#ThewRap: Things you need to know, October 25, 2016

Rappler.com

This is AI generated summarization, which may have errors. For context, always refer to the full article.

#ThewRap: Things you need to know, October 25, 2016
Hello! Here's a round-up of news you need to know this Tuesday

Dear Rappler reader,

As Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte pivots away from the United States in favor of China, the relationship between the two longtime friends is in limbo. US Assistant Secretary of State Daniel Russel said this “a mistake.” Russel echoed the sentiments of outgoing US Ambassador Philip Goldberg, who said the renewed ties between the Asian neighbors should not come at the expense of a “longtime friend and ally.” Duterte’s China trip certainly triggered a thawing of Sino-Philippine relations, with China donating millions to the Philippines for disaster relief in the aftermath of Super Typhoon Lawin (Haima).

Below are the big stories we think you shouldn’t miss. 

US official to Duterte: Don’t burn your bridges

“We don’t want countries that have to choose between the US and China,” Daniel Russel, US Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs, said. Russel met with Philippine Foreign Affairs Secretary Perfecto Yasay Jr. on Monday, October 24, where he pointed out President Rodrigo Duterte’s controversial statements and comments, along with the bloody war on drugs, have created “consternation” not only in the US, but in a number of countries as well. 

China comes to PH’s aid

CHINESE AID. Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Zhao Jianhua is seen with Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte in this handout photo on October 24, 2016, as China announces millions in typhoon aid for the Philippines. Photo courtesy of Chinese embassy

China on Monday evening, October 24, announced that it has donated P50 millions to the Philippines after Super Typhoon Lawin (Haima) “for the disaster relief of farmers and fishermen in the affected regions.” On top of this, China has committed around P35 million to Philippine anti-disaster efforts. The Red Cross Society of China “will also provide humanitarian aid of $100,000 to the Philippines.” China’s donation comes after Social Welfare Secretary Judy Taguiwalo said the Philippines is not seeking foreign donations for areas hit by Lawin and Typhoon Karen (Sarika) because it has enough funds. Taguiwalo later clarified that the Philippines is still open to receiving foreign donations for disaster victims, as long as donors impose no conditions.

Erap’s fears ‘absurd’ – Goldberg

Outgoing United States ambassador to the Philippines Philip Goldberg dismissed former Philippine President Joseph Estrada’s “absurd” suggestions that the US is plotting to oust President Rodrigo Duterte because of his hostility toward the US. Estrada claimed the US was behind his ouster in 2001, and Duterte himself has suggested that the US Central Intelligence Agency is plotting to oust him. “The US is a great friend of the Philippines, respects the democracy of the Philippines, and the process that has happened to elect the president.” Goldberg said.

Drug users to Duterte: ‘Stop playing God!’

ANGRY PROTESTERS. Indonesians protest in front of the Philippine embassy in Jakarta, calling on President Duterte to stop the killings. Photo from PKNI

From Indonesia to Canada, drug users from all over the world protest against Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte’s bloody war on drugs. Earlier this month, Indonesian drug users from the Indonesian Drugs User Network (PKNI), gathered in front of the Philippine embassy in Jakarta carrying posters saying “Duterte, stop playing God!” In Canada, at least 7 groups signed an open letter addressed to Duterte calling for an end to extrajudicial killings, prosecution of those responsible for extrajudicial murders and for the Canadian government to end its training and cooperation with the Philippine police and military.

Trillanes to Senate: Probe PNP for extrajudicial killings

NEW PROBE? Senator Antonio Trillanes IV wants to investigate the alleged involvement of police personnel in supposed extrajudicial killings. Photo by LeAnne Jazul/Rappler

Roughly a week after a Senate probe into the rise of the killings linked to President Rodrigo Duterte’s “war on drugs” wrapped up, Senator Antonio Trillanes IV wants a new probe into the “alleged involvement of some members of the Philippine National Police (PNP) in numerous extrajudicial killings in the country.” Trillanes, who is one of Duterte’s most vocal critics, highlighted the case of two commissioned police officers in Oriental Mindoro charged with murder for allegedly gunning down the leader of a local watchdog.

Trump: Polls showing Clinton lead ‘phony’

'WINNING' Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump addresses supporters during a campaign stop in Tampa, Florida on October 24, 2016. Gregg Newton/AFP

Donald Trump urged Americans on Monday night to “rise above the noise” of the 2016 race and elect him president, as he insisted he is winning against Hillary Clinton despite polls showing the opposite. But instead of treading the optimistic high ground, Trump swiftly returned to slamming Clinton, calling the polls “phony.” “Our system is rigged,” he said, as he berated Clinton for using a private email server and highlighted revelations in Monday’s Wall Street Journal that the organization of a Clinton ally paid nearly $500,000 to the political campaign of the wife of an FBI official who later helped oversee the investigation against her.

Murder of Indonesian women recorded on killer’s iPhone

An armoured prison van (C) is used to transport British banker Rurik Jutting, 31, accused of the murders of two Indonesian women, as he arrives at the High Court in Hong Kong on October 24, 2016, on the first day of what is Hong Kong's biggest murder case for years. Anthony Wallace/AFP

A Hong Kong court on Monday, October 24, heard how British banker Rurik Jutting tortured one of his victims for 3 days. He pleaded “not guilty” to two counts of murder on the grounds of diminished responsibility, but pleaded “guilty” to manslaughter instead. The prosecution rejected the lesser plea. The court heard Jutting filmed both women on his iPhone, where he described how he had enjoyed the killing and said he could not have done it without using cocaine. Indonesian women Sumarti Ningsih and Seneng Mujiasih were found dead in Jutting’s flat in the early hours of November 1, 2014. 

Shakespeare collaborated with other authors – big data

A woman recites a passage from William Shakespeare's Othello during an open mic session on April 23, 2014 in Bryant Park in New York City. John Moore/Getty Images/AFP

Seventeen plays attributed to William Shakespeare were written in collaboration with other playwrights, according to an edition of his works coming out this month that uses “big data” to reveal the mixed authorship. Shakespeare’s reputed rival Christopher Marlowe is credited as co-writer in the Henry VI trilogy of plays while playwright Thomas Middleton is credited as an adaptor for All’s Well That Ends Well. Editors said the discoveries showed that rather than being rivals that influenced each other, Shakespeare and Marlowe actually worked with each other on the plays.

Yi Jianlian’s Lakers stint aborted

YI OUT. Yi Jianlian won't be appearing in a Lakers jersey this NBA regular season, apparently. Photo by Harry How/Getty Images/AFP

Chinese basketball player Yi Jianlian requested his release from the Los Angeles Lakers, according to an ESPN report by Marc Stein citing “league sources.” The report says Jianlian’s role in the post-Kobe Bryant team not being what he had expected was cited as the reason. The 7-footer Yi had signed a reported one-year, $8 million deal with the Lakers in August to return to the NBA, where he played for several teams from 2007-2012. The Lakers still must cut one more player by Monday to widdle down to the 15-man roster.

Petition vs. Mocha Uson sparks debate on freedom of speech

An online petition to suspend the Facebook page of celebrity blogger Mocha Uson has sparked a debate about freedom of speech. The petition, started on change.org by a certain Paul Quilét over the weekend, has gathered more than 27,000 signatures as of early Monday evening, October 24. The petition’s description claims that Uson, a known supporter of President Rodrigo Duterte, “uses her Facebook page to spread fictitious and false information about pressing issues in the Philippines.” Some, however, have criticized the petition, saying it infringes on Uson’s freedom of speech and that critics should correct her instead of calling for the banning of her page.

Add a comment

Sort by

There are no comments yet. Add your comment to start the conversation.

Summarize this article with AI

How does this make you feel?

Loading
Download the Rappler App!