#ThewRap: Things you need to know, September 9, 2016

Hello, Rappler readers!

Take your pick – a possible volcanic eruption, a feared nuclear test in North Korea, ASEAN Summit explosions, or wild allegations about a presidential dog. These events are certainly enough to keep you on edge. ASEAN watchers were on the lookout for possible exchanges between Philippine President Rody Duterte and US President Barack Obama in Laos, and they got it. After his colorful debut on the world stage, Duterte proceeded to Indonesia where he is expected to tackle a host of issues, including the war on drugs and possibly even the Abu Sayyaf.

Be up to speed with the news. Here’s what you shouldn’t miss:

 

Duterte resurrects past US military killings in Mindanao

“Quiet and shocked.” This was how diplomats reacted to the latest tirade of President Rodrigo Duterte when he veered away from his speech and recounted atrocities againt the ethnic people of Mindanao where he comes from. On the last day of the ASEAN Summit, Duterte went into a tirade against US military killings when the Philippines was an American colony from 1898 to 1946, according to 3 diplomats who were in the same room. He apparently wanted to make a point about human rights. Duterte will lead the Philippines when the country chairs ASEAN in 2017.

 

‘Likely’ nuclear test in North Korea – report

There’s a “high possibility” a 5^th atomic test was made on Friday, September 9, by North Korea, as indicated by a 5.3-magnitude quake near the Punggye-ri nuclear test site. The Yonhap news agency quoted an unnamed South Korean government official as saying that given the location and magnitude of the quake, the high possibility that it was a “nuclear test” exists. North Korea, it seems, wanted to celebrate its foundation with an explosive bang.

 

Obama: Let’s fight terror, crime ‘the right way’

Whether it’s anti-terrorism or drug trafficking, it’s got to be done the right way, US President Barack Obama said Thursday, September 8. “Because the consequences of when you do it the wrong way is innocent people get hurt, and you have a whole bunch of unintended consequences that don’t solve the problem,” Obama said during a press conference at the end of the ASEAN Summit in Laos. Was President Rodrigo Duterte listening?

 

Duterte arrives in Indonesia

From Laos to Indonesia. After creating a stir in Vientianne during the 28th ASEAN Summit meeting, President Rodrigo Duterte flew to Indonesia to meet with his counterpart, Indonesian President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo on Friday, September 9. Duterte will be welcomed at the State Palace at 3 pm before formal talks with the leader of a country described as having the largest Muslim population.

  

SC asked to decide on Grace Poe citizenship case

Is she or isn’t she? The Supreme Court should decide the case concerning Senator Grace Poe’s citizenship, petitioner Rizalito David said in his two-page motion, after the High Court cancelled oral arguments set last January. After losing her presidential bid, question is, will the SC consider this case already moot?

 

Phivolcs: Beware of Mayon eruption

There are sure signs of a major eruption of the majestic Mayon Volcano. The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said the 3 consecutive quakes in August could affect volcanic activity. The massive drying up of wells in areas near the volcano is also indicative of magma movement beneath. The volcano’s worst eruption which left over a thousand dead was recorded in 1814.

 

FACT CHECK: No dog buried at the Libingan

All the claims on social media made about the dog of the late president Corazon Aquino supposedly being buried at the Libingan ng mga Bayani is simply not true. A Newsbreak fact check showed that a bomb sniffing Labrador that belonged to the former president’s security detail was buried in Malacañang Park, headquarters of the Presidential Security Group. No hero, this Labrador was. Neither was it a former president’s personal pet.