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Rights groups call for a safer environment for children
By DOMINIC GUTOMAN Bulatlat.com MANILA – Half a million Filipino children were trafficked for the production of new child sexual exploitation material in 2022, according to rights groups. Over the past 15 years, online child sexual abuse material surged by 15,000 percent, according to non-profit organization Thorn: Digital Defenders of Children. Women’s group Gabriela attributed… The post Rights groups call for a safer environment for children appeared first on Bulatlat......»»
VP Sara ready to face ICC charges only before a Filipino court
Vice President Sara Duterte expressed her readiness to confront any allegations against her but insisted that she would only do so in front of a Filipino judge and within the jurisdiction of a Filipino court. In a statement on her Facebook page, she emphasized her refusal to participate in any process that could tarnish the reputation and integrity of the Philippine judiciary system. Duterte adamantly opposed the involvement of foreign entities in the country's legal affairs, citing it as a dishonor to the sacrifices made by Filipino heroes for the nation's freedom. Duterte, who previously served as vice mayor and mayor of Davao City, vehemently denied any involvement in the Davao Death Squad during her terms in office. She expressed dismay over the sudden appearance of a witness against her in the International Criminal Court (ICC) after assuming the vice presidency. Duterte dismissed the accusations and questioned the motives behind the allegations, asserting her capability to accomplish tasks without resorting to unlawful means. In a related development, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. voiced his refusal to acknowledge the ICC's jurisdiction in the Philippines, considering it a threat to the country's sovereignty. He issued a directive for all government agencies to refrain from cooperating with the ICC, emphasizing the nation's non-recognition of the court's authority. Former senator Antonio Trillanes IV claimed that ICC investigators had gathered substantial evidence against former President Rodrigo Duterte regarding his administration's war on drugs. He anticipated an imminent issuance of an arrest warrant against the former president. Former President Rodrigo Duterte condemned the ICC's decision to initiate a preliminary investigation into the war on drugs, labeling it an insult to the Philippines and challenging the court's jurisdiction within the country. During his presidency, he initiated the withdrawal of the Philippines' membership from the Rome Statute, the treaty that established the ICC. The ICC appeals chamber recently granted a request to resume the investigation into alleged crimes against humanity related to the Philippines' controversial drug campaign, spanning from November 2011 to March 2019. The developments surrounding the ICC's probe into the Philippines' internal affairs have sparked a contentious debate, with key political figures and rights groups expressing divergent views on the matter. The ongoing tensions between the Philippines and the ICC underscore the complex intersection of international law, national sovereignty, and human rights issues......»»
Group demands accounting of Cebu City COVID-19 funds
CEBU CITY, Philippines—A coalition is demanding transparency and accountability for the budget allocated for the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic response here. The Freedom Debt Coalition composed of various cause-oriented groups in the city said there is a need to show the public a transparent liquidation of the P3.5 billion funds for the pandemic response since […].....»»
‘Mayor is transparent, consultative, action-oriented’
‘Mayor is transparent, consultative, action-oriented’.....»»
Benjie Paras co-hosts business-oriented show
From the basketball world to the acting scene, Benjie Paras is venturing into another field, co-hosting the business-oriented show “Negosyo Goals,” now in its third season......»»
Common cause
Thanks to the stealthy way proponents are stampeding the nation into Charter change, diverse groups are finding common cause to oppose the Marcos 2.0 administration......»»
Tondo volunteer teachers denounce red-tagging, surveillance
“The harassment faced by the leaders of SMTH deeply troubles us. It prompts us to reflect on why the military is targeting this community-based, cause-oriented group that is simply advocating for their fundamental rights to housing and livelihood." The post Tondo volunteer teachers denounce red-tagging, surveillance appeared first on Bulatlat......»»
Tondo para-teachers denounce red-tagging, surveillance
“The harassment faced by the leaders of SMTH deeply troubles us. It prompts us to reflect on why the military is targeting this community-based, cause-oriented group that is simply advocating for their fundamental rights to housing and livelihood." The post Tondo para-teachers denounce red-tagging, surveillance appeared first on Bulatlat......»»
Duterte using cops, soldiers for power grab – Bayan
The military and the police should not allow themselves to be used by former president Rodrigo Duterte in his desire to grab power by ousting President Marcos, cause-oriented group Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan) said yesterday......»»
China must withdraw ships from West Philippine Sea, groups say
Militant groups on Tuesday said China must withdraw its ships from the West Philippine Sea as well as its claims over islands based on bogus sovereignty......»»
Whole-of-government approach to protect Mt. Apo from destructive fires
COLLABORATIVE efforts from local government units, national government agencies, communities, and other stakeholders are put in place to protect Mt. Apo against fire amid El Niño......»»
Sara: Baste quit call made out of ‘brotherly love’
Vice President Sara Duterte said she has not spoken to her brother, Davao City Mayor Sebastian Duterte, about his call for President Marcos to resign, which she stressed was more out of “brotherly love” to protect her from the shabby treatment she has been receiving from people within the Palace inner circle......»»
China to US: Respect our sea rights, sovereignty
The Chinese defense minister reportedly talked with his US counterpart early this week to relay Beijing’s appeal to Washington that it respect China’s territorial sovereignty and maritime rights in the South China Sea, saying President Xi Jinping and US President Joe Biden have a shared commitment to improving bilateral relations......»»
Marcos: Duterte-China secret Ayungin agreement could compromise sovereignty
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. called the agreement between Beijing and former President Rodrigo Duterte regarding the West Philippine Sea as a "secret deal," expressing concerns that keeping it undisclosed could compromise Manila's sovereignty and territorial integrity......»»
US reaffirms support for Philippines sovereignty amid its tensions with China
Washington, DC [US], March 28 (ANI): US Secretary of Defence Llyod Austin has reaffirmed Washington's commitment to Manila in defending its sovereignty while criticising China's "dangerous" water cannon attack at the Philippine supply mission vessel on Saturday. In a telephonic conversation between Austin and his Philippine counterpart Gilberto Teodoro, the US Secretary reiterated the US-Philippines Mutual Defence Treaty.....»»
Philippine renews support for Ukraine sovereignty
The Philippines has expressed support for Ukraine’s sovereignty by voting for six resolutions during the UN General Assembly Emergency Special Session on Russia’s invasion, according to the Department of Foreign Affairs......»»
China has no say in Batanes military plans — DND
The DND stressed that it is mandated to secure the sovereignty of the Philippines' sovereignty and territorial integrity. .....»»
Huangyan Dao is beyond limits of Philippine territory: FM spokesperson
BEIJING, Feb. 2 (Xinhua) -- Huangyan Dao is China's inherent territory, which is beyond the limits of Philippine territory, Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin said on Friday. China has indisputable sovereignty over the island and its adjacent waters. China exercises sovereignty and jurisdiction over Huangyan Dao in a continuous, peaceful and effective manner, Wang told a regular press briefing whe.....»»
Huangyan Dao is beyond limits of Philippine territory: FM spokesperson
BEIJING, Feb. 2 (Xinhua) -- Huangyan Dao is China's inherent territory, which is beyond the limits of Philippine territory, Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin said on Friday. China has indisputable sovereignty over the island and its adjacent waters. China exercises sovereignty and jurisdiction over Huangyan Dao in a continuous, peaceful and effective manner, Wang told a regular press briefing whe.....»»
AFP’s main challenges: Preserving, protecting Philippines territory, sovereignty
Without specifically mentioning the West Philippine Sea and the country’s current problems with China in the area, Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro Jr. said preserving and protecting Philippine territory and sovereignty tops the military’s main challenges for 2024......»»