Maniolas

President Rodrigo Duterte on Wednesday, August 17, 2016, lashed out at the United Nations for its ‘stupid’ criticism of his government’s war against drugs. Duterte said even killings done by crime and drug syndicates were being attributed to his government. INQUIRER FILE President Rodrigo Duterte on Wednesday hit out at “stupid” United Nations’ criticism of his controversial crime war that has claimed 1,000 lives, warning the global body not to interfere. The political outsider, who swept to a landslide election victory in May largely on a pledge to kill tens of thousands of criminals, said he would continue his anti-drug crackdown despite mounting criticism, including from UN chief Ban Ki-moon. “Why would the United Nations be so easily swayed into interfering in the affairs of this republic? There are only 1,000 (killed),” he said at an event marking the 115th anniversary of the police force. READ: Duterte slams UN for ‘interfering’ in Philippine drug war | UN body condemns ‘illegal’ killings of PH drug suspects Duterte criticized the “stupid proposition” where the killings done by drug and criminal syndicates were being attributed to his government. Ban Ki-moon in June condemned Duterte’s apparent support for extrajudicial killings, saying they were “illegal and a breach of fundamental rights and freedoms”. The UN’s anti-drugs office also this month said it was “greatly concerned” by reports of extrajudicial killings of suspected drug dealers and users in the Philippines. The UN has made “a very stupid proposition”, Duterte said, warning them not to meddle in the country’s politics. Read More …

Photos of unnamed Filipina nabbed by Kuwait authorities, published by KUNA VIA ARAB NEWS. KUWAIT CITY– Kuwait said Friday, August 5, that it arrested a Filipino woman it accused of joining the Daesh (ISIS) group through its affiliate in Libya and who planned to launch an attack.
 The Interior Ministry said the woman, born in 1984, entered Kuwait last June as a “house maid.” Security forces monitoring the woman’s e-mail found messages by the woman to the Daesh (Arabic acronym for Islamic State) group’s Libyan affiliate, pledging allegiance to the group. “She confessed she was ready to carry out any terrorist attack once circumstances and means were ripe in order to undermine security and stability in Kuwait, as well as ignite sedition,” the state-run Kuwait News Agency reported. KUNA also published a photograph of the woman in a black abaya. 
The statement did not identify the woman, nor did it say if she faced criminal charges. It wasn’t immediately clear if she had legal counsel. Tiny, oil-rich Kuwait has been hit by a Daesh attack before. A suicide bomber killed at least 27 people and wounded 227 during the holy month of Ramadan last year. Last month, Kuwait foiled three planned Daesh attacks on the country, including a plot to blow up a Shiite mosque, after launching raids that resulted in the arrest of militants. Kuwait is part of a 34-nation alliance announced by Riyadh in December aimed at countering Daesh and Al-Qaeda in Iraq, Syria, Libya, Egypt and Afghanistan. Read More …

When INQUIRER.net published my commentary on extrajudicial killings, 9 out of 10 responses were emotion-laden tirades, ad hominem attacks and knee-jerk reactions. Human nature being what it is, I understand the anger. I get it. Frightened by the specter of criminality linked to shabu, many, in particular President Duterte’s Internet army, view the government’s uncompromising war on drugs as the only way out of the national morass; they resent arguments against the violation of basic human rights, no matter how rational, because they see these as blunting presidential initiatives. In their unwavering support of the president, people point out the following justifications: the drug menace has taken over the country; nothing has been done in the past; the justice system is broken; the international media have exaggerated the killings; etc. These arguments would be valid if there was a debate on the existence and extent of the drug problem, on the need to address it, or on President Duterte’s noble intent to rid the country of crime. The author with Benigno Aquino in April 1972 when the latter was invited to speak at the Cebu Institute of Medicine. Aquino correctly predicted that Marcos would soon declare martial law. CONTRIBUTED But the crucial question is whether extrajudicial killing – to put it bluntly, a shoot-to-kill, ask-questions-later policy – is justified. Whether one looks at this question from a standpoint of jurisprudence or religion/ethics, or simply from common sense, the answer is the same: No. Article 3 of the Philippine Constitution provides Read More …

Indonesian Mohammad Sofyan is examined by Dr. Raden Ikbala before his return to his country. He escaped from his Abu Sayyaf captors in Luuk, Sulu on Wednesday morning.
 JULIE S. ALIPALA/INQUIRER MINDANAO ZAMBOANGA CITY – Another Indonesian who escaped from the Abu Sayyaf was recovered in Luuk town in Sulu on Wednesday afternoon. Major Filemon Tan Jr., spokesperson of the Western Mindanao Command, said a certain Ismail, chief officer of Tugboat Charles, was found around 4:30 p.m. in Barangay Bual, the same village where another kidnap victim, Mohammad Sofyan, was found at past 7 a. m. Sofyan earlier claimed he and another Indonesian escaped while their captors were asleep. Tan said Ismail was in the custody of government troops as of late Wednesday, and would be brought to Jolo town.  SFM Latest Pope taps American to head new Vatican office for families Ex-RCBC branch manager Deguito arrested for perjury Duterte:  Gov’t to support kin of Navy man killed in anti-drug ops All-Filipino MVP Macandili dedicates trophy to all liberos Recommended Disclaimer: Comments do not represent the views of INQUIRER.net. We reserve the right to exclude comments which are inconsistent with our editorial standards. FULL DISCLAIMER View Comments For feedback, complaints, or inquiries, contact us.