US sanctions ICC chief prosecutor Bensouda
The United States imposed sanctions against International Criminal Court Chief Prosecutor Fatou Bensouda and another senior official of The Hague-based court for prosecuting US military and intelligence personnel in Afghanistan......»»
PBBM: ‘We’re done with ICC’
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Friday said that the Philippines is done with the International Criminal Court and that, to protect the sovereignty of the country, it will not be taking any further actions in relation to the international tribunal. In a media interview in Zamboanga Sibugay, Marcos reiterated his government's refusal to cooperate with the ICC in its investigation into the alleged human rights abuses committed during former President Rodrigo Duterte's "war on drugs." "They (ICC prosecutors) are talking about Filipinos. Their alleged crimes are here in the Philippines; the victims are Filipino, so why should (they) be taken to The Hague? It should be handled here," Marcos said. "Our discussions with the ICC are already concluded. As we have stated from the beginning, we will not cooperate with them in any way, shape or form," Marcos added. Marcos added the government would also continue to question the ICC's authority to conduct investigations in the Philippines. Marcos emphasized that the ICC no longer has jurisdiction over the Philippines since it already cut its ties with the tribunal on 17 March 2019, a year after Duterte ordered the Philippines' termination of the Rome Statute that created the ICC as former prosecutor Fatou Bensouda continued with the preliminary examination. However, the Chief Executive acknowledged that the ICC rejected the appeal of the Philippine government questioning the jurisdiction of the investigation. "That's it. We have no appeals pending. We have no more actions being taken. So, I suppose that puts an end to our dealings with the ICC," Marcos said. "As far as the Philippines is concerned, we are done with the ICC," Marcos added. Solicitor General Menardo Guevarra said earlier this week that the Philippines' involvement with the ICC is over as a result of the international tribunal's Appeals Chambers' verdict. He claimed that the Philippines would concentrate on its own examination and punishment of offenses connected to the anti-drug campaign instead. Justice Secretary Crispin Remulla echoed Guevarra's remarks, saying, "That is simply an issue of complementarity and comity. We are expressing that because we are decent in our approach." Remulla added: "We are appealing [to them] not to interfere in our affairs. However, it doesn't mean that we are agreeing to be under their jurisdiction." Last Tuesday, judges in the ICC Appeals Chamber dismissed the administration's appeal against the investigation into alleged crimes against humanity committed during the drug war on Tuesday, effectively approving the investigation's reopening. After the ICC opened a preliminary investigation into his administration's drug war in 2019 and later that year announced the opening of a full inquiry, former president Rodrigo Duterte withdrew the Philippines from the court. Marcos Jr. said the Philippines will not rejoin the ICC under his administration. In spite of the Philippines' departure from the Rome Statute, the agreement that founded the international court, the Supreme Court stated in 2021 that the country must cooperate with the ICC. The post PBBM: ‘We’re done with ICC’ appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Credibility challenge
International Criminal Court probers will continue to be barred from the Philippines because the government has a responsibility to the nation not to let them in. Assistant Solicitor General Justice Angelita Miranda said the core issue in the government’s defiance of the ICC’s effort to investigate the drug war is about defending sovereignty. “While we adhere to international laws, the Philippines has a functioning judiciary and the ICC should respect that,” Miranda said on the weekly Daily Tribune program, Straight Talk. International lawyers have said that the principle of complementarity compels the ICC not to interfere in the judicial processes of the country. Through the maneuverings of the opponents of former President Rodrigo Duterte, led by destabilizer Antonio Trillanes IV, the ICC was provided with an alibi to probe the anti-narcotics campaign. Trillanes’ henchman, Gary Alejano, filed a haphazard impeachment complaint against Duterte in 2017, shortly after the destabilizer’s pawn, lawyer Jude Sabio, filed the crimes against humanity complaint with the ICC against the then president. Alejano knew that the impeachment case would not prosper but that was part of the grand scheme of Trillanes to activate an ICC investigation. The president could only be removed through impeachment and proving that the process would not prosper gave the excuse that legal remedies to run after Duterte had been exhausted, opening an opportunity for ICC to enter the picture. Miranda said she supports Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla when he says he will personally meet the ICC prosecutor when he lands in the country and escort him back to where he came from. Sabio’s petition to the ICC was the product of figures concocted by the political foes of Duterte such as on the existence of the Davao Death Squad during his term as Davao City mayor and the alleged 20,000 deaths linked to the anti-narcotics campaign. Proof of the partisan nature of the complaint lodged with the ICC was very evident, yet the tribunal took it upon itself to still pursue the preliminary examination despite Sabio’s withdrawal of the charges after admitting it was a Trillanes operation. Sabio came out in the open after a dispute over his retainer with Trillanes. In 2019, after ICC prosecutor Fatou Bensouda started her preliminary examination of the crimes against humanity complaint, the Philippines completed its withdrawal from the 1998 Rome Statute which created the international court. Despite the country’s pullout, the prosecutor pointed out that the ICC retained jurisdiction over crimes committed in the Philippines between 2011 and 2019 when it was still a member of the ICC. The inconsolable enemies of Duterte then challenged the disengagement before the Supreme Court which issued a decision siding with the then president as the chief architect of foreign policy. The filing of the ICC case in April 2017 was primarily intended to deflect a determined campaign against drug syndicates but it resulted in the probe of the drug network in the New Bilibid Prison that led to the detention of Senator Leila de Lima, who was justice secretary when the shabu factory in the maximum security prison flourished. The evidence against Duterte and various personalities that the ICC associated with the drug war relied mainly on the testimonies of Arturo Lascañas and Edgar Matobato, who were characters in Trillanes’ stable. Various probes, including Senate inquiries, proved that the revelations of both were a canard as they were drawn from the myth surrounding Duterte. Initially dug up were the supposed vigilante killings when the president was Davao City mayor. The yarn was proven to be without proof in investigations conducted by the Senate. The partisan aim of the Sabio complaint was evident after it hauled practically the entire officialdom of the Duterte administration in the insane petition. Along with the president in the complaint were then Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre, Philippine National Police chief Ronald de la Rosa, House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez, former Interior Secretary Ismael Sueño, National Bureau of Investigation Director Dante Gierran, and Solicitor General Jose Calida. Even Senator Richard Gordon was included for coming out with a Senate report that threw out the testimony of Trillanes factotum Matobato. The investigations debunked allegations that the extrajudicial killings were state-sponsored. The Palace labeled the allegations as mere vicious noises in the futile campaign to oust Duterte which was its real intention. The plot of the hypocrites now is to brand the Marcos administration as shielding Duterte from prosecution which will not find favor among Filipinos who entrust their overwhelming confidence to both leaders. In contrast, the ICC is trying to shore up its credibility by going after the Philippines. The post Credibility challenge appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
The impact of Bensouda’s request
Justice is finally on its way to knock at the house of impunity. International Criminal Court (ICC) chief prosecutor Fatou Bensouda announced last week that that there is reasonable basis to believe that murders have been committed in the Philippines in the context of the government’s drug war. She has formally requested that ICC judges […] The post The impact of Bensouda’s request appeared first on Cebu Daily News......»»
& lsquo;ICC playing politics with inquiry on PH drug war& rsquo;
President Rodrigo Duterte’s chief legal counsel on Wednesday accused International Criminal Court (ICC) Prosecutor Fatou Bensouda of playing politics with her inquiry into alleged extrajudicial killings of suspected drug pushers in the war on drugs......»»
US sanctions ICC chief prosecutor Bensouda
The United States imposed sanctions against International Criminal Court Chief Prosecutor Fatou Bensouda and another senior official of The Hague-based court for prosecuting US military and intelligence personnel in Afghanistan......»»
Pentagon chief reaffirms support after latest China aggression in WPS
Austin emphasized US support for the Philippines in defending its sovereign rights and jurisdiction in a phone call with Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro on Wednesday. .....»»
New DCPO chief pledges technology-driven approach
THE new director of the Davao City Police Office (DCPO) underscored the utilization of technology to streamline their operations......»»
Victims of Baltimore bridge collapse include those from Mexico, Guatemala
Maryland [US], March 27 (ANI): Among those reported missing following the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore in the US are Mexican nationals, CNN reported, citing Rafael Laveaga, Chief of the Consular Section of Mexico's Embassy in Washington. Laveaga refrained from specifying the exact number of missing Mexican nationals when he addressed reporters near the scene on Tuesday. A reporter asked Laveaga: ".....»»
Ministry helping improve BARMM’s business climate names 10 new officials
The Bangsamoro chief minister has filled out ten regional positions in one of the ministries under him to boost its operation as requested by business blocs enticing foreign investors to venture into viable businesses in the region......»»
Russian Spy Chief Makes Bizarre Claim of US, UK, and Ukraine Involvement in Moscow Attack
In a recent development, the director of Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB) has made startling accusations against Ukraine, the US, and the UK, claiming they.....»»
New DCPO chief to focus on personnel morale, asset optimization
THE Davao City Police Office (DCPO) bid farewell to PCol. Alberto Lupaz and welcomed its new City Director, PCol. Richard Bad-ang, in a turn-over ceremony at the Camp Captain Domingo E. Leonor on March 22......»»
Philippines declares 'strategic defeat' of NPA rebels
MANILA, March 26 (Xinhua) -- The Philippines declared on Tuesday a "strategic defeat" of the New People's Army (NPA) rebels, who have been fighting against the government since the 1960s, saying there is no more active guerilla fronts in the country. Eduardo Ano, National Security Adviser and former chief of staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, said "thousands" of NPA insurgents have decided to return t.....»»
Missing man found dead in Barangay Bonbon
CEBU CITY, Philippines — A 50-year-old man who had been missing for two weeks was found dead in Sitio Golivas, Barangay Bonbon, Cebu City. The victim was identified as Adriano Fuentes Durano, a resident of Kiniasan, Barangay Bonbon, Cebu City. Police Major Philip John Libres, chief of Malubog Police Community Precinct, stated that on Tuesday.....»»
17 killed as truck loaded with sand collides with passenger van
COTABATO CITY (MindaNews /25 March) – Seventeen persons were killed when a truck loaded with sand collided with a passenger van in Antipas, North Cotabato Monday noon. Captain Godofredo Tupas, Chief of Police of Antipas town said the collision happened along a curve at the boundary of Barangay Greenhills and Lohong at 12:48 p.m. The van […].....»»
Philippines declares 'strategic defeat' of NPA rebels
MANILA, March 26 (Xinhua) -- The Philippines declared on Tuesday a "strategic defeat" of the New People's Army (NPA) rebels, who have been fighting against the government since the 1960s, saying there is no more active guerilla fronts in the country. Eduardo Ano, National Security Adviser and former chief of staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, said "thousands" of NPA insurgents have decided to return t.....»»
Village chief rewardscouple for missing girl recovery
Village chief rewardscouple for missing girl recovery.....»»
SC allows UN expert to act as friend of the court in Maria Ressa s cyber libel plea
Irene Khan, United Nations (UN) Special Rapporteur for freedom of expression and opinion, has been allowed by the Supreme Court (SC) to sit as an "amicus curiae" to the court in the appeal for the cyber libel case of Rappler.com chief executive officer Maria Ressa and former researcher Reynaldo Santos......»»
Warning ng PAGASA ngayong Holy Week: ‘Mag-ingat dahil mas magiging mainit’
ILANG araw nalang, Holy Week na! For sure, marami sa inyo ang may lakad at bakasyon upang sulitin ang ilang araw na walang pasok. Dahil diyan, may paalala ang Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), lalo na’t idineklara na ang panahon ng tag-init. Sinabi ni PAGASA chief Dr. Nathaniel Servando, magiging mas mainit.....»»
SamPan: Making her mark
Samantha Panlilio, eldest daughter of Jose Marcel “Jocel” Panlilio, is embarking on an ambitious career path to revitalize and expand the family’s real estate investments as chief operations officer of both the family’s publicly listed Boulevard Holdings Inc. and Puerto Azul Land Inc., even as she sets a parallel course to build her own beauty line, photography studio, and a furniture business under the brand “House of Marrakesh.”.....»»
Daily Gospel, March 24
This is the Daily Gospel for today, March 24, 2024, which is Passion (Palm) Sunday. READ MORE: Daily Gospel, March 23 Daily Gospel, March 22 Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Mark 14, 1-72.15,1-47. The Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread were to take place in two days’ time. So the chief.....»»