The In Defense of Human Rights and Dignity Movement on Friday characterized the United Nations Human Rights Council’s decision to investigate President Rodrigo Duterte’s war on drugs as a “huge victory” for the families of victims of extrajudicial killings. Interviewed on Balitanghali on Friday, iDEFEND spokesperson Ellecer “Budit” Carlos said his organization, as well as…
United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet on Monday, June 24, expressed concern over the “extraordinarily high number of deaths” in the Philippines in the context of President Rodrigo Duterte’s continuing anti-illegal drugs campaign. “Even the officially confirmed number of 5,425 deaths would be a matter of most serious concern for any country,”…
A network of civil society organizations remains in solidarity with the 22 fishermen from San Jose town in Occidental Mindoro who figured in an incident with a Chinese trawler in Recto Bank at the West Philippine Sea. “The fisherfolk sector provides food in our table, with the farmers, they are the backbone of our society.…
Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray has expressed strong support for the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer (LGBTQ+) community, shrugging off criticism that such stance betrays her Christian faith. Gray posted on Instagram on Saturday a photo promoting “Pride Month”, a month-long celebration dedicated to the LGBTQ+ community. Some Instagram users immediately threw negative comments at…
A member of a left-wing organization of farmers was gunned down outside his house at Barangay Halapitan, San Fernando town in Bukidnon province on Saturday (June 16) in what appeared to be another attack on the Left. Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (Philippine Peasant Movement or KMP) said one of its members, Nonoy Palma, was killed…
When a Chinese vessel rammed and sank their ship on June 9 near Recto Bank, the Filipino crew and their captain saw hope from afar. “Meron pong natanaw na ilaw mga limang milya po ang layo (We spotted light 5 miles away),” said Junel Insigne, the captain of Fishing Boat Gem-Ver. He was telling reporters…
Philippines must demand compensation, SC justice says MANILA – It was an “aggressive” Chinese militia vessel under the command of China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA) that rammed a Filipino fishing boat anchored off the coast of Recto (Reed) Bank in the West Philippine Sea on Sunday, a senior Supreme Court justice said Friday. This is…
Former president Gloria Macapagal Arroyo defended the response of President Rodrigo Duterte after a Chinese vessel sank a Philippine boat near Recto Bank (Reed Bank) in the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea). In an interview with ANC, Arroyo said Duterte and Foreign Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr have taken the “right approach.” Arroyo – one…
The Philippines has topped the list of countries facing the highest risk of climate change hazards, according to the latest Global Peace Index (GPI) released by Australia-based independent think tank Institute for Economics and Peace (IEP). Citing data from the Index for Risk Management, the IEP said the Philippines scored the highest in terms of…
Matapos ang pamamanggang nangyari sa pagitan Filipino at Chinese vessels sa Recto Bank nitong Linggo, humiling ang Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas na magpakitang gilas ang Hukbong Dagat ng Pilipinas at Philippine Coast Guard sa pagtatanggol ng mga mangingisda. Idinirehe ng Pamalakaya sa Navy at PCG ang hamon matapos mapalubog ng mga Tsino…
The camp of veteran community journalist Margarita Valle is seeking to file arbitrary detention charges against the Philippine National Police-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG) following her arrest that police claimed a mistaken identity. “We are definitely looking at the possibility of filing arbitrary detention charges laban dito sa PNP-CIDG,” Valle’s legal counsel Atty. Kathy…
AN INTERNATIONAL labor coalition is calling on Department of Labor and Employment (DoLE) Secretary Silvestre H. Bello III to investigate the death of a local labor leader, the 43rd such case since President Rodrigo R. Duterte assumed office in June 2016. International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) Secretary General Sharon Burrow, in an open letter, said…
Resignation or termination. These were the two options President Duterte gave officials of the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth), which has been rocked by a multibillion-peso fraudulent scam involving dead kidney patients. Duterte was to meet last night with the PhilHealth board, including ex-officio members, at Malacañang to hear the full report of the agency…
A hundred and thirty-four human rights defenders have been killed since President Rodrigo Duterte assumed office in 2016, a lawmaker said Wednesday. “134 killed among human rights defenders since the advent of the Duterte administration. That will not project protection of human rights defenders,” Albay 1st District Rep. Edcel Lagman said in an interview with…
Valle’s full name is Fedelina Margarita Avellanosa Valle. She was mistaken for Elsa Renton — also known as Tina Maglaya and Fidelina Margarita Valle. Renton, a suspected member of the communist movement, is the subject of a 2006 arrest warrant for arson and a 2011 arrest warrant for multiple murder with quadruple frustrated murder and…
It has been a year since Fr. Richmond Nilo was shot and killed and church leaders continue to cry for justice. The Diocese of Cabanatuan held a memorial Monday to mark one year since the priest’s death. “We hope for a fair and just resolution of his murder case, and those behind the crime be…
After years of struggling for the rights of indigenous peoples (IPs), Manobo tribeswoman Eufemia Cullamat from Surigao del Sur finally leveled up her advocacy with a seat in the House of Representatives. “I will pledge my life for our struggle and bring it to Congress,” said Cullamat, a native of Lianga town, after she took…
Four teenagers have been arrested in connection with a homophobic attack on two women on a London bus that prompted widespread condemnation in the UK. The attack took place on a night bus on May 30 as the couple, Melania Geymonat and her partner Chris, were traveling home from an evening out together. Geymonat posted…
Opposition Senator Leila de Lima on Friday lauded leaders of the House of Representatives for approving on third and final reading the measure seeking to provide protection to human rights defenders (HRDs) who have always been facing serious threats, intimidation, and harassment. De Lima, a former justice secretary, at the same time, vowed to refile…
A Department of Health (DOH) official berated Basilan-based Rappler journalist Richard Falcatan for covering a hospital inspection he was invited to cover on Saturday, June 8. DOH Director Leonita Gorgolon, director for Health Facilities Enhancement Program, shouted at Rappler correspondent and DXNO Basilan station manager Richard Falcatan at the Basilan General Hospital in Isabela City,…
