News Roundup 19 October 2024
Oct 19, 2024 • 5 min Read
Ex-president Duterte denies cash rewards in drug war | PHILSTAR.COM – MANILA, Philippines — Former President Rodrigo Duterte has denied allegations that a reward system was in place during his administration’s controversial campaign against illegal drugs.
The former president’s remarks came in response to retired police colonel Royina Garma’s allegation that policemen were rewarded with as much as P1 million per kill under the Davao template for the nationwide war on drugs.
In an interview with Sonshine Media Network International on Friday, October 18, Duterte said that police officers were never paid for killings.
“’Yang sinasabi nilang reward, walang reward ‘yan. Hindi ako magbibigay ng reward” Duterte said.
(What they are saying about a reward, there was no reward. I would never give a reward.)
He mentioned that the only form of recognition he offered to police officers who completed their missions was a meal and congratulatory remarks.
“Ang pinakaano [ng mga pulis] sa akin is ‘pag mission accomplished, yayain ko sila sa restaurant, magkain kami and I congratulate them. Tsaka palainom ang pulis. Bigyan mo ng dalawang boteng scotch, hindi ‘yan tatanggap ng pera. Nahihiya ‘yan,” he said.
(What I offer to police officers when their mission is accomplished is to invite them to a restaurant for a meal, and I congratulate them. Cops are heavy drinkers. Just give them two bottles of scotch and they won’t accept any money. They’d be embarrassed to take it.)
During the interview, Duterte also emphasized that he never gave explicit orders to kill.
Full Story at: Ex-president Duterte denies cash rewards in drug war | Philstar.com
DOJ vows: EJK probe won’t spare Duterte | PHILSTAR.COM – MANILA, Philippines — The government’s investigation on cold cases of extrajudicial killings (EJKs) will spare no one – not even former president Rodrigo Duterte, whose so-called war on drugs led to the deaths of thousands of drug suspects.
Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla made this clear yesterday as the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) have begun taking another look at killings of drug suspects by security forces in the name of Duterte’s campaign against illegal drugs.
In a chance interview on Thursday, Remulla stressed the importance of uncovering the truth behind the killings, which are now also being investigated by the International Criminal Court.
“Whoever it may be. We all know that it is important to reveal the truth to the public,” Remulla said.
When asked if Duterte would be included in the investiagtion, Remulla said there will be no sacred cows. “As long as we’re not favoring anyone. What’s important is that if you have wronged the society, you must pay for it. That’s all there is to it,” he said.
Remulla reiterated that the government would leave no cold case unresolved as he called on individuals with evidence or testimonies to come forward and assist the Department of Justice in uncovering the truth. “There will be no peace until we obtain justice. People’s peace of mind about attaining justice is the most important thing in our society,” he stressed.
PNP Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) acting director Police Brigadier General Nicolas Torre III confirmed that they are ready to file charges against anyone, including Duterte, if evidence warrants.
Full Story at: DOJ vows: EJK probe won’t spare Duterte | Philstar.com
Priest tells VP Sara to address tensions with respect, dignity | INQUIRER.NET – MANILA, Philippines — Vice President Sara Duterte should deal with conflicts and disagreements with respect and dignity, especially when discussing the deceased, a priest said on Saturday.
According to Fr. Joel Saballa of the Diocese of Novaliches, the Catholic Church teaches the importance of showing respect to the sanctity of life.
“It is important to approach statements that involve desecration of human remains with reverence and respect, especially in the context of Catholic teachings on the dignity of the deceased and the sanctity of life,” Fr. Saballa said in an interview with Veritas.
“It is essential to remember that even individuals with whom we may have disagreements or conflicts deserve to be treated with dignity and respect, both in life and in death,” the priest added.
This came after Duterte said in her press conference on Friday that she would exhume the remains of the late strongman Ferdinand Marcos Sr. from the Libingan ng mga Bayani and throw it to the West Philippine Sea if attacks from the current administration will continue.
Full Story at: Priest tells VP Sara to address tensions with respect, dignity
Solons dare VP Sara: Testify under oath on public funds’ use; no evasions | INQUIRER.NET – MANILA, Philippines — Leaders of the House of Representatives challenged Vice President Sara Duterte to address the alleged misuse of public funds, instead of dismissing them as political attacks.
“We are still waiting for the vice president to explain the need for 34 safe houses in less than two weeks. The public has a right to know why P16 million of their money was spent so dubiously,” House Assistant Majority Leader Paolo Ortega said in a statement Saturday.
“If there’s nothing to hide, she should testify under oath. This is public money, and the Filipino people deserve transparency and accountability. No more evasions. No more squid tactics,” Ortega stressed.
On Thursday, the House committee on good government raised alarms over the Office of the Vice President’s use of P16 million in confidential funds to rent 34 safe houses for 11 days in December 2022.
Lawmakers also questioned the P15.5 million budget of the Department of Education, which it supposedly spent on the Philippine Army’s Youth Leadership Summit in 2023, when Duterte was still the agency’s chief.
The Army then stated that DepEd had “no direct contribution” in staging the program.
Full Story at: Solons dare VP Sara: Testify under oath on public funds’ use
