PRESIDENT Rodrigo R. Duterte has appointed Presidential Spokesperson Harry L. Roque Jr., as presidential adviser on human rights.

Mr. Roque himself disclosed this on Wednesday, Nov. 22, through a statement, but Malacañang has yet to release a copy of his appointment letter.

“Being appointed recently as Presidential Adviser on Human Rights concurrent with my being the Presidential Spokesperson, I will take steps to ensure that the Philippines discharges its obligations in protecting and promoting human rights, especially the right to life,” Mr. Roque said.

He made the statement in the wake of criticisms by Spokesperson Rupert Colville of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights against Mr. Duterte’s recent tirades at UN Special Rapporteur Agnes Callamard.

Mr. Duterte had threatened to slap Ms. Callamard if she continued with her probe on human rights violations in the Phililppines on Mr. Duterte’s watch.

“He made the same threat against her in June after she criticized his “war on drugs” campaign which has left thousands dead,” Mr. Colville said on Tuesday, Nov. 21.

“This campaign, coupled with the repeated personal attacks on Ms. Callamard by President Duterte, seems to be designed to intimidate her into not carrying out the mandate bestowed on her by the Human Rights Council. We condemn this treatment of Ms. Callamard, and the disrespect it shows to the Human Rights Council that appointed her, in the strongest terms,” he added.

For his part, Mr. Roque said “he (Mr. Colville) should do well not to judge the colorful language the President is known for, but by what he stands for and the values he holds dear.”

“We need to point that the President’s remarks on Callamard were addressed to a Filipino audience who are used to the Chief Executive’s unorthodox rhetoric,” he added.

He then reiterated that Ms. Callamard “is not a competent and impartial rapporteur on our anti-drug campaign,” by which she failed to notice the adverse effects of drugs to a person’s mind.

“The way she conducted herself does not befit her office. Lest we forget, she came unannounced to the country in May this year even while the terms of her official visit were still being finalized,” Mr. Roque added, referring to the Rapporteur’s visit in Manila where she was invited as resource speaker in a two-day drug policy forum at the University of the Philippines organized by the Free Legal Assistance Group.

“Her arrogance in going through the back door not only went against protocol, but is deeply insulting,” Mr. Roque said.

In September last year, the Philippine government invited Ms. Callamard to visit the country and meet with government officials to get their perspectives on the drug problem. But she rejected the invitation due to conditions set by Mr. Duterte.

Mr. Roque has reiterated that the administration has not committed any extrajudicial killings, going by Mr. Duterte’s offer to lead a Global Human Rights Summit.

“We believe there must be a venue for dialogue where human rights, given the wide array of rights it covers, can be discussed from a global perspective and not from the view of politicized individuals,” Mr. Roque stated.

Mr. Roque was appointed by Mr. Duterte as his spokesperson, replacing then Presidential Spokesperson Ernesto C. Abella on Oct. 28.

Before joining Mr. Duterte’s Cabinet, he served as representative of the Kabayan party-list group and was a leading human rights lawyer. — Rosemarie A. Zamora

By Andrea Louise E. San Juan

THE Department of Justice (DoJ) Panel yesterday, Nov. 22, has dismissed the charges against former Bureau of Customs (BoC) Commissioner Nicanor E. Faeldon and 10 other respondents in connection with the importation of 602.279 kilograms of shabu.

Justice Secretary Vitaliano N. Aguirre II said in a statement: “In so far as the complaint filed by PDEA against the Bureau of Customs (BOC) personnel, namely: Commissioner Nicanor Faeldon, Director Milo Maestrecampo, Director Neil Estrella, Intelligence Officer Joel Pinawin, Intelligence Officer Oliver Valiente, Atty. Jeleena Magsuci, Atty. Philip Maronilla, Alexandra Y. Ventura, Randolph O. Cabansag, Dennis J. Maniego, Dennis Cabildo and John Edillor, the Panel dismisses the charges against them for failure of the PDEA (Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency) to state with clarity the acts or omission supposedly committed by the above-named BoC respondents that would constitute violation of the offense charged.”

“Further, the evidence adduced by the PDEA in support of the charges were insufficient to establish probable case. Thus, the Panel is constrained to take into consideration the defense raised by the respondents,” he added.

“As to the complaint filed by PDEA for violation of the Dangerous Drugs Board regulation under Section 32 of Republic Act 9165 against the agents and investigators of the National Bureau of Investigation-Anti Organized Transnational Crime Division (NBI-AOTCD), namely: Atty. Dennis Siyhian, Atty. Marie Catherine Nolasco, Special Investigator (SI) Marfil B. Baso, SI Joselito C. Guilen, SI Darwin Francisco and SI Edgardo C. Kawada, the Panel likewise dismisses the same,” Mr. Aguirre stressed.

“The Panel finds that, under the circumstances attendant to the case, and pursuant to relevant Dangerous Drugs Board (DDB) Regulations and jurisprudence, the NBI-AOTCD is justified to retain custody of the 500 kilograms of shabu which they seized, examined and investigated,” he added.

Mr. Aguirre stated: “Regarding the complaint of PDEA against the corporate officers of Hong Fei Logistics, the same was also dismissed for failure of the PDEA to show that these corporate officers knowingly consented to or actively participated in the importation of the subject shipment.”

“Also, the case against Emily Anoche Dee for maintaining a drug den is likewise dismissed. The Panel finds lack of knowledge on the part of Emily that her property being rented will be used as a transshipment point of the subject drugs,” he pointed out.

“Regarding the case against Fidel Anoche Dee filed by the NBI-AOTCD, the same was also dismissed in view of the existence of an earlier case filed against him by the PDEA before the Regional Trial Court of Valenzuela City,” Mr. Aguirre said.

The Joint Resolution reads: “Pursuant to Department Order No. 004 Series of January 4, 2017, the dismissal of the cases against the BOC personnel, the NBI-AOTCD agents and investigators, the corporate officers of Hong Fei Logistics and against Emily Anoche Dee and Fidel Anoche Dee shall be subject to automatic review by the Secretary of Justice.”

On the other hand, The DoJ Panel of Prosecutors assigned to the case of importation of 602.279 kilograms of shabu filed today a case for importation of Dangerous Drugs penalized under Section 4, in relation to Section 26 (a) of Republic Act No. 9165, as amended, with the Regional Trial Court of Valenzuela City.

Previously, the DOJ Panel of Prosecutors issued a joint resolution on the complaints separately filed by the NBI Anti-Organized and Transnational Crime Division and the PDEA.

In their Joint Resolution, the Panel found probable cause for “importation of dangerous drugs” under Section 4 of Republic Act No. 9165 otherwise known as The Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, as amended, against the following respondents:

1. Chen Ju Long a.k.a. “Richard Tan” or “Richard Chen”

2. Li Guang Feng a.k.a. “Manny Li”

3. Dong Yi Shen Xi a.k.a. “Kenneth Dong”

4. Mark Ruben G. Taguba II

5. Eirene Mae A. Tatad

6. Teejay A. Marcellana

7. Chen I. Min

8. Jhu Ming Jhun

9. Chen Rong Huan

10. other unidentified individuals known only as John Doe, Jane Doe and George Doe.

“In finding probable cause against the above-named respondents for the importation of 602 kilograms of shabu, the Panel determined that the combination of the individual participation of each of the respondents, either as shipper, consolidator, facilitator, broker, financier, consignee, or warehouse lessee — reveals a pattern of over acts indicative of conspiracy to import into the country the dangerous drugs,” a portion of the statement reads.

“In view thereof, the Panel recommended the filing of the corresponding criminal information for importation of dangerous drugs against the above named respondents with no bail recommended,” it noted.

Mr. Aguirre emphasized: “The eradication of the menace of illegal drugs is one of our pronounced mandates in your DOJ. And the filing of the information in this case is one way to eradicate this threat for the better future of our youth and loved ones.”

“We want to send a message that any involvement in drugs will be severely dealt with. You deal in drugs and you will suffer the full consequences! To those who are still involved in drugs, we are coming for you!” he added.

PRESIDENT Rodrigo R. Duterte is considering lifting the moratorium on oil and gas exploration projects in the South China Sea.

Speaking to reporters on late Tuesday night, Mr. Duterte said: “It’s one of the possibilities that will happen or can happen or will happen sa (in) South China Sea.”

Mr. Duterte broached the possibility of lifting the moratorium after his bilateral meeting with Chinese Premier Li Keqiang, with their joint statement saying that “both sides may explore means to cooperate with each other in other possible maritime activities including maritime oil and gas exploration and exploitation.”

“There’s really — it’s an area too big. But I think the players there would really be the ASEAN members who are also claimants. Nag-o-overlap nga eh,” he added.

However, it was not clear when the moratorium will be lifted.

The Department of Energy (DOE) issued a moratorium on all exploration and drilling works in Service Contracts 72 and 75 in December 2014 and 2015, respectively, amid rising maritime tension with China.

Last March, Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi said the lifting will be based on the guidance of the Department of Foreign Affairs.

“I will only lift it when I think the higher interest of the Philippines is served. I will only lift it when I think the higher interest of the Philippines is served,” Mr. Duterte said. — Rosemarie A. Zamora

ILOILO’s business community is gathering local government officials and multi-sector groups on Friday, Nov. 24, in preparation for a forum on March 15 next year in Manila to attract investors into the city and the province. The Iloilo Economic Development Foundation Inc. (ILED) is organizing tomorrow’s event, dubbed “Diin Ka Pakadto Iloilo?” (Where Are You Going, Iloilo?). “We hope that this event will pave the way for a successful investor conference while creating an empowered citizenry,” ILED Chairperson Narzalina Z. Lim said in a statement. Ilonggo Senator Franklin M. Drilon, and Iloilo City Mayor Jose S. Espinosa III are expected to join the gathering.

Invited speakers include Mikel C. Afzelius, corporate communications officer of Panay Electric Company (PECO), and Eriberto R. Calubaquib, vice-president for corporate strategy of Metro Pacific Water, who will discuss their respective plans to improve utility services in Iloilo City. Architect Paulo G. Alcazaren, who designed the Iloilo River Esplanade, will also discuss the multibillion redevelopment program of the Iloilo Provincial Capitol Grounds as well as the river esplanade extension. ILED also recently launched the “Proud to be Ilonggo” campaign to shore up the image of Iloilo. — Louine Hope U. Conserva

EIGHT YEARS ago today, 58 people, including 32 media practitioners, were massacred in Ampatuan town in Maguindanao province, and the cases against an original 197 accused remain in the stage of hearing evidence for several of the 103 defendants still on trial. “It is already the turn of the accused to present their evidence-in-chief. Thirty one (31) accused have already concluded the presentation of their evidence. Thirty four (34) more accused are currently presenting their respective defense evidence-in-chief,” the Supreme Court (SC) said in an update released yesterday. The SC said based on the special rule issued for what has come to be known as the Ampatuan massacre, one of the most heinous cases of political violence in the nation’s recent history, the case for each of the accused may be submitted for decision of the court upon completion of evidence presentation. — Andrea Louise E. San Juan