Philippines: Today's human rights news 12/22-23/2022
TOP NEWS: More killings; more #drugwar arrests; 34 "sabungeros" missing; journalist red-tagged; activists freed; Facebook "censorship"; #decriminalizelibel; "release old detainees"; sex ed for kids
This is the last newsletter for the year. We will resume publication on January 2, 2023. Happy holidays!
EXTRAJUDICIAL / SUMMARY KILLING
Gunman kills Negros electric cooperative manager in Bacolod https://www.rappler.com/nation/visayas/gunman-kills-negros-electric-cooperative-manager-bacolod/
Retired Leyte town municipal administrator shot dead | Philstar.com https://www.philstar.com/nation/2022/12/23/2232724/retired-leyte-town-municipal-administrator-shot-dead
DRUG WAR
18 ‘graduate’ from drug rehab https://www.panaynews.net/18-graduate-from-drug-rehab/
Arce: Drug users to be fired - SUNSTAR https://www.sunstar.com.ph/article/1949248/cebu/local-news/arce-drug-users-to-be-fired
Bacolod cops arrest 66 drug suspects; net P3M in suspected shabu in 2 months - SUNSTAR https://www.sunstar.com.ph/article/1949104/bacolod/local-news/bacolod-cops-arrest-66-drug-suspects-net-p3m-in-suspected-shabu-in-2-months
P42.5M drugs seized in Davao Region in 2022 | MindaNews https://www.mindanews.com/top-stories/2022/12/p42-5m-drugs-seized-in-davao-region-in-2022/
40 Cebu city hall workers positive for illegal drugs | ABS-CBN News https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/12/21/22/40-cebu-city-hall-workers-positive-for-illegal-drugs
“Drug war” orphans attend Christmas gathering | ABS-CBN News https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/12/21/22/mga-naulila-sa-drug-war-lumahok-sa-christmas-gathering
ENFORCED DISAPPEARANCES
CIDG: 34 sabungeros still considered missing | Philstar.com https://www.philstar.com/nation/2022/12/22/2232428/cidg-34-sabungeros-still-considered-missing
Editorial: Disappeared ‘sabungeros’ - SUNSTAR https://www.sunstar.com.ph/article/1949246/cebu/opinion/editorial-disappeared-sabungeros
UN: Obstacles in protecting persons from enforced disappearance remain | Philstar.com https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2022/12/22/2232451/un-obstacles-protecting-persons-enforced-disappearance-remain
INSURGENCY / RED-TAGGING
Released activists seek freedom for other political prisoners | ABS-CBN News https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/12/23/22/released-activists-seek-freedom-for-other-political-prisoners
'Let's not tolerate': ABS-CBN reporter raises alarm over Twitter user red-tagging journalists https://interaksyon.philstar.com/trends-spotlights/2022/12/21/237971/abs-cbn-reporter-raises-alarm-over-twitter-user-red-tagging-journalists/
PNP looking at 3 to 5 personalities as next possible CPP leader | GMA News Online https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/nation/855113/pnp-looking-at-3-to-5-personalities-as-next-possible-cpp-leader/story/
“Ka Joma Lives!”: The Philippines Mourns Exiled Revolutionary Leader - The News Lens International Edition https://international.thenewslens.com/article/178530
Jose Maria Sison and people’s literature, art and culture * - Bulatlat https://www.bulatlat.com/2022/12/20/jose-maria-sison-and-peoples-literature-art-and-culture/
PNP chief urges rebels to surrender | Philstar.com https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2022/12/23/2232679/pnp-chief-urges-rebels-surrender
No to bringing home Joma’s ashes to PH: ex-cadres | Philippine News Agency https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1191253
RIGHTS DEFENDERS
UN rapporteur visit will debunk claims Phl ‘warzone’ — exec - Daily Tribune https://tribune.net.ph/2022/12/22/un-rapporteur-visit-will-debunk-claims-phl-warzone-exec/
FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION / PRESS FREEDOM
Bayan assails Facebook's 'censorship' of tributes for Joma Sison - Bulatlat https://www.bulatlat.com/2022/12/22/bayan-assails-facebooks-censorship-of-tributes-for-joma-sison/
Gov't urged to protect right to expression following journalist Cimatu's libel conviction | Inquirer News https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1707458/govt-urged-to-protect-right-to-expression-following-journalist-cimatus-libel-conviction A
CHR pushes for decriminalization of libel | Philstar.com https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2022/12/21/2232371/chr-pushes-decriminalization-libel
CHR concerned by Cimatu conviction, pushes for decriminalization of libel | GMA News Online https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/nation/855101/concerned-by-cimatu-conviction-pushes-for-decriminalization-of-libel/story/
TORTURE
Bantag faces torture, physical injury raps | Philippine News Agency https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1191233
Stabbed by Bantag: Prison gang leaders claim abuse by ex-BuCor chief https://www.rappler.com/nation/prison-gang-leaders-abuse-by-bantag-ex-bucor-chief/
Bantag on claims he stabbed Bilibid inmates: Just prove it https://www.cnnphilippines.com/news/2022/12/21/bantag-allegation-stabbing-incident-nbp-inmates.html
DETENTION / RIGHTS OF OLDER PEOPLE
BuCor asks President to release senior inmates | ABS-CBN News https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/12/21/22/bucor-asks-president-to-release-senior-inmates
Elderly detainees in Correctional wish to be freed on Christmas | ABS-CBN News https://news.abs-cbn.com/video/news/12/22/22/ilang-may-edad-mula-sa-correctional-may-hiling-sa-pangulo-ngayong-pasko
PNP backs proposal to install CCTVs in jails | Philstar.com https://www.philstar.com/nation/2022/12/23/2232732/pnp-backs-proposal-install-cctvs-jails
LGBTQI / SOGIE
Senators lauded for approving report on SOGIESC bill | Philstar.com https://www.philstar.com/nation/2022/12/23/2232727/senators-lauded-approving-report-sogiesc-bill
CHILDREN
CHR assures monitoring, assessment of cases involving child trafficking, abuse, exploitation – Manila Bulletin https://mb.com.ph/2022/12/22/chr-assures-monitoring-assessment-of-casesinvolving-child-trafficking-abuse-exploitation/
Padilla files Senate bill protecting religious freedom in schools | GMA News Online https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/nation/855179/padilla-files-senate-bill-protecting-religious-freedom-in-schools/story/
Boost sexuality education to further reduce teenage pregnancies | Philippine News Agency https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1191296
Germany taps PH orgs to support children's education, women's rights | ABS-CBN News https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/12/22/22/germany-taps-ph-orgs-to-support-childrens-education-womens-rights
POVERTY
Cebu City to punish those who give alms to beggars - SUNSTAR https://www.sunstar.com.ph/article/1949251/cebu/local-news/cebu-city-to-punish-those-who-give-alms-to-beggars
ENVIRONMENT
Environmental activists fight back as companies resort to ‘lawfare’ to quash criticism | NationofChange https://www.nationofchange.org/2022/12/21/environmental-activists-fight-back-as-companies-resort-to-lawfare-to-quash-criticism/
Solon backs legalization of small-scale miners | Philippine News Agency https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1191334
TERRORISM
Spanish terror suspect convicted | Philstar.com https://www.philstar.com/nation/2022/12/23/2232725/spanish-terror-suspect-convicted
2 Abu bandits killed in Basilan military ops | Philstar.com https://www.philstar.com/nation/2022/12/23/2232722/2-abu-bandits-killed-basilan-military-ops
FOREIGN AFFAIRS
Armed Forces ordered to increase presence in West Philippine Sea | Philstar.com https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2022/12/22/2232610/armed-forces-ordered-increase-presence-west-philippine-sea
China Embassy says new construction activities in Spratlys 'fake news' | GMA News Online https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/nation/855168/china-embassy-says-new-construction-activities-in-spratlys-fake-news/story/
Philippines to strengthen military presence in South China Sea https://www.rappler.com/nation/philippines-to-strengthen-military-presence-in-south-china-sea/
Philippines 'concerned' over China's reclaimed land in disputed sea | ABS-CBN News https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/12/21/22/philippines-concerned-over-chinas-reclaimed-land-in-disputed-sea