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7 nanlaban drug suspects dead after Baste Duterte declares drug war
Less than a week after Davao City Mayor Sebastian Duterte declared a "war on drugs" in the city, at least seven drug suspects were killed during a buy-bust operation in the city — violence that highlights the seriousness of the mayor's recent threat of outright killing persons caught using illegal drugs......»»
CHR alarmed by war vs drugs in Davao City
THE Commission on Human Rights (CHR) is alarmed by Davao City Mayor Sebastian “Baste” Duterte’s “war against drugs”, as seven drug users were killed from different barangays in the city over the weekend, just a few hours after his declaration......»»
CHR probes Davao drug war deaths
The Commission on Human Rights yesterday expressed grave concern over Davao City Mayor Sebastian Duterte’s recent declaration of a war on drugs in the city......»»
Agdao Public Market vendors want variety and vegetable sections merged
DAVAO CITY (MindaNews / 24 March) – Vendors of Agdao Public Market here are asking the city government to merge the Variety and Vegetable Sections into one section claiming they have difficulties in getting customers because of their location. In a letter addressed to Mayor Sebastian Duterte, the City Administrator’s Office, the City Economic Enterprise […].....»»
NEWS BRIEFS | 25 March 2024
Senate eyes probe of resorts within the slopes of Mt. Apo Following the controversy involving the establishment of a resort reportedly within the famed Chocolate Hills in Bohol province, Senator Raffy Tulfo, chair of the Senate Committees on Energy and Migrant Workers, is setting his sights on the resorts located on the slopes of Mt. […].....»»
7 dead after Davao City Mayor Duterte declares war vs. drugs
DAVAO CITY (MindaNews / 26 March) – Two more drug suspects died in separate buy-bust operations in Toril District here before dawn Tuesday, after they allegedly resisted arrest, a police official said. This brought the number of fatalities to seven since Davao City Mayor Sebastian “Baste” Duterte declared a “war” on illegal drugs last March […].....»»
Race car driver Lord Seno tells motorists to ‘go slow’ when traversing Transcentral Highway
CEBU CITY, Philippines — The Transcentral Highway (TCH) that connects Cebu City and the municipality of Balamban in midwestern Cebu has been on the news lately for grim reasons. This notable thoroughfare bears witness to several vehicular accidents, the most recently of which killed a nursing student after the Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV) that she.....»»
From the Newsrooms: March 10 to 16, 2024
THE STATE of the ruling alliance has taken back the news spotlight as the President and his predecessor engaged in yet another sharp exchange, suggesting that all is not well in Team Unity. The depth of hostility between the two remains the subject of public speculation.The media this week reported yet another back-and-forth between President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and the former president, Rodrigo Duterte. The ex.....»»
ICC can t probe Philippines drug war, Marcos tells Germany s Scholz
MANILA, The Philippines: This week, Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. told German Chancellor Olaf Scholz the International Criminal Court (ICC) has no authority to probe the bloody war against drugs conducted by his predecessor. Marcos discussed the Hague-based ICC's probe during a bilateral meeting with Scholz while visiting Germany. Former President Rodrigo Duterte officially withdrew from the i.....»»
Saavedra to appeal dismissal of cases vs Tomas, ex-city officials over Kawit Island deal
CEBU CITY, Philippines – Businessman and whistleblower Crisologo Saavedra is not yet giving up on the criminal and administrative complaints that he filed against former Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmena and his City Council on the controversial P18 billion Kawit Island deal. Saavedra said he will be filing a petition to ask the Office of the Ombudsman-Visayas to reconsider its earlier decision to dismiss the criminal and administrative complaint that he filed. “I’ll file an MR (motion for reconsideration),” said Saavedra in an interview with CDN Digital. In 2018, Saavedra filed criminal and administrative complaints over the controversial P18 billion Kawit Island deal. The project paved the way for Gokongwei-owned Universal Hotel and Resorts Inc. (UHRI) to establish an integrated casino and resort in the South Road Properties (SRP). But acting Assistant Ombudsman for the Visayas Jane Aguilar, in a 21-page decision promulgated January 27, junked the criminal and administrative cases for ‘lack of substantial evidence’. A copy of the decision was furnished to the media on Oct. 20. Osmeña’s co-respondents in the case were then Councilors Margarita Osmeña, Dave Tumulak, Sisinio Andales, Alvin Arcilla, Eugenio Gabuya Jr., Gerry Guardo, Joy Augustus Young, Mary Ann delos Santos and Franklyn Ong who approved the ordinance that allowed the Gokongwei-owned company to establish an integrated casino and resort in Kawit Island, SRP and UHRI executives Frederick Go, Lance Gokongwei, James Go, Robina Gokongwei-Pe and Patrick Henry Go. Saavedra insisted that Ombudsman-Visayas should look into the technicalities of how the city government awarded the P18-billion project in 2018. He mentioned City Ordinance No. 2154 as his basis, saying that members of the private sector, when entering into joint venture agreements with the government, must meet the “technical and financial qualifications” prescribed by law. “The private participants should have technical and financial capability. I never questioned the financial capability… It is the track record of the corporation, not of the individual offices,” Saavedra added. The Camp of Osmeña has since welcomed the decision of the Ombudsman. ALSO READ: Ombudsman upgrades Saavedra complaint against Tomas Osmeña, 9 others over Kawit Island deal.....»»
Alleged recruitment scam in Italy reaches Senate
The alleged recruitment scam, facilitated by the Italy-based immigration consultancy firm, Alpha Assistenza SRL, has already reached the Senate. In filing proposed Senate Resolution No. 814, Senator Risa Hontiveros called for an investigation, in aid of legislation, into the alleged recruitment activities conducted by the Alpha Assistenza SRL. In her resolution, Hontiveros detailed the alleged fraudulent scheme of the immigration consultancy firm which has preyed on Filipinos who are dreaming of working in Italy, which was first exposed by the Daily Tribune. “It is alleged that Alpha Assistenza SRL provided over 400 Filipino “victims” with falsified Nulla Osta, a document issued by Italian immigration authorities authorizing a non-European Union national to apply for a work visa at an Italian embassy or consulate,” the resolution read. “The falsified Nulla Osta resulted in the rejection of the victims’ applications when the said documents were presented to the Italy Visa Application Center (VIA PIASI Center),” it added. She continued: “The Filipino applicants were met at the VIA PIASI Center located in Makati City by a Philippine agent designated in electronic messages by Krizelle Respicio, Alpha Assistenza SRL’s Chief Executive Officer and Immigration Consultant.” Hontiveros also said that the “complainants alleged that they had paid the company ‘large sums of money’ to facilitate their relatives’ travel to Italy for work.” “The State is mandated by the Constitution to afford full protection to laborers, both local and overseas, organized and unorganized, and to promote full employment and equality of employment opportunities for all,” she said. “Because of the principle of territoriality, our statutes are generally only effective within Philippine territory; and there is thus an urgent need to protect Filipinos from possible recruitment perpetuated by companies based overseas,” she added. ‘Aware’ Meanwhile, the Department of Foreign Affairs said it is aware of the alleged recruitment scam that victimized at least 400 Filipinos both from the Philippines and Italy. In an interview with Daily Tribune, DFA spokesperson Teresita Daza denied the alleged non-action of the Philippine Consulate General in Milan in the victim’s complaints against the supposed scam. “The DFA is aware of the reports,” Daza said. “The Philippine Consulate General in Milan is acting on the complaints.” Victims, who reached out to the Daily Tribune’s digital program, “Usapang OFW,” accused Consul General Elmer Cato of sitting on their complaints against Alpha Assistenza SRL. Daza said the number of victims of the alleged recruitment scam may be higher or lower than the previously reported 400 Filipinos. “The numbers are still being verified,” she said. In a recent interview over the Usapang OFW, the complainants, namely, Vanessa Antonio, Enrique Catilo, and Apple Cabasis, said that the Alpha Assistenza, headed by its Filipino co-CEOs Krizelle Respicio and Frederick Dutaro, may have duped more than 400 Filipinos. DFA Undersecretary for Migrant Workers’ Affairs Eduardo de Vega also denied allegations that Cato had sat on the Filipino communities’ complaints. De Vega said the Philippine Consulate General in Milan received a report on 31 August, and an investigation into the matter is ongoing. “They were interviewing victims and working on cases,” he said in a separate interview. Asked if the DFA is considering making Cato inhibited due to the accusations of the victims, De Vega said: “We are meeting him personally.” The DFA official also noted that they are coordinating with the Department of Migrant Workers and the Migrant Workers Office in Milan on how to proceed with the case. “The complaint is really to be filed with Italian authorities but our Consulate in Milan should assist them,” he said. The Daily Tribune has sought comments from the Italian Embassy in Manila but they had yet to respond as of press time. The post Alleged recruitment scam in Italy reaches Senate appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Ombudsman finds Antiporda guilty of harassment, oppression of NIA employees
In a decision dated 11 September but released only to reporters on Monday, the Ombudsman found former National Irrigation Administration acting administrator Benny Antiporda guilty of acts of "harassment" and "oppression" toward one of his NIA staff who questioned his policies and activities, which the Ombudsman said showed "cruelty, severity, unlawful exaction, domination, or excessive use of authority." Antiporda was slapped with a one-year suspension without pay. According to the Ombudsman, should Antiporda be separated from the service, he should still settle a penalty equivalent to his one-year salary in NIA. The complaint against Antiporda arose from his questioned actions, such as posting a security detail, turning off the electricity in the complainant’s office, breaching the flexi-time arrangement, and implementing an office lockdown without prior notice, among others. "Government employees are supposed to be well-mannered, civil and considerate in their actuations, not only in their relations with the transacting public, but also with their co-workers," the Ombudsman said. "Respondent Antiporda’s acts failed to live up to the high standards required of a government employee," it added. In November 2022, the Ombudsman also imposed a six-month preventive suspension without pay on Antiporda arising from the administrative complaint filed against him by several officers and employees of NIA. Antiporda was accused of committing "grave misconduct, conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service, harassment, oppression, and ignorance of the law," all of which were filed separately with the Ombudsman. However, in the latest decision, the Ombudsman dropped other complaints against Antiporda, such as grave misconduct and ignorance of the law, with the court ruling that his actions "do not constitute grave misconduct" and that the case lacked the necessary elements of corruption and obvious intent to violate the law. The post Ombudsman finds Antiporda guilty of harassment, oppression of NIA employees appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Fortun files case at QC PLEB vs QCPD, re gun-toting incident
Atty. Raymond Fortun, acting as a concerned citizen, has filed a case with the Quezon City People’s Law Enforcement Board (PLEB) over the weekend, against personnel of QCPD Traffic Sector 4 of Kamuning in relation to the viral gun-toting incident that happened last August 8. Fortun filed the charges against P/Staff Sergeant Darwin Peralta, P/SSg. Joel Aviso, and P/Executive Master Sergeant Armando Carr, all from the QCPD Traffic Sector 4 of Kamuning. The lawyer charged them with Oppression, Irregularities in the Performance of Duties and Incompetence, under Rule 21 of NAPOLCOM Memorandum Circular 2016 – 002. Fortun said that it appears the cyclist and ex-policeman Wilfredo Gonzales were first brought to the QCPD Kamuning Police Station 11, since the incident was first considered as a mere traffic incident by the first responders of QCPD Galas Police Station. Eventually, no charges were filed in Kamuning, and the parties were instead referred to the Galas Police Station late in the evening. “Despite the clear and imbalanced status of the parties, the same police officers failed to protect the rights of the cyclist when they failed to provide a legal counsel for him so that the latter would be duly appraised of his rights. Further, they failed to secure the CCTV footages in the area in order to ferret out the real facts in the conflicting statements made by the parties. Finally, and for reasons known only to them, and despite there being sufficient basis to do so, the same police officers failed to file the appropriate charges,” Fortun explained. On the other end, Mayor Joy Belmonte lauded this act of Atty. Fortun. “What we need now are little acts of heroism from ordinary Filipinos to stand up for what is right to exact accountability from those in power. This move of Atty. Fortun in filing a case with our PLEB is a vote of confidence that here in Quezon City, we will get things done. The proper process in the proper forum, which is the PLEB, will now take its course,” Belmonte said. “This incident also highlights the need to institutionalize the presence of PLEB in other cities and municipalities to hear and decide the complaints filed against erring policemen. I am confident that the case filed in the PLEB will be handled without fear or favor,” she added. Meanwhile, PLEB Chairman and Executive Officer Atty. Rafael Vicente Calinisan said, “The institutions, particularly the PLEB, are in place so that the community will feel safe and secure in their homes. We commit to serve as an effective watchdog against abusive cops, and at the same time serve as partners to our men in uniform towards nation-building.” “As far as the case filed by Atty. Fortun is concerned, we promise to act on this case with absolute dispatch,” Calinisan added. The PLEB is the check and balance mechanism created by Republic Act 6975 or An Act Establishing the PNP Under A Reorganized Department of the Interior and Local Government and For Other Purposes as amended by R.A. 8551 (The PNP Reform and Reorganization Act of 1998) where ordinary citizens are empowered against erring policemen. PLEB can summarily dismiss, demote, suspend and reprimand abusive policemen. The post Fortun files case at QC PLEB vs QCPD, re gun-toting incident appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Spanish minister condemns Rubiales for kissing Spain star
Spain's sports minister on Monday condemned the kiss football federation president Luis Rubiales planted on the lips of star player Jenni Hermoso after Spain won the Women's World Cup. "I think it is unacceptable to kiss a player on the lips to congratulate her," acting minister Miquel Iceta told Spanish public radio. "The first thing he has to do is to give explanations and make apologies, it is the logical and reasonable thing to do," Iceta said. The minister added that while the 1-0 victory over England on Sunday in Sydney was "a moment of intense emotions", public officials "have to be extremely careful because we are giving a message to society and the message is equal rights, it is respect". Rubiales, 45, kissed Hermoso on the lips after she collected her medal, provoking an immediate global reaction. Sources in the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) responded on Sunday by telling AFP that "it was a spontaneous celebration that comes out like that, the two are very close friends." The player posted a video on Instagram showing the celebrations in the changing room in which she responded to teasing from team-mates by saying: "I didn't like it, eh!" while laughing. Later on Sunday the RFEF released their own quotes from Hermoso. "It was a totally spontaneous mutual gesture because of the immense joy that winning a World Cup brings," Hermoso was quoted as saying. "The president and I have a great relationship. His behaviour with all of us has been outstanding and it was a natural gesture of affection and gratitude. "A gesture of friendship and gratitude cannot be gone over so much, we have won a World Cup and we are not going to deviate from what is important." Spain's preparations for the World Cup were thrown into disarray last September when 15 players sent an email to the RFEF saying they did not want to be considered for selection. Their protest was aimed chiefly at coach Jorge Vilda and his methods, including complaints that he was too strict. Rubiales supported Vilda and only three of the 15 were recalled for the World Cup. The post Spanish minister condemns Rubiales for kissing Spain star appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Female recruiter collared for trafficking
A female recruiter allegedly facilitating the travel of five human trafficking victims was arrested by elements of the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking recently at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3 after attempting to depart as tourists bound for Malaysia and Singapore. Bureau of Immigration Commissioner Norman Tansingco on Wednesday applauded IACAT’s swift action , saying justice is served for those victimized by human traffickers. The immigration protection and border enforcement department conducted a secondary inspection and conducted an interview with the victims. During the interview, it was confirmed that the five were recruited to work abroad as massage therapists, entertainers, tutors and carers and were made to pose by their recruiter as her employees. The BI’s I-PROBES immediately referred the case to the IACAT. The National Bureau of Investigation-International Airport Investigation Division filed cases against the recruiter for Qualified Trafficking in Persons under Section 6(c) of Republic Act 9208, as amended; Illegal Recruitment committed by a syndicate and in large scale under Republic Act 8042, as amended; and Estafa under Art. 315, par. 2(a) of the Revised Penal Code. Th e arrested recruiter previously made headlines on social media after posting on 10 May about her complaint about the procedures of the Bureau. In her Facebook post, she lamented why she was being stopped from travelling despite having complete documents. Tansingco said that these human traffickers use social media as their playground, where they blatantly recruit victims and even have the audacity to air complaints about procedures protecting Filipinos. The BI chief added that they thank the IACAT for swiftly acting on this case and ensuring that justice is served. The post Female recruiter collared for trafficking appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Huw Edwards named as BBC presenter at centre of explicit images row
Veteran news anchor Huw Edwards was on Wednesday revealed by his wife as the BBC presenter accused of paying for explicit images but police said no criminal offense had been committed. Vicky Flind said in a statement that her husband was "suffering from serious mental health issues" and was now "receiving in-patient hospital care where he will stay for the foreseeable future". At the same time, Metropolitan Police issued a statement saying that there was "no information to indicate that a criminal offense has been committed". The furor has been front-page news and the lead story on radio and television news bulletins for six successive days, with frenzied speculation on social media about the star's identity until the confirmation. It comes after the BBC -- whose brand is built on public trust -- was rocked in recent years by scandals that saw some of their biggest names revealed as serial sex offenders. Edwards, 61, is one of the most recognizable faces on UK television and was the man entrusted with telling the world that Queen Elizabeth II had died. The BBC has been under the spotlight since allegations emerged last week in The Sun newspaper from the parents of a young adult, who said that the presenter had paid for explicit images of their child. The young adult, however, called the claims "rubbish". The tabloid newspaper did not name the presenter but accused the BBC of failing to properly investigate the claims, sparking another crisis at the national broadcaster. Edward's wife said she was revealing his identity "after what have been five extremely difficult days for our family" and was doing so "primarily out of concern for his mental well-being and to protect our children". "Once well enough to do so, he intends to respond to the stories that have been published," she added, saying that he only learned of the allegations on Thursday. Further claims have since been made against the presenter, as three more people came forward with complaints over the last two days. The BBC itself reported on Tuesday that another person in their 20s had come forward to say they received threatening messages from the presenter while The Sun reported that he also broke Covid lockdown rules to meet another young person he met on a dating site. Creepy messages The alleged pandemic breach has a particular resonance in the UK as the BBC was at the time reporting on the country's third lockdown and how it was being enforced. Covid rule-breaking in Downing Street also led to the long-running "Partygate" scandal that contributed to the downfall of former prime minister Boris Johnson. A fourth person also told The Sun the star sent messages containing love hearts and kisses on Instagram when they were aged 17. The first claims emerged in an article published Friday, in which the parents said the presenter had paid a total of £35,000 ($45,000) for the pictures. The family said their child had used the money to fuel a crack cocaine addiction, prompting lawyers acting for the young person to deny the claims. The post Huw Edwards named as BBC presenter at centre of explicit images row appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Senate probes complaints against CebuPac’s flight disruptions
There have been several complaints from Cebu Pacific customers lately due to delayed and canceled flights. It prompted the Senate to conduct a public inquiry, which started on Wednesday, acting on the resolution filed by Senator Nancy Binay, to probe into Cebu Pacific’s alleged overbooking, offloading, and glitches in booking flights. In his Facebook post, Senator Binay said she hopes that from this investigation the Senate can find a solution to improve the situation of the country's air transport sector and promote the welfare of the Filipino people. Meanwhile, Cebu Pacific had welcomed the move to conduct a probe as it would give the airline management a venue to air its side. In a statement, it "acknowledges the difficulties and frustrations" of the passengers, assuring them that the airline management is actively dealing with the situation and determining the form of assistance to give to those affected passengers. The post Senate probes complaints against CebuPac’s flight disruptions appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
13 more women accuse France’s Depardieu of sexual violence
Another 13 women have accused French actor Gerard Depardieu of sexual violence over two decades, investigative website Mediapart has reported, in the latest such allegations against him. The 74-year-old actor, long a star in France before the 1990 film "Green Card" made him a Hollywood celebrity, has through his lawyers categorically denied any wrongdoing. Contacted by AFP, the prosecutor's office on Wednesday said it had not received any new complaints, but that their investigation into 2018 accusations he had raped young French actress Charlotte Arnould was ongoing. Mediapart said Tuesday that 13 other women had also come forward to accuse Depardieu of molesting them on the set of 11 films or series that came out between 2004 and 2022 or in other locations offset. The accusations ranged from "a hand in underwear, on the crotch, on the buttocks or on the breasts" to "obscene sexual remarks" and "insistent grunts", Mediapart said. Even when this alleged abuse happened on set in front of witnesses, when the women complained, crews often laughed it off, saying it was just the actor's way, the investigative website reported. Rape allegation Actress Arnould filed her complaint in the summer of 2018 when she was 22, saying she had been raped twice by Depardieu in his Paris mansion a few days earlier. The actor -- a friend of Arnould's family -- was charged in December 2020 but not jailed. None of the 13 women have filed official complaints, Mediapart said, but three have given testimony to the judiciary. One of them said she did so "to help Charlotte Arnould" and break the silence on such incidents in the filmmaking sector. She told Mediapart she was an extra on the 2015 film "Big House" when Depardieu suddenly slipped his hand into her dress and she "felt his fingers trying to... reach my knickers". After she pushed it back, "he became aggressive. He tried to get past my underwear and finger me. I understood he was no longer acting. If I hadn't stopped him, he would have succeeded," she said. In 1991, Time magazine asked Depardieu about a 1978 interview in Film Comment magazine in which he described his rough childhood and was quoted as saying "I had plenty of rapes, too many to count". Asked if he had participated in the rapes, he told Time that he had. "But it was absolutely normal in those circumstances," the actor said. Depardieu later denied making the remarks and threatened to sue the magazine, but Time refused to retract the passage, saying the interview had been recorded on tape. The post 13 more women accuse France’s Depardieu of sexual violence appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Comelec dockets 17 verified complaints of vote-buying, selling
MANILA - Seventeen complaints that involve alleged vote-buying and selling are set to undergo preliminary investigations, according to the Commission on Elections (Comelec).Acting Comelec spokesperson John Rex Laudiangco said Friday the verified complaint-affidavits passed through the Law De.....»»
BREAKING NEWS | 2 climate activists found
Rights group Karapatan and other groups confirm that environmental activists Eco Dangla and Jak Tiong are "no longer in the hands of their abductors, bruised but alive." The post BREAKING NEWS | 2 climate activists found appeared first on Bulatlat......»»