Philippines: Human Rights News 02/21/2023
Top News: DOJ to ICC: Don't "monkey around" with PH legal system; Senate reso filed vs ICC probe; more Duterte allies back him; EU lawmakers on human rights now in PH; DOJ orders reduced bail for poor
EXTRAJUDICIAL / SUMMARY / ARBITRARY KILLING
Priest slams slow pace of Philippine justice for slain confrere - UCA News https://www.ucanews.com/news/priest-slams-slow-pace-of-philippine-justice-for-slain-confrere/100416
PNP personnel not involved in Aparri vice mayor ambush: spox | ABS-CBN News https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/02/20/23/pnp-personnel-not-involved-in-aparri-vice-mayor-ambush-spox
Aparri mourns, seeks justice for killing of vice mayor, 5 others https://www.rappler.com/nation/luzon/aparri-mourns-seeks-justice-killing-vice-mayor-others-february-2023/
DRUG WAR / ICC
Jurisdiction issue a ‘script, line’ to attack ICC – rights advocate https://www.panaynews.net/jurisdiction-issue-a-script-line-to-attack-icc-rights-advocate/
No mechanism to allow ICC entry – DOJ chief | Philstar.com https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2023/02/21/2246472/no-mechanism-allow-icc-entry-doj-chief
Remulla to ICC: 'Don't monkey around with our legal system' | Global News https://globalnation.inquirer.net/211239/remulla-to-icc-investigator-do-not-monkey-around-with-our-legal-system
2nd Senate resolution rejects ICC probe of Duterte drug war | ABS-CBN News https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/02/21/23/2nd-senate-resolution-rejects-icc-probe-of-duterte-drug-war
Marcos' rejection of ICC probe a 'mix of hypocrisy, ignorance' - lawyer | ABS-CBN News https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/02/20/23/marcos-rejection-of-icc-probe-a-mix-of-hypocrisy-ignorance-lawyer
Like Arroyo at the House, Padilla wants Senate to 'unequivocally defend' Duterte vs ICC | Philstar.com https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2023/02/20/2246352/arroyo-house-padilla-wants-senate-unequivocally-defend-duterte-vs-icc
Estrada files Senate resolution opposing ICC drug war probe | GMA News Online https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/nation/861485/estrada-files-senate-resolution-opposing-icc-drug-war-probe/story/
Lagman explains how ICC probe on Duterte can increase PH foreign investments – Manila Bulletin https://mb.com.ph/2023/02/20/lagman-explains-how-icc-probe-on-duterte-can-increase-ph-foreign-investments/
Critics blast Marcos' refusal to cooperate with ICC | ABS-CBN News https://news.abs-cbn.com/video/news/02/20/23/critics-blast-marcos-refusal-to-cooperate-with-icc
Fact check: ICC can't 'oust' Marcos from presidency | Philstar.com https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2023/02/21/2246424/fact-check-icc-cant-oust-marcos-presidency
DRUG WAR / POLICE / DE LIMA
Security sector purge only skin-deep in the Philippines – Asia Times https://asiatimes.com/2023/02/security-sector-purge-only-skin-deep-in-the-philippines/
Remulla tells De Lima to file habeas corpus petition | ABS-CBN News https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/02/20/23/remulla-tells-de-lima-to-file-habeas-corpus-petition
DOJ 'will not object' if De Lima files habeas corpus plea https://www.rappler.com/nation/doj-response-if-de-lima-files-habeas-corpus-plea/
ATTACK AGAINST ACTIVISTS / REDTAGGING
CA affirms dismissal of trumped-up case vs. journalist, trade unionist - Bulatlat https://www.bulatlat.com/2023/02/17/ca-affirms-dismissal-of-trumped-up-case-vs-journalist-trade-unionist/
North Luzon journalist, activists also granted bail in rebellion charge https://www.rappler.com/nation/luzon/north-luzon-journalist-activists-granted-bail-rebellion-charge-february-2023/
RIGHTS DEFENDERS
PH allows visit of European Parliament human rights subcommittee | GMA News Online https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/nation/861453/philippines-allows-visit-of-european-parliament-human-rights-subcommittee/story/
EU lawmakers to visit Philippines from February 22 to 24 https://www.rappler.com/nation/european-union-lawmakers-visit-philippines-february-22-24-2023/
Euro HR solons to visit PH; Remulla pans ICC anew - Manila Standard https://manilastandard.net/news/314307201/euro-hr-solons-to-visit-ph-remulla-pans-icc-anew.html
DETENTION
BuCor eyes transferring 10,000 PDLs to heinous crime facilities | Philstar.com https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2023/02/21/2246433/bucor-eyes-transferring-10000-pdls-heinous-crime-facilities
Remulla orders reduced bail bond for poor prisoners | GMA News Online https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/nation/861471/remulla-orders-reduced-bail-bond-for-poor-prisoners/story/
Over 400 inmates released from Bureau of Corrections facilities | Inquirer News https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1732474/over-400-inmates-released-from-bucor-prisons
BuCor eyeing hi-tech agri program, inmates as farm workers | Inquirer News https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1732511/food-production-story
HEALTH
Toxic pesticides found in residents living near Davao City pineapple plantations | MindaNews https://www.mindanews.com/top-stories/2023/02/toxic-pesticides-found-in-residents-living-near-davao-city-pineapple-plantations/
PhilHealth to offer 'improved' mental health package https://www.rappler.com/nation/philhealth-offer-improved-mental-health-package/
Lawmakers upset with lack of unified plan for better mental health service https://www.rappler.com/nation/lawmakers-upset-lack-unified-plan-better-mental-health-services/
CHILDREN
Rappler Recap: Is PH doing enough to address rising student suicides? https://www.rappler.com/nation/recap-is-philippines-doing-enough-address-rising-student-suicides/
Former US soldier sentenced for sexually abusing Pinoy kids | Philstar.com https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2023/02/21/2246460/former-us-soldier-sentenced-sexually-abusing-pinoy-kids
INSURGENCY
CHR sends team to look into alleged abduction of peace consultant Badiang | Philstar.com https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2023/02/20/2246339/chr-sends-team-look-alleged-abduction-peace-consultant-badiang
Scout Rangers leave Davao for Northern Samar in new anti-insurgency mission https://www.rappler.com/nation/visayas/scout-rangers-leave-paquibato-davao-city-for-northern-samar/
ENVIRONMENT
Farmers walk against Kaliwa Dam - Bulatlat https://www.bulatlat.com/2023/02/20/farmers-walk-against-kaliwa-dam/
DISABILITY RIGHTS
House urged to recognize Guanzon as P3PWD rep | Inquirer News https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1732485/house-urged-to-recognize-guanzon-as-p3pwd-representative
POLITICS
House panel votes yes to charter change via constitutional convention https://www.rappler.com/nation/house-representatives-committee-votes-yes-charter-change-constitutional-convention-february-20-2023/
Ex-chief justice warns 'proxies' of dynasties may comprise traditional con-con https://www.rappler.com/nation/ex-chief-justice-puno-warns-proxies-dynasties-compromise-constitutional-convention/
FOREIGN AFFAIRS
Armed Forces vow to secure West Philippines Sea, asks for ‘support, prayers’ | Philstar.com https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2023/02/20/2246305/armed-forces-vow-secure-west-philippines-sea-asks-support-prayers