Category Archives: Law Enforcement

Government, Law Enforcement, Media, Politics, Social Media

First Confirmed EJK Under Duterte Administration

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IMG_4936.PNGMANILA, Philippines (The Adobo Chronicles, Manila Bureau) – Since President Rodrigo Duterte took office in June of 2016, his political opponents and yellow-leaning news media as well as human rights groups have accused him of initiating or condoning extrajudicial killings in connection with his war on drugs.

The numbers quoted ranged from a low 3,000 to a high 9,000 or even more.

Yet, none of the individuals and groups could come forward with concrete evidence that the alleged summary killings were perpetrated by the government.

Finally, there is one killing that no one can deny to be extrajudicial.

Horacio “Atyo” Castillo III, a freshman law student at the University of Santo Tomas (UST), has died due to fraternity hazing initiation rites.  No government or police involvement. No vigilantes.

At last, Chito Gascon of the Philippine Commission on Human Rights as well as Agnès S. Callamard, Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions at the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, have one documented incident of EJK under the Duterte administration that they can boast of.

The Adobo Chronicles tried to reach Vice President Leni Robredo as well as Senators Risa Hontiveros and Antonio Trillanes for comment, but they have not yet returned our calls.

 

Government, Law Enforcement, Politics

Malacañang Disputes 7-Year Term Of CHR’s Chito Gascon

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IMG_4835.PNGMANILA, Philippines (The Adobo Chronicles, Manila Bureau) – Ever since the House of Representatives approved a P1,000 budget for the Commission on Human Rights, questions have arisen on whether the agency is truly a constitutional body as well as on the 7-year term of its commissioners.

A supposed copy of an Executive Order issued by then President Corazon Aquino seems to indicate that the CHR was created/confirmed through the EO, and that a subsequent addendum to the order clarified that the commissioners serve “at the pleasure of the President.”

The Adobo Chronicles could not independently confirm the authenticity of the EO or the addendum, and so we asked Malacañang for comment.

In response, PCOO Secretary Martin Andanar denied that the CHR Chair or commissioners “serve at the pleasure of the President.”

On the contrary, Andanar said:

“The commissioners, especially the current chair Chito Gascon, actually serve at the DISPLEASURE of the President.”

We can certainly understand that.

Government, Law Enforcement, Social Media

Ombudswoman Files First “Fake News” Case Against Blogger Raissa Robles

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Morales, left, and Robles

MANILA, Philippines (The Adobo Chronicles, Manila Bureau) – President Rodrigo Duterte has signed into law amendments in the Revised Penal Code, which includes imposing stiffer penalties on publishing fake news.

Article 154 of Republic Act 10951 imposes stiffer penalty on “unlawful use of means of publication and unlawful utterances.”

Under the law, penalty of arresto mayor and a fine ranging from P40,000 to P200,000 shall be imposed on any person publishing false news, “which may endanger the public order, or cause damage to the interest or credit of the state.”

Today, Ombudswoman Conchita Morales filed the first case under the new law against blogger and self-proclaimed investigative journalist Raissa Robles.

IMG_4213The case stems from a tweet sent by Robles alleging that an impeachment complaint has been filed against Morales.

The fact of the matter is, the impeachment complaint was against Chief Justice Lourdes Sereno, not Morales.

Fake news, indeed!