Philippines: Human Rights News 04/05/2023
TOP NEWS: More killings; SC: "When is rape rape?"; NPA attack near school "traumatized" children; task force up on Negros; #judicialreform: prosecutors need "active role" in case build-up; #redtagging
ADVISORY: THIS NEWSLETTER WILL RESUME POSTING ON APRIL 10.
EXTRAJUDICIAL / SUMMARY KILLINGS / POLITICAL VIOLENCE
CHR expresses alarm over increased ‘targeted’ attacks on women, gov’t officials | Philstar.com https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2023/04/04/2256860/chr-expresses-alarm-over-increased-targeted-attacks-women-govt-officials
Village councilor dies in ambush - SUNSTAR https://www.sunstar.com.ph/article/1957858/cebu/local-news/village-councilor-dies-in-ambush
1 killed, village chief, 2 others hurt in ambush - SUNSTAR https://www.sunstar.com.ph/article/1957841/zamboanga/local-news/1-killed-village-chief-2-others-hurt-in-ambush
Cop shot dead in Bohol town | Inquirer News https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1752306/cop-shot-dead-in-bohol-town
Barangay treasurer killed, robbed | Philstar.com https://www.philstar.com/nation/2023/04/05/2256950/barangay-treasurer-killed-robbed
Multicab driver shot to death in Leyte town; cops launch deeper probe | Inquirer News https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1752320/multicab-driver-shot-to-death-in-leyte-town-cops-launch-deeper-probe
CHR investigates deaths of student in Cavite, barangay councilor in Bulacan | Inquirer News https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1752263/chr-investigates-deaths-of-dormer-in-cavite-and-barangay-councilor-in-bulacan
Task force created to keep peace and order on Negros Island | Inquirer News https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1752523/task-force-created-to-keep-peace-and-order-on-negros-island
‘Teves is main mastermind’ - Manila Standard https://manilastandard.net/news/top-stories/314319721/teves-is-main-mastermind.html
COMMUNIST INSURGENCY
Students, teachers ‘traumatized’ by rebel attacks in Masbate | Inquirer News https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1752171/students-teachers-traumatized-by-rebel-attacks-in-masbate
2 communist group members surrender in Cabadbaran City - SUNSTAR https://www.sunstar.com.ph/article/1957928/cagayan-de-oro/local-news/2-communist-group-members-surrender-in-cabadbaran-city
21 former rebels get P.75M financial assistance in NegOr https://visayandailystar.com/21-former-rebels-get-p-75m-financial-assistance-in-negor/
WOMEN / SEXUAL VIOLENCE
SC ruling shows when rape is consummated | GMA News Online https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/nation/866032/sc-ruling-shows-when-rape-is-consummated/story/
Why Leonen dissented in SC's latest ruling on rape https://www.rappler.com/nation/why-justice-leonen-dissented-supreme-court-ruling-rape-2023/
REDTAGGING
NTF-ELCAC: No need for loyalty check on teachers over possible communist links | GMA News Online https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/nation/865974/ntf-elcac-no-need-for-loyalty-check-on-teachers-over-possible-communist-links/story/
\DepEd: Teachers 'free' to join unions but... | ABS-CBN News https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/04/04/23/deped-teachers-free-to-join-unions-but
ENVIRONMENT
Sinking of Princess Empress a 'crime,' not accident – Remulla https://www.rappler.com/nation/sinking-of-princess-empress-crime-not-accident-remulla/
HEALTH / DISABILITY RIGHTS
DOH vows to improve conditions at National Center for Mental Health https://www.rappler.com/nation/department-health-vows-to-improve-conditions-at-national-mental-center-mental-health/
Cagayan de Oro goes strict again as city sees surge in COVID-19 cases https://www.rappler.com/nation/mindanao/cagayan-de-oro-strict-covid-19-protocol-surge-cases-march-2023/
JUDICIAL REFORM
DOJ requires prosecutors to take 'active role' in case build-up | ABS-CBN News https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/04/04/23/doj-requires-prosecutors-to-take-active-role-in-case-build-up
Law scholarship bill to boost poor’s access to legal services | Philippine News Agency https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1198863
EDUCATION
Warning of school closures and job losses, private schools object to anti-“no-permit no-exam” bills | Philstar.com https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2023/04/04/2256873/warning-school-closures-and-job-losses-private-schools-object-anti-no-permit-no-exam-bills
DepEd: 'Peace curriculum' to be 'age appropriate' | ABS-CBN News https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/04/04/23/deped-peace-curriculum-to-be-age-appropriate
DepEd: Teachers 'free' to join unions but... | ABS-CBN News https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/04/04/23/deped-teachers-free-to-join-unions-but
Building 50k classrooms, hiring 30k teachers per year doable - solon | ABS-CBN News https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/04/04/23/building-50k-classrooms-hiring-30k-teachers-per-year-doable-solon
POVERTY
Baguio hopeful housing program will help find homes for informal settlers | Philstar.com https://www.philstar.com/nation/2023/04/04/2256833/baguio-hopeful-housing-program-will-help-find-homes-informal-settlers
POLITICS
Marcos Jr. and the Dangers of Virtual Hypermasculinity | FULCRUM https://fulcrum.sg/marcos-jr-and-the-dangers-of-virtual-hypermasculinity/
FOREIGN AFFAIRS
4 new EDCA sites to benefit communities – DFA | Philstar.com https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2023/04/05/2256948/4-new-edca-sites-benefit-communities-dfa
Cagayan gov argues EDCA sites not really for disaster relief | ABS-CBN News https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/04/04/23/cagayan-gov-argues-edca-sites-not-really-for-disaster-relief
PH envoy questions Chinese opposition vs. EDCA expansion | Philippine News Agency https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1198917
Zubiri echoes need for VFA-like deal in meeting with Japanese lawmakers | GMA News Online https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/nation/865961/zubiri-echoes-need-for-vfa-like-deal-in-meeting-with-japanese-lawmakers/story/
US not seeking permanent military basing in PH: Pentagon | ABS-CBN News https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/04/04/23/us-not-seeking-permanent-military-basing-in-ph-pentagon