Sunday, October 9, 2016

DOJ issues lookout order vs De Lima, 5 others

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Justice (DOJ) on Monday issued an immigration lookout bulletin order (ILBO) against Sen. Leila de Lima and five others for their alleged involvement in the Bilibid drug trade.

The order also covers former DOJ undersecretary Francisco Baraan III, former Bureau of Corrections chief Franklin Bucayu, De Lima's former driver Ronnie Dayan, former Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission executive director Reginald Villasanta and De Lima's security aide Joenel Sanchez.

2 dead in hostage-taking in SM Dasmariñas

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines) - Two people were killed in a hostage-taking incident that took place in SM Dasmariñas Sunday afternoon.

Former Cavite Governor Jonvic Remulla who was in the area during the incident told CNN Philippines there were initially 12 hostages but nine managed to escape.

Remulla said one of the hostages suffered stab wounds and died on the scene, while another one was injured.

According to Remulla, the police tried to talk to the hostage-taker but he refused to surrender. Remulla said that the hostage-taker was eventually neutralized.

Friday, October 7, 2016

Filipinos satisfied with Duterte's drug war, but want suspects alive - SWS

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines) — Amid international criticism on the Philippines' bloody drug war, a Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey showed eight in 10 Filipinos are "satisfied" with President Rodrigo Duterte's anti-drug campaign.

Of 1,200 adults interviewed for the nationwide survey, 84 percent said they are satisfied with the government's crackdown on illegal drugs. Only eight percent said they are dissatisfied, while the rest are undecided.

The results yielded an "excellent" net satisfaction rating of +76. SWS classifies ratings over +70 percent as "excellent."

However, 71 percent of the respondents said it is "very important" for drug suspects to be caught alive.

Duterte advises Obama on how to tackle PH drug war

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines) — President Rodrigo Duterte gives U.S. President Obama a piece of advice on Friday — as the former mayor marks his 100 days in Malacañang.

Speaking at the National Banana Congress in Lanang, Davao City, Duterte said Obamashould go through diplomatic channels when complaining about the Philippine government's war against illegal drugs.

"So, if you want Mister Obama, you can ask your representative to the U.N. to make a complaint," he said. "I am not your servant. Do not do it to me. I am the President of the Republic of the Philippines."

As for the European Union, Duterte said it was "too far away" and repeated what he said yesterday about not being afraid if the U.S. or EU would decide to pull out aid to the Philippines.

"Who do you think you are? Without your aid, fine. We will survive."

In contrast, the firebrand president had only good words for China, saying he was positive about his forthcoming visit to the Asian superpower.

"It is only China who has helped us. I requested the military to open their camps to allow people who would want to donate rehab houses. China is about to complete Sobrosa... It would house 1,400 drug addicts."

Suspects in Davao City bombing arrested, presented to media

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines) — Three suspects in the Davao City night market bombing were presented to the media Friday afternoon in Camp Aguinaldo — over a month after the blast that killed 15 people and injured 69 others.

Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said the three suspects, who were arrested last Tuesday in a mobile check point in Cotabato City, were members of the Maute Group — Islamist militants linked to terrorist organizations.

They were identified as:

TJ Macabalang, 30 y/o, the trigger man who made the phone call that detonated the IED
Wendel Facturan, 19 y/o, the one who placed the IED at the market. He was the one who had a massage, wearing a bonnet and a face mask
Musali Mustapha, 19 y/o, the person who took a cellphone video of the incident

Thursday, September 29, 2016

PH, U.S.: We're still friends

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines) — Diplomats from both the Philippines and the United States say ties between the two countries remain strong – despite President Rodrigo Duterte's harsh words when speaking about the U.S.

Foreign Affairs Secretary Perfecto Yasay Jr. told CNN Philippines, "Our relationship with the United States is very strong, and there can be no wedge to that relationship."

Duterte decries Hitler comparison

MANILA, Philippines — President Rodrigo Duterte lashed out at his critics who had been comparing him to Germany's Adolf Hitler.

The president called out the United Nations (UN), European Union (EU) and the United States (US) anew for criticizing his anti-drugs campaign in the country.

"Kaya kung ikaw nandito bakit hindi ka magmumura? (So if you are here, why wouldn't you curse?) You're portrayed or pictured to be some cousin of Hitler and yet do not even bother to find out, to investigate," Duterte said in his speech after arriving from Vietnam early Friday.

The president noted that Hitler killed three million Jews but said he is also willing to take down three million drug users to solve the drug issue in the Philippines.

"Hitler massacred three million Jews. Now, there are three million drug addicts. I'd be happy to slaughter them" Duterte said.