MANILA, Philippines – Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana has asked Malacañang for a written order to serve as legal basis for the military to enforce President Rodrigo Duterte's order to arrest erring cops and alleged drug lords. (READ: Duterte to order soldiers to arrest corrupt police)

"The Department of National Defense has requested the Office of the Executive Secretary to issue an official order regarding this presidential directive to serve as a legal basis for our troops to follow," Lorenzana said in a short statement on Wednesday, February 1. 

Duterte ordered "internal cleansing" in the Philippine National Police after some of its officers were implicated in the gruesome murder of South Korean businessman Jee Ick Joo inside Camp Crame, the police headquarters. 

Duterte admitted that the incident "embarrassed" him, and that he believed that 40% of the police are "used to corruption."

Lorenzana's statement 

Below is the short statement issued by Lorenzana on Wednesday.

Jobs of police, military

Under the law, the police are responsible for law enforcement operations including serving arrest warrants. The military is responsible for national security, particularly internal threats like insurgency or rebellion and external threats like invasion of territories. 

But National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon Jr argued it’s possible for a unit of the Armed Forces of the Philippines to be “deputized” by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) to support anti-drug operations.

“They can arrest if they are part of operations, and if they are deputized by PDEA then why not?” Esperon said in a chance interview.

But Esperon said this is likely to involve only a specific unit of the AFP, not the force as a whole.

He also said the creation of a unit within the military to deal with the drug problem was discussed during the joint command conference last Sunday, January 29.

On Tuesday, January 31, Malcañang said Duterte floated the idea of reviving the Philippine Constabulary, a law enforcement arm that will be composed of military personnel.

The revived PC is envisioned to take charge of the drug war at the national level, while the PNP will enforce it at the local level. – with reports from Pia Ranada/Rappler.com

MANILA, Philippines (UPDATED) – Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II on Wednesday, February 1, denounced the Amnesty International report on extrajudicial killings in the country, saying the supposed victims of the state's war on drugs "are not part of humanity."

In its report released on Wednesday, the international human rights group said Philipines policemen, “acting on instructions from the very top of government,” have killed and paid others to kill thousands of alleged drug offenders. It said these extrajudicial killings “may amount to crimes against humanity.”

In response, Aguirre said the war on drugs could not be considered as a "war against humanity" because it is only focused on "drug lords and pushers."

“Sinabi ko na 'yan eh di naman totoo 'yan. 'Yung mga criminals, yung mga drug lords, drug pushers, they are not the humanity (I already said that it is not true. The criminals, drug lords, drug pushers, they are not the humanity),” Aguirre told reporters  after a Commission on Appointments hearing.

He stressed: “Hindi sila humanity (They are not humanity). In other words, how can that be when your war is only against drug lords, addicts or pushers? You consider them humanity? No, I believe not,” he added.

Amnesty International released the report as the death toll in the government's war on drugs tipped 7,000, and 3 days after President Rodrigo Duterte dismantled the Anti-Illegal Drugs Group of the Philippine National Police.

PNP chief Director General Ronald dela Rosa has ordered the police to stop operations against illegal drugs.

In a release to the media, Amnesty International said its report documents "how the police, working from unverified lists of people allegedly using or selling drugs, stormed into homes and shot dead unarmed people, including those prepared to surrender."

The report documented 33 cases involving 59 deaths. According to Amnesty International, researchers spoke to 110 people from Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao “detailing extrajudicial executions in 20 cities across the archipelago.” Field research was done from November to December 2016.

According to a cop with the rank of Senior Police Officer 1, police were being paid between P8,000 ($161) to P15,000 ($302) per kill. The payment supposedly came in cash from “headquarters.”

“This is not a war on drugs, but a war on the poor. Often on the flimsiest of evidence, people accused of using or selling drugs are being killed for cash in an economy of murder,” said Tirana Hassan, Amnesty International’s Crisis Response Director.

Since July 2016, police have tallied more than 7,000 deaths in the war on drugs. More than 2,000 have been attributed to police operations but the bulk are vigilante-style killings with possible links to illegal drugs. The PNP calls these cases “deaths under investigation.”

Senators: 'Present evidence'

Two senators said Amnesty International should “present evidence” to support its allegations against Philippine authorities.

“They should present evidence kung meron talaga….Kung ganoon ka-sweeping ang allegation or accusation, dapat suportahan nila ng facts of evidence. Hindi ganoon kadali mag-prove ng sinasabi nila (If they have sweeping allegations or accusations, they should support them with facts of evidence. It’s not that easy to prove their claim)," said Senator Panfilo Lacson.

Lacson said “anyone can conduct their own investigation” but any conclusion of such probe should be based on evidence. Referring to the Senate, he said, once evidence is presented, “that’s the time puwede tayo gumawa ng (we can take) action, being the legislature, sa pag-exercise ng (in exercising) oversight function.”

As for the families of the victims cited in the report, Lacson said they should “speak out in a court of law.”

He said the families should go to the prosecutor's office accompanied by a lawyer and execute a sworn statement.

"Otherwise storytelling 'yan. Pero kung ginawang sworn statement, there’s something and they should present additional evidence (Otherwise, that's just storytelling. But if you execute a sworn statement, there's something and they should present additional evidence)," he said.

Senator Richard Gordon, chairman of the Senate committee on justice and human rights, said of the report, “They can say anything but they have to prove it.” – Rappler.com

HONG KONG – The mystery over the reported abduction from Hong Kong of a Chinese billionaire deepened Wednesday, February 1, after a newspaper advert appeared in his name pledging loyalty to China, in a case that has heightened fears over Beijing's meddling.   

The whereabouts of financier Xiao Jianhua – one of China's richest men – are unclear after reports in overseas Chinese-language media that he was taken from Hong Kong by mainland security agents last week.

The reports suggested Xiao's disappearance was part of China's ongoing anti-corruption campaign, which some critics believe has been used to target President Xi Jinping's political opponents.

A front-page advert in Hong Kong newspaper Ming Pao, attributed to Xiao, said Wednesday he had "always loved the (ruling Communist) party and the country" and would soon meet with media.

"I personally believe the Chinese government is civilised and has rule of law," the advert read.

"I have not been kidnapped."

Xiao, who said in the statement that he was a Canadian citizen, insisted he was being treated for an illness overseas, repeating a denial he had been abducted that had been published on his company's WeChat account Monday, January 30.

The founder of Beijing-based Tomorrow Group, Xiao has previously denied allegations that he fled to Hong Kong in 2014 to escape a corruption crackdown by President Xi. 

He is reported to have acted as a broker for the Chinese leadership, including for the family of president Xi.

It is illegal for mainland agents to operate in the semi-autonomous city, but the disappearance of five Hong Kong booksellers known for publishing salacious titles about Beijing's leadership in 2015 prompted widespread criticism that China had overstepped that line.

One of the men, Lee Bo, vanished from Hong Kong, triggering international condemnation and local protests that the city's autonomy and rule of law was under fire.

Lee always insisted he had gone over the border voluntarily.

'Credible suspicion'

"After the Lee Bo fiasco people are very concerned about whether Hong Kong residents or people lawfully staying in Hong Kong will be protected," James To of the Democratic Party told Agence France-Presse.

To said there was a "credible suspicion" that Hong Kong's semi-autonomous "one country, two systems" deal had been breached.

The Financial Times reported Xiao had been led away by Chinese public security agents from an apartment at the harbourfront Four Seasons hotel.

Other reports in local media said Xiao had been staying at the hotel long-term, protected by female bodyguards. 

The hotel said there was an "active investigation" Wednesday, and that they could not comment further.

When asked about Xiao's case, Hong Kong police said they had received a request for assistance over a "mainland citizen" on Saturday, but that a family member had later retracted it. 

They said the person it referred to had crossed a border control point between Hong Kong and China on Friday.

The Canadian consulate said it was aware of the reports and that officials were "in contact" with authorities.

Xiao added in the Ming Pao statement that he was a permanent resident of Hong Kong, as well as holding a diplomatic passport. 

"Please everyone, don't worry!" he said. – Rappler.com

JERUSALEM – Israel announced Tuesday night, January 31, the construction of 3,000 settlement homes in the occupied West Bank, the fourth such announcement in the less than two weeks since the inauguration of US President Donald Trump.

"Defence Minister Avigdor Lieberman and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu have decided to authorize the construction of 3,000 new housing units in Judea-Samaria," the defense ministry said in a statement, using a term Israel uses for the West Bank, a Palestinian territory it has occupied since 1967.

Since the January 20 inauguration of Trump, Israel has approved the construction of 566 housing units in 3 settlement areas of east Jerusalem and announced the building of 2,502 more in the West Bank.

On Thursday last week, January 26, Israeli officials gave final approval for 153 settler homes in east Jerusalem. 

They had been frozen under pressure from the previous US administration of president Barack Obama, which had warned that settlements could derail hopes of a negotiated two-state solution.

Trump however has pledged strong support for Israel, and Netanyahu's government has moved quickly to take advantage.

"We are building and we will continue building," Netanyahu said last week, referring to settlement approvals.

The prime minister has said he sees the Trump presidency as offering "significant opportunities" after facing "huge pressures" from Obama on Iran and settlements.

The announcements have deeply concerned those seeking to salvage a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

All Israeli settlements are illegal under international law, with much of the international community seeing them as a major obstacle to peace as they are built on land the Palestinians see as part of their future state.

In a telling break with the Obama administration, Trump's White House has not condemned Israel's settlement expansion. – Rappler.com

MANILA, Philippines – The anti-graft court Sandiganbayan has affirmed the P172-million plunder case against former senator Juan Ponce Enrile stemming from his alleged misuse of pork barrel funds.

The Sandiganbayan's Third Division promulgated its resolution junking Enrile's motion to dismiss the case on Tuesday, January 31. The resolution was released to the media on Wednesday, February 1.

The 38-page resolution was penned by Presiding Justice Amparo Cabotaje-Tang with concurring opinions from Associate Justices Sarah Jane Fernandez and Zaldy Trespeses.

The court affirmed that there is probable cause to charge Enrile for plunder, and that the information filed against him sufficiently alleges that he conspired to commit the crime.

Enrile earlier filed a motion before the Supreme Court for prosecutors to provide him a bill of particulars, or  a more detailed account of allegations that would sufficiently charge him for plunder. In April 2016, the High Court granted Enrile's motion.

The Sandiganbayan noted that when the SC granted Enrile’s motion, the High Court was reiterating that in filing the motion for a bill of particulars, Enrile had already admitted the information was sufficient, though "unclear."

“Accused Enrile impliedly admits that the Information sufficiently alleged a crime but is unclear and lacking in details that would allow him to properly plead and prepare his defense; he essentially alleged here a defect of form,” the resolution read.

“The present motion to quash practically assails the above finding of the Supreme Court which had long attained finality. This simply cannot be done,” the court said.

The court also noted that it already ruled there was probable cause on July 3, 2014, but Enrile did not challenge this ruling.

Instead, the former senator appealed to the Supreme Court to grant him bail, which it did.

“In filing the motion for bail, accused Enrile effectively recognized the finding of probable cause by the Court. Thus, he is now barred from raising this issue especially at this late day,” the Sandiganbayan said. 

The 15 counts of graft charges against Enrile is already proceeding, with pre-trial set on June 26, 2017.

Enrile faces plunder and 15 counts of graft over the pork barrel corruption scandal. He is accused of pocketing P172 million in commissions when he allowed P345 million of his Priority Development Assistant Fund (PDAF) to be diverted to fake non-governmental organizations.

Two other senators – Jinggoy Estrada and Ramon Revilla Jr – are accused of the same crime. The PDAF scam is the biggest corruption scandal in recent history. – Rappler.com

WASHINGTON DC, USA – Though Donald Trump's first week in office has ignited nationwide protests and condemnation from elected officials at home and abroad, the Republican's initial moves have left one group all smiles.

The conservative base that launched the new US president to his shock November victory has by and large voiced satisfaction with Trump's bold executive actions – including his controversial decree that closed United States borders to refugees and barred entry to travelers from seven Muslim-majority countries.

"I couldn't be happier," said Josette White, a 44-year-old owner of an online crafting business from West Virginia. "He's doing exactly what he said he was going to do."

"Except for convicting Hillary, but I understand that," she added, referring to Trump's Democratic former rival. 

Last May, White waited in line more than 6 hours to attend one of the billionaire's campaign rallies. And she remains convinced that the CEO-turned-commander-in-chief will change business as usual in Washington.

"Most politicians promise, promise, promise," said the Republican voter, whose father and grandfather worked in coal mines. 

"But right now, he's still speaking to the working men."

Interviews with several voters across the nation back up what polls indicate: more than 80% of Republicans approve of Trump's initial presidential performance, according to a recent Quinnipiac poll.

Nearly 3/4 of Republicans said they believe it is "strongly" or "somewhat" necessary to ban those from Muslim-majority countries to prevent terrorism, showed a Reuters/Ipsos poll. Just 19% of Democrats agreed.

Other studies also indicate a stark division among US voters: Republicans support the president, and Democrats roundly reject him.

"We need to keep our country safe, whatever it takes," said Milan Davich, a 66-year-old Pennsylvanian who considers himself a political independent.

For Davich, that includes Trump's order to build a wall on the US-Mexico border: "they should electrify the damn thing, and put machine guns and barbed wire on top of it."

And when it comes to the hundreds of thousands of people who have taken to the streets in outcry over the new president's policies, Davich has little patience.

"They'll protest every damn thing he does for the next four years."

'Give him a chance'

Don Krepps, a retired construction worker from rural Ohio, remains convinced that Trump likely is doing "a better job than Hillary (Clinton) would have done.

"It seems he's doing the things he said he was going to do."

Krepps, who enjoys watching television news, is exasperated by Trump's vocal opposition: "If they would leave him alone, I think he would do okay."

"But Democrats and the movie people in Hollywood complain about everything he does."

Retired FedEx courier Dan Wallace, who said he watches both cable television rivals CNN and Fox News, is fed up with the media's coverage of Trump.

"There's no doubt about it," the 62-year-old said. "It's quite obvious they don't give this man a chance."

The supposed blunders – a very public fight with Mexico, the chaotic rollout of his migration order, Twitter wars – are for them mere blips.

"The media takes what it wants and blows it out of proportion," Wallace said. "He's on the right track – people just need to give him a chance."

'He's already running'

Republican members of Congress express private concern about the president's first steps – and a number of them have criticized Trump's executive order on immigration.

But in general the Republican majority is hoping it can weather the storm and stick to their original agenda. By partnering with the president, Republican leaders can finally push through conservative reforms former President Barack Obama systematically vetoed.

Trump's move on Tuesday, January 31, to nominate Neil Gorsuch – a staunchly conservative judge – to a vacant seat on the Supreme Court drew cheers from the American right.

House Republicans will "be very patient," said one congress member on the condition that he remain anonymous, warning that Democrats "will hammer the shit out of us – and we've got to be prepared."

When it comes to Trump, political scientist Larry Sabato of the University of Virginia sees no signs that the new president will extend his hand across the political aisle.

"He is the first president, at least in the modern period, to make not even gestures in the direction of the 54% who didn't vote for him," Sabato said. "Everything he does is for the base."

The president's strategy, Sabato said, is to "please the 46% who voted for him" in his bid for reelection.

"He's already running." – Rappler.com

SEOUL, South Korea (3rd UPDATE) –  Former United Nations secretary-general Ban Ki-moon ended his attempt to seek South Korea's presidency Wednesday, February 1, dropping a lifetime of diplomacy to denounce his country's political establishment.

Ban returned home last month after a decade in New York and was widely expected to run in elections due this year, but his putative candidacy ran into a series of stumbles and he struggled for backing.

"I will give up my pure intention to bring about a change in politics under my leadership and to unify the country," he told reporters at a hastily arranged press conference. 

"I'm sorry for disappointing many people."

Although he never officially declared he was running, the former UN chief embarked on a series of public appearances and repeatedly spoke of the need to bring about a "change in politics" in a country where a wide-ranging corruption scandal has seen President Park Geun-Hye impeached.

As recently as Tuesday he was urging a change to the constitution to dilute the sweeping executive powers of the presidency and ensure more co-operative governance.

The 72-year-old was widely expected to join Park's Saenuri party or an emerging conservative breakaway group for presidential elections which are due this year, whatever the outcome of the impeachment process.

But he struggled to secure party backing in South Korea's highly partisan political system, and corruption allegations were made against some of his relatives.

"I was very disappointed by the parochial, selfish attitudes of some politicians," he said Wednesday. "I reached a conclusion that it would be meaningless to move forward with them."

'Pure aspirations'

But he was also to some extent the author of his own misfortune, analysts said, with his prominent global role failing to translate into domestic support, particularly in the absence of a clear policy platform.

Pictures of him trying to put two banknotes into a ticket machine at once made him appear out of touch, and front-page photos of him wearing a bib to feed porridge to an old woman flat on her back in a care home sparked public fury.

He was criticised for wearing head-to-toe protective gear to try out a disinfectant spray at a farm, when most of those around him were not similarly dressed, and came under fire for becoming infuriated with reporters who asked questions about a controversial agreement between South Korea and Japan on wartime sex slaves.

"My pure patriotism and aspirations have fallen victim to slander that was close to personality slaughter," he said Wednesday, before bowing briefly, shuffling his papers and leaving the stage.

His support in public opinion polls rapidly declined from 20.3 percent when he returned to 13.1 percent before his announcement.

During his pre-UN career Ban never joined any South Korean political party, despite serving as foreign minister under the late liberal president Roh Moo-Hyun from 2004 to 2006.

Political scientist Park Kie-Duck, former head of the Sejong Institute, a prestigious independent think-tank, told the Agence France-Presse that Ban "failed to project an image as a leader with a vision and concrete political agenda".

"With no political machines to rely on, his fame as a former UN secretary-general has been wearing thin very quickly," he said.

"As a career diplomat, the country's rough and tumble political life was simply too much for him." – Rappler.com

MANILA, Philippines – The Commission on Appointments (CA) on Wednesday, February 1, confirmed the ad interim appointments of Trade and Industry Secretary Ramon Lopez and Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel Piñol.

Piñol swiftly passed the CA committee on agriculture before getting the final confirmation of the plenary. This is a stark contrast to his experience the first time he faced the panel on December 13, 2016, where he failed to get the CA’s nod for his “unclear policies.”

Representative Abaraham Tolentino, chair of the CA committee, moved the confirmation of the secretary.

“It is beyond contention Emmanuel Piñol exceeds qualifications required of a department secretary,” Tolentino said.

Senate President Pro-Tempore Franklin Drilon also praised Piñol for his extensive experience in agriculture.

“In my mind there is no other person that can lead the agency at this time but Manny Piñol. He has had his hands dirtied as governor and has the hands-on experience in alleviating poverty in the countryside by developing the agriculture sector,” Drilon said.

Lopez also got the nod of the CA, with no one opposing his confirmation.

Valenzuela Representative Weslie Gatchalian, chair of the CA committee on trade and industry, recommended Lopez’s confirmation and lauded him for his work on small and medium enterprises. Lopez is a former executive director of Go Negosyo.

“With the extensive experience he has in different government offices, the private sector, trade and insutry, with active and passionate involvement, he has earned... the respect of businesses,” Gatchalian said.

A-Teacher party list Representative Julieta Cortuna seconded the motion

“He posseses qualifications needed for the job,” she said.

On the other hand, Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II failed to get the CA's confirmation due to the signed opposition of Senator Antonio Trillanes IV, who is currently in the United States for an official visit. The next hearing is set on Wednesday, February 15. – Rappler.com

MANILA, Philippines – House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez believes that Cabinet secretaries of national agencies who are against the proposal to lower the minimum age of criminal responsibility from 15 to 9 years old should resign.

“I attended a meeting with the [Juvenile Justice Welfare] Council. I just reminded the secretaries that they are the alter ego of the President. Now if they don’t agree with the President, they might as well as tender their resignation,” said Alvarez on Wednesday, February 1. 

“Because as Cabinet secretaries, you don’t contradict with the views of the President. Alter ego ka nga eh. Ngayon kung ayaw mong maniwala dun, 'eh ‘di mag-resign ka (Now, if you don't believe it, then resign),” he added. 

Alvarez had confirmed attending the January 25 closed-door meeting between congressmen at the Juvenile Justice Welfare Council, which include representatives from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Department of Education (DepEd), Department of Justice, Department of Interior and Local Government, Commission on Human Rights, National Youth Commission, and the Council for the Welfare of Children.

During the meeting, it became apparent that most of the national agencies are not supporting the bills which would lower the minimum age of criminal responsibility to 9 years old. The said measures are a priority of President Rodrigo Duterte. (READ: Congressmen seek compromise: 12 as age of criminal responsibility)

Social Welfare Secretary Judy Taguiwalo earlier said that lowering the minimum age of criminal responsibility is “anti-poor” and that doing so will not curb the crime rate. 

The DepEd also cited the increasing cases of bullying in schools where child offenders might be penalized under the bills.  

No to compromise

Congressmen are now seeking a compromise, lowering the minimum age of criminal responsibility to 12 years old instead. 

But Alvarez disagrees. (READ: Alvarez to Pangilinan, Aquino: Bill seeks to rehabilitate child offenders)

“No. Nag-aral ako ng law, 9 years old na ‘yan. At mas advanced na tayo ngayon in terms of discernment. Bakit kailangan nating iakyat yan?” he said. 

(No. Since I was studying the law, that’s at 9 years old already. Now we’re more advanced in terms of discernment. Why do we have to make the age of criminal responsibility higher?)

Alvarez is a co-author of one of the bill seeking to lower the minimum age of criminal responsibility in the country from 15 to 9 years old, amending Republic Act Number 9344 or the "Juvenile Delinquency Act of 2006” authored by Senator Francis Pangilinan. (READ: Pangilinan to Alvarez: Gravity of crime, not kids' age, should matter)  – With reports from Patty Pasion/Rappler

MANILA, Philippines – The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) filed criminal charges on Wednesday, February 1, against Unilever Philippines executives and the organizers of a rave party where 5 young people died of drug poisoning in May 2016. 

The NBI filed with the Department of Justice charges of criminal negligence and violation of the Corporation Code against the suspects for failing to prevent the entry of party drugs to the event held at the SM Mall of Asia grounds last summer. (READ: Music, drugs, and alcohol: Do young Filipinos party to get high?)

The following are named respondents in the complaint:

• Rohit Jawa, Unilever Philippines chairman and CEO, and currently the executive vice president for operations in South East Asia
• Jesus M. Canlapan, Unilever Philippines manager for workplace services and facility security
• Alberto Curnelius Trinidad, Unilever marketing director for Close-Up
• Joy Dalanon-Ocampo, country manager for safety, health, and environment
• Melissa Alcayaga, procurement manager
• Bea Lagdameo, Close-Up assistant brand manager 
• Michelle Suzanne Claire Quintana
• Anna Kristina Doctolero
• Baby Majalia Ahamadul, senior accounts manager, Activation Advertising Incorporated
• Reginald Soriano
• Eduardo Muego
• John Paul Demontano, owner and president of HypeHouse Production Corporation
• Alexis Engelberto Aragon, owner of Delirium Manpower Services

The NBI noted in its complaint that Unilever and the event organizers boasted of a "security master plan" and "code red scenarios" for the concert that expected to gather thousands of fans, but failed to consider the possible entry of illegal drugs. 

“The proximate cause of the death…is attributable to the inexcusable lack of foresight in failing to perform an act anticipatory that illegal drugs is so prevalent in a rave party to the effect that given the highest educational and scholastic attainment, professional achievement and degree of occupation as well as their intelligence the event’s master security and safety plan is silent and muted about illegal drug aggravated by the fact that those called upon to enforce said plan like the 300 bouncers lack the skill, expertise and experience to discriminate against said permicious drugs,” the complaint said.

The NBI cited other security lapses:

• Not enough bouncers, considering that 16,761 attended the event
• Drug sniffing dogs were not deployed; in fact, no simulation exercise with the police was conducted
• No proper coordination with the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency
• Violated Pasay City's ordinance that imposes curfew on minors from 10 pm to 4 am – more than 800 of those who attended were below 18 years old

"The above-mentioned respondents from Unilever-Close-Up, Activation Advertising, and the others appear to be criminally liable based on the responsible officer doctrine (ROD) for they held a position of responsibility and authority in their respective corporations and had the ability to prevent the unwanted incidents but failed to do so," the NBI complaint read.

Autopsy and toxicological examination showed that the victims tested positive for a designer drug known as methylenedioxymethamphetamine or MDMA methylene homog and methylenedixy cathinone.

These new breed of drugs are dangerous, but they are not included in the list of drugs prohibited under the Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002. – Rappler.com 

DHAKA, Bangladesh – Bangladeshi security forces on Wednesday, February 1, arrested a computer engineer said to run the social media operations for a group accused of mounting a deadly attack on a Dhaka cafe.

Ashfak-e-Azam and 3 other suspects were detained in a raid in the capital in which guns, explosives, and ammunition were also seized, officials said.

"Azam is the information technology chief of the Sarwar-Tamim group," said Mufti Mahmud Khan, a spokesman for the elite Rapid Action Battalion which carried out the raid.

Sarwar-Tamim is a new faction of Jamayetul Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB), the outfit blamed for a string of deadly attacks including a siege at an upscale Dhaka cafe last July in which 22 people – mostly foreigners – were killed.

Azam, 25, had been involved with the group since 2011, running its website and social media accounts, a senior official at the anti-terrorism battalion said.

Police say the 4 men arrested in Wednesday's raids were trained militants.

Bangladesh, a Muslim-majority country of 160 million, has been reeling from a wave of attacks by extremists on foreigners, rights activists and religious minorities.

Many of these assaults have been claimed by the Islamic State group or the regional branch of Al-Qaeda.

But Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's secular government has pinned the blame on local extremists, especially JMB, rejecting suggestions global jihad outfits had any foothold in the country.

Since the cafe attack security forces have cracked down on extremist groups, killing around 50 suspected militants including the founders of the new JMB faction. – Rappler.com

MANILA, Philippines – President Rodrigo Duterte called on 3 government agencies to study a possible total log ban.

"The President has ordered that a tripartite convergence committee be formed, composed of DENR (Department of Environment and Natural Resources), DA (Department of Agriculture), and DILG (Department of the Interior and Local Government) to discuss details of a total log ban in order to protect our watersheds," said Presidential Spokesman Ernesto Abella in a message to media on Wednesday, February 1.

Duterte gave the order on Tuesday during the Climate Change Commission and Advisory Board en banc meeting at the Palace.

The 3 agencies are set to meet on Monday, February 6, to discuss guidelines for the total log ban, said Agriculture Secretary Manny Piñol in a Facebook post.

There is currently a moratorium on logging in natural or residual forests throughout the country, put in place by former President Benigno Aquino III through Executive Order No. 23 in 2011.

The DENR defines natural or residual forests as "forests composed of indigenous trees that were not planted by man."

The EO, however, does not provide for a total log ban since it allowed logging companies with unexpired licenses to continue logging. It also allowed logging in plantation forests, or forests planted by man.

No exceptions

Piñol, who was present at the Palace meeting, said Duterte wants a total log ban "with no exceptions."

Piñol recalled Duterte saying: "Hindi ba total log ban na tayo? (Aren't we under a total log ban?) Stop all logging operations with no exemptions."

However, in the same meeting, Piñol had brought up the implications of prohibiting farmers from cutting trees in their plantations. Farmers in Davao and Caraga regions, for instance, depend on the harvesting of trees for their livelihood.

Environment Secretary Gina Lopez also explained forest management practices in places like Finland that allow people to use the trees but still preserve their forests.

Piñol said Duterte had given the order after hearing about the flash floods experienced in Mindanao provinces like Agusan del Sur, Bukidnon, and North Cotabato.

The agriculture chief said local officials attributed the destructive floods to "unabated" logging in Mindanao watersheds. – Rappler.com

MANILA, Philippines – Five police officers and four others have been summoned to the Department of Justice for the reinvestigation on the abduction and murder of Pampanga-based Korean businessman Jee Ick Joo, which starts on Friday, February 3,

The reinvestigation, which was ordered by an Angeles City court, will be presided by Senior Assistant State Prosecutor Juan Pedro Navera, with another senior assistant state prosecutor, Olivia Torrevillas, on the panel.

Judge Irineo Pangilinan Jr of the Pampanga Regional Trial Court Branch 58 has given the justice department 60 days or until March 3 to finish the reinvestigation and submit its resolution. 

The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) found that the businessman was abducted from Angeles City, then strangled to death inside a vehicle right inside Camp Crame, the PNP headquarters, after asking ransom from his wife. The owner of a funeral parlor in Caloocan City later revealed that the body was brought to him for cremation under an assumed Filipino name.

The DOJ issued subpoenas for the following to appear at 2 pm Friday at Room 1 of the Executive Lounge:

• Jerry Omlang, striker from the National Bureau of Investigation 
• Marisa Dawis Morquicho, Jee's househelp
• Christopher Alan Gruenberg
• Superintendent Rafael Dumlao
• SPO4 Roy Villegas
• SPO4 Ramon Yalung
• PO2 Christopher Baldovino
• Gerardo Santiago, owner of Gream Funeral Homes
• Julio Cajigan, NBI investigator
• Eufemio Martines, NBI investigator
• Emelito Santos, NBI investigator
• Mamerto Tello, NBI Agent  
• Nestor Gutierrez, special investigators
• Allan Elepante, special investigators 
• Senior Superintendent Glenn Dumlao, head of the Philippine National Police Anti-Kidnapping Group
• Kyungjin Choi, Jee's wife 
• SPO3 Reynaldo Curampez, PNP-Anti-Kidnapping Group member
• Senior Inspector Jonathan Rabanal

Judge Pangilinan granted the motion of 3 of the 7 suspects – SPO3 Ricky Sta Isabel, SPO4 Roy Villegas, and Ramon Yalung – to order the justice department to reinvestigate the case, and to postpone their arraignment, which was originally set last Monday, January 30.

In its first preliminary investigation, the DOJ indicted Sta Isabel, but he questioned this, pointing out that he was not given an opportunity to submit his answer to the charges.

He also said he was deprived of due process after justice department filed the case in court when the hearing for the preliminary investigation had not been conducted yet.

The court also granted the motion of Sta Isabel to transfer him to the custody of the NBI because his life was threatened in the custody of the Philippine National Police. 

Villegas and Layung chose to remain in their detention facilities in Camp Crame and Angeles City district jail, respectively. – Rappler.com  

MANILA, Philippines – If it were up to Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez, he would prefer that the police shoot criminals caught in the act of committing a crime.

“Siyempre, i-shoot to kill na lang lahat ‘yan on site when you [see them] commit a crime, ‘di ba? ‘Wag mong pahulihin ‘yan,” said Alvarez in a press conference on Wednesday, February 1. 

(Of course, just shoot to kill everyone on site when you see them commit a crime, right? Don’t arrest them anymore.)

When asked who would be carrying out the shooting, the Davao del Norte 1st District representative said: “The law enforcers. Anyway, [it's] provided for by the law.”

Alvarez expressed this sentiment when asked about the opposition of some lawmakers to the reimposition of the death penalty for heinous crimes, a priority measure of President Rodrigo Duterte. (READ: House delays start of death penalty debate)

The Speaker, a co-author of the bill, had repeatedly told critics they must take the position of the victims of heinous crimes as he justified the return of capital punishment. (READ: Alvarez on Church opposition to death penalty: 'Why protect evil?’)

He cited the case of alleged child trafficker Liezyl Margallo and live-in partner Peter Gerard Scully, who ran an international child cyberpornography trade. The two had filmed a naked one-year-old girl who was hung upside down, with her hands tied and legs drawn apart. The girl was sexually assaulted and tortured, with her ordeal caught on video.

“Anong gusto niyo – merong death penalty bill na merong proseso or patayin na lang diyan ‘yung mga criminal? Napanood niyo ba sa [television] ‘yung pedophile? Kayo ba, gusto niyong buhayin ‘yung ganung klase ng tao? Pati one-year-old, inaabuso?” asked Alvarez. (READ: An eye for an eye: Can the death penalty bring justice to victims?)

(What do you want – we have the death penalty bill that comes with processes or let’s just kill the criminals? Did you watch on television the piece about the pedophile? You want that kind of person to live? Someone who abuses even a one-year-old?)

“Tapos due process, hearing lahat, bubuhayin mo pa? May sira na ulo niyan eh!.. ‘Yan ba kayang gawin ng taong matino? Those are evil deeds. Grabe, ‘di ka na naawa [dun sa biktima]. Tapos tayo maawa sa kanya?” he added.

(You’ll give her due process, hearing, and let her live? She is crazy!… Is that something a sane person will do? Those are evil deeds. She did not have mercy on her victim. Then we will have mercy on her?)

‘Put yourself in victims’ shoes’

Alvarez reasoned that opposers of the death penalty find it easy to call for due process for suspects because the crime was not committed against them or their loved ones.  

“Kasi alam mo, try to feel 'yung magulang nung mga biktimang 'yun. Anong mararamdaman natin? It’s easy for us to say due process, 'wag mong patayin, ganyan. It’s easy for us to say kasi hindi nangyari sa atin yun. Eh paano kung nangyari sa atin?” Alvarez said. 

(Try to feel for the parents of the victims. How would you feel? It’s easy for us to say due process, don’t kill. It’s easy for us to say because it didn’t happen to us. But what if it did?)

A day before, Amnesty International released a report saying that “pressures from the top” drive police killings in the government’s war against illegal drugs. At least 7,000 drug suspects have been killed in legitimate police operations and apparent summary killings nationwide.

Duterte already ordered the Philippine National Police to pull out from the drug war following the alleged involvement of policemen in the murder of South Korean businessman Jee Ick Joo. – Rappler.com

MANILA, Philippines – The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Wednesday, February 1, said it has always "observed and upheld human rights" as it slammed an Amnesty International report that detailed stories of alleged police corruption and abuse in President Rodrigo Duterte’s war on drugs.

“We take strong exception to opinions raised in the latest report of Amnesty International,” the PNP said in a statement, noting that the cases cited in the report were “obviously not the norm, despite a higher number of police operations that have resulted to inevitable fatal encounters with criminal elements lately.” 

In a report released on Wednesday, Amnesty International said that killings in the drug war were fueled by an “informal economy of death.” Police were allegedly being paid to kill suspected drug personalities.

In study conducted over two months, which featured 33 cases resulting in 59 deaths, Amnesty International said police planted evidence, faked official reports, and even paid killers to get rid of drug targets. In 2014, the group released a report on torture in the PNP.

Still, the PNP insisted on Wednesday that it has “always observed and upheld respect for human rights as a fundamental principle in policing and is the institutional foundation of all training programs for police units and personnel.”

“The police cannot help being typecast as alleged violators of human rights partly because of the basic nature of its law enforcement function that constantly places the police in cross swords engagement or armed contact with criminal elements," it said.

The report came out a few days after President Rodrigo Duterte dissolved the PNP’s Anti-Illegal Drugs Group (AIDG) and ordered a stop to all police anti-illegal drugs operations, effectively ending the PNP’s role in his drugs war.

Cases

Duterte announced the decision on Sunday, January 29, as more details about police involvement in the kidnap and murder of South Korean businessman Jee Ick Joo – right in Camp Crame, the police headquarters – became public.

The incident, which sparked outcry at home and abroad, prompting some sectors to call for the resignation of top cop Director General Ronald dela Rosa. The PNP chief tried to resign twice but was rejected by Duterte both times.

The Jee case isn’t the first time the PNP has been accused of abuse in the war on drugs. Mere months into the campaign, the Senate called for a probe into supposed extrajudicial killings by police.

One of the witnesses who testified before the Senate was cited in the Amnesty International report – a case of a drug suspect and his father slain inside the jail cell where they were detained.

But the Senate probe, after a switch of leadership, eventually concluded that the killings were neither state nor Duterte-sponsored. In a separate statement also released on Wednesday, Malacañang used the Senate probe's findings as a defense against the report. 

In November, Criminal Investigation and Detection Group personnel from Eastern Visayas killed a supposed drug lord protector, Albuera Mayor Ronald Espinosa Jr, also inside his jail cell in Leyte.

Police said Espinosa fought back, a claim the National Bureau of Investigation has debunked. (READ: NBI: Mayor Espinosa's death a 'rubout')

PNP statement

Read the PNP’s statement in full:

We take strong exception to opinions raised in the latest report of Amnesty International which claim, that police plant evidence, take under-the-table cash, fabricate reports, and paid killers on police payroll.

These are obviously not the norm, despite a higher number of police operations that have resulted to inevitable fatal encounters with criminal elements lately.

The PNP has always observed and upheld respect for human rights as a fundamental principle in policing and is the institutional foundation of all training programs for police units and personnel.

The police cannot help being typecast as alleged violators of human rights partly because of the basic nature of its law enforcement function that constantly places the police in cross swords engagement or armed contact with criminal elements.

The PNP would like to point out that of the 4,744 murders under investigation that both local and foreign observers wrongfully refer to as “extra-judicial-killing”, 3,459 were determined to be non-drug related incidents 662 of which were motivated by personal grudge, 15 were related to property dispute, 16 were crimes of passion, 10 were “rido” or family feud, 11 were work-related and 2 were atrocities committed by threat groups. On the otherhand, only 1,285 incidents had something to do with the victim’s association with drug activities.

We have made significant breakthrough in the investigation of these murders with the arrest of 694 suspects and the identification of 467 others who are believed responsible in 1,212 reported deaths. Criminal charges have already been filed before the courts.

The PNP and every law enforcement agency in the world have different methods and system of reporting crime data. I guess we are just more transparent and liberal in reporting ours such that we are more prone to deeper scrutiny especially by foreign observers who have very little understanding of the peculiarities and dynamics of the crime and drug situation in the Philippines.

 – Rappler.com

ANGELES CITY, Philippines – After their names and photos were repeatedly flashed on television, and they were bashed as villains in the media, it turns out that two of the 7 city policemen tagged as suspects in the abduction, robbery, and extortion of Korean tourists had nothing to do with the crime.

The final findings of the multi-unit police special investigation task group showed that PO3 Goemerson Evangelista and PO3 Arnold Nagayo were not among the 7 policemen of the Angeles City Police Station 5 who allegedly victimized Lee Ki Hun, Min Hoon Park, and Lee Jun Hyung last December 30.

The task group is composed of investigators from the Angeles City Police Office, Criminal Investigation and Detection Group, and Regional Investigation and Detective Management Division of the Central Luzon police.

After taking the statement of Lee Ki Hun, who returned to Pampanga from Seoul on Tuesday, January 31, reviewing close circuit television footages, and getting statements from witnesses, it was learned that Evangelista and Nagayo had been mistaken for two other Station 5 policemen – PO3 Jose Yumul and PO2 Rommel Manicdao.

Newly-installed city police officer-in-charge Senior Supt. Jose Hidalgo Jr said their findings were even confirmed by the statement given by Manicdao.

“It turned out that PO3 Evangelista and PO3 Nagayo were not among the 7 Angeles City Police Station 5 policemen who were captured by the CCTV. They were not part of the crime,” he said.

On Tuesday, the task group charged PO3 Roentgen Domingo, PO3 Jose Yumul, PO2 Richard King Agapito, PO2 Ruben Rodriguez III, PO2 Rommel Manicdao, PO1 Joseph Pineda, and PO1 Jayson Ibe of kidnapping for ransom and robbery at the City Prosecutor’s Office here.

The suspects, except for Yumul and Manicdao, were relieved from Station 5 on January 6, along with station commander Chief Inspector Wendel Arinas, deputy station commander Senior Inspector Rolando Yutuc, Evangelista, and Nagayo.

The suspects were initially subjected to a pre-charge investigation for grave misconduct and placed under restrictive custody at Camp Tomas Pepito here.

Contacted by phone, Evangelista and Nagoya said they somehow felt relieved now that their names had been cleared. They said since the day their names, and later photos, came out in the news, their lives became hellish.

“Nakakatakot po at nakakahiya. Pati po pamilya ko nadamay sa kahihiyan dahil lang sa napagbintangan ako sa kasalanang hindi ko naman ginawa. Ang masakit pa po ay pati mga kamag-anak ko hinusgahan na nila ako pagkakita nila sa pangalan at picture ko sa balita,” Evangelista, who described the experience as traumatic, said.

(t was scary and embarrassing. Even my family was shamed because I was accused of a crime I did not commit. What's also painful is that even my relatives judged me when they saw my name and picture in the news.)

Nagoya said it was really stressful and agonizing for his family. “Nagpapasalamat ako at lumitaw din ang katotohanan na hindi ako kasama sa pangyayaring yon. Ngayon medyo nakahinga na nang maluwag ang aking pamilya,” he added. (I am thankful that the truth emerged and I was not part of that incident. Now my family is able to breathe more easily.)

Embassy letter

It was Minister and Consul General Kwon Won-jik, deputy chief of mission of the embassy of the Republic of Korea, who first revealed the ordeal of the 3 Korean tourists though a letter to Police Deputy Director General Francisco Uyami Jr dated January 3, 2017.

A copy of Kwon’s letter obtained by Rappler, showed that Kwon had asked Uyami to look into the incident involving two Koreans and some Angeles City policemen.

It was learned that Kwon was referring to two Koreans since only Lee Ki Hun and Min Hoon Park had sought the South Korean embassy’s help. Lee Jun Hyung decided not to report his ordeal.

“Last 30 December 2016 at around 6:30 pm, the police officers raided the house of Koreans located along Apo Street, Friendship Plaza for allegedly operating an illegal online gambling,” the South Korean embassy official said.

Kwon said the Koreans “were brought in the ‘police station’ and were placed in the firing range where the police officers indiscriminately fired several gun shots in order to frighten the Koreans into giving in to their demands.”

“In the end, the Koreans gave them (policemen) P300,000.00 and were released. They were tourists who visited the Philippines for a little leisure such as playing golf,” the minister and consul general said.

Chief Supt. Aaron Aquino, Central Luzon police director, on Tuesday said that the victim’s supposed friend, Thomas Jung, who brought the P300,000 to Police Station 5, turned out to be also a suspect in the case, allegedly the one who pinpointed the would-be targets to the policemen suspects. – Rappler.com

ANGELES CITY, Pampanga (UPDATED) – Philippine National Police (PNP) Director General Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa made an unplanned visit to the city police headquarters here on Wednesday, February 1, to personally admonish the 7 policemen allegedly involved in the robbery and extortion of 3 Korean tourists last December 30.

But besides a mere reprimand, the national police chief was unable to control himself and repeatedly hurled invectives at the cop-suspects. Still unsatisfied, he punished them with a difficult push-up type position while continuing to reproach them.

“Bakit ninyo pinera? Bakit ninyo binugbog?” he asked the 7 policemen lined up in front of him, referring to the Korean victims. (Why did you extort from them? Why did you manhandle them?)

Dela Rosa was referring to the “arrest” of Korean tourists Lee Ki Hun, Min Hoon Park, and Lee Jun Hyung from their friend’s house along Apo Street in Friendship Plaza Subdivision here last December 30 in what the suspects claimed was a police operation against illegal online gambling.

The subdivision is the same posh housing area where Korean businessman Jee Ick Joo was kidnapped by a group of men led by policemen from the now defunct PNP-Anti Illegal Drugs Group and later murdered inside the PNP national headquarters in Camp Crame.

When Dela Rosa got replies from the 7 suspects that they thought that what they were doing was a legitimate operation against online gambling, he became angrier.

“Legitimate bang mamera sa operation? Legitimate bang mambugbog? Ilang Koreano na ang ginanon ninyo? Pang-ilan nang Koreano ang biniktima ninyo… Pag may maglabas pang ibang Koreano na mag-complain sa inyo, putang-ina n’yo! Tingnan natin ang galing n’yo,” he told them.

(Is it legitimate to extort during an operation? Is it legitimate to manhandle people? How many Koreans did you treat that way? If another Korean comes out to complain against you, you sons of bitches! Let's see how good you are.)

Shame

“Pulis kayo para mag-sindikato? Nag-pulis kayo para mapahiya ang uniform? Putang-ina ninyo! Nag-pulis pa kayo,” the PNP chief continued. (You entered the police force to form syndicates? You became policemen to bring shame to the uniform? Sons of bitches! You had to be policemen."

He then asked why they victimized the Koreans. Every suspect again told him that they thought it was a legitimate police operation.

“Legitimate? Standard procedure bang manghuli ng Koreano, bugbugin, peperahan? Legitimate ba yon? Ano’ng training ng mga ‘to?…Alam n'yo bang gusto ko kayong pa-firing squad ngayon? Tang-ina n’yo,” he said.

(Is it standard procedure to arrest Koreans, manhandle them and extort money from them? Is that legitimate? What kind of training did these people get? Do you know I'd like to put you before a firing squad? You sons of bitches.)

He then turned to the officials of the Angeles City police, asking them what they did to make their men become such policemen.

“Who is the intel here? (an officer at the back of the suspects raised his hand) Ilang taon ka nang intel dito? Six months? Hindi mo nahuli ang ginawa nitong mga tao n’yo. Ano’ng ginawa mo? Hinayaan mo lang? O baka tumatanggap ka sa perang kinikita nila?” he told the visibly fearful officer.

(Who is the intel here? How many years have you been intel here? Six months? You didn't catch what your people here have been doing. What did you do? You let it be? Or maybe you were accepting money they were earning?)

“Kaya kayong mga opisyal kayo, kaya naging ganito itong mga tao ninyo, dahil kayo pabaya. Anong klaseng opisyal kayo? Ang mga tauhan ninyo ganitong ginagawa. Anong klaseng mga lider kayo? Kaya naging ganito itong mga tao ninyo dahil pinabayaan ninyo. Hindi ninyo sinisita,” he told the city police officials.

(You officials, your people became like this because you were negligent. What kind of officials are you? Your men are doing these things. What kind of leaders are you? Your people became like this because you let them be. You did not call their attention.)

Dela Rosa then ordered the suspects to assume front-leaning position, a push-up like stance where one hand is placed atop the other, while he continued hurling invectives at them.

“Tingnan natin ang lakas ninyo ngayon putang-ina kayo. Ang lakas ninyong manghablot ng Koreano. Tingnan natin ang lakas ninyo ngayon. Mga putang-ina kayo. Pulis kayo! Hindi kayo mga criminal. Bakit ganyan ang ginagawa ninyo?”

(Let's see how strong you are, you sons of bitches. You dare arrest Koreans. Let's see how strong you are now. Sons of bitches. You are policemen! You are not criminals. Why do you do those things?)

Problem for the President

While the suspects were in front-leaning position, Dela Rosa asked a police official about the status of their case.

He was told that kidnapping for ransom and robbery were already filed against the 7 Station 5 policemen.

Dela Rosa again turned to the suspects and said that what they created was a national problem. “Mahiya kayo. Presidente mismo namroblema sa ginawa ninyo. Mabuti sana kung problema lang ng city director ninyo dito. Aabot pa sa taas dahil nga foreigner ang binibiktima ninyo.”

(Shame on you. What you did caused a problem for the President. It's good if this was a problem just for your director. It reached the top because you were victimizing a foreigner.)

When Dela Rosa saw that some of the suspects were getting tired of their physical punishment, he threatened to kick them. “Ang lakas ninyong mang-hablot ng Koreano, front leaning position lang hindi ninyo kaya? Ikaw, gusto mong sipain kita dyan? Gusto mong sipain kita? Napakalakas mong mang-hablot ng Koreano putang-ina ka. Ang tapang ninyo.”

(You dare arrest Koreans, and you can't handle a front-leaning position? You, you want me to kick you there? You want me to kick you? You're strong enough to arrest a Korean son of a bitch. You're so brave.)

Dela Rosa again turned to the city police officials and told them that if another policeman is involved in a crime against Koreans, they will be made to perform the same physical punishment.

“Hindi ninyo sinu-supervise ang mga tao ninyo. Pinabayaan ninyo. Kayo ang pagga-ganituin ko pag hindi ninyo ma-control ang mga tao ninyo,” he said. (You don't supervise your people. You let them be. I'll let you do this if you're unable to control your people.)

After the 7 suspects were brought inside the police building, he asked the commissioned officers to line up in front of him and he lectured them on what it is to be a law enforcer and how to supervise their men.

“Wala kayong ginawa… Nakikita ninyo, may ginagawang masama ang mga tao nnyo, pinabayaan lang ninyo,” he told them.

(You did not do anything. You've been seeing the bad your people have been doing and you let them be.)

To the surprise of police officials here, Senior Supt Jose Hidalgo Jr, who just assumed his post as city police officer-in-charge last January 25, was replaced by Senior Supt Patrick Villacorte.

Police sources here said Villacorte was with Dela Rosa when the PNP chief arrived Wednesday morning. By late afternoon, Villacorte was already holding a command conference with the police station commanders and division heads and other units in this city. – Rappler.com

MANILA, Philippines – Labor Secretary and peace panel Chairperson Silvestre Bello III said they were surprised by the withdrawal of the New People's Army from the ceasefire but stressed the February talks will continue.

"It's an unplesant surprise," Bello told reporters on Wednesday, February 1. He noted that their scheduled talks from February 22 to 25 aims to "upgrade the existing unilateral ceasefire to that of a bilateral ceasefire."

The NPA on Wednesday announced it was ending the ceasefire due to alleged abuses of the military and the delayed release of political prisoners. The termination will take effect on February 10. (READ: Soldiers, NPA break ceasefire in Cotabato clash) 

But Bello said this major development should prompt them to pursue the signing of a bilateral agreement to enable them to set parameters.

"It's unclear if there is any violation, if there's no bilateral agreement... You can't cite violations because there is no definition, no referee," he said in Filipino.

The peace panel will recommend to President Rodrigo Duterte that government maintain the unilateral ceasefire.

Political prisoners

On the issue of the delayed release of political prisoners, Bello explained that the process of release is already in motion. But this is out of their hands since they are under court jurisdiction.

In this case, he said, those convicted detainees may be given presidential pardon, or those with pending cases may appeal to be allowed to post bail. He also said the process of release is already in motion. (READ: Political prisoners will be released 'in due time' – Bello) 

"We made it very clear to them that the release of the political prisoners is a commitment of the President," he said.

Left-leaning human rights group Karapatan had earlier demanded the immediate release of the 392 political prisoners. The Communist Party of the Philippines has urged the government to release the detainees through an amnesty proclamation. – Rappler.com

TEHRAN, Iran (UPDATED) – Iran confirmed on Wednesday, February 1, that it had tested a ballistic missile, but denied that was a breach of its 2015 nuclear deal with world powers.

"The action was in line with boosting Iran's defense power and is not in contradiction with the JCPOA (the nuclear deal) or Resolution 2231," Defense Minister Hossein Dehghan said. 

He was referring to a UN Security Council resolution that bans Iran from developing missiles that can carry nuclear warheads.

"This test was in line with our ongoing programs," the ISNA news agency quoted Dehghan as saying.

"We have previously announced that we will execute the programs we have planned in production of defence items meant for our national interests and objectives. Nobody can influence our decision."

Tehran on Tuesday warned Washington against fuelling tensions. 

"We hope that Iran's defense program is not used by the new US administration... as a pretext to create new tensions," Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said.

His comments came ahead of emergency consultations at the UN Security Council on the missile test convened at Washington's request.

US ambassador Nikki Haley told the meeting that the test-firing of the medium-range missile was "absolutely unacceptable". 

"The United States is not naive. We are not going to stand by. You will see us call them out," she said.

The row comes against a backdrop of already strained relations between Washington and Tehran over US President Donald Trump's travel ban on citizens from Iran and six other Muslim-majority countries.  – Rappler.com

MANILA, Philippines – A young officer of the Philippine Army was killed in an alleged ambush by the New People's Army (NPA) in Davao Oriental on Wednesday, February 1, only hours after the communist group terminated its ceasefire with the government. (READ: NPA ends ceasefire but says talks should continue)

The incident occurred even as the armed wing of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) is not supposed to launch armed offensives until February 10, based on its declaration. 

The Army 2nd Lieutenant belonged to the 67th Infantry Battalion (IB) operating in Davao Oriental, one of the units under the 10th Infantry Division (ID). His name was withheld pending notice to the soldier's family.

He and fellow soldiers supposedly joined the police to check complaints against alleged extortionists at Sitio Paliwason, Barangay Lambog in Manay town when they were ambushed, according to Captain Ryan Batchar, 10th ID spokesperson. 

They were ambushed at 1:45 pm on Wednesday, a few hours after the 10 am announcement by the NPA. "The police and soldiers went there to restore law and order," said 10th Infantry Division spokesperson Captain Rhyan Batchar. 

"Hindi naman nila sinusunod (They are not following their) declaration nila na (that it should start on) February 10. Bakit nila ginawa pa rin 'yun (Why did they do that)? It was deliberate," Batchar said.

Batchar said the army unit on the ground is preparing for pursuit operations against the NPA rebels involved.

The government has not terminated its ceasefire but Batchar said pursuit operations against the NPA rebels are legitimate because they already committed a crime – the murder of the soldier. 

It's a preview of the set-up under the proposed arrangement between the 2 groups that will take effect on February 10. The NPA will resume its offensive against the military that is supposed to keep its ceasefire.

Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana, explaining the orders to the military, said troops will still run after NPA rebels if they are involved in lawless activities and will not hesitate to operate in areas that the rebel group claims to be under its control.

"Government security forces will continue to maintain peace and order and run after lawless elements whoever and wherever they are," Lorenzana said.

"We emphasize that we do not recognize the NPA's claims to areas which they believe are under their control and our forces are ready to defend themselves when attacked," said Lorenzana.

This was the debate in the aftermath of the incident in Makilala, North Cotabato on January 23 that killed one communist rebel. It was the first firefight to disrupt the 5-month-old ceasefire. – Rappler.com