Philippines: Human Rights News 02/28/2023

Top News: Congress resolutions prove ICC contention; families of #drugwar victims plea to air side; students seek review of #redtagging materials; police downplays #politicalviolence; woman shackled

This newsletter will pause publication for a couple of weeks. It will be back on March 15.

EXTRAJUDICIAL / SUMMARY / ARBITRARY KILLING

Businessman killed, 6 unharmed in drive-by gun attack - SUNSTAR https://www.sunstar.com.ph/article/1954495/zamboanga/local-news/businessman-killed-6-unharmed-in-drive-by-gun-attack

“DRUG WAR” / ICC

Resolutions prove ICC contention | Inquirer Opinion https://opinion.inquirer.net/161370/resolutions-prove-icc-contention

Families of drug war victims seek permission to air side on PH appeal vs. ICC probe - VERA Files https://verafiles.org/articles/families-of-drug-war-victims-seek-permission-to-air-side-on-ph-appeal-vs-icc-probe

EXPLAINER: ICC and its authority https://www.cnnphilippines.com/news/2023/2/4/EXPLAINER--ICC-and-its-authority.html

Iloilo City ‘druggies’ move out, lay low as police pounce on suspected pushers - Daily Guardian https://www.dailyguardian.com.ph/iloilo-city-druggies-move-out-lay-low-as-police-pounce-on-suspected-pushers/

REDTAGGING

Students seek review of anti-Red materials | Inquirer News https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1736008/students-seek-review-of-anti-red-materials

LGBT / SOGIE

Sogie bill does not push for same-sex marriage | The Manila Times https://www.manilatimes.net/2023/02/28/opinion/editorial/sogie-bill-does-not-push-for-same-sex-marriage/1880612

POLITICAL VIOLENCE

Late governor ex-aide shot dead | Philstar.com https://www.philstar.com/nation/2023/02/28/2248102/late-governor-ex-aide-shot-dead

Recent spate of violent crimes will be solved, Abalos assures House | Inquirer News https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1735908/recent-spate-of-violent-crimes-will-be-solved-abalos-assures-house

Attacks vs elected officials 'isolated', not yet alarming, Azurin says | GMA News Online https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/nation/862166/attacks-vs-elected-officials-isolated-not-yet-alarming-azurin-says/story/

PNP: No link among recent attacks against local officials | ABS-CBN News https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/02/27/23/pnp-no-link-among-recent-attacks-against-local-officials

PNP halts permits to carry arms in 4 provinces after gun attack on local execs | Inquirer News https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1735596/pnp-halts-permits-to-carry-arms-in-4-provinces-after-gun-attack-on-local-execs

MILF calls on politicians to dismantle private armies before barangay polls | MindaNews https://www.mindanews.com/top-stories/2023/02/milf-calls-on-politicians-to-dismantle-private-armies-before-barangay-polls/

PNP directs units to secure government officials against ambushes, attacks | Philstar.com https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2023/02/27/2248018/pnp-directs-units-secure-government-officials-against-ambushes-attacks

POLICE

PNP acquires PHP1.2-B worth of new equipment | ABS-CBN News https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/02/27/23/pnp-acquires-php12-b-worth-of-new-equipment

118 resigned senior officers reviewed, evaluated by PNP | Philstar.com https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2023/02/28/2248145/118-resigned-senior-officers-reviewed-evaluated-pnp

LEILA DE LIMA

De Lima: My foremost wish is freedom https://www.cnnphilippines.com/news/2023/2/27/De-Lima--My-foremost-wish-is-freedom-.html

Hontiveros renews call to free De Lima | Inquirer News https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1735893/in-6th-year-of-detention-hontiveros-renews-call-to-free-de-lima

INDIGENOUS PEOPLES / ENVIRONMENT

More cases mulled vs NCIP, Apayao officials in Kabugao dam issue - Baguio Chronicle https://thebaguiochronicle.com/top-story/more-cases-mulled-vs-ncip-apayao-officials-in-kabugao-dam-issue/

Caritas backs mining protest in Palawan | The Manila Times https://www.manilatimes.net/2023/02/28/news/regions/caritas-backs-mining-protest-in-palawan/1880549

Environment group urges review of permits for Manila Bay dredging | GMA News Online https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/metro/862230/environment-group-urges-review-of-permits-for-manila-bay-dredging/story/

SHACKLING / DISABILITY RIGHTS

Dalagang mahiyain at mabait na anak, naging bayolente kaya ikinulong sa isang kubo | Balitambayan https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/balitambayan/talakayan/862238/dalagang-mahiyain-at-mabait-na-anak-naging-bayolente-kaya-ikinulong-sa-isang-kubo/story/

HEALTH

Long lines, lengthy treatment wear out PH cancer patients | Inquirer News https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1735831/long-lines-lengthy-treatment-wear-out-ph-cancer-patients

INSURGENCY / CONFLICT

Philippine Army chief vows to topple insurgency by 2023 - Daily Guardian https://www.dailyguardian.com.ph/philippine-army-chief-vows-to-topple-insurgency-by-2023/

5 extremists killed in weeklong ops | The Manila Times https://www.manilatimes.net/2023/02/27/news/regions/5-extremists-killed-in-weeklong-ops/1880445

Sara Duterte to Mindanao youth: Help rebuild communities torn by conflict | GMA News Online https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/regions/862229/duterte-to-mindanao-youth-help-rebuild-communities-torn-by-conflict/story/

POLITICS

Don't give up social justice, protections written into 1987 Constitution, framer says | Philstar.com https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2023/02/27/2248043/dont-give-social-justice-protections-written-1987-constitution-framer-says

Padilla wants party-list system abolition amid Cha-cha talks | GMA News Online https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/nation/862202/padilla-wants-party-list-system-abolition-amid-cha-cha-talks/story/

FOREIGN AFFAIRS

Philippines filed 77 diplomatic protests vs China under Marcos | Philstar.com https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2023/02/28/2248136/philippines-filed-77-diplomatic-protests-vs-china-under-marcos

Japan, Australia may conduct South China Sea patrols with US, PH – ambassador https://www.rappler.com/nation/japan-australia-conduct-south-china-sea-patrols-united-states-philippines/