News Roundup 24 November 2022
Nov 24, 2022 • 4 min Read
Hontiveros calls for PNP reforms after conviction of cop for Carl-Kulot torture | PHILSTAR.COM – The Philippine National Police should implement reforms that will prevent cops from being emboldened to commit brutal crimes, Sen. Risa Hontiveros said Thursday. Hontiveros issued the statement after the Caloocan City Regional Trial Court Branch 122 found Patrolman Jeffrey Perez guilty of torture and planting of evidence in the killings of teenagers Carl Arnaiz and Reynaldo “Kulot” de Guzman. The killings were believed to have been carried out under the bloody “war on drugs” of the previous Duterte administration. “This case shows us that state violence is not law enforcement. It shows that torture, planted evidence and false police reports have no place in our national police force,” Hontiveros said. “Justice is not served when only the foot soldiers are called to account,” she added, stressing the whole policy of the “war on drugs” must be called into question.Perez was charged with torture and planting of evidence with fellow Patrolman Ricky Arquilita, but the latter died in prison of suspected viral hepatitis B in April 2019. They also face murder charges that are pending before the Navotas court. The opposition senator also urged the government to reconsider joining the International Criminal Court (ICC) “so that justice can run its course quicker” and the PNP to implement institutional reforms “that will prevent officers and personnel from acting so brazenly and being emboldened into committing such brutal crimes.” “Full accountability is the only way the public can once again trust the institutions meant to protect them,” Hontiveros said. Arnaiz went missing on the night of August 17, 2017. His body was found 11 days later at a funeral home in Caloocan City. The former University of the Philippines student was accused of supposedly robbing a taxi driver and fired back at responding cops, prompting the authorities to shoot him. Nearly a month later, the parents of De Guzman were informed that their son’s body was found floating at a creek in Gapan, Nueva Ecija. It took almost five years to resolve the torture and planting of evidence charges filed against the Caloocan cops. The murder trial involving 17-year-old Kian delos Santos concluded in November 2018, or after a speedy year-long trial with the conviction of three police officers.
PH sends note verbale to China after Pag-asa Island incident | INQUIRER.NET – The Philippines has sent a note verbale to China following the incident in Pag-asa Island in the West Philippine Sea, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) announced on Thursday. The note verbale was issued on Wednesday after a Chinese Coast Guard ship seized rocket debris from the Philippine Navy. “The Department has also taken action. We have issued a note verbale already seeking clarification from China on the incident,” DFA Secretary Enrique Manalo said on CNN Philippines’ The Source. “We, of course, have our own reports, but we would like to hear them from the side of China. At the same time, we’ll continue monitoring this incident and we’ll see what further diplomatic action might be needed,” he added. According to the Philippine military, the Philippine Navy was towing suspected rocket debris to Pag-asa Island when a Chinese Coast Guard blocked the boat and “forcefully retrieved” the debris on November 20. However, the Chinese Embassy in Manila denied that there was a “forceful retrieval.” It added that a “friendly” consultation took place.
Marcos names Emmanuel Ledesma Jr. as acting PhilHealth chief | INQUIRER.NET – President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has appointed Emmanuel Rufino Ledesma Jr. as acting president and chief executive officer (CEO) of the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth). Office of the Press Secretary officer-in-charge Cheloy Garafil said Ledesma took his oath of office on Thursday. Ledesma, who is also a member of PhilHealth’s expert panel and board of directors, had served as president and CEO of the Power Sector Assets and Liabilities Management Corp.
Adaci takes over as new PH Navy chief | INQUIRER.NET – Rear Admiral Toribio Adaci Jr. took over as the new Philippine Navy Flag Officer in Command on Thursday. Adaci replaced Rear Admiral Bernard Valencia, who served as Philippine Navy chief in acting capacity since September. Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Bartolome Bacarro was the guest of honor during the change of command ceremony at the Philippine Navy headquarters in Manila. Adaci, who was formerly the commander of the Naval Forces Western Mindanao, is the first to serve for a three-year fixed term in adherence to Republic Act 11709 or the AFP Modernization Act.
