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Dear Rappler reader,
Data analysis gives us an insight into the nature of the beast in the war vs drugs. Bad boy turned advocate Robin Padilla asked for compassion in dealing with addicts. The peace talks between the Left and the Philippine government kicked off. And how about starting your own Pokemon hunting tour?
Below are the big stories we think you shouldn’t miss.
Dressed in barong tagalogs, the people in the room hugged each other like old friends, not old enemies. Optimism was palpable. After 40 rounds of talks under 5 Philippine governments they need all the optimism they can find on day 1 of peace talks between the Philippine Left and the Philippine government. It was a sentimental journey for rebel leaders Benito and Wilma Tiamson, who hasn’t seen Communist Party of the Philippines founder Joma Sison for 3 decades, ever since he left the Philippines in 1986 after the EDSA revolt that toppled the Marcos dictatorship.
On the 19th day of the new transportation secretary’s watch, a 5-inch deep crack was found on the runway of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport leading to 28 flight diversions, at least 40 cancelled flights, and hundreds of frustrated passengers. Aside from the dilapidated airport, Art Tugade faces a huge challenge ahead of him: The glitch-ridden Metro Rail Transit Line 3, a legal roadblock on a much-needed common train station, and a surge of private vehicles on the streets.
At least 25 Taiwanese and Chinese were arrested in a buy-bust operation in Boracay while the Interior Department said it is ready to present its case against police generals Joel Pagdilao and Edgardo Tinio, 2 of 5 police generals accused by President Rodrigo Duterte of involvement in the drug trade. These come at a time when the anti-drug war is under scrutiny at the Senate. During the hearing the Commission on Human Rights said the police violated the human rights of a father and son who died inside the Pasay City Jail. Another witness said Antipolo cops sell drugs prompting Philippine National Police chief Ronald Dela Rosa to say: “Effective today, I’ll relieve those cops.” The grandmother of a slain boy found can only say, “Pray for us”.
Data analysis by Ateneo School of Government Dean Ronald U Mendoza and statistician Miann Banaag show 40% of fatalities are not due to police operations with Pasay standing out in terms of ‘salvage’ victims. Most deaths are in Metro Manila and Cebu, but some provinces stand out because of killings not linked to police operations.
Robin Padilla lamented the social media landscape that’s fast turning into a wasteland, with many “bullies hiding behind anonymous accounts.” He told Rappler he’s been misquoted and pounced upon by fellow “volunteers” – his term for Duterte supporters – for things he said in defense of drug users. “It’s a mental health problem,” he said of addiction. He told people with inside info on celebrity pushers, “Come with me, let’s arrest him, embarrass him, if you want. But the users, come on, man, they’re victims.” Asked about sibling BB Gandanghari, formerly known as actor Rustom, Robin said she has done much to change his views on the LGBT community.
US President Barack Obama heads to to flood-hit Louisiana after being lampooned for not cutting short his Martha’s Vineyard holiday. As the outgoing President deals with a low pressure disturbance’s aftermath, his partymate Hillary Clinton has to deal with Republican rival Donald Trump who said, “It is now clear that the Clinton Foundation is the most corrupt enterprise in political history.” Trump, famous worldwide for wanting to build a giant wall on the Mexican border recently changed his tune as he courted minority votes. The anti-immigrant sentiment is not unique among Trump supporters. A study says 49% of those surveyed in 22 countries said there were “too many immigrants” and 46% felt “immigration is causing their country to change in ways they don’t like.”
The Rio Olympics officially end. It’s being hailed as a groundbreaking event for women – 45% of the 11,444 athletes, slightly higher than in London 2012. How did Rio de Janeiro come out in the end? “The main legacy of the Games was the party for Rio’s people, who will never forget these days,” said a leading Brazilian sports analyst. “But the bill to pay will be very high.”
Investigators looking into pop legend Prince’s death believe that counterfeit pills may have killed him. The confiscated pills were marked as hydrocodone, a commonly prescribed drug for moderate pain relief, but in fact contained fentanyl, an intensely powerful painkiller for which Prince had no prescription.
In Scotland’s capital, Edinburgh, a taxi firm is offering flat-price journeys that take customers past at least 50 “Pokestops” to load up on Pokeballs, while specialized hunting tours have sprung up everywhere from Barcelona in Spain to Mexico City, Mexico. That’s aside from the windfall establishments enjoy from nearby Pokestops.
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