Philippines: Human Rights News 03/31/2023

TOP NEWS: HRW, groups slam PH double talk on democracy, rights; #drugwar chief enforcer relies on Marcos to protect him from ICC; PH report to UNHRC misleading; EU rights rep bewail lack of conviction

ICC / SUMMIT FOR DEMOCRACY

PH government draws flak for 'double talk' on democracy | ANC - YouTube

Philippines shuns ICC even as it embraces human rights pledges - BusinessWorld Online https://www.bworldonline.com/the-nation/2023/03/30/514068/philippines-shuns-icc-even-as-it-embraces-human-right-pledges/

PH government draws flak for 'double talk' on democracy | ABS-CBN News https://news.abs-cbn.com/video/spotlight/03/30/23/ph-government-draws-flak-for-double-talk-on-democracy

Philippines rejects democracy summit's acknowledgement of ICC's important role https://www.rappler.com/nation/philippines-rejects-democracy-summit-declaration-acknowledgement-international-criminal-court-role/

Marcos vows fight vs atrocity crimes sans ICC involvement https://malaya.com.ph/news_news/marcos-vows-fight-vs-atrocity-crimes-sans-icc-involvement/

'Bato' holds on to Marcos vow he won't be arrested by ICC | ABS-CBN News https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/03/30/23/bato-holds-on-to-marcos-vow-he-wont-be-arrested-by-icc

Padilla wants ICC to pay damages if it fails to prove PH justice system isn’t working | GMA News Online https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/nation/865581/padilla-wants-icc-to-pay-damages-if-it-fails-to-prove-ph-justice-system-isn-t-working/story/

EXPLAINER: Can ICC’s PH drugs war probe make progress if Manila cuts contact? https://www.rappler.com/nation/can-icc-philippine-drug-war-probe-make-progress-manila-cuts-contact/

Bringing perpetrators to justice: The extent of what the ICC can do | Inquirer News https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1750242/bringing-perpetrators-to-justice-the-extent-of-what-the-icc-can-do?utm=inqfocus

Bongbong Marcos: PH criminal justice system fully functioning, rule of law prevails | Inquirer News https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1750162/bongbong-marcos-ph-criminal-justice-system-fully-functioning-rule-of-law-prevails

SolGen clarifies Marcos quip: ICC appeal still on | Inquirer News https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1749953/solgen-clarifies-marcos-quip-icc-appeal-still-on

PH response to ICC exposes Marcos' empty words on human rights – groups https://www.rappler.com/nation/philippines-response-international-criminal-court-expose-marcos-jr-empty-words-human-rights/

‘DRUG WAR”

Human Rights Watch: Effective witness and victim protection doesn't exist in PH | ANC - YouTube

EU rights rep: 'So few' prosecutions for EJKs 'worrying', victims deserve justice | Inquirer News https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1750373/eu-rights-rep-so-few-prosecutions-for-ejks-worrying-victims-deserve-justice

EU expects more convictions for drug-related EJK —special envoy | GMA News Online https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/nation/865580/eu-expects-more-convictions-for-drug-related-ejk-special-envoy/story/

EU human rights rep vows to continue fighting for accountability on EJKs https://www.rappler.com/nation/eu-representative-human-rights-vows-continue-fighting-accountability-extrajudicial-killings/

US wants to block security aid to PH? Dela Rosa says we can also pull out of Edca | Global News https://globalnation.inquirer.net/213143/us-wants-to-block-security-aid-to-ph-dela-rosa-says-we-can-also-pull-out-of-edca

Ex-President Duterte says he’s willing to face consequences of his ‘war on drugs’ | MindaNews https://www.mindanews.com/top-stories/2023/03/ex-president-duterte-says-hes-willing-to-face-consequences-of-his-war-on-drugs/

Mga naulila ng 'war on drugs' victims nagtanghal | ABS-CBN News https://news.abs-cbn.com/video/news/03/30/23/mga-naulila-ng-war-on-drugs-victims-nagtanghal

RIGHTS DEFENDERS

Human rights groups slam Philippine government's report to UN council https://www.rappler.com/nation/mindanao/human-rights-groups-statements-philippine-goverment-report-united-nations-council/

CHR keeps Status 'A' accreditation with int'l body | Philippine News Agency https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1198596

POLITICAL VIOLENCE

Philippine provincial governor’s killing spotlights deadly rivalry among political elite | South China Morning Post https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3215285/philippine-provincial-governors-killing-spotlights-deadly-rivalry-among-political-elite

10 suspects tagged Arnie Teves in Degamo killing —DOJ | GMA News Online https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/nation/865584/10-suspects-tagged-arnie-teves-in-degamo-killing-doj/story/

PNP: From planning to execution, story almost whole on Degamo killing | GMA News Online https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/nation/865582/pnp-from-planning-to-execution-story-almost-whole-on-degamo-killing/story/

COMMUNIST INSURGENCY / CONFLICT

[OPINION] On the new Masbate incidents: Here we go again https://www.rappler.com/voices/thought-leaders/opinion-masbate-incidents-insurgency-rules-of-war/

CPP-NPA peace talks a trap, DepEd chief warns | The Manila Times https://www.manilatimes.net/2023/03/31/news/national/cpp-npa-peace-talks-a-trap-deped-chief-warns/1885101

Rival MILF groups clash; 4 dead | Philstar.com https://www.philstar.com/nation/2023/03/31/2255756/rival-milf-groups-clash-4-dead

NTF-ELCAC: Only 136 of 846 farm-to-market road projects completed in 2022  | GMA News Online https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/nation/865536/ntf-elcac-only-136-of-846-farm-to-market-road-projects-completed-in-2022/story/

WOMEN

Bangsamoro Women: Defying Conventions, Tempered by Struggles | MindaNews https://www.mindanews.com/feature/2023/03/bangsamoro-women-defying-conventions-tempered-by-struggles/

FOREIGN AFFAIRS

Amid issue with ICC, Marcos says PH to continue bilateral, global engagements | GMA News Online https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/nation/865511/amid-issue-with-icc-marcos-says-ph-to-continue-bilateral-global-engagements/story/

Bato dangles EDCA termination as bill blocking US security aid to Philippines refiled | Philstar.com https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2023/03/30/2255643/bato-dangles-edca-termination-bill-blocking-us-security-aid-philippines-refiled

‘We can also put a stop to EDCA’: Dela Rosa unfazed over US bill seeking to suspend security aid to PH https://mb.com.ph/2023/3/30/we-can-also-put-a-stop-to-edca-dela-rosa-unfazed-over-us-bill-seeking-to-suspend-security-aid-to-ph