News Roundup 17 February 2023
Feb 17, 2023 • 4 min Read
Makabayan solon slams BuCor plan to build HQ in Masungi Georeserve | INQUIRER.NET – MANILA, Philippines — The Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT) party-list slammed on Friday the plan of the Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) to construct a headquarters in the Masungi Georeserve, an environmental protected area in Rizal.
Masungi on Thursday raised alarm over an ocular inspection by BuCor officials for the alleged relocation of the New Bilibid Prison (NBP).
“Mukhang marami talagang naglalaway sa Masungi Georeserve dahil napakaganda ng lugar pero ito po ay dapat ipreserba para masilayan pa ng mga susunod na henerasyon at dapat ding protektahan laban sa mga gustong gamitin ito para sa sariling interes lalo pa at plano daw tayuan ng mga bahay ang lugar baka di tumagal ay mga resort na ang nakatayo dyan,” said ACT Rep. France Castro.
(It looks like many are salivating over Masungi Georeserve, because it is such a beautiful place but this should be preserved so that the next generations can see it, and it should be protected against those who want to use it for self-interest, especially since they plan to build houses there too. It might not be long until they want to build a resort there too.)
BuCor also said in a separate statement on Friday that the headquarters has “residential uses for its personnel and employees.”
Castro urged the Department of Environment and Natural Resources to act and stop BuCor from constructing anything at the Masungi as it is a protected area.
Full Story at: Makabayan solon slams BuCor plan to build HQ in Masungi Georeserve | Inquirer News
NUPL, Rise Up: House defense of Duterte against ICC probe is ‘suspiciously premature’ | INQUIRER.NET – MANILA, Philippines — The National Union of Peoples’ Lawyers (NUPL) on Friday criticized the House’s proposal to defend former president Rodrigo Duterte against the International Criminal Court’s (ICC) probe.
Ex-president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and other lawmakers filed a House Resolution on Wednesday asserting that the Philippines had a working justice system that could look into charges Duterte may face for his bloody war on drugs.
“Again, there [is] no trial or named accused as yet before the ICC. The “defense” is suspiciously premature,” said NUPL in a joint statement with Rise Up for Life and for Rights.
According to the groups, the resolution is “mere posturing”, as it will not hinder the ICC probe.
They pressed further, calling the country’s judicial process politicized, and raised alarm over the apparent resistance to fact-finding.
Full Story at: NUPL, Rise Up: House defense of Duterte against ICC probe is ‘suspiciously premature’ | Inquirer News
PH calls out China for ‘destabilizing’ peace in West Philippine Sea | PHILSTAR.COM – MANILA, Philippines (Updated 4:40 p.m.) — The Department of Foreign Affairs called out China for “destabilizing the peace and security” in the West Philippine Sea after Chinese coast guards pointed a laser light against a Philippine Coast Guard vessel in Ayungin Shoal.
In an interview aired at Laging Handa on Friday, foreign affairs spokesperson Ma. Teresita Daza urged Beijing to desist from committing actions that would threaten the peace and stability in the region after President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. expressed concern over China’s repetitive activities in the West Philippine Sea.
“No less than the President has called attention … about the increasing frequency and intensity of actions that are happening in the West Philippine Sea. This is why we’re calling on China to desist and restrain from this action because this is not only damaging (and) dangerous, it’s also destabilizing in terms of the peace and stability in the region,” Daza said in Filipino.
Full Story at: PH calls out China for ‘destabilizing’ peace in West Philippine Sea | Philstar.com
Coast Guard deploys flagship vessel to West Philippine Sea | PHILSTAR.COM – MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Coast Guard said Friday it has sent its flagship vessel to the West Philippine Sea to strengthen and increase its presence in Manila’s exclusive economic zone.
The PCG deployed BRP Teresa Magbanua — a 97-meter multi-role response vessel acquired through a soft loan from Japan — on January 28 to the Kalayaan Island Group.
Over a week after its deployment to the Kalayaan islands and its surrounds, BRP Teresa Magbanua shooed away a Vietnamese-flagged fishing vessel engaged in long-line fishing operations in the waters off Recto Bank.
The PCG deployed rigid-hull inflatable boats in an attempt to board and inspect the Vietnamese vessel.
The fishing boat “secured its lines and immediately departed Recto Bank” escorted by BRP Teresa Magbanua, the PCG said.
Shortly after their deployment, the crew of BRP Teresa Magbanua boarded Filipino fishing boats in the waters in and around the Kalayaan islands to advise them to radio the PCG or the Armed Forces of the Philippines shore units in the area for assistance.
“Despite the danger in patrolling our waters in the West Philippine Sea, the PCG’s men and women will always be prepared to fulfill our obligations not only to the present but also to the future generations of Filipinos to the fullest!” PCG Commandant Admiral Artemio Abu said in a statement.
