Quadcom endorses crimes vs. humanity case against Duterte, 2 senators

THE HOUSE Quad Committee (quadcom) on Wednesday recommended the filing of crimes against humanity charges against former President Rodrigo Duterte, Senators Christopher Lawrence Go and Ronald Dela Rosa, and other police officials in connection with the alleged extrajudicial killings (EJKs) during the previous administration's drug war.

PBBM name never appeared in PDEA system – agency exec

AN OFFICIAL of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) clarified before the Senate Committee on Public Order and Dangerous Drugs on Monday that the name of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. was never included in any of their records.

‘Bato’ dares Trillanes to join ICC for his, Duterte’s arrests

SENATOR RONALD "Bato" Dela Rosa on Tuesday challenged former senator Antonio Trillanes IV to come along if agents of the International Criminal Court (ICC) arrest him and former president Rodrigo R. Duterte.

Zubiri flags hearsay, lack of evidence in Bato's ‘PDEA leaks’ hearing

SENATE PRESIDENT Juan Miguel Zubiri on Tuesday reminded his colleagues to be careful in the conduct of public inquiries, which he said should not be used for political persecution.

Lawmakers express concern, urge reforms over PNPA

THE SENATE Committee on Public Order and Dangerous Drugs on Wednesday expressed its determination to implement reforms at the Philippine National Police Academy (PNPA) through legislation.

Police vow fewer drug-war killings

THE PHILIPPINE National Police chief has vowed to reduce killings in state-led anti-drug operations, a policy rebound from the previous administration that led to thousands of extrajudicial killings.

ICC pushes probe on the Philippines’ drug war

IN A June resolution, the International Criminal Court prosecutor Karim Khan asked to resume an investigation into former president Rodrigo Duterte’s war on drugs, which was deferred in November 2021 at the request of the Philippine government.

Senate approval of Marawi Compensation Bill hailed

Deputy Speaker Mujiv Hataman (Image: Al Jacinto)

DEPUTY SPEAKER and Basilan Rep. Mujiv Hataman on Thursday praised senators who approved in second reading the Marawi Compensation Bill, referring to the southern Muslim city destroyed by five months of fighting between security forces and pro-ISIS militants.

Sara Duterte clear on intent not to run under PDP: Cusi

DAVAO CITY Mayor Inday Sara Duterte has been clear in her statement that she will not run under the PDP-Laban party, its president Alfonso Cusi said amid speculation she is the group's eventual presidential bet.

Philippines gets U.S. weapons

WASHINGTON HAS provided the Philippines some P48.5 million (about $1 million) worth of weapons and munitions intended to enhance the military’s counterterrorism capabilities and readiness.

Duterte backs out again from his threat to junk VFA

PRESIDENT DUTERTE has backed out for the second time to junk the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) with Washington.

Is BARMM hostage?

'Marcos seeks compromise on BARMM polls postponement'

COTABATO CITY – Senator Imee Marcos, who chairs the Senate committee on electoral reforms, said postponing elections in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region for Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) will also mean a delay in developing the restive region and correcting the historical injustice on its people.

Duterte not coddler of Chinese drug suspects – Spokesman Panelo

THE PALACE strongly denied damaging accusations by former police officer Eduardo Acierto against President Rodrigo Duterte that he is coddling or protecting two high-profile Chinese nationals, one of them his economic adviser, being accused as involved in the illegal drug trade in the country.

Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo made this reaction as Acierto claimed that Duterte has been photographed with Chinese businessman Michael Yang, who is Duterte’s adviser; and Allan Lim. "The President always accommodates anyone who wants to take picture with him. Kung iyon lang ang magiging basis niya, malabo iyon," Panelo said.

President Rodrigo Duterte with Chinese businessman Michael Yang. 

Acierto, Director for Administration of the Philippine National Police (PNP) Drug Enforcement Group, who was dismissed from the service after he was allegedly linked to drug smuggling, has accused Duterte and former PNP chief Ronald dela Rosa of trashing an intelligence report about Yang’s supposed link to illegal drugs and blocking further investigation.

He also claimed furnishing National Police Chief General Oscar Albayalde of an intelligence report on Yang. Albayalde denied the allegation. “First, since I assumed office as Chief PNP in April 2018, I do not remember having received any copy of an alleged report that identified presidential adviser Michael Yang as being involved in drug activities,” Albayalde said.

“I would like to categorically debunk allegations made by dismissed police Col. Eduardo Acierto that I failed to act accordingly to an intelligence report that he purportedly submitted when he was still in the service with the defunct Anti-Illegal Drugs Special Operations Task Force,” he added.

Panelo said Acierto's motive was to get back at Duterte for dismissing him from the service. “Obviously, the motive is - since he has been accused of involvement in drugs, he wants to get back, that’s why he is pointing fingers at whoever," he said.

Duterte has defended Yang and said the Chinese businessman has no connections or links with the illegal drug trade and he threw invectives at Acierto and called him son of a bitch during his public speeches recently. The President even asked the police and military why Acierto is still alive.

But Panelo said Duterte will never tolerate anyone involved in illegal drugs. "This President will not tolerate anyone regardless of the stature or relationship with him if he is involved in drugs. He will never allow it. He is against it," Panelo said.

Panelo said Duterte will not say anything without any basis as he defended Yang from Acierto's allegations. "Common sense will tell us that he (Yang) is not involved, according to the President, Ambassador Zhao slept in the house of Michael Yang. And we all know that the Chinese government is against illegal drugs, and the Ambassador will never associate himself with anyone involved in drugs," Panelo said.

"The fact alone that you are an Ambassador of China, and your government is against illegal drug industry, how can you be associating yourself with somebody you know to be involved in drugs? Obviously, talagang hindi siya involved. Bakit naman siya makikisama doon?” he asked.

Panelo said Duterte's trust and confidence in Yang will remain unless there is a proof of his involvement in illegal drugs. "There is an allegation and let the allegation be processed, investigated and then if there is a validation, then the Palace will make a move," he said. (PNA. With a report from Mindanao Examiner.)

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NUJP criticizes background check on journos covering cops

THE NATIONAL UNION of Journalists of the Philippines has strongly criticized the Philippine National Police for its alleged “Gestapo-like” methods in verifying identities of journalists newly assigned to cover the organization.

“While we welcome the assurance of PNP spokesman Chief Superintendent John Bulalacao that they have put a stop to the heavy-handed vetting done by agents of what he now acknowledges is the Directorate for Intelligence, we reject his contention that “we have no other way to verify” the identities of reporters fresh to the beat.”

“Aside, of course, from the fact that the intelligence officers’ actions – tracking them, approaching or phoning them but refusing to identify themselves, visiting their homes and neighborhoods to ask about them – not only sow fear but border on the, if they are not actually, criminal,” the NUJP said.

It said Bulalacao admitted that a simple phone call or letter to the editors or managements of news outfits – who, after all, any organization that purports to be in the business of state security should know – should be enough to establish reporters’ bonafide. As it has, indeed, been the norm for generations of journalists covering the police beat.

“Surely, one does not need police spies to handle this routine task? Unless, of course, there is a more sinister explanation for this? This concern is magnified by the fact that the organization primarily tasked to guard and protect the citizenry cannot even get its act together, with PNP chief Ronald dela Rosa denying the background checks only for Bulalacao to admit them,” the media watchdog said.

“The media deserve a more forthright accounting of how and why this fiasco ever came to be, plus an unequivocal pledge to never, ever again resort to such underhanded tactics against journalists.

The same tactics are applied to activists, politic dissenters critical of the Duterte administration makes it even more threatening. Our right to privacy, communication and free movement are violated. We demand not only an apology but full disclosure of data collected about us,” the NUJP added. (Mindanao Examiner)

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