News Roundup 25 November 2020
Nov 25, 2020 • 3 min Read
COVID-19 cases in Philippines rise to 422,915 | PHILSTAR.COM – The Department of Health reported 1,202 additional coronavirus infections Wednesday, taking the nationwide caseload to 422,915. The DOH said Wednesday’s tally excludes the reports from eight testing laboratories that failed to submit their data on time. At least 386,955 people have recovered from COVID-19 in the Philippines after the department logged 183 more recoveries. But 31 new deaths were recorded, bringing the fatality count to 8,215.
Duterte tells human rights advocates: Look for another fight | PHILSTAR.COM – President Duterte has asked human rights advocates pick another fight and to just let him enforce his crackdown on illegal drugs. Duterte said human rights advocates are criticizing his campaign even if hundreds of persons are arrested every day for drug offenses. “If you see the briefer…the persons arrested for the day, the number is not fewer than 200, 300. That is how pernicious drug is in the Philippines,” Duterte said in a pre-recorded public address last Monday. “Human rights, you better look for another fight, genocide, you know which countries… But do not tinker with the drug problem in the Philippines. This is mine and mine alone,” he added. More than 6,000 drug suspects have died since Duterte launched his controversial crackdown on illegal drugs in 2016. Human rights advocates have condemned the campaign, saying it has resulted in extrajudicial killings and other abuses. Officials have denied this, saying the slain suspects had violently resisted arresting officers.
Indonesian minister among 17 arrested in corruption probe | INQUIRER.NET – JAKARTA. Indonesia’s maritime and fisheries minister was arrested on Wednesday by the country’s anti-graft agency, among 17 people detained in simultaneous swoops as part of a probe into alleged corruption in the export of baby lobsters. Edhy Prabowo and his wife, who is a lawmaker, were detained at a Jakarta airport on their return from the United States and 15 others were arrested early on Wednesday at various locations around the capital, the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) said. The agency said the coordinated arrests were related to its investigation into the export of baby lobsters, which up until the middle of this year was banned as a measure to replenish stocks. Those detained included private sector individuals and government officials, the agency said. Asked about the arrest of one of his cabinet members, President Joko Widodo said his government supported the work of the anti-graft body.
‘We’re peaceful, we don’t have Muslims in Cagayan — Mamba | Manila Bulletin – Cagayan Governor Manuel Mamba on Wednesday associated Muslims to peace and order issues while he was presenting proposals to help his province recover from Typhoon Ulysses. “We do not have Muslims here. Wala kaming problema as far as peace and order is concerned here (We do not have problems as far as peace and order is concerned here),” Mamba said during the joint Senate committee hearing on the massive flooding in Luzon following Typhoon Ulysses. The local official made the remark when he was briefing senators on the situation in Cagayan and appealed for help from the national government for the restoration of the Cagayan River. “I hope you could help us now because our province in Northern Luzon has a very big advantage now. We are not only saving our people and our livelihood, we are saving the chance to be connected to biggest economies in Asia,” Mamba said.
Angkas, Joyride back in the streets | Malaya Business Insight – The Department of Transportation (DOTr) yesterday allowed two motorcycle ride-hailing companies to resume operations in Metro Manila even as the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) remains a national health emergency concern because of its high infection capacity. Angkas and Joyride riders can again pick up passengers from November 24 to December 9 while company officials prepare to provide a health insurance for both rider and passenger in case of accidents and use thermal scanners to accurately detect if either rider or passenger has fever, which are two requirements set by the National Task Force and the DOTr’s Motorcycle Taxi Technical Working Group (MC Taxi TWG). Goddes Libiran, DOTr assistant secretary, said that Angkas and Joyride have to submit proof of compliance with the requirements by December 9 if they want to continue their operations.
