Philippines: Human Rights News 01/28/2023

Top News: #drugwar: HRW: ICC probe step toward justice; Duterte, PH reject ICC "imposition"; "Manila's countless dead"; political prisoners; Philippines ranks 2nd worst in 5th grade education in SEA

HRW DISPATCH ON ICC INVESTIGATION: A STEP TOWARD JUSTICE

ICC Authorizes Resumed Philippines Investigation | Human Rights Watch https://www.hrw.org/news/2023/01/27/icc-authorizes-resumed-philippines-investigation

DRUG WAR / ICC

Remulla says Philippines open to dialogue with ICC, but ‘won’t accept impositions’ | Philstar.com https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2023/01/27/2240668/remulla-says-philippines-open-dialogue-icc-wont-accept-impositions

PH's next move: Appeal ICC's decision to resume probe into drug war killings https://www.rappler.com/nation/philippines-next-move-appeal-icc-decision-resume-probe-drug-war-warrants-stage/

Cops, others urged to testify vs 'most responsible' in drug war killings as ICC probe resumes https://www.rappler.com/nation/cops-urged-testify-against-most-responsible-drug-war-killings-international-criminal-court/

Duterte rejects cooperation in ICC probe, while Dela Rosa looks to Marcos | Philstar.com https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2023/01/27/2240644/drug-war-architect-dela-rosa-looks-marcos-cooperating-icc-probe

After ICC's move, ex-Pres. Duterte reiterates stand to only face local courts https://www.cnnphilippines.com/news/2023/1/27/Rodrigo-Duterte-ICC-drug-war-probe-local-courts-Roque.html

Senate minority bloc calls for cooperation with ICC in war on drugs investigation | Inquirer News https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1722045/fwd-senate-minority-bloc-wants-ph-to-cooperate-to-icc-probe-of-war-on-drugs

Rights groups see new light towards justice in ICC drug war probe resumption https://www.rappler.com/nation/human-rights-groups-statements-icc-drug-war-probe-resumption/

Philippines to appeal ICC’s resumption of drug war probe before Appeals Chamber | GMA News Online https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/nation/858811/gov-t-to-appeal-icc-s-resumption-on-drug-war-probe-before-appeals-chamber/story/

ICC resumes full-blown investigation into Duterte administration's drug war - VERA Files https://verafiles.org/articles/icc-resumes-full-blown-investigation-into-duterte-administrations-drug-war

CHR urges Marcos Jr. administration to welcome ICC probe | ABS-CBN News https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/01/27/23/chr-urges-marcos-jr-administration-to-welcome-icc-probe

Resumption of ICC 'war on drug' probe revives hope for justice – lawyers of victims’ kin | Philstar.com https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2023/01/27/2240650/resumption-icc-war-drug-probe-revives-hope-justice-lawyers-victims-kin

DRUG WAR

Manila’s countless dead : New president Ferdinand Marcos Jr promised a more compassionate approach to the Philippines’ war on drugs, but the shadow of Rodrigo Duterte remains | The Monthly https://www.themonthly.com.au/issue/2023/february/margaret-simons/manila-s-countless-dead#mtr

Kin of alleged WV drug lord killed - Daily Guardian https://www.dailyguardian.com.ph/kin-of-alleged-wv-drug-lord-killed/

De Lima drug cases may be resolved by March —lawyer | GMA News Online https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/nation/858820/de-lima-drug-cases-may-be-resolved-by-march-lawyer/story/

De Lima eyes filing habeas corpus plea   | Philstar.com https://www.philstar.com/nation/2023/01/28/2240721/de-lima-eyes-filing-habeas-corpus-plea-

Eastern Visayas PNP probing some cops for alleged drug links https://www.rappler.com/nation/visayas/eastern-visayas-pnp-probing-cops-links-narcotics/

General wants all city anti-drug, Mandurriao cops relieved - Daily Guardian https://www.dailyguardian.com.ph/general-wants-all-city-anti-drug-mandurriao-cops-relieved/

New Iloilo City top cop vows to revitalize anti-drug drive  - Daily Guardian https://www.dailyguardian.com.ph/new-iloilo-city-top-cop-vows-to-revitalize-anti-drug-drive/

ATTACKS AGAINST ACTIVISTS / CYBERLIBEL

Drop 'politically-motivated' charges vs De Lima, Bello: group | ABS-CBN News https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/01/27/23/drop-politically-motivated-charges-vs-de-lima-bello-group

Marcos urged to stop govt from 'red-tagging' | The Manila Times https://www.manilatimes.net/2023/01/28/news/regions/marcos-urged-to-stop-govt-from-red-tagging/1876154

Amnesty Int’l calls for impartial probe of ‘Bloody Sunday’ | Inquirer News https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1721852/amnesty-intl-calls-for-impartial-probe-of-bloody-sunday

Bello refuses to enter plea in cyber libel case - Mindanao Times https://mindanaotimes.com.ph/2023/01/28/bello-refuses-to-enter-plea-in-cyber-libel-case-2/

INSURGENCY

Double standards in the Philippine's justice system - Bulatlat https://www.bulatlat.com/2023/01/27/double-standards-in-the-philippines-justice-system/

Quezon town declared insurgency-free   | Philstar.com https://www.philstar.com/nation/2023/01/28/2240709/quezon-town-declared-insurgency-free-

DETENTION

Bantag tasked inmates to sell contraband inside NBP, says PDL | GMA News Online https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/nation/858871/bantag-tasked-inmates-to-sell-contraband-inside-nbp-says-pdl/story/

LAND RIGHTS

Agrarian reform beneficiaries, water district cry foul over occupation of oil palm lands by Manobo ancestral domain claimants | MindaNews https://www.mindanews.com/top-stories/2023/01/agrarian-reform-beneficiaries-water-district-cry-foul-over-occupation-of-oil-palm-lands-by-manobo-ancestral-domain-claimants/

INDIGENOUS PEOPLES

Give ‘special attention’ to indigenous peoples, IPMR asks colleagues in Bukidnon SP | MindaNews https://www.mindanews.com/top-stories/2023/01/give-special-attention-to-indigenous-peoples-ipmr-asks-colleagues-in-bukidnon-sp/

LABOR

ILO-HLTM backs proposal for creation of Palace body on workers’ rights | Samuel P. Medenilla https://businessmirror.com.ph/2023/01/27/ilo-hltm-backs-proposal-for-creation-of-palace-body-on-workers-rights/

CHILDREN / EDUCATION

Southeast Asia rank: PH 2nd to worst in Grade 5 students’ reading, math skills | Inquirer News https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1721616/southeast-asia-rank-ph-2nd-to-worst-in-grade-5-students-reading-math-skills

Sara Duterte orders tighter security inspections in some schools | ABS-CBN News https://news.abs-cbn.com/video/news/01/28/23/sara-duterte-orders-tighter-security-inspections-in-some-schools

Suspect in QC high school bomb threat arrested —QCPD | GMA News Online https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/metro/858832/suspect-in-qc-high-school-bomb-threat-arrested-qcpd/story/

DepEd highlights importance of ‘cultivating value of social justice’  – Manila Bulletin https://mb.com.ph/2023/01/27/deped-highlights-importance-of-cultivating-value-of-social-justice/

HEALTH

DOH, PNAC draft strategies vs. HIV, AIDS epidemic | Philippine News Agency https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1193752

TERRORISM / CONFLICT

Rido eyed in Zamboanga del Norte ambush  | Philstar.com https://www.philstar.com/nation/2023/01/28/2240710/rido-eyed-zamboanga-del-norte-ambush

FOREIGN AFFAIRS

Philippines gets $1 billion loan from ADB for jobs and agriculture recovery https://www.rappler.com/business/philippines-gets-loans-asian-development-bank-january-2023/

Marcos invited to visit France: envoy | ABS-CBN News https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/01/27/23/marcos-invited-to-visit-france-envoy