News Roundup 13 January 2023
Jan 13, 2023 • 3 min Read
No public disclosure of ninja cops’ names: Let them retire silently – Abalos | INQUIRER.NET – MANILA, Philippines — The names of top Philippine National Police (PNP) officials found to have ties to the illegal drug trade will remain confidential.
Interior Secretary Benjamin Abalos Jr. said on Friday that the National Police Commission, through the initial review of a five-man committee, will submit to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. the list of PNP colonels and generals who have tendered their courtesy resignations and determined to have links with the criminal drug syndicates based on their evaluation.
But asked if their names would be made public, he said: “Hindi na, there’s no need [No more, there’s no need].”
“This is a radical move. Kamukha noong sinasabi ko, extraordinary times call for radical and bold acts. This is out of the box. Kung, let’s say, may matanggap kang resignation, let them retire silently,” Abalos said in a news conference.
(This is a radical move. As I said before, extraordinary times call for radical and bold acts. This is out of the box. If let’s say, we receive a resignation, let them retire silently.)
Full Story at: No public disclosure of ninja cops’ names: Let them retire silently – Abalos | Inquirer News
DBM releases over P14 billion for military retirees’ pension | INQUIRER.NET – MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) has approved the release of over P14 billion to the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) for its retirees’ pension.
In a statement on Friday, the DBM said that Secretary Amenah Pangandaman approved a special allotment release order (SARO) to the Department of National Defense – AFP to cover the regular pension of military requirements.
Full Story at: DBM releases over P14 billion for military retirees’ pension | Inquirer News
CHR tells Facebook to review takedown of progressive groups’ pages | PHILSTAR.COM – MANILA, Philippines — The Commission on Human Rights on Friday urged Facebook to review its decision to take down pages of three progressive organizations as it urged the social media giant to “avoid infringing on the human rights of others.”
“We urge Facebook to review their decision to takedown the pages of progressive groups based on their business and human rights obligation to protect, respect and remedy,” the CHR said in a statement.
Labor center Kilusang Mayo Uno, progressive alliance Bagong Alyansang Makabayan and youth group Anakbayan have reported that their respective Facebook pages were taken down, supposedly owing to posts they made related to the death of Communist Party of the Philippines founder Jose Maria Sison.
Full Story at: CHR tells Facebook to review takedown of progressive groups’ pages | Philstar.com
Bantag faces new criminal, admin raps over alleged torture of inmates | PHILSTAR.COM – MANILA, Philippines — Suspended Corrections chief Gerald Bantag is facing new criminal and administrative raps at the Department of Justice, this time over alleged torture of New Bilibid Prison inmates.
The Bureau of Corrections, through its current chief Gen. Gregorio Catapang Jr., on Friday filed criminal and administrative complaints against Bantag and his supposed right-hand man, Supt. Ricardo Zulueta.
Bantag is facing complaints for alleged violation of Section 5 of Republic Act 9745 or the Anti-Torture Act of 2019, and of Article 263 of the Revised Penal Code (Serious physical injuries). Meanwhile, Zulueta is accused of violation of Presidential Decree 1829 or obstruction of justice
Full Story at: Bantag faces new criminal, admin raps over alleged torture of inmates | Philstar.com
