News Roundup 04 December 2020
Dec 04, 2020 • 4 min Read
COVID-19 infections in Philippines rise to 436,345 with 934 new cases | PHILSTAR.COM – The country’s coronavirus case tally went up to more than 436,000 Friday after the Department of Health registered 934 additional infections. To date, 436,345 people in the Philippines have had COVID-19 since a case was first confirmed in the country 10 months ago. The last time DOH reported fewer than 1,000 cases was on November 4, when the country had 987 new infections. Friday’s tally, however, did not include the data from 11 testing laboratories that failed to submit on time. The OCTA Research Team projected that coronavirus in the Philippines may reach up to 500,000 by end-December. The DOH also reported that 148 more people got well, taking the total number of recoveries to 399,457. But it also logged 68 more deaths related to COVID-19, raising the fatality count to 8,509. Of the total cases, 28,379 or around 7% were considered active.
NTF-ELCAC officers, Mocha Uson sued over red-tagging | PHILSTAR.COM – Karapatan Secretary General Cristina Palabay on Friday filed criminal and administrative complaints against three ranking members of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict over their continuous red-tagging — the practice of labeling dissenters and activists as rebels, terrorists or enemies of the state. Palabay, through the National Union of Peoples’ Lawyers, accused National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon, Lt. Gen. Antonio Parlade Jr. and Communications Undersecretary Lorraine Badoy — both are NTF-ELCAC spokespersons — of violating the international and domestic humanitarian law for their repeated red-tagging. Palabay, who filed the complaint at the Office of the Ombudsman, also said red-tagging constitutes a violation of Republic Act 3019, or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, saying the accusations cause undue injury to her and her colleagues from Karapatan. Palabay said she and Karapatan members “have experienced relentless attacks from the following respondents in the form of malicious red/terrorist-tagging or red-baiting, which consists of baseless and dangerous imputations of being a front organization of the Communist Party of the Philippines and the New People’s Army.” Also named as respondent is Overseas Workers Welfare Administration Undersecretary Mocha Uson, whom Palabay said repeatedly posted statements alluding to Karapatan’s supposed connections to the CPP-NPA on her Facebook page.
Makabayan to fight poll disqualification bid | INQUIRER.NET – Progressive lawmakers on Thursday said they would resist a plan by the government’s anti-insurgency task force to disqualify them from participating in future elections for allegedly serving as fronts of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP). National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon Jr. on Tuesday said the government would move to disqualify the lawmakers because they “do not believe in condemning the NPA (New People’s Army) for its violent actions.” “The elections are in 2022, but you can be sure that we will go toward that direction as soon as possible,” said Esperon, who is also vice chair of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-Elcac). The Makabayan bloc, composed of six lawmakers from Bayan Muna, Gabriela, ACT Teachers and Kabataan, had been red-tagged, or branded as communists or enemies of the state, by the NTF-Elcac and by President Duterte himself. Bayan Muna Rep. Carlos Zarate said the group would challenge any disqualification case filed against them in the proper forum. Since the Arroyo administration, the government has not succeeded in disqualifying the Makabayan party list groups from taking part in elections because they have proven their qualifications as legitimate political parties, Zarate said.
Binay, Villanueva appeal for compassion for activist, newly born child | Manila Bulletin – Senators Nancy Binay and Joel Villanueva on Friday appealed to law enforcement authorities not to separate Amanda Echanis from her one-month-old child. Amanda, daughter of slain activist and peace consultant Randall Echanis, was arrested by police Wednesday in Baggao, Cagayan, on charges of illegal possession of firearms and explosives. Her newborn son was with her. Appealing for compassion, Binay raised that the arrest may result in “another Baby River”, recalling the death of three-month-old daughter of detained activist Reina Mae Nasino, who was separated and restricted by authorities from seeing her sick child even until her burial in October. Senator Joel Villanueva also reminded the authorities of the Republic Act No. 11148, or the “Kalusugan at Nutrisyon ng Mag-Nanay Act”, which mandates the government to improve its programs caring for newborns and their mothers. “The law specifically advocates ‘the non-separation of mothers and newborns from birth early breastfeeding and exclusive breastfeeding’ especially in the first 180 days of life, which experts consider to be critical in the overall well-being of the child,” Villanueva stressed.
Military wants no truce with Reds this Xmas: Notes ceasefire violations by communist group | Malaya Business Insight – The Armed Forces yesterday said it is not going to recommend to President Duterte the declaration of a ceasefire with the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army for the Yuletide season. Maj. Gen. Edgard Arevalo, Armed Forces spokesman, said the communists have violated past ceasefires, showing their “incapacity for sincerity.” “The AFP, wishing and longing for a peaceful yuletide season for the Filipino people notwithstanding, will not recommend to the Commander-in-Chief a holiday ceasefire with the communist terrorist Group,” said Arevalo.
