Philippines - Duterte watch

[mike2011]

 

CHR to Duterte: Where are charges?

 

THE COMMISSION on Human Rights (CHR) has urged President Duterte to start filing cases against the judges, mayors and police officers he has accused of protecting drug lords.

CHR Chair Jose Luis “Chito” Gascon said that a week after the President had come out with a list of 159 narcopoliticos in public, he had not filed a case in court, which would have provided them a way to defend themselves from his blanket accusation.

“The Constitution establishes a system of justice and rule of law that requires both due process and presumption of innocence guarantees, among others,” Gascon said.

 

“Thus, when a crime has either been or is alleged to have been committed, law enforcement must conduct an investigation with a view to charging the accused in the proper forum so a hearing could be conducted whereby the evidence would be considered to establish either the guilt or innocence of the same,” Gascon said.

Even the President himself conceded he did not have evidence or cases against the people he named from his list. “It might be true. It might not be true,” said Duterte, who promised to file administrative or criminal cases against those he named.

But a week after his public expose, the President had yet to file cases against the alleged drug coddlers who had been publicly shamed by the sweeping accusations.
Executive vs judiciary

The President merely ordered the pullout of the bodyguards and cancellation of firearms of the accused mayors while the police were told to report to their mother units, and the judges to report to the Supreme Court.

The President also had a spat with Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno who told the judges he named to wait for an arrest warrant before surrendering.

Sereno said the “premature announcement of an informal investigation” on alleged drug links would render “the judge veritably useless in discharging his adjudicative role.”

Gascon has also been the target of the ire of the President, who declared he would ignore Gascon in his fight against illegal drugs.

“I stress once more that this mandate he assumes includes the duty to guarantee human rights for all,” said Gascon.

Ifugao Rep. Teddy Baguilat said the President’s failure to follow up his sweeping accusations with cases showed that he was just out on a “witch-hunt” with no specific end goal.

“After naming and causing them embarrassment, next is to file cases, especially when there is strong evidence. If there are no cases filed and no one among these people prosecuted and jailed, then what we had was a witch hunt. Or worse, we momentarily stopped the drug trade but left it open for a resurgence in the future,” said Baguilat. TVJ

Read more: http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/805934/chr-to-duterte-where-are-charges#ixzz4HNltJg3j
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In shame campaign, execs seek own voices

BAUANG residents gather near the historic San Pedro Bell in support of their mayor, who was on a list of drug personalities announced by President Duterte. YOLANDA SOTELO/INQUIRER NORTHERN LUZON

THE IMPACT of the shame campaign component of President Duterte’s war on drugs is drawing different reactions from the people whose names were read aloud by Mr. Duterte from his list of individuals with allegedly key roles in an underworld network of drug syndicates that has grown into the monster that the President vowed to reduce to a bloody pulp.

In Bauang, La Union province, supporters of Mayor Martin de Guzman, among those on Mr. Duterte’s list, turned to a historic bell to express disbelief over the report of their leader’s involvement in drugs.

The San Pedro Bell was rung on Thursday at a rally in support of De Guzman. The 400-year-old bell has recently been returned to Bauang by the United States.

At least 2,000 residents came out in white clothes for a unity walk for the mayor.

A placard carried during the walk read: “We strongly believe you are innocent,” referring to De Guzman.

Menchie, De Guzman’s wife, joined the walk. She said she was in the United Kingdom with her daughter when Mr. Duterte announced the names on his drug list.

“I did not know what to say, how to react,” said Menchie.

“I wanted to believe it was a nightmare [and] I could wake up,” she said.

Erlinda Espinas, a member of the village council of Parungao in Bauang, said in her 18 years in the council, she had not heard of any report or rumor linking De Guzman to drugs.

In 1998, De Guzman launched the Bauang Ayaw sa Droga, a local campaign against drugs.

In Surigao del Norte, the former mayor of Alegria town said the only kind of drugs that she handles are the ones that heal the sick.

Jessie Aguilera, a doctor by profession, said while she had already ended her venture into politics as mayor of Alegria in 2007, Mr. Duterte’s list still identified her as a sitting mayor.

“I have no idea why on earth my name was dragged into this whole mess,” Aguilera told reporters after visiting the Caraga regional police office in Butuan City on Monday.

Aguilera, now the municipal health officer of Mainit town also in Surigao del Norte, said she went to the regional police office “because this is very terrifying for me.”

In Davao City, a village chair, who is also on Mr. Duterte’s list, showed up at the city police office and requested to be tested for drugs.

Artemio Jimenez, of Barangay Talomo, said he had been at the forefront of the war on drugs in Davao City in his village of 180,000 people.

In Cotabato City, a plea for understanding for Mr. Duterte came from an unexpected source—Gov. Mujiv Hataman, of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, who supported the candidacy of one of Mr. Duterte’s rivals in the presidential race, former Interior Secretary Mar Roxas. Yolanda Sotelo, Inquirer Northern Luzon with Danilo V. Adorador, Allan Nawal and Charlie Señase, Inquirer Mindanao

Read more: http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/805913/in-shame-campaign-execs-seek-own-voices#ixzz4HNnOtnMd
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[mike2011]

Duterte's spokesperson was today on aljazeera.

 

The clip with some commentary is here: http://manila.coconuts.co/2016/08/14/watch-al-jazeera-anchor-puts-presidential-spokesperson-ernesto-abella-his-placehttp://manila.coconuts.co/2016/08/14/watch-al-jazeera-anchor-puts-presidential-spokesperson-ernesto-abella-his-place

 

Nice piece of work. The commentary did however, however, not fully hit the nail.

[NickJ]

Iron fist... To bad Trumps fist are to small....

[mike2011]

Yup, Mehdi Hasan is a tough journalist and his questions were like punches with an iron fist.

 

"To [sic!] bad Trumps [sic!] fist [sic!] are to [sic!] small...." Well, Trump needs brains first of all. Secondly, connect the brain with the mouth, and then some divine inspiration to shut up.

 

 

 

 

[mike2011]

Duterte's accusation against the senator as being involved in drug trading equals a death sentence by today's standards in the Phils.

 

 

Philippines President Duterte: Political rival a 'robber' and 'immoral woman'

 

Updated 0156 GMT (0956 HKT) August 19, 2016

 

 

Metro Manila, Philippines (CNN)The Philippines' fiery new president triggered a war of words that has shocked many Filipinos after he publicly accused a female senator of being an "immoral woman."

Rodrigo Duterte lashed out at Senator Leila de Lima, who is conducting an inquiry into the sudden surge of extrajudicial killings coinciding with the president's new war on drugs.

In a speech Wednesday, Duterte denounced de Lima in starkly personal terms.

Speaking to police officers and dignitaries, including former President Fidel Ramos and Chinese Ambassador Zhao Jianhua, Wednesday at a ceremony marking the 115th anniversary of the Police Service, Duterte called Senator Leila de Lima an "immoral woman" and alleged that she used her driver -- also her lover, Duterte said -- to collect drug payoffs on her behalf.

He called de Lima, one of his biggest critics, a "robber" who was using her driver to collect drug money during May's election campaign.

"In fairness, I would never say here that the driver gave the money to her. But by the looks of her she has it," he said.

"Here is an immoral woman fronting, the wife of the driver was concerned," he alleged. "Here is a woman who funded the house of her lover."

While he did not refer to de Lima by name in that address, he later confirmed during a speech at Manila's airport that he was indeed referring to the lawmaker.

De Lima told reporters that she found his comments to be "foul" and that they amounted to character assassination.

"We are both professionals, the president and I... I hope he doesn't resort to those foul means. To me, that's very foul," local media reports her saying, days before Senate hearings on Duterte's war on drugs are set to begin.

'Bleeding hearts'

"A lot of bleeding hearts, including senators of the republic, are complaining about the death rate in the fight against drugs," Duterte said in the speech at Camp Crame, the Philippine National Police headquarters, in Quezon City on the outskirts of Manila.

He reiterated that his officers had the right to use deadly force in self-defense.

"If the resistance is violent thereby placing your life in jeopardy, shoot and shoot him dead. Can I be more clear than that?"

On Thursday, de Lima added in a statement that the attack from the "highest official of the land" had left her feeling powerless.

"No one has ever been attacked in such a manner by no less than the highest official of the land, until now," the statement reads.

"How does one defend oneself, when the attacker is immune from suit, and has all the backing of executive power to support him in his personal attack?"

Longtime foes

De Lima has long been an opponent of Duterte, and as head of the Commission on Human Rights under the former administration, attempted to tie Duterte to involvement in the infamous Davao Death Squad, a paramilitary vigilante organization in his hometown of Davao, where he served as mayor for over two decades.

The Philippine Daily Inquirer's "Kill List,"regarded as one of the most accurate records of the killings of suspected drug dealers in police engagements and by vigilantes, recorded the deaths of 693 people suspected of drug crimes between June 30, the day Duterte assumed office, and August 15.

De Lima also called Duterte's recent actions and statements, "use and abuse of power" and vowed to continue the senate hearings to protect innocent victims of extra-judicial killings and help strengthen the rule of law.

De Lima has summoned Philippine National Police Chief, Director-General Ronald "Bato" de la Rosa -- a longtime ally of the president -- along with human rights groups, lawyers and families of victims to testify.

A statement from the president's office said that he "has taken umbrage with de Lima's approach, of not only taking the moral high ground with regard to drug-related deaths, but her assumptions that said deaths are directly attributable to (the) war on drugs," and said that his opponent was using the situation to "grandstand."

A presidential spokesman also added that the attack should not be construed as a warning against those who question the government's anti-drug campaign.

[mike2011]

Duterte on how to fix evidence:

President as prosecutor

Duterte: ‘We planted evidence … (and) the intrigues’

Read more: http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/808126/duterte-we-planted-evidence-we-first-planted-the-intrigues#ixzz4Hx6vJ9vr
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A screen capture of President Duterte’s early morning press conference in Davao City, August 21, 2016.

In his early morning news conference Sunday, President Duterte provided a glimpse of what he said he had learned during his 10 years as a city prosecutor: To bend the law to get the desired outcome.

“I’ve learned a lot during my prosecution days,” the President said. “We planted evidence. We arrested persons but we released them. But [the President then switches to an example] telling him that it was this person who squealed on him and then when he goes out but killing we would say it was this fellow who really did it, who did you in.”

He explained the reason for the tactic: “We first planted the intrigues, so that we would know where they were or where they came from.”

 

The President’s clinical view of what prosecutors and policemen need to do to fight crime is counter to what the law allows. It is possible that he misspoke; during the conference he could not recall certain names and mistakenly called Senator Leila de Lima the chair of the Commission on Appointments. (She was the chair of the Commission on Human Rights when the long-time Davao city mayor became, in his words, her “favorite whipping boy.”)

But the context of the first 15 minutes of another rambling, revealing news conference seems clear.

The implications will also likely become a matter of concern.

Early in the conference he denied that police officers were involved in the extra-judicial killings where the dead were bundled up in plastic or cardboard: “It is not the work of the police to be wrapping people with plastics and putting them in bags. That is not the job of the police! I just told him that one bullet will do. Why do you have to wrap it and waste your time?”

Then he added: “But we know at the start that we planted the intrigues there.”

There was also this extended passage, about 13 minutes into the conference:

“The reason I called for this conference is I wanted to disabuse the minds of many women criticizing me. I said I have to mention the connect between De Lima’s driver and her, otherwise I would look stupid ….

“So, that is one round.

“Wait until we present these guys. They can well maybe deny it initially, but you know, there are a lot of ways of doing it. Allow me to ask you seven questions, and I will get the truth from your mouth. I’m not saying I’m the best, but 10 years as a prosecutor was a learning process of arriving at truths.”/rga

Read more: http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/808126/duterte-we-planted-evidence-we-first-planted-the-intrigues#ixzz4Hx6hHY5K
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[mike2011]

 

 

 

 

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-37147630

Philippines' Rodrigo Duterte threatens to leave UN

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has threatened to "separate" from the UN after it criticised his war on drugs as a crime under international law.

Mr Duterte said he might ask China and African nations to form another body. He also accused the UN of failing on terrorism, hunger and ending conflicts.

Mr Duterte, elected in May, has sanctioned the killing of traffickers to try to wipe out the drugs trade.

The UN has repeatedly condemned the drive as a violation of human rights.

Some 900 suspected drug traffickers have been killed since Mr Duterte was elected on 9 May.

Duterte: 'Punisher' to president

Last week, two UN human rights experts said Mr Duterte's directive for police and the public to kill suspected drug traffickers amounted to "incitement to violence and killing, a crime under international law".

  Image copyright AFP Image caption Residents of Manila at the scene of a shootout that left two suspected drug dealers dead

In an expletives-laden tirade against the UN on Sunday, Mr Duterte branded the experts "stupid", saying they should count the number of innocent lives lost to drugs.

"I do not want to insult you. But maybe we'll just have to decide to separate from the United Nations," he said.

"If you are that rude, we might just as well leave," he said.

"So take us out of your organisation. You have done nothing. Where were you here the last time? Never. Except to criticise," he said.

Mr Duterte said the UN should refund its contribution "so we can go out".

Mr Duterte said the UN had been unable to combat hunger and terrorism and had failed to end the killing of civilians in Iraq and Syria.

"You now, United Nations, if you can say one bad thing about me, I can give 10 [about you]. I tell you, you are [useless]. Because if you are really true to your mandate, you could have stopped all these wars and killings."

UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon and the UN's Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) have both condemned Mr Duterte's "apparent endorsement of extrajudicial killings, which is illegal and a breach of fundamental rights and freedoms".

Mr Duterte was sworn in as president in June, after winning a landslide election victory.

He had previously been mayor of the country's third biggest city, Davao, for 22 years where his tough approach and controversial comments earned him the nickname "The Punisher".

[mike2011]

 

He called himself a socialist. now he cuts health budget by 25% in a country with an abysmal public health system and increasingly impoverished population. The Philippines has a constantly growing number of poor. The other cuts will also hurt the poor most.

At the same blowing him his own budget, Duterte is set to create his own Praetorians.

 

Duterte cuts health budget by P31 B

By Jess Diaz (The Philippine Star) | Updated August 21, 2016 - 12:00am

 

MANILA, Philippines - The war on drugs has a trade-off in terms of allocation of taxpayers’ money.

While President Duterte has substantially increased the budget of the police, military and his own office, he has largely reduced funding for health services, agriculture, labor and employment, and foreign affairs.

Budget documents the President has submitted to Congress show that he reduced the Department of Health’s (DOH) budget from P125 billion this year to P94 billion next year, or by a whopping P31 billion.

Money for maintenance and other operating expenses of the DOH will go down from P75.1 billion to P38.9 billion, while funding for capital expenditures like clinics and hospitals will be reduced from P27.6 billion to P25.2 billion.

What will go up is funding for salaries, from P22.3 billion to P29.9 billion, principally because the DOH plans to recruit new doctors, nurses and midwives for deployment in rural areas.

During the Aquino administration, allocation for capital expenditures of the DOH increased due to the upgrading of medical facilities in the provinces and the construction of barangay health clinics.

Duterte is also reducing funds for agriculture by P3.6 billion, from P48.9 billion to P45.3 billion; labor and employment by P5.3 billion, from P18.8 billion to P13.5 billion; and for the Department of Foreign Affairs by almost P4 billion, from P20.8 billion to P16.7 billion.

On the other hand, Duterte is substantially increasing the budget for his own office, from P2.9 billion to P20.030 billion. The increase includes P2.5 billion in intelligence funds and more than P7 billion for representation and entertainment expenses.

The President is also giving the Department of the Interior and Local Government, which includes the Philippine National Police, an additional P25 billion, and the Department of National Defense, including the Armed Forces of the Philippines, P17 billion more.

“My government will double or even triple its efforts to bring drug pushers and crime syndicates behind bars. This budget provides P110.4 billion for the Philippine National Police, higher by 24.6 percent than in 2016,” Duterte said in his budget message to Congress.

He said the additional money would be used “to hire more policemen, buy more guns and patrol vehicles and finance other activities for more effective crime suppression.”

“Meanwhile, the Armed Forces of the Philippines will have P130.6 billion. This is 15 percent higher than its budget for this year. This will be used to intensify the AFP’s counter-terrorism efforts and to protect our borders,” he said.

He added that the AFP modernization program would have P25 billion “to give our soldiers more weapons and equipment.”

No salary hike for cops, soldiers

But the additional money for the police and the military do not include funding requirements for Duterte’s promise to double the salaries of soldiers and policemen.

He told soldiers in Cebu City three weeks ago that they would have doubled their paycheck by December this year.

But Budget Secretary Benjamin Diokno said the Duterte administration would not be able to increase the salaries of soldiers and policemen this year.

Diokno said what soldiers and policemen would get is an additional monthly allowance of P5,000 starting next month, he said.

This has prompted Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV to accuse Duterte of making promises that he could not keep, raising false hopes among police and military personnel and of being a “big talker.”

DepEd to get P566 B

But the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) has proposed a budget of over P566 billion for the Department of Education next year, up by P135 billion from the allocation that DepEd received this year.

Based on the National Expenditure Program submitted to Congress, DepEd’s budget – both new and automatic appropriations – will increase from P431.1 billion in 2016 to P566.2 billion in 2017.

Like in the previous administration, DepEd will receive the biggest chunk of the proposed P3.35-trillion budget for next year.

“Education is not on the back burner of the Duterte administration,” said Education Secretary Leonor Briones, noting that the President is supportive of the proposal to hike DepEd’s budget by almost 30 percent.

A fiscalizer and former National Treasurer, Briones pledged to ensure that DepEd’s huge budget allocation is efficiently managed and that the projects are completed on time.

“We still have to prove that we are capable of spending every single centavo,” she added.

If the NEP 2017 is approved as proposed, DepEd will receive P116 billion under the Basic Education Facilities (BEF), which funds the construction and rehabilitation of school buildings, as well as for the procurement of school facilities.

This year, the government has allocated over P82 billion for the BEF.

Another P28.3 billion is allocated for the creation of new teaching positions as the first batch of K-12 students is expected to begin Grade 12 next year.

According to the DBM, the government intends to construct or replace over 37,500 classrooms and hire more than 53,000 additional teachers in 2017.

The government has also allotted P16 billion for midyear bonus in line with the implementation of the latest salary standardization, and provided a P1-billion increase to the special hardship allowance of teachers from P1.1 billion in 2016 to P2.1 billion next year.

The proposed budget for financial subsidy for students almost doubled, from P28.9 billion this year to P45.5 billion next year. - With Janvic Mateo

 

[nottocus]

Duterte the man.

[mike2011]

The numbers go up.

 

 

 

Trillanes warns cops: Duterte won't always be around

Dharel Placido, ABS-CBN News

Posted at Aug 22 2016 08:25 PM

 

PNP chief Ronald dela Rosa, Senator Antonio Trillanes IV and President Rodrigo Duterte

MANILA – Senator Antonio Trillanes IV on Monday advised Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Ronald dela Rosa and the rest of the police force to do their job properly and follow the law as President Rodrigo Duterte will not always be around to back them.

During a joint Senate committee hearing on Monday, Trillanes, a staunch Duterte critic, took Dela Rosa to task for the rising number of extra-judicial killings since the president launched his massive campaign to rid the country of illegal drugs and reduce criminality. 

Trillanes told Dela Rosa that his inability to solve the rising cases of extra-judicial killings might lead the public to think that the police leadership is condoning this illegal method. 

Trillanes also echoed concerns that policemen are abusing their authority by deliberately killing helpless drug suspects.

''Ang sinasabi ko lang, general, umiikot ang mundo eh. Alam niyo itong si Presidente Duterte, naka-pwesto siya ngayon. Malay natin ang susunod na makaka-pwesto eh ang prayoridad ay human rights at mag-conduct ng investigation,'' Trillanes told Dela Rosa.

(General, the world goes around. President Duterte is in power now. But what if the one who will succeed him prioritizes human rights and decides to launch an investigation into the killings?)

''By then, retired na kayo at kapag binuksan ang mga kaso na ito, nakatiwangwang ang mga pulis…pagka binuksan iyan at [nagkaroon ng] isang honest to goodness investigation, kailangan properly ang conduct ng operation talaga at otherwise sila rin ang mananagot long after ang mga commanders nila ay nag-retire na, nawala na."

(By then, you'll already be retired and some policemen will be left vulnerable if an honest to goodness investigation is launched. The conduct of operations must be proper. Otherwise, these policemen will be made accountable long after their commanders are gone.)

Duterte has promised to fully back the police force in case they are slapped with cases in the performance of their duties, including pardoning them. 

Duterte has also promised to double the salary of policemen.

'PAGOD NA PAGOD NA'

During the hearing, Dela Rosa admitted that the rising number of extra-judicial killings is really alarming, and the only way to stop it is if Duterte calls off his war on drugs.

''Sana mag-order si President Duterte sa amin na 'you stop the war on drugs' at pabayaan na lang natin yan. Kami ay pagod na pagod na sa trabaho na ito. Kung tutuusin, sobra na ang pagod namin, marami ng pulis ko ang namamatay,'' he said.

(If only President Duterte could tell us to stop the war on drugs. We are exhausted with this job, to tell you frankly. I have also lost many of my men.)

But Dela Rosa said the extra-judicial killings should not push aside the police as they perform their duties, especially since the war on drugs, in his view, has brought positive effects to society such as lower crime rate and an increased sense of safety among the public.

''Right now, yung aking mga tao, busy sa war on drugs. Nakita ko maraming namamatay na Death Under Investigation -- allegedly vigilante killings. Pero itong aming kampanya ngayon ay nasa amin ang momentum kaya ayaw kong sabihin sa kanila (police district directors) na ire-relieve ko kayo at tatanggalin kayo sa pwesto dahil yung Death Under Investigation ay hindi niyo nabigyan ng tuldok,'' he said.

(Right now, my men are busy on the war on drugs. There are many Deaths Under Investigation, alleged vigilante killings. I don't want to affect the police's momentum in the crusade by telling my subordinates that I will sack them if they fail to solve these killings.)

Dela Rosa said that 712 drug traffickers and users have been killed during police operations. The police are also investigating 1,067 drug-related killings outside police work, he said. 

Monitoring by the ABS-CBN Investigative and Research Group show that there have been 1,158 drug-related deaths from May 10 to August 22.

Of this number, 699 were killed in police operations and 362 were killed by unidentified assailants. Ninety-seven bodies were found away from the crime scene.

[tuky]

Totally worth a read.

 

http://time.com/4462352/rodrigo-duterte-drug-war-drugs-philippines-killing/

 

 

[Pdaz]

The BBC is on his ass already.. This is their latest Lefty liberal cause Du Jour.. Jonny (dick)Head is already there ripping his bodice with tears in his eyes.. The nasty nasty non-democratic Military Junta in Thailand already forgotten and cast aside. 

[tuky]

7 minutes ago, Pdaz said:

The BBC is on his ass already.. This is their latest Lefty liberal cause Du Jour.. Jonny (dick)Head is already there ripping his bodice with tears in his eyes.. The nasty nasty non-democratic Military Junta in Thailand already forgotten and cast aside. 

So what are you implying?

[Pdaz]

Not implying anything. Just saying that Duterte is the BBC's latest bad boy. They love to find something for all the liberals to fret over. Some criminals are being killed, big deal. There are plenty and a clean up is necessary.

[tuky]

Ok Pdaz, understood.

It is the collateral that bothers me most.

My GF's friend came to our house the other night because she was scared. The death squad came to the house next door to hers and killed all inside. Wife and kids. The big problem is the Father, who is the guy using drugs wasnt even home.

I dont have any links or any way to back this up because the majority of these deaths arent reported. But first hand I saw how scared this 20 something girl was.

My heart bled for her.

But it does make ine wonder, who is next? Are any of us safe in Davao, the so called safest city in Asia?.

[mike2011]

Pdaz. You are mistaken.

Nobody defends criminals. What people defend is the rule of law. Usually, that  is a cause close to a conservative's heart. Respect for the law should be a common value as our societies depend on it. I m sure that neither Lefties or Righties want to go back to the law of the jungle. That would only benefit the criminals.

 

 

Some supporters of Duterte have learned their lesson the hard way by now. People applauding the shootings always feel certain that it will be the others, the real criminals, who get hit. In fact, that is not necessarily the case. The killers select the victims according to their own preferences for a variety of reasons which are not transparent - quite differently from a session in court. Many people got shot and relatives claim that the  victims had nothing to do with crime. We talk about Duterte voters.

 

The same happened in Thailand in 2003.

 

Therefore I think both Lefties and Conservatives do good in jointly defending the time-honored rule of law and insist of due process. Only that makes us citizens and distinguishes us from subjects. None of us wants to live in a country where 'disrespect' = speaking up against the president may cost you your life. We talk openly against Cameron, Merkel, Obama or whoever we want to criticize. This freedom is a stake in the Phils and many have paid the ultimate price.

 

 

[mike2011]

Drug users aren't human, says Philippines' Duterte

AFP•August 28, 2016

 

View photos

An activist hold a banner in front of the Philippine National Police headquarters during a protest condemning extra-judicial killings in President Rodrigo Duterte's campaign against drugs, in Manila on August 24, 2016 (AFP Photo/Noel Celis)

Manila (AFP) - Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte, who is waging a bloody war on crime, has justified the large-scale killing of drug users by suggesting the victims were not human.

Duterte, who has seen about two thousand people killed since he was elected in May, made the remarks late Friday as he shrugged off the United Nations' concerns over human rights in his country.

"Crime against humanity? In the first place, I’d like to be frank with you: are they humans? What is your definition of a human being?" he told soldiers while visiting an army camp, according to transcripts of his speech released afterwards.

"Human rights? Use it properly in the right context if you have the brains," he added.

"You cannot wage a war without killing," Duterte said, adding that many drug users were beyond rehabilitation.

His remarks came after various UN officials, including Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon in June condemned his apparent support for extra-judicial killings.

The UN special rapporteur on summary executions, Agnes Callamard, said earlier this month that his directives "amount to incitement to violence and killing, a crime under international law".

Duterte's comments come after his national police chief Ronald Dela Rosa on Friday urged drug users to kill their traffickers and burn their homes.

"Why don't you give them a visit, pour gasoline on their homes and set these on fire to register your anger," Dela Rosa said.

He later apologised for his remarks.

But Duterte defended Dela Rosa, saying "that's my style. He is following it".

Duterte also taunted the United Nations, saying "they want me to go prison? Do those idiots think I will be captured alive. My God, we will be together in hell."

Earlier this week, Dela Rosa told senators that over 750 people had been killed by police in anti-drug operations while more than a thousand had been slain by shadowy figures. Since then, even more people have been killed.

Duterte, 71, won May elections in a landslide on a promise to kill tens of thousands of suspected criminals to prevent the Philippines from becoming a narco-state.

He has vowed to protect policemen who may be charged as part of the campaign.

[mike2011]

 

This piece is almost 2 months ago but provides some nice pieces of info. The author was recently on Al-Jazeera participating in a discussion round and took Duterte's Minister of Justice (they still call it that way although Kine unmasked that character thoroughly)

 

 

http://www.themarknews.com/2015/07/07/rodrigo-duterte-the-rise-of-philippines-death-squad-mayor/

Rodrigo Duterte: The Rise of Philippines’ Death Squad Mayor

By Phelim Kine
Asia Division Deputy Director, Human Rights Watch

 

For Rodrigo Duterte, the brutal death squads that have claimed the lives of more than 1,000 people during his tenure as mayor of Davao City in the Philippines’ main southern island of Mindanao are not a problem. They’re a political platform.

Duterte publicly admitted his direct links to the Davao death squad during a May 24 live broadcast of his weekly television talk show. “Am I the death squad? True. That is true,” Duterte said on-air while discussing his accomplishments as Davao’s chief executive. He then pledged that if he became president of the Philippines he would execute 100,000 more criminals and dump their bodies in Manila Bay.

Duterte’s comments echoed those he made on May 15, which asserted the summary killing of suspected criminals as a key plank to his approach to public security: “We’re the ninth safest city. How do you think I did it? How did I reach that title among the world’s safest cities? Kill them all [criminals].”

Duterte’s claim of responsibility for the extrajudicial killings of hundreds of people has drawn deafening silence from President Benigno Aquino III. And aside from an expression of outrage from Philippines Secretary of Justice Leila De Lima, Duterte’s comments have drawn scant public criticism.

Instead, observers describe Duterte’s public admission of complicity with the Davao death squad as an act of shrewd political branding in the lead-up to presidential elections in May 2016. Those political ambitions are not misplaced. Recent public opinion polls place Duterte as the public’s third most popular potential candidate out of a field of known presidential hopefuls. On May 22, Vice President Jejomar Binay told reporters that he was considering Duterte as his running mate in his presidential bid next year.

The apparent public and political support for that initiative betrays a willful ignorance of the sinister reality of Duterte’s approach to public order. The operation of “death squads” in Davao while Duterte has been the city’s mayor has resulted in the deaths of hundreds of street children, petty criminals, and petty drug dealers since 1998.

Duterte himself took to the airwaves in 2001–2002 to issue threats against what he considered undesirable elements in Davao. Some of the criminals whose names he announced were later found dead, apparent victims of the death squad.

Philippine authorities have yet to successfully prosecute anyone for any of these murders. In the meantime, the killings continue and copycat death squad operations have emerged in other cities.

There is a shameful history of political tolerance for Duterte’s tactics that reaches the highest levels of the Philippine government. Duterte boasted at a public hearing of the Philippine Senate in February 2014 that he would “gladly kill” a suspected smuggler if he came to Davao. Rather than condemn Duterte’s appalling threat, lawmakers expressed sympathy with his views. Senator Cynthia Villar, chairperson of the Senate Committee on Agriculture and Food, which held the hearing, responded to Duterte’s threat by saying, “In Mindanao, you have to be tough because if not, there will be several abuses.” Senator Grace Poe, a putative 2016 presidential election candidate, likewise failed to challenge Duterte’s affront to the rule of law and instead clucked about how children might misconstrue Duterte’s death threat.

This tolerance from lawmakers for Duterte speaks volumes about the failure of successive Philippine governments to address the country’s problem of extrajudicial killings. Extrajudicial executions, including politically motivated killings, by state security forces have been a longstanding problem in the Philippines. Although the number of killings has decreased dramatically in recent years compared to a decade ago, they continue largely with impunity.

Exhibit A of the government’s failure to prosecute the perpetrators of extrajudicial killings is the official response to the November 2009 Maguindanao massacre in which a “private army” financed by the powerful Ampatuan family killed 58 people including more than 30 media workers. Almost six years later, the case is in effective judicial limbo, with no successful prosecutions and a total of 87 suspects still at large.

A much-vaunted initiative by the administration to address impunity – the creation in 2012 of a so-called superbody to expedite the investigation and prosecution of cases of extrajudicial killings – has remained largely inactive even as Philippine human rights groups report new cases. With the notable exception of the government’s move in March 2015 to prosecute the masterminds behind the Tagum Death Squad, after a detailed Human Rights Watch report, the perpetrators of these crimes remain at large.

Duterte’s boastful brand of violent impunity should be a path to prosecution, not a platform for political office. Until the government adopts a zero tolerance attitude toward public officials who publicly endorse extrajudicial killings as an acceptable approach to governance, Duterte and others like him will pose a grave danger to the safety of the citizens they are elected to protect.

[JB300]

60,000 meth-heads of the streets... http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3691692/Drug-addicts-Philippines-surrender-authorities-president-Rodrigo-Duterte-urges-citizens-ahead-kill-drug-users-dealers.html

[mike2011]

JB i wish this was true. There is no treatment available for these people. They show up at this pre-arranged events and serve an oath to stop. As it would be that easy. Plus many of those participants (many as in the number of killed  but comparably few in relation to the total of participants) got shot within days after promising to give up.

During my last visit to the Phils which was AFTER the date of the article you posted, i saw enough. I worked in the entertainment industry in my younger years and part of my job was to keep the place clean. The trade is alive and well albeit not as much right into your face as before. Anyone with some insights can identify locations etc. easily.

In a way they are culling the more obvious elements of the consumer base and reduce the infrastructure (production, distribution) of competing networks.

[tuky]

From within that same article...

 

Duterte had 'spawned a nuclear explosion of violence that is spiralling out of control and creating a nation without judges'.

 

The other day a friend of mine sent me a message to tell me his neighbour and best mate was killed, my friend told me to be careful because he doesnt know if the police or DDS have followed him to my house. He said he was killed bevause he would not name any names. I didnt know this guy, but my mate warned me bwcause I am foreign I am a prime target to be 'dobbed' in the the vigilantes. Tewards are being offered.

 

My gf and I have nothing to do with drugs or any criminal activity. We just live a simple life with our vegie garden and our dog, my mate is the husband of my gf university lecturer.

 

These killings affect all walks of life, not just the dark side.

scary if combined with the abu sayef here in Mindanao

 

First chance my gf and I are out of here.

[mike2011]

I suggest Cambodia for the ease of visa which is a benefit when time is scarce. Also Cebu Pacific will not insist on proof of onward air transportation other than in the case of Vietnam, Thailand, and, I think, Hongkong. No idea about Malaysia.

You can always move on from Siem Reap but this first step is a bit cheaper than other options.

 

I would worry more about the police. They control the DS and they give the orders. The entire DS story is in part a cover for the police and associated contract killers.

 

In your case I would review my account balances and make sure there is not too much in local banks and then in one branch of the same bank. The staff gossips a lot and word gets out.

Keep a minimum balance if possible, if needed some backup in a Manila or Cebu account depending on which airport you use. Major funds should be outside the country. Let's not forget the police needs money like any other criminal.

 

As for the university lecturer: Is he associated with a political party or specific candidate? That might mark him.

 

A lot depends on the city you're in. In the past Dipolog was a pretty dark place but fine for foreigners. Ozamis is really a mess. Davao, Tagum, Gensan etc are solid D. country. No idea about Butuan. Cagayan is also rough. The ARMM and Zamboanga are anyhow a red zone. If you're in Surigao take the plane and NOT the ferry, check for what happened in Iloilo at the ferry port: Man and wife shot and just after that the police control was lifted. How did they get their guns in and why does police lift the checks when guns went off?

 

As for myself, I have taken my money out of the country and swallow higher transfer fees now. An extra expense but worthwhile when I can avoid to have a footprint in the Phils. When visiting I select my locations carefully.

 

 

 

[tuky]

I am in Davao Mike, we were looking at Lingig for the peaceful life, but in the last 12 months the muslims have pretty shut everything down there.

We were in Lingig a few months ago, there is nothing, absolutely nothing open afyer sunset as everyone secures themselves indoors away from the muslim threat.

We checked into a questhouse and luckily the first thing I did was put my beer in the fridge, yep in the fridge was a package of ganja. I was going to flush it but my gf took it syraight to the guesthouse owner and threw it at them just to show we cannot be setup, for an attempted setup I am sure it was.

As for banking, I also swallow the extra fees and use only international banks. No account here for me, the gf has an account and I do transfer online 30k pesos as and when required but that is all. We live fairly cheaply and quietly.

I am waiting on a contract to sign for work in Singas, so we wont be here much longer.

[JB300]

Clearly you guys have seen a different side to life in the Philippines/Davao than I have but good luck in Singapore, especially if your gf/wife is hoping to work here as the locals have got really xenophobic about Filipinos taking all of "their" jobs.

So much so, I "sent" (negotiated with) my gf back to JI in Davao to do the last year of her HRM qualification so we can look at where we want to move to next (she was working here as a waitress in an Irish pub when I met her, but Singapore has progressively made it harder & more onerous for her to stay).

[JB300]

http://www.express.co.uk/news/world/706734/Huge-bomb-explosion-Davao-City-Roxas-Night-Market-Philippines


... And now I take it all back & my Ms will be gtf out of Davao even if I have to marry her so she can live in Singapore (Singapore doesn't recognise common law "wives")

[tuky]

It will only get worse JB.

Your mrs should have received a text this morning warning her about bomb threats at various other places in Davao.

I will translate the text and post it soon.

[JB300]

Yeah, she got this from JIB...


And is back in Kapalong now till we decide what to do next.

Have to say Singapore is looking a lot better place to live this morning

Stay safe [emoji106]

[mike2011]

Lingig, wow. I love Hinatuan and had some good times in Bislig. I thought Lingig was, similar to Bislig, largely NPA country.

 

Davao airport is considered to be safe as opposed to Gensan airport, to name one. Business guys who need an armed escort do not use Gensan but instead drive the 3-4 hrs to Davao airport. That tells you a lot about the PNP.

Those guys have so far asked me only 2 times for cash right into my face - just for being a white guy. They did it in a somewhat minimally concealed fashion like I m hungry and I need my dinner. I played stupid and told him that it is so late in the evening that the dinner would not do him any good....

 

As for the Davao bomb - this is a god given for him. He will assume extra powers. Readers should not attach to much importance to the bomb. This is not too unusual in the Phils.

 

 

 

 

 

[tuky]

25 minutes ago, mike2011 said:

 

 

As for the Davao bomb - this is a god given for him. He will assume extra powers. Readers should not attach to much importance to the bomb. This is not too unusual in the Phils.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thats right, he will use this as a stepping stone to martial law, just like Marcos did with the so called attempted assasination of one of his guys, I cant recall what his name was but was later proven to be a set up.

 

JB300, I sent you a PM with some more info for tou to pass on the your mrs.

[JB300]

 

Thats right, he will use this as a stepping stone to martial law, just like Marcos did with the so called attempted assasination of one of his guys, I cant recall what his name was but was later proven to be a set up.

 

JB300, I sent you a PM with some more info for tou to pass on the your mrs.

Appreciate it Tuky & have fwd it to her (she just msg me to say she's past Tagum so will be home in 20mins) [emoji106]

Hope none of the areas mentioned are near you or your family there.