Philippines: Human Rights News 02/22/2023
Top News: More killings, #EJKs, #drugwar killings; DOJ asks ICC: "Why not probe drug cartels?"; #politicalviolence; EU lawmakers begin PH visit, to meet with rights defenders; justice sector reform
EXTRAJUDICIAL / SUMMARY / ARBITRARY KILLING
1 of 2 jail personnel shot dead in Bayawan; responding cop killed - SUNSTAR https://www.sunstar.com.ph/article/1953999/cebu/local-news/1-of-2-jail-personnel-shot-dead-in-bayawan-responding-cop-killed
1 killed, 1 hurt in drive-by shooting https://mindanaogoldstardaily.com/archives/136119
Two persons killed in shooting episodes - Daily Guardian https://www.dailyguardian.com.ph/two-persons-killed-in-shooting-episodes/
Bangkay ng lalaki na may tama ng bala, nakita sa sasakyan sa Taal, Batangas | Balitambayan https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/balitambayan/promdi/861611/bangkay-ng-lalaki-na-may-tama-ng-bala-nakita-sa-sasakyan-sa-taal-batangas/story/
Ginang na mamamalengke, patay matapos pagbabarilin sa Laguna | Balitambayan https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/balitambayan/promdi/861610/ginang-na-mamamalengke-patay-matapos-pagbabarilin-sa-laguna/story/
Tourist from New Zealand held up, shot dead in Makati | Inquirer News https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1732850/fwd-new-zealander-tourist-shot-dead-in-makati-2
“DRUG WAR”
DRUG SUSPECT SHOT DEAD IN BUY-BUST; Over P2M ‘shabu’ seized in 2 days in Iloilo City, NegOcc https://www.panaynews.net/drug-suspect-shot-dead-in-buy-bust-over-p2m-shabu-seized-in-2-days-in-iloilo-city-negocc/
DILG: Cleansing process in PNP won't affect holistic drug war | ABS-CBN News https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/02/21/23/dilg-cleansing-process-in-pnp-wont-affect-holistic-drug-war
CHR welcomes revival of EJK case | The Manila Times https://www.manilatimes.net/2023/02/22/news/regions/chr-welcomes-revival-of-ejk-case/1879719
23 drug ops since new ICPO chief took post https://www.panaynews.net/23-drug-ops-since-new-icpo-chief-took-post/
Illegal drugs paid as reward to PDEA informants? House panel wants urgent probe | Inquirer News https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1732852/illegal-drugs-as-reward-to-pdea-informants-house-panel-wants-probe
HARM REDUCTION
House revives talks to decriminalize marijuana use in the Philippines https://www.rappler.com/nation/house-panel-bill-revives-talks-decriminalize-marijuana-use-philippines/
\Alvarez wants cannabis out of dangerous drugs list: It's part of a solution | Inquirer News https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1732783/alvarez-bats-for-delisting-of-cannabis-from-dangerous-drugs-it-should-be-part-of-solution
ACCOUNTABILITY / ICC
Remulla questions why ICC was not probing drug cartels instead | GMA News Online https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/nation/861533/remulla-questions-why-icc-was-not-probing-drug-cartels-instead/story/
House, Senate resolutions defending Duterte have no bearing on ICC probe, lawyer says https://www.cnnphilippines.com/news/2023/2/21/House-Senate-reso-defensing-Duterte-vs-ICC.html
Tolentino to take up ICC investigation vs. Duterte with EU MPs | GMA News Online https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/nation/861561/tolentino-to-take-up-icc-investigation-vs-duterte-with-eu-mps/story/
Philippine Congress told not to shield Duterte from ICC probe - BusinessWorld Online https://www.bworldonline.com/the-nation/2023/02/21/506151/philippine-congress-told-not-to-shield-duterte-from-icc-probe/
HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDERS
EU human rights group to visit Phl - Daily Tribune https://tribune.net.ph/2023/02/21/eu-human-rights-group-to-visit-phl/
COMMUNIST INSURGENCY / MILITARY
2 members of Army rescue team for crashed Cessna plane killed in Albay ambush https://www.rappler.com/nation/luzon/members-rescue-team-missing-cessna-plan-killed-ambush-albay-february-20-2023/
NPA admits to killing of 2 soldiers in Albay | The Manila Times https://www.manilatimes.net/2023/02/21/news/regions/npa-admits-to-killing-of-2-soldiers-in-albay/1879670
Seven medals at only 29: Lt. Signabon, most decorated soldier of the 'fightingest' battalion https://dnx.news/seven-medals-at-only-29-lt-signabon-most-decorated-soldier-of-the-fightingest-battalion/
National Security | Youngest but 'fightingest' Army battalion in WV turns five https://dnx.news/national-security-youngest-but-fightingest-army-battalion-in-wv-turns-five/
15 suspected rebels yield to authorities - SUNSTAR https://www.sunstar.com.ph/article/1953893/bacolod/local-news/15-suspected-rebels-yield-to-authorities
TERRORISM
Suspected Abu Sayyaf member killed in Sulu clash | GMA News Online https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/regions/861501/suspected-abu-sayyaf-member-killed-in-sulu-clash/story/
POLITICAL VIOLENCE
Some mayors urge military, police to give them tighter security https://www.cnnphilippines.com/news/2023/2/22/Mayors-ask-for-tighter-security.html
Drug syndicate likely behind ambush of Lanao del Sur gov, others —police | GMA News Online https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/regions/861489/drug-syndicate-likely-behind-ambush-of-lanao-del-sur-gov-others-police/story/
Suspect in Adiong ambush killed: police | ABS-CBN News https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/02/21/23/suspect-in-adiong-ambush-killed-police
DILG orders PNP to intensify probe into killing of Aparri vice mayor | Inquirer News https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1732768/dilg-orders-intensified-probe-on-killing-of-aparri-vice-mayor
JUSTICE SECTOR REFORM
DOJ seeks closer coordination with police, fiscals | Philippine News Agency https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1195742
DOJ may allow prosecutors to work with police - Manila Standard https://manilastandard.net/news/national/314307451/doj-may-allow-prosecutors-to-work-with-police.html
DOJ lowers bail amount for indigents | ABS-CBN News https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/02/21/23/doj-lowers-bail-amount-for-indigents
Remulla: Poor not availing counsel unacceptable - Daily Tribune https://tribune.net.ph/2023/02/22/remulla-poor-not-availing-counsel-unacceptable/
Need for more lawyers, sufficient LEB budget pushed | Inquirer News https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1732856/fwd-tulfo-stresses-need-for-more-lawyers-questions-ched-for-insufficient-budget-of-leb
DETENTION
BuCor eyeing Nueva Ecija as new site for Bilibid prison but needs Palace nod | Inquirer News https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1732797/bucor-eyeing-nueva-ecija-as-new-site-for-bilibid-prison-but-needs-palace-nod
LGBT
30 years later: Filipinas who marched in first lesbian pride recall historic milestone | Philstar.com https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2023/02/21/2246598/30-years-later-filipinas-who-marched-first-lesbian-pride-recall-historic-milestone
EDUCATION
Group reiterates opposition to mandatory ROTC | ABS-CBN News https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/02/22/23/group-reiterates-opposition-to-mandatory-rotc
Teachers’ group pleads for higher relief allowance | Philippine News Agency https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1195729
Sara Duterte to town mayors: Don’t meddle in appointment of teachers | GMA News Online https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/nation/861615/sara-duterte-to-town-mayors-don-t-meddle-in-appointment-of-teachers/story/
CHILDREN / YOUTH
Mounting teenage suicides alarm solon - Manila Standard https://manilastandard.net/news/314307483/mounting-teenage-suicides-alarm-solon.html
CHR calls out Sen. Robin Padilla: All forms of bullying hurt children | Philstar.com https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2023/02/21/2246570/chr-calls-out-sen-robin-padilla-all-forms-bullying-hurt-children
'Bullying should never be condoned' -- CHR | Inquirer News https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1732960/fwd-chr-on-statements-tolerating-bullying-bullying-should-never-be-condoned
HEALTH
Dengue cases up by 69% from Jan. 1 to 28: DOH | Philippine News Agency https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1195745
Gov backs medical marijuana bill | The Manila Times https://www.manilatimes.net/2023/02/21/news/regions/gov-backs-medical-marijuana-bill/1879536
LABOR / MIGRATION
Germany working on new immigration law to attract more Filipino workers | Philstar.com https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2023/02/21/2246623/germany-working-new-immigration-law-attract-more-filipino-workers
Migrant workers urge Philippines, Indonesia to ban HK lawmakers over ‘racist’ remarks | Philstar.com https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2023/02/21/2246574/migrant-workers-urge-philippines-indonesia-ban-hk-lawmakers-over-racist-remarks
Filipinos in Canada cutting back on expenses due to inflation | Philstar.com https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2023/02/20/2246358/filipinos-canada-cutting-back-expenses-due-inflation
MEDIA
Closing ABS-CBN sent 'bad signal' to investors - solon | ABS-CBN News https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/02/21/23/closing-abs-cbn-sent-bad-signal-to-investors-solon
Gonzales bats for changes to media ownership - Manila Standard https://manilastandard.net/news/national/314307417/gonzales-bats-for-changes-to-media-ownership.html
ENVIRONMENT / INDIGENOUS PEOPLES
IP group receives disturbance fees for Kaliwa Dam Proj. | ABS-CBN News https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/multimedia/photo/02/21/23/ip-group-receives-disturbance-fees-for-kaliwa-dam-proj
LAND RIGHTS
Hacienda Tinang farmers protest third revalidation of farmer beneficiaries https://www.rappler.com/nation/luzon/hacienda-tinang-tarlac-farmers-protest-revalidation-farmer-beneficiaries/
DISPLACEMENT
Residents fear proposed reclamation project in Catmon, Cebu https://www.rappler.com/nation/visayas/residents-fear-reclamation-project-catmon-cebu/
FOREIGN AFFAIRS
Australian Deputy Prime Minister to visit PH this week - Manila Standard https://manilastandard.net/news/314307487/australian-deputy-prime-minister-to-visit-ph-this-week.html
Zambales fishers slam latest Chinese harassment in Scarborough Shoal | Inquirer News https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1732792/zambales-fishers-slam-latest-chinese-harassment-in-scarborough-shoal