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Study: Drug war deaths rise and fall with Duterte’s words

A STUDY has found government declarations and public sentiments significantly determine number of deaths in the anti-drug campaign.
“The number of deaths over time show significant increases and decreases in response to government declarations and public scrutiny of the ‘drug war’,” Dean Ronald U. Mendoza, Ph.D., Dean of the Ateneo School of Government, said.
Mr. Mendoza was citing one of the findings of their study on the Philippne Government’s Anti-Drug Campaign, which was a product of two research projects funded by the Ateneo and De La Salle University.
The study was based on publicly-available information on killings associated with the government’s war against illegal drugs.
According to the study, 39 deaths were recorded on President Rodrigo R. Duterte’s first day in office on July 1, 2016, after he gave orders to hold “immediate and simultaneous” drug operations.
Killings, meanwhile, dipped on January 30, 2017, when the President directed the Philippine National Police to suspend operations in the aftermath of the death of South Korean national Jee Ick Joo.
For his part, Michael Ll. Yusingco, non-resident research fellow of the Ateneo School of Government, highlighted the role of local government units in preventing abuse in the drug war.
He explained that while the national government may dictate policies, it is the duty of the local government to protect the community.
“Local government must have the mindset (of) ‘wait a minute, we are here to protect the community, not the interest of the national government,’” Mr. Yusingco said. “In cases, especially when human rights are involved, when lives are involved, the community must be the premium for local government officials.”
Senior Research Fellow, Clarissa C. David clarified the study only took into account the 5,021 casualties which had publicly available information, gathered through news stories and other public data.
“The data set was built for the purpose of providing evidence-based policy recommendation and for the research community to use it in their own monitoring of the patterns that may reveal ways to improve… approaches pursued by the government,” Ms. David said.
She added: “It (data set) represents the nearest probable number of deaths of this kind during this time period. However, this is, to our knowledge, the largest database of detailed information about individual killings existing outside government.”
In the study, 40% of deaths were recorded in the National Capital Region, with 2,000 killings from May 2016 to September 2017. Nearby Bulacan had 644 deaths, had the highest record across all provinces.
Police claimed that, of 5,000 individuals, 47% were small-time drug dealers, 8% were alleged drug users, and 1% were said to be drug couriers. Only 1% were narco-politicians and another 1%, police officers. More than 2,700 were killed by policemen on duty, majority of whom died in the course of buy-bust operations. — Charmaine A. Tadalan

Group flags proposed amendments in Human Security Act of 2007

PROPOSED amendments to the Human Security Act (HSA) of 2007 would allow government authorities to violate human rights, according to the International Commission of Jurists.
Tackled at the House of Representatives on Monday was the Draft Substitute Bill to House Bills 7141 and 5507 entitled,”An Act Amending Republic Act No. 9372 entitled ‘An Act to Secure the State and Protect our People from Terrorism,’” otherwise known as the Human Security Act of 2007.
The ICJ, in its position paper submitted to the Technical Working Group of the House Committees on Public Order and Safety and on National Defense and Security, flagged the said amendments as being inconsistent with international laws and standards on human rights.
With the amendments, the public’s protection cannot be guaranteed, amid “unfettered surveillance power and arbitrary deprivation of the right to liberty and… to privacy, information, redress, and freedom of opinion and expression,” ICJ said.
“The proposed amendments do not address the existing flaws of the HSA. For instance, the definition of acts of terrorism under the HSA is vague and ambiguous and the proposed changes do not in any way remedy that,” Emerlynne Gil, ICJ Senior International Legal Adviser, said in a statement Sunday.
The Philippine government has the undeniable duty to protect people from acts of terrorism committed by non-State actors, but it cannot use as a pretext the serious nature of terrorist acts to avoid its obligations under international human rights law,” said Ms. Gil.
The draft bill will also remove access to remedy, information and privacy of persons subject to surveillance under Sections 8 to 12 and grant the military the responsibility for countering terrorism in the performance of a policing function under Sections 8 to 13, 18, 19 and 24.
Moreover, Section 18 of the draft bill also allows detention of up to 30 days without judicial warrant of arrest, and Section 19 which subjects “suspects” to continued detention in the event of an actual or imminent terrorist attack. The ICJ proposed reducing the detention period to 48 hours, in compliance with international law.
“We strongly urge the joint Technical Working Group to rethink these proposed amendments and to allow more time for consideration and debate on revisions of the law,” ICJ said.
ICJ, established in 1952, is made distinguished judges and lawyers from around the world.

Peso weakens on US-China trade tensions

1000 peso bills
THE PESO dropped versus the dollar due to lingering overseas concerns.

THE PESO declined against the dollar on Monday as the market is still concerned over trade tensions between the United States and China.
The local unit ended Monday’s session at P53.44 against the greenback, 16 centavos lower than its P53.28-per-dollar finish last Friday.
The peso opened weaker at P53.35 against the dollar. It slipped to an intraday low of P53.46, while its best showing stood at P53.32 versus the US currency.
Dollars traded declined to $449.2 million Monday, June 25, from the $921.5 million traded on Friday.
A trader said on Monday the dollar-peso moved weaker as the pair tracked the movement of the greenback against its regional peers.
“Actually it’s a dollar move where I think it moved as we continue to see safe-haven trading,” the trader said in a phone interview.
Reuters reported that the greenback fell to a two-week low against the yen as renewed global trade concerns dented investor risk appetites. The greenback was down 0.4% at 109.45 yen versus the dollar, its weakest since June 11.
“This weakness is a continuation from last week,” the trader said in an e-mail. “This centers around increasing trade tensions between the US and China.”
Meanwhile, another trader said trading in local currency was “fairly quiet” on Monday. “There’s nothing to go on, so it traded within the range on Monday,” he said.
For Tuesday, the first trader said the peso will move between P53.20 and P53.50, while the second trader gave a slightly tighter range of P53.20-P53.50.
“The local currency might further weaken [on Tuesday] ahead of likely upbeat US new home sales data tonight,” a third trader noted, expecting the pair to trade within the P53.30-P53.60 range. — K.A.N. Vidal

PSE index drops below 7,000 on global concerns

LOCAL EQUITIES slipped, bringing the main index below the 7,000 mark on Monday, as global trade tensions continued to bring market jitters.
The bellwether Philippine Stock Exchange index (PSEi)dropped 76.32 points or 1.08% to close at 6,986.88 Monday, June 25.
The broader all-shares index likewise fell 35.65 points or 0.82% to end at 4,311.41.
Jervin S. de Celis, equity trader at Timson Securities, Inc., said the benchmark’s drop below the 7,000 level “can be an ominous sign that the index has further downside to go.”
“It’s still the same, investors are still not yet convinced to go on a buying spree in our market as trade tensions threaten the global economic growth,” Mr. De Celis said in a text message Monday, June 25.
Regina Capital Development Corp. Managing Director Luis A. Limlingan noted in a text message that the surprise decision of the People’s Bank of China to cut its reserve requirements amid the trade tension, weaker US manufacturing data and the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries’ (OPEC) decision to boost output at smaller tranches, “all fuelled the sell-off.”
China’s central bank said on Sunday it would cut the amount of cash that some banks must hold as reserves by 50 basis points, releasing $108 billion in liquidity, to accelerate the pace of debt-for-equity swaps and spur lending to smaller firms.
The reserve reduction, the third by the central bank this year, had been widely anticipated by investors amid concerns over market liquidity and a potential economic drag from a trade dispute with the United States.
Meanwhile, OPEC agreed with Russia and other oil-producing allies on Saturday to raise output from July, with Saudi Arabia pledging a “measurable” supply boost but giving no specific numbers.
Back home, holding firms plunged 166.68 points or 2.38% to 6,821.70; property slid 54.44 points or 1.58% to 3,389.74; and financials shed 5.93 points or 0.33% to 1,769.56.
Meanwhile, advancers were led by mining and oil, which went up 97.85 points or 1.01% to 9,747.40; industrials added 74.31 points or 0.72% to 10,316.93; and services increased 6.50 points to 0.47% to 1,377.28.
Decliners trumped advancers, 101 to 80, while 59 issues were unchanged. A total of 715.57 million shares changed hands Monday, June 25, for a value turnover of P6.12 billion, lower than Friday’s P8.05 billion.
Foreigners continued to flee the market, with Monday’s net selling totaling P401.53 million, although lower than Friday’s P1.41-billion outflow.
Despite yesterday’s drop, Timson Securities’ Mr. De Celis said he is “a bit” expectant of a recovery happening midweek or at least before Friday as fund managers reposition their portfolios for their second-quarter performance.
Regina Capital’s Mr. Limlingan noted that the index has to close above the 7,000-point mark “because failure means we will probably test support at 6,800.” — JCL with Reuters

Forfeiture case against Imelda Marcos’ deceased brother dismissed

THE Sandiganbayan has dismissed a $5,193,726.37 forfeiture case against the late Benjamin T. “Kokoy” Romualdez and his wife Juliette Gomez-Romualdez for lack of jurisdiction.
In its five-page resolution dated June 18, the anti-graft court’s Fourth Division dismissed the Ombudsman’s (Ombudsman) complaint against Mr. Romualdez, younger brother of Ilocos Norte Congresswoman Imelda R. Marcos, as “it should have referred (the case) to the OSG (Office of the Solicitor-General).”
The case stemmed from a complaint filed by the Ombudsman last Sept. 13, 2011, accusing Mr. Romualdez and his wife of illegally amassing wealth and properties during his stint as governor of Leyte province between Dec. 30, 1967 and March 25, 1986.
“There is no doubt that the (Ombudsman) has the authority to investigate or conduct an investigation akin to a preliminary investigation in forfeiture cases,” the Sandiganbayan’s resolution read.
However, it added that the Ombudsman only has jurisdiction to pursue cases of ill-gotten wealth after Feb. 25, 1986, when the dictator Ferdinand E. Marcos was ousted by the People Power Revolution.
According to the Sandiganbayan, “[a]s it stands, the present petition should be dismissed for lack of authority of the (Ombudsman, since) “the alleged ill-gotten wealth could have only been amassed before 25 February, 1986….”
Respondent Romualdez was no longer a public official after 25 February 1986, the anti-graft court noted.
It added, however, that the complaint could be refiled by the OSG.
Solicitor-General Jose C. Calida, a leader of the Alyansang Duterte-Bongbong in the 2016 election campaign, was sought for comment as of writing.
Mr. Romualdez died at the age of 81 on Feb. 21, 2012. — Dane Angelo M. Enerio

Senators say anti-‘tambay’ police operations confusing

SENATORS ALLIED with the administration agree with critics that the “anti-tambay operations” of the police sows confusion and needs to be more aligned with local government ordinances.
Senator Sherwin T. Gatchalian suggested that the Philippine National Police (PNP) change the campaign’s tag to “anti-pasaway” to address concerns that it would target innocent bystanders on the street.
“The anti-tambay campaign is very confusing because they cannot arrest those who are just standing in the streets. They should go after those who drink alcohol or gamble in the streets,” Mr. Gatchalian said at the Balitaan sa Maynila media forum on Sunday and a press statement released on Monday.
Senator Aquilino L. Pimentel III raised the same issue saying that the PNP should instead help local government units (LGUs) in enforcing local ordinances such as penalizing drinking in public, occupying sidewalk meant for pedestrians, walking shirtless in public, and curfew.
However, he discouraged anti-loitering ordinances as these may be unconstitutional for being vague.
“PNP Legal should offer help to all LGUs with anti-loitering ordinances to review the substance of their ordinances to find out if these are not susceptible to a constitutional challenge based on the void for vagueness doctrine,” he told reporters via telephone message.
Opposition Senator Paolo Benigno A. Aquino IV, meanwhile, on Monday filed a resolution seeking to probe the police operations and the death of Genesis “Tisoy” Argoncillo, who was killed inside the Quezon City Police District jail after he was arrested for alleged alarm and scandal.
Senate Resolution No. 772 urged the Senate committee on public order and dangerous drugs, chaired by Senator Panfilo M. Lacson, to investigate the matter and assess whether the PNP’s operations and local ordinances against loiterers comply with the Constitution and national laws.
“There are details that are conflicting but what’s clear for me is that Tisoy should not have died. He would not have died if the policy targeting the poor was not enforced,” Mr. Aquino said in a statement. — Camille A. Aguinaldo

Duterte’s men defend ‘stupid God’ statement

PRESIDENT RODRIGO R. Duterte’s men have defended him for his “stupid God” remark, the latest in a string of controversial utterances relating to religion and the Catholic church.
“That is his personal belief. Individuals are entitled to their personal beliefs. That’s the aspect of the freedom of religion,” Presidential Spokesperson Harry L. Roque, Jr. said in a press briefing in Cagayan de Oro City.
Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Salvador S. Panelo, in a statement, explained: “The President is being criticized for calling God stupid. He didn’t call God stupid. What he said was the theory of creation as expounded by the writers of the Bible is a stupid proposition. In other words, he is questioning the logic behind the theory of creation as advanced by the theologians.”
Mr. Panelo pointed out that “there are many theories in creation as there are religions.”
“Even Darwin has his own theory of creation. The President cannot be divested of his right to express his opinion on matters of religion, politics and matters he deems fit to express upon, a constitutional right given to every citizen, just because he is the President. He has as much right to the freedom of speech and of expression constitutionally guaranteed the ordinary person,” he added.
The official stressed that the President is “not blaspheming God.”
“How can an act of meaningful introspection and search for truth in religious tenets be characterized as an act of irreverence or sacrilege? The President is simply posing an honest question as regards the logic or rationale behind the theory of creation.”
RAMBLINGS
Meanwhile, another senator has reacted to the controversy saying such pronouncement “is completely unproductive and unnecessary.”
“It doesn’t contribute anything to policy-making and implementation. It does not really address any important issues. It doesn’t contribute in making the lives of Filipinos better. It doesn’t even add anything to philosophical discourse… As a woman of faith myself, I understand the anger of many among us. President Duterte’s latest comment does nothing to bring the Filipino people together. They only divide us even further,” Senator Ana Theresia N. Hontiveros-Baraquel said.
“However, I appeal to the public to remain vigilant and not lose sight of the important issues that need addressing. Let us not allow President Duterte to distract us with his irrational stream-of-consciousness ramblings,” the lawmaker said. — Arjay L. Balinbin with a report from Camille A. Aguinaldo

Gasoline down by P1.15/L this week

OIL COMPANIES will roll back the prices of petroleum products this week, with gasoline having the biggest cut at P1.15 per liter (/L). Diesel will be down by P0.90/L while kerosene by P0.85/L, the retailers that sent their advisories as of Monday afternoon said. Among them, Seaoil Philippines, Inc. will be the first to impose the rollback at 12:01 a.m. on Tuesday, June 26. Most of the companies will implement the price adjustment at 6 a.m. on Tuesday. “This is to reflect movements in the international petroleum market,” Seaoil said. Last week, oil companies raised the per liter price of gasoline by P0.20, and diesel and kerosene each by P0.45. — Victor V. Saulon

Cordillera autonomy and ancestral domain top agenda in ConCom’s Baguio stop

THE REGIONAL consultations on the draft of a new Constitution and federalism will hold its second session Tuesday, June 26, in Baguio City, with autonomy and ancestral domain among the main topics to be tackled.
Baguio is part of the Cordillera Autonomous Region, which has been lobbying for a stronger self-governing system through the passage of a law creating the Autonomous Region of the Cordillera.
“Federalism, in essence, is about empowering the regions and this, I believe, would give a certain level of autonomy not just to the Cordillera Region, but to the other regions in the Philippines” Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Assistant Secretary Jonathan E. Malaya said in a statement yesterday.
The DILG and the Consultative Committee to Review the Constitution (ConCom) are holding the road show.
Today’s stop will also focus on issues over ancestral domain, according to the DILG.
Section 15 of the 1987 Constitution provides for the creation of autonomous regions for minority groups in the Cordillera and Muslim Mindanao.
“The creation of CAR will be constitutionalized,” said ConCom member Virgilio C. Bautista during the CAR regional consultation on Monday.
“There is no law that can amend it. Once it becomes constitutionalized, it becomes permanent,” he added.
ConCom member Eddie M. Alih, for his part, said, ”There will be specific provisions for Cordillera.”
SECURITY
The ConCom also discussed yesterday the additional article to the draft relating to national security and public order.
These, according to ConCom member Jose Martin A. Loon, will respond to “new and evolving threats to national security.”
“Forms of threats to security aren’t limited to traditional ones such as gun battle or ground wars. It has expanded to several modalities, which includes cyber-warfare that can damage a country.”
“We will be one of the most updated constitutions in the world,” he added. — Gillian M. Cortez

3 BIR workers nabbed over bribery raps

THREE BUREAU of Internal Revenue (BIR) employees have been arrested over bribery allegations, the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) announced on Monday. They were identified as BIR Regional Investigation Division employees Arturo D. Buniol, Gary V. Atanacio, and Egardo Y. Javier, who were nabbed in an entrapment operation in San Juan last June. The case stemmed from a complaint filed by the Presidential Anti-Corruption Commission, which investigated the three for allegedly demanding P75,000 from a restaurant that was being assessed for a supposed P1.2 million tax liability. The three are now facing charges before the Office of the Ombudsman. — Dane Angelo M. Enerio

Nature maintenance

A sign reminds tourists of the one-week closure of Kawasan Falls in Badian town, one of the popular tourist destinations in southern Cebu, on Aug. 12-18 for river cleaning operations. In April 2012, the site was ordered closed by the Cebu provincial government under then governor Gwedolyn F. Garcia due to illegal structures that affected the natural topography and waterways. It was reopened in October that year after the signing of a multi-stakeholder agreement for a rehabilitation and improvement action plan.

MinBizCon 2018 shifts focus to BBL, federalism

DAVAO CITY — Organizers of the annual Mindanao Business Conference (MinBizCon) have decided to change the focus of this year’s event in anticipation of the approval of the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL).
Arturo M. Milan, president of the Davao City Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Inc. (DCCCII), said last week that the initial theme was linking Mindanao with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, but business leaders thought it more pressing to discuss inclusive development within the context of a possible new Bangsamoro region as well as federalism.
The Mindanao business sector, Mr. Milan said, “wants to understand really what the BBL is all about and how the federalism” will impact the southern island.
Another key topic during the three day event would be the government’s Build, Build, Build program.
Mr. Milan said businesses want to be updated on the timetable of the projects that have been approved for implementation.
Among the major infrastructure projects lined up in Mindanao is the railway system, with the first phase covering the cities of Digos, Davao, and Tagum.
The Department of Transportation previously announced that the 102-kilometer line is targeted for completion before the end of 2021.
The DCCCII and the Tagum City Chamber of Commerce and Industry are jointly organizing the 2018 conference, which will be held in Tagum City, Davao del Norte in September. — Carmelito Q. Francisco

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