Transport strikes force GRP to delay jeepney phaseout, modernization

The series of transport strikes in the last quarter of last year pressured the Manila government to delay the implementation of its much criticized Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program (PUVMP).

House Speaker Martin Romualdez pressed the Department of Transportation (DOTr) to review and extend the enforcement of the Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program (PUVMP) that the government has been trying to implement since 2013.

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GRP continues to violate international humanitarian law and CARHRIHL

Last December 25, the fascist Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) dropped several massive 250-lb bombs on a guerrilla camp of the New People’s Army (NPA) in Malaybalay City, Bukidnon in the early morning of December 25 killing ten people. During the same attack, according to reports, the AFP repeatedly fired artillery rounds using the US- and Israel-supplied ATMOS stationed in their military camp in city. The AFP continued with the aerial bombardment in the evening and the following day.

Read more: GRP continues to violate international humanitarian law and CARHRIHL

Latest Ayungin Shoal altercation raises tensions in West PH Sea

Tensions between China and the Marcos Jr. administration continues to escalate in the wake of the latest altercation in the Ayungin Shoal in the West Philippine Sea as each country blames the other for the incident.

The Marcos Jr. regime said that on 22 October during a resupply mission to the BRP Sierra Madre, China’s “dangerous maneuvers” led to collisions between boats owned or sanctioned by the two governments. A China Cost Guard ship collided with a Philippine military-contracted boat Unaiza May 2, while a Chinese Maritime Militia ship collided with the Philippine Coast Guard’s BRP Cabra. China on the other hand claimed it was the Philippines which provoked the incidents.

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First anniversary of Ka Joma Sison’s martyrdom commemorated

Last 16 December, the first anniversary of the martyrdom of Comrade Jose Maria Sison, great Filipino leader, teacher and communist, was commemorated through conferences and cultural performances.

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Drivers, operators file SC petition vs PUV phaseout

A petition to the GRP (Government of the Republic of the Philippines) Supreme Court was filed by jeepney drivers and operators meant to stop the implementation of the PUV (public utility vehicle) phaseout set to happen on January next year. The group demands to scrap plans to phaseout jeepneys under the veil of the deceptive modernization program and mandatory franchise consolidation. The Marcos regime’s pronouncement last December 12 that the December 31 phaseout deadline will push through vindicated the objective of the transport strike, according to Piston.

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UN experts recommend creation of anti-torture body to PH

On 14 December, the United Nations torture prevention experts concluded their second visit to the Philippines by calling for the urgent designation of a national torture prevention body.

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Kabataang Makabayan reinvigorated in key Philippine universities

Kabataang Makabayan (Patriotic Youth), the revolutionary youth organization and an allied organization of the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP), has strengthened its chapters in several key private and public universities in Metro Manila.

Read more: Kabataang Makabayan reinvigorated in key Philippine universities