Rights activist frustrates new PNP modus in serving arrest warrants
A Philippine National Police (PNP) operative dressed and presented himself to be a delivery boy in a failed attempt to arrest Karapatan secretary general Cristina Palabay Wednesday, June 7. Police Master Sergeant (SPOI) Joelon de Tomas Rafael was dressed as an LBC courier when he arrived at Karapatan’s office in Quezon City and introduced himself […]
Hatid Probinsya and Balik Probinsya, more harm than good?
The national government’s program of sending people back to their hometown recently came under fire for spreading COVID-19 in the provinces. For example, Tanauan town and Baybay City in Leyte each recorded their first respective confirmed COVID-19 cases last May 28. Both confirmed cases were among the first and so far only batch of beneficiaries of the Balik Probinsya, Bagong Pag-asa Program (BP2). Meanwhile, in the war-torn city of Marawi, nine confirmed cases are beneficiaries of the Hatid Probinsya program.
Health advocates file petition for mass testing
Citing the people’s right to health under the Philippine Constitution, the petition for a writ of mandamus shall compel the Department of Health and other agencies to conduct pro-active mass testing, aggressive contract tracing and effective isolation, and treatment of Covid-19 positive cases to contain the spread of the virus.
Antoinette Jadaone: “Ang laban ng ABS-CBN ay laban ko rin”
“Ang laban ng ABS-CBN ay laban ko rin. Ang laban ng mga inarestong Pride
protester, kahit ‘di ka man LGBT, ay laban din natin. Ang laban ng mga jeepney driver, kahit ’di tayo driver, laban din natin. Ang laban ng mga aktibista, ng mga OFW, laban natin. DAHIL IISANG BANGKA TAYO.”
Groups cynical of gov’t promises to UN rights body
EcuVoice said Bachelet’s findings of massive human rights violations and the near-impunity by which it happens in the country warrant an in-country independent investigation as well as “options for international accountability measures” should the government refuse to cooperate.
‘Kailangan pa ring panghawakan ang laban sa pekeng modernisasyon’
“Bagamat kinikilala bilang tagumpay, kailangan pa rin nating panghawakan ang laban sa pekeng modernisasyon. Niraratsada pa rin ng sabwatang Duterte-DOTR-LTFRB ang jeepney phaseout sa gitna ng pandemya para bigyang daan ang imported at napakamahal na “modern” jeeps bilang kapalit ng tradisyunal na jeep.”
UN official slams rights violations in the Philippines, urges ‘options for int’l accountability’
The high commissioner said Philippine laws and policies to counter national security threats and illegal drugs have been crafted and implemented in ways that severely impact human rights. “They have resulted in thousands of killings, arbitrary detentions and the vilification of those who challenge these severe human rights violations,” Bachelet said.
UN submits PH rights record on Duterte’s 4th anniversary as president
The UN experts said Bachelet’s report confirmed their findings and warnings issued over the last four years: widespread and systematic killings and arbitrary detention in the context of the war on drugs, killings and abuses targeting farmers and indigenous peoples, the silencing of independent media, critics and the opposition.
Philippines media faces ‘eternal threat of punishment’ after cyber libel convictions
Growing persecution of media comes against the backdrop of an anti-terror bill passed by the legislature that allows the president to create an anti-terrorism council vested with powers to designate individuals and groups as “terrorists.”
Group condemns another Chinese ‘hit-and-run’ incident on PHL waters; calls for search and rescue for 14 missing fishers
“We strongly condemn this collision incident in our territorial waters involving our Filipino fishermen and a Chinese vessel. We call on the authorities to expedite the search and rescue operations for the missing fishing crew and as much as possible, must be returned to their families safe,” the Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas (PAMALAKAYA) in a statement this morning said.