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Hello, Rappler readers!
From drugs to killings. A surprise witness at the Senate with an explosive revelation about President Rodrigo Duterte and alleged killings perpetrated by the so-called Davao Death Squad diverted public attention from the issue of drug-related extrajudicial killings. The heat during Thursday’s Senate hearing was so intense it led Duterte ally and vice presidential running mate Senator Alan Peter Cayetano to accuse the Liberal Party of orchestrating the whole Senate drama to oust the President. Vice President Leni Robredo took exception to the accusation of Cayetano, saying it’s really unhealthy for the country to go through another upheaval.
In the end, politics dictated on the outcome of the hearing, with Senate President Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III deciding no protection would be granted to witness and self-confessed killer Edgar Matobato.
Be up to speed with the news. Here’s what you shouldn’t miss:
No, not that easy for you. Senate President Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel stood his ground as ally of President Rodrigo Duterte and refused to give sanctuary to embattled witness Edgar Matobato. The PDP-Laban partymate of Duterte gave no explanation or reason for his decision.
Hang on as President Rodrigo Duterte prepares to make public his latest drug list of 1,000. A compilation of barangay captains, police, judges, mayors and governors, it’s close to 6 times more than the first list of 158. What next?
Vice President Leni Robredo declared on Thursday, September 15, “We are offended by Senator Cayetano’s accusation that the Liberal Party is plotting to oust the President and that I will be the intended beneficiary of this plan.” It was a quick reaction to the senator’s claim that the testimony of witness Edgar Matobato could be used to impeach the President and leave Robredo and the Liberal Party as the main beneficiaries.
Self-confessed gun-for-hire Edgar Matobato, who said he was a former member of the Davao Death Squad, told the Senate it was their job to keep on killing. Following alleged instructions of President Rodrigo Duterte, Matobato, who was first a Civilian Armed Forces Geographical Unit (CAFGU) member under the Scout Rangers in Davao City, later graduated to becoming part of a group that killed criminals in Davao City.
Amid the rising number of deaths in the campaign against illegal drugs, the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines broke its silence and asked law enforcers to respect human rights. In a rare statement, the bishops said, “The deaths we have seen, the addictions that have caused us social ruin, the unabated criminality, the erosion of cherished Filipino values like reverence for elders, basic courtesies and respectful manners – all these challenge us to search our souls again, turn to the Lord and cleanse our dulled spirits.” The full statement can be read here.
Compared to July 2015, remittances from overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) dipped by 5.4% this year as a result of low global oil prices and a sluggish global economy. Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Governor Amando Tetangco Jr, however, pointed out that thus far for 2016, personal remittances have risen by 2.9%, hitting $16.9 billion.
Wait, you got it all wrong again. After saying on Monday, September 12, that US special forces “have to go”, President Rodrigo Duterte clarified he didn’t want them out of Mindanao immediately, but maybe later, when peace talks between the government and Moro separatist groups start. Just some “space to talk” is how Duterte put it on September 15. Moro groups, according to him, are just so distrustful of the Americans.
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