News Roundup 17 June 2023
Jun 17, 2023 • 4 min Read
UN experts urge release of De Lima anew, express grave disappointment over denied bail | PHILSTAR.COM – MANILA, Philippines — United Nations (UN) experts renewed their call for the immediate release of former Sen. Leila de Lima, expressing “grave disappointment” after a court denied her petition for bail.
De Lima, one of the most outspoken critics of former president Rodrigo Duterte and his deadly anti-drug war, has been in prison for more than six years on narcotics-related charges.
UN experts also urged the administration of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to bring an end to De Lima’s case.
“We have long called for the immediate release of Leila de Lima,” the experts said in a statement released on Friday.
“The decision to deny bail comes after more than six years of arbitrary detention. It is high time for the administration of President Marcos Jr. to close this case once and for all, provide compensation and other reparations, and investigate the circumstances that allowed this to happen in the first place,” they added.
Earlier this month, the Muntinlupa regional trial court denied De Lima’s petition for bail in relation to the remaining drug charge, along with six others. The court resolved the bail petition filed by De Lima and co-accused Joenel Sanchez, Franklin Bucayu, Ronnie Dayan and Jad Dera.
While her two other drug charges were already dismissed, De Lima’s legal team has filed a motion for consideration regarding her bail this week.
Full Story at: UN experts urge release of De Lima anew, express grave disappointment over denied bail | Philstar.com
CHR to investigate truth behind massacre of allegedly red-tagged family in Negros Occidental | PHILSTAR.COM – MANILA, Philippines — The Commission on Human Rights strongly condemned the brutal killing of a family of four in Himamaylan City, Negros Occidental — an incident which happened allegedly after being red-tagged by the military.
The family met their tragic fate on Wednesday night at their home in Sitio Kangkiling, Barangay Buenavista. Among those who were killed were Emelda Fausto, Rolly Fausto and their two children aged 15 and 11.
“CHR, through its office in Region VI, already dispatched investigators to pursue the truth behind the killings and seek justice for the victims. At this point, there are already allegations that the incident was insurgency-related allegedly linked to the New People’s Army,” according to CHR in a statement released on Saturday.
“But there is also an allegation linking it to the Philippine Army. All possible angles will be pursued in the course of CHR’s independent investigation.”
Emelda is reported to be a member of Baklayan, Bito, Cabagal Farmers Association (BABICAFA) and had been allegedly subjected to physical and mental torture, grave coercion, and illegal searches months prior by state agents.
The Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas claimed that witnesses saw members of the Philippine Army “ransack” the Fausto family’s hut on the day of their death while allegedly being accused as supporters of the New People’s Army.
The AFP and the 303rd Infantry Brigade had denied any hand in the killings and extended their condolences to the victim’s relatives. They likewise promised to bring the perpetrators to justice.
Full Story at: CHR to investigate truth behind massacre of allegedly red-tagged family in Negros Occidental | Philstar.com
Eight 4Ps beneficiaries in Laguna delisted after being caught in drug busts | INQUIRER.NET – LUCENA CITY – At least eight beneficiaries of the government’s Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) were taken off the list after they were caught engaged in illegal drug activities during police operations, police said Friday, June 16.
Colonel Randy Glenn Silvio, Laguna police chief, said in a report that four of the delisted 4Ps beneficiaries are from Liliw town, three from Alaminos and one from Kalayaan.
Citing records of recently nabbed drug suspects, most of them arrested in buy-bust operations, four were found listed as 4Ps recipients in their respective localities, Silvio said.
He recommended the removal of the suspects from the list of beneficiaries of the government anti-poverty reduction program based on the Department of Social Welfare and Development Memorandum Circular No 038, series of 2020.
Full story at: Eight 4Ps beneficiaries in Laguna delisted after being caught in drug busts | Inquirer News
3 suspected NPA rebels killed in Butuan clash | INQUIRER.NET – DAVAO CITY—Three suspected New People’s Army (NPA) rebels were killed in a clash with government troops in a hinterland village in Butuan City, Agusan del Norte early Friday, the military said on Saturday.
Fifteen assault rifles were also recovered after the 7 a.m. encounter at Mt. Apo-Apo, Sitio (Sub-village) Dugyaman, Anticala village, according to Lt. Col. Alex Mindalano, spokesperson of the Armed Forces of the Philippines – Eastern Mindanao Command (Eastmincom)
Citing a report from the Army’s 901st Infantry Brigade, Mindalano said the skirmish occurred after troops from the 29th and 30th Infantry Battalions chanced upon the suspected NPA rebels while verifying reports from residents about the presence of armed individuals.
Full Story at: 3 suspected NPA rebels killed in Butuan clash | Inquirer News
