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Metro Manila, Philippines – A lawmaker and independent groups have called for an investigation into the military operation in Negros Occidental that killed 19 people, including a University of the Philippines student leader and a community journalist. Among those killed in the operation carried out by the Philippine Army’s 79th Infantry Battalion in Toboso were UP Student Council President Alyssa Alano and community journalist RJ Ledesma. ML Party-list Rep. Leila de Lima expressed concern over the high number of casualties and called for an urgent probe to seek “clarity and the truth” on what transpired. “Beyond the question of whether the military operation was legitimate, there are serious allegations of violations that led to the deaths of 19 individuals, and we must investigate what truly transpired to find clarity and the truth,” the House Senior Deputy Minority Leader said in a statement on Saturday. “While we support our military’s pursuit…

Metro Manila, Philippines – Despite obtaining leads on the hitman Vice President Sara Duterte allegedly hired against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., his wife, and former Speaker Martin Romualdez, the National Bureau of Investigation said it has yet to identify the individual. “As of now, hindi naman po na-identify (we haven’t identified him yet),” NBI Director Melvin Matibag said in a forum on Saturday, over a year since the probe began. Matibag said the bureau is still investigating new leads from recordings, testimonies, social media posts, and the vice president’s sworn affidavit. The bureau chief also disclosed that Duterte mentioned a plan called “Oplan Romanov,” which authorities are currently investigating. Matibag said there are other leads regarding the alleged hit placed on the first couple and the former speaker, but he cannot divulge details so as not to pre-empt the ongoing impeachment case against Duterte. The issue stems from an incident…

Metro Manila, Philippines – National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Director Melvin Matibag shut down allegations that the raids on establishments linked to former Rep. Mike Defensor, a vocal critic of the Marcos administration, were politically motivated. In a forum on Saturday, the NBI chief denied the claims and called on the ex-solon’s camp to prove the bureau wrong for linking the family to the establishments and illegal activities. “Dini-deflect mo lang. Sinasabi mo ‘Pulitika yan.’ What I want to hear is sabihin mo walang human trafficking dito. At pangalawa, hindi kami ang may-ari niyan,” the director said. “Wala akong narinig na ganon. Ang narinig ko lang personal pulitika to. Those are all weak arguments who appeal to the emotions of the people,” he added. [Translation: You just deflect it. You say ‘That’s politics.’ What I want to hear is that there is no human trafficking here. And secondly, that you…

Metro Manila, Philippines – Justice Secretary Frederick Vida said there was nothing premature about President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. announcing that former lawmaker Zaldy Co was under Czech jurisdiction, stressing that the government acted on verified information available at the time. Speaking from the Philippine Embassy in Prague, Vida pushed back against criticism that the announcement may have been made too early, saying he would not speculate on that claim. “I don’t want to speculate na baka premature,” Vida told reporters, adding that the government continues to validate the facts on Co’s situation on the ground. The justice chief said the announcement helped draw public attention to the case, which he described as a priority for the government. “Hindi na-jinx, hindi na-pasama. Nakita ninyo nung nag-announce si presidente, ang atensyon at focus ng sambayanang Pilipino nandoon,” Vida said. [Translation: It was not jinxed, it did not make things worse. You saw…

Metro Manila, Philippines – Justice Secretary Frederick Vida said it is “possible” that former lawmaker Zaldy Co may have left Czech jurisdiction, as Philippine officials try to verify his exact status and location. Vida, speaking from the Philippine Embassy in Prague, said the government’s latest information on Co came from immigration and police counterparts. But he said he still has no confirmed and validated information on where Co is now. “I have no specific answer yet as of now. I have no relevant and validated information as to that fact. So, I don’t want to speculate,” Vida said on Friday, April 24. Asked if there was a possibility that Co may have left Czech jurisdiction, Vida replied: “Possible.” “There’s no such guarantee. We need to respect their laws,” he said when asked what assurance the Philippines had that Czech authorities would keep Co within their jurisdiction. Vida said the information…