Quantcast
Channel: Newsbreak
Viewing all 8616 articles
Browse latest View live

Retiring SC Justice Brion to be part of body reviewing Charter?

$
0
0

Will he accept or not? We heard through the grapevine that Associate Justice Arturo Brion who retires in a little over two weeks – on December 29 – is among those being considered for the consultative committee on constitutional amendments that will review the 1987 Constitution.

President Rodrigo Duterte signed Executive Order No. 10, on Wednesday, December 7, giving the body 6 months to complete its work.

Brion's name is on the list, we heard. His credentials include:

  • law degree from Ateneo de Manila University, valedictorian, cum laude in 1974
  • bar topnotcher in 1974 with an average of 91.65%
  • Masters of Law from Osgoode Hall Law School of York University in Toronto, Canada 

Malacañang was said to be eyeing former chief justice Reynato Puno to chair the consultative committee but he reportedly declined. Earlier this year, Puno expressed his approval for a shift to a federal system of government, among the campaign promises of Rodrigo Duterte when he ran for president. Puno said he believes that federalism will reallocate power among leaders.

But back to Brion. We checked his voting record on key issues brought to the Supreme Court. Among others, he:

  • concurred in the SC decision rejecting petitions to stop a Marcos burial at the Libingan ng mga Bayani
  • concurred in the decision to dismiss the plunder case against former president Gloria Macapagal Arroyo
  • concurred in the decision to allow Senator Juan Ponce Enrile to post bail
  • concurred with the decision to dismiss the disqualification case against former president Joseph Estrada in the 2013 mayoral elections in Manila
  • dissented in the decision to junk former senator Jinggoy Estrada's plea to dismiss plunder and graft charges against him in connection with the pork barrel scam

He also stood by the impeached former chief justice Renato Corona, a friend of over 4 decades.

First interviewed for the SC post in 2010, Brion had previously indicated he was for charter change, saying it should be done through a Constitutional Convention, where delegates are elected. 

After his retirement on December 29, will the new job offer be attractive enough for him? We'll know when Malacañang announces who the 25 members of the consultative body will be. Chay F. Hofileña/Rappler.com


Why PNP's Dela Rosa is against martial law

$
0
0

CLASS OF 1986. PNP chief Ronald dela Rosa also happens to belong to the first PMA class to graduate after the EDSA revolution. File photo by Joel Liporada/Rappler

In press conference after press conference, in the aftermath of another supposed bomb threat or improved explosive device scare, Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Director General Ronald dela Rosa has had to deny, time and time again, an alleged plot to declare martial law in the Philippines once more.

“Please do not expect that to happen. We do not have plans, that’s far from our minds. We will just make sure that [no acts of terror] happen again. We’ll make sure nothing gets past us,” the PNP chief told media shortly after he said the police force was under “terror alert level 3” after a foiled blast near the United States embassy in Manila.

It’s hard not to ask questions about rumors of a supposed plan to declare martial law in the Philippines.

After all, Dela Rosa’s boss, President Rodrigo Duterte himself has admitted that he’s “tempted” to declare martial law. In another instance, he said he could suspend the privilege of the writ of habeas corpus should lawlessness continue.

Suspending the privilege means law enforcers – police included – may arrest anyone despite the absence of a warrant.

The privilege was suspended during the time of the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos, at the same time he declared martial law. The Marcos regime is marred by human rights violations, enforced disappearances, and millions of pesos stolen from government coffers.

But despite Duterte’s pronouncements about martial law, Dela Rosa is one (former) soldier who would really rather not see it happen again.

“I don’t want martial law. I still remember the suffering we had to go through during martial law. My father was a victim of Martial Law. He was a tricycle driver then and he was beaten up by PC (Philippine Constabulary) because he was overloading. I was riding on top of the tricycle,” Dela Rosa told Rappler last week.

In a previous interview with media, Dela Rosa detailed the kind of torture his own father went through. “He was fed grilled bangus that still had hot charcoal on it. They force-fed my father and his face was swollen. That’s Martial Law for me.”

He was a victim of the PC’s abuse of power too. “We were caught violating the curfew because we were watching boxing. We were walking in our barangay, the PC caught us and made us ride the 6x6.”

“We were brought to the PC barracks, made to line up, made to face a machine gun and then we were told to pray because we were going to face a firing squad because of the curfew violation. That’s Martial Law for me. Do you think I’d advice Martial Law myself?” he added.

Since September 2016, the Philippines has been under a state of national emergency

PC, PNP, Class of '86

Ironically, Dela Rosa ended up a commissioned officer of the PC, the precursor to the PNP, after he graduated from the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) in 1986.

Why join the service that he saw abuse its power firsthand?

“That’s fate, destiny,” explained Dela Rosa. PMA classes sometimes draw lots to determine which future junior officers go to which service.

The PMA class of 1986 also happens to be the first class to graduate from the prestigious academy after EDSA Revolution toppled Marcos.

“Welcome, my soldiers,” the late president Cory Aquino told the class then.

Years later, the PC would merge with the Integrated National Police (INP), forming the fully civilian PNP. Decades later, Dela Rosa lead the police force in its war on drugs.

Still, Dela Rosa, who considers himself a “good soldier” says should the current government declare martial law and he be tasked to implement it, he’ll know how to do it right.

“I know how to implement it in a way that it won’t violate human rights because I was a victim of martial law myself,” he said. 

Police have been accused of violating human rights and due process in the name of Duterte's war on drugs. – Rappler.com

Lacson teases De Lima: Don't hide abroad, go home after foreign trip

$
0
0

RETURN TO PH. Senator Panfilo Lacson jokes Senator Leila de Lima to return to the country and not follow what he did in 2010 under the Arroyo administration.

If there’s one advice Senator Panfilo Lacson has for embattled Senator Leila de Lima, it’s that she should return to the country after her official trips abroad.

Lacson, who left the country to avoid persecution during the Arroyo administration, jokingly said this to De Lima prior to her overseas trip.

Lacson returned to the Philippines in 2011 after over a year in hiding. At the time, then justice secretary De Lima launched a manhunt against Lacson for being implicated in the murder of publicist Salvador Dacer and driver Emmanuel Corbito.

“She was supposed to interpellate dun sa aking bill dun sa anti-wiretapping, so dahil Monday magreresume, aalis daw siya Sunday. So I said in jest, bumalik ka, 'wag mo 'ko gayahin,” Lacson told reporters on Monday, December 12.

(She was supposed to interpellate my bill on anti-wiretapping but since it will resume on Monday, she said she will leave on Sunday. So I said in jest, return to the country, don't do what I did.)

De Lima supposedly told him: “Hindi, babalik talaga ako dahil haharapin [ko] mga kaso.” (No, I will really return because I will face the cases against me)

De Lima left the country on Sunday, December 11, for speaking engagements in the United States and Germany. She vowed to return to the country to face the pending drug charges and ethics complaints against her.

Lacson said it is De Lima’s right to travel, after all there is no pending hold departure order nor arrest warrants against her. The Department of Justice earlier issued a lookout bulletin for De Lima and several others for their alleged links to illegal drugs.

“Wala 'kong nakitang mali doon sa pag-alis nya. In the first place, meron siyang permiso sa Senate President – dahil nga may speaking engagement, official yung kanyang travel. I don’t see anything wrong [with her] leaving kasi wala naman warrant of arrest, wala namang court order, na may HDO sya,” he said, referring to the hold departure order which bars a person from leaving the country.

(I don't see anything wrong with her leaving. In the first place, she has the permission of the Senate President because she has a speaking engagement, her travel is official. I don't see anything wrong with her leaving because she has no warrant of arrest, no court order that there is an HDO.)

Asked if he believes that his fellow senator would return to the country, Lacson said it is ultimately her choice and she has to face the consequences of her decision.

Well, lookout niya rin yun. Kung tumakas siya that’s her choice. Hahanapin siya,” Lacson said. (That's her lookout. If she escapes, that's her choice. The government will search for her.)

If she chooses to remain out of (the country), even assuming wala pang warrant of arrest, pwede naman siya talagang umalis but option niya 'yun eh. May kasabihan nga, the lowest form of the law can easily catch up kahit kanino,” he added.

(If she chooses to remain out of the country, even assuming there's no warrant of arrest, she can really leave but its her option. There's a saying, the lowest form of the law can easily catch up with anyone.)

De Lima is facing multiple drug-related charges before the Department of Justice and the Ombudsman, a disbarment case before the Supreme Court, and 2 complaints before the Senate ethics panel, among others.

She is set to return to the country on December 22. The Senate is set to go on Christmas break on December 17. – Rappler.com

Icons, newsmakers who died in 2016

$
0
0

MANILA, Philippines – In 2016, news on the deaths of some of the most respected politicians, pioneers, and icons came almost one after the other. 

There were also heartbreaking stories of inspiring Filipinos who were gone too soon.

Meanwhile, a number of infamous personalities made the headlines due to the circumstances of their deaths.

Here is a list of some of the local newsmakers who passed away this year.

In the gallery below, the surnames or screen names are arranged in alphabetical order. Click on a photo to read more. Click the arrow to the left or right of the photo to navigate through the gallery.

{source}

<div class="row">

<div class='col-xs-6 col-sd-4 col-md-3 h-padding'><a class='example-image-link' href='http://assets.rappler.com/612F469A6EA84F6BAE882D2B94A4B421/img/11431EE56EB94FBA9881A861F7DCBEC2/jum-akbar_11431EE56EB94FBA9881A861F7DCBEC2.jpg' data-lightbox='example-set' data-title="Nov 11, 2016<br /><strong><a href='http://www.rappler.com/nation/152101-basilan-congresswoman-jum-jainudin-akbar-dies' target='_blank'>Jum Akbar, 53</a></strong><br /><i>Representative, Lone District of Basilan</i><br />Wife of the late congressman Wahab Akbar, she was the governor of Basilan for 9 years before being elected to the House of Representatives in 2016. Photo from the House of Representatives website"><div class='flex-video square'><img class='example-image wrapper' src='http://assets.rappler.com/612F469A6EA84F6BAE882D2B94A4B421/img/11431EE56EB94FBA9881A861F7DCBEC2/jum-akbar_11431EE56EB94FBA9881A861F7DCBEC2.jpg' title='Jum Akbar, 53'></div></a><span style='font-size: small'>Akbar</span></div>

<div class='col-xs-6 col-sd-4 col-md-3 h-padding'><a class='example-image-link' href='http://assets.rappler.com/612F469A6EA84F6BAE882D2B94A4B421/img/77C193D47DC64CDE9EA9EDB59079E459/helena-benitez-2012-senate-20140626_77C193D47DC64CDE9EA9EDB59079E459.jpg' data-lightbox='example-set' data-title="Jul 14, 2016<br /><strong><a href='http://www.rappler.com/nation/139768-helena-benitez-obituary' target='_blank'>Helena Zoila Benitez, 102</a></strong><br /><i>Former senator</i><br />As the 7th elected woman-senator (1967-72), Benitez championed environmental protection, women's rights, education, and culture and the arts. File photo by Joseph Vidal/Senate PRIB"><div class='flex-video square'><img class='example-image wrapper' src='http://assets.rappler.com/612F469A6EA84F6BAE882D2B94A4B421/img/77C193D47DC64CDE9EA9EDB59079E459/helena-benitez-2012-senate-20140626_77C193D47DC64CDE9EA9EDB59079E459.jpg' title='Helena Zoila Benitez, 102'></div></a><span style='font-size: small'>Benitez</span></div>

<div class='col-xs-6 col-sd-4 col-md-3 h-padding'><a class='example-image-link' href='http://assets.rappler.com/842ACE71DEB8428CBEA077219B4928E5/img/6090D9ED258E49D19C0FDCA94EE75551/blakdyak_6090D9ED258E49D19C0FDCA94EE75551.jpg' data-lightbox='example-set' data-title="Nov 21, 2016<br /><strong><a href='http://www.rappler.com/entertainment/news/153155-singer-comedian-blakdyak-dies' target='_blank'>Joseph &quot;Blakdyak&quot; Amoto, 46</a></strong><br /><i>Singer, comedian</i><br />Blakdyak is known for his novelty songs including &quot;Modelong Charing,&quot; &quot;Noon at Ngayon,&quot; and &quot;Asin at Paminta.&quot; Screengrab from YouTube/Al Auacay"><div class='flex-video square'><img class='example-image wrapper' src='http://assets.rappler.com/842ACE71DEB8428CBEA077219B4928E5/img/6090D9ED258E49D19C0FDCA94EE75551/blakdyak_6090D9ED258E49D19C0FDCA94EE75551.jpg' title='Joseph &quot;Blakdyak&quot; Amoto'></div></a><span style='font-size: small'>Blakdyak</span></div>

<div class='col-xs-6 col-sd-4 col-md-3 h-padding'><a class='example-image-link' href='http://assets.rappler.com/612F469A6EA84F6BAE882D2B94A4B421/img/C4B3B8ECE71A4F9991D2E2A3C3B9BAA4/stephen-bosworth-20150105-1_C4B3B8ECE71A4F9991D2E2A3C3B9BAA4.jpg' data-lightbox='example-set' data-title="Jan 4, 2016<br /><strong><a href='http://www.rappler.com/nation/118140-us-ambassador-stephen-bosworth-edsa-dead' target='_blank'>Stephen Bosworth, 76</a></strong><br /><i>Former US ambassador to the Philippines</i><br />He was the US envoy to the country during the People Power Revolution in 1986. Photo by Salvatore di Nolfi/EPA"><div class='flex-video square'><img class='example-image wrapper' src='http://assets.rappler.com/612F469A6EA84F6BAE882D2B94A4B421/img/C4B3B8ECE71A4F9991D2E2A3C3B9BAA4/stephen-bosworth-20150105-1_C4B3B8ECE71A4F9991D2E2A3C3B9BAA4.jpg' title='Stephen Bosworth, 76'></div></a><span style='font-size: small'>Bosworth</span></div>

<div class='col-xs-6 col-sd-4 col-md-3 h-padding'><a class='example-image-link' href='http://assets.rappler.com/612F469A6EA84F6BAE882D2B94A4B421/img/47E4D32ECF6045019C28606D6AB08DC7/gilbert-bulawan_47E4D32ECF6045019C28606D6AB08DC7.jpg' data-lightbox='example-set' data-title="Jul 3, 2016<br /><strong><a href='http://www.rappler.com/sports/by-sport/basketball/pba/138497-blackwater-forward-gilbert-bulawan-dies' target='_blank'>Gilbert Bulawan, 29</a></strong><br /><i>Basketball player</i><br />Bulawan, a forward for the Blackwater Elite in the Philippine Basketball Association, suffered a massive cardiac arrest during game practice. File photo from PBA Images"><div class='flex-video square'><img class='example-image wrapper' src='http://assets.rappler.com/612F469A6EA84F6BAE882D2B94A4B421/img/47E4D32ECF6045019C28606D6AB08DC7/gilbert-bulawan_47E4D32ECF6045019C28606D6AB08DC7.jpg' title='Gilbert Bulawan, 29'></div></a><span style='font-size: small'>Bulawan</span></div>

<div class='col-xs-6 col-sd-4 col-md-3 h-padding'><a class='example-image-link' href='http://assets.rappler.com/612F469A6EA84F6BAE882D2B94A4B421/img/BF39D90208504C42B5E7B1309C3A4B5F/antonio-cabangon-chua.jpg' data-lightbox='example-set' data-title="Mar 11, 2016<br /><strong><a href='http://www.rappler.com/business/industries/172-telecommunications-media/125480-antonio-cabangon-chua-dies' target='_blank'>Antonio Cabangon-Chua, 81</a></strong><br /><i>Businessman, former ambassador to Laos</i><br />Founder of the ALC Group of Companies, Cabangon-Chua served as ambassador to Laos during the Arroyo administration."><div class='flex-video square'><img class='example-image wrapper' src='http://assets.rappler.com/612F469A6EA84F6BAE882D2B94A4B421/img/BF39D90208504C42B5E7B1309C3A4B5F/antonio-cabangon-chua.jpg' title='Antonio Cabangon-Chua, 81'></div></a><span style='font-size: small'>Cabangon-Chua</span></div>

<div class='col-xs-6 col-sd-4 col-md-3 h-padding'><a class='example-image-link' href='http://assets.rappler.com/E77319D176E34C5C931AC41F133CF70B/img/47B59245C51D48688D0AE2E0D1FCAE8B/eduardo-castrillo-1_47B59245C51D48688D0AE2E0D1FCAE8B.jpg' data-lightbox='example-set' data-title="May 18, 2016<br /><strong><a href='http://www.rappler.com/life-and-style/arts-and-culture/133712-eduardo-castrillo-dies-sculptor-rizal-monument-people-power' target='_blank'>Eduardo Castrillo, 73</a></strong><br /><i>Sculptor</i><br />Castrillo is the man behind iconic monuments like the People Power Monument on EDSA, the Kartilya ng Katipunan shrine in Manila, and the Heritage of Cebu shrine in Cebu City. Photo from eduardocastrillo.com"><div class='flex-video square'><img class='example-image wrapper' src='http://assets.rappler.com/E77319D176E34C5C931AC41F133CF70B/img/47B59245C51D48688D0AE2E0D1FCAE8B/eduardo-castrillo-1_47B59245C51D48688D0AE2E0D1FCAE8B.jpg' title='Eduardo Castrillo, 73'></div></a><span style='font-size: small'>Castrillo</span></div>

<div class='col-xs-6 col-sd-4 col-md-3 h-padding'><a class='example-image-link' href='http://static.rappler.com/images/CORONA%20SENATE3.jpg' data-lightbox='example-set' data-title="Apr 29, 2016<br /><strong><a href='http://www.rappler.com/nation/131155-former-chief-justice-renato-corona-dies' target='_blank'>Renato Corona, 67</a></strong><br /><i>Former Supreme Court Chief Justice</i><br />Corona was impeached and dismissed from office in 2012 after being found guilty of betraying the public trust and violating the Constitution for failing to truthfully declare his assets."><div class='flex-video square'><img class='example-image wrapper' src='http://static.rappler.com/images/CORONA%20SENATE3.jpg' title='Renato Corona, 67'></div></a><span style='font-size: small'>Corona</span></div>

<div class='col-xs-6 col-sd-4 col-md-3 h-padding'><a class='example-image-link' href='http://assets.rappler.com/121CA5D699A042D1B534683CD482BC55/img/445E80A405794328B4DB208F09618D2D/20160820-Lilia_Cuntapay-001_445E80A405794328B4DB208F09618D2D.jpg' data-lightbox='example-set' data-title="Aug 20, 2016<br /><strong><a href='http://www.rappler.com/entertainment/news/143641-horror-movie-queen-lilia-cuntapay-dies' target='_blank'>Lilia Cuntapay, 81</a></strong><br /><i>Actress</i><br />Cuntapay is known as Philippine cinema's &quot;Horror Movie Queen&quot; for playing bit roles like witches or ghosts in several movies. Screengrab from YouTube/6DoSfLC"><div class='flex-video square'><img class='example-image wrapper' src='http://assets.rappler.com/121CA5D699A042D1B534683CD482BC55/img/445E80A405794328B4DB208F09618D2D/20160820-Lilia_Cuntapay-001_445E80A405794328B4DB208F09618D2D.jpg' title='Lilia Cuntapay, 81'></div></a><span style='font-size: small'>Cuntapay</span></div>

<div class='col-xs-6 col-sd-4 col-md-3 h-padding'><a class='example-image-link' href='http://assets.rappler.com/612F469A6EA84F6BAE882D2B94A4B421/img/7B47A58D93F44BA994EE9D7466FA865D/baby-dalupa-20160818_7B47A58D93F44BA994EE9D7466FA865D.jpg' data-lightbox='example-set' data-title="Aug 17, 2016<br /><strong><a href='http://www.rappler.com/sports/by-sport/basketball/143420-baby-dalupan-dies' target='_blank'>Virgilio &quot;Baby&quot; Dalupan, 92</a></strong><br /><i>Basketball coach</i><br />The legendary PBA coach won a total of 15 championships for Crispa, Great Taste, and Purefoods."><div class='flex-video square'><img class='example-image wrapper' src='http://assets.rappler.com/612F469A6EA84F6BAE882D2B94A4B421/img/7B47A58D93F44BA994EE9D7466FA865D/baby-dalupa-20160818_7B47A58D93F44BA994EE9D7466FA865D.jpg' title='Virgilio &quot;Baby&quot; Dalupan, 92'></div></a><span style='font-size: small'>Dalupan</span></div>

<div class='col-xs-6 col-sd-4 col-md-3 h-padding'><a class='example-image-link' href='http://assets.rappler.com/0BEB3832CC0C4BAC974198F6B0A573E2/img/AF49202B02014524BE6E8E1C3D049352/GuillermoAwards-023_AF49202B02014524BE6E8E1C3D049352.jpg' data-lightbox='example-set' data-title="Feb 29, 2016<br /><strong><a href='http://www.rappler.com/entertainment/news/124058-wenn-deramas-dies' target='_blank'>Wenn Deramas, 49</a></strong><br /><i>Director</i><br />Deramas leaves behind a large body of work in the comedy and horror genres in TV and film. File photo by Manman Dejeto/Rappler"><div class='flex-video square'><img class='example-image wrapper' src='http://assets.rappler.com/0BEB3832CC0C4BAC974198F6B0A573E2/img/AF49202B02014524BE6E8E1C3D049352/GuillermoAwards-023_AF49202B02014524BE6E8E1C3D049352.jpg' title='Wenn Deramas, 49'></div></a><span style='font-size: small'>Deramas</span></div>

<div class='col-xs-6 col-sd-4 col-md-3 h-padding'><a class='example-image-link' href='http://assets.rappler.com/EF11EF0F2EFB4431A4DF6EAE9AA2ABBB/img/5CDA8C2BA38040B98914EC79E3528D88/20161012-dick_israel-001_5CDA8C2BA38040B98914EC79E3528D88.jpg' data-lightbox='example-set' data-title="Oct 11, 2016<br /><strong><a href='http://www.rappler.com/entertainment/news/148906-actor-dick-israel-dies' target='_blank'>Ricardo &quot;Dick Israel&quot; Michaca, 68</a></strong><br /><i>Actor</i><br />Dick Israel is one of the perennial villains on the big and small screens. Screengrab from YouTube/ABS-CBN News"><div class='flex-video square'><img class='example-image wrapper' src='http://assets.rappler.com/EF11EF0F2EFB4431A4DF6EAE9AA2ABBB/img/5CDA8C2BA38040B98914EC79E3528D88/20161012-dick_israel-001_5CDA8C2BA38040B98914EC79E3528D88.jpg' title='Ricardo &quot;Dick Israel&quot; Michaca, 68'></div></a><span style='font-size: small'>Dick Israel</span></div>

<div class='col-xs-6 col-sd-4 col-md-3 h-padding'><a class='example-image-link' href='http://assets.rappler.com/AA7F50E338794670BD797A7B22C82F73/img/F16F98247A58441489B4E1150A629FCE/mak1_F16F98247A58441489B4E1150A629FCE.jpg' data-lightbox='example-set' data-title="Oct 28, 2016<br /><strong><a href='http://www.rappler.com/nation/150569-killed-north-cotabato-shootout' target='_blank'>Samsudin Dimaukom, 53</a></strong><br /><i>Mayor, Datu Saudi Ampatuan, Maguindanao</i><br />The mayor was on the list of personalities allegedly involved in illegal drug operations. He was killed in a reported shootout with state operatives. Photo courtesy of the office of Mayor Rudy Caoagdan of Makilala town"><div class='flex-video square'><img class='example-image wrapper' src='http://assets.rappler.com/AA7F50E338794670BD797A7B22C82F73/img/F16F98247A58441489B4E1150A629FCE/mak1_F16F98247A58441489B4E1150A629FCE.jpg' title='Samsudin Dimaukom, 53'></div></a><span style='font-size: small'>Dimaukom</span></div>

<div class='col-xs-6 col-sd-4 col-md-3 h-padding'><a class='example-image-link' href='http://assets.rappler.com/612F469A6EA84F6BAE882D2B94A4B421/img/9721FEFBA6A1432085B141096AD841E3/erwin-dolera-twitter-20161206.jpg' data-lightbox='example-set' data-title="Jul 7, 2016<br /><strong><a href='http://news.abs-cbn.com/news/07/07/16/isa-sa-bangkang-papel-boys-pumanaw-na' target='_blank'>Erwin Dolera, 24</a></strong><br /><i>&quot;Bangkang Papel&quot; boy</i><br />Dolera, who died from pneumonia as reported by dzMM, was one of the 3 &quot;Bangkang Papel&quot; boys presented by then-president Gloria Macapagal Arroyo in her 2001 State of the Nation Address (SONA). Photo from Twitter account"><div class='flex-video square'><img class='example-image wrapper' src='http://assets.rappler.com/612F469A6EA84F6BAE882D2B94A4B421/img/9721FEFBA6A1432085B141096AD841E3/erwin-dolera-twitter-20161206.jpg' title='Erwin Dolera, 24'></div></a><span style='font-size: small'>Dolera</span></div>

<div class='col-xs-6 col-sd-4 col-md-3 h-padding'><a class='example-image-link' href='http://assets.rappler.com/612F469A6EA84F6BAE882D2B94A4B421/img/6AAC53A8C0814A2FB92FA5F907B8CFB7/rolando-espinosa_6AAC53A8C0814A2FB92FA5F907B8CFB7.jpg' data-lightbox='example-set' data-title="Nov 5, 2016<br /><strong><a href='http://www.rappler.com/nation/151353-albuera-mayor-rolando-espinosa-killed-jail' target='_blank'>Rolando Espinosa Sr</a></strong><br /><i>Mayor, Albuera, Leyte</i><br />Among the first alleged drug personalities named by President Duterte, Mayor Espinosa was killed inside his jail cell in a reported shootout with the police who were serving a search warrant. Photo courtesy of Chief Inspector Maria Bella Rentuaya, PRO 8 spokesperson"><div class='flex-video square'><img class='example-image wrapper' src='http://assets.rappler.com/612F469A6EA84F6BAE882D2B94A4B421/img/6AAC53A8C0814A2FB92FA5F907B8CFB7/rolando-espinosa_6AAC53A8C0814A2FB92FA5F907B8CFB7.jpg' title='Rolando Espinosa Sr'></div></a><span style='font-size: small'>Espinosa</span></div>

<div class='col-xs-6 col-sd-4 col-md-3 h-padding'><a class='example-image-link' href='http://assets.rappler.com/612F469A6EA84F6BAE882D2B94A4B421/img/797E4A0199804A02B70D802EC17ADD23/gov-tet-garcia-wikimedia-20161206.jpg' data-lightbox='example-set' data-title="Jun 13, 2016<br /><strong><a href='http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/569890/news/nation/bataan-vice-gov-elect-garcia-passes-away' target='_blank'>Enrique &quot;Tet&quot; Garcia Jr, 75</a></strong><br /><i>Vice Governor-elect, Bataan</i><br />Garcia was a longtime governor and 1st district representative of Bataan, and had just been elected as the vice governor in the 2016 polls. Photo from Wikipilipinas"><div class='flex-video square'><img class='example-image wrapper' src='http://assets.rappler.com/612F469A6EA84F6BAE882D2B94A4B421/img/797E4A0199804A02B70D802EC17ADD23/gov-tet-garcia-wikimedia-20161206.jpg' title='Enrique &quot;Tet&quot; Garcia Jr, 75'></div></a><span style='font-size: small'>Garcia</span></div>

<div class='col-xs-6 col-sd-4 col-md-3 h-padding'><a class='example-image-link' href='http://assets.rappler.com/612F469A6EA84F6BAE882D2B94A4B421/img/0D65A5AA06444918B0E54804BB802714/andrew-gotianun-filinvest-20161206.jpg' data-lightbox='example-set' data-title="Mar 10, 2016<br /><strong><a href='http://www.filinvest.com.ph/corp-events-promo/andrew-l-gotianun-sr-a-tribute-to-a-life-well-lived' target='_blank'>Andrew Gotianun, 88</a></strong><br /><i>Businessman</i><br />Gotianun was the founder of real estate conglomerate Filinvest Development Corporation and chairman emeritus of the Filinvest Group of Companies. Photo from Filinvest website"><div class='flex-video square'><img class='example-image wrapper' src='http://assets.rappler.com/612F469A6EA84F6BAE882D2B94A4B421/img/0D65A5AA06444918B0E54804BB802714/andrew-gotianun-filinvest-20161206.jpg' title='Andrew Gotianun, 88'></div></a><span style='font-size: small'>Gotianun</span></div>

<div class='col-xs-6 col-sd-4 col-md-3 h-padding'><a class='example-image-link' href='http://assets.rappler.com/612F469A6EA84F6BAE882D2B94A4B421/img/DCE12136404B4DA28361EA1CBBF74088/japal-guiani-20161206.jpg' data-lightbox='example-set' data-title="Sep 22, 2016<br /><strong><a href='http://www.rappler.com/nation/146975-cotabato-mayor-japal-guiani-dies' target='_blank'>Japal Guiani Jr, 56</a></strong><br /><i>Mayor, Cotabato City</i><br />Guiani was mayor of Cotabato City since 2010. Photo from City Government of Cotabato Facebook account"><div class='flex-video square'><img class='example-image wrapper' src='http://assets.rappler.com/612F469A6EA84F6BAE882D2B94A4B421/img/DCE12136404B4DA28361EA1CBBF74088/japal-guiani-20161206.jpg' title='Japal Guiani Jr, 56'></div></a><span style='font-size: small'>Guiani</span></div>

<div class='col-xs-6 col-sd-4 col-md-3 h-padding'><a class='example-image-link' href='http://assets.rappler.com/612F469A6EA84F6BAE882D2B94A4B421/img/D5EA163EBBF74AA4A8AF1F413677AC36/cecilio-hechanova-psc-20161206.jpg' data-lightbox='example-set' data-title="Mar 22, 2016<br /><strong><a href='http://www.philstar.com:8080/sports/2016/03/23/1565850/hechanova-founding-psc-chair-84' target='_blank'>Cecilio Hechanova, 84</a></strong><br /><i>Founding chairman, Philippine Sports Commission</i><br />During his tenure as PSC Chairman (1990-92), the country hosted the 16th Southeast Asian Games, where the Philippines ranked second, only one gold medal short of Indonesia's haul. Photo from PSC website"><div class='flex-video square'><img class='example-image wrapper' src='http://assets.rappler.com/612F469A6EA84F6BAE882D2B94A4B421/img/D5EA163EBBF74AA4A8AF1F413677AC36/cecilio-hechanova-psc-20161206.jpg' title='Cecilio Hechanova, 84'></div></a><span style='font-size: small'>Hechanova</span></div>

<div class='col-xs-6 col-sd-4 col-md-3 h-padding'><a class='example-image-link' href='http://assets.rappler.com/870CE79319E24C189112DE01F8D64968/img/FC20F0CAF81342C591ACE3FC4DD8299A/luis-katigbak_FC20F0CAF81342C591ACE3FC4DD8299A.jpg' data-lightbox='example-set' data-title="Apr 20, 2016<br /><strong><a href='http://www.rappler.com/life-and-style/arts-and-culture/130137-luis-katigbak-writer-dies' target='_blank'>Luis Katigbak, 41</a></strong><br /><i>Writer, author, and columnist</i><br />Katigbak received multiple recognitions, including 4 Palanca Awards, a Philippine Graphic prize, and the Young Artists' Grant from the National Commission for Culture and the Arts. Screengrab from Luis Katigbak's Facebook account"><div class='flex-video square'><img class='example-image wrapper' src='http://assets.rappler.com/870CE79319E24C189112DE01F8D64968/img/FC20F0CAF81342C591ACE3FC4DD8299A/luis-katigbak_FC20F0CAF81342C591ACE3FC4DD8299A.jpg' title='Luis Katigbak, 41'></div></a><span style='font-size: small'>Katigbak</span></div>

<div class='col-xs-6 col-sd-4 col-md-3 h-padding'><a class='example-image-link' href='http://assets.rappler.com/612F469A6EA84F6BAE882D2B94A4B421/img/AA7F6798F2A349DC9F16C48CAD590F05/bishop-julio-labayen-veritas-20161206.jpg' data-lightbox='example-set' data-title="Apr 27, 2016<br /><strong><a href='http://cnnphilippines.com/news/2016/04/27/bishop-julio-labayen-dies.html' target='_blank'>Bishop Julio Labayen, 89</a></strong><br /><i>Retired bishop, Infanta, Quezon</i><br />Bishop Labayen was the 1st national director of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines-National Secretariat for Social Action (CBCP-NASSA). He also went against the Marcos dictatorship through his IMPACT magazine. Photo from veritas846.ph"><div class='flex-video square'><img class='example-image wrapper' src='http://assets.rappler.com/612F469A6EA84F6BAE882D2B94A4B421/img/AA7F6798F2A349DC9F16C48CAD590F05/bishop-julio-labayen-veritas-20161206.jpg' title='Bishop Julio Labayen, 89'></div></a><span style='font-size: small'>Labayen</span></div>

<div class='col-xs-6 col-sd-4 col-md-3 h-padding'><a class='example-image-link' href='http://assets.rappler.com/612F469A6EA84F6BAE882D2B94A4B421/img/37017EECF60043DEB5BDE9F1AAEBE36D/arturo-lachica_836c40609f3d44b78ca4a173055dbf92_37017EECF60043DEB5BDE9F1AAEBE36D.jpg' data-lightbox='example-set' data-title="Nov 17, 2016<br /><strong><a href='http://www.rappler.com/nation/152769-boc-deputy-commissioner-killed-in-ambush' target='_blank'>Arturo Lachica, 57</a></strong><br /><i>Deputy commissioner, Bureau of Customs</i><br />Lachica, head of the BOC's Internal Administration Group, was ambushed in Manila. Photo from LinkedIn profile"><div class='flex-video square'><img class='example-image wrapper' src='http://assets.rappler.com/612F469A6EA84F6BAE882D2B94A4B421/img/37017EECF60043DEB5BDE9F1AAEBE36D/arturo-lachica_836c40609f3d44b78ca4a173055dbf92_37017EECF60043DEB5BDE9F1AAEBE36D.jpg' title='Arturo Lachica, 57'></div></a><span style='font-size: small'>Lachica</span></div>

<div class='col-xs-6 col-sd-4 col-md-3 h-padding'><a class='example-image-link' href='http://assets.rappler.com/612F469A6EA84F6BAE882D2B94A4B421/img/60AB0FF74DC1400F84BFC0BA0AA1DB02/magdalena-leones-20160623_60AB0FF74DC1400F84BFC0BA0AA1DB02.jpg' data-lightbox='example-set' data-title="Jun 16, 2016<br /><strong><a href='http://www.rappler.com/move-ph/137362-world-war-filipina-spy-magdalena-leones' target='_blank'>Magdalena Leones, 95</a></strong><br /><i>World War II spy</i><br />The brave special agent is the only Filipina and Asian female to receive the Silver Star Medal during the Second World War. Photo courtesy of Wilfredo Pascual"><div class='flex-video square'><img class='example-image wrapper' src='http://assets.rappler.com/612F469A6EA84F6BAE882D2B94A4B421/img/60AB0FF74DC1400F84BFC0BA0AA1DB02/magdalena-leones-20160623_60AB0FF74DC1400F84BFC0BA0AA1DB02.jpg' title='Magdalena Leones, 95'></div></a><span style='font-size: small'>Leones</span></div>

<div class='col-xs-6 col-sd-4 col-md-3 h-padding'><a class='example-image-link' href='http://assets.rappler.com/612F469A6EA84F6BAE882D2B94A4B421/img/05C72E41295441F79C7DEB7572814D97/tupay-loong-congress-20161206.jpg' data-lightbox='example-set' data-title="Jul 1, 2016<br /><strong><a href='http://dzrhnews.com/sulu-congressman-dies-before-serving-duterte-administration/' target='_blank'>Tupay Loong, 69</a></strong><br /><i>Representative, 1st District of Sulu</i><br />Loong was among the founders of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF), but he later quit to join government. He was elected governor of Sulu for 3 separate terms. Photo from House of Representatives website"><div class='flex-video square'><img class='example-image wrapper' src='http://assets.rappler.com/612F469A6EA84F6BAE882D2B94A4B421/img/05C72E41295441F79C7DEB7572814D97/tupay-loong-congress-20161206.jpg' title='Tupay Loong, 69'></div></a><span style='font-size: small'>Loong</span></div>

<div class='col-xs-6 col-sd-4 col-md-3 h-padding'><a class='example-image-link' href='http://assets.rappler.com/612F469A6EA84F6BAE882D2B94A4B421/img/2430A3AE3A8C4E2C822A363EB139C7ED/caloy-loyzaga-20160127_2430A3AE3A8C4E2C822A363EB139C7ED.jpg' data-lightbox='example-set' data-title="Jan 27, 2016<br /><strong><a href='http://www.rappler.com/sports/by-sport/basketball/120403-ph-basketball-caloy-loyzaga-dies' target='_blank'>Carlos &quot;Caloy&quot; Loyzaga, 85</a></strong><br /><i>Basketball player</i><br />During his playing years, &quot;The Big Difference&quot; contributed to the success of the Philippine team in Asian basketball. He was also part of the PH team in the 1952 and 1956 Olympics."><div class='flex-video square'><img class='example-image wrapper' src='http://assets.rappler.com/612F469A6EA84F6BAE882D2B94A4B421/img/2430A3AE3A8C4E2C822A363EB139C7ED/caloy-loyzaga-20160127_2430A3AE3A8C4E2C822A363EB139C7ED.jpg' title='Carlos &quot;Caloy&quot; Loyzaga, 85'></div></a><span style='font-size: small'>Loyzaga</span></div>

<div class='col-xs-6 col-sd-4 col-md-3 h-padding'><a class='example-image-link' href='http://assets.rappler.com/612F469A6EA84F6BAE882D2B94A4B421/img/028EB492985B49B79EDFEB24EA819ECF/12473552_211201662581185_7202069559278287566_o_028EB492985B49B79EDFEB24EA819ECF.jpg' data-lightbox='example-set' data-title="Mar 31, 2016<br /><strong><a href='http://www.rappler.com/move-ph/127714-courageous-caitie-caitlin-soleil-lucas-death' target='_blank'>Caitlin Soleil Lucas, 3</a></strong><br /><i>Also known as &quot;Courageous Caitie&quot;</i><br />Baby Caitlin suffered from juvenile myelomonocytic leukemia, a rare cancer of the blood affecting infants and toddlers. Image courtesy of the Courageous Caitie Facebook page"><div class='flex-video square'><img class='example-image wrapper' src='http://assets.rappler.com/612F469A6EA84F6BAE882D2B94A4B421/img/028EB492985B49B79EDFEB24EA819ECF/12473552_211201662581185_7202069559278287566_o_028EB492985B49B79EDFEB24EA819ECF.jpg' title='Caitlin Soleil Lucas, 3'></div></a><span style='font-size: small'>Lucas</span></div>

<div class='col-xs-6 col-sd-4 col-md-3 h-padding'><a class='example-image-link' href='http://assets.rappler.com/440C7A0A2260481EACF8BF9623565BEC/img/8FA618FF03AF4A6F89BD1EB9A1014DCB/una-rob-reyes-ernesto-maceda-20150701.png' data-lightbox='example-set' data-title="Jun 20, 2016<br /><strong><a href='http://www.rappler.com/nation/137025-former-senate-president-ernesto-maceda' target='_blank'>Ernesto Maceda, 81</a></strong><br /><i>Former Senate President</i><br />Known as Mr Exposé, Maceda served in the Senate from 1971-72 and 1987-98, and led the upper chamber from 1996 to 1998. File photo by Rob Reyes/Rappler"><div class='flex-video square'><img class='example-image wrapper' src='http://assets.rappler.com/440C7A0A2260481EACF8BF9623565BEC/img/8FA618FF03AF4A6F89BD1EB9A1014DCB/una-rob-reyes-ernesto-maceda-20150701.png' title='Ernesto Maceda, 81'></div></a><span style='font-size: small'>Maceda</span></div>

<div class='col-xs-6 col-sd-4 col-md-3 h-padding'><a class='example-image-link' href='http://assets.rappler.com/612F469A6EA84F6BAE882D2B94A4B421/img/174552519C744FB1A96B897C0C744375/nestor-mantaring-pcij-20161206.jpg' data-lightbox='example-set' data-title="Mar 5, 2016<br /><strong><a href='http://interaksyon.com/article/124927/ex-nbi-director-mantaring-dies-at-68' target='_blank'>Nestor Mantaring, 68</a></strong><br /><i>Former director, National Bureau of Investigation</i><br />Mantaring rose from the ranks, becoming NBI director from 2006 to 2010. Photo from PCIJ blog"><div class='flex-video square'><img class='example-image wrapper' src='http://assets.rappler.com/612F469A6EA84F6BAE882D2B94A4B421/img/174552519C744FB1A96B897C0C744375/nestor-mantaring-pcij-20161206.jpg' title='Nestor Mantaring, 68'></div></a><span style='font-size: small'>Mantaring</span></div>

<div class='col-xs-6 col-sd-4 col-md-3 h-padding'><a class='example-image-link' href='http://assets.rappler.com/612F469A6EA84F6BAE882D2B94A4B421/img/F5A128BBB4064A47AFF3806AB5A722F1/leonard-mayaen-20160331_F5A128BBB4064A47AFF3806AB5A722F1.jpg' data-lightbox='example-set' data-title="Mar 31, 2016<br /><strong><a href='http://www.rappler.com/nation/politics/elections/2016/127739-mountain-province-governor-mayaen-dies' target='_blank'>Leonard Mayaen, 63</a></strong><br /><i>Governor, Mountain Province</i><br />Mayaen had just been reelected governor when he suffered a massive heart attack. Photo from Mayaen's Facebook page"><div class='flex-video square'><img class='example-image wrapper' src='http://assets.rappler.com/612F469A6EA84F6BAE882D2B94A4B421/img/F5A128BBB4064A47AFF3806AB5A722F1/leonard-mayaen-20160331_F5A128BBB4064A47AFF3806AB5A722F1.jpg' title='Leonard Mayaen, 63'></div></a><span style='font-size: small'>Mayaen</span></div>

<div class='col-xs-6 col-sd-4 col-md-3 h-padding'><a class='example-image-link' href='http://assets.rappler.com/612F469A6EA84F6BAE882D2B94A4B421/img/F39994CB23B94CD198E61AA05D91BB2E/tucp-mendoza-20160113_F39994CB23B94CD198E61AA05D91BB2E.jpg' data-lightbox='example-set' data-title="Jan 12, 2016<br /><strong><a href='http://www.rappler.com/nation/118819-tucp-founder-democrito-mendoza-dies' target='_blank'>Democrito Mendoza, 92</a></strong><br /><i>Labor leader</i><br />Mendoza, co-founder of the Trade Union Congress Party, was one of the founding fathers of the labor movement in the Philippines. Image from Facebook"><div class='flex-video square'><img class='example-image wrapper' src='http://assets.rappler.com/612F469A6EA84F6BAE882D2B94A4B421/img/F39994CB23B94CD198E61AA05D91BB2E/tucp-mendoza-20160113_F39994CB23B94CD198E61AA05D91BB2E.jpg' title='Democrito Mendoza, 92'></div></a><span style='font-size: small'>Mendoza</span></div>

<div class='col-xs-6 col-sd-4 col-md-3 h-padding'><a class='example-image-link' href='http://assets.rappler.com/8CA79BF45774401FADD4C6C810FC06B0/img/C2C9B71FE15047B99A7C54D224E25DF3/germanmoreno11_54D1BC5740DE493B8F4C58C165C96E46_C2C9B71FE15047B99A7C54D224E25DF3.jpg' data-lightbox='example-set' data-title="Jan 8, 2016<br /><strong><a href='http://www.rappler.com/entertainment/news/118312-german-moreno-kuya-germs-dies' target='_blank'>German &quot;Kuya Germs&quot; Moreno, 82</a></strong><br /><i>TV host, talent manager, actor</i><br />The Master Showman paved the way to stardom for many of today's popular stars through shows like <i>That's Entertainment</i>, <i>GMA Supershow</i>, and <i>Walang Tulugan</i>. File photo by Inoue Jaena/Rappler"><div class='flex-video square'><img class='example-image wrapper' src='http://assets.rappler.com/8CA79BF45774401FADD4C6C810FC06B0/img/C2C9B71FE15047B99A7C54D224E25DF3/germanmoreno11_54D1BC5740DE493B8F4C58C165C96E46_C2C9B71FE15047B99A7C54D224E25DF3.jpg' title='German &quot;Kuya Germs&quot; Moreno, 82'></div></a><span style='font-size: small'>Moreno</span></div>

<div class='col-xs-6 col-sd-4 col-md-3 h-padding'><a class='example-image-link' href='http://assets.rappler.com/612F469A6EA84F6BAE882D2B94A4B421/img/AAEE1AEB8AA1418AB0DC9B05D1815DB0/ronnie-nathanielz-rappler-video.jpg' data-lightbox='example-set' data-title="Nov 11, 2016<br /><strong><a href='http://www.rappler.com/sports/philippines/152111-ronnie-nathanielsz-dies-81' target='_blank'>Ronnie Nathanielsz, 81</a></strong><br /><i>Sportswriter</i><br />A recognizable and respected voice in Philippine sports, Nathanielsz was the spitfire sportswriter who bridged the eras of boxing legends Gabriel &quot;Flash&quot; Elorde and Manny Pacquiao."><div class='flex-video square'><img class='example-image wrapper' src='http://assets.rappler.com/612F469A6EA84F6BAE882D2B94A4B421/img/AAEE1AEB8AA1418AB0DC9B05D1815DB0/ronnie-nathanielz-rappler-video.jpg' title='Ronnie Nathanielsz, 81'></div></a><span style='font-size: small'>Nathanielz</span></div>

<div class='col-xs-6 col-sd-4 col-md-3 h-padding'><a class='example-image-link' href='http://assets.rappler.com/97E233CD9A6945F89B718BCC2BD95C5E/img/E51C2E362EA94C59970D60DBE2B913B6/20160218-Vincent_Navarro_E51C2E362EA94C59970D60DBE2B913B6.jpg' data-lightbox='example-set' data-title="Feb 16, 2016<br /><strong><a href='http://www.rappler.com/life-and-style/arts-and-culture/122756-filipino-coffee-artist-vincent-navarro-dies' target='_blank'>Vincent Navarro, 23</a></strong><br /><i>Artist</i><br />The young painter became known for using coffee grounds in a portrait series of Benguet coffee farmers. Screengrab from Instagram/baguio_vince"><div class='flex-video square'><img class='example-image wrapper' src='http://assets.rappler.com/97E233CD9A6945F89B718BCC2BD95C5E/img/E51C2E362EA94C59970D60DBE2B913B6/20160218-Vincent_Navarro_E51C2E362EA94C59970D60DBE2B913B6.jpg' title='Vincent Navarro, 23'></div></a><span style='font-size: small'>Navarro</span></div>

<div class='col-xs-6 col-sd-4 col-md-3 h-padding'><a class='example-image-link' href='http://assets.rappler.com/612F469A6EA84F6BAE882D2B94A4B421/img/EEC25E8A5FA348AC97C6926FC9A3B0A6/screen-shot-2016-08-29-at-5.22.23-pm.png' data-lightbox='example-set' data-title="Aug 29, 2016<br /><strong><a href='http://www.rappler.com/nation/144483-alleged-top-iloilo-drug-lord-wife-killed-aklan' target='_blank'>Melvin &quot;Boyet&quot; Odicta</a></strong><br /><i>Businessman, alleged drug lord</i><br />The suspected drug lord and his wife Meriam were gunned down in Aklan, barely a week after he met with Interior Secretary Ismael Sueno to clear their names from drug links. Photo from Western Visayas police"><div class='flex-video square'><img class='example-image wrapper' src='http://assets.rappler.com/612F469A6EA84F6BAE882D2B94A4B421/img/EEC25E8A5FA348AC97C6926FC9A3B0A6/screen-shot-2016-08-29-at-5.22.23-pm.png' title='Melvin &quot;Boyet&quot; Odicta'></div></a><span style='font-size: small'>Odicta</span></div>

<div class='col-xs-6 col-sd-4 col-md-3 h-padding'><a class='example-image-link' href='http://assets.rappler.com/612F469A6EA84F6BAE882D2B94A4B421/img/3BD271F7421D4947BCED2F8C3D32CECD/cayetano-paderanga-jr-20160130-0021_3BD271F7421D4947BCED2F8C3D32CECD.jpg' data-lightbox='example-set' data-title="Jan 29, 2016<br /><strong><a href='http://www.rappler.com/nation/120797-neda-cayetano-paderanga-dies' target='_blank'>Cayetano Paderanga Jr, 67</a></strong><br /><i>Former secretary, National Economic and Development Authority</i><br />As the socioeconomic secretary under the Aquino administration, he oversaw the establishment of the Public-Private Partnership Center."><div class='flex-video square'><img class='example-image wrapper' src='http://assets.rappler.com/612F469A6EA84F6BAE882D2B94A4B421/img/3BD271F7421D4947BCED2F8C3D32CECD/cayetano-paderanga-jr-20160130-0021_3BD271F7421D4947BCED2F8C3D32CECD.jpg' title='Cayetano Paderanga Jr, 67'></div></a><span style='font-size: small'>Paderanga</span></div>

<div class='col-xs-6 col-sd-4 col-md-3 h-padding'><a class='example-image-link' href='http://assets.rappler.com/7E1729AF72264B5294BE021A55936FAA/img/11D1217D372845298D6F568C8AA853DF/francis_xavier_pasion_cinemalaya_2014-1_11D1217D372845298D6F568C8AA853DF.jpg' data-lightbox='example-set' data-title="Mar 06, 2016<br /><strong><a href='http://www.rappler.com/entertainment/news/124876-francis-xavier-pasion-dies' target='_blank'>Francis Xavier Pasion, 38</a></strong><br /><i>Director</i><br />Pasion was known for his award-winning independent films <i>Jay</i> and <i>Bwaya</i>. Photo by Jude Bautista/Rappler"><div class='flex-video square'><img class='example-image wrapper' src='http://assets.rappler.com/7E1729AF72264B5294BE021A55936FAA/img/11D1217D372845298D6F568C8AA853DF/francis_xavier_pasion_cinemalaya_2014-1_11D1217D372845298D6F568C8AA853DF.jpg' title='Francis Xavier Pasion, 38'></div></a><span style='font-size: small'>Pasion</span></div>

<div class='col-xs-6 col-sd-4 col-md-3 h-padding'><a class='example-image-link' href='http://assets.rappler.com/612F469A6EA84F6BAE882D2B94A4B421/img/2DC7F122F9EE40AAB5FF59DF44882434/emman-pena_2DC7F122F9EE40AAB5FF59DF44882434.jpg' data-lightbox='example-set' data-title="Mar 27, 2016<br /><strong><a href='http://www.rappler.com/move-ph/127379-justice-emman-pena-youth-public-servant-dies-laguna-ambush' target='_blank'>Emmanuel Peña, 25</a></strong><br /><i>Candidate for councilor, Calauan, Laguna</i><br />The youth leader and UP Los Baños scholar who hoped to serve his hometown was killed in an ambush. Image from Peña's Facebook page"><div class='flex-video square'><img class='example-image wrapper' src='http://assets.rappler.com/612F469A6EA84F6BAE882D2B94A4B421/img/2DC7F122F9EE40AAB5FF59DF44882434/emman-pena_2DC7F122F9EE40AAB5FF59DF44882434.jpg' title='Emmanuel Peña, 25'></div></a><span style='font-size: small'>Peña</span></div>

<div class='col-xs-6 col-sd-4 col-md-3 h-padding'><a class='example-image-link' href='http://assets.rappler.com/612F469A6EA84F6BAE882D2B94A4B421/img/E2B1D2B10BF540DB80D12B130FAC4FC8/rod-reyes_E2B1D2B10BF540DB80D12B130FAC4FC8.jpg' data-lightbox='example-set' data-title="Apr 14, 2016<br /><strong><a href='http://www.rappler.com/nation/129562-journalist-rod-reyes-dies' target='_blank'>Rodolfo Reyes, 80</a></strong><br /><i>Journalist, former press secretary</i><br />A multi-awarded journalist, he served as press secretary under presidents Ramos and Estrada. Photo from the Ateneo Library of Women's Writings"><div class='flex-video square'><img class='example-image wrapper' src='http://assets.rappler.com/612F469A6EA84F6BAE882D2B94A4B421/img/E2B1D2B10BF540DB80D12B130FAC4FC8/rod-reyes_E2B1D2B10BF540DB80D12B130FAC4FC8.jpg' title='Rodolfo Reyes, 80'></div></a><span style='font-size: small'>Reyes</span></div>

<div class='col-xs-6 col-sd-4 col-md-3 h-padding'><a class='example-image-link' href='http://assets.rappler.com/301F040BD9EE4BAD8D1933429EF67B46/img/DC744A1606344E6A99FEB4AC8AEB3203/lolita-rodriguez-20161129_DC744A1606344E6A99FEB4AC8AEB3203.jpg' data-lightbox='example-set' data-title="Nov 28, 2016<br /><strong><a href='http://www.rappler.com/entertainment/news/153978-actress-lolita-rodriguez-dies' target='_blank'>Lolita Rodriguez, 81</a></strong><br /><i>Actress</i><br />Rodriguez was hailed as one of the country's top actresses of her time. She got to work with acclaimed director Lino Brocka in the movie <i>Tinimbang Ka Ngunit Kulang</i>. Photo from Facebook/Eduardo Perez Blanco"><div class='flex-video square'><img class='example-image wrapper' src='http://assets.rappler.com/301F040BD9EE4BAD8D1933429EF67B46/img/DC744A1606344E6A99FEB4AC8AEB3203/lolita-rodriguez-20161129_DC744A1606344E6A99FEB4AC8AEB3203.jpg' title='Lolita Rodriguez, 81'></div></a><span style='font-size: small'>Rodriguez</span></div>

<div class='col-xs-6 col-sd-4 col-md-3 h-padding'><a class='example-image-link' href='http://assets.rappler.com/612F469A6EA84F6BAE882D2B94A4B421/img/C802FE762671432FB7FF7104483B90C6/jovito-salonga-20160310-01_C802FE762671432FB7FF7104483B90C6.jpg' data-lightbox='example-set' data-title="Mar 10, 2016<br /><strong><a href='http://www.rappler.com/nation/125357-jovito-salonga-dies' target='_blank'>Jovito Salonga, 95</a></strong><br /><i>Former Senate president</i><br />Salonga was one of the country's most esteemed statesmen. He survived the Plaza Miranda bombing, was elected to the Senate 3 times, and headed the Presidential Commission on Good Goverment."><div class='flex-video square'><img class='example-image wrapper' src='http://assets.rappler.com/612F469A6EA84F6BAE882D2B94A4B421/img/C802FE762671432FB7FF7104483B90C6/jovito-salonga-20160310-01_C802FE762671432FB7FF7104483B90C6.jpg' title='Jovito Salonga, 95'></div></a><span style='font-size: small'>Salonga</span></div>

<div class='col-xs-6 col-sd-4 col-md-3 h-padding'><a class='example-image-link' href='http://assets.rappler.com/612F469A6EA84F6BAE882D2B94A4B421/img/0F2CA622768F4AE69384724424C5AE8A/miriam-santiago-20150305_0F2CA622768F4AE69384724424C5AE8A.jpg' data-lightbox='example-set' data-title="Sep 29, 2016<br /><strong><a href='http://www.rappler.com/nation/147672-miriam-defensor-santiago-dies' target='_blank'>Miriam Defensor Santiago, 71</a></strong><br /><i>Former senator</i><br />Miriam Defensor Santiago captivated Filipinos with her wit, scathing commentary, and humorous pick-up lines. File photo by Joseph Vidal/Senate PRIB"><div class='flex-video square'><img class='example-image wrapper' src='http://assets.rappler.com/612F469A6EA84F6BAE882D2B94A4B421/img/0F2CA622768F4AE69384724424C5AE8A/miriam-santiago-20150305_0F2CA622768F4AE69384724424C5AE8A.jpg' title='Miriam Defensor Santiago, 71'></div></a><span style='font-size: small'>Santiago</span></div>

<div class='col-xs-6 col-sd-4 col-md-3 h-padding'><a class='example-image-link' href='http://assets.rappler.com/3440F8467B5849849058F2B95B01E2D4/img/AB9B17A43E9A4C4F9850AA40FBB57B24/comelec-coc-filing-20151014-001_AB9B17A43E9A4C4F9850AA40FBB57B24.jpg' data-lightbox='example-set' data-title="Feb 8, 2016<br /><strong><a href='http://www.rappler.com/nation/121688-roy-seneres-dies' target='_blank'>Roy Señeres Sr, 68</a></strong><br /><i>Representative, OFW Family Club party list</i><br />Vowing to end contractualization, he ran for president in 2016 but withdrew from the race days before the start of the campaign period. File photo by Czeasar Dancel/Rappler"><div class='flex-video square'><img class='example-image wrapper' src='http://assets.rappler.com/3440F8467B5849849058F2B95B01E2D4/img/AB9B17A43E9A4C4F9850AA40FBB57B24/comelec-coc-filing-20151014-001_AB9B17A43E9A4C4F9850AA40FBB57B24.jpg' title='Roy Señeres Sr, 68'></div></a><span style='font-size: small'>Señeres</span></div>

<div class='col-xs-6 col-sd-4 col-md-3 h-padding'><a class='example-image-link' href='http://assets.rappler.com/612F469A6EA84F6BAE882D2B94A4B421/img/4ECB3E4D0B7A41A0B6C5A9B1060785E3/domingo-siazon_4ECB3E4D0B7A41A0B6C5A9B1060785E3.jpg' data-lightbox='example-set' data-title="May 3, 2016<br /><strong><a href='http://www.rappler.com/nation/131768-ex-foreign-secretary-domingo-siazon-dies' target='_blank'>Domingo Siazon Jr, 76</a></strong><br /><i>Former secretary, Department of Foreign Affairs</i><br />He served as foreign secretary under presidents Ramos and Estrada. He also became ambassador to Japan and Austria, and held various posts in international agencies such as UNIDO and IAEA."><div class='flex-video square'><img class='example-image wrapper' src='http://assets.rappler.com/612F469A6EA84F6BAE882D2B94A4B421/img/4ECB3E4D0B7A41A0B6C5A9B1060785E3/domingo-siazon_4ECB3E4D0B7A41A0B6C5A9B1060785E3.jpg' title='Domingo Siazon Jr, 76'></div></a><span style='font-size: small'>Siazon</span></div>

<div class='col-xs-6 col-sd-4 col-md-3 h-padding'><a class='example-image-link' href='http://assets.rappler.com/612F469A6EA84F6BAE882D2B94A4B421/img/37491019968248458D7F4417AB473E57/gabriel-singson.jpg' data-lightbox='example-set' data-title="Mar 29, 2016<br /><strong><a href='http://www.rappler.com/business/governance/127412-bsp-governor-gabriel-singson-dies' target='_blank'>Gabriel Singson, 87</a></strong><br /><i>Former governor, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas</i><br />Singson is credited with laying the foundation of a strong central bank and banking system that helped the Philippines withstand, among other global challenges, the 1997 Asian financial crisis better than its neighbors. Photo from Ateneo de Manila University website"><div class='flex-video square'><img class='example-image wrapper' src='http://assets.rappler.com/612F469A6EA84F6BAE882D2B94A4B421/img/37491019968248458D7F4417AB473E57/gabriel-singson.jpg' title='Gabriel Singson, 87'></div></a><span style='font-size: small'>Singson</span></div>

<div class='col-xs-6 col-sd-4 col-md-3 h-padding'><a class='example-image-link' href='http://assets.rappler.com/612F469A6EA84F6BAE882D2B94A4B421/img/5CA8E2CCA1044D24BDBEA7D700BACD01/virginia-torres-20160102_5CA8E2CCA1044D24BDBEA7D700BACD01.jpg' data-lightbox='example-set' data-title="Jan 2, 2016<br /><strong><a href='http://www.rappler.com/nation/117749-virgie-torres-dies' target='_blank'>Virginia Torres, 62</a></strong><br /><i>Former chairperson, Land Transportation Office</i><br />Torres was appointed head of the LTO in 2010, but retired in 2013 after figuring in a viral video that showed her playing in a casino. Photo from LTO website"><div class='flex-video square'><img class='example-image wrapper' src='http://assets.rappler.com/612F469A6EA84F6BAE882D2B94A4B421/img/5CA8E2CCA1044D24BDBEA7D700BACD01/virginia-torres-20160102_5CA8E2CCA1044D24BDBEA7D700BACD01.jpg' title='Virginia Torres, 62'></div></a><span style='font-size: small'>Torres</span></div>

<div class='col-xs-6 col-sd-4 col-md-3 h-padding'><a class='example-image-link' href='http://assets.rappler.com/612F469A6EA84F6BAE882D2B94A4B421/img/5AA3EE5F662049D1898A6236CF36B37A/20160304-pasay-peewee-trinidad_5AA3EE5F662049D1898A6236CF36B37A.jpg' data-lightbox='example-set' data-title="Mar 4, 2016<br /><strong><a href='http://www.rappler.com/nation/124684-former-pasay-mayor-peewee-trinidad-dies' target='_blank'>Wenceslao &quot;Peewee&quot; Trinidad, 82</a></strong><br /><i>Former mayor, Pasay City</i><br />He was mayor of Pasay City from 2000 to 2010. Photo from Trinidad's Facebook page"><div class='flex-video square'><img class='example-image wrapper' src='http://assets.rappler.com/612F469A6EA84F6BAE882D2B94A4B421/img/5AA3EE5F662049D1898A6236CF36B37A/20160304-pasay-peewee-trinidad_5AA3EE5F662049D1898A6236CF36B37A.jpg' title='Wenceslao &quot;Peewee&quot; Trinidad, 82'></div></a><span style='font-size: small'>Trinidad</span></div>

<div class='col-xs-6 col-sd-4 col-md-3 h-padding'><a class='example-image-link' href='http://assets.rappler.com/612F469A6EA84F6BAE882D2B94A4B421/img/14A77283FE9A44389527E94DB3714951/mike-valera-pcci-20160824.jpg' data-lightbox='example-set' data-title="Aug 24, 2016<br /><strong><a href='http://www.rappler.com/business/144093-obituary-miguel-valera-ecop-pcci' target='_blank'>Miguel Varela, 76</a></strong><br /><i>Corporate laywer, businessman</i><br />He served as president and chairman of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry, as well as president of the Employers' Confederation of the Philippines. Photo from NEDA website"><div class='flex-video square'><img class='example-image wrapper' src='http://assets.rappler.com/612F469A6EA84F6BAE882D2B94A4B421/img/14A77283FE9A44389527E94DB3714951/mike-valera-pcci-20160824.jpg' title='Miguel Varela, 76'></div></a><span style='font-size: small'>Varela</span></div>

<div class='col-xs-6 col-sd-4 col-md-3 h-padding'><a class='example-image-link' href='http://assets.rappler.com/27136AF968E34023A407337C17F2A99F/img/44443A5B84F54512873CDBE93B9D8094/joyviado_44443A5B84F54512873CDBE93B9D8094.jpg' data-lightbox='example-set' data-title="Sep 10, 2016<br /><strong><a href='http://www.rappler.com/entertainment/news/145840-comedian-joy-viado-dies' target='_blank'>Joy Viado, 57</a></strong><br /><i>Actress, comedian</i><br />Viado portrayed funny, colorful characters in many TV shows and movies. Photo from Facebook"><div class='flex-video square'><img class='example-image wrapper' src='http://assets.rappler.com/27136AF968E34023A407337C17F2A99F/img/44443A5B84F54512873CDBE93B9D8094/joyviado_44443A5B84F54512873CDBE93B9D8094.jpg' title='Joy Viado, 57'></div></a><span style='font-size: small'>Viado</span></div>

<div class='col-xs-6 col-sd-4 col-md-3 h-padding'><a class='example-image-link' href='http://assets.rappler.com/612F469A6EA84F6BAE882D2B94A4B421/img/619FB735DB8346629FDF4F0306007CD1/lauro-vizconde-20160213_619FB735DB8346629FDF4F0306007CD1.jpg' data-lightbox='example-set' data-title="Feb 13, 2016<br /><strong><a href='http://www.rappler.com/nation/122350-lauro-vizconde-dies' target='_blank'>Lauro Vizconde, 77</a></strong><br /><i>Anti-crime advocate</i><br />Following the murder of his wife and children in 1991, Vizconde founded the Volunteers Against Crime and Corruption (VACC). Photo from Vizconde's Facebook page"><div class='flex-video square'><img class='example-image wrapper' src='http://assets.rappler.com/612F469A6EA84F6BAE882D2B94A4B421/img/619FB735DB8346629FDF4F0306007CD1/lauro-vizconde-20160213_619FB735DB8346629FDF4F0306007CD1.jpg' title='Lauro Vizconde, 77'></div></a><span style='font-size: small'>Vizconde</span></div>

</div>

<script src="/templates/rappler3_default/js/lightbox/js/lightbox.js"></script>
<link rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" href="/templates/rappler3_default/js/lightbox/css/lightbox.css"><style> .lb-caption { font-family: sans-serif !important; font-size: 13px !important; } .v-margin { margin:10px; !important; } .h-padding { padding: 10px !important; }</style>

{/source}

Rappler.com

FAST FACTS: PH-Cambodia relations through the years

$
0
0

MANILA, Philippines – President Rodrigo Duterte is set to make a state visit to Cambodia from December 13 to 14, as part of his tour of neighboring Asian countries since he assumed the presidency.

Duterte's two-day trip aims to strengthen almost 60 years of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

He will pay a courtesy call on Cambodian King Norodom Sihamoni and engage in a bilateral meeting with Prime Minister Hun Sen. 

The President will also meet with over 5,000 Filipinos living and working in Cambodia. 

Foreign Affairs Secretary Charles Jose said the visit will also involve discussions on defense and security operations, bilateral trade and investments, and cultural and tourism exchanges between the two countries.

Early contacts

While diplomatic relations between the two countries formally began nearly 6 decades ago, the earliest contacts between the two countries may date as far back as the 6th century.

During the early French colonial era, the Spanish government in Manila attempted to intervene in Cochin China, sending expeditionary forces with Filipino contingents. 

Contact between Cambodia and the Philippines was reestablished in the early 19th century when the Spanish government sent Spanish and Filipino forces to assist the French in Indochina.

In August 1957, during the administration of former president Carlos P. Garcia, diplomatic relations were formally established between the two countries.

Duterte will the fifth Philippine president to visit Cambodia.

Before him were former presidents Diosdado Macapagal (February 1964), Fidel Ramos (December 1995), Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo (November 2002), and Benigno Aquino III (April and November 2012).

Bilateral cooperation

In December 2011, the Philippines and Cambodia held its first Joint Commission for Bilateral Consultations (JCBC) in Phnom Penh, signalling the start of bilateral dialogues and consultations.

The 2011 JCBC paved the way for the signing of a memorandum of agreement on air services in 2012, which led to the launch of direct flights between Manila and Siem Reap.

Former Philippine ambassador to Cambodia Noe Albano Wong said in a 2012 interview that the availability of direct flights helped boost tourism, trade and commerce, and people connectivity between the two countries.

In 2013, the Philippines and Cambodia signed an agreement on rice trade to uplift mutual economic benefits.

Both countries have also crafted agreements in the following sectors:

  • Agricultural and agribusiness cooperation
  • Enhancement of economic trade relations
  • Tourism cooperation
  • Rural health development cooperation
  • Promotion and protection of investments
  • Health workers' development cooperation
  • Recognition of training and certification for seafarers
  • Air services

“Sour mood” in the 2012 ASEAN Summit

In July 2012, Cambodia hosted the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit during a time when tensions in the West Philippine Sea were beginning to escalate.

It was a tradition in the Asian Ministers’ Meeting (AMM) of the summit to come up with a communiqué or an official statement on major issues, but this was not accomplished under Cambodia's hosting of the event – the first time this had happened in 45 years.

Then-Philippine foreign secretary Albert del Rosario had wanted to include in the joint statement a reference to Scarborough Shoal, subject of competing claims by the Philippines and China.

But Cambodia had opposed it, saying it could not accept "that the joint statement has become hostage of the bilateral issue (between the Philippines and China)." (READ: PH slams Cambodia over Asean summit)

As China’s closest ally in ASEAN, some put the blame on Cambodia for the bloc’s failure to issue a joint statement. But this was slammed by then-Cambodian ambassador to the Philippines Hos Sereythonh, who said that the “souring of the mood” during the AMM should be attributed to the “inflexible and non-negotiable position” of the Philippines and Vietnam, which also has claims to disputed waters.

Hos was recalled by the Cambodian Foreign Ministry days after his statement.

Despite this word barb, the Philippine ambassador then clarified that the relationship between the two countries remained “excellent.” 

This year, the 10-member ASEAN also ignored a UN-backed tribunal ruling in its joint communiqué, still in the face of objections from Cambodia. 

The ruling had favored the Philippines in its claims against China over territories in the South China Sea.

Jose earlier said the conflict might be discussed during Duterte’s trip. – Cathrine Gonzales/Rappler.com

Cathrine Gonzales is a Rappler intern studying journalism at Polytechnic University of the Philippines

Año's challenge: How to lead PH military under Duterte?

$
0
0

NEW AFP CHIEF. General Eduardo Año of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) Matikas Class of 1983.

MANILA, Philippines – It was straight to the war room right after President Rodrigo Duterte led the change of command ceremony to install new Armed Forces chief General Eduardo Año on December 7.

The commander-in-chief told the military that he wanted to sustain the campaign against terrorism, particularly the Abu Sayyaf Group that is notorious globally for kidnapping foreign tourists, according to sources present at the command conference.

He was adamant that soldiers support his administration's peace talks with rebel organizations and make sure that ceasefires are not broken. The President also reiterated, of course, his call for the institution to support police operations against illegal drugs.

The 55-year-old Año leads the military as Duterte, who seeks to recalibrate ties with China and the US, shifts its focus back to counter-terrorism and away from the defense of the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea) that has been its rallying cry in the past administration. Newly acquired warships will now run after kidnappers in the Sulu seas and will no longer join US patrols of the disputed waters.

Año's plate is full. But what could potentially define his short term of 10 months is not his success or failure in these areas, but how he is going to lead the military as Duterte's heavy-handed methods are igniting memories of Martial Law.

WAR ROOM. President Rodrigo Duterte sits in a command conference attended by the commanding generals of all key posts in the military. Malacañang photo

Marcos burial and fears of creeping martial law

Duterte's order to bury the late Philippine dictator Ferdinand Marcos at the Libingan ng Mga Bayani is the clincher for many, sparking protests nationwide and putting many among his allies – including the Philippine Left – in a tight spot. 

Duterte's cries against supposed ouster plots are suspect, too, vis-a-vis statements from his own security officers who dismiss the capability of mentioned personalities to destabilize the state. Is the President creating an environment that could help him justify extreme measures?

Section 18, Article VII of the 1987 Constitution empowers the President, as commander-in-chief of the armed forces, to order the troops to suppress rebellion, suspend the writ of habeas corpus, and place the country under martial law. 

Here is where Año's role comes in, because no commander-in-chief – should he be toying with the idea – would dare declare martial law without the military's full support.

Military: No easy explanation

Año – a veteran combat and intelligence officer – stands to be the best protector of democracy or its worst enemy.

Año commands 120,000-strong troops nationwide, an institution that has the organization, assets, mobility, and skills that a dictator can use or a people can rely on to immobilize an abusive ruler.

Yet, the Philippine military defies easy explanation. In the 1970s, it provided the backbone for a ruthless dictatorship that jailed and killed thousands of dissenters. In 1986, it withdrew support from its commander-in-chief and led a civilian-backed revolt that culminated in the EDSA People Power Revolution.

Dissatisified with succeeding governments, mutinous soldiers launched at least 7 coups which all failed. But ordered to crush the communists, the military under Arroyo, for example, wiped out pro-rebel villages and was linked to the extrajudicial killing of suspected guerrillas.

The most recent proof of how it can efficiently implement orders without asking questions is the secret burial of Marcos at the Libingan ng mga Bayani on November 18, 2016.

Tool for democracy or dictatorship?

Año is a powerful tool whom a dictator – if ever Duterte becomes one – could have. His spying skills should worry Duterte's critics. He's smart, he's methodical, he's beyond impulsive. He takes credit for the arrest of the once elusive Communist Party of the Philippines leader Benito Tiamzon, the fall of New People's Army (NPA) commander Leonardo Pitao alias Kumander Parago, and the arrest of retired Major Jovito Palparan

Today, Año's class at the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) – the Matikas Class of 1983 – controls the entire institution.

His mistahs (PMA classmates) command all the major services – acting Army chief Lieutenant General Glorioso Miranda, Navy chief Vice Admiral Ronald Joseph Mercado, and Air Force chief Lieutenant General Edgar Fallorina. 

The PMA Class of 1983 graduated in the same year when former senator Ninoy Aquino was assassinated. As young lieutenants, they were witness to the massive protests against Marcos, the corruption in and out of the barracks, and the upheaval that eventually led to his ouster in February 1986.

'Protector of the people and the state'

INDEPENDENT MILITARY? President Rodrigo Duterte vows he will never tinker with promotions in the military. Malacañang photo

Duterte is wise to shower the military with attention, jumping from one camp to another to attend to their needs. He pinned medals on wounded soldiers, funded hospital upgrades, and raised their salaries. He's bringing Año to his foreign trips. 

Upon his assumption, Rappler asked the new AFP chief for his message to Duterte's critics who fear a creeping martial law.

Año recited the military's role stated in the 1987 Constitution. "Kami bilang (We, as the) armed forces, meron naman kaming mandato (we have a mandate). 'Yan ay nasa batas (It is in the law). We are the protector of the people and protector of the state," Año said.

"Sa ngayon naman ang mga usaping martial law ay puro usap-usapan lamang. Wala naman talaga tayong basehan para sabihing ganoon (At this point, talk about the declaration of martial law is just loose talk. We really do not have any basis to say that it's going to be the case)," Año added. 

Will Año allow the declaration of martial law? He smiled, showing discomfort with the question. "That is a question that I am not competent to answer," he said.

Martial Law is a dark past of the Philippine military. The organization has instituted reforms to protect itself from returning to it. And Año stands guard, at least for the next 10 months – a very long time under Duterte. – Rappler.com

Trump, Duterte nudge Japan to new normal

$
0
0

TOKYO, Japan – It’s new normal for Japan these days. Two new world leaders with a similar volatile temperament are putting Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s diplomatic skills to a test, leading him into tricky terrain.

But it appears that Abe has forged initial successes, hitting it off with Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte, who visited here in October, and with US incoming President Donald Trump, whom Abe met with in New York. Abe’s visit was unusual, apparently the first by a Japanese head of state to a leader who has yet to assume office. 

“What is most important is the establishment of personal relations between Abe and Trump, and Duterte,” Takashi Shiraishi, president of the National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies (GRIPS), told me in an interview in his office in the bustling district of Roponggi. “The nitty gritty can be done at the operational level.”

With the personal chemistry between Abe and the two leaders appearing to work out, Japan may have to step up its role in the region with Trump’s still uncertain position on US military presence here, following his “America First” stance. While Japan is definitely not going to be a military power, it has been beefing up its maritime security relations with ASEAN countries, highlighting the importance of its Coast Guard. 

The Philippines is one of the beneficiaries. Through a loan, Japan is providing 10 vessels to the Philippine Coast Guard. These will be used in patrolling our waters, including the Scarborough Shoal area.

“International relations in the region are spoken about as if the US and China were the only powers,” Shiraishi pointed out. In the case of Duterte, “he needs a country to serve as balance versus China. It’s fine with us, this role comes to us naturally. Japan welcomes the opportunity for Abe to show that Japan matters.”

For Masashi Nishihara, president of the Research Institute for Peace and Security, a think tank, “Japan is in transition between the US and the Philippines.” But through its “diplomatic activities,” Japan can make up for a limited US role in the region – should this happen, Nishihara added. The strengthening of maritime capacities is one such step.

Abe-Duterte summit

Officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs I spoke with said they are satisfied with the results of Duterte’s visit. They commonly pointed out the Japan-Philippines joint statement as proof of the success, focusing on maritime security cooperation, “not like a Christmas-tree statement that includes everything.” 

Two items, in particular, stand out, from their point of view:

  • the “acknowledgment of the importance of a rules-based approach to the peaceful settlement of maritime disputes” referring to the “South China Sea Arbitral Award”
  • the 2 leaders' inclusion of “their network of friendships and alliances…to help promote the peace, stability and maritime security of the region”

What is not explicitly stated in the “network of friendships and alliances” is the US military presence in the region, including in the Philippines. The US-Japan security alliance is a pillar in Japan’s relations with other countries in Asia and Southeast Asia. “One of the biggest deterrents versus China is the presence of the US,” Atsuyuki Fujinuma of MOFA’s Asian and Oceanian Affairs Bureau, said. 

Before Duterte visited Tokyo, he had made pronouncements about letting the American forces  in Mindanao go and severing military exercises between the Philippines and the US, rankling Japan. But the nervousness here eased after Duterte and Abe met. 

Duterte’s pivot to China also worried Japan, which is beleaguered by Chinese incursions into Senkaku islands, a situation similar to the West Philippine Sea. When the Philippines won its case versus China in the arbitral tribunal, Japan was one of the most outspoken supporters of the ruling.

Duterte assuaged Abe during the visit. Notes from the 2 leaders’ meeting, given out by MOFA, show this:

      “President Duterte commented that since an arbitral award has been issued in regard to the South China Sea issue, there is no choice but to hold discussions based on this…President Duterte added that since the Philippines is always in the same standpoint as Japan, Japan should feel peace of mind, and that in regard to maritime issues, it is necessary to ensure freedom of navigation.”

Sake, snowy mountains

What is interesting are the little signs of friendship that the MOFA officials noticed during Duterte’s visit. Among others:

  • At the dinner hosted by Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida on October 25, Duterte, who doesn’t go for alcoholic drinks, sipped sake, Japanese rice wine.
  • The meeting between Abe and Duterte extended beyond the allotted time, eating up 40 more minutes. They were late for the banquet hosted by Abe. For the disciplined Japanese, strict about schedules and rigorous about punctuality, this was quite unusual. But it came as a welcome sign that the 2 leaders seemed to be comfortable in each other’s company.

When Duterte was mayor, he visited Japan both as a private citizen and as a guest of MOFA. The visitors’ program of MOFA includes trips outside Tokyo to make their guests experience various facets of Japan. They still have old photos of Duterte posing with the snowy mountains as backdrop.

In May, the Japanese ambassador to Manila was the first, among diplomats, to pay a call on then president-elect Duterte. This feat was followed by a scheduled official visit of Duterte to Tokyo, supposed to be the first overseas trip of the president. But China raced ahead and got Duterte to make Beijing his first visit.

The order of the visit doesn’t really matter now, I gathered in conversations, because Duterte’s trip to Japan turned out well. Optimism about bilateral relations is in the air here as Japan continues to keep close ties with the Philippines, one of its most important partners in the region. – Rappler.com

Rappler editor at large Marites Danguilan Vitug was invited by Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) as part of its visitors’ program from December 4 to 11, 2016. She spoke with officials from MOFA, Ministry of Defense, the Coast Guard, and academics.

Why Gordon isn't buying De Lima's FP recognition

$
0
0

WHAT AWARD? Senator Richard Gordon belittles the foreign award given to his rival Senator Leila de Lima, saying he only heard of the award-giving body now.

Her inclusion in the 2016 Foreign Policy (FP) Top 100 Global Thinkers was enough for the office of Senator Leila de Lima to make a special announcement on the recognition. Under the "Challengers" category, the senator was cited for "standing up to an extremist leader" in the fight for human rights amid a bloody drug war.

Her inclusion in the list sounded like quite a feat, considering the stature of her fellow nominees, among them former secretary of state Hillary Clinton, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, and outgoing UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon. But at least one person is not buying it.

Senator Richard Gordon, who has been at odds with De Lima since the Senate conducted its probe into extrajudicial killings in the Duterte administration's war on drugs, had some questions about the recognition.

For the senator, the recognition – given by 46-year-old Foreign Policy magazine based in Washington DC – is questionable, as it was the first time he ever heard of it.

“Alam ko naman 'yung laro na 'yun. Siyempre, kung ako abogado ni De Lima, ganoon din gagawin ko. Bibigyan ko 'yan ng recognition abroad, (I know that game. Of course, if I am the lawyer of De Lima, I would also do the same. I will give her recognition abroad)," Gordon told reporters who asked for his comment on the FP list on Wednesday, December 14.

"Sino ba 'yan? Ngayon ko lang narinig 'yan (Who's that? It's the first time I heard of it)," he added, referring to FP.

Gordon said the recognition is apparently part of his colleague's strategy to “gain credibility.”

FP cited De Lima as one of the most prominent "challengers" of the status quo. Another Filipino lawmaker, Bataan 1st District Representative Geraldine Roman, is honored in the same category.

FP cited her work as chair of the Senate justice committee, specifically the investigation on the extrajudicial killings, "work that landed her firmly in Duterte’s "Duterte's crosshairs." She  was ousted as committee chair after she presented a controversial witness at the inquiry – Edgar Matobato, who accused President Rodrigo Duterte of ordering the killing of crime suspects in Davao City when he was mayor.

Gordon, who replaced De Lima at the committee, authored the committee report clearing Duterte of liabilities in the rise of summary executions in the country.

Gordon was so puzzled by the recognition to De Lima that he suspected that the US government was behind it. 

Baka naman nakikialam na Amerikano dito dahil galit sila sa nangyayari. Alam mo we should not allow other countries to intervene. They can comment, pero ngayon nag-i-imbestiga bibigyan mo ng award, talagang nagfifish ka ng award to gain credibility,” he said.

(Maybe the Americans are already interfering because they're angry at what's happening. You know, we should not allow other countries to intervene. They can comment, but when there's an investigation and suddenly you give an award, you're really fishing for an award to gain credibility.)

Some people who heard Gordon wondered how someone of the senator's caliber, and one who is a member of the Senate committee on foreign relations, could not be aware of FP, which was founded in 1970 to provide an alternative view to US foreign policy during the Vietnam War.

How did De Lima respond to her critic? One can't say for sure if this was intended for her fellow senator but she tweeted this hours after media reported Gordon's doubts about the FP recognition:

{source} <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">I&#39;m sorry there&#39;s no award for kowtowing to the President. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/GlobalThinker?src=hash">#GlobalThinker</a></p>&mdash; Leila de Lima (@AttyLeila) <a href="https://twitter.com/AttyLeila/status/808930177640235014">December 14, 2016</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> {/source}

FP, which describes itself as a "trusted advisor for global leaders when the stakes are highest," has been running the list since 2005.  Past honorees include US President Barack Obama, IMF chief Christine Lagarde, Aung San Suu Kyi, and Warren Buffet. – Camille Elemia/Rappler.com

(Editor's note: In an earlier version of this story, Ban Ki-moon was identified as former UN secretary-general. He is still secretary-general of the world body, with his term ending December 31, 2016.)


LOOK BACK: High-profile ponencias of retiring SC Justice Jose Perez

$
0
0

HOMEGROWN JUSTICE. SC Associate Justice Jose Perez retires from the SC on December 14, 2016, after over 4 decades of service.  

MANILA, Philippines – After more than 4 decades serving in the halls of the highest court of the land, Supreme Court (SC) Associate Justice Jose Portugal Perez retires on Wednesday, December 14, as he reaches the mandatory retirement age of 70. 

Perez is the SC's first homegrown justice, having spent his professional life serving in the High Tribunal and serving 15 chief justices. He first worked as a legal assistant in the Office of the Reporter, moving up the ranks until former president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo appointed him in 2009 as the SC's 167th associate justice.

Rappler takes a look back at some high-profile cases with Perez as the ponente or decision writer.

2010: New Camarines Sur district created

In October 2009, former president Arroyo signed Republic Act 9716, which created a new district in the province of Camarines Sur. 

The reapportioning of the composition of the districts was perceived to be an accommodation of Arroyo's son, Dato Arroyo, and her ally, then-budget secretary Rolando Andaya Jr. 

Andaya was the district's former representative before Dato Arroyo assumed office. With the creation of a new district, Andaya would be able to run for office to reclaim his former post in the 1st district, while the younger Arroyo could run for office in the newly-created 2nd district.

Then-senator Benigno Aquino III and former Naga City mayor Jesse Robredo filed a petition with the SC, seeking the nullification of the law because it violated the constitutional standard requiring a minimum population of 250,000 for the creation of a legislative district.

But in a 9-5-1 vote, the SC dismissed the petition and upheld RA 9716. In the decision penned by Justice Perez, the SC said that the 250,000 population requirement applies only to cities, not to provinces.  

2013: Disqualified Marinduque bet

In 2013, Perez penned the 7-4 SC decision affirming the decision of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to disqualify former Marinduque Representative Regina Reyes from the 2013 midterm polls because of citizenship and residency issues. 

The SC upheld the Comelec's decision against Reyes, citing as basis a blog by a certain Eli Obligacion. In the blog, Obligacion alleged that Reyes was an American citizen, posting documents of Reyes using her US passport and records from the Bureau of Immigration.  

But Reyes maintained that she is a Filipino citizen, having renounced the American citizenship she acquired through marriage.

While seeking reconsideration of the SC decision, Reyes asked Perez to inhibit from the case because of his association with SC Justice Presbitero Velasco, whose son, Lord Allan Jay Velasco, stood to benefit from Reyes' disqualification. 

2016: Grace Poe's citizenship case

In a landmark ruling, the SC ruled that Senator Grace Poe was a natural-born Filipino and has met the 10-year residency requirement to allow her to run for president in the May 2016 elections. 

The 47-page decision penned by Perez cleared the biggest legal obstacle for Poe, who had been frontrunner in the elections before eventually losing to then-Davao City mayor Rodrigo Duterte.

In its ruling, the SC said there was "more than sufficient evidence" that Poe, a foundling, has Filipino parents. It added that the burden to prove otherwise falls on her accusers.

"Her admission that she is a foundling did not shift the burden to her because such status did not exclude the possibility that her parents were Filipinos, especially as in this case where there is a high possibility, if not certainty, that her parents are Filipinos," the SC said. – Rappler.com

Magalong, Dela Rosa, and the PNP's 'hardheaded' officials

$
0
0

WING MAN. PNP chief Director General Ronald dela Rosa (right) and (ret) Police Director Benjamin Magalong during a House probe into the proliferation of drugs in the New Bilibid Prison. File photo by LeAnne Jazul/Rappler

Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Director General Ronald dela Rosa may be the police force’s big boss but when push comes to shove, it always helps to have a “big brother” to help him navigate through the trials and tribulations of the job.

It was the apparent role Benjamin Magalong took on since joining the PNP’s Command Group upon Dela Rosa’s assumption.

Magalong retired on Wednesday, December 14, after nearly 4 decades of service. Upon retirement, he was the Deputy Director for Operations or the PNP’s 3rd-in-command.

In a video message to Magalong, Dela Rosa said: “Sa pag-retire mo, para akong nawalan ng right wing... Wala na ako big brother na aalalay sa akin kapag ako'y kinokontra ng matitigas na ulo na upper class.”

(With your retirement, it’s as if I’ve lost my right wing. I no longer have a big brother to help me handle hardheaded upperclassmen who go against my decisions.)

Dela Rosa was quick to add that he would find a way to handle it. The 4-star police general was in Cambodia as part of President Rodrigo Duterte’s official delegation.

Magalong, who belongs to the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) Class of 1982, was Dela Rosa’s subordinate for over 6 months. Dela Rosa belongs to the PMA Class of 1986.

Despite his seniority – at least in terms of rank – Dela Rosa always made it a point to call Magalong (and other senior officers belonging to older PMA classes) “sir.”

It can be an awkward situation in a police force with a strong military tradition.

Dela Rosa currently outranks several senior police officials in the PNP. His appointment meant 3 PMA classes – 1983, 1984, and 1985 – were “bypassed.”

Speaking off-the-cuff in the video message, Dela Rosa quipped that if he had his way, he’d keep Magalong in the service even if he was older than the mandatory age of retirement.

It’s going to be a tough 2017 ahead for Dela Rosa without his “big brother” in the person of Magalong. The PNP is halfway through a highly controversial war on drugs. (READ: Dela Rosa says narco cops planning to oust him)

Although the deadline for the war had been set at 6 months, Duterte earlier asked for an “extension” owing to the supposed severity of the country’s drug problem.

But Dela Rosa has at least two more more upperclassmen in his Command Group.

Deputy Director General Franciso Uyami, the current deputy director for administration – retires in March 2017 yet. Uyami – whom Dela Rosa refers to as his “left wing” – is a member of the PMA Class of 1982, just like Magalong.

The PNP’s chief of directorial staff, Deputy Director General Ramon Apolinario, is a member of the PMA Class of 1985. With Magalong’s retirement, Apolinario is expected to assume his post.

Dela Rosa’s PMA mistah (classmate), current Director for Personnel and Records Management chief Director Fernando Mendez, is reportedly set to take over as the next chief of directorial staff.– Bea Cupin/Rappler.com

Duterte's war on drugs: The first 6 months

$
0
0

{source}
<div id="warondrugs2016" class="row-wide">

<div id="spec-exec-cov" style="position:relative;">
<div class="flex-video widescreen">
<bg-image style="background: url('http://assets.rappler.com/E81DC9303606466D98F3C541E472C0EC/img/C7117565CCF74D54BD1A742F79BE9A0E/alecs-ongcal-drugs-and-death-20160721-2.jpg'); #;">
</bg-image>
</div>
<text-container class="top left light full" color="#2d2d2f">
<div class="text-center">
<h2 class="text-center" id="spec-new-head-2">DUTERTE'S WAR ON DRUGS: <br/>
THE FIRST 6 MONTHS</h2>
<p id="spec-new-byline">Research by Jodesz Gavilan
<br>Design by Wayne Manuel and Michan Lorenzo
<br>Photos by Alecs Ongcal</p>

<div id="gysharebarh"></div>
</div>
</text-container>
</div>

<div class="section main-wrapper">
<div class="row">
<div class="col-sm-3"> </div>
<div class="col-sm-6">
<p class="text-center no-margin numbers" style="font-size: 7em;">6,095</p>
<p class="lead">PEOPLE KILLED <br />IN PRESIDENT RODRIGO DUTERTE’S <br />WAR ON DRUGS <br />AS OF DECEMBER 14, 2016</p>
</div>
</div>
<div class="row">
<div class="col-xs-6 col-md-4 col-md-offset-2"><span class="numbers"><strong>2,102</strong> </span><br />suspected drug personalities <br />killed in police operations</div>
<div class="col-xs-6 col-md-4"><strong><span class="numbers">3,993</span></strong> <br />victims of extrajudicial or <br />vigilante-style killings</div>
<div class="col-md-2"> </div>
</div>
</div>

<div class="section main-wrapper">
<h2><span>COMPARING THE CASUALTIES</span></h2>
<p>The number of casualties of the #WarOnDrugs in the last 183 days is...</p>
<div class="row">
<div class="col-md-4">More than the estimated <br /><span class="numbers"><strong>3,240</strong> </span><br />killed during Martial Law <br />from 1972 to 1981<br /><br /></div>
<div class="col-md-4">More than the estimated <br /><span class="numbers"><strong>2,977</strong> </span><br />killed in the September 11 attacks <br />in the United States<br /><br /></div>
<div class="col-md-4">More than the estimated <br /><span class="numbers"><strong>2,500</strong> </span><br />killed in Thailand’s war on drugs <br />in 2003</div>
</div>
</div>

<div class="section">

<div class="flex-video widescreen">
<iframe width="100%" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/zxVd9araoZ0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
</div>

</div>


<div class="section main-wrapper">
<h2><span>BEYOND THE KILLINGS</span></h2>
<div class="row">
<div class="col-xs-6 col-md-3 ">
<div class="box"><strong class="numbers">40,930</strong><br />drug personalities <br/>arrested <br />as of December 14 </div>
</div>
<div class="col-xs-6 col-md-3">
<div class="box"><strong class="numbers">7</strong><br />shabu laboratories <br/>dismantled <br />as of November 25</div>
</div>
<div class="col-xs-6 col-md-3">
<div class="box"><strong class="numbers">7,611</strong><br />drug cases<br/> filed in court <br />as of November 25</div>
</div>
<div class="col-xs-6 col-md-3">
<div class="box"><strong class="numbers">87</strong><br />marijuana plantations<br/> destroyed <br />as of November 25</div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="row">
<div class="col-xs-12 col-md-3"> </div>
<div class="col-xs-12 col-md-3">
<div class="box"><strong class="numbers">1,408.79</strong><br />kilos of shabu, marijuana, and cocaine seized amounting to <br /><strong class="numbers">P8.3 B</strong><br />as of November 25</div>
</div>
<div class="col-xs-12 col-md-3">
<div class="box"><strong class="numbers">837,396</strong><br />drug users and <br /><strong class="numbers">70,848</strong><br />drug pushers surrendered <br />as of December 14</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>

<div class="section">
<h2><span>DRUG USE IN THE PHILIPPINES</span></h2>
<p> </p>
<p>President Rodrigo Duterte <br />pegs the number of drug addicts in the Philippines at <br /><strong class="numbers">3 to 4 million</strong></p>
<p>But data from the Dangerous Drugs Board shows that </p>
<div class="row">
<div class="col-sm-4 col-sm-offset-2">there are<br /><span class="numbers"><strong>1.8 million</strong> </span><br />current drug users<br /> in the Philippines</div>
<div class="col-sm-4">while <br /><strong><span class="numbers">4.8 million</span> </strong><br />have used illegal drugs <br />at least once in their lives.</div>
</div>
</div>

<div class="section">
<h2><span>PROFILE OF FILIPINO DRUG USERS<br /></span>
<img src="http://assets.rappler.com/612F469A6EA84F6BAE882D2B94A4B421/img/875837FDD49E4AD8BC4E2324D24F73FF/2016-12-09.png" border="0" alt="" />
</h2>
</div>

<div class="section">
<div class="parallax-1"></div>

<h1 class="white"><span><center>The war on drugs is a battle yet to be won.</center></span></h1>

<div id="sound-clip">

<iframe width="100%" height="100" scrolling="no" frameborder="no" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/297839470&amp;color=ff5500&amp;auto_play=false&amp;hide_related=false&amp;show_comments=true&amp;show_user=true&amp;show_reposts=false"></iframe>

</div>


</div><!--section-->

<div class="section">
<h2><span>WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW: REHABILITATION</span></h2>

<div class="row"><div class="col-md-6">

<p><a id="ext-gen6686" href="http://www.rappler.com/newsbreak/iq/146198-steps-drug-treatment-rehabilitation-philippines" target="_blank" style="font-size: 10px;"><img id="A8914DF899B94F2685CF8E8B8BEA16DD" src="http://assets.rappler.com/612F469A6EA84F6BAE882D2B94A4B421/img/C5E00CD63357429CBABD67EB649011B3/01.jpg" class="rappler_asset" border="0" alt=" " width="100%" data-parentid="" /></a></p>
</div>
<div class="col-md-6">
<p><a href="http://www.rappler.com/newsbreak/in-depth/143462-drug-addiction-brain-mental-health" target="_blank">
<img src="http://assets.rappler.com/612F469A6EA84F6BAE882D2B94A4B421/img/0C20198F2F034233B19AD1E3AA558FB4/2016-12-08.jpg" border="0" alt="" />
</a></p>
</div>

</div><!--row-->


</div><!--section-->

<div class="main-wrapper padding bottom">

<!--Impunity Series-->

<div class="wrapper">
<p style="font-weight: 300; font-size: 24px;" class="no-margin link white"> THE IMPUNITY SERIES </p>
<label class="link white"> Journalist Patricia Evangelista and photographer Carlo Gabuco report from the front lines of a war that has the number of casualties rising in the thousands. </label>
<div class="content padding bottom">
<div class="row" id="content-container">
<div class="col-xs-6 col-sm-4" style="min-height:220px;"><div class="flex-video widescreen"><a href="http://www.rappler.com/newsbreak/in-depth/154193-impunity-drugs-crime-murder-meme" target="_blank"><img src="http://assets.rappler.com/612F469A6EA84F6BAE882D2B94A4B421/img/4416C35DC66842BEB9CDDD348B27D7F4/carousel_4416C35DC66842BEB9CDDD348B27D7F4.jpg" class="nolazy"></a></div><a href="http://www.rappler.com/newsbreak/in-depth/154193-impunity-drugs-crime-murder-meme" target="_blank" class="rappler-headline link" onclick="trackOutboundLink('Candidate-Corner-Story-Page','http://www.rappler.com/newsbreak/in-depth/154193-impunity-drugs-crime-murder-meme')"><p class="no-margin padding top link white" style="font-weight:400; font-size:14px; font-family: Roboto;">Impunity: Murder as Meme</p></a></div><div class="col-xs-6 col-sm-4" style="min-height:220px;"><div class="flex-video widescreen"><a href="http://www.rappler.com/nation/152477-impunity-let-them-sleep-jerico-angel-ejks" target="_blank"><img src="http://assets.rappler.com/612F469A6EA84F6BAE882D2B94A4B421/img/CB080659C89542E58150C3E13841DFB4/cover2_img_5973_bedddc8305f74760818d34d84e6a1b27_CB080659C89542E58150C3E13841DFB4.jpg" class="nolazy"></a></div><a href="http://www.rappler.com/nation/152477-impunity-let-them-sleep-jerico-angel-ejks" target="_blank" class="rappler-headline link" onclick="trackOutboundLink('Candidate-Corner-Story-Page','http://www.rappler.com/nation/152477-impunity-let-them-sleep-jerico-angel-ejks')"><p class="no-margin padding top link white" style="font-weight:400; font-size:14px; font-family: Roboto;">Impunity: Let Them Sleep</p></a></div><div class="col-xs-6 col-sm-4" style="min-height:220px;"><div class="flex-video widescreen"><a href="http://www.rappler.com/nation/150864-impunity-jerico-angel-ejks" target="_blank"><img src="http://assets.rappler.com/612F469A6EA84F6BAE882D2B94A4B421/img/2F7CE2E254644124916D45D034A6A1E6/cover_1_0305a7bff3844cb29ecb9b6a437300f3_2F7CE2E254644124916D45D034A6A1E6.jpg" class="nolazy"></a></div><a href="http://www.rappler.com/nation/150864-impunity-jerico-angel-ejks" target="_blank" class="rappler-headline link" onclick="trackOutboundLink('Candidate-Corner-Story-Page','http://www.rappler.com/nation/150864-impunity-jerico-angel-ejks')"><p class="no-margin padding top link white" style="font-weight:400; font-size:14px; font-family: Roboto;">Impunity: Jerico's Angel</p></a></div><div class="col-xs-6 col-sm-4" style="min-height:220px;"><div class="flex-video widescreen"><a href="http://www.rappler.com/nation/151006-impunity-halloween-massacre-ejks" target="_blank"><img src="http://assets.rappler.com/612F469A6EA84F6BAE882D2B94A4B421/img/9B98E4F59D15422C8F7DA4F77933DA0C/cag-10_bd03659c40c64dbe8599a430ca1dd06b_9B98E4F59D15422C8F7DA4F77933DA0C.jpg" class="nolazy"></a></div><a href="http://www.rappler.com/nation/151006-impunity-halloween-massacre-ejks" target="_blank" class="rappler-headline link" onclick="trackOutboundLink('Candidate-Corner-Story-Page','http://www.rappler.com/nation/151006-impunity-halloween-massacre-ejks')"><p class="no-margin padding top link white" style="font-weight:400; font-size:14px; font-family: Roboto;">Impunity: A Halloween Massacre</p></a></div><div class="col-xs-6 col-sm-4" style="min-height:220px;"><div class="flex-video widescreen"><a href="http://www.rappler.com/nation/149794-the-drug-war-monday" target="_blank"><img src="http://assets.rappler.com/612F469A6EA84F6BAE882D2B94A4B421/img/0DEC14C15D80427D924293192960D833/cover_0DEC14C15D80427D924293192960D833.jpg" class="nolazy"></a></div><a href="http://www.rappler.com/nation/149794-the-drug-war-monday" target="_blank" class="rappler-headline link" onclick="trackOutboundLink('Candidate-Corner-Story-Page','http://www.rappler.com/nation/149794-the-drug-war-monday')"><p class="no-margin padding top link white" style="font-weight:400; font-size:14px; font-family: Roboto;">The Drug War: Monday</p></a></div><div class="col-xs-6 col-sm-4" style="min-height:220px;"><div class="flex-video widescreen"><a href="http://www.rappler.com/nation/148653-the-drug-war-legendary" target="_blank"><img src="http://assets.rappler.com/612F469A6EA84F6BAE882D2B94A4B421/img/148164D46DE34B17BA622207C9DBD106/domingo_cropped_a5525ec4b3b24d10905317909e574403_148164D46DE34B17BA622207C9DBD106.jpg" class="nolazy"></a></div><a href="http://www.rappler.com/nation/148653-the-drug-war-legendary" target="_blank" class="rappler-headline link" onclick="trackOutboundLink('Candidate-Corner-Story-Page','http://www.rappler.com/nation/148653-the-drug-war-legendary')"><p class="no-margin padding top link white" style="font-weight:400; font-size:14px; font-family: Roboto;">The Drug War: Legendary</p></a></div></div>
</div>
</div>

<!--End Impunity Series-->

<div id="related-stories" class="main-wrapper wrapper"> 
<hr>
<p style="font-size:24px;"><a class="link white" href="http://www.rappler.com/previous-articles?filterMeta=%23WarOnDrugs" target="_blank">Related Stories</a></p>

<div id="related-items-1" class="row wrapper"></div>

</div>


<div id="comments"></div>
</div>

</div><!--warondrugs2016-->

<style type="text/css">

#warondrugs2016 { background-color:#000000; }
#warondrugs2016 .section { padding:3em 0; min-height:400px; position:relative; color: #ffffff !important; }
#warondrugs2016 .row { padding:1em 0; }
#warondrugs2016 .section h2 { padding: 1em 0; }
#warondrugs2016 .section h2 span { border-bottom: 3px solid #e86029; color: #ffffff !important; }
#warondrugs2016 .numbers { font-size:3em }
#warondrugs2016 .numbers, #warondrugs2016 .numbers strong { color: #B70002; }
#warondrugs2016 .section p, #warondrugs2016 .section div, #warondrugs2016 .section h2 {text-align:center; }

#warondrugs2016 .box { margin:1em 0; padding: 1em 1em; border:3px solid #fff; color: #ffffff !important;}

.parallax, .parallax-1 {
height: 800px;

/* Create the parallax scrolling effect */
background-attachment: fixed;
background-position: center;
background-repeat: no-repeat;
background-size: cover;
}

.parallax-1 { 

background-image: url("http://assets.rappler.com/27077D5AB49643ABA847E9A93A60E92C/img/9100FDBED3744DD0BD48F9B1BD15492D/manila-drug-killings-20160721-003.jpg");
}

#gysharebarh table { margin:0 auto 0 auto; }

@media (min-width:992px) { 
#spec-new-subhead { margin:0 !important; } 
#spec-new-byline, #spec-new-head-2 { text-align: left; }
#gysharebarh table { margin:0; }

}


@media (max-width:991px) { 
#warondrugs2016 .section { padding:1em 0; min-height:100px }
#warondrugs2016 .box { border: 0; margin:0; } 
.parallax { height: 400px; }
#warondrugs2016 iframe { max-height: 250px; }
}

#related-stories p, h6 { color: #ffffff !important; }

#sound-clip { width: 50%; margin: 0 auto 0 auto; }

@media(max-width:480px){

#sound-clip { width: 100%; }

.parallax-1 {

background-attachment: scroll;

height:400px;

}

}

 

</style>

 

{/source}

Impunity: In the Name of the Father

$
0
0

In the beginning, on the first day, he promised a new earth.

He said the fishes will feed fat on the corpses of criminals. He said morticians will grow rich with the deluge of dead. He said the police will be protected from prosecution, and his chief of police ordered the burning of houses. He said to kill all the addicts; it will be a kindness to their parents.

And he said, Let there be blood, and there was blood.

He named the beasts and called for their slaughter. The drug lords, the addicts, the criminals, the gun-wielding paranoid schizophrenics who were a bane on his new society. He called for death, and his men will make it law.

His name is Rodrigo Duterte, His Excellency, President of the Republic of the Philippines.

And he saw the blood, and he said it was good.

{source}

<div class="special-execution-wrapper-container">
<div class="section-photo-spread">
<div class="top-photo">
<div class="photo-container">
<div class="flex-video">
<img src="http://assets.rappler.com/69DB5C9F8EDC4E8BA447153F580BA350/img/7A5ACF2BE73C4AAB966F8020870834D8/CAG-171_7A5ACF2BE73C4AAB966F8020870834D8.jpg">
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="two-thirds-spread block">
<div class="left-photo">
<div class="photo-container">
<div class="flex-video">
<img src="http://assets.rappler.com/69DB5C9F8EDC4E8BA447153F580BA350/img/DF3A1A14AF994F61ADD35A861A0C2212/CAG-147_DF3A1A14AF994F61ADD35A861A0C2212.jpg">
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="right-photo">
<div class="photo-container">
<div class="flex-video">
<img src="http://assets.rappler.com/69DB5C9F8EDC4E8BA447153F580BA350/img/15CF380EDCD942C9B12D1254B67BF343/CAG-168_15CF380EDCD942C9B12D1254B67BF343.jpg">
</div>
<div class="caption-container">
<p class="caption"><span class="caption-title">Clockwise</span>(1) Love-love Peregrino. (2) Love-love's younger brother Adrian playing with plastic bricks. (3) Love-love at her aunt's home in Payatas-A, Quezon City on December 8, 2016. </p>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>

{/source}

OUR FATHER, WHO ART IN HEAVEN

The last word Adrian Peregrino said was love. He turned his head to look at his daughter just before the bullet slammed into his temple.

Love, he said.

Love-love was awake when the killers kicked down the door. Stand up, the men in masks told her father. When Adrian died, the three-year-old son asleep on his chest woke screaming, spattered with blood.

Love-love’s mother Vivian was crying. She thrust a sheet of paper at the two men, proof that she and her husband had already surrendered to the police. Then she begged for her life.

One of the gunmen turned to go. He said they could come back and kill Vivian if she talked.

“Leave the woman,” he said. “Let’s go.”

“I don’t want to,” said the second man.

He raised his gun. “We are Duterte.”

Vivian died on her knees. Love-love screamed. Caught her mother in her arms. Fuck you, fuck you, she screamed, you killed my mother.

The man with the gun aimed the muzzle at Love-Love’s face.

Shut up, he said, or we’ll kill you too.

We are Duterte, he said.

{source}

<div class="special-execution-wrapper-container">
<div class="section-photo-spread">
<div class="top-photo">
<div class="photo-container">
<div class="parallax-container">
<new-bg-image class="fixed desktop parallax-fade" style="background: url('http://assets.rappler.com/69DB5C9F8EDC4E8BA447153F580BA350/img/CB5619DC24084E42833747756AEE8C27/hallowed-1.jpg');">
</new-bg-image>
</div>
<div class="caption-container parallax-caption right">
<p class="caption">Police Superintendent Robert C. Domingo, former chief of Police Station 6, Sta. Ana, Manila, now heading Police Station 1, Tondo</p>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>

{/source}

HALLOWED BE THY NAME

The chief of police of the 84 villages of Sta. Ana, Manila is no coward. The reason he is not a coward is because his commanders are not cowards. His president is no coward. His chief of police is no coward. Domingo tells his men, all 280 of them, that they can’t dare be cowards themselves. This, he says, is the golden age of the police.

Ask Police Superintendent Robert C. Domingo what he thinks of His Excellency Rodrigo Roa Duterte, and he will give you one answer.

Legendary, he will say.

In the first hundred days of the Duterte administration, 12 alleged drug personalities were killed in drug operations across the three precincts of Domingo's Sta. Ana. Each of the 12 allegedly fought back.

Domingo is firm that the drug menace must end. It is a gift to the next generation. Drugs affect families, shrink minds, destroy homes. It would be too painful, says Domingo, if he discovered his own 18-year-old son were involved in drugs. Better he became a drunk. Better he became anything else.

Duterte himself once said none of his children were involved in drugs – “But my order is, even if it is a member of my family, ‘kill him.’”

Ask Domingo what he thinks of Rodrigo Duterte’s order. Ask him if he would kill his own son.

“Reality bites, but it’s true.” He shrugs. “My son would be useless to me. For me, that’s it.”

{source}

<hr class="thin" style="width:15%; margin-left: 0">
<a href="http://www.rappler.com/nation/148653-the-drug-war-legendary">
<label class="rappler-orange link readmore">Read full story</label>
</a>

{/source}

{source}

<div class="special-execution-wrapper-container">
<div class="section-photo-spread">
<div class="top-photo">
<div class="photo-container">
<div class="parallax-container">
<new-bg-image class="fixed desktop parallax-fade" style="background: url('http://assets.rappler.com/69DB5C9F8EDC4E8BA447153F580BA350/img/2E5F83D20B6D4A9D992356CD27560920/top3_2E5F83D20B6D4A9D992356CD27560920.jpg');">
</new-bg-image>
</div>
<div class="caption-container parallax-caption">
<p class="caption">Blood on the ground after an unidentified man is killed along Roxas Boulevard in Pasay City on November 15, 2016.</p>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>

{/source}

THY KINGDOM COME

In the police report, the five men who were shot in Payatas-A on August 14, 2016 were killed in self-defense. Erwin Polo, 38, male, married, and jobless, was standing “at the door of his house apparently waiting for a drug customer while his cohorts engaged in a pot session inside.” An undercover police operative stepped up to his door. Erwin Polo “sensed the presence” of police operatives,” cursed, then shouted, “Police, police, police!” He ran into his house, where he and “his cohorts desperately pulled their handguns” to fire at the police team.

The police were forced “to retaliate.” Five men of the men died, including Erwin Polo. One was injured. The police collected four guns at the crime scene, along with heat-sealed packages of a crystalline substance suspected as shabu. 

Witnesses tell another story, of Erwin Polo, asleep on the second floor of his house while his friends drank their way through a case of Red Horse beer. It was not Polo who opened the door, it was his friend Blink. At the door, Blink said, “Sir, please don’t, there’s nothing here,” and then there was a gunshot.

Heavy steps pounded up to the second floor. There was shouting – “This is a raid, nobody run!” Six gunshots blasted out in quick succession. Women and children were dragged bodily out into the rain by policemen in bulletproof vests and helmets. When the family returned, the second flood was a awash in blood. A number of items were missing: a silver necklace, a pair of silver earrings, a ring, a TV Plus, cash, and the brand-new pair of shoes that Erwin Polo’s wife bought for his birthday.

A December 2016 Reuters report puts the police kill ratio at 97 percent, suggesting that "officers are summarily gunning down suspects in President Duterte’s crackdown." 

Erwin Polo, 38, male, married, jobless, was found in the morgue with a bullet hole beside his nose and another on his chest.

{source}

<div class="special-execution-wrapper-container">
<div class="section-photo-spread">
<div class="top-photo block">
<div class="photo-container">
<div class="flex-video">
<img src="http://assets.rappler.com/69DB5C9F8EDC4E8BA447153F580BA350/img/FB591818BAE645389497CC1CDE5BA208/crocodile-new-2_FB591818BAE645389497CC1CDE5BA208.jpg">
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="half-spread block">
<div class="left-photo">
<div class="photo-container">
<div class="flex-video">
<img src="http://assets.rappler.com/69DB5C9F8EDC4E8BA447153F580BA350/img/7892354D1C934FD4848BF5FF4D55BDF4/top2_7892354D1C934FD4848BF5FF4D55BDF4.jpg">
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="right-photo">
<div class="photo-container">
<div class="flex-video">
<img src="http://assets.rappler.com/69DB5C9F8EDC4E8BA447153F580BA350/img/EB89F7E60DEC45A5B50921BD2CB5759D/crocodile-new_EB89F7E60DEC45A5B50921BD2CB5759D.jpg">
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="top-photo">
<div class="caption-container">
<p class="caption"><span class="caption-title">Clockwise</span>(1) Police at a drug raid in Rosario Village, Pasig City on September 14, 2016. (2) Alleged petty offenders being profiled by police during a "One Time, Big Time" raid in Pasig City on August 27, 2016 (3) A drug suspect killed after allegedly fighting back at police during an encounter at Camarin, Caloocan City on September 16, 2016. </p>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>

{/source} 

THY WILL BE DONE

It begins with a man called Crocodile. They said he was the toughest, meanest sonofabitch to have ever set foot in Santa Ana. Big and bad, a monster of a man, six feet tall and maybe an inch over. They say he shot at his neighbors. They say he beat up his sister. They say he tossed a firecracker out of his third floor window one day in May – tossed it out and boom, two children in the hospital and Crocodile nowhere to be found.

One day, the 800 residents of Village 767 gathered at a basketball court. The village officials said they were going to have a vote. They wanted the process democratic. They didn’t want to be accused of pointing fingers and taking sides.

Tell us who the dealers are, they said. Put the worst on top. No need to write down your names.

There was a box on a table. The lists went in. The village officials counted out the names, signed the bottom of the tally and handed the list over to the police. The vote was unanimous – Crocodile.

Twenty cops gathered at the corner of Estrada Street in the early morning of August 28. An undercover cop climbed three flights and knocked on the door of Ryan Eder, 29, alias Crocodile. The story goes that Crocodile saw the bulge under the cop’s shirt and ran into another room for a gun. The cop was faster on the trigger. Four shots, and off Crocodile went to meet his maker.

There was a sigh of relief when Crocodile was killed. Someone called Station 6 to say thank you. Someone sent a platter of steamed rice cakes. It was nice, say the police, to feel so appreciated.

{source}

<hr class="thin" style="width:15%; margin-left: 0">
<a href="http://www.rappler.com/nation/151006-impunity-halloween-massacre-ejks">
<label class="rappler-orange link readmore">Read full story</label>
</a>

{/source}

{source}

<div class="special-execution-wrapper-container">
<div class="section-photo-spread">
<div class="side-by-filmstrip">
<div class="photo">
<div class="photo-container">
<div class="flex-video">
<img src="http://assets.rappler.com/69DB5C9F8EDC4E8BA447153F580BA350/img/A7B9C19EF8EC4FD0AC18B86663D63478/CAG-15_A7B9C19EF8EC4FD0AC18B86663D63478.jpg">
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="photo">
<div class="photo-container">
<div class="flex-video">
<img src="http://assets.rappler.com/69DB5C9F8EDC4E8BA447153F580BA350/img/93E498666FCF4FCD959687B9763BAE98/CAG-6_93E498666FCF4FCD959687B9763BAE98.jpg">
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="photo">
<div class="photo-container">
<div class="flex-video">
<img src="http://assets.rappler.com/69DB5C9F8EDC4E8BA447153F580BA350/img/E4529EF8E3BB4A46AB8A283D27B49390/CAG_E4529EF8E3BB4A46AB8A283D27B49390.jpg">
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="top-photo">
<div class="caption-container">
<p class="caption"><span class="caption-title">L-R</span>(1) Blood on the ground at a Caloocan City crime scene on December 6, 2016. (2) A packet of what appears to be shabu found beside the body of barker Edwin Alon-Alon on October 18, 2016 along Quirino Avenue, Pasay City. (3) Bullet casing found after a police shootout along Sto Domingo Avenue in Quezon City on September 6, 2016. </p>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>

{/source}

GIVE US THIS DAY OUR DAILY BREAD

One October evening, a man named Petus was shot behind a gas station 7-11 along the Parañaque Airport Road. Twenty minutes later, a half-mile away, a jeepney barker was shot along the Coastal Road, two feet from the glass doors of another 7-11, across the street from Willie Mart, where another man was shot dead the week before. The barker, Edwin Alon-Alon, was hailing passengers at a crowded intersection when a man in a grey hoodie walked up behind him, shot him in the back of the head, tossed down a sign, then walked away.

The term is extrajudicial killing. In the weeks since Rodrigo Duterte became president, the usage of the phrase has become so pervasive, so ubiquitous, that it has become regular street parlance for drug-related murders. An extrajudicial killing is specific. It requires planning and intent. It is outside the bounds of self-defense and the terms of engagement required of any declared war.

There are other words for this. Summary executions. Targeted killings. Congress chose to drop the term “to put things in proper perspective and correctly define the issue," further citing a Wikipedia definition defining extrajudicials as politically-motivated. The police now call them DUIs – Deaths Under Investigation.

Those who are killed on scene are often found face down, the backs of their heads a mess of blood and brain. Those killed elsewhere are often found in dark alleys with wrists and feet trussed. The bindings range from cable ties, steel wiring, packing tape, rope, or the pre-cut plastic cables used to snap grocery bags closed. Faces are sometimes found wrapped tight in packing tape. Scene of the crime operatives use plastic cutters, tracing the jawline ear to ear with thin blades. The tape is pulled away, millimeter by millimeter, the effort stretching the mouths into macabre grins. The verdict is suffocation. 

A scrawled sign – addict, pusher, user – is sometimes left propped by the body. In recent weeks, the accusations have gone beyond drug involvement. Victims have been called snatchers, housebreakers, carnappers. The signs include jokes, attempted witticisms, hashtags, happy faces, the entire bloody range of torture and murder reduced to memes.

One night in November, a body was found face down along Chapel Road in Pasay City. The particulars were the same: the head wrapped in yellow tape, the hands bound together, the letters printed with a black marking pen accusing him of dealing drugs.

Then the cops turned the body over. Someone had taken the same marking pen, and had drawn eyes, nose, and a grinning mouth over the wrapped face of the dead man.

{source}

<hr class="thin" style="width:15%; margin-left: 0">
<a href="http://www.rappler.com/nation/149794-the-drug-war-monday">
<label class="rappler-orange link readmore">Read full story</label>
</a>

{/source}

{source}

<div class="special-execution-wrapper-container">
<div class="section-photo-spread">
<div class="top-photo">
<div class="photo-container">
<div class="parallax-container">
<new-bg-image class="fixed wide parallax-fade" style="background: url('http://assets.rappler.com/69DB5C9F8EDC4E8BA447153F580BA350/img/E1EEE9D1411843BD95B8192A03FC4715/jer-ang-1_E1EEE9D1411843BD95B8192A03FC4715.jpg')">
</new-bg-image>
</div>
<div class="parallax-container">
<new-bg-image class="fixed wide parallax-fade" style="background: url('http://assets.rappler.com/9292D1CA13BD46D9B456CC743C16958E/img/26C663EB466D443984372ADD87980C5E/IMG_5968_26C663EB466D443984372ADD87980C5E.jpg')">
</new-bg-image>
</div>
<div class="parallax-caption-container">
<div class="parallax-container">
<new-bg-image class="fixed wide parallax-fade" style="background: url('http://assets.rappler.com/69DB5C9F8EDC4E8BA447153F580BA350/img/39644EAC27374865995FF211EAAB82DB/jer-ang-2_39644EAC27374865995FF211EAAB82DB.jpg')">
</new-bg-image>
</div>
<div class="caption-container parallax-caption">
<p class="caption"><span class="caption-title">TOP TO BOTTOM</span>(1)The bodies of Angel Fernandez and Jerico Camitan, killed by unknown assailants along Gumamela St in Commonwealth Village, Quezon City on October 25, 2016. (2) Rommel Camitan at the double funeral on November 13, 2016 after donors sent burial assistance. (3) The coffins of Fernandez and Camitan at the Bag-bag Cemetery in Novaliches.</p>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>

{/source}

AND FORGIVE US OUR TRESPASSES 

Had Rommel Camitan been home at eleven in the evening of October 25, his son would have been alive.

The trouble, says Rommel, was that he wasn’t there. Rommel was away that night, just as five bullets smashed into the gangly body of his son a few feet away from the 17-year-old girlfriend left to bleed against a pile of debris.

If Rommel had been there, he would have protected Jerico. He was a father. Jerico, 21, was his youngest. It is what a father is meant to do. But Jerico is dead, and so is his girl Angel. Rommel failed because he wasn’t there.

It is what has been in his mind in the more than two weeks since Jerico’s coffin arrived at Number 1225 Riverside. He could not bury his son, because he was told to pay more than half a hundred grand. The longer he waited, the longer Jerico suffered. Rommel failed him once. As he lay for days in the white coffin, Rommel failed him again.

{source}

<hr class="thin" style="width:15%; margin-left: 0">
<a href="http://www.rappler.com/nation/150864-impunity-jerico-angel-ejks">
<label class="rappler-orange link readmore">Read full story</label>
</a>

{/source}

{source}

<div class="special-execution-wrapper-container">
<div class="section-photo-spread">
<div class="top-photo">
<div class="photo-container">
<div class="parallax-container">
<new-bg-image class="fixed desktop parallax-fade" style="background: url('http://assets.rappler.com/69DB5C9F8EDC4E8BA447153F580BA350/img/99BF7092C17741C6B7A91F509AACF4FD/danica_99BF7092C17741C6B7A91F509AACF4FD.jpg');">
</new-bg-image>
</div>
<div class="caption-container parallax-caption">
<p class="caption">The burial of 5-year-old Danica Garcia in Dagupan, Pangasinan on September 1, 2016.</p>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>

{/source} 

AS WE FORGIVE THOSE WHO TRESPASS AGAINST US 

On August 31, Maximo Garcia, accused drug dealer, sat inside a small cement room where the face of Jesus Christ looked benignly down from a wall calendar. It was eight days after his 5-year-old granddaughter was killed with a bullet meant for him. Maximo did not attend Danica’s funeral. His family told him to keep away.

If he owned a car, he would have gone anyway, no matter what his wife thought. He had planned it all out. He would follow the procession. He would park nearby. He would watch in secret from behind the windshield as the three men – it took only three men – carried the small white coffin into a corner of the flooded public cemetery. Only Maximo didn’t own a car, and knew no one he could have borrowed one from.

He understood why he shouldn’t go, and why his family had taken him straight from the hospital to hide him in a house far away. The men in masks could come back and finish the job. Nobody would go to visit his Danica Mae. Maximo wanted Danica surrounded by her mourners. She deserved it, and so much more.

Maximo had been a supporter of Rodrigo Duterte. He still wears the red and blue baller band with Duterte-Cayetano outlined in white. Maybe Danica would have died even without Duterte in the Palace, maybe she wouldn’t have. All he knows is that there have been many deaths, many of them men on the same list his name had been found.

“Let them come and kill me if they can,” he said. “I leave it to God. God knows who is the sinner, and who is the one with the truth.”

So Maximo waited alone, a big man with a hard heavy belly and red-rimmed eyes. He cried a little, prayed a little, cleaned what bullet wounds he could reach. He called Danica’s parents, and told them to lean over her coffin and whisper to her that grandpa loved her.

{source}

<hr class="thin" style="width:15%; margin-left: 0">
<a href="http://www.rappler.com/newsbreak/rich-media/145167-drug-war-danica-dagupan">
<label class="rappler-orange link readmore">Read full story</label>
</a>

{/source}


{source}

<div class="special-execution-wrapper-container">
<div class="section-photo-spread">
<div class="top-photo maintain">
<div class="photo-container">
<div class="flex-video">
<img src="http://assets.rappler.com/69DB5C9F8EDC4E8BA447153F580BA350/img/189B931C419F482B861BDC85D563D436/earth-1_189B931C419F482B861BDC85D563D436.jpg">
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="half-spread maintain">
<div class="left-photo">
<div class="photo-container">
<div class="flex-video">
<img src="http://assets.rappler.com/69DB5C9F8EDC4E8BA447153F580BA350/img/6A9B110A3DF94D7895C698D840DBFB4E/earth-2_6A9B110A3DF94D7895C698D840DBFB4E.jpg">
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="right-photo">
<div class="photo-container">
<div class="flex-video">
<img src="http://assets.rappler.com/69DB5C9F8EDC4E8BA447153F580BA350/img/15005CFED1CB46AE8540836B7A31C63C/CAG-4_15005CFED1CB46AE8540836B7A31C63C.jpg">
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="top-photo">
<div class="caption-container">
<p class="caption"><span class="caption-title">Clockwise</span>(1) Rene Desierto, found in the early hours of November 22, 2016 along the Del Pan Bridge in Tondo, Manila. (2) Three-year-old Xyler outside the Loyala Heights crematorium on November 30, 2016. (3) Ivy Desierto, Xyler's mother, just before the cremation of Rene Desierto's body.</p>
</div>
</div> 
</div>
</div>

{/source}

AND LEAD US NOT INTO TEMPTATION

Xyler called his father The Incredible Hulk. His father had named him for a superhero. At three, Xyler was too young to remember his father was dead. Certainly he was too small to ask questions – the glass top of the coffin was two inches higher than his head, much too high to see, even when he bounced up and down on the tips of his toes.

Nobody told Xyler that The Hulk had been left at the edge of a bridge with holes on his chest, or that the police had broken a pair of scissors cutting through the mask of tape wrapped tight around The Hulk's head.

All Xyler knew was that his mother had cried, and that The Hulk was nowhere to be found, no matter where he looked.

{source}

<div class="special-execution-wrapper-container">
<div class="section-photo-spread">
<div class="half-spread block">
<div class="left-photo">
<div class="photo-container">
<div class="flex-video">
<img src="http://assets.rappler.com/69DB5C9F8EDC4E8BA447153F580BA350/img/6EDE4C76A762455097A671D1CEC6E11C/REYNALDO_BOLOS_6EDE4C76A762455097A671D1CEC6E11C.jpg">
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="right-photo">
<div class="photo-container">
<div class="flex-video">
<img src="http://assets.rappler.com/69DB5C9F8EDC4E8BA447153F580BA350/img/C2F00FE2C6E44A3EAEEA6045092B7F00/CHRISTIAN_BOLOS_C2F00FE2C6E44A3EAEEA6045092B7F00.jpg">
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="top-photo">
<div class="caption-container">
<p class="caption"><span class="caption-title">L-R</span>(1) 59-year-old Reynaldo Bolos, at his son's wake at Village Harapin ang Bukas on December 12,2016. (2) Christian Bolos, with his young son.</p>
</div> 
</div>
</div>
</div>

{/source} 

BUT DELIVER US FROM EVIL

“I have two sons,” said Reynaldo Bolos. “Milton Ace, the one they killed, was 29. Christian, the one they’re going to kill, is 36.”

The Bolos men, father and sons, were told they were scheduled to die. The warning came in the night. Someone had seen the kill list, and saw the names of the three men. It was no surprise to Christian, who had been hiding from the men in masks and bonnets. Neighbors told him he was being hunted.

But Christian was slippery, so Milton died first, at half past one in the afternoon on December 6, a day after the warning. Three shots to the temple, one more between the eyes. Reynaldo had seen the two men on a motorcycle, heard the gunshots, and ran back to see his son’s dead on a folding chair, bleeding into the yellow canvas. Reynaldo ran, fast as he could, past his son’s body, past the village hall, screaming, help, help, they killed my son.

He chased after the killers, but he was old and the motorcycle went fast. He ran back to wrap his arms around his boy, held him so tightly he was covered in Milton’s blood.

“My prayer to God is that Duterte will be next,” Reynaldo said. “Fuck you, you will die someday too.”

Reynaldo Bolos, 59, of Village Harapin Ang Bukas – Face the Future – is worried for his son Christian. He does not worry about himself. There is an old superstition that to carry the blood of the dead means to follow them into death. He does not mind. He loved his Milton, and would like to die too.

{source}

<div class="special-execution-wrapper-container">
<div class="section-photo-spread">
<div class="flex-video widescreen">
<video id="c3-full" preload controls>
<source src="http://assets.rappler.com/CB42316394674D888C8B15AAE4DF164A/vid/F0D78EEAF901431EBA8800E7B6EC8C26/FINAL_SUBBED_OUR_FATHER.mp4" type="video/mp4">
</video>
</div>
</div>
</div>

{/source}

FOR THINE IS THE KINGDOM, THE POWER AND THE GLORY

“Kill them all,” Rodrigo Duterte said in March, months before the May 2016 presidential elections. “When I become president, I'll order the police and the military to find these people and kill them. ”

In the beginning, he promised the deaths of a hundred thousand. 

“If I couldn't convince you to stop, I'll have you killed... if you're into drugs, I'm very sorry. I'll have to apologize to your family because you'll surely get killed." He said that those who are addicted to shabu are beyond rehabilitation

Since the first of July until the 30th of November, according to numbers released by the Philippine National Police, there have 3,993 murdered in extrajudicial killings across the country. Those who are identified are often poor, often male, often jobless, living hand to mouth and moonlighting as tricycle drivers and construction workers. Sometimes families will admit drug use and occasional peddling.

Sometimes there are witnesses – the man who saw the victim cuffed at a police station before his body was found trussed and tortured on a highway, the woman who knew the name of the cop who killed her brother, the friend who was standing at the street corner when the teenager was abducted. Very few will speak on the record. They talk about masked men wandering past their houses at night. They talk about children at risk. Sometimes they will say the dead deserved to be killed - You will be safe, for as long as you behave. 

In a televised speech in June, then president-elect Duterte appealed to a Davao crowd for help. 

"Please feel free to call us, the police, or do it yourself if you have the gun - you have my support," Duterte said. And if a drug dealer resists arrest, "you can kill him," he said. "Shoot him and I'll give you a medal."

{source}

<div class="special-execution-wrapper-container">
<div class="section-photo-spread">
<div class="top-photo block">
<div class="photo-container">
<div class="flex-video">
<img src="http://assets.rappler.com/69DB5C9F8EDC4E8BA447153F580BA350/img/28360496594941B0B398054ED6769EE4/amen-1_28360496594941B0B398054ED6769EE4.jpg">
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="half-spread block">
<div class="left-photo">
<div class="photo-container">
<div class="flex-video">
<img src="http://assets.rappler.com/69DB5C9F8EDC4E8BA447153F580BA350/img/C0C837AF643144A0BC8B71E65323BAE9/005_DEAD_PASAY2_C0C837AF643144A0BC8B71E65323BAE9.jpg">
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="right-photo">
<div class="photo-container">
<div class="flex-video">
<img src="http://assets.rappler.com/69DB5C9F8EDC4E8BA447153F580BA350/img/DE2CAF47F00B4DFEA77E5AA637F8C3F9/CAG-17_DE2CAF47F00B4DFEA77E5AA637F8C3F9.jpg">
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="top-photo">
<div class="caption-container">
<p class="caption"><span class="caption-title">Clockwise</span>(1) A wreath sent by the Palace for the September 25, 2016 funeral of PO1 Romeo Mandapat Jr, who was killed in the line of duty at a drug bust operation in Camarin, Caloocan. (2) An unidentified man killed with an ice pick by unknown assailants on July 27, 2016 at Diokno Boulevard in Pasay City. (3) A police officer investigates the murder of 20-year-old alias Botbot, killed along Samson Road, Caloocan City on December 12, 2016. </p>
</div> 
</div>
</div>
</div>

{/source}

NOW AND FOREVER, AMEN 

On the first month of the war against drugs, the President declared war. “We will not stop until the last drug lord… and the last pusher have surrendered, or are put either behind bars or below the ground, if they so wish.”

On the second month of the war against drugs, police reported 929 drug suspects killed in government operations and 1,507 by non-state actors. Asked if the spate of targeted killings could constitute crimes against humanity, the President said many drug users were beyond rehabilitation. "You cannot wage a war without killing," he said. “In the first place, I’d like to be frank with you: are they humans? What is your definition of a human being?”

On the third month of the war against drugs, police reported a 59 percent rise in the murder rate. The Palace declared the drug war a success. “If they pull out a gun, kill them,” President Duterte told soldiers. “If they don’t, kill them, son of a whore. So it’s over, lest you lose the gun. I’ll take care of you.”

On the fourth month of the war against drugs, the President promised to triple the casualty count if drugs were not eliminated. "I tell you, I will triple it. If my will is not done, to get rid of my country of the drug problem, you can expect 20,000 or 30,000 more.”

On the fifth month of the war against drugs, the President threatened to kill human rights activists critical of his war. “I will include you because you are the reason why their numbers swell.”

On the sixth month of the war against drugs, the Philippine National Police listed 6,095 killed in less than six months. Of the almost 6,000, 2,102 were killed in police operations. The President then admitted he had killed drug dealers himself. “I know it because – I am not trying to pull my own chair – in Davao I used to do it personally. Just to show to the [policemen] that if I can do it, why can’t you?” 

“I go around in Davao (on) a big bike and I would just patrol the streets and looking for trouble. I was really looking for an encounter to kill,” he said.

His name is Rodrigo Duterte, His Excellency, President of the Republic of the Philippines, the man who promised the end to drug scourge within six months, or he would resign. There will be no rest on the seventh month. 

He said, Let there be blood, and there was blood. And he saw the blood, and he said there will be more. – Rappler.com

{source}

<hr class="thin" style="width:15%; margin-left: 0">
<label class="rappler-headline readmore">SHARE THIS STORY</label>
<div id="gysharebarh2"></div>

<hr class="thin" style="width:15%; margin-left: 0">
<p class="caption">(Editor’s note: Rappler has requested a regional breakdown of casualties of police operations and extrajudicial killings from the Public Information Office of the Philippine National Police, as well as information on drug cases filed against arrested drug drug personalities. There has been no response as of publication. Rappler has also requested for information on the status of investigations of deaths under investigation. The request has been rejected. All quotations in Filipino have been translated into English. With research by Rambo Talabong).</p>

<hr class="thin" style="width:15%; margin-left: 0">

{/source}

{source}

{module 3765}

{/source}

Bong Go 'beats up' Pacquiao, Trade chief Lopez

$
0
0

RIGHT-HAND MAN. President Rodrigo Duterte and Special Assistant to the President Christopher 'Bong' Go pose inside the presidential car before heading back to the Grand Hyatt Hotel following a lunch at Dadong Roast Duck Restaurant in Beijing, China on October 19. Photo by King Rodriguez

Special Assistant to the President Secretary Christopher "Bong" Go showed his funny side in a video he posted on his Facebook.

The video begins with Go and Senator Manny Pacquiao inside the plane as President Rodrigo Duterte and his official delegation fly to Singapore.

After Go nods, Pacquiao pretends to punch the presidential assistant. Go, maintaining his poker face, falls as if beaten to a pulp by the boxing champ, much to the delight of other Cabinet officials heard laughing behind them.

The video then cuts to Go beside a sleeping Pacquiao and Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez.

He then pretends to throw a volley of punches at the Pambansang Kamao and the trade chief.

Go, most often seen beside Duterte with a stone cold expression, is not known for his funny side in public. (READ: The man they call Bong Go)

But among reporters, Go is known to make comical impersonations.

Go has figured in recent controversies. He denied calling Philippine National Police chief Director-General Ronald dela Rosa to order that Leyte cop Police Superintendent Marvin Marcos be kept in his post.

A few days later, Duterte admitted he was the one who made the order on Marcos – through a phone call made by Go to Dela Rosa.

Go is known as the man with the best access to the President. He has been Duterte's aide since 1998. – Rappler.com

Cash, plane tickets, curved TVs raffled off in lawmakers’ party

$
0
0

LAVISH PARTY? Congressmen hold a Christmas party at the Batasang Pambansa after session closed on December 14. Photo sourced by Rappler

Lavish prizes were raffled off during the Christmas party for congressmen held at the House of Representatives on Wednesday night, December 14, the same day the 17th Congress closed session for the year.

A source who had attended the party said that trips to the exclusive Balesin Island Club resort in Quezon as well as Korea, and Hong Kong were among the prizes given to lawmakers. Plane tickets for two to Europe were the grand prize. 

Around 15 curved high-definition Samsung television sets were also raffled off.

“These were the prizes that were there. They were collected and solicited from congressmen,” said the source. 

But on the day of the party, at least 4 lawmakers decided to pledge money for the raffle. The source said Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez supposedly promised to give P500,000, P250,000 from Majority Leader Rodolfo Fariñas, and P249,000 from Minority Leader Danilo Suarez.

The source said Davao del Norte 2nd District Representative Antonio “Tonyboy” Floirendo Jr also decided to pledge P1 million for the raffle. 

Madaling malasing si Tonyboy. Madaling maudyok. Sabi niya [nung party], ‘Okay, magbigay ako ng P1 million,’” said the source.

 (Tonyboy gets drunk quickly. He's easily persuaded. He said during the party, "Okay, I'll give P1 million.")

Independent minority lawmaker and Albay 1st District Representative Edcel Lagman confirmed this, saying, “The P1 million which Congressman Tonyboy Floirendo donated was broken down to one P500,000, and 10 P50,000 for a total of P1 million.” 

According to the source, Alvarez allegedly pledged another P500,000 after hearing Floirendo’s promise of raffling off P100,000.  

“These are all pledges. Kung sino manalo, ipapadala mo na lang ‘yun dun. ‘Di nga naglabas ng pera during the party, pero nag-promise (Whoever wins, you'll just send the prize to that person. They may not have actually shelled out money during the party, but they promised to give the money),” said the source.

The source also claims this was the first time congressmen held a lavish raffle during their Christmas party.

"First time na ganyan. 'Yung pinakamalaking premyo siguro dati ay ref. 'Di nagso-solicit noon," said the source.

(This was the first time it was done like this. The biggest prize before was perhaps a refrigerator. No solicitations before.)

Confessions and denials 

Lagman admitted to winning P250,000 himself during the raffle.

“With respect to the prize which I won, it's P250,000. And this is part of the prize given by the Speaker; it did not come from the prize donated by Congressman Floirendo,” said Lagman. 

Suarez confirmed in a phone interview with Rappler that he had indeed pledged P249,000 for the congressmen’s raffle.

“That’s correct. There was one winner,” he said.

Suarez, however, refused to comment on the other pledges, saying: “Huwag niyo na lang lagyan ng issue kasi Christmas naman (Don’t make an issue out of this since it’s Christmas anyway).” 

Alvarez, meanwhile, denied giving P1 million during the party.

“No. I went home early and I don’t have the money,” said the Speaker in a text message to Rappler.

Alvarez maintained he has no idea whether Floirendo pledged P1 million as well because he left when the major prizes were being raffled during the party. 

Floirendo denied giving P1 million for the raffle as well. “That was a gift for the Speaker… That’s not true … You are making up a story,” Floirendo told the Inquirer.

Rappler also sought Fariñas for comment, but he has not replied as of posting. – Rappler.com 

Newsbreak Voices: Life was hard, love was easy

$
0
0

MANILA, Philippines – In San Miguel, Zambales, 74-year old Magdalena sleeps with her husband Julian in a tent under the stars. Life was hard, says Magdalena, but love was easy. Julian was her first love, and he will be her last.

Julian is ill and too weak to work, and it is Magdalena who cares for him. It is Magdalena who bought the tarp for the tent that has stood for 5 years on the beach of San Miguel.

5-minute listen. Written by Patricia Evangelista and Carlo Gabuco, read by Chay Hofileña, edited by Jaene Zaplan. If you missed the full story, you can read the text story here. – Rappler.com


Understanding Duterte 101? 'Take him seriously but not literally'

$
0
0

CONTROVERSIAL LEADER. President Rodrigo Duterte's controversial statements, some lambasting world leaders and organizations, have put him in the international spotlight. File photo by PPD

There seems to be no argument that more than any other Philippine chief, President Rodrigo Duterte has created the most media buzz as much as media headaches – a migraine on many days – because of his controversial statements.

His spokesmen and allies have dismissed many of these statements, especially those related to his anti-crime campaign, as just "hyperboles" typical of the President. Presidential Spokesperson Ernesto Abella had even told the media to use their "creative imagination" when writing about Duterte. (READ: 'Creative imagination' under Duterte, or interpreting what he says)

Communications Secretary Martin Andanar has offered the media and the public another way to navigate his boss' statements: Take his words seriously, but not literally.

Andanar made the suggestion in an interview with fellow Filipino Rico Hizon on BBC Newsday on December 15 in Singapore, where he joined a presidential trip. He was asked about Duterte's admission that the Philippine leader had killed crime suspects when he was Davao City mayor.

"He is not a killer," the Cabinet official replied.

This was just days after Duterte told businessmen in Manila that he used to roam the streets of Davao City on his motor bike. His exact words: "In Davao I used to do it personally. Just to show to the [police] that if I can do it, why can't you? I go around in Davao [on] a big bike and I would just patrol the streets and looking for trouble. I was really looking for an encounter to kill."

It was seen as a direct admission of killing crime suspects before he became president, which Defense Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II believed to be "not illegal" as the acts were, to him, done under "justifiable circumstances. Others, including Vice President Leni Robredo, feared that such statements encouraged impunity and inspired authorities to kill crime suspects rather than give them due process.

What about Andanar? Well, the Palace communications chief had a different take on it.  "We don't take all the President's statements literally, but we take his statements seriously," Andanar told Hizon.

A day after the BBC interview, Duterte indicated that he was being serious – and quite literal – when he said he killed crime suspects in Davao City.

"I did kill," he said at a news briefing in Davao City early Saturday morning, December 17, about halfway through his lengthy response on whether he believed he would win his war on drugs.

The President cited two incidents involving kidnappers in Davao City when he was mayor. He joined the police team and fired at the suspects in a shootout, which ended in casualties on the other side. (READ: Duterte admits to personally killing during Davao hostage incidents)

"What’s wrong in being…pictured to be a killer? So, at least I killed to protect people. I am not here a dictator killing my political opponents to stay in power," Duterte said. – Rappler.com

Fariñas teases 'ex yellow' Umali in front of LP stalwart Drilon

$
0
0

LP NO MORE. House Majority Leader Rodolfo Fariñas teases Representative Rey Umali in front of Liberal Party stalwart, Senate President Franklin Drilon about his departure from LP.

It was just some months ago when they were all with the then-ruling Liberal Party. But in politics, months could mean a lifetime ago.

Now, House Majority Leader Rodolfo Fariñas and Oriental Mindoro 2nd district Representative Reynaldo Umali have jumped ship and crossed over to President Rodrigo Duterte’s PDP-Laban.

This is not lost on the two who managed to joke about it in front of LP stalwart, Senate President Pro-Tempore Franklin Drilon on Tuesday, December 13, at the sidelines of the bicameral conference on the proposed 2017 budget.

Umali arrived late for the budget bicam, as he first filed the criminal complaint against Senator Leila de Lima, his former partymate and Duterte’s fiercest critic, before the Department of Justice for "interfering" in a House probe. Umali, Fariñas, and House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez also filed an ethics complaint against the senator for the same reason.

Upon arrival, Umali made his presence known to Senate finance committee chair Loren Legarda: “Ma’am, present!”

Ikaw talaga, ang pilyo mo! Kawawa naman [si De Lima] (You're really naughty. Pity on her),” Legarda replied in jest.

Fariñas and Umali then began their chat, while Drilon was across them. Noticing their former LP boss looking at them, Fariñas laughed and told Drilon, while pointing to Umali: “Ito o, dating dilaw ito eh, kasama nyo dati.” (Here he is, a former yellow, your former ally.)

Drilon said in jest: “Oo, iniwan na kami niyan, eliciting laughter from some lawmakers nearby. (Yes, he left us already.)

Fariñas might have made the joke but it could very well have applied to him, too. Under former president Benigno Aquino III, Fariñas was pivotal in the impeachment case filed against former chief justice Renato Corona.

When the Commission on Appointments repeatedly bypassed then justice secretary De Lima, it was Fariñas who defended her from the panel and called for her confirmation.

Umali, for his part, is the godfather of one of the senator’s sons.

But now, the two lawmakers are leading the cases and allegations against De Lima. Truly, there are no permanent friends and allies in politics. – Rappler.com

MAP: Where did violence in PH erupt in past 6 months?

$
0
0

MANILA, Philippines – Aside from the administration's bloody crackdown on illegal drugs – which has racked up over 6,000 victims– there's been a number of violent incidents in recent months adding to the body count of Filipinos killed.

At least 5 public officials have been killed under varying circumstances. Bomb scares were reported in different parts of the country – with some reported hoaxes happening on the same day. In Southern Philippines, there have been at least 3 blasts reported – including the deadly Davao City bombing attack, which left 15 people dead and over 60 others injured.

Here's a list of violent incidents reported in the media in recent months, and where these have occurred. We will be constantly monitoring and updating this list. 

{source} <iframe src="https://www.google.com/maps/d/embed?mid=1aevpXdiWAia5S4HZ2NImPv-TqzQ" width="640" height="480"></iframe> {/source}

{source}<h3><center>Blasts, attempted bombings</center></h3>{/source}

September 2, 2016: Explosion at the Roxas Night Market, Davao City

An improvised explosive device (IED) caused the deadly blast that left 15 people dead and over 60 injured. The incident prompted President Rodrigo Duterte to declare a nationwide state of lawlessness in response to the deadly attack. The Abu Sayyaf earlier claimed responsibility for the attack, but the group later denied this. In October, 3 suspects – members of the Maute group – were arrested in relation to the attack. Four more suspects were arrested later in the month.

September 3, 2016:Two explosions in North and South Cotabato

A day after the Davao bombing, a transmission tower of the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines in North Cotabato was bombed, damaging the tower. In South Cotabato, a grenade was lobbed near the house of Polomolok Vice Mayor Elias Jovero, damaging the ceiling and glass windows of the house. No one was hurt in the incident.

September 26, 2016: Blast in a Muslim compound in Quezon City

Four policemen and 3 barangay personnel were injured after unidentified assailants threw a hand grenade at the victims, who were about to patrol the Al Salaam Mosque Compound in Quezon City. Police said drug syndicates may be behind the attack, after 217 suspects were arrested in two raids.

November 28, 2016: IED found near the US embassy

Witnesses reported a "suspicious package" being dropped off by a person riding a taxi around 2 am. The IED was found inside a carton box on the sidewalk of Roxas Boulevard, near the US embassy. The explosive was composed of a blasting cap, a detonator, a cellular phone, and a 9-volt battery. Police said the box also contained an 81-mm mortar, similar to the one found in the September explosion at a Davao night market. Police chief Director General Ronald dela Rosa said the bomb try was an "attempted act of terrorism” by the Lanao del Sur-based Maute terror group, which has pledged allegiance to the Islamic State (ISIS).

December 7, 2016: Blast in Iligan City

An unidentified individual threw a grenade at the public plaza in Iligan City, injuring 4 bystanders. Iligan City is an hour away from Marawi City, where law enforcers are tracking down the Maute terror group.

{source}<h3><center>Bomb threats</center></h3>{/source}

August 2016: In late August, the Philippine National Police refuted messages circulating online about a supposed bombing attempt targeting various malls in Metro Manila.

September 2016: 

  • A bomb threat allegedly issued by the Abu Sayyaf, supposedly targeted the University of the Philippines-Diliman in Quezon City.
  • Baliuag University in Bulacan cancelled classes after receiving a bomb threat – the second it received in September.
  • Schools near Malacañang Palace received bomb threats, but police found no bombs in the schools.
  • Schools in Quezon City as well as several government offices received bomb threats, which turned out to be hoaxes.
  • The Makati City Hall was evacuated after a caller warned of a bomb supposedly planted inside the building.
  • Just days after the deadly Davao bombing, 3 schools in Davao City, as well as several schools in parts of Luzon, received bomb threats.
  • The Ninoy Aquino International Airport received a message warning that Manila was the next target of ISIS.

October 2016

November 2016

December 2016

{source}<h3><center>Public officials killed</center></h3>{/source}

October 27, 2016: Erwin Sarmiento, barangay councilor of Jubay in Liloan town, Cebu, was gunned down by two motorcycle-riding men. Police said the killing may be related to Sarmiento's involvement in the illegal drug trade.

October 28, 2016: Mayor Samsudin Dimaukom of Datu Saudi Ampatuan town in Maguindanao and 9 others were killed in an alleged shootout with state operatives in Makilala, North Cotabato. The Maguindanao mayor, who was named in the drug list of President Duterte, and his convoy were flagged down at a checkpoint “based on information that the group will transport illegal drugs to Maguindanao and Cotabato area.”

November 5, 2016: Albuera mayor Rolando Espinosa Sr was killed inside his cell at the Leyte Sub-Provincial Jail in Baybay City, in a supposed shootout with personnel from the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG). Espinosa allegedly resisted arrest when the CIDG tried to serve a search warrant in connection with illegal possession of firearms. The National Bureau of Investigation, however, said the incident was a "rubout."

November 17, 2016: Art Lachica, the Bureau of Customs' Deputy Commissioner for its Internal Administration Group, was shot on España Boulevard in Manila, sustaining multiple gunshot wounds to the chest.

November 21, 2016: Jonas Amora, Bureau of Internal Revenue regional director of the Makati City Revenue Region 8, was on his way to work when two motorcycle-riding individuals shot at him. The incident occurred at the corner of Major Santos Dizon and Katipunan Avenue in Barangay Escopa 2, Quezon City.

{source}<h3><center>What happened in the past 6 months?</center></h3>{/source}

It was the September explosion at the Davao City night market that seemed to have set off a flurry of bomb threats and hoaxes in several schools and government agencies in various parts of the country. Some of these hoaxes targeted several institutions and were made on the same day.

While many of the bomb scares happened in Metro Manila, only two actual incidents of an explosion or a bombing attempt have occurred there: the September blast in a Muslim compound in Quezon City, and the foiled bombing attempt at the US embassy in November.

Meanwhile, the killings of public officials were distributed around the country: 2 incidents in Luzon, 2 in the Visayas, and one in Mindanao.

The Davao bombing was also the catalyst for Duterte's declaration of a state of lawlessness, putting the entire country under a state of national emergency

In declaring a state of lawlessness, the President emphasized that it was not martial law and that it does not involve the suspension of the writ of habeas corpus. It only meant that checkpoints would be set up and more law enforcers would be deployed.

Yet despite his assurance – aimed at easing critics' fears of another martial law regime – Duterte would later issue warnings that seemed to contradict his earlier pronouncement.

In October, a month after declaring a state of national emergency, he admitted that he was tempted to declare martial law supposedly because of the extent of the Philippines' drug problem. But he added that he settled on declaring a state of lawlessness instead because he was told that martial law was "not feasible." 

In November, he warned that if lawlessness persists, he would suspend the writ of habeas corpus, which would allow security forces to conduct warrantless arrest.

In early December, days after the foiled bombing attempt at the US embassy, the Philippine National Police said that it is on "terror alert level 3." Under the Terror Threat Advisory System of the Anti-Terrorism Council, an area is placed under Threat Level 3 "when a terrorist attack is a strong possibility within a short period of time.” – with research by Addie Pobre and Cathrine Gonzales/Rappler.com 

Addie Pobre and Cathrine Gonzales are Rappler interns studying journalism at Polytechnic University of the Philippines

Duterte says he 'maybe' killed a man at 17

$
0
0

BACK HOME. President Rodrigo Duterte delivers his arrival message at the Davao International Airport on December 17, 2016 after his state visits to Cambodia and Singapore. Photo by Manman Dejeto/Rappler

(UPDATED) Human rights advocates, as well as local and international media, are aghast to hear President Rodrigo Duterte casually admit recently to having killed criminals himself when he was mayor of Davao City.

This even prompted his archenemy, Senator Leila de Lima, to suggest that this admission by the President could be grounds for his impeachment.

It turns out, Duterte had admitted to "maybe" killing a man when he was just 17 years old. And he revealed this to a national magazine months before he declared he would be seeking the highest post in the land. 

On Wednesday, December 14, the Chief Executive told businessmen who were gathered at the presidential palace: "In Davao I used to do it (kill) personally. Just to show to the guys (cops) that if I can do it why can't you?" 

He added: "And I'd go around in Davao with a motorcycle, with a big bike around, and I would just patrol the streets, looking for trouble. I was really looking for a confrontation so I could kill."

His Communications Secretary, Martin Andanar, said the President didn't mean it literally. But Duterte himself later gave specifics to BBC

He told the London-based TV network that he killed 3 men who were accused of kidnapping and rape.

"I killed about 3 of them....I don't know how many bullets from my gun went inside their bodies. It happened and I cannot lie about it," he told the BBC. 

He was just too glad to elaborate before journalists who covered him in Singapore.

The violent tendencies might have been with Duterte even as a young man, outside of official crime fighting duties.

Earlier killing

In 2015, he admitted to Esquire magazine that he might have stabbed a man to death during a commotion on the beach. 

"What's the most brutal thing you've done to anyone?" writer and TV host Lourd de Veyra asked Duterte then. 

Duterte's reply: "Well if brutal in the sense minus the reason…killing a man is really brutal. [Even] if it’s justified, it's still brutal. But if it's not justified, then you just have to contend with karma. I have never in my life killed an innocent person."

Esquire followed it up with, "Do you remember the first time you killed a man?" 

Duterte replied: "Well, when I was young…I was 17. There was a tumultuous fight in the beach. We were young men then and we went to this beach and we were drinking and suddenly there was this…maybe I stabbed somebody to death...something like that."

He said, however, that what he considered his first kill was the hostage-takers at the Davao Penal Colony in 1989, when he was city mayor and concurrently chairman of the Regional Peace and Order Council.

"And we shot them all, 16. I really don't know how many shots I fired. I was already high with anger. Almost two nights and two days without sleep… I cannot remember, I simply blacked out. I said I will win," he told the magazine. 

He also admitted to "have killed" people during an interview with Rappler on October 2015, when he was still pondering whether to run or not for the presidency. (READ: Duterte, his 6 contradictions and planned dictatorship)

You can read the full Esquire Q & A here. Published in March 2015, and republished in August 2016, the article features media personalities' questions asked of Duterte when he was still mayor. The questions cover a range of controversial issues that haunt him to this day. 

Aside from De Veyra, Randy David, Atom Araullo, Bianca Gonzalez, Teddyboy Locsin, Lav Diaz, and John Lloyd Cruz asked Duterte about the establishment of a revolutionary government, the Davao Death Squad, the part he played in the context of the vigilante group Alsa Masa, whether he considered himself a fascist, and how he would deal with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front.

In sum, he told the magazine: "Killing criminals is not new to me." – Rappler.com

Robredo wishes for patience, good health for Duterte this Christmas

$
0
0

HAPPY HOLIDAYS. Vice President Leni Robredo wishes for patience and good health for President Rodrigo Duterte. Photo from the Office of the Vice President

This season of giving, Vice President Leni Robredo would want to give President Rodrigo Duterte a "special" gift.

Robredo was asked during a chance interview in her hometown in Naga City what she would give to Duterte as a Christmas gift.

In jest, the Vice President responded: "Baka pasensya." (Maybe patience).

But more seriously, Robredo also wished good health for the 71-year-old President who recently said that he might not finish his term due to old age.

Duterte also pointed out last week that he has been experiencing frequent migraines, plus spine issues and two diseases – Buerger's Disease and Barrett's Esophagus. (READ: LIST: 'Migraine everyday' and Duterte's other ailments

Buerger's Disease is a condition common among smokers that constricts blood vessels in the arms and legs. Barrett's Esophagus, meanwhile, is also a complication linked to smoking, which causes food already in the stomach to flow back to the esophagus.

"Parati tayong nag-wi-wish na sana pangalagaan niya ang kanyang kalusugan kasi talagang anim na taon, siya ang naatasan mamuno sa atin," said the Vice President.

(I always wish that he would take care of his health because he was given 6 years to lead our country.)

After 5 months of serving under the Duterte Cabinet as chairperson of the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council (HUDCC), Robredo had resigned earlier this month.

Robredo quit after receiving a text message from Cabinet Secretary Leoncio Evasco Jr, ordering her to stop attending Cabinet meetings.

Since her resignation, Robredo has not yet spoken with Duterte personally. (READ: Strangers, then estranged: Key 'Dubredo' moments in 2016

Robredo, however, expressed willingness to continue reaching out to the President. Duterte also assured Robredo that she would be able to serve her term without fear of being replaced by former senator Ferdinand Marcos Jr, who has a standing electoral protest against her. – Rappler.com

Viewing all 8616 articles
Browse latest View live