Drug-related deaths believe to reach over 20,000

TACLOBAN CITY-Families of victims from the drug war during Rodrigo Duterte’s administration are finding renewed hope as the International Criminal Court (ICC) advances its investigation.

“Yes, I am hopeful that with the ICC’s involvement, the victims of the drug war, especially our relatives, will finally receive justice,” said ‘Belinda’ (not her real name), whose uncle was killed during a 2019 drug raid in Leyte.

Belinda, who requested anonymity for safety reasons, explained that her family did not pursue legal action against the government’s anti-drug operatives due to financial constraints.

“This is the fate of poor people—they are killed without cause and without recourse,” she told Leyte Samar Daily Express.

Belinda expressed relief upon learning that the ICC has sought the Philippine government’s assistance in interviewing individuals connected to Duterte’s “drug war” campaign.

On July 30, 2024, former Senator Antonio Trillanes IV revealed that an incumbent Philippine senator and four top police officials were placed on the “Blue Notice” list of the International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol) at the request of the ICC’s Office of the Prosecutor.

“It seems the Blue Notice is just one step in the ICC’s process. While it’s too early to say if this will result in justice for the thousands of ‘drug war’ victims, it certainly sends a message to abusive law enforcers: there will be a time of reckoning,” said Carlos Conde, senior researcher at New York-based Human Rights Watch.

“The ICC appears serious in pursuing its investigation. The Ferdinand Marcos Jr. administration should fully cooperate with the court’s inquiry,” Conde added in a report by the Catholic news site UCA News.

According to Interpol, a “Blue Notice” is issued “to collect additional information about a person’s identity, location, or activities in relation to a criminal investigation.”

Justice Secretary Jesus Remulla reportedly stated that the Philippine government cannot prevent Interpol from serving warrants of arrest on individuals implicated in the ICC’s probe.

Various human rights organizations estimate that over 20,000 suspected drug personalities were killed during Duterte’s anti-drug campaign.
(RONALD O. REYES)

Phivolcs downgraded the quake from 6.0 to 5.7 magnitude

TACLOBAN CITY – Several classes in parts of Northern Samar were canceled due to a 6.0 magnitude earthquake that shook the province on Monday, August 19, causing damage to business establishments and offices.

Rei Josiah Echano, head of the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, reported that damage was expected in some areas of the province, with the town of Pambujan identified as the epicenter.

“We are still consolidating our report, but there could be possible damages due to the impact of the 6.0 quake,” he stated.

Echano added that their office, in coordination with the Provincial Engineering Office, conducted a rapid assessment of potential damages following the tremor, which triggered public panic.

Francisco Aurelio Rosales III, mayor of Catarman, the provincial capital, issued a directive suspending afternoon classes across the town to ensure student safety, according to municipal information officer Rachel Arnaiz.

At Catarman National High School, cracks were observed in the ceilings and walls of several classrooms and other school facilities.

Despite this, Arnaiz noted that there was no suspension of work, including in the municipal government, though cracks were seen in the municipal building.

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) initially reported that the 6.0 magnitude tremor could result in damage and aftershocks but later revised the magnitude to 5.7.

Echano also mentioned that several business establishments felt the quake.
At the Gaisano branch in Catarman, a portion of the ceiling collapsed, and glass windows shattered in some outlets.

The mall was temporarily closed to allow management to assess the impact of the tremor on the building. No one was injured relative to the tremor.

Echano assured the public that there was no tsunami alert issued following the quake.
“Northern Samar is safe from a tsunami after 30 minutes without rupture and physical movement of waters along the coastlines affected by the magnitude 6 earthquake,” Echano confirmed.

In Palapag town, cracks were observed in the floor tiles and ceilings of the municipal trial court building and the mayor’s office.

Students from San Jose Technical School in San Jose town immediately evacuated to the school’s open ground area.

In Tacloban City, students were sent home early due to the quake, and customers in some business establishments rushed outside for safety.

“It was quite a strong quake,” said resident Sophia Morante, describing the tremor.

The quake was felt at Intensity V in the towns of Bobon, Catarman, Laoang, Lavezares, Rosario, and San Roque, all in Northern Samar; Intensity IV in Pilar and Sorsogon City, Sorsogon; Can-avid, Eastern Samar; Abuyog, Leyte; and Gandara, Samar; Intensity III in the cities of Legazpi and Tabaco, Albay; Virac, Catanduanes; Masbate City, Masbate; Bulusan and Irosin, Sorsogon; Sulat, Eastern Samar; Alangalang, Carigara, Dulag, Burauen, and Javier, all in Leyte.

Intensity II was recorded in Calubian, Hilongos, Kananga, Palo, and Mahaplag in Leyte; Hinunangan and Sogod in Southern Leyte; Tinambacan, Camarines Sur; Aroroy, Batuan, Cataingan, Esperanza, and Milagros, Masbate. Intensity I was felt in Caramoan and Pasacao, Camarines Sur; Claveria, Masbate; Roxas City, Capiz; Cebu City; and Albuera, Leyte.

(JOEY A. GABIETA)