manila Standard https://manilastandard.net/news/314299734/ph-posts-7-6-growth-in-2022.html
GDP growth highest in 46 years - Daily Tribune https://tribune.net.ph/2023/01/27/gdp-growth-highest-in-46-years/
PH on track to achieve single-digit poverty rate: DBM chief | Philippine News Agency https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1193645
ENVIRONMENT / CLIMATE
MOU to enhance local govts' climate resilience plans inked | Philippine News Agency https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1193706
FOREIGN AFFAIRS
US defense secretary set to visit Manila https://malaya.com.ph/news_news/us-defense-secretary-set-to-visit-manila/