#PressFreedom: 'Improved' but... ; #drugwar: more killings, police corruption, #ICC; Indigenous leaders missing; #COVID infections up; 'anti-terror' airstrikes; Biden-Marcos; #humanrights education
Today's human rights news from the Philippines (May 3-4, 2023)
EXTRAJUDICIAL, SUMMARY, ARBITRARY KILLINGS / QUESTIONABLE DEATHS
Drug suspect slain; P2.38 million shabu seized | Philstar.com https://www.philstar.com/nation/2023/05/04/2263666/drug-suspect-slain-p238-million-shabu-seized
Task groups eyed to probe dumping of human remains, mutilated body parts - Daily Guardian https://www.dailyguardian.com.ph/task-groups-eyed-to-probe-dumping-of-human-remains-mutilated-body-parts/
Man shot dead in Mambaling - SUNSTAR https://www.sunstar.com.ph/article/1960152/cebu/local-news/man-shot-dead-in-mambaling
“DRUG WAR”
On 23-30 April, 6 were killed in Marcos Jr.'s drug war. Cebu, currently the 2nd top hotspot since July '22, logs its first casualty from a police buy-bust op out of the 36 deaths tallied so far from the province. https://twitter.com/DahasPH/status/1653297676275032064
Drug suspect slain; P2.38 million shabu seized | Philstar.com https://www.philstar.com/nation/2023/05/04/2263666/drug-suspect-slain-p238-million-shabu-seized
DILG’s anti-drug program gets boost with USAID support | Philippine News Agency https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1200684
ICPO arrested 34 drug suspects from April 16-30 https://www.panaynews.net/icpo-arrested-34-drug-suspects-from-april-16-30/
Iloilo police vows no let-up campaign vs illegal drugs - Daily Guardian https://www.dailyguardian.com.ph/icpo-vows-no-let-up-campaign-vs-illegal-drugs/
ICC
Fear, harassment push drug war victims’ families to pin their hopes on ICC https://www.rappler.com/newsbreak/in-depth/fear-harassment-push-drug-war-victims-families-pin-hopes-international-criminal-court/
[OPINION] So we don't forget: Duterte's case with the ICC https://www.rappler.com/voices/thought-leaders/opinion-do-not-forget-rodrigo-duterte-case-international-criminal-court/
POLICE CORRUPTION
2 police generals, 2 colonels recommended for drug raps | Philstar.com https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2023/05/03/2263348/2-police-generals-2-colonels-recommended-drug-raps
Police anti-drug chief wants AMLC’s help in probing bank accounts of cops in P6.7-B drug case | GMA News Online https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/nation/868894/pdeg-chief-wants-amlc-s-help-in-probing-bank-accounts-of-cops-in-p6-7-b-drug-case/story/
PNP chief assigns 5 generals to new posts | Inquirer News https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1764035/pnp-chief-assigns-5-generals-to-new-posts
PNP internal cleansing ‘casualties’ out this week - Abalos | Philippine News Agency https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1200681
PRO-6 intensifies monitoring vs rogue cops https://www.panaynews.net/pro-6-intensifies-monitoring-vs-rogue-cops/
PRESS FREEDOM / WORLD PRESS FREEDOM DAY
NUJP logs 60 press freedom violations under Marcos admin https://www.cnnphilippines.com/news/2023/5/3/NUJP-World-Press-Freedom-Day-2023.html
Philippines climbs 15 places in press freedom index, but concerns on attacks remain https://news.tv5.com.ph/national/read/press-freedom-philippines-climbs-15-places-in-press-freedom-index-but-concerns-on-attacks-remain
PH improves to 132nd place in 2023 Press Freedom Index | ABS-CBN News https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/05/04/23/ph-improves-to-132nd-place-in-2023-press-freedom-index
'We cannot be free if journalists aren't free': Diplomats in PH celebrate World Press Freedom Day https://mb.com.ph/2023/5/3/we-cannot-be-free-if-journalists-aren-t-free-diplomats-in-ph-celebrate-world-press-freedom-day
‘Truth is here to stay,’ says senior journalists on World Press Freedom Day - Daily Guardian https://www.dailyguardian.com.ph/truth-is-here-to-stay-says-senior-journalists-on-world-press-freedom-day/
Davao to launch media council on World Press Freedom Day - Mindanao Times https://mindanaotimes.com.ph/2023/05/03/davao-to-launch-media-council-on-world-press-freedom-day/
Bulatlat says Facebook page restricted over community standards ‘violations’ | Philstar.com https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2023/05/03/2263441/bulatlat-says-facebook-page-restricted-over-community-standards-violations
Challenges to world press freedom | Inquirer Opinion https://opinion.inquirer.net/162868/challenges-to-world-press-freedom-2
EDITORIAL - A driver for all other rights | Philstar.com https://www.philstar.com/opinion/2023/05/03/2263301/editorial-driver-all-other-rights
WATCH: Rapplers share their challenges in pursuit of press freedom https://www.rappler.com/nation/video-challenges-pursuit-press-freedom-philippines/
Press freedom in ASEAN: Still in dangerous waters https://www.rappler.com/newsbreak/data-documents/asean-press-freedom-dangerous-waters/
RIGHTS DEFENDERS
Philippine media’s pledge to promote human rights https://pcij.org/article/10093/philippine-media-pledge-to-promote-human-rights
COMMUNIST INSURGENCY
Cordillera rights group urges gov’t to surface alleged NPA leader https://www.rappler.com/nation/cordillera-rights-group-urge-government-surface-alleged-npa-leader/
Renewed skirmishes rock Himamaylan hinterlands https://visayandailystar.com/renewed-skirmishes-rock-himamaylan-hinterlands/
FACT CHECK: ACT Teachers party list is not an NDF member https://www.rappler.com/newsbreak/fact-check/act-teachers-party-list-not-member-national-democratic-front/
HEALTH
PH’s daily average of Covid-19 infections up by 42% - #PressOnePH https://pressone.ph/phs-daily-average-of-covid-19-infections-up-by-42/
Mandaue rivers test positive for polio virus - SUNSTAR https://www.sunstar.com.ph/article/1960257/cebu/local-news/mandaue-rivers-test-positive-for-polio-virus
Metro Manila's COVID-19 positivity rate rises to 19.7%; 17.1% nationwide -- OCTA Research | Inquirer News https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1764513/ncr-covid-19-positivity-rate-jumps-to-19-7-octa-research
USAID to give $8 million to support global health security in PH | GMA News Online https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/nation/868782/usaid-to-give-8-million-to-support-global-health-security-in-philippines/story/
NBP suspends visiting hours as 32 PDLs test positive for COVID-19 | GMA News Online https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/metro/868890/nbp-suspends-visiting-hours-as-32-pdls-test-positive-for-covid-19/story/
BARMM launches immunization program | The Manila Times https://www.manilatimes.net/2023/05/04/regions/barmm-launches-immunization-program/1889807
Covid cases in NegOcc up but not alarming – PHO - Daily Guardian https://www.dailyguardian.com.ph/covid-cases-in-negocc-up-but-not-alarming-pho/
25 hospital staff face negligence rap over mother, infant death - Daily Guardian https://www.dailyguardian.com.ph/25-hospital-staff-face-negligence-rap-over-mother-infant-death/
BIDEN - MARCOS
Marcos Makes Mark on Foreign Policy in Push for Closer U.S.-Philippines Ties - The New York Times https://www.nytimes.com/2023/05/02/world/asia/marcos-biden-philippines-china.html
What you need to know: Commitments made during Marcos and Biden's bilateral meeting https://www.rappler.com/nation/commitments-made-marcos-jr-biden-bilateral-meeting-united-states-visit-may-2023/
Biden walks human rights tightrope while hosting Filipino president amid China tension | U.S. & World | gazette.com https://gazette.com/news/us-world/biden-walks-human-rights-tightrope-while-hosting-filipino-president-amid-china-tension/article_a89b82ac-3ce2-5349-be8c-3cac073c23f1.html
Biden says 'no better partner' than Marcos in trying times https://www.cnnphilippines.com/world/2023/5/2/marcos-biden-partner-trying-times.html
Harris says PH-US relations 'stronger than ever' | ABS-CBN News https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/05/03/23/harris-says-ph-us-relations-stronger-than-ever
CONFLICT / TERRORISM
Air strikes launched vs Dawlah Islamiya in Maguindanao | MindaNews https://www.mindanews.com/top-stories/2023/05/air-strikes-launched-vs-dawlah-islamiya-in-maguindanao/
Military launches air strikes vs terror group in Maguindanao del Sur https://www.rappler.com/nation/mindanao/military-air-strikes-vs-dawlah-islamiyah-maguindanao-del-sur-may-2-2023/
SC assures new rules to protect rights in the implementation of Anti-Terror Act | Inquirer News https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1764478/sc-assures-new-rules-to-protect-rights-in-the-implementation-of-anti-terror-act
Crisis Group: Hasten decommissioning of MILF fighters, dismantle private armies for Bangsamoro peace deal to progress | MindaNews https://www.mindanews.com/top-stories/2023/05/crisis-group-hasten-decommissioning-of-milf-fighters-dismantle-private-armies-for-bangsamoro-peace-deal-to-progress/
Army tells MILF not to harm civilians | The Manila Times https://www.manilatimes.net/2023/05/03/regions/army-tells-milf-not-to-harm-civilians/1889671
DISPLACEMENT
More than 1,000 residents in Catbalogan protest planned demolition https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=3424801707849168
ENFORCED DISAPPEARANCE
IP rights defender, companion go missing | Philstar.com https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2023/05/03/2263504/ip-rights-defender-companion-go-missing
Why tracker teams only now, say missing sabungeros' kin | GMA News Online https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/metro/868903/why-tracker-teams-only-now-say-missing-sabungeros-kin/story/
INDIGENOUS PEOPLES
Undeterred by harassment, IPs seek prompt suspension of NCIP execs - Baguio Chronicle https://thebaguiochronicle.com/news/undeterred-by-harassment-ips-seek-prompt-suspension-of-ncip-execs/
IP rights defender, companion go missing | Philstar.com https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2023/05/03/2263504/ip-rights-defender-companion-go-missing
Drop that 'offensive' apostrophe in Blaan, Tboli – IP advocacy group https://www.rappler.com/nation/mindanao/advocacy-group-says-drop-apostrophe-blaan-tboli-indigenous-peoples/
CHILDREN
DepEd eyes teaching human rights violations during Marcos and post-EDSA eras in Grade 6 | Philstar.com https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2023/05/03/2263476/deped-eyes-teaching-human-rights-violations-during-marcos-and-post-edsa-eras-grade-6
Globe blocks 65,000 child porn sites in Q1 | Philstar.com https://www.philstar.com/nation/2023/05/04/2263671/globe-blocks-65000-child-porn-sites-q1
3 minor offenders bolt Operation Second Chance - SUNSTAR https://www.sunstar.com.ph/article/1960255/cebu/local-news/3-minor-offenders-bolt-operation-second-chance
PNP to go after smoking, vaping minors | GMA News Online https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/nation/868789/pnp-to-go-after-smoking-vaping-minors/story/
EDUCATION
DepEd eyes teaching human rights violations during Marcos and post-EDSA eras in Grade 6 | Philstar.com https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2023/05/03/2263476/deped-eyes-teaching-human-rights-violations-during-marcos-and-post-edsa-eras-grade-6
DepEd: Same-sex union topic in curriculum since 2013 | ABS-CBN News https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/05/03/23/deped-same-sex-union-topic-in-curriculum-since-2013
WV lacks over 13K classrooms https://www.panaynews.net/wv-lacks-over-13k-classrooms/
LABOR / EMPLOYMENT / MIGRATION
Marcos orders creation of panel to protect workers' right to organize | ABS-CBN News https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/05/04/23/marcos-orders-creation-of-panel-to-protect-workers-right-to-organize
Philippines, US to form bilateral labor working group | GMA News Online https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/nation/868781/philippines-us-to-form-bilateral-labor-working-group/story/
Filipino workers slam Marcos Jr.’s US visit amid ignored woes for wage hike - Bulatlat https://www.bulatlat.com/2023/05/02/filipino-workers-slam-marcos-jr-s-us-visit-amid-ignored-woes-for-wage-hike/
US condemns murder of BPO paralegal officer | Philstar.com https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2023/05/03/2263339/us-condemns-murder-bpo-paralegal-officer
‘Adjusting minimum wage key to maintaining workers’ living standards’ - SUNSTAR https://www.sunstar.com.ph/article/1960105/cebu/local-news/adjusting-minimum-wage-key-to-maintaining-workers-living-standards
ENVIRONMENT / CLIMATE
PAGASA raises El Niño Alert, urges gov't and public to prepare https://www.rappler.com/nation/weather/pagasa-el-nino-alert-philippines-may-2-2023/
Dry spell affects 16 hectares of rice fields in southern Negros - SUNSTAR https://www.sunstar.com.ph/article/1960226/bacolod/local-news/dry-spell-affects-16-hectares-of-rice-fields-in-southern-negros
CORRUPTION
Tiny logistics firm bags P667-million DepEd deal – and fails to deliver https://www.rappler.com/newsbreak/investigative/logistics-firm-transpac-bags-deped-deal-fails-deliver/
FOREIGN AFFAIRS
Marcos, Back in Arms of U.S., Is Making His Own Name in Foreign Policy - JARA News https://jara.news/marcos-back-in-arms-of-u-s-is-making-his-own-name-in-foreign-policy/
Austin to Marcos: We have your back in South China Sea, elsewhere in region | GMA News Online https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/nation/868916/austin-to-marcos-we-have-your-back-in-south-china-sea-elsewhere/story/
Marcos ‘as concerned as you could possibly be’ about China’s provocation in WPS https://www.cnnphilippines.com/news/2023/5/3/marcos-west-philippine-sea-china-provocation.html
Marcos gets US investment pledges - BusinessWorld Online https://www.bworldonline.com/top-stories/2023/05/04/520787/marcos-gets-us-investment-pledges/
100 Chinese ships continue to swarm Julian Felipe Reef—PCG - Manila Standard https://manilastandard.net/news/top-stories/314327473/100-chinese-ships-continue-to-swarm-julian-felipe-reef-pcg.html
US, PH agree attack on Coast Guards in S. China Sea to trigger MDT | ABS-CBN News https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/05/04/23/us-ph-agree-attack-on-coast-guards-in-s-china-sea-to-trigger-mdt
