Philippines: Human Rights News 02/17/2023

Top News: Another student killed in Cotabato; Duterte allies come to his defense; disinfo vs ICC probe; ban on Gerald Butler movie sought; PH, US to hold biggest war games in years; China-laser row

EXTRAJUDICIAL / SUMMARY / ARBITRARY KILLING

13-year-old boy shot dead in Cotabato; Abalos orders probe | GMA News Online https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/regions/861001/13-year-old-boy-shot-dead-in-cotabato-abalos-orders-probe/story/

Barangay official gunned down - Daily Guardian https://www.dailyguardian.com.ph/barangay-official-gunned-down/

DRUG WAR / ICC

Alleged drug personality shot dead in Cavite | Inquirer News https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1730679/alleged-drug-personality-shot-dead-in-cavite

Arroyo leads House allies in 'unequivocal defense' of Duterte, 'drug war' | Philstar.com https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2023/02/16/2245406/arroyo-leads-house-allies-unequivocal-defense-duterte-drug-war

Proposed House resolution defending Duterte vs ICC 'grave insult' to drug war victims https://www.rappler.com/nation/proposed-house-resolution-supporting-rodrigo-duterte-vs-icc-grave-insult-drug-war-victims/

Disinformation about ICC echoes Duterte’s defense, targets prosecutors - VERA Files https://verafiles.org/articles/disinformation-about-icc-echoes-dutertes-defense-targets-prosecutors

Cops arrest 2 ‘high-value’ drug traffickers in Laguna, seize shabu worth P2.3M | Inquirer News https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1730775/cops-arrest-2-high-value-drug-traffickers-in-laguna-seize-shabu-worth-p2-3m

SOMEONE ELSE’S WINDOWS: International accountability, not sovereignty, is the issue | MindaNews https://www.mindanews.com/mindaviews/2023/02/someone-elses-windows-international-accountability-not-sovereignty-is-the-issue/

CHILDREN / EDUCATION

Another minor killed in Cotabato town | MindaNews https://www.mindanews.com/top-stories/2023/02/farmer-another-minor-killed-in-cotabato-town/

Murad orders probe into shooting of Cotabato school children https://www.rappler.com/nation/mindanao/murad-orders-investigation-shooting-school-children-pikit-cotabato/

Classes suspended in all levels in Cotabato town following shooting of school children | MindaNews https://www.mindanews.com/top-stories/2023/02/classes-suspended-in-all-levels-in-cotabato-town-following-shooting-of-school-children/

Sara seeks upgrade in PH education system - Manila Standard https://manilastandard.net/news/314306107/sara-seeks-upgrade-in-ph-education-system.html

VP Duterte: Save education system from deterioration, ensure bright future for kids, country | Inquirer News https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1731143/vp-duterte-wants-to-avert-further-deterioration-of-ph-education

Japan donates P4.3-M school building to Bohol town | Philippine News Agency https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1195381

PH-bound Swiss child rights advocate Thomas Kellenberger reaches Thailand | MindaNews https://www.mindanews.com/top-stories/2023/02/ph-bound-swiss-child-rights-advocate-thomas-kellenberger-reaches-thailand/

INSURGENCY

Rights group urges authorities to ensure rights of captured NPA fighter - Bulatlat https://www.bulatlat.com/2023/02/16/rights-group-urge-ensure-rights-of-captured-npa/

Soldier, alleged NPA member killed after Albay clash | Inquirer News https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1730939/soldier-alleged-npa-member-killed-after-albay-clash

Ex-rebel leads cops to hidden NPA weapons in Quezon province | Inquirer News https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1730723/rebel-returnee-leads-authorities-to-hidden-npa-weapons-in-quezon-province

MEDIA / DISINFORMATION

Philippine news sites score moderate disinformation risk level https://www.rappler.com/nation/philippine-news-sites-moderate-disinformation-risk-global-disinformation-index/

FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION / CENSORSHIP

MTRCB to reevaluate Hollywood film 'Plane' for portrayal of Philippines https://interaksyon.philstar.com/trends-spotlights/2023/02/16/243324/mtrcb-to-reevaluate-hollywood-film-plane-for-portrayal-of-philippines/

Senators hit ‘Plane’ for putting Philippines in bad light | Philstar.com https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2023/02/16/2245335/senators-hit-plane-putting-philippines-bad-light

LABOR / MIGRATION

OFW remittances hit new record $3.4B high - Daily Tribune https://tribune.net.ph/2023/02/16/ofw-remittances-hit-new-record-3-4b-high/

LGBTQ

Editorial: Respecting the LGBTQ people - SUNSTAR https://www.sunstar.com.ph/article/1953663/cebu/opinion/editorial-respecting-the-lgbtq-people

Legal Rights for Haiyan’s LGBTQ Survivors – New Naratif https://newnaratif.com/legal-rights-for-haiyans-lgbtq-survivors/

VP Sara hopes for LGBTQIA relationship protection: OVP | Philippine News Agency https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1195413

DISABILITY RIGHTS

Audible traffic signs for PWDs, elderly and pregnant women pushed | Philippine News Agency https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1195372

RIGHTS OF OLDER PEOPLE

DSWD warns vs. scammers preying on seniors | GMA News Online https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/nation/861104/dswd-warns-vs-scammers-preying-on-seniors/story/

WOMEN

PNP anti-scalawag unit boosts drive vs. VAWC offenders among cops | Philippine News Agency https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1195371

ENVIRONMENT / CLIMATE

[Special Report] Flooding: Threat to life,Cebu City’s progress - SUNSTAR https://www.sunstar.com.ph/article/1953554/cebu/local-news/special-report-flooding-threat-to-lifecebu-citys-progress

Filipinos see climate change, unemployment, military tensions as top challenges in Southeast Asia — study https://www.cnnphilippines.com/news/2023/2/16/filipinos-perception-top-challenges-in-southeast-asia-study.html

DETENTION

Catapang: BuCor lacks command structure - Daily Tribune https://tribune.net.ph/2023/02/16/catapang-bucor-lacks-command-structure/

Decent BuCor inmates’ meals start this month - Daily Tribune https://tribune.net.ph/2023/02/17/decent-bucor-inmates-meals-start-this-month/

ECONOMY / POVERTY

6 proposed measures to address poverty tackled in Senate | ABS-CBN News https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/02/17/23/6-proposed-measures-to-address-poverty-tackled-in-senate

FOREIGN AFFAIRS

Philippines, US to hold biggest war games in years | GMA News Online https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/nation/860992/philippines-us-to-hold-biggest-war-games-in-years/story/

Expert sees slow, steady increase of Chinese activities against PH https://www.cnnphilippines.com/news/2023/2/14/maritime-expert-sees-increase-Chinese-activities-against-PH.html

Australia envoy: Joint maritime patrols with PH possible https://www.cnnphilippines.com/news/2023/2/16/Australia-envoy-joint-maritime-patrols-with-PH-possible.html

China laser use can be 'new escalation' in sea row: expert | ABS-CBN News https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/02/16/23/china-laser-use-can-be-new-escalation-in-sea-row-expert

West PH Sea laser incident makes first test case for new PH-China communication line https://www.rappler.com/nation/laser-incident-west-philippine-sea-test-case-new-philippines-china-communication-mechanism/