Philippines: Human Rights News 04/03/2023

TOP NEWS: #drugwar: PDEA agents kill 3 drug suspects; 2 convictions in #drugwar not enough: EU envoy; more #summarykillings; cop kills student; DOJ clears police in "bloody Sunday" killings; #HIV-AIDS

EXTRAJUDICIAL / SUMMARY / ARBITRARY KILLING / QUESTIONABLE DEATHS

Bloody Sunday: DOJ junks murder complaint vs. 17 cops over deaths of Evangelista couple | GMA News Online https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/nation/865684/doj-junks-murder-complaint-vs-17-cops-over-deaths-of-evangelista-couple/story/

Cop kills criminology student in Bukidnon https://mindanaogoldstardaily.com/archives/137059

Man shot dead in Olongapo City | Inquirer News https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1750611/man-shot-dead-in-olongapo-city

Elderly couple robbed, killed in Bansalan https://mindanaogoldstardaily.com/archives/137052

Unidentified man found dead in sack - Daily Guardian https://www.dailyguardian.com.ph/unidentified-man-found-dead-in-sack/

Armed motorcycle riders collared in Rizal province | Inquirer News https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1751133/armed-motorcycle-riders-collared-in-rizal-province

Alleged robber slain in Cavite 'shootout' | Inquirer News https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1750593/alleged-robber-slain-in-cavite-shootout

“DRUG WAR”

3 drug suspects killed in buy-bust gone awry https://mindanaogoldstardaily.com/archives/137020

Attempt to fight off agents led to death of drug suspects in Cagayan de Oro, PDEA says | Inquirer News https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1750822/attempt-to-fight-off-agents-led-to-death-of-drug-suspects-in-cagayan-de-oro-pdea-says

Bida program boosts anti-illegal drugs drive in Normin https://mindanaogoldstardaily.com/archives/137026

SolGen insists war on drugs was a legitimate law enforcement effort | GMA News Online https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/nation/865742/solgen-insists-war-on-drugs-was-a-legitimate-law-enforcement-effort/story/

UK envoy: Significant shift in anti-drugs drive under Marcos important but rights challenges remain | GMA News Online https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/nation/865774/uk-envoy-significant-shift-in-anti-drugs-drive-under-marcos-important-but-rights-challenges-remain/story/

ACCOUNTABILITY / ICC / EU-GSP+

3 EJK-related convictions not enough for PH to maintain GSP+ status — EU representative https://mb.com.ph/2023/4/1/3-ejk-related-convictions-not-enough-for-ph-to-maintain-gsp-status-eu-representative

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 envoy ties PH trade perks to human rights compliance | Global News https://globalnation.inquirer.net/213162/eu-envoy-ties-ph-trade-perks-to-human-rights-compliance

EU welcomes ‘willing’ PH on EJKs - Manila Standard https://manilastandard.net/news/314318946/eu-welcomes-willing-ph-on-ejks.html

EU to bolster efforts to ensure accountability in gov’t’s war on drugs - BusinessWorld Online https://www.bworldonline.com/the-nation/2023/03/30/514152/eu-to-bolster-efforts-to-ensure-accountability-in-govts-war-on-drugs/

‘Democratic’ PH can’t ignore ICC | Global News https://globalnation.inquirer.net/213148/democratic-ph-cant-ignore-icc

Marcos: Rule of law Prevails in Philippines | Philstar.com https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2023/03/31/2255839/marcos-rule-law-prevails-philippines

Marcos undermining rule-based order by fighting ICC — analysts - BusinessWorld Online https://www.bworldonline.com/the-nation/2023/04/02/514486/marcos-undermining-rule-based-order-by-fighting-icc-analysts/

Marcos Jr. Is Wrong: Philippines Drug War Crimes Still Under ICC Jurisdiction https://www.polygraph.info/a/fact-check-marcos-jr-is-wrong-philippines-drug-war-crimes-still-under-icc-jurisdiction/7028834.html

Imee Marcos: Picking on PH but not probing Western nations? ICC a ‘caricature of int’l justice’ | Inquirer News https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1750575/picking-on-ph-but-not-probing-western-nations-icc-a-caricature-of-intl-justice-says-imee-marcos

Sen. Imee Marcos calls ICC 'a caricature' of int'l justice | GMA News Online https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/nation/865638/sen-imee-marcos-calls-icc-a-caricature-of-int-l-justice/story/

Explainer: Can ICC's drug war probe make progress if Philippines cuts contact? https://interaksyon.philstar.com/politics-issues/2023/03/31/247505/explainer-can-iccs-drug-war-probe-make-progress-if-philippines-cuts-contact/

A chorus of disinformation vs ICC | The Manila Times https://www.manilatimes.net/2023/04/03/opinion/columns/a-chorus-of-disinformation-vs-icc/1885491

ICC probers invited to Senate inquiry | Philstar.com https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2023/04/03/2256428/icc-probers-invited-senate-inquiry

COMMUNIST INSURGENCY

Lawyers slam  DOJ on alleged terror financier’s conviction without trial | MindaNews https://www.mindanews.com/top-stories/2023/04/uplm-slams-doj-on-magduas-conviction-without-trial/

Three NPA leaders slain in Army clash in Agusan Sur - Mindanao Times https://mindanaotimes.com.ph/2023/03/31/three-npa-leaders-slain-in-army-clash-in-agusan-sur/

Alleged ranking NPA leader killed in Agusan del Sur clash | Inquirer News https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1750688/alleged-ranking-npa-leader-killed-in-agusan-del-sur-clash

Mandaya tribal woman leader at the forefront of fight vs NPA - Mindanao Times https://mindanaotimes.com.ph/2023/03/31/mandaya-tribal-woman-leader-at-the-forefront-of-fight-vs-npa/

Gov't soldiers, NPA rebels clash in Sorsogon | Inquirer News https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1751158/govt-soldiers-npa-rebels-clash-in-sorsogon

56 former NPA rebels surrender to AFP in Tacloban | Inquirer News https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1750866/56-former-npa-rebels-surrender-to-afp-in-tacloban

Soldier wounded after clash with NPA near Wawa Dam in Rizal | Inquirer News https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1750849/soldier-wounded-after-clash-with-npa-near-wawa-dam-in-rizal

Thousands join indignation rallies in Negros island to denounce NPA atrocities https://mb.com.ph/2023/3/30/thousands-join-indignation-rallies-in-negros-island-to-denounce-npa-atrocities

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

REDTAGGING / RIGHTS DEFENDERS / ATTACKS AGAINST ACTIVISTS

Q & A: San Carlos Bishop emulates Christ amid red-tagging - Bulatlat https://www.bulatlat.com/2023/03/31/q-a-san-carlos-bishop-emulates-christ-amid-red-tagging/

Political prisoners turn to fasting to slam EJK | Inquirer News https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1750407/political-prisoners-turn-to-fasting-to-slam-ejk

PIA - NTF-ELCAC vs. Human Rights Defenders Protection Act https://pia.gov.ph/news/2023/03/31/ntf-elcac-vs-human-rights-defenders-protection-act

INDIGENOUS PEOPLES

Kalinga indigenous communities petition NCIP-CAR to nullify FPIC, halt damming in Pinukpuk, Balbalan - Baguio Chronicle https://thebaguiochronicle.com/cordillera/kalinga-indigenous-communities-petition-ncip-car-to-nullify-fpic-halt-damming-in-pinukpuk-balbalan/

Excluded Bokod IPs demand no NCIP certification as Itogon IPs gain from SNAP in new Binga Dam terms - Baguio Chronicle https://thebaguiochronicle.com/cordillera/excluded-bokod-ips-demand-no-ncip-certification-as-itogon-ips-gain-from-snap-in-new-binga-dam-terms/

Mandaya tribal woman leader at the forefront of fight vs NPA - Mindanao Times https://mindanaotimes.com.ph/2023/03/31/mandaya-tribal-woman-leader-at-the-forefront-of-fight-vs-npa/

ENRVIRONMENT / MINING

Court issues TRO vs president of gold mining firm in Agusan Sur; embattled exec blames ‘takeover plan’ by Australian partner | MindaNews https://www.mindanews.com/top-stories/2023/03/court-issues-tro-vs-president-of-gold-mining-firm-in-agusan-sur-embattled-exec-blames-takeover-plan-by-australian-partner/

DETENTION

7 of the World's Mega-Prisons: a Story of Overcrowding, Poor Conditions https://www.insider.com/check-out-details-of-7-of-the-biggest-prisons-in-the-world-2023-3

LAND RIGHTS

Farmers decry unfulfilled promises, continued harassment - Bulatlat https://www.bulatlat.com/2023/04/01/farmers-decry-unfulfilled-promises-continued-harassment/

Farmers’ group questions DAR, World Bank’s SPLIT program | Philstar.com https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2023/04/03/2256537/farmers-group-questions-dar-world-banks-split-program

The struggles of Ka Jimmy Tadeo should not go in vain | Inquirer Business https://business.inquirer.net/394049/the-struggles-of-ka-jimmy-tadeo-should-not-go-in-vain

RIGHTS OF OLDER PEOPLE

Netizens twit police for arresting elderly people for recreational games https://dnx.news/netizens-twit-police-for-arresting-elderly-people-for-recreational-games/

Senior citizen staying in PITX for almost 3 weeks now after getting robbed | GMA News Online https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/metro/865770/senior-citizen-staying-in-pitx-for-almost-3-weeks-now-after-getting-robbed/story/

LGBTQ

Healthcare access is fraught for trans people in Asia and the Pacific. Communities are working to change this. | UNAIDS https://www.unaids.org/en/resources/presscentre/featurestories/2023/march/20230331_healthcare-access-asia-pacific-trans-people

HEALTH

1,292 new HIV cases in Feb., 56 were teens, kids - Manila Standard https://manilastandard.net/news/314319381/1292-new-hiv-cases-in-feb-56-were-teens-kids.html

PH cancer patients lack access to preventive screening, costly treatment | Inquirer News https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1750758/ph-cancer-patients-lack-access-to-preventive-screening-costly-treatment

Chickenpox, other vaccine-preventable diseases rising – doctor | Philstar.com https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2023/04/03/2256392/chickenpox-other-vaccine-preventable-diseases-rising-doctor

WOMEN

In landmark ruling, Supreme Court clarifies when rape is committed https://www.rappler.com/nation/supreme-court-decision-clarification-when-rape-committed/

240,000 Filipino women die yearly due to NCDs | Philstar.com https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2023/04/03/2256404/240000-filipino-women-die-yearly-due-ncds

Maternal mortality ratio in PH declining — DOH | GMA News Online https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/nation/865670/maternal-mortality-ratio-in-ph-declining-doh/story/

Caloocan launches help desk, hotline to combat sexual abuse, harassment | Inquirer News https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1751141/caloocan-launches-help-desk-hotline-to-combat-sexual-abuse

UNFPA launches campaign to fight digital violence against women in PH | Inquirer News https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1750550/unfpa-launches-campaign-to-fight-digital-violence-against-women-in-ph

Tangalan, Aklan starts menstrual work-from-home days for LGU women workers https://www.rappler.com/nation/visayas/tangalan-aklan-starts-menstrual-period-work-home-days-lgu-women-workers/

Feminists urge Marcos to advance women’s rights he claims to stand for https://www.rappler.com/newsbreak/in-depth/feminists-urge-marcos-advance-womens-rights-claims-stand-for/

EDUCATION

Local school boards summit tackles education crisis - SUNSTAR https://www.sunstar.com.ph/article/1957655/bacolod/local-news/local-school-boards-summit-tackles-education-crisis

LABOR

UP paper: Jeepney 'modernization' risks corporate takeover of transport sector | Philstar.com https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2023/04/02/2256307/paper-jeepney-modernization-must-be-participative-recognize-transport-public-good

'Monumental crisis averted': EU to keep recognizing Filipino seafarers' certificates https://www.rappler.com/nation/overseas-filipinos/european-union-keep-recognizing-filipino-seafarers-certificates/

PH to 'do everything' to improve maritime sector after Europe agreement | ABS-CBN News https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/04/02/23/ph-to-do-everything-to-improve-maritime-sector-after-europe-agreement

Ople assures protection of OFWs’ rights - SUNSTAR https://www.sunstar.com.ph/article/1957614/manila/local-news/ople-assures-protection-of-ofws-rights

FOREIGN AFFAIRS

Philippines, US hold live-fire exercises focused on territorial defense https://www.rappler.com/nation/philippines-united-states-hold-live-fire-exercises-focused-territorial-defense/

Army-to-Army exercise for stronger defense of PH territory - VERA Files https://verafiles.org/articles/army-to-army-exercise-for-stronger-defense-of-ph-territory