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Conflict of interest ruling bane for private lawyers
The Public Attorney’s Office on Friday revealed that at least 40,000 private lawyers may find themselves in trouble or short of income due to the inclusion of a provision by the Supreme Court of a conflict of interest provision in the code of professional responsibility and accountability for lawyers. The PAO said that the scenario is already looming in the event that Section 22, Canon lll of the Code of Professional Responsibility and Accountability will be fully implemented by the High Court. PAO chief Atty. Persida Rueda-Acosta said that the ruling will pit PAO lawyers against each other and will result to animosity with their respective clients because they may be of thinking that their cases would be compromised. Although the ultimate thing is for the judge to hand the verdict, the conflict is that the pleadings of both the PAO between those accused and accuser may be deemed compromised because their defenders came from the same office. Since PAO lawyers are open to both parties even those who have the means to pay or acquire the services of private lawyers will opt to run to PAO and get the services of its pool of lawyers because it is free. Acosta said those in the private practice will definitely feel the brunt because they will not be engaged thus their source of income will be affected. “There are 40,000 private lawyers and they may find it difficult to get clients because prospective clients will surely run to PAO so they may spend less,” said Acosta. Also, Dr. Erwin Erfe, chief PAO forensics chief, said the fiduciary relationship of clients will be lost because of the looming scenario and another worst-case scenario to the entire Philippine justice system also looms due to a delay in the disposition and congestion of cases in the lower courts, should a public defender and another PAO lawyer represent the accused and the complainant, respectively, in the same case. Even Finance Secretary Benjamin Diokno, in September 2022, approved a Bureau of Internal Revenue regulation citing guidelines on the incentives a private lawyer providing free legal aid can get — a 10-percent tax rebate. Erfe said RA 9999 or the so-called Lapid Law has directed the Supreme Court to come up with the implementing rules and regulations since the law’s passage in 2020 under then-Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile and the late Speaker Prospero Nograles during the Arroyo administration. The post Conflict of interest ruling bane for private lawyers appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
DFA on Del Rosario: ‘Consummate diplomat, inspiring leader’
Former Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario, who ushered the Philippines’ case against China in the 2016 landmark decision that cemented Manila’s claim over the West Philippine Sea, passed away at 83, the Department of Foreign Affairs announced Tuesday. In a statement, the DFA said Del Rosario died while en route to San Francisco in the United States. It did not elaborate further on the cause of the passing of the agency’s former chief. The DFA described Del Rosario as a “staunch advocate of protecting and advancing national security and promoting the rights and welfare of Filipinos both in the Philippines and abroad.” He joined the Cabinet of late President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III as DFA secretary from 2011 to March 2016. Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo also extended his condolences to the family of the country’s former top diplomat. “I extend my deepest condolences to the loved ones of Secretary Albert F. Del Rosario. He was a consummate diplomat and an inspiring leader who led the DFA with integrity and unwavering commitment to public service. You will be missed, Mr. Secretary,” said Manalo. 2016 Arbitral Ruling During his stint as the DFA chief, Del Rosario led the country’s arbitral case before the Hague-based court and challenged China’s historic nine-dash claim in the South China Sea. On 12 July 2016, the Permanent Court of Arbitration favored the Philippines’ claims in the West Philippine Sea – a landmark decision that the People’s Republic of China continues to reject. Even after his stint at the DFA ended, Del Rosario continued to speak against Chinese activities in the WPS, which earned the ire of Aquino’s successor, former President Rodrigo Duterte. Duterte and Del Rosario traded barbs at the height of the Covid-19 pandemic in 2021, after the latter said that ranking Chinese officials helped the former president win in the 2016 elections. In response to Del Rosario’s allegation, the Duterte administration accused Del Rosario of being a “traitor” for ordering the withdrawal of Filipino ships during the 2012 standoff with China in Scarborough Shoal. The former DFA chief explained that he mistakenly believed that China would keep its promise to call off its ships in a deal that was brokered by the United States. Before taking the helm of the DFA under the Aquino administration, Del Rosario also served as Philippine Ambassador to the United States under former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo from 2001 to 2006. Diplomats pay tribute As the news spread about the passing of Del Rosario, the international community also expressed its condolences to the family of the former DFA chief. Czech Ambassador to the Philippines Jana Treybalová Šedivá said: “He was a source of inspiration and I learned so much from him.” “You will be missed also by Czech friends and colleagues, dear Albert,” she added. European Union Ambassador to the Philippines Luc Veron described Del Rosario as "soft-spoken" but an "indefatigable diplomat and patriot whose role in strengthening EU-Philippines relations was critical." Likewise, Japanese Ambassador to the Philippines Koshikawa Kazuhiko expressed his gratitude to Del Rosario for his contributions to the Philippines-Japan bilateral relations. “His contributions to the Philippines-Japan relationship as symbolized by the conferment of a Japanese Decoration last year and his leadership to uphold the rule of law in the sea will never be forgotten,” Koshikawa said. Last November, the Japanese government conferred on Del Rosario the Grand Cordon of the Order of the Rising Sun, citing him for becoming an “instrument” in building the Japan-Philippines bilateral relationship toward becoming a “strategic partnership”. “Especially, he has significantly contributed in ensuring the safety of ships navigating the waters around the Philippines by strengthening the maritime security relations between both nations,” it said. It also acknowledged Del Rosario’s role in the historic victory of the Philippines in the special arbitral tribunal that favored the country against the People’s Republic of China in 2016. The Order of the Rising Sun is awarded by the Emperor of Japan to individuals, both Japanese and foreign, in recognition of long and/or especially meritorious service. Australian Ambassador to the Philippines HK Yu also mourned the passing of Del Rosario, whom she described as a “good friend” to Australia. “Secretary Del Rosario will always be remembered for his support for UNCLOS and the rules-based international order,” YU said. Del Rosario is survived by his wife Gretchen and his children. The post DFA on Del Rosario: ‘Consummate diplomat, inspiring leader’ appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Ombudsman junks case vs suspended Tabuk City, Kalinga mayor
Tabuk City, Kalinga province Mayor Darwin Estranero will be back to work on April 1 after the case filed against him in connection to the alleged overpricing of medical equipment for his town was dismissed by the Office of the Ombudsman......»»
SC affirms ruling granting bail to ex-Masbate lawmaker, Napoles
The Supreme Court (SC) has affirmed a ruling of the Sandiganbayan that allowed businesswoman Janet Lim-Napoles and former Masbate congresswoman Rizalina Seachone-Laneta to post bail in the plunder charges filed against them in connection with the Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) or pork scam......»»
DOJ mulls another autopsy on Percy Lapid slay suspect
The Department of Justice said that it ordered to conduct another autopsy on former Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) Deputy Security Officer Ricardo Zulueta, a co-accused in the Percival Mabasa or Percy Lapid slay case......»»
From the Newsrooms: February 25 to March 2, 2024
HEADLINES LAST week called public attention to the killing of 17-year-old Jerhode "Jemboy" Baltazar who was shot by police in August 2023. A local court promulgated on February 27 the murder case filed against six police officers, who were earlier terminated from service. The court's conviction of one of the accused was downgraded to homicide. Four others were convicted for illegal discharge of firearms. Another accuse.....»»
From the Newsrooms: February 25 to March 2, 2024
HEADLINES LAST week called public attention to the killing of 17-year-old Jerhode "Jemboy" Baltazar who was shot by police in August 2023. A local court promulgated on February 27 the murder case filed against six police officers, who were earlier terminated from service. The court's conviction of one of the accused was downgraded to homicide. Four others were convicted for illegal discharge of firearms. Another accuse.....»»
Military hubris at play in envi activists’ case
To recall, the two activists, Jhed Tamano and Jonila Castro, both in their early 20s, were kidnapped and held in secret custody for 17 days in September last year. Presented at a press conference purportedly to announce that they had surrendered, the two instead accused the military of abducting them. Taken by surprise, the authorities were shocked into releasing them pronto. The post Military hubris at play in envi activists’ case appeared first on Bulatlat......»»
QC prosecutor’s office junks ‘grave threats’ rap vs Duterte
The Quezon City Prosecutor’s Office has dismissed the grave threats case filed by ACT Teachers Rep. France Castro against former President Rodrigo Duterte, saying there was insufficient evidence to prove his intent to harm her. Castro accused Duterte of threatening to kill her based on statements he made during two episodes of his show “Gikan sa Masa,.....»»
Poisoned pets’ owners settle case with foreigner
MANDAUE CITY, Philippines – The owners of dogs and cats killed in Aliño Compound, Barangay Cabancalan, Mandaue City on December 2 have withdrawn their complaints against the foreigner accused of killing the pets using rat poison. The complainants and the wife of the foreigner met at the Barangay Hall on Wednesday, December 13, 2023. The.....»»
Bautista co-accused arraigned in new graft case
Former Quezon City mayor Herbert Bautista’s co-accused in a new graft case pleaded not guilty during their arraignment before the Sandiganbayan yesterday......»»
Ivanka Trump ordered to testify in father’s fraud trial
The New York judge presiding over Donald Trump's civil fraud trial ordered his daughter Ivanka on Friday to testify in the case. Ivanka Trump, 41, was initially named in the lawsuit against Trump and his two eldest sons brought by New York's attorney general but was eventually dropped as a defendant. Trump and his sons Don Jr and Eric are accused of inflating the value of the real estate of the Trump Organization for years to obtain more favorable bank loans and insurance terms. Judge Arthur Engoron dismissed an attempt by Trump's attorneys to quash a subpoena issued to Ivanka Trump by Attorney General Letitia James but gave her until November 1 to appeal the decision. Ivanka Trump served as a senior advisor to her father, the frontrunner for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination, while he was in the White House but has kept a low profile since he left office. She abandoned her roles in the Trump Organization in January 2017, when her father became president and she and her husband, Jared Kushner, both took up posts in his administration. Before that, Ivanka Trump was an executive vice president of the Trump Organization and was notably in close contact with one of the group's biggest lenders, Deutsche Bank, according to the attorney general's office. The 77-year-old Trump and his sons are also expected to testify at some point during the trial being held in Manhattan. The former president does not risk going to jail, but James is seeking $250 million in penalties and the removal of Trump and his sons from management of the family real estate empire. Trump has repeatedly denounced the trial as a Democratic witch hunt intended to derail his 2024 White House bid. The post Ivanka Trump ordered to testify in father’s fraud trial appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Bankman-Fried to testify at his US crypto trial
Sam Bankman-Fried, founder of the collapsed cryptocurrency exchange FTX, plans to make another high-stakes gamble and testify in his defense on Thursday at his criminal fraud trial. Bankman-Fried's decision to take the stand comes after three weeks of devastating testimony for the 31-year-old known as SBF, who has been accused of stealing billions of dollars from clients. His lawyer, Mark Cohen, told Judge Lewis Kaplan he expected Bankman-Fried's testimony to last for four or five hours. He is expected to begin around 2:00 p.m. (1800 GMT). Prosecutors were wrapping up their case on Thursday and handing it over to the defense, which said it plans to call four witnesses, including Bankman-Fried. Bankman-Fried, once one of the most respected figures in crypto, has been charged with seven counts of fraud, embezzlement, and criminal conspiracy. If convicted, he could face a de facto life sentence of more than 100 years in prison. The Massachusetts Institute of Technology graduate had, in just a few years, turned his FTX platform into the world's second-biggest crypto exchange -- making him a tech-world billionaire wunderkind. But his empire began to crumble last November when a news report pointed to unhealthy ties between FTX and Alameda Research, Bankman-Fried's personally owned trading company. Amid growing revelations, major investors pulled their money out of FTX, sinking it swiftly into bankruptcy. Some $8.7 billion was still unaccounted for after the dust settled, according to the receiver appointed to manage the liquidation. Bankman-Fried has denied taking other people's money, blaming former colleagues for the situation. But key witnesses in recent weeks, all former FTX or Alameda employees, refuted his account. Supported by internal documents compiled by the prosecution, they said he was behind the breaches and did not lose sight of the financial situation of FTX and Alameda. Ex-girlfriend offers evidence Among those taking the stand was Caroline Ellison, Bankman-Fried's former business partner and girlfriend. She offered conclusive evidence against him and delivered details on his management, saying he was involved in all major decisions. Ellison, a Stanford University mathematics graduate, was appointed by Bankman-Fried in 2021 to head Alameda, whose activities were largely financed by money from customers of FTX without their knowledge. She has pleaded guilty to fraud charges and agreed to cooperate with the prosecution, as have two other close associates of Bankman-Fried. Bankman-Fried's decision to testify in his defense is unusual in a country where criminal defendants generally decline to do so because they have to face cross-examination and run the risk of incriminating themselves. Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein, comedian Bill Cosby, singer R. Kelly, and drug trafficker Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman were among high-profile defendants who declined to testify at their recent trials. A Cornell University study of hundreds of trials published in 2009 found that 77 percent of defendants who chose to testify were convicted while 72 percent of those who declined to take the stand were found guilty. The post Bankman-Fried to testify at his US crypto trial appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Case closed: Obiena doping accuser says sorry
The wife of the Olympic gold medalist who accused Asian Games gold medalist pole vaulter EJ Obiena of doping has apologized......»»
Probe ordered on fireman’s ‘promotion for sale’ scam
Interior and Local Government Secretary Benhur Abalos on Thursday ordered a thorough and deeper probe on a fireman who was accused of being involved in a “lateral promotion for sale” scam at the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP). The suspect, Fire Officer 1 Ramces Paul Benipayo of the Muntinlupa Fire Station, was collared by undercover operatives on Wednesday, 25 October, in an entrapment operation shortly after receiving P200,000 from his alleged victim. Policemen arrested Benipayo after accepting P200,000 in marked money from his classmate, a BFP firefighter from Western Visayas, whom he promised to assist in getting a promotion within the bureau in exchange for money. Benipayo’s modus is to convince his would-be victims to give him money in exchange for non-existent promotion which will allegedly be facilitated by his “contacts” in the BFP, which of course would never materialize. “I have been briefed on the case of FO1 Benipayo and I could say that what he did was unacceptable,” said Abalos. The BFP together with the Philippine National Police is an attached agency of the DILG. This, as Abalos also ordered a thorough probe on the case and background of Benipayo to determine if he has cohorts at the BFP who could be working with him. Abalos’ order came after BFP intelligence and investigation division director Chief Supt. Gilbert Dolot reported that three more complainants came forward and accused the suspect of also duping them using the same modus operandi. “We will not tolerate this kind of illegal activity. That’s why I’ve already ordered the PNP to work closely with the BFP to get to the bottom of this issue and prosecute everyone involved,” Abalos pointed out. “Walang puwang sa gobyerno natin at sa DILG or sa BFP for that matter ang mga katulad niya,” he continued. Benipayo had undergone inquest proceedings before the Muntinlupa Prosecutor’s Office and was slapped with complaints for violating Republic Act 3019 or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act and estafa in relation to RA 10175, also known as the cybercrime prevention law. He is currently detained at the CIDG detention facility. The head of the CIDG’s anti-organized crime unit, Col. Reynaldo Lizardo, said Benipayo initially told them his cohort is with the BFP. . The post Probe ordered on fireman’s ‘promotion for sale’ scam appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Meta quarterly profit jumps but it sees volatility in ad market
Meta on Wednesday reported that its quarterly profit more than doubled from last year's figure as it looks ahead at a volatile ad market and lawsuits accusing it of profiting from "children's pain." "Meta earnings looked pretty good," said independent tech analyst Rob Enderle. "They have clearly cut back on the bleeding surrounding their metaverse efforts and the company appears to be on a more even keel right now." The tech giant said it made a profit of $11.6 billion as ad revenue climbed 23 percent to $34 billion when compared to the same period a year earlier. "We had a good quarter for our community and business," said Meta chief executive Mark Zuckerberg. The number of people using Facebook monthly rose slightly to 3.05 billion in a year-over-year comparison while monthly active users of Meta's "family" of apps was 3.96 billion a 7 percent increase from the same quarter in 2022, the company reported. Meta said it had trimmed costs, with layoffs and other belt-tightening measures started last year providing "greater efficiency." Meta had suffered a rough 2022 amid a souring economic climate and Apple's data privacy changes, which allowed users to block ad targeting, the pillar of Meta's business. Meta's vow of austerity on spending brought an unprecedented round of cost-cutting that saw the company lay off tens of thousands of workers since last November. Meta shares, which closed the formal trading day down, fell more than three percent further in after-hours trades to $289.50. Chief financial officer Susan Li said during an earnings call that Meta is seeing "volatility" in an ad market that started to soften when the conflict between Israel and Hamas began. "It's hard for us to attribute demand softness directly to any specific geopolitical event," Li said. "We have seen broader demand softness follow other regional conflicts in the past, such as in the Ukraine war, so this is something that we're continuing to monitor." Lawsuit peril Analyst Enderle maintained that Meta is at risk from lawsuits poised to damage its image and its wallet. Dozens of US states this week accused Meta of profiting "from children's pain," damaging their mental health and misleading people about the safety of its platforms. "In seeking to maximize its financial gains, Meta has repeatedly misled the public about the substantial dangers of its Social Media Platforms," argued a joint lawsuit filed in federal court in California. The states accused Meta of exploiting young users by creating a business model designed to maximize time they spend on the platform despite harm to their health. In total more than 40 states are suing Meta, though some opted to file in local courts rather than join in the federal case. Meta said the states were singling it out unfairly instead of working with social media companies to develop universal standards for the whole industry. "This landmark lawsuit could herald a seismic shift in how social media platforms approach product features and user engagement," said Insider Intelligence principal analyst Jeremy Goldman. "That said, even as tech stocks face uncertainty, Meta's consistent performance cements its leadership in the digital realm." Meanwhile, the European Union is seeking details on measures Meta has taken to stop the spread of "illegal content and disinformation" in light of the conflict between Israel and Hamas. The AI race The tech giant is putting artificial intelligence into digital assistants and smart glasses as it seeks to gain lost ground in the AI race. "I'm proud of the work our teams have done to advance AI and mixed reality with the launch of Quest 3, Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses, and our AI studio," Zuckerberg said in the earnings release. The second-generation Meta Ray-Ban smart glasses made in a partnership with EssilorLuxottica have a starting price of $299. "Smart glasses are the ideal form factor for you to let AI assistants see what you're seeing and hear what you're hearing," Zuckerberg said. Meta has taken a more cautious approach than its rivals Microsoft, OpenAI, and Google to push out AI products, prioritizing small steps and making its in-house models available to developers and researchers. "The majority of the world's population will have their first experience of generative artificial intelligence with us," Meta chief technology officer Andrew "Boz" Bosworth told AFP in a recent interview. Meta recently unveiled AI-infused chatbots with personalities, along with tools for creating images or written content using spoken prompts. The post Meta quarterly profit jumps but it sees volatility in ad market appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Paolo Duterte comes to father’s defense, insists Rody never retaliated vs critics
In a new statement on Thursday, Paolo Duterte accused Castro of “sensationalizing” the issue and argued that his father never filed a case against his critics......»»
Propaganda war
There is a second battlefield that those involved in unavoidable conflicts should consider if they are to win the war. Experts love to call it the propaganda war, one that is fought not on the field, but in the hearts and minds of the international community, which is just as intense and vital as the physical war. In the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict and the tension between China and the Philippines in the West Philippine Sea, propaganda plays a pivotal role in shaping international perception, gaining domestic support, and influencing the narrative of these disputes. The Israel-Hamas conflict is one of human history’s most enduring and deeply entrenched disputes. Both parties employ propaganda to advance their respective narratives and garner support from both domestic and international audiences. Israel and Hamas turn to propaganda to shape the narrative of the conflict. Israel emphasizes its right to self-defense, portraying Hamas as a terrorist organization that fires rockets indiscriminately at Israeli civilians. On the other hand, Hamas portrays itself as a resistance movement fighting against Israeli oppression, garnering support from various sympathizers. Media manipulation is a crucial aspect of the propaganda war in this conflict. Both sides use social media, videos, and press releases to share their version of events. The viral nature of social media allows these messages to spread quickly and influence public opinion worldwide. Both Israel and Hamas leverage propaganda to portray themselves as victims. Israel highlights the trauma and suffering of its civilians subjected to rocket attacks, while Hamas emphasizes the civilian casualties in Gaza caused by Israeli military operations. The propaganda war in the Israel-Hamas conflict deepens divisions between both sides and makes a peaceful resolution even more challenging. It also has broader implications for regional and international relations, as support for one party over the other can be influenced by the effectiveness of their propaganda efforts. The tension between China and the Philippines in the West Philippine Sea, on the other hand, is characterized by competing territorial claims and power disparities, making propaganda an important tool in the conflict. China has utilized propaganda to assert its territorial claims in the South China Sea, including the West Philippine Sea. The “nine-dash line” map and historical claims are frequently promoted, often without international legal basis. Propaganda is also employed to discredit the Philippines and other claimants. China has accused the Philippines of aggression and portrayed itself as a guardian of regional peace, which may appeal to domestic audiences and some international allies. China’s naval and aerial displays in the South China Sea are often publicized to intimidate and demonstrate its military prowess. These actions are combined with nationalist rhetoric in domestic propaganda to showcase China’s strength and resolve. The use of propaganda in the China-Philippines tension exacerbates regional instability and hinders peaceful negotiations. It raises questions about how diplomacy can succeed in the face of intense nationalist propaganda within China and the resulting pressure on the Philippine government to protect its sovereignty. If you notice, China often resorts to the blame game in countering any protest from the Philippines whenever there are incidents of aggression in the disputed waters. In the case of the latest harassment of Philippine vessels on a resupply mission to Ayungin shoal, China blamed the Philippines for the collision. It immediately sent to the media its video of the incident. The intensity of the propaganda in these conflicts can hinder diplomatic efforts. It reinforces entrenched positions, making it difficult for parties to find common ground. As these conflicts persist, the role of propaganda in perpetuating hostilities and deepening divisions cannot be underestimated. Efforts to promote peace and resolution must be mindful of propaganda’s role in perpetuating these conflicts. The post Propaganda war appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Dozens U.S. states sue Meta
Dozens of American states on Tuesday accused Facebook and Instagram owner Meta of profiting “from children’s pain,” damaging their mental health and misleading people about the safety of its social media platforms. In total, more than 40 states are suing Meta, though some opted to file in local courts rather than join in the federal case. Meta has exploited young users by creating a business model designed to maximize time they spend on the platform despite harm to their health, the joint lawsuit filed in federal court in California claimed. “Kids and teenagers are suffering from record levels of poor mental health and social media companies like Meta are to blame,” New York Attorney General Letitia James in a statement announcing the suit. The suit urges the federal court to order Meta to stop manipulative tactics and pay hefty financial penalties along with restitution, according to James. Meta said it was “disappointed” by the suit and that the states were not working with the array of social media companies to create age-appropriate standards. Meta maintained that it has developed more than 30 tools in its apps to support teenage users, and made it easier for parents to “shape” online activity. The Silicon Valley tech firm contended it is disappointing that attorneys general have singled out Meta instead of seeking industry-wide solutions given the popularity of rivals including TikTok, YouTube and Snap. Social media can also be a place where young people struggling with other issues in their lives go to find support of community, Meta maintained. The post Dozens U.S. states sue Meta appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Myanmar nationals ask Philippines to probe alleged war crimes
Five Myanmar nationals asked the Philippines on Wednesday to investigate alleged war crimes committed by 10 serving or former members of Myanmar's military against the mainly Christian Chin minority. Filipino lawyers representing the Myanmar nationals told reporters they lodged the "landmark" criminal complaint against junta chief Min Aung Hlaing and nine others at the Department of Justice in Manila. They asked prosecutors to open an investigation into alleged war crimes under a Philippine law penalising "crimes against international humanitarian law, genocide, and other crimes against humanity". The five Myanmar nationals are from western Chin state, but now live in Australia, Britain, Canada and India. They were at the justice department in Manila. "This is a landmark suit because this is the very first time that such a case is being brought before the Philippines," Romel Bagares, one of the lawyers, told reporters. Justice Secretary Crispin Remulla said his department would "evaluate" the complaint, which he described as "very novel". "If this is sufficient in form and substance, that's the time when we will require the respondents to answer these complaints," Remulla told reporters. Among the accused is Chin Chief Minister Vung Suan Thang, who is a former military officer. The others are serving members of the military. The complaint alleged that members of Myanmar's military killed a pastor and two church elders in Thantlang town, Chin, in September 2021. It also accused the 10 of "intentionally" directing attacks on churches and the burning of hundreds of houses in the same town between August 2021 and June 2022. They also allegedly blocked relief supplies from reaching people in Chin state in the aftermath of Cyclone Mocha in May. 'Truly historic day' Philippine law allows for the prosecution of war crimes committed elsewhere. One of the stipulations of the law is that the accused must be present in the Philippines. According to Gilbert Andres, another Filipino lawyer representing the Myanmar nationals, if the Philippine justice department were to decide to mount a case against the 10 accused, it could issue subpoenas to Myanmar's Central Authority or go through diplomatic channels. The toppling of Aung San Suu Kyi's civilian government in a 2021 coup sparked a huge backlash and the military junta is now battling opponents across swaths of Myanmar. Some of the bloodiest fighting has been happening in Christian-majority areas, including in Chin state. "This is a truly historic day," Salai Ling, one of the five complainants and also of the Chin Human Rights Organization, told reporters in Manila. "We are really hoping that with the solidarity and support from the Filipino people and people in the ASEAN region, that we will be able to get some form of justice for the atrocities that our people suffered." Myanmar and the Philippines belong to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). The regional bloc's efforts to defuse the Myanmar crisis have been fruitless so far. The Philippines is now the subject of an international human rights probe, with the Hague-based International Criminal Court investigating "possible crimes against humanity" during former president Rodrigo Duterte's deadly drugs crackdown. In July, President Ferdinand Marcos said the Philippines was "done talking with the ICC" but would continue to question the tribunal's jurisdiction. The post Myanmar nationals ask Philippines to probe alleged war crimes appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»