Next Philippine leader seeks early talks with communist rebels

Incoming Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte said Sunday he would seek an early start to peace talks with communist rebels and free detained guerrilla chieftains when he takes office in end-June.

He also offered safe passage for Jose Maria Sison, the founder of the insurgency who fled to European exile nearly 30 years after the failure of initial attempts to end one of Asia's longest armed insurgencies.

Duterte is betting on his close friendship with Sison, his former university teacher, to bring a swift political settlement to a rebellion that has killed about 30,000 people by official count and impoverished vast swathes of the country.

"I will... give him (Sison) a safe-conduct pass," the soon-to-be president told a midnight news conference in his southern hometown of Davao.

He said Benito Tiamzon and his wife Wilma Tiamzon, the detained alleged leaders of the Communist Party of the Philippines and its armed wing the New People's Army, would also be let out to take part in the peace talks.

Incumbent President Benigno Aquino revived peace talks soon after taking office in 2010 but shelved them in 2013, accusing the rebels of insincerity in efforts to achieve a political settlement.

The talks got bogged down after the communists demanded the release of scores of their jailed comrades whom they described as "political prisoners", which the Aquino government rejected.

Duterte, who met a rebel emissary in Davao 10 days ago, said he would also be sending out two members of his cabinet to Norway for preparatory meetings with the exiled rebel leaders.

Norway had acted as go-between in failed peace talks between the Aquino government and the rebels.

"I have commissioned them to go to Oslo... to go there for the framework and agenda that (we) will talk about," Duterte added.

He said the two cabinet emissaries would then "maybe accompany Jose Maria Sison home".

Should his emissaries be able to hammer out an agreement, "then I will release all the political prisoners," Duterte said -- the rebels' term for their jailed comrades.

The rebels have hailed Duterte's earlier offer for a ceasefire, as well as to allow the rebels to nominate their allies to four positions in his cabinet.

However they have also urged him to release all detained rebels that they said numbered more than 500.

Source

Chinese state media warns G7 against South China Sea 'meddling'

Chinese state media warned the Group of Seven nations on Thursday not to "meddle" in South China Sea disputes, as leaders from the bloc gathered for talks in Japan.

The commentary came as European Council President Donald Tusk said on the sidelines of a summit in Ise-Shima that the bloc should take a "clear and tough stance" on China's contested maritime claims.

Beijing has angered several Southeast Asian neighbours by claiming almost all of the South China Sea and rapidly building reefs into artificial islands capable of hosting military planes.

China's official Xinhua news agency published an article saying the G7 -- which excludes Beijing -- "should mind its own business rather than pointing fingers at others".

Xinhua writer Chang Yuan accused Japan of "attempting to take advantage of its G7 summit host status and draw more 'allies and sympathizers' to isolate China".

Both Washington and Tokyo -- which is locked in a separate dispute with Beijing over islands in the East China Sea -- have warned against Beijing stoking tensions in the contested waters.

Chang wrote that such remarks showed "Japan's hidden agenda: to meddle in the South China Sea issue".

Weighing in on the South China Sea "exceeds the G7's current influence and capability. What's more, it reflects a lingering Cold War mindset", Chang added.

The commentary came ahead of a ruling expected within weeks on China's claims brought to the Permanent Court of Arbitration in the Hague by the Philippines.

China has warned outside parties not to meddle in the South China Sea, but has also attempted to draw nations as far away as Niger, Togo and Burundi into the dispute, insisting that they support its rejection of the tribunal.

British Prime Minister David Cameron warned China that it must abide by the outcome of the international arbitration as he arrived in Japan for the G7 summit, the Guardian newspaper reported.

Beijing summoned top diplomatic representatives from the Group of Seven nations including France and Britain in April to express anger at a joint statement on the South China Sea.

The G7 said at the time: "We are concerned about the situation in the East and South China Seas, and emphasise the fundamental importance of peaceful management and settlement of disputes."

AFP News 26 May 2016 found in Source

Duterte hits 3 'most corrupt' government agencies

ABS-CBN News

Posted at May 24 2016 10:19 AM

Updated as of May 24 2016 10:38 AM

DAVAO CITY - Presumptive President Rodrigo Duterte on Monday night gave dire warnings to supposedly corrupt and inefficient government agencies and officials.

Speaking to reporters in Davao City, Duterte called the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR), Bureau of Customs (BOC) and Land Transportation Office (LTO) as the "most corrupt" agencies.

Duterte also said it may be better to simply disband these agencies.

"I'm very sorry pero sabihin ko sa inyo, isa sa pinaka-corrupt na agency ang BIR, Customs, LTO -- iyang tatlong iyan... I-abolish ko na lang para wala na," he said.

Duterte also lambasted the "useless" Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), saying that it cannot combat illegal drugs because many of its own officials are embroiled in the narcotics trade.

He added that a high-ranking PDEA officer needs to be sacked from the agency because of alleged connivance with drug syndicates.

Duterte said that once he assumes office, he will order the military to take over the corruption-riddled agency.

Aside from the PDEA, Duterte also wants military men to lead the Bureau of Immigration (BI), and the Bureau of Corrections (BuCor), which maintains the New Bilibid Prison (NBP).

He also warned local government officials involved with illegal drugs. "Huwag kayong magkamali d'yan kung naaawa kayo sa sarili n'yo. P***** *** mamamatay kayo d'yan."

 -- With reports from Roxanne Arevalo and Doris Bigornia, ABS-CBN News

Latest 'walk of shame' in Tanauan done Santacruzan-style

 Published May 23, 2016 12:47pm

Eleven suspected drug pushers in Tanauan, Batangas, were forced to join the so-called "Flores de Pusher" walk of shame campaign on Monday of Mayor Antonio Halili.

In a report by John Consulta on Balitanghali, the suspects were brought to the Tanauan City Hall grounds before the Santacruzan-like shame campaign at the city center while a formal complaint was being drafted against them.

Some of the suspects, who were recently arrested from three target areas, denied that they are drug pushers while others admitted to the crime due to poverty.

One suspect was recently freed from jail and admitted he had to resort to selling illegal drugs because he had nothing else to do since he is always denied of employment on account of him being an ex-convict.

Halili said the suspects were given warnings to stop their illegal activities or face apprehension, but the suspects allegedly did not listen. The warnings were also delivered via mail to the suspects' residence.

Halili stressed the Commission on Human Rights cannot presume their inocence of the suspects since they were caught in the act. He said one suspect was even arrested while attempting to hide the illegal drugs in his underwear.

The Tanauan anti-crime group recovered the drug money with an unknown number of illegal drugs and drug paraphernalia.

The anti-crime group said they have proof that the suspects were involved in the illegal drug trade, including pictures or a surveillance video footage. It also said the arrests were properly documented.

Several relatives of the suspects witnessed the shame campaign and denied the suspect's involvement in illegal drugs.

The report said Tanauan has earned the tag of "little Mindanao" in the CALABARZON Region for the supposed rampant illegal drug trade there.

Halili, known for his policies resembling that of incoming President Rodrigo Duterte, vowed to curtail illegal drugs in his town and continue his shame campaign despite investigation by the CHR.

Majority of residents interviewed in the report supported Halili's campaign and called on to him to include big-time drug pushers in his campaign. — Joseph Tristan Roxas/KBK, GMA News

Kalibo gov't mulls legal action vs. traffic lights contractor

Sat, 05/21/2016 - 09:24 admin

BY BOY RYAN B. ZABAL

 

A Korean contractor might be facing legal cases for failure to complete the installation and construction of traffic lights in Kalibo, Aklan. 

Engr. Marlo Villanueva, municipal planning and development coordinator, said Headline Information and Electronics Trading Corporation has yet to complete the installation and construction of traffic lights this May and its beyond the deadline set by the local government of Kalibo. 

Last year, traffic lights were installed along the corner of Toting Reyes Street and Roxas Avenue Extension near Kalibo Public Market. Another traffic lights at the intersection of Desposorio Maagma Sr. Street-Osmena Avenue-Jaime Cardinal Avenue (formerly Quezon Avenue)-Toting Reyes Street or the Crossing Rotanda Sarok were also put up. 

These traffic lights are funded by the municipal government of Kalibo for P1.960-million to ease heavy traffic congestion in the busy areas. The contract includes the delivery of digital LED traffic light countdown timers, signal controllers, LED pedestrian lantern with push button actuator, traffic poles, wireless closed circuit TV surveillance network, wireless network radios, zoom/tilt dome camera, LED monitor and public address system speaker and amplifier. 

Last April 13, 2016, Villanueva issued a notice of slippage reminding Mr. Yoon Lee of the contract deadline overdue. He also demanded to the contractor to complete within 15 days the construction and installation of traffic lights or the municipal government of Kalibo will initiate legal action against Headline Information and Electronics Trading Corporation. 

The company has an office address at Unit 307 SRI Building, 2444 F. B,. Harrison Street in Pasay City with Mr. Byung Yoon Lee as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (CEO). 

Villanueva said, "the project as of February  24, 2016 was almost 50.10% accomplished but as of this week the traffic lights supplier/contractor failed to complete their work including the testing and commissioning despite several reminders from our office." 

"Itong contractor may mga traffic lights projects din sa Pasay City kaso parang may management problem ang company nila. Nakiusap tayo kay Mr. Yoon Lee  na tapusin ang installation ngunit hanggang ngayon hindi pa rin operational ang traffic lights. Itong first week of May pa dapat tapos na," he added. 

Villanueva said, “given the situation, he recommended to Kalibo mayor William Lachica on May 18, 2016 the filing of cases against the contractor for failure to complete the project”. 

On the other hand. Aklan District Engineer Noel Fuentebella said they will also install traffic lights, which is funded by the Department of Public Works and Highways, along the intersection of Roxas Avenue and Mabini Street.

Duterte camp returns excess donations

DAVAO CITY – Supporters of incoming president Rodrigo Duterte have returned unused campaign funds to donors, the first time excess funds were returned to contributors.

In his Facebook account, incoming agriculture secretary Emmanuel Piñol said the group Anonymous Patriots led by businessman Benigno Gopez has issued checks to be given back to their campaign donors.

“This is the first time in the history of Philippine politics that excess funds were returned to contributors. Most politicians keep the money to themselves after the campaign,” Piñol said.

“Change is coming? That’s passe. Change has actually started,” he added.

Piñol quoted Gopez as saying that returning the excess money is intended “to show to the people that everything will be different under the Duterte presidency.”

The incoming agriculture chief, however, could not say how much was returned to contributors.

“They do not want to reveal (the amount),” Piñol said.

Peter Laviña, spokesman for Duterte’s transition team, said the Davao City mayor asked his supporters to return the unused funds.

“This is the effort of our Manila supporters. They tried to raise funds but there is excess money,” Laviña said in a chance interview yesterday. 

“The guidance from the mayor is that excess funds should be returned. If the donors refuse to accept them, we will give them to charity. We will not put them in our pockets. The mayor wants to set an example,” he added.

Piñol said during the campaign, Duterte instructed his fund raisers to be careful and selective in receiving contributions.

“He (Duterte) stressed that he would not receive money from groups and individuals who have interests in government or those who have contracts with government,” Piñol said.

“Duterte is also known to refuse contributions from Davao City during the (local) elections when he ran unopposed.”

Meanwhile, senator-elect Sherwin Gatchalian of the Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC) expressed support yesterday for Duterte’s policy proposals, saying these are needed to instill order and discipline at the grassroots level.  

A former three-term mayor of Valenzuela City, Gatchalian said Duterte’s plan to implement a nationwide liquor ban after 1 a.m., a ban on smoking in public places as well as a 10 p.m. curfew for minors may sound “too local,” but these are the building blocks for a peaceful and orderly society.  

“Presumptive president Duterte is going back to the basics, to discipline. His initial pronouncements might sound parochial or too local, but they are necessary to instill order and discipline at the grassroots level,” Gatchalian said.   – With Paolo Romero

Philippine Star

20 May 2016

Ex-CHR chair: Duterte's anti-crime vow could turn off investors

Christian V. Esguerra, ABS-CBN News

Posted at May 20 2016 08:43 PM

Presumptive President Rodrigo Duterte’s vow to wipe out criminals, including a plan to hang them twice until the head is severed from the body, could turn away foreign investors and set back the Philippines’ economic gains, a former human rights official warned Friday.

WATCH: Duterte threatens outlaws with 'double hanging'

Loretta Ann Rosales noted that the Philippines had ratified eight human rights treaties, including the one against “torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.”

The Philippines is also a state party to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which states that “no one shall be arbitrarily deprived of his life.”

“The Philippines is going to have a black eye,” Rosales, a former chairperson of the Commission on Human Rights, told ABS-CBN News.

Duterte is set to become the country’s 16th president on the strength of more than 15 million votes. He vowed to replicate nationwide his iron-fist approach to criminals while he was Davao City mayor for two decades.

He wants Congress to restore death penalty by hanging robbers and rapists. Police were also told to “shoot to kill” members of organized crime if they resorted to violence during arrest.

Rosales warned that the United Nations’ Human Rights Council would hold the Philippines accountable if Duterte “goes on a rampage and just lets every Tom, Dick, and Harry in local government do away with the rule of law.”

She said Duterte’s disregard for the rule of law could eventually affect the economy.
“If the culture of violence is encouraged under the guise of trying to eradicate criminality by killing criminals—who are just suspects by the way—that is going to discourage foreign investments from coming in,” she said.

The Philippine economy grew by 6.9 percent during the first quarter this year, surpassing those of 10 other major economies in Asia.

“President Duterte should think twice about his usual efforts to try to eradicate crime the fastest way possible because it’s going to have an impact on our relations with other nations,” Rosales said.
The Philippines ratified the following human rights conventions:
- Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment
- International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights
Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women
- International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination
- International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights
- International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families
- Convention on the Rights of the Child

- Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.