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SC upholds decision granting Napoles bail in one PDAF case
Pork barrel scam mastermind Janet Lim-Napoles and former Masbate Rep. Rizalina Seachon-Lanete have been allowed to post bail after the Supreme Court dismissed a case related to the Priority Development Assistance Fund......»»
TIMELINE: The arrest and detention of director Jade Castro, companions
In this timeline, Rappler lists down all the events and developments in the Jade Castro case.....»»
Cebu City drug bust: 5 persons nabbed, P102,000 ‘shabu’ seized
CEBU CITY, Philippines – A Cebu City drug bust led to the arrest of a man, who was once arrested for a drug case and released on bail, and his nephew and 3 others after a buy bust in Barangay Basak-San Nicolas, Cebu City on Thursday evening, February 15, 2024. The operation, which was initiated.....»»
Comatosed teen dies
Iranian teenager Armita Garawand died on Saturday a month after falling into a coma following a disputed incident on Tehran’s metro, media in the Islamic republic said. “Armita Garawand, a student in Tehran, died an hour ago after intensive medical treatment and 28 days of hospitalization in intensive care,” reported the Borna news agency affiliated with the youth ministry. The 16-year-old ethnic Kurd was hospitalized in Tehran after she fell unconscious on the metro. Her case was first reported on 3 October by Kurdish-focused rights group Hengaw, which said she had been critically wounded during an incident on the underground train network. Authorities say she suffered a sudden drop in blood pressure and denied that any “physical or verbal altercations” had taken place between her and other passengers. But rights groups have said the teen was critically wounded during an alleged assault by members of Iran’s morality police. It came just over a year after the death of Mahsa Amini, also a young Iranian Kurd, following her arrest by the morality police for allegedly breaching Iran’s strict dress code for women in an incident that sparked mass protests across the Islamic republic. On Saturday, Iran’s Tasnim news agency quoted doctors as saying that Garawand had “suffered a fall resulting in brain damage followed by continued convulsions, a decline in brain oxygen and a cerebral edema after a sudden drop in blood pressure.” WITH AFP The post Comatosed teen dies appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Criminal case filed vs Pura Luka Vega
A criminal charge has been filed against Pura Luka Vega by the Kapisanan ng Social Media Broadcasters ng Pilipinas Inc. for their controversial “Ama Namin” performance posted on social media in July. Leo Alarte of the KSMBPI submitted their organization’s complaints to the Pasay City Prosecutor’s Office on Monday. The case filed by the group was in connection with violation of Article 133 of the Philippine Constitution, which talks about “offending religious feelings,” as well as Section 6 of Article 201 of the Revised Penal Code in relation to the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012. The group said the complaints were in relation to Pura’s controversial “Ama Namin” performance, which the group described as “pambabastos sa Panginoon.” The KSMBPI said they were hurt by Pura Luka Vega’s Ama Namin performance, especially since the Philippines is among the Christian countries of the world. To recall, Pura was arrested and was held under the custody of the Manila Police District Station 3 in Quiapo, Manila, after the devotees of the Black Nazarene, Hijos del Nazareno, filed a complaint. Pura was released after posting bail after three days of being incarcerated. He expressed surprise to be served the arrest warrant as they did not receive the subpoena summoning them to court. They said the document was delivered to another address. Pura also reiterated that their “Ama Namin” performance was not meant to be disrespectful to people of faith. The post Criminal case filed vs Pura Luka Vega appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
2 Koreans wanted for telecom, wire fraud arrested
Two fugitives were captured by the Bureau of Immigration (BI) after being sought by South Korea and the US for their involvement in fraud-related operations. BI Commissioner Norman Tansingco confirmed the arrests of the two South Korean fugitives, who were identified as Kwon Junyoung, 38, and Seok Jongmin, 48. The two were arrested last Saturday in Brgy. Cuayan, Angeles City, Pampanga, by the BI Fugitive Search Unit (BI-FSU) operatives. Tansingco said that the operation was conducted in collaboration with the South Korean authorities, government intelligence groups, and the Angeles City Police Station. According to the South Korean authorities, Kwon is wanted for telecommunications fraud in South Korea, while Seok is wanted in Texas for engaging in wire fraud, money laundering, and identity theft. The BI chief said that as the BI board of commissioners has already issued summary deportation orders against them, soon they will be deported to face the crime they committed. Tansingco added that their names were also placed on the bureau’s blacklist of undesirable aliens, so they are now banned from re-entering the Philippines, the BI chief added. According to information obtained from Interpol's National Central Bureau (NCB) in Manila, the Suwon District Court in Korea issued an arrest order for Kwon on 12 December 2019. Authorities claimed that Kwon was part of a telecom fraud syndicate operating in Dalian, China, that used voice phishing to call random victims. Based on reports, the callers impersonated investigators from the Seoul Central Prosecutor's Office in order to harass the victims and trick them into transferring money to the syndicate's accounts. In contrast, the NCB revealed that Seok is the subject of an arrest warrant issued by the US district court in Western Texas. He is accused of conspiring to commit wire fraud, three counts of wire fraud, conspiring to commit money laundering, and three counts of aggravated identity theft. Seok is accused of working with other suspects to gain access to the websites of the US Departments of Defence and Veterans Affairs using thousands of US military veterans' stolen personal identification information (PII), depriving the victims of their benefits. The BI-FSU also reported that Seok was arrested after posting bail at the Angeles City regional trial court, where he was charged with robbery and extortion, and will be transferred to the BI’s facility in Bicutan, Taguig. While Kwon will remain in the custody of the Angeles City police due to his ongoing local case, he will continue to be under the BI’s legal custody for deportation proceedings. The post 2 Koreans wanted for telecom, wire fraud arrested appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
3 wanted persons arrested in Pasay
Members of the Pasay City police warrant and subpoena section on Friday arrested three wanted persons, one of them a woman, for pending cases. Pasay City police chief Col. Froilan Uy identified the suspects as certain George, Melanie and Frederick. George, tagged as the number one wanted person under station level and district level for a murder case, was arrested in Don Carlos, Barangay 190, Pasay City. Uy said the suspect was arrested by virtue of a warrant of arrest issued by Judge Marjury Almojera Madrid-Songgadan of Pasay Regional Trial Court Branch 117 on 26 September without bail. Police arrested Melanie arrested at around 8 p.m. on F. B. Harrison Street in Barangay 70, Pasay City for light threats. Judge Jose Cordero Jr. of Manila Metropolitan Trial Court Branch 11 recommended a bail of P3,000 for her temporary liberty. Uy said suspect Frederick who is facing a robbery case was nabbed at around 8:50 p.m. in Don Carlos Village, Barangay 190, Pasay City. The suspect was arrested by virtue of warrant issued by Judge Edilwasif T. Baddiri of Pasay City RTC Branch 115 on 14 July 2023. The post 3 wanted persons arrested in Pasay appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
CHR welcomes murder charges vs. cops linked to Jemboy Baltazar’s death
The Commission on Human Rights on Saturday welcomed the filing of murder charges against six police officers in connection with the “unjust killing” of 17-year-old Jerhode “Jemboy” Baltazar Navotas City in August. In a statement, the CHR likewise commended the Department of Justice for “conducting a comprehensive review” of Baltazar’s slay case, which has led to the decision to file murder charges against police officers allegedly involved in the killing. “This swift development on the case is an important step towards ensuring justice and accountability, especially as it involves law enforcement agents,” it said. The human rights body said the “senseless death” of Baltazar “underscored the importance of holding law enforcement agents” accountable for their actions to curb violations and abuses that breach fundamental rights. CHR firmly stressed that positions of authority, including law enforcers, “are not above the law. “Those who committed alleged violations must be held responsible considering that they made an oath to serve in accordance with the rules and standards required of police officers," it added. CHR hopes that the filing of murder charges against the suspects "will serve as a strong message that any alleged human rights violations by law enforcement officers will not be tolerated in our society.” “Aside from its crucial importance in delivering justice to Jemboy and his family, it can also help restore public trust in our law enforcement agencies,” it further stated. "The Commission also expects that the case amplifies the importance of abiding with established rules of operations that adhere to human rights-based policing to prevent violations that denigrate human rights, especially the utmost right to life.” CHR likewise urged the Philippine National Police to continue strengthening its programs and training “that will imbue its personnel with a renewed commitment to human rights practice” and values in the conduct of their duty. The commission said it will continue monitoring the case and provide support “in aid of ascertaining justice.” “As we mark this positive development, it is equally important to ensure continued commitment to due process, transparency, and accountability throughout the legal proceedings," it said. After the issuance of the warrant of arrest, the six police officers turned themselves into the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group in Lucena City in Quezon last Wednesday. They will be facing murder charges and are not entitled to bail. Eight policemen, including the six who were ordered arrested by the court, were dismissed due to serious grave neglect of duty. Since then, their benefits have been forfeited and their eligibility was revoked. While they were perpetually disqualified from holding any other government posts. The post CHR welcomes murder charges vs. cops linked to Jemboy Baltazar’s death appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
6 police in Navotas teen slay surrender
The six dismissed police officers implicated in the death of 17-year-old Jerhode “Jemboy” Baltazar in a case of mistaken identity have voluntarily surrendered to the authorities in Quezon province, Philippine National Police-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group chief Maj. Gen. Romeo Caramat Jr. said yesterday. Caramat said that six dismissed cops namely Executive Master Sgt. Roberto Dioso, Cpl. Edmard Blanco, Pat. Benedict Mangada, and Staff Sgts. Gerry Maliban, Antonio Bugayong, Jr., and Nikko Esquillon, all formerly assigned to the Navotas City police station, voluntarily surrendered around 5 p.m. Wednesday at CIDG Quezon Provincial Field Unit, Camp Guillermo Nakar, Lucena City, Quezon. Caramat said the suspects who voluntarily surrendered themselves in CIDG Quezon PFU are now undergoing the booking process and documentation for proper disposition as all accused are not entitled to bail. The Navotas City Regional Trial Court has ordered the arrest of six dismissed police officers implicated in the death of Baltazar in a case of mistaken identity last August In an order dated 3 October and made public Wednesday, RTC Branch 286 Judge Pedro Dabu Jr. said the court found probable cause to issue a warrant of arrest against Executive Master Sgt. Roberto Dioso, Cpl. Edmard Blanco, Pat. Benedict Mangada, and Staff Sgts. Gerry Maliban, Antonio Bugayong Jr. and Nikko Esquillon. “Considering that the accused stand charged with murder, they are not entitled to bail as a matter of course,” the order added. Navotas City prosecutors filed the murder complaint against the suspects on 15 September. The National Capital Region Police Office earlier approved the Philippine National Police-Internal Affairs Service’s recommendation to dismiss the respondents from the service over the killing of Baltazar. On 2 August, the police officers launched a pursuit operation against a murder suspect when they chanced upon Baltazar, who was then onboard a boat. They then commanded Baltazar and his companion to surrender. However, the victim jumped into the river, prompting law enforcers to fire resulting in his death. The police officers later admitted that Baltazar was not the suspect they were looking for but a certain Reynaldo Bolivar. The post 6 police in Navotas teen slay surrender appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Philandering Quezon City cop nabbed
Members of the anti-scalawag unit of the Philippine National Police have arrested an active Quezon City cop facing a charge of concubinage in Makati City last 30 September. In a belated report yesterday, Brig. Gen. Warren de Leon, chief of the PNP Integrity Monitoring and Enforcement Group, said the suspect, Master Sergeant Ledesma Mollenido, 36, assigned at the Quezon City Police District was nabbed at a room at Airobez Hotel in Makati located along 5487 Boyle Street. Mollenido was arested by virtue of a warrant issued by Cavite judge Antonio Oyao Del Val last 29 September for concubinage. A P30,000 bail was set for the policeman’s temporary liberty. De Leon said the case was filed by Mollenido’s wife after discovering that her husband was cohabiting with another woman. He said Mollenido was arrested based on a tip-off of the hotel’s supervisor. Mollenido is currently detained at the IMEG custodial facility in Camp Crame “for documentation prior to the return of an arrest warrant to the issuing court,” De Leon said in a statement. The post Philandering Quezon City cop nabbed appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Arrested Pura Luka Vega not sorry: ‘I have not committed any crime’
Controversial drag artist Pura Luka Vega, who was arrested by the Manila Police District on 4 October based on a court warrant, maintained his innocence in an interview with Daily Tribune inside his detention cell at MPD -PS 3 on Thursday afternoon, saying it was not his intention to hurt anyone's feelings. “ I am willing to face the charges against me because I believe I have not committed any crime,” said Vega, whose real name is Amadeus Fernando Pagente, a senior health program officer of the Department of Health and and a resident of Sta Cruz, Manila. His arrest was based on the warrant of arrest issued by Judge Czarina Samonte-Villanueva of Regional Trial Court Branch 36 Manila dated 4 October 2023 for for "immoral doctrines, obscene publications and exhibitions, and indecent shows," with P72,000 as recommended bail. The warrant was issued because Pagente had not appeared at his court hearing. But the drag artist said he had not received any notice of hearing or subpoena from the court, since the notice of hearing was sent by to his old address where he no longer stayed. Pagente said he will ask the court through his lawyer for a motion to reopen the case. “Andoon na po tayo sa punto na dapat ko ihayag sa korte ang niloloob ko, that it is an art of expression as we are in the free country, and most of all I have not committed any crime.” Vega is currently detained at MPD-PS 3. The post Arrested Pura Luka Vega not sorry: ‘I have not committed any crime’ appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
6 cops in teenage slay ordered arrested
The Regional Trial Court of Navotas City has ordered the arrest of six policemen charged with a non-bailable case of murder for the killing of teenager Jerhode “Jemboy” Baltazar last 2 August. The order was issued last Tuesday, 3 Oct. by Judge Pedro T. Dabu Jr. of RTC Branch 286. Ordered arrested were PSSg. Gerry S. Maliban, PSSg. Antonio B. Bugayong Jr., PEMS. Roberto D. Balais Jr., PSSg. Nikko PInes C. Esquillon, PCpl. Edmar Jade S. Blanco and Pat. Benedict D. Mangada — all members of the Navotas City police station. Judge Dabu in his order said “the Court finds probable cause to issue a warrant of arrest against all the above-named accused to place them under the custody of the law in order not to frustrate the ends of justice.” “Considering that the accused stand charged with murder, they are not entitled to bail as a matter of course,” the judge also said. The Department of Justice filed the murder charges before the RTC last Monday, 2 October. Record showed that Baltazar was fishing when he was shot dead last 2 August in Barangay NBBS Kaunlaran in Navotas City. In fending off responsibilities, the policemen claimed that they were conducting follow-up operations against robbers when they mistook the victim as one of the suspects. The post 6 cops in teenage slay ordered arrested appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Trial of disgraced crypto star Bankman-Fried begins
The trial of Sam Bankman-Fried, former CEO of one of cryptocurrency's biggest exchanges, began Tuesday with a jury set to determine if he committed massive fraud by stealing billions of dollars from clients. The 31-year-old -- once one of the most respected figures in crypto -- now faces decades in prison and could see his name stand alongside Bernie Madoff and Elizabeth Holmes as the era's most prominent fraudsters. The first day of the trial was devoted to jury selection for a case that is set to last about six weeks. Bankman-Fried faces seven counts including wire fraud, securities and commodities fraud, and money laundering. He risks more than 100 years behind bars if he is found guilty on all charges. Bankman-Fried entered the courtroom alone -- without being escorted by security guards -- uncuffed, and took his place alongside his lawyers, an AFP journalist observed. Dressed in a dark suit and striped tie, his usually long curly hair was cut short, reportedly by a fellow inmate at the Brooklyn jail where he is being detained. "You have the right to testify in your defense in this case. The decision is up to you," US District Judge Lewis Kaplan told Bankman Fried. In just a few years, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology graduate turned his FTX platform into the world's second-biggest crypto exchange, making him a tech world billionaire wunderkind. FTX became a global name through a marketing campaign that included celebrity partnerships with stars such as supermodel Gisele Bundchen and basketball legend Stephen Curry, and buying the naming rights for the home arena of the Miami Heat basketball club. Bankman-Fried also stepped in as a kind of savior of the industry when other crypto companies faced difficulties, with FTX swooping in to offer a financial lifeline. At the height of his career, Bankman-Fried was thought to be worth $26 billion as he attracted droves of small investors to invest in cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin or Ethereum. But his steep rise was matched by his ignominious downfall, which saw him escorted last year by police from his luxury apartment in the Bahamas and extradited to face charges in the United States. 'Gambling at own casino' His empire began to crumble last November when a news report pointed to unhealthy ties between the FTX platform and Alameda Research, Bankman-Fried's personally owned-trading company. The revelations kept growing and major investors pulled their money out of FTX, sinking it swiftly into bankruptcy. Once the dust had settled, some $8.7 billion in client funds was still unaccounted for and Bankman-Fried was accused of using FTX deposits to buy luxury real estate or donate more than $100 million to US politicians through Alameda. "He was gambling in his own casino and it created conflicts of interest," Michael Lewis, an author who followed Bankman-Fried closely during the period, told CBS. Everything "unravels because the depositors at FTX want their money back and it's not all there," the author of "Liar's Poker" and other titles added. The climax of the trial is expected to be when his former friends and colleagues take the stand, including Carlonie Ellison, his one-time romantic partner and Alameda executive, and Gary Wang, his closest associate. Ellison and Wang have also been indicted in the case and agreed to cooperate with US authorities, which may prove Bankman-Fried's undoing. After his spectacular arrest in the Bahamas, Bankman-Fried was initially held under house arrest but was ordered behind bars in August over alleged attempts at witness intimidation. According to prosecutors, while holed up at his parents' home in California, Bankman-Fried spoke regularly to journalists and passed documents to The New York Times in an effort to influence the testimony of Ellison. The post Trial of disgraced crypto star Bankman-Fried begins appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Murder suspect nabbed at QC checkpoint
A security guard wanted for murder in Caloocan City was nabbed by operatives of the Quezon City Police District, Novaliches Police Station (PS 4) at a checkpoint Sunday night. QCPD PS-4 commander, P/Lt.Col. Jerry Castillo, identified the suspect as Romnick Abayon Perote, 34 years old, a Security Guard at Parkview Executive Village, and a resident of Brgy. Bagumbong, Caloocan City. Castillo said they have received information regarding a shooting incident that transpired at 8:20 p.m. on 1 October 2023 at Parkview Heights Exclusive Village in Brgy. Bagumbong, Caloocan City. He immediately ordered the conduct of a checkpoint, Oplan Kandado, along Susano Road corner Austria St., in Brgy. Nova Proper, Novaliches, for the possible escape route of the fleeing suspect and intercept him. Fortunately, they were able to intercept the suspect onboard a passenger jeepney, which resulted in his arrest. Confiscated from Perote's possession was one caliber .38 Armscor 202 loaded with five live ammunition. The suspect was properly turned over to Caloocan Police Station (PS9) for further investigation and proper disposition to face the murder case and violation of Republic Act No. 10591 or the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act. "I commend the dedication of PS 4 personnel for their swift conduct of checkpoints, which led to the arrest of the suspect. This proves that checkpoint operations are really crucial for deterring criminal activity and maintaining the well-being of our citizens,” Maranan commended Castillo and his men. The post Murder suspect nabbed at QC checkpoint appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Former gang leader charged with rapper Tupac Shakur’s 1996 murder
A quarter of a century after Tupac Shakur was gunned down in a gang feud in Las Vegas, a man was charged Friday with his murder, a killing that came to symbolize the violence of gangsta rap as it surged into the mainstream. Duane "Keffe D" Davis, 60, had long acknowledged his involvement in the slaying, boasting he was the "on-site commander" in the effort to kill Shakur and Death Row Records boss Marion "Suge" Knight in revenge for his nephew's assault. Davis' early morning arrest Friday followed 27 years of investigations by police, who had been frustrated by an apparent lack of useable evidence, and came two months after they raided his home in Henderson, just outside Las Vegas. "The presumption is great that he is responsible for the murder of Tupac Shakur, and he will be found guilty of murder with the use of a deadly weapon," prosecutor Marc DiGiacomo told a court in Nevada. Shakur, the best-selling hip-hop artist behind hits such as "California Love," "Changes," and "Dear Mama," was already a huge star in the world of rap when he was gunned down in Las Vegas on 7 September 1996. He was just 25. He was signed to Death Row Records, an outfit associated at the time with Los Angeles street gang Mob Piru, which had a long-standing beef with the Southside Compton Crips. DiGiacomo said on the day of the murder, Shakur and Death Row Records co-founder Knight were in Las Vegas to watch Mike Tyson fight. In a hotel elevator lobby, they set upon Crips member Orlando Anderson, the nephew of Davis. "(Davis) formulated a plan to exact revenge upon Mr Knight and Mr Shakur" for this beating, DiGiacomo said. "He acquired a 40-caliber Glock firearm from a drug associate. "He gets into (a light-colored) Cadillac and he provides the 40-caliber Glock firearm to one of the two individuals in the back seat," and the group set off to find their intended victims. The two rap moguls were spotted in a car on a Las Vegas street. "They pulled up next to the vehicle and the rear passenger fired a number of rounds out of that vehicle striking Mr Knight in the head and Mr Shakur several times," DiGiacomo said. Shakur died in a hospital several days later. Knight survived. The prosecutor said what happened that night had been largely understood by investigators for many years, but they had not had sufficient admissible evidence to advance the case. That began to change when Davis, reportedly the only person in the car that night still alive, published an autobiography and spoke about the crime for a TV show. "He admitted to being the front right passenger in the light Cadillac and that he was the on-ground, on-site commander of the effort to kill Tupac Shakur and Suge Knight." A court hearing in the case was scheduled for next week. Rivalry Shakur had a brief but stratospheric career, rapidly rising from backup dancer to self-styled gangsta rapper and one of the most influential figures in hip-hop, selling 75 million records. He became a key figure in a vaunted rivalry, egged on by promoters, between East Coast and West Coast hip-hop. Though born in New York, Shakur moved as a teenager with his family to California, becoming one of the most identifiable figures in the West Coast scene. Shakur's murder was followed six months later by the shooting death in Los Angeles of his rival, East Coast rapper Christopher "The Notorious BIG" Wallace. The investigation's slow progress led to accusations police were not trying hard enough to find the killers of young Black men. Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department Sheriff Kevin McMahill on Friday said that was not true. "I know there have been many people who did not believe that the murder of Tupac Shakur was important to this police department," he told reporters. "I'm here to tell you, that was simply not the case. It was not the case back then. And it is not the case today. "Our goal... has always been to hold those accountable and responsible for Tupac's violent murder accountable." The post Former gang leader charged with rapper Tupac Shakur’s 1996 murder appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
‘Total lawfare’: Ukraine’s other front in the war
On 26 February 2022, while Russian tanks were barrelling towards Kyiv, Ukrainian lawyers were fighting on a different front, submitting a case against Moscow at the International Court of Justice. The gilded halls of the Peace Palace in The Hague, where the court sits, are a world away from the trenches of Donbas but Ukraine believes its legal attacks on Russia are a critical part of the fight. What cases are open in Ukraine's campaign of all-out "lawfare" against Moscow and, with little chance of Russian compliance, what's the point? Where are the legal front lines? The Hague, Strasbourg, and Hamburg. Ukraine has dragged Russia before the International Court of Justice (ICJ), which rules on disputes between nations, arguing that President Vladimir Putin abused the UN Genocide Convention when he used an alleged "genocide" in eastern Ukraine as a pretext for invasion. The final arguments in this case will be heard later Wednesday. Also in The Hague, the International Criminal Court (ICC) has issued an arrest warrant for Putin, accusing him of unlawfully deporting Ukrainian children, a war crime. Neither of these courts, however, can try Russian leaders, including Putin, for the crime of "aggression", defined as an attack on one state by another in breach of the UN charter. So a special group of prosecutors from Ukraine, the EU, the United States, and the ICC has been set up in The Hague with a view to establishing a special tribunal to bring senior Russians to trial. Ukraine also has cases open at the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) in Strasbourg over alleged Russian human rights abuses. Finally, Ukraine also brought cases to the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) in The Hague and the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea in Hamburg over what it says is Russia's disregard for international maritime law. Will Russia comply? It seems unlikely that Russia would comply with any ruling from an international court -- for example, in March 2022, the ICJ ordered Moscow to immediately halt its invasion. Russia didn't even turn up to the hearings in that case. But it's far from an academic exercise, said Cecily Rose, assistant professor of public international law at Leiden University. "There are examples of cases in which Russia has complied at least partially with an adverse ruling by an international court," Rose told AFP, citing a 2015 verdict in which Moscow reportedly stumped up half the cash it was ordered to. "It shows that non-compliance cannot be cynically assumed. Most of the time, states do comply with awards and judgments rendered by international courts and tribunals." What's the point? Even if Russia doesn't comply, Kyiv and most legal experts think the international community needs to draw a line in the sand. "Some countries do not comply with the law, including Russia. However, it is still important to call them out and to bring a case against them when they do breach the law," said Melanie O'Brien, assistant professor at the University of Western Australia Law School. "The case demonstrates that other countries do not view Russia's conduct as acceptable -- but rather, as unlawful," O'Brien told AFP. A ruling from the ICJ against Russia would be a further element in isolating Moscow and confirming it broke international law, she said. "It is also an important acknowledgment for victims of human rights abuses and international crimes such as war crimes that what happened to them and their loved ones was not lawful," she added. Proving that Russia's actions were in contravention of international law could also be key in future peace negotiations, including over potential reparations, noted Rose. How long will it take? The wheels of justice grind slowly. The ICJ "genocide" case is only about whether the court even has jurisdiction. A special tribunal is politically sensitive and will take a long time to establish. But the wheels of justice also grind exceedingly fine. "Just because Putin won't comply with a ruling now, he won't be in power forever," said O'Brien. "At some point, a change of regime will occur and may lead to compliance with international law." The post ‘Total lawfare’: Ukraine’s other front in the war appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Chop-chop murder suspect shot dead
JOLO, Sulu — An alleged member of the Abu Sayyaf Group was killed while nine police officers were wounded, including three senior police officers, during a nearly three-hour clash in Barangay Siet Higad, Panamao, Sulu. Police and military operatives were about to serve a warrant of arrest against the suspect at about 2:30 a.m. yesterday when a firefight erupted and lasted until 5 a.m., P/Col. John Francis Encinareal said. Encinareal identified the slain suspect as Muksidal A. Jumadil, a resident of Barangay Kamindus, Luuk, Sulu, and temporarily residing in Barangay Siet Higad, Panamao, Sulu. Jumadil was the primary suspect in the brutal killing of Nurdija Dammang Aminiddin, a small-town businesswoman in Barangay Kanmindus, Luuk, according to Encinareal. Jumadil killed Dammang, and her body was cut into small pieces and found scattered in different locations in the village. A case for murder was filed against Jumadil and is still pending at the office of the Provincial Prosecutor’s Office. The wounded police officers were identified as P/Capt. Nolie L. Agmaliw, P/Lt. Jhorlino Rico D. Apal, and P/Lt. Jose Earl Abdurajan III. Also wounded were Pat. Lionel A. Suarverdez, P/Cpl. Reymir M. Subion, P/Cpl. Lindo M. Macua, Pat. Edison Ray D. Paris, P/Cpl. Oliver R. Alviar, and P/Cpl. Andres G. Dalang. Jumadil was facing charges for violating RA 10591, or Illegal Possession of Firearms and Ammunition, with a P200,000 bail bond. Recovered at the encounter site were one unit M14 rifle, one piece bandolier, five M14 magazines, and a total of 65 live 7.62 bullets. Two body-worn cameras (with Boblov serial numbers LYY1127 and 1234567890 of CIDG Sulu PFU were used during the operation, Encinareal said. The post Chop-chop murder suspect shot dead appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Case of missing sabungeros getting clearer
The latest arrests on the six suspects in the case of missing sabungeros will give the Philippine National Police investigation a direction to its mastermind. This was how PNP Chief P/Gen. Benjamin Acorda viewed the latest development to an almost three-year case that somehow would lead to the identification of the mastermind and others responsible to the crime. “With this development, the investigation will have a direction and hopefully this will convince, or this would encourage other witnesses to come out and provide information,” Acorda said when he guested at the Saturday News Forum in Quezon City. Acorda was referring to the arrest of security guards Julie Patidongan, Gleer Codilla, Mark Carlo Zabala, Virgilio Bayog, Johnry Consolacion and Roberto Matillano Jr. in two safehouses in Parañaque City. He said they are also hopeful that the arrest of six suspects will convince, or encourage other witnesses to provide information. The chief PNP also hinted that some of the six arrested suspects are willing to divulge further information on the matter. Acorda said they are hoping that the suspects would cooperate in the investigation for the PNP to finally identify and file charges against the mastermind and other suspects. “The most effective way to connect the mastermind is the suspects themselves. So I am hoping that they will talk,” Acorda said. The suspects were arrested on Friday in Parañaque City after the PNP Criminal Investigation and Detection Group located their whereabouts through an informant and following a two-month surveillance operation. The six suspects were former security guards of the Manila Arena and we’re listed as respondents for six counts of kidnapping and serious illegal detention in connection with the abduction of six cockfighting players. Acorda said two other people were collared and are now facing obstruction of justice for providing shelter to the six suspects. The abduction at the Manila Arena was among the series of cases of kidnapping of 34 cockfighting players. Police earlier said the kidnapping was related to allegations of game-fixing for online sabong during the Covid-19 pandemic. On the other end, the families of missing sabungeros John Claude Inonog, Rondel Cristorum, Mark Joseph Velasco, Rowel Gomez, and brothers James Baccay and Marlon Baccay filed formal complaints against the six security officers at the Manila Arena over their disappearance in January 2022. Complaints for six counts of kidnapping and serious illegal detention were filed on 18 March 2022, against the six suspects before the Department of Justice. The post Case of missing sabungeros getting clearer appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Case of missing sabungeros now has directions- PNP Chief
The latest arrests of the six suspects in the case of missing sabungeros will give the Philippine National Police investigation a direction to its mastermind. This was how PNP Chief P/General Benjamin Acorda viewed the latest development to an almost three-year case that somehow would lead to the identification of the mastermind and others responsible for the crime. “With this development, the investigation will have a direction and hopefully this will convince, or this would encourage other witnesses to be dedicated to providing information,” Acorda said when he guested at the Saturday News Forum in Quezon City. Acorda was referring to the arrest of security guards Julie Patidongan, Gleer Codilla, Mark Carlo Zabala, Virgilio Bayog, Johnry Consolacion, and Roberto Matillano Jr. in two safe houses in Parañaque City. He added said they are also hopeful that the arrest of six suspects will convince, or encourage other witnesses to provide information. The Chief PNP also hinted that some of the six arrested suspects are willing to divulge further information on the matter. Acorda said they are hoping that the suspects would cooperate in the investigation for the PNP to finally identify the file charges against the mastermind and other suspects. “The most effective way to connect the mastermind is the suspects themselves. So I am hoping that they will talk,” Acorda said. “There are some indications that they would talk but we just want to wait and anything that they will say is of course needs the assistance of a lawyer,” he added. The suspects were arrested on Friday in Parañaque City after the PNP Criminal Investigation and Detection Group located their whereabouts through an informant and following a two-month surveillance operation. The six suspects were former security guards of the Manila Arena and we're listed as respondents for six counts of kidnapping and serious illegal detention in connection with the abduction of six cockfighting players. Acorda said two other people were collared and are now facing obstruction of justice for providing shelter to the six suspects. The abduction at the Manila Arena was among the series of cases of kidnapping of 34 cockfighting players. Police earlier said the kidnapping was related to allegations of game-fixing for online sabong during the Covid-19 pandemic. On the other end, the families of missing saunders John Claude Inonog, Rondel Cristorum, Mark Joseph Velasco, Rowel Gomez, and brothers James Baccay and Marlon Baccay filed formal complaints against the six security officers at the Manila Arena over their disappearance in January 2022. Complaints for six counts of kidnapping and serious illegal detention were filed on March 18, 2022, against the six suspects before the Department of Justice. The CIDG also filed a separate case for kidnapping and serious illegal detention in connection with the disappearance of the missing online sabong master agent Ricardo Lasco, who was reportedly abducted on August 30, 2021, in San Pablo, Laguna. Three former policemen linked to the kidnapping of Lasco have already surrendered. The DOJ in January 2023 filed kidnapping and serious illegal detention charges against six individuals allegedly involved in the disappearance of six sabungeros before the Manila Regional Trial Court. The families, however, withdrew from the cases last month, prompting the kin of other victims to express disappointment. ''We have been hearing reports that there were attempts to really bribe ‘yung mga witnesses,'' Acorda said. The post Case of missing sabungeros now has directions- PNP Chief appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Clampdown and grief as Iranians remember Mahsa Amini
Iranians at home and abroad marked the first anniversary Saturday of the death in police custody of Mahsa Amini, with activists speaking of a renewed crackdown to prevent any resurgence of the protests which rocked major cities last year. Amini, a 22-year-old Iranian Kurd, died a few days after her arrest by religious police for allegedly violating the strict dress code for women in force since shortly after the 1979 revolution. Her family says she died from a blow to the head but this is disputed by Iranian authorities. Anger over her death rapidly expanded into weeks of taboo-breaking protests which saw women tearing off their mandatory headscarves in an open challenge to the Islamic republic's system of government under supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. But after several months, they lost momentum in the face of a crackdown that saw security forces kill 551 protesters, according to Norway-based Iran Human Rights (IHR), and arrest more than 22,000, according to Amnesty International. Iranian authorities say dozens of security personnel were also killed in what they describe as "riots" incited by foreign governments and hostile media. Seven men have been executed after being convicted in protest-related cases. Campaigners say the authorities have renewed their crackdown in the runup to the anniversary, putting pressure on relatives of those killed in the protests in a bid to stop them speaking out. New York-based Human Rights Watch said family members of at least 36 people killed or executed in the crackdown had been interrogated, arrested, prosecuted or sentenced to prison over the past month. "Iranian authorities are trying to impose a chokehold on dissent to prevent public commemoration of Mahsa Jina Amini's death in custody, which has become the symbol of the government's systematic oppression of women, injustice and impunity," said HRW's senior Iran researcher, Tara Sepehri Far. 'Repressive forces' deployed The two journalists who did the most to publicize the Amini case –- Niloufar Hamedi and Elahe Mohammadi who respectively reported from her hospital and funeral –- have been held in prison for almost a year. Another reporter, Nazila Maroufian who interviewed Amini's father Amjad, has been arrested repeatedly. Amjad Amini has told Persian media based outside Iran that he plans to hold a commemoration for his daughter in their hometown of Saqez in Kurdish-populated western Iran later Saturday. Outlets, including Prague-based Radio Farda, said he was summoned by intelligence officials after his announcement. He was not arrested but one of Amini's uncles, Safa Aeli, was detained in Saqez on 5 September. According to Kurdish-focused news outlet Hengaw, the government has sent additional security forces to Saqez and other towns in western Iran that could become flashpoints. On Saturday, Hengaw said, "repressive forces" were deployed around the Amini family residence in Saqez. It posted photos on X, formerly Twitter, showing armed men in fatigues on the streets of Saqez, as well as video of shops shuttered and on strike to mark the anniversary in Saqez, Sanandaj and other cities of Kurdistan province. 'Doubling down' While some women are still seen walking in public without headscarves, particularly in wealthy, traditionally liberal areas of north Tehran, the conservative-dominated parliament is currently considering a draft law that would impose far stiffer penalties for non-compliance. "The Islamic republic is doubling down on repression and reprisals against its citizens and seeking to introduce new and more draconian laws that severely restrict further the rights of women and girls," said Sara Hossain, the chair of the UN fact-finding mission set up to investigate the crackdown. Under the slogan "Say her name!", Iranian emigres are expected to hold commemorative rallies, with large demonstrations expected in Paris and Toronto. Amnesty International accused Iran's authorities of committing a "litany of crimes under international law to eradicate any challenge to their iron grip on power" and lamented that not a single official had been even investigated over Amini's death or the crackdown. "The anniversary offers a stark reminder for countries around the world of the need to initiate criminal investigations into the heinous crimes committed by the Iranian authorities under universal jurisdiction," said Amnesty's Middle East and North Africa deputy director, Diana Eltahawy. On the eve of the anniversary, Iran's arch-foe the United States and its Western allies including Britain and the European Union imposed new sanctions on the Islamic republic over its protest crackdown. Announcing the measures, US President Joe Biden led international calls in solidarity with Iranians on the anniversary of Amini's death. "Iranians alone will determine the fate of their country, but the United States remains committed to standing with them," he said. Iran's foreign ministry spokesman Nasser Kanani slammed the Western countries' "illegal and undiplomatic actions" in a statement late Friday. The post Clampdown and grief as Iranians remember Mahsa Amini appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»