#ThewRap: Things you need to know, September 22, 2017

Good morning!

Thousands held protest rallies in Metro Manila and key cities nationwide on Thursday, September 21, the 45th anniversary of the declaration of Marcos’ Martial Law. They called for an end to killings related to the Duterte administration’s drug war.

On the same day – visiting the battle zone of Marawi in Mindanao for the 5th time, President Rodrigo Duterte said he would lift martial law in the southern island as soon as clearing operations are completed. 

A recently publicized worldwide index showed that an increase in violence and terrorist activities has made the Philippines worst in impunity. 

Here are the other big stories you shouldn’t miss this Friday. 

 

Philippines No. 1 in global impunity index

The Philippines’ high impunity index is indicative of the country “going through one of its most critical moments, due to the increase of violence related with organized crime and increased terrorist activities from local gangs linked to the Islamic State (ISIS).”

On Martial Law 45th anniversary, thousands protest drug war killings, return to dictatorship

The loudest and most repeated call at the Luneta was for President Rodrigo Duterte to end the drug war and assure Filipinos he will not expand coverage of martial law.

Japan urges countries to impose sanctions, cut ties with North Korea

Japanese Foreign Minister Taro Kono estimates that North Korea would lose 90% of its export revenue if all nations implemented existing UN Security Council resolutions.

Due to conflict of interest, DICT chief Rodolfo Salalima offers to resign

President Rodrigo Duterte says Department of Information and Communications Technology Rodolfo Salalima offered to leave his post due to “conflict of interest,” having served as vice president of Globe Telecom before his appointment. The President says he is scouting for a replacement. 

Once Marawi is cleared of terrorists, martial law in Mindanao will be lifted – Duterte

“It will lifted anytime after things are all ready. There’s a clean up,” President Duterte said, but didn’t give a timeline.

Justice dep’t offers to protect witnesses in killing of Horacio Castillo III

“They have nothing to fear from us. They should fear more the ones hiding them or the ones advising them not to come out. They can be dangerous people,” said Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II of Aegis Juris fraternity members. 

Pick up household chores, walk to work, live longer, study confirms

The study, which tracked 130,000 people in 17 countries, “confirms on a global scale that physical activity is associated with a lower risk of mortality and cardiovascular disease.”