Philippines: Today's news and updates on human rights

TODAY'S TOP NEWS: Victims of killings under Marcos; govt rejects decriminalization of drug use; questionable deaths in detention; libel conviction sends a "very difficult signal," says Maria Ressa

EXTRAJUDICIAL / SUMMARY KILLINGS

IN NUMBERS: People we lost under Marcos in 2022 https://www.rappler.com/nation/numbers-people-lost-under-marcos-jr-administration-2022/

BuCor investigating deaths of Jaybee Sebastian, 8 others | GMA News Online https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/nation/854564/bucor-investigating-deaths-of-jaybee-sebastian-8-others/story/

Mystery continues to shroud death of NBP high-profile inmate Jaybee Sebastian | Inquirer News https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1705638/mystery-continues-to-shroud-death-of-nbp-high-profile-inmate-jaybee-sebastian

Man killed, pal wounded in shooting - Daily Guardian https://www.dailyguardian.com.ph/man-killed-pal-wounded-in-shooting/

Corpse of handcuffed woman with stab wounds found inPampanga | ABS-CBN News https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/12/16/22/bangkay-ng-babaeng-may-mga-saksak-at-nakaposas-natagpuan-sa-pampanga

DRUG WAR

Abalos defends drug war | Philstar.com https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2022/12/16/2231153/abalos-defends-drug-war

Abalos: Decriminalizing drug use won’t help gov’t’s anti-illegal drug campaign | GMA News Online https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/nation/854558/abalos-decriminalizing-drug-use-won-t-help-gov-t-s-anti-illegal-drug-campaign/story/

Abalos nixes decriminalizing drug use | Philippine News Agency https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1190855

Bodies of men killed in Sultan Kudarat 'shootout' show signs of foul play – lawyer https://www.rappler.com/nation/mindanao/bodies-men-slain-sultan-kudarat-shootout-signs-foul-play-lawyer/

Pampanga village watchmen tapped in fight vs online cockfighting, illegal drugs | Inquirer News https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1705643/pampanga-village-watchmen-tapped-in-fight-vs-online-cockfighting-illegal-drugs

6 Pampanga villages cleared from drugs - SUNSTAR https://www.sunstar.com.ph/article/1948582/pampanga/local-news/6-pampanga-villages-cleared-from-drugs

DETENTION

Editorial: Humanizing people behind bars - SUNSTAR https://www.sunstar.com.ph/article/1948694/cebu/opinion/editorial-humanizing-people-behind-bars

QUIBOLOY CASE

Marcos’ silence on Quiboloy’s case ‘alarming’ — Gabriela https://www.cnnphilippines.com/news/2022/12/15/Marcos--silence-on-Quiboloy-s-case--alarming----Gabriela-.html

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MEDIA / PRESS FREEDOM

Ressa: Journalist Cimatu's libel conviction 'sends very difficult signal' | ABS-CBN News https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/12/15/22/ressa-journalist-cimatus-libel-conviction-sends-very-difficult-signal

Piñol feels vindication in cyber libel conviction of Baguio journalist | Inquirer News https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1705678/pinol-feels-vindication-in-cyber-libel-conviction-of-baguio-journalist

Chief Justice: Media ethics, credibility make ‘true practitioners’ | Inquirer News https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1705736/chief-justice-media-ethics-credibility-make-true-practitioners

INDIGENOUS PEOPLES RIGHT

NCIP: IPs approval of Kaliwa dam project discussed | GMA News Online https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/nation/854636/ncip-ips-approval-of-kaliwa-dam-project-underwent-deliberation/story/

LGBTQI

FACT CHECK: LGBTQ+ members not banned in Maguindanao town  – MindaNews https://www.mindanews.com/top-stories/2022/12/fact-check-lgbtq-members-not-banned-in-maguindanao-town/

DISPLACEMENT

A year on, 10,000 households yet to receive ‘Odette’ aid - SUNSTAR https://www.sunstar.com.ph/article/1948683/cebu/local-news/a-year-on-10000-households-yet-to-receive-odette-aid

RIGHTS OF OLDER PEOPLE

Some senior citizen having difficulty with registering for online database | ABS-CBN News https://news.abs-cbn.com/video/news/12/15/22/ilang-senior-citizen-hirap-sa-pagrehistro-sa-online-database

CHILDREN / EDUCATION

House approves on third reading bill making NCSTP mandatory | Philstar.com https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2022/12/15/2231035/bill-making-ncstp-mandatory-certified-urgent-marcos

FOREIGN AFFAIRS

Marcos touts investment pledges after ASEAN-EU summit | ABS-CBN News https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/12/15/22/marcos-touts-investment-pledges-after-asean-eu-summit

Marcos pitches young PHL workforce to potential EU investors - BusinessWorld Online https://www.bworldonline.com/economy/2022/12/15/493441/marcos-pitches-young-phl-workforce-to-potential-eu-investors/