International Observer Mission launched to monitor 2022 Elections
- Published: 15 February 2022 15 February 2022
The International Coalition for Human Rights in the Philippines and local election watchdog Kontra Daya announced on 6 February the launching of an International Observer Mission to monitor the forthcoming Philippine national and local elections which will take place on 9 May 2022. The IOM aims to provide independent monitoring from the start of the campaign period on 8 February until the confirmation of elected candidates in June 2022.
Read more: International Observer Mission launched to monitor 2022 Elections
AFP bombs rural villages in Cagayan Valley
- Published: 15 February 2022 15 February 2022
Fighter jets of the Armed Forces of the Philippines dropped at least 30 bombs on four villages in the town of Gonzaga, Cagayan province. Three helicopter gunships simultaneously carried out indiscriminate strafing with .50 caliber machine guns. The aerial attacks were carried out in four waves at 4:30 am, 5:00 am, 9:40 am and at 12:00 noon on 29 January on the villages of Sta. Clara, Sta. Isabel, Sta. Teresita and Magrafil, all in Gonzaga town.
Denounce monopoly control on global oil prices -- CPP
- Published: 15 February 2022 15 February 2022
The Communist Party of the Philippines called on the Filipino people to denounce monopoly oil companies and oil producing countries who collude in controlling global oil prices and to demand an immediate rollback in the domestic prices of petroleum products.
Read more: Denounce monopoly control on global oil prices -- CPP
China grants PhP1 billion military aid to Duterte government
- Published: 31 January 2022 31 January 2022
China announced the arrival in Manila on 16 January of military rescue and relief equipment, estimated at PhP614 million, destined for the Armed Forces of the Philippines. The delivery represented the first tranche of military aid from China, totaling PhP1 billion (US$19.6 million).
Read more: China grants PhP1 billion military aid to Duterte government
Localized peace talks are anti-peace – CPP
- Published: 31 January 2022 31 January 2022
The Communist Party of the Philippines blasted on 25 January the Executive Order 158 of President Rodrigo Duterte calling for ‘localized peace talks’, declaring that this “promotes a fake peace and will completely shut the doors to serious peace negotiations.” CPP Chief Information Officer Marco Valbuena asserted that Duterte’s directive aims “to kill the people’s resistance to land grabbing, low wages and the expansion of plantations and mining companies” and is a “counterinsurgency weapon to conduct psychological warfare and intelligence operations against the people and the people’s army.”
Cavite villagers foil demolition attempt by real estate magnates
- Published: 31 January 2022 31 January 2022
Uniting under the call Save Patungan Now, residents of Patungan village, in Maragondon, Cavite province, set up barricades and successfully resisted the most recent attempt to demolish their homes and community on 13 January by a 1,000-strong contingent of the Philippine National Police, Armed Forces of the Philippines and armed goons. The demolition crew, working at the behest of real estate corporations of the Sy and Virata families, stormed the village, dismantled the barricades, destroyed homes and repeatedly fired their guns.
Read more: Cavite villagers foil demolition attempt by real estate magnates
Turkey, Israel beef up Duterte’s military capabilities
- Published: 15 January 2022 15 January 2022
The first of a batch of six T129B helicopters from Turkey arrived in Manila on 9 January 2022 and received by officials of the Rodrigo Duterte government. Temel Kotil, General Manager of Turkish Aerospace, Inc. announced the delivery. The next two units are set to be delivered in 2023 and the last two in 2024.
Read more: Turkey, Israel beef up Duterte’s military capabilities