News Roundup 26 January 2023
Jan 26, 2023 • 3 min Read
Ex-PSG chief, 9 aides tagged in model’s slay | INQUIRER.NET – CAMP CATITIPAN, Davao City, Philippines — The police have tagged an Army general who used to head the Presidential Security Group (PSG) during the Duterte administration as the mastermind in the killing last month of fashion model and businesswoman Yvonne Chua Plaza.
The Special Investigation Task Group (SITG) Plaza said Brig. Gen. Jesus Durante III tapped the services of six Army soldiers, all his subordinates in the 1001st Infantry Brigade (IB), and three other people for the hit job.
An official of the National Bureau of Investigation called the killing a “crime of passion,” citing the “relationship” between the victim and the general, a married man.
Complaints for murder and obstruction of justice were filed against Durante, 52, at the Davao City Prosecutor’s Office on Wednesday. The Philippine Army announced that he had been relieved as commander of the 1001st IB.
Also named respondents in the murder complaint were Col. Michael Licyayo, Durante’s deputy brigade commander; Staff Sgt. Gilbert Plaza (not related to the victim); Sgt. Delfin Sialsa Jr.; Cpl. Adrian Cachero; Pfc. Rolly Cabal; Pfc. Romart Longakit; Noel Japitan; a certain “Junior”; and a man identified only as “Master Sergeant.”
Full Story at: Ex-PSG chief, 9 aides tagged in model’s slay | Inquirer News
Colmenares: Amending Constitution won’t eradicate poverty or quash corruption | INQUIRER.NET – MANILA, Philippines — Former Bayan Muna lawmaker and lawyer Neri Colmenares said on Thursday that the country’s struggles with corruption and poverty couldn’t be resolved by amending the 1987 Constitution to take out the prohibitive foreign ownership clause.
He noted in a House of Representatives hearing on constitutional amendments that South Korea and Taiwan achieved economic progress without major foreign direct investments (FDIs).
The former lawmaker made the remark as several bills to change the Constitution of 1987’s supposedly restrictive economic clauses, which forbid foreign ownership of firms and lands, have been lined up in the committee.
Full Story at: Colmenares: Amending Constitution won’t eradicate poverty or quash corruption | Inquirer News
Widow of activist killed in ‘Bloody Sunday’ raid appeals junked murder rap vs cops | PHILSTA.COM – MANILA, Philippines (Updated 4:35 p.m.) — The wife of slain labor leader Manny Asuncion has asked the Department of Justice to set aside its earlier resolution and indict the police officers tagged in the killing of her activist husband in one of the “Bloody Sunday” raids in 2021.
In a motion for reconsideration filed on Thursday, Liezel Asuncion asked the state prosecutor to set aside its earlier resolution and issue a new one “finding probable cause, indicting the respondents for murder as a result of the brutal death” of Asuncion.
Liezel, through her counsels from Free Legal Assistance Group-Cavite and the National Union of Peoples’ Lawyers, appealed the dismissal of her murder rap after prosecutors held that she failed to identify the perpetrators of the killing. Prosecutors also said the report from the Special Investigation Team only presented circumstantial evidence that are “broken and incomplete.”
Manny Asuncion was the coordinator of activist group Bagong Alyansang Makabayan in Cavite. He was one of the activists and community leaders killed in simultaneous raids early March morning in 2021 by police serving search warrants in Calabarzon provinces.
Full Story at: Widow of activist killed in ‘Bloody Sunday’ raid appeals junked murder rap vs cops | Philstar.com
Majority of Filipinos say POGOs harmful to country – poll | PHILSTAR.COM – MANILA, Philippines — A recent Pulse Asia survey commissioned by the office of Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian revealed that a majority of Filipinos found the operation of offshore gaming firms to be harmful to the country.
The poll conducted from November 27 to December 1 but released Thursday by Gatchalian’s office to the media showed that among the 1,200 respondents, 58% said the operation of Philippine offshore gaming operators was harmful to the country.
Full Story at: Majority of Filipinos say POGOs harmful to country – poll | Philstar.com
