News Roundup 14 January 2023
Jan 14, 2023 • 3 min Read
Activist teacher, health worker in Cebu go missing after reported ‘surveillance’ | PHILSTAR.COM –MANILA, Philippines — Two progressive development workers, Dyan Gumanao and Armand Dayoha, scheduled to return to Cebu last January 10 reportedly went missing after spending the holidays with their families — this after a series of suspected surveillance dating back to 2020.
According to a release by Karapatan – Central Visayas, Friday, Gumanao and Dayoha have stopped all communication with family, friends and co-workers since Thurdsday.
“After three whole days without any communication to their families and co-workers, their parents and co-workers have decided to seek help from government agencies in trying to locate Dyan and Armand and ensure their safety,” said Karapatan Friday.
Full Story at: Activist teacher, health worker in Cebu go missing after reported ‘surveillance’ | Philstar.com
Group outraged after DICT ‘illegally’ moved SIM registration deadline earlier to April | PHILSTAR.COM – MANILA, Philippines — Mobile phone users run the risk of “automatic deactivation” should they fail to register their SIM cards by April 26 — two months earlier than what was reported before — prompting complaints from a network of digital advocates.
The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) last Thursday warned SIM subscribers that they only have roughly three more months to register, even if the 180-day registration process only started last December 27.
“The SIM registration law says that the subscribers have 180 days to register their SIM cards,” Digital Pinoys national campaigner Ronald Gustilo said Saturday in a statement.
“December 27, 2022 is the effectivity date of the law and the 180th day is June 25, 2023.”
Smart Communications Inc., Friday, stated that the deadline for registration is scheduled to end on June. However, rival telecommunications giant Globe contradicted this by stating an April deadline.
Full Story at: Group outraged after DICT ‘illegally’ moved SIM registration deadline earlier to April | Philstar.com
Abalos: If case weak vs ‘narco’ cops, ‘let them retire peacefully’ | INQUIRER.NET – Senior police officers who are found to be involved in illegal drugs but the evidence against them isn’t “that strong” will be allowed to retire in peace and will not be subjected to public shaming, Interior Secretary Benhur Abalos said on Friday.
Abalos said there was no need to publicize the names of the police officials whose courtesy resignations would be accepted by President Marcos due to their involvement in the illegal drug trade.
“This is a radical move. Like what I have said, extraordinary times call for radical and bold actions. This is out of the box. In the same token let’s say if you receive a resignation, let them retire silently,” he said during a press conference at Camp Crame.
“Now, if we have enough evidence that would build up criminal cases, pursue them in court as mandated by law. If not, if you do not have that strong evidence but it was seen that they had involvement, let them retire peacefully,” he added.
Full Story at: Abalos: If case weak vs ‘narco’ cops, ‘let them retire peacefully’ | Inquirer News
Indonesia sends warship to monitor Chinese coast guard vessel | INQUIRER.NET – JAKARTA — Indonesia has deployed a warship to its North Natuna Sea to monitor a Chinese coast guard vessel that has been active in a resource-rich maritime area, the country’s naval chief said on Saturday of an area that both countries claim as their own.
Ship tracking data shows the vessel, CCG 5901, has been sailing in the Natuna Sea, particularly near the Tuna Bloc gas field and the Vietnamese Chim Sao oil and gas field since Dec. 30, the Indonesian Ocean Justice Initiative told Reuters.
Full Story at: Indonesia sends warship to monitor Chinese coast guard vessel | Inquirer News
