Philippines: Today's human rights news 01/09/2023
Top News: Rights commission has new commissioner; #drugwar: police resignations to aid impunity; "destab" rumors in military; court case vs activists decided today; justice secy son's swift acquittal
EXTRAJUDICIAL / SUMMARY KILLING
Two LGU security men dead in South Cotabato ambush | Philstar.com https://www.philstar.com/nation/2023/01/07/2235972/two-lgu-security-men-dead-south-cotabato-ambush
DRUG WAR / POLICE RESIGNATION
Dahas on Twitter: "In 2022, 324 died in the drug war — 149 in Duterte's last 6 months, and 175 in Marcos Jr.'s first. State agents still the top assailants, and pushers the top targets but hotspots have shifted from NCR and Negros Occidental to Davao City and Cebu.
Quit call for cops with drug ties may aid impunity - BusinessWorld Online https://www.bworldonline.com/the-nation/2023/01/08/497183/quit-call-for-cops-with-drug-ties-may-aid-impunity/
CHR says asking PNP officials to resign only the first step | Inquirer News https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1713491/chr-says-asking-pnp-officials-to-resign-only-the-first-step
CHR: Erring cops should face raps in cleansing push | ABS-CBN News https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/01/06/23/chr-erring-cops-should-face-raps-in-cleansing-push
CHR wants charges filed against cops involved in drug trade - #PressOnePH https://pressone.ph/chr-wants-charges-filed-against-cops-involved-in-drug-trade/
The Philippines Is Cleaning Out Police Ranks. Here’s How Its War on Drugs Is Going https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/the-philippines-is-cleaning-out-police-ranks-heres-how-its-war-on-drugs-is-going/ar-AA162xmT
NCRPO: 72 police generals, colonels pass surprise drug test | GMA News Online https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/metro/856737/ncrpo-72-police-generals-colonels-pass-surprise-drug-test/story/
23 Davao generals, colonels submit courtesy resignations https://www.rappler.com/nation/mindanao/davao-police-generals-colonels-submit-courtesy-resignations-january-2023/
Lawyer’s group urges courts to fast-track cases of detained drug suspects - BusinessWorld Online https://www.bworldonline.com/the-nation/2023/01/08/497181/lawyers-group-urges-courts-to-fast-track-cases-of-detained-drug-suspects/
After Duterte's drug war killings, abuses, what's next in 2023? https://www.rappler.com/newsbreak/in-depth/outlook-accountability-justice-duterte-drug-war-killings-abuses-marcos-administration-2023/
HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDERS
Marcos names new CHR commissioner, still missing 2 for complete leadership https://www.rappler.com/nation/ferdinand-marcos-jr-names-faydah-dumarpa-human-rights-commissioner/
Lawyer Faydah Dumarpa brings CHR closer to full commission | Philstar.com https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2023/01/08/2236187/lawyer-faydah-dumarpa-brings-chr-closer-full-commission
Court to decide on the perjury case against human rights defenders - Bulatlat https://www.bulatlat.com/2023/01/08/court-to-decide-on-the-perjury-case-against-human-rights-defenders/
Religious group takes to streets in support of 10 rights advocates facing charges | Inquirer News https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1714009/religious-group-takes-to-streets-in-support-of-10-rights-advocates-facing-charges
JUDICIARY / REMULLA
Remulla son walks free after acquittal in P1.3M drug possession case | Philstar.com https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2023/01/06/2235728/remulla-son-acquitted-p13m-drug-possession-case
Court acquits Remulla's son in less than 3 months. Does it always happen? https://www.rappler.com/newsbreak/in-depth/court-acquits-boying-remulla-son-less-three-months-does-it-always-happen/
NUPL on Juanito Remulla acquittal: Swift justice should be for all | GMA News Online https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/nation/856708/nupl-on-juanito-remulla-acquittal-swift-justice-should-be-for-all/story/
Bayan Muna decries fast acquittal of DOJ chief Remulla’s son: 'Sanaol' | Inquirer News https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1713288/bayan-muna-slams-fast-acquittal-of-doj-chief-remullas-son-sanaol
NUPL calls for speedy court trial in all criminal cases | Inquirer News https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1714066/nupl-calls-for-speedy-court-trial-in-all-criminal-cases
INSURGENCY
Three alleged rebels nabbed in Calatrava - Daily Guardian https://www.dailyguardian.com.ph/three-alleged-rebels-nabbed-in-calatrava/
To Face Justice: Leaders-remnants of dismantled rebel front fall in Army-soldier operation https://dnx.news/to-face-justice-leaders-remnants-of-dismantled-rebel-front-fall-in-army-soldier-operation/
MILITARY
Marcos sacks Philippine military chief in surprise move - Nikkei Asia https://asia.nikkei.com/Politics/Marcos-sacks-Philippine-military-chief-in-surprise-move
Returning AFP chief tells troops: Stop ‘squabbling’ | Inquirer News https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1713794/returning-afp-chief-tells-troops-stop-squabbling
'Destab' rumors flood chat groups; military, PNP issue denial https://www.rappler.com/nation/afp-pnp-statement-alleged-destab
PH military: 'Everything is normal' amid leadership transition | ABS-CBN News https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/01/08/23/ph-military-everything-is-normal-amid-leadership-transition
Destabilization plots not true — AFP, PNP - Daily Tribune https://tribune.net.ph/2023/01/08/destabilization-plots-not-true-afp-pnp/
Armed Forces: Up to PNP to investigate fake memo, alleged destabilization plot | Philstar.com https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2023/01/08/2236179/armed-forces-pnp-investigate-fake-memo-alleged-destabilization-plot
Liza Marcos denies hand in military appointments, warns people using her name https://www.rappler.com/nation/liza-araneta-marcos-denies-hand-military-appointments/
LABOR
Paid seven-day bereavement leave sought - Manila Standard https://manilastandard.net/news/national/314294593/paid-seven-day-bereavement-leave-sought.html
ENFORCED DISAPPEARANCE
5 cops dismissed over implication in sabungero’s disappearance - SUNSTAR https://www.sunstar.com.ph/article/1949024/manila/local-news/5-cops-dismissed-over-implication-in-sabungeros-disappearance
DISPLACEMENT
Floods displace thousands as Bulacan dams spill | Philstar.com https://www.philstar.com/nation/2023/01/08/2236117/floods-displace-thousands-bulacan-dams-spill
Aurora floods affect 2,500 families, clearing operations continue https://www.rappler.com/nation/luzon/aurora-floods-affect-2500-families-clearing-operations-continue/
TERRORISM / CONFLICT
Police catch Indonesian, 2 others with high-powered guns in Sarangani https://www.rappler.com/nation/mindanao/police-catch-indonesian-companions-high-powered-guns-sarangani/
FOREIGN AFFAIRS
Marcos reflects on nearly 50 years of PH-China relations | Philippine News Agency https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1192249
Marcos' China visit reaps $22.8B in investment pledges https://www.cnnphilippines.com/news/2023/1/5/marcos-china-visit-investment-pledges.html