Philippines: Human Rights News 02/27/2023
Top News: More killings; MEPs urge PH to rejoin ICC; EU MEPs: Rights sit better now but...; free Leila de Lima; GSP+ renewal; Defending Duterte at expense of #drugwar victims; Marcos and People Power
EXTRAJUDICIAL / SUMMARY / ARBITRARY KILLING
Barangay chairman shot dead in Batangas | ABS-CBN News https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/02/26/23/barangay-chairman-shot-dead-in-batangas
Mayor’s consultant gunned down | Philstar.com https://www.philstar.com/nation/2023/02/25/2247414/mayors-consultant-gunned-down
Senior citizen shot dead in Malabon | Philstar.com https://www.philstar.com/nation/2023/02/27/2247931/senior-citizen-shot-dead-malabon
ICC
EU lawmakers urge Marcos Jr. to restore PH membership in ICC | ABS-CBN News https://news.abs-cbn.com/video/news/02/25/23/eu-lawmakers-urge-marcos-jr-to-restore-ph-membership-in-icc
‘Allowing ICC probe shows Philippine commitment to HR’ | Philstar.com https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2023/02/26/2247688/allowing-icc-probe-shows-philippine-commitment-hr
Go slams ICC probe on Duterte drug war | ABS-CBN News https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/02/26/23/go-slams-icc-probe-on-duterte-drug-war
EU / GSP+
PH human rights state ‘better’ now than previous admin — European Parliament | Global News https://globalnation.inquirer.net/211433/ph-human-rights-state-better-now-than-previous-admin-european-parliament
EU: Freeing ex-senator can help Manila keep trade incentives | The Star https://www.thestar.com.my/aseanplus/aseanplus-news/2023/02/25/eu-freeing-ex-senator-can-help-manila-keep-trade-incentives
PH, EU eye closer ties | The Manila Times https://www.manilatimes.net/2023/02/25/business/top-business/ph-eu-eye-closer-ties/1880264
EU GSP+ renewal pitched as also beneficial to foreign investors - BusinessWorld Online https://www.bworldonline.com/economy/2023/02/26/506998/eu-gsp-renewal-pitched-as-also-beneficial-to-foreign-investors/
Pascual optimistic about GSP+ renewal for Philippines | GMA News Online https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/money/economy/862024/pascual-optimistic-about-gsp-renewal-for-philippines/story/
“DRUG WAR”
Impunity under Marcos: Defending Duterte at the expense of drug war victims https://www.rappler.com/newsbreak/in-depth/impunity-under-marcos-defending-duterte-expense-drug-war-victims/
EU MP says probe of PH drug killings 'to go on forever', calls for ICC support | GMA News Online https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/nation/861946/eu-mps-say-investigation-of-ph-drug-killings-to-go-on-forever-call-for-icc-support/story/
Better PH human rights noted - Manila Standard https://manilastandard.net/news/314308511/better-ph-human-rights-noted.html
DOJ's Remulla: We will investigate drug war killings on our own | GMA News Online https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/nation/862017/doj-s-remulla-we-will-investigate-drug-war-killings-on-our-own/story/
Junkies continue to outsmart South Cotabato jailers https://www.rappler.com/nation/mindanao/junkies-drug-positive-inmates-continue-outstmart-jail-authorities-south-cotabato/
Abalos leads fun run vs drugs | Philstar.com https://www.philstar.com/nation/2023/02/27/2247939/abalos-leads-fun-run-vs-drugs
RIGHTS DEFENDERS
Rappler Talk: EU lawmaker Hannah Neumann on defending human rights in PH https://www.rappler.com/nation/interview-european-union-lawmakers-hannah-neumann-defending-human-rights-philippines/
Philippines should work with human rights watchdogs — EU parliamentarian - BusinessWorld Online https://www.bworldonline.com/editors-picks/2023/02/26/506952/philippines-should-work-with-human-rights-watchdogs-eu-parliamentarian/
REDTAGGING
Red-tagged Bishop Alminaza: ‘I cannot be silent amid violence and injustices’ https://www.rappler.com/nation/visayas/bishop-alminaza-says-cannot-be-silent-violence-injustices/
LEILA DE LIMA
Unbeaten, unbowed: Leila de Lima marks six years in detention | Politics News | Al Jazeera https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/2/24/unbeaten-unbowed-leila-de-lima-marks-six-years-in-detention
After 6 years in jail, De Lima pleads for freedom | Inquirer News https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1734878/after-6-years-in-jail-de-lima-pleads-for-freedom
Freeing De Lima 'strong sign' that PH wants to continue GSP+ perks https://www.rappler.com/nation/european-parliament-says-freeing-de-lima-strong-sign-philippines-wants-continue-gsp-perks/
Biz groups call for De Lima’s release | Philstar.com https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2023/02/25/2247426/biz-groups-call-de-limas-release
De Lima: I was right to sacrifice my freedom to fight for human rights https://www.rappler.com/nation/de-lima-statement-6th-year-detention-2023/
6 years in detention, De Lima in high spirits: ‘Vindication is forthcoming’ https://www.rappler.com/nation/years-after-detention-leila-de-lima-high-spirits-vindication-forthcoming-2023/
After witnesses retracted allegations, De Lima again asks court to junk case https://www.rappler.com/nation/de-lima-asks-court-junk-cases-after-witnesses-retracted-allegations-february-2023/
Robredo tells De Lima: We keep faith that truth will prevail in the end https://www.rappler.com/nation/robredo-statement-de-lima-detention-2023/
LGBT / SOGIE
Historic, revolutionary: Iglesia Filipina Independiente ordains first trans woman clergy in PH https://www.rappler.com/nation/iglesia-filipina-independiente-ordains-transgender-woman-clergy-philippines/
LIBEL / MEDIA
EU lawmakers call on Philippines to rejoin ICC, decriminalize libel | GMA News Online https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/nation/861951/eu-lawmakers-call-on-philippines-to-rejoin-icc-decriminalize-libel/story/
Nueva Ecija broadcaster convicted of libel | Philstar.com https://www.philstar.com/nation/2023/02/27/2247935/nueva-ecija-broadcaster-convicted-libel
LABOR / MIGRATION
Hong Kong OFWs urge cash aid for COVID-hit migrant workers, scrapping of mandatory fees | Philstar.com https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2023/02/26/2247802/hong-kong-ofws-urge-cash-aid-covid-hit-migrant-workers-scrapping-mandatory-fees
CENSORSHIP
Robin Padilla: I will watch, endorse 'Plane' after 'satisfactory' changes are made to movie | Inquirer News https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1735001/robin-padilla-i-will-watch-endorse-plane-after-satisfactory-changes-are-made-to-movie
DISINFORMATION
Progressives denounce disinformation, remember 37th year of Marcos Sr. ouster - Bulatlat https://www.bulatlat.com/2023/02/25/progressives-denounce-disinformation-remember-37th-year-of-marcos-sr-ouster/
UNESCO to launch guidelines for social media | Philstar.com https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2023/02/27/2247904/unesco-launch-guidelines-social-media
HEALTH
Sumifru belies operation causes toxic pesticides contamination in Davao City | MindaNews https://www.mindanews.com/top-stories/2023/02/sumifru-belies-operation-causes-toxic-pesticides-contamination-in-davao-city/
INSURGENCY / CONFLICT
4 BARMM governors slam MILF, call for full decommissioning https://www.rappler.com/nation/mindanao/barmm-governors-slam-milf-call-full-decommissioning/
With books, hope comes to conflict-torn Samar https://www.rappler.com/nation/visayas/with-books-hope-comes-conflict-torn-samar/
New 3ID chief offers ‘hand for peaceful negotiation’ to rebels - Daily Guardian https://www.dailyguardian.com.ph/new-3id-chief-offers-hand-for-peaceful-negotiation-to-rebels/
ENVIRONMENT
Philippines lost at least half of mangrove areas from 1918 to 2010 | GMA News Online https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/nation/861868/philippines-lost-at-least-half-of-mangrove-areas-from-1918-to-2010/story/
PEOPLE POWER ANNIVERSARY
Marcos seeks unity as Philippines marks 'people power' anniversary | Reuters https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/marcos-seeks-unity-philippines-marks-people-power-anniversary-2023-02-25/
Cory's grandson urges Marcos Jr to acknowledge rights abuses under FEM | ABS-CBN News https://news.abs-cbn.com/spotlight/02/25/23/corys-grandson-urges-marcos-jr-to-acknowledge-rights-abuses-under-fem
Activists to Marcos: No reconciliation without justice | Philstar.com https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2023/02/27/2247909/activists-marcos-no-reconciliation-without-justice
Groups demand justice in first People Power commemoration under Marcos https://www.rappler.com/nation/groups-statements-people-power-commemoration-2023/
During 37th EDSA commemoration rally, Cebuanos renew calls for justice for slain activists https://www.rappler.com/nation/visayas/edsa-commemoration-rally-2023-cebuanos-renew-calls-justice-slain-activists/
People Power activist finds herself facing another Marcos | Inquirer News https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1735156/people-power-activist-finds-herself-facing-another-marcos
Unable to stomach People Power anniversary, Imee skips Ilocos grand festival https://www.rappler.com/newsbreak/inside-track/imee-marcos-skips-tan-ok-ni-ilocano-festival-ilocos-norte-2023/
Martial law survivors remind gov’t of promised assistance | Inquirer News https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1735205/martial-law-survivors-remind-govt-of-promised-assistance
POLITICS
Party-list system should be amended not abolished —Gabriela | GMA News Online https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/nation/861888/party-list-system-should-be-amended-not-abolished-gabriela/story/
Remulla son elected to House seat vacated by justice secretary dad | Philstar.com https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2023/02/26/2247795/remulla-son-elected-house-seat-vacated-justice-secretary-dad
FOREIGN AFFAIRS
A year into war, PH joins call for immediate Russian withdrawal from Ukraine https://www.rappler.com/nation/philippines-joins-call-immediate-russian-withdrawal-ukraine-un-general-assembly-2023/