UN expert urged to probe continued assaults on free speech under Marcos
“Khan’s visit is important because we need to tell the world that all is not well in the Philippines,” Karapatan Secretary-General Cristina Palabay said at a press conference......»»
Probe free speech violations, UN rapporteur urged
Various groups yesterday urged United Nations special rapporteur on freedom of expression and opinion Irene Khan to investigate violations on Filipinos’ rights to free speech and expression during her upcoming visit next week......»»
Tartaria farmers defend community despite assaults, arson from armed security
Tensions in the peasant community of Lupang Tartaria flared up starting April 16 when armed security forces from Jarton Security Agency, Inc. began threatening to erect a barricade around the vicinity. In response, the farmers erected their own fence and set up a protest camp. The post Tartaria farmers defend community despite assaults, arson from armed security appeared first on Bulatlat......»»
Free expression under attack, artist groups urge UN to probe PH laws
“Our gravest concern now is the new policies which attack freedom of expression: specifically the Anti-Terror Law and Executive Order 70 which created the NTF-ELCAC. This emboldened state actors, such as the police and military to commit abuses on a scale last seen during the first Marcos administration.” The post Free expression under attack, artist groups urge UN to probe PH laws appeared first on Bulatlat......»»
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.....»»
10th ID bashes Canadian gov’t for travel advisory vs Mindanao
The 10th Infantry Agila Division (10ID) of the Philippine Army criticized the Canadian government for issuing a travel advisory against all parts of Mindanao, which includes their area of responsibility. Major Mark Anthony Tito, spokesperson for the 10th ID, emphasized that the regions under their jurisdiction are peaceful and free from terrorism and violent threats, contrary to the Canadian embassy's advisory. The division oversees 12 provinces, seven cities, and 72 municipalities in various parts of Mindanao. Tito expressed bewilderment at the basis of the travel advisory, asserting that the Canadian government lacks awareness of the actual situation on the ground. He highlighted the peaceful nature of the entire Davao Region throughout 2023, with no recorded incidents of terrorism or insurgency. Despite the exclusion of Davao City from the advisory, Tito noted that the region would still be impacted. The Canadian embassy's advisory warned its citizens to avoid visiting Mindanao due to ongoing terrorism, civil unrest, kidnapping, high levels of violence, and encounters between rebel forces and government security authorities. Specific provinces and regions were singled out for caution or non-essential travel, including Northern Mindanao, Soccsksargen, and Eastern Mindanao. Contrary to the advisory, the 10th ID has been actively weakening and eliminating guerilla forces within its jurisdiction as part of the Philippine Army's efforts to establish an insurgency-free zone. In fact, on October 27, 2023, the Davao Region celebrated its first anniversary as an insurgency-free region in the Philippines. This dispute has led to other related stories, including the Chamber's intention to engage in discussions with the Canadian government regarding the travel advisory, as well as refutations from the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) and celebrations of the Davao Region's insurgency-free status by the Regional Peace and Order Council. In summary, the 10th ID vehemently opposes the Canadian government's travel advisory, citing the peaceful and secure nature of the regions under their jurisdiction, and highlighting the significant strides made in eradicating insurgency in the Davao Region......»»
Groups slam media security chief for red-tagging ahead of UN expert’s visit
Altermidya and the NUJP said Presidential Task Force on Media Security executive director Paulino Gutierrez’s attack against journalist Frenchie Mae Cumpio also proves the absurdity of his agency’s continued existence. The post Groups slam media security chief for red-tagging ahead of UN expert’s visit appeared first on Bulatlat......»»
Cebu City legislators want probe on unregistered motor bancas
CEBU CITY, Philippines — The privilege speech of Councilor Pastor “Jun” Alcover, Jr. during the council’s regular session on Jan. 24 led the other legislators to meet with the representatives of Naval Forces Central (Navforcen), Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), and Maritime Industry Authority (Marina). In Alcover’s privilege speech, he recalled the incident that happened on.....»»
UN expert calls for abolition of NTF-ELCAC, tolerance of PH gov’t to dissent
“The whole concept of freedom of expression is to be able to say what you want even if it offends the other side. The government should encourage a greater culture of tolerance.” -- Special Rapporteur on Free Expression and Opinion Irene Khan The post UN expert calls for abolition of NTF-ELCAC, tolerance of PH gov’t to dissent appeared first on Bulatlat......»»
UN expert Irene Khan visits journalist Frenchie Mae Cumpio, companions in jail
"We are only int’l visitors so far allowed by #Philippines govt to visit them! Arrested in Feb 2020, trial still dragging on. How long must they wait to be free?!" - UN Special Rapporteur Irene Khan The post UN expert Irene Khan visits journalist Frenchie Mae Cumpio, companions in jail appeared first on Bulatlat......»»
UN urged to probe reprisals against environmental defenders, communities
Environmental group Kalikasan filed a complaint to United Nations Special Rapporteur on Environment Defenders Michel Forst which stemmed from the consecutive attacks against Jonila Castro and Jhed Tamano. The post UN urged to probe reprisals against environmental defenders, communities appeared first on Bulatlat......»»
China must comply with treaty on protected areas – expert
China will be under a “very clear obligation” to comply with measures that apply in marine protected areas in the South China Sea as signatory of the landmark United Nations High Seas Treaty, according to a Japanese international law expert......»»
PUJ driver offers free rides, snacks to passengers on his birthday
LAPU-LAPU CITY, Cebu — A jeepney driver from Balud, San Fernando, offered free rides to his passengers on Tuesday, April 30, 2024, as he celebrated his 53rd birthday. Catalino Villasan said that he has been doing this since 2018. In addition to the free rides, he also gave free burgers to his first 60 passengers......»»
Philippines diploma mill rep may attract low-tier foreign universities, expert warns
The Philippines' reputation for having so-called “diploma mills” makes it vulnerable to the entry of substandard foreign universities if proposals to open up higher education to foreign ownership push through, an education expert warned during a Senate hearing on Charter change......»»
Pinoy forest product expert wins ISO award
A Department of Science and Technology official emerged as the first Filipino expert to receive the coveted International Organization for Standardization Award......»»
UN Expert Slams Philippines Red-Tagging
UN Expert Slams Philippines Red-Tagging.....»»
Journalists, human rights defenders welcome UN expert recommendations
"The Philippine government will become a laughing stock in the international community if it does not heed SR Khan's findings." The post Journalists, human rights defenders welcome UN expert recommendations appeared first on Bulatlat......»»
Filipino public health expert takes on key role at WHO regional office
Susan Mercado, a medical doctor and public health expert with over 30 years of experience, made history as the first Filipino to hold the second highest position at the Manila-based United Nations office. .....»»
DOJ lied to UN expert on red-tagging—Karapatan, NUJP
“We are aghast when the DOJ said that it has sufficient mechanisms to address red-tagging. What are they talking about? Either these are nowhere to be found, or if these mechanisms indeed exist, are rendered useless for victims of rights violations." The post DOJ lied to UN expert on red-tagging—Karapatan, NUJP appeared first on Bulatlat......»»
Locals account for 80% of tourism receipts – expert
Local travelers help boost tourism in the Philippines, according to an expert studying tourism......»»
Locals account for 80 percent of tourism receipts – expert
Local travelers help boost tourism in the Philippines, according to an expert studying tourism......»»