THREE policemen who have been accused of killing a Spanish national in a drug buy-bust operation in 2020 have surrendered to authorities, according to the Department of Justice (DoJ). In a statement on Wednesday, the DoJ said the three cops turned themselves in on Feb. 9 and recounted to Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin C. Remulla […]
Tag: rights
UN to boost Manila’s investigative capacity
THE PHILIPPINE Justice department has invited a forensic expert from the United Nations (UN) to improve local capacity in investigating extrajudicial killings in connection with the government’s war on drugs. In a statement on Sunday, Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin C. Remulla said Morris Tidball-Binz, the UN’s special rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions, had […]
IBP denounces an attack on Abra lawyer
THE PHILIPPINES’ official organization of lawyers has condemned an armed attack on its chapter president in Abra, calling it another indication of the culture of impunity against legal professionals in the country. In a statement on Wednesday, the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) urged law enforcement agencies to probe the incident in the northern […]
Police: ICC probe violates Philippine sovereignty
PHILIPPINE police on Monday accused the International Criminal Court (ICC) of violating the country’s sovereignty by reopening its investigation into the government’s deadly war on drugs. The Hague-based tribunal should “give due respect to the judicial processes that we have in our country because we are a sovereign country,” national police chief General Rodolfo S. […]
Slain labor activist’s wife appeals dismissal of murder raps vs cops
THE WIFE of slain labor activist Emmanuel Asuncion has asked the Department of Justice (DoJ) to reconsider its decision clearing 17 cops linked to the murder of her husband during a series of police raids in March 2021 where nine activists died. In her appeal filed on Thursday, Liezel Asuncion said the police officers involved […]
11 top Philippine cops have yet to quit amid push vs illicit drugs
THE PHILIPPINE National Police (PNP) on Monday said only 11 high-ranking Philippine police officers — three generals and eight colonels — had yet to resign as of Jan. 20, after a quit call that seeks to cleanse their ranks of links to the illegal drug trade. Seven of the 11 officers are due for retirement […]
Philippine labor groups, employers to discuss workers’ rights with ILO
PHILIPPINE labor groups and employers are set to meet with a team from the International Labour Organization (ILO) in Manila this week to discuss cases of harassment and violence against trade unions. In a statement last week, the Leaders Forum said it would push the rule of law and justice at the three-day meeting that […]
DoJ junks murder raps vs cops in 2021 activist raid
PHILIPPINE government prosecutors have cleared 17 cops in connection with the murder of a labor activist in a series of police raids where nine activists died in March 2021. In a resolution dated Jan. 16, a panel of Department of Justice (DoJ) prosecutors found no probable cause against the police officers for the death of […]
Rights abuses continue under Marcos, says HRW
HUMAN rights abuses continued in the first six months of Philippine President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr.’s rule, according to Human Rights Watch (HRW). In a global report released on Thursday, the global watchdog said drug war killings, communist tagging and attacks against journalists continue to damage the country’s democratic institutions. “President Marcos has sought to […]
Solons file bill on airline passengers’ rights; CAAP takes full blame on Jan. 1 airport hassle
A GROUP of lawmakers filed a bill on the rights of airline passengers which, if passed into law, will replace what they called the “ineffective” 2012 order containing the country’s Air Passenger Bill of Rights and Carrier Obligations. “We need a law that would truly protect airline passengers and also serve as a deterrent to […]
Solon renews push for bill recognizing Martial Law survivors
A LAWMAKER on Wednesday pushed the passage of a bill that seeks to pay back martial law victims who were denied benefits under an old law for lack of evidence. Kabataan Party-list Rep. Raoul Danniel A. Manuel, who led the filing of House Bill 3505 or the New Human Rights Victims Reparation and Recognition Act […]
QC trial court acquits 10 human rights workers of perjury
By John Victor D. Ordoñez, Reporter A QUEZON City trial court has acquitted 10 human rights workers from perjury charges filed by a former national security adviser in 2019. In a 45-page decision released on Monday, the court said government prosecutors failed to prove beyond reasonable doubt that the respondents deliberately lied in their petitions […]
Justin Bieber nears $200-million deal to sell music rights
POP star Justin Bieber is nearing a deal worth about $200 million to sell his music rights to Blackstone Inc.-backed Hipgnosis Songs Capital, the Wall Street Journal reported on Wednesday, citing people familiar with the matter. The potential deal includes the Canadian artist’s interest in both his publishing and recorded music catalog, according to the […]
Indonesian new criminal code respects privacy, human rights
JAKARTA, Dec 19, 2022 – (ACN Newswire via SEAPRWire.com) – Indonesia clarifies that the New Criminal Code was drafted carefully and obeys Human Rights aspects, following the emergence of reactions related to the ratification of the code. Deputy Minister of Law and Human Rights Edward Omar Sharif Hiariej on Friday stated the criminal code was […]
Justice chief promises concrete actions on UN joint rights program
JUSTICE Secretary Jesus Crispin C. Remulla vowed to take more concrete actions on human rights issues as the Philippines continues to work with the United Nations (UN) on addressing concerns raised by the international agency. Mr. Remulla led the United Nations Joint Program (UNJP) Steering Committee meeting on Dec. 5, where technical working groups were […]
Rights group asks government to help families of drug war victims
THE GOVERNMENT of President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. should do more to protect the families of victims of extralegal killings and prosecute officials for the wrongful deaths, according to a human rights group. In a statement sent on Monday evening, the Initiatives for Dialogue and Empowerment through Alternative Legal Services said the government should also […]
Senate bill seeks to further strengthen consumer rights
A SENATOR has filed a bill that seeks to shut down establishments that sell, make, produce or import substandard and hazardous products to protect consumers. “This bill aims to further strengthen consumer rights in the country and promote fair trade standards for the entire economy,” Senator Sherwin T. Gatchalian, who filed Senate Bill 942, said […]
On Bonifacio Day: Workers rally for wage hike as Marcos hails them as ‘modern-day heroes’
A SENATOR on Wednesday urged the government to develop a comprehensive labor and compensation plan, backing workers and activists who held a rally on Wednesday to push for better wages as the Philippines commemorated the birth anniversary of revolutionary hero Andres Bonifacio. President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr., meanwhile, hailed workers as the country’s “modern-day heroes” […]
DoJ chief vows to prosecute top cops in drug war
By John Victor D. Ordoñez, Reporter HIGH-RANKING policemen responsible for wrongful deaths in the Duterte government’s war on drugs would be prosecuted, according to the Philippine Justice chief. “That will happen,” Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin C. Remulla told BusinessWorld in a Viber message on Sunday night in response to calls for the government to hold […]
Philippine police arrest 13,391 suspects in Marcos drug war
THE PHILIPPINES accepted 200 recommendations from the United Nations Human Rights Council, including investigating extralegal killings during its anti-illegal drug campaign. — PHILIPPINE STAR/ MIGUEL DE GUZMAN PHILIPPINE police arrested 13,391 drug suspects in the first 100 days of President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr.’s term, according to the national police chief, who called it a […]