‘STATE WITNESS’

MATUNOG ang balita na babaligtad ang mga ilang sangkot sa madugo ngunit pumalpak na digmaan kontra droga ni Gongdi. Nangunguna na si Bato dela Rosa na balitang may plano ng maging “state witness” sa kasong crimes against humanity na iniharap laban kay Gongdi at mga kasama ng mga oposisyon sa pangunguna ni Sonny Trillanes at Gary Alejano.

Kasamang babaligtad ang ilang opisyales ng Philippine National Police na ginamit ni Bato sa palpak na giyera sa droga. Mukhang mahihirapan makawala si Bato dahil siya ang lumagda ang Memorandum Circular 1 ng PNP noong ika-1 ng Hulyo, 2016. Itinakda ng MC 1 ang PNP bilang pangunahing institusyon na nagpatupad ng giyera kontra droga ni Gongdi.

Tinagurian “Project Double Barrel” ang digmaan kontra droga ni Gongdi. Batay sa MC 1, may dalawang bahagi ito: Oplan Tokhang, ang bahagi para sa mga ibaba ng lipunan, or iyong mga mahihirap; at Open High Value Target, o ang bahagi tungkol sa mga nakakariwasa sa lipunan. Mahigit ang 6,000 ang nasawi sa giyera kontra droga ni Gongdi bagaman may pagtaya na aabot sa 30,000 na tantiya ng ilang human rights group.

Balak ni Bato na tumakbo bilang reelectionist senator sa 2025. Balakid sa ambisyon niya ang kaso sa ICC. Kapag kumilos ito ngayong taon, hindi malayo na makalaboso si Bato. Hindi siya makakabalik sa Senado. Malabo siyang makakampanya ng maayos. Kaya hindi maaalis na plano niya na bumaligtad kung tatakbo bilang reelekyonista.
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SAKTONG Biyernes Santos ng ibinaba ng Malacanang ang pahayag ni BBM. Tungkol ito sa pambomba ng water cannon ng dalawang barko ng Chinese Coast Guard sa isang sasakyan ng Philippine Coast Guard na naghatid ng resupply sa mga sundalo ng Philippine Navy na nakahimpil sa BRP Sierra Madre sa Ayungin Shoal.

“Over the course of these past days, I have met with and spoken to our country’s National Security and Defense leadership. They have made their considered recommendations and, through exhaustive consultations, I have given them my directives.

“I have also been in constant communication with representatives of relevant allies, partners, and friends in the international community.

“They have offered to help us on what the Philippines requires to protect and secure our Sovereignty, sovereign rights, and jurisdiction while ensuring peace and stability in the Indo-pacific.

“I have given them our requirements and we have been assured that they will be addressed.

“Over the succeeding weeks there shall be, implemented by the relevant national government agencies and instrumentalities, a response and countermeasure package that is proportionate, deliberate, and reasonable in the face of the open, unabating, and illegal, coercive, aggressive, and dangerous attacks by agents of the China Coast Guard and the Chinese Maritime Militia.

“We seek no conflict with any nation, more so nations that purport and claim to be our friends but we will not be cowed into silence, submission, or subservience.
“Filipinos do not yield.”
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PAHAYAG ni Kristina Conti ng Rise Up for Life and for Rights, isang NGO na tumutulong sa mga pamilya ng biktima ng EJKs” “It is all systems go for the ICC prosecutor’s investigation into the Philippines ‘war on drugs,’ and all victims should be able to participate in the proceedings. We are reassured by the decision of the Appeals Chamber of the ICC on the Philippines’ request to suspend the investigation pending its appeal, and on the victims’ involvement. So far, the ICC proceedings is on track and aligned with our search for genuine justice for the victims of grave rights violations. The Philippines’ Request for Suspensive Effect would have delayed the ICC investigation, which has already been approved by the Pre-trial Chamber first, in September 2021, and again, in January 2023. In between those months, the PH tried to show that domestic investigations were rolling along and effecting justice for the victims.

“With its arguments exposed to be farcical and repetitive, the Philippines has lost its bid to yet again delay and ultimately, rebuff an investigation into crimes against humanity committed from 2011-2019, in the context of Duterte’s “war on drugs”. It also lost the argument that victims should not be allowed to comment on the matter, after it opposed the request of victims and the Office of the Public Counsel for Victims to participate. Still, the ICC Appeals Chamber has emphasized that the Philippines may continue its domestic investigations. It remains a concern for us however, that domestic investigations are not transparent, comprehensive, and conducive enough to earn the victims’ trust.”
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MGA SALITANG DAPAT TANDAAN: “Who is intensifying the tension, advancing their unlawful ambitions with the use of provocation and bullying tactics? Who is this country that claims sovereignty over Ayungin that is obviously distant miles away from the West Philippine Sea? Who thinks they are above international law and is violating their commitment to peace and stability in the region? The history and the DOC show the answers: PEOPLE’s REPUBLIC OF CHINA is the disruptor of the South China Sea stability. Remember an unshakable fact: Ayungin Shoal will never belong to a persistent liar and blatant violator of the international law.” – Commodore Jay Tarriela, spokesman of the Philippine Coast Guard

“I join fellow journalists in condemning this blatant attempt by China’s Foreign Ministry to discredit media covering the resupply mission. As NUJP stated, the media is not a party to the dispute and is merely delivering on its duty to show the truth, while risking life and limb.” – Zen Hernandez, netizen

“Mao Zhedung and Joseph Stalin killed millions because they were the “class enemies.” Adolf Hitler killed millions because they were Jews, Slavs, homosexuals, PWDs, or “racially inferior.” Rodrigo Duterte killed thousands because they could not fight back.” – PL, netizen, kritiko
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PAHAYAG mula kay Commodore Jay Tarriela, tagapagsalita ng Philippine Coast Guard sa isyu ng West Philippine Sea: “The West Philippine Sea serves as a unifying issue for the majority of Filipinos. President Marcos’ commitment to transparency has allowed the Filipino people to stay informed about the developments in the WPS. This information has greatly awakened the sense of patriotism among Filipinos, resulting in overwhelming support for our government’s efforts to assert our position in the West Philippine Sea. Regardless of political affiliation or regional origins, the majority of Filipinos now stand united in expressing their angered criticism and strong disapproval of China’s provocative bullying in our Exclusive Economic Zone.

“If you hold a high position in the government and have not yet expressed clear support for our Armed Forces of the Philippines, the Philippine Coast Guard, and our humble Filipino fishermen, it is important to reflect on where your loyalty and patriotism truly lie. Let me clarify that we have embedded media personnel not to exaggerate the situation or demonize China in the eyes of the international community. We have embedded them because we have confidence in the transparency of our story and have nothing to hide from journalists who enjoy their constitutionally guaranteed right for freedom of speech..”

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