Philippines: Human Rights News 02/20/2023
Top News: Political violence, more killings; Marcos rejects ICC #drugwar probe; congress allies can't cleanse Duterte "sins"; #FreeLeilaDeLima; #OFWs #disinformation; Marcos slams China over laser
EXTRAJUDICIAL / SUMMARY / ARBITRARY KILLING
Aparri, Cagayan vice mayor, 5 others killed in ambush in Nueva Vizcaya https://www.rappler.com/nation/luzon/aparri-cagayan-vice-mayor-rommel-alameda-killed-ambush-nueva-vizcaya-february-2023/
Another minor shot dead in Pikit, NCotabato | The Manila Times https://www.manilatimes.net/2023/02/18/news/regions/another-minor-shot-dead-in-pikit-ncotabato/1879150
Man gunned down in Bacolod https://www.panaynews.net/man-gunned-down-in-bacolod/
Burned bodies found in Nasugbu, Batangas | GMA News Online https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/nation/861344/burned-bodies-found-in-nasugbu-batangas/story/
'Iron Lady': Lawyer of slain Calbayog mayor Aquino unfazed by death threats https://www.rappler.com/nation/visayas/lawyer-alma-uy-rolando-aquino-murder-case-unfazed-death-threats/
DRUG WAR / ICC
Marcos says he ‘cannot cooperate’ with ICC unless jurisdiction question answered https://www.rappler.com/nation/marcos-jr-cannot-cooperate-international-criminal-court-drug-war-killings-probe-jurisdiction-question/
ICC gives PH more time to file appeal on drug war killings probe | ABS-CBN News https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/02/18/23/icc-gives-ph-more-time-to-file-appeal-on-drug-war-killings-probe
Marcos: ICC has no jurisdiction over PH for Duterte drug war probe | ABS-CBN News https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/02/18/23/marcos-icc-has-no-jurisdiction-over-ph-for-duterte-drug-war-probe
ICC grants PH government's request to extend deadline for filing of appeal brief - VERA Files https://verafiles.org/articles/icc-grants-ph-governments-request-to-extend-deadline-for-filing-of-appeal-brief
ICC prosecutors urge dismissal of Philippine appeal to suspend reopened drug war probe | GMA News Online https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/nation/861250/icc-prosecutor-urges-dismissal-of-philippine-appeal-to-suspend-reopened-drug-war-probe/story/
Lagman: House reso cannot cleanse Duterte of his ‘crimes’ | GMA News Online https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/nation/861170/lagman-house-reso-defending-duterte-from-drug-war-deaths-cannot-stop-icc-probe/story/
‘ICC probe a threat to Philippine sovereignty’ | Philstar.com https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2023/02/19/2246071/icc-probe-threat-philippine-sovereignty
NUPL, Rise Up: House defense of Duterte against ICC probe is 'suspiciously premature' | Inquirer News https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1731499/nupl-rise-up-house-defense-of-duterte-against-icc-probe-is-suspiciously-premature
Workers urge Marcos Jr. to accept ICC probe | Philstar.com https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2023/02/20/2246226/workers-urge-marcos-jr-accept-icc-probe
'Bakit matatakot?: Reactions to House's 'unequivocal defense' of Duterte, drug war https://interaksyon.philstar.com/politics-issues/2023/02/17/243345/duterte-drug-war-unequivocal-defense-house/
TORTURE
Through a mother's lens: My son Mark exposed ROTC corruption and lost his life https://www.rappler.com/nation/through-mother-mark-welson-chua-lens-son-exposed-rotc-corruption/
ENFORCED DISAPPEARANCES
‘1 group snatched 34 sabungeros’ | Philstar.com https://www.philstar.com/nation/2023/02/19/2245972/1-group-snatched-34-sabungeros
Police release wanted poster of six suspects behind missing ‘sabungeros’ in Manila Arena | GMA News Online https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/nation/861171/police-release-wanted-poster-of-six-suspects-behind-missing-sabungeros-in-manila-arena/story/
LEILA DE LIMA
Supporters urge Marcos to free Leila de Lima 6 years after her arrest https://www.rappler.com/nation/supporters-urge-marcos-jr-free-leila-de-lima-years-after-arrest-2023/
IPU renews call for De Lima’s release as her detention nears its sixth year | Philstar.com https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2023/02/19/2246124/ipu-renews-call-de-limas-release-her-detention-nears-its-sixth-year
JUDICIARY
Cops back Remulla vs ‘quota’ arrests | Philstar.com https://www.philstar.com/nation/2023/02/19/2245959/cops-back-remulla-vs-quota-arrests
DETENTION
Makabayan solon slams BuCor plan to build HQ in Masungi Georeserve | Inquirer News https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1731423/makabayan-solon-slams-bucor-plan-to-build-hq-in-masungi-georeserve
BuCor says Masungi Georeserve will be used as its headquarters https://www.rappler.com/nation/bureau-corrections-says-masungi-georeserve-used-headquarters/
ATTACKS VS ACTIVISTS / REDTAGGING
6 more North Luzon activists facing rebellion rap allowed to post bail | Inquirer News https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1731614/6-more-north-luzon-activists-facing-rebellion-rap-allowed-to-post-bail
DISINFORMATION
From Truth Bot to Trainings: Arming OFWs in the fight against disinformation - VERA Files https://verafiles.org/articles/from-truth-bot-to-trainings-arming-ofws-in-the-fight-against-disinformation
LGBT / SOGIE
Transgender lawmaker: SOGIE bill delaying tactics pathetic, desperate https://www.cnnphilippines.com/news/2023/2/17/Geraldine-Roman-delaying-tactics-SOGIE-bill.html
Australia can be LGBTQI rights champion in Asia-Pacific https://www.theage.com.au/politics/federal/australia-can-be-lgbtqi-rights-champion-in-asia-pacific-20230219-p5clmo.html
CHILDREN
‘Walk the talk’: Group says schools should be capacitated to address bullying – Manila Bulletin https://mb.com.ph/2023/02/19/walk-the-talk-group-says-schools-should-be-capacitated-to-address-bullying/
Court amends rules for child cases - Manila Standard https://manilastandard.net/news/314306876/court-amends-rules-for-child-cases.html
Sara Duterte told: Teachers give 200% effort, scarce budget stalls PH education reform | Inquirer News https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1731395/sara-duterte-told-teachers-give-200-effort-scarce-budget-stalls-ph-education-reform
CBCP laments Philippines topping 70 countries in youth bullying | Philstar.com https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2023/02/20/2246206/cbcp-laments-philippines-topping-70-countries-youth-bullying
ENVIRONMENT
Residents set up anti-mining barricade in Palawan | Inquirer News https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1731704/2-residents-set-up-anti-mining-barricade-in-palawan
Marcos: Laws on responsible mining will continue to be enforced | GMA News Online https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/nation/861289/marcos-laws-on-responsible-mining-will-continue-to-be-enforced/story/
LAND RIGHTS
Thousands in W. Visayas receive land titles from DAR - Daily Guardian https://www.dailyguardian.com.ph/thousands-in-w-visayas-receive-land-titles-from-dar/
INDIGENOUS PEOPLES
COVID-19 and Culture: Why some Lumads in Bukidnon reject vaccines | MindaNews https://www.mindanews.com/special-reports/2023/02/covid-19-and-culture-why-some-lumads-in-bukidnon-reject-vaccines/
FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION / CENSORSHIP
Robin Padilla says MTRCB gave 'commitment' to ban ‘Plane’ screening in PH | Inquirer News https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1731816/robin-padilla-says-mtrcb-gave-commitment-to-ban-plane-screening-in-ph
DISABILITY RIGHTS
QC targets 8,000 PWDs for 2023 subsidy program | Inquirer News https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1731590/qc-targets-8000-pwd-cash-aid-beneficiaries-for-2023-2
INSURGENCY
Continued use of banned mines justifies NPA's terrorist tag: AFP | Philippine News Agency https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1195443
18 alleged NPA members surrender to police in Eastern Visayas | Inquirer News https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1731417/18-alleged-npa-members-surrender-to-police-in-eastern-visayas
CONFLICT
Murad orders MILF to help get group behind Adiong ambush https://www.rappler.com/nation/mindanao/murad-orders-milf-get-group-behind-mamintal-adiong-ambush-lanao-del-sur-february-2023/
PNP suspends gun permits in Lanao Sur, Maguindanao and SGA in NorthCot | MindaNews https://www.mindanews.com/top-stories/2023/02/pnp-suspends-gun-permits-in-lanao-sur-maguindanao-and-sga-in-northcot/
BIFF leader, pal killed in South Cotabato City | Inquirer News https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1732092/biff-leader-pal-killed-in-south-cotabato-city
FOREIGN AFFAIRS
Deeper defense ties with US: What it means for PH | Inquirer News https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1731378/deeper-defense-ties-with-us-what-it-means-for-ph
As U.S.-China Tensions Rise, Philippines Sides with America https://globelynews.com/asia/philippines-us-china/
DFA notes ‘daily bullying’ in SCS - Manila Standard https://manilastandard.net/news/314306908/dfa-notes-daily-bullying-in-scs.html
Incidents of harassment in South China Sea frequent: DFA chief | Philippine News Agency https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1195558
Marcos: Philippines will not lose one inch of its territory | Inquirer News https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1731684/marcos-vows-not-one-inch-of-ph-territory-to-be-lost
Close friends don't point lasers at each other, Marcos tells China envoy https://www.rappler.com/nation/marcos-jr-statement-china-laser-pointing-incident/