A strong earthquake struck near the Philippine city of Davao on Sunday, killing a child, damaging buildings and causing several injuries, officials said, the latest in a series of tremors to strike the southern part of the country in recent months.

Southern Philippines' strong quake kills one, injures several

Seven members of a Philippine "dragon boat" team were killed Wednesday when their boat capsized off the island of Boracay as they trained for an international race, rescuers and colleagues said.

Large waves swamped and overturned the wooden boat off one of the world's most famous tropical holiday resorts, killing four male and three female rowers at sunrise, they added.

"There are many rocks in the area so it's possible that they hit their head on them," local disaster officer Catherine Ong Fulgencio told AFP by telephone, explaining why they did not survive even though they could swim.

Fourteen other team members, including a Chinese and a Russian woman, were rescued and taken to hospital for treatment, Fulgencio added.

The Filipino victims were training for the Kaohsiung City Cup scheduled for the southern Taiwanese city in November, said team member Remedy Aquino, who was not aboard the boat.

Dragon boat racing is a popular sport in the Philippines and many parts of Asia, where 20 paddlers sitting two abreast atop a long wooden 12-metre (39-foot) boat sandwiched by a cox who steers the vessel from the rear and a drummer in front.

Seven members of a Philippine "dragon boat" team were killed Wednesday when their boat capsized off the island of Boracay as they trained for an international race, rescuers and colleagues said.

Seven members of a Philippine "dragon boat" team were killed Wednesday when their boat capsized off the island of Boracay as they trained for an international race, rescuers and colleagues said. Large waves swamped and overturned the wooden boat off one of the world's most famous tropical holiday resorts, killing four male and three female rowers at sunrise, they added. "There are many rocks in the area so it's possible that they hit their head on them," local disaster officer Catherine Ong Fulgencio told AFP by telephone, explaining why they did not survive even though they could swim. Fourteen other team members, including a Chinese and a Russian woman, were rescued and taken to hospital for treatment, Fulgencio added. The Filipino victims were training for the Kaohsiung City Cup scheduled for the southern Taiwanese city in November, said team member Remedy Aquino, who was not aboard the boat. Dragon boat racing is a popular sport in the Philippines and many parts of Asia, where 20 paddlers sitting two abreast atop a long wooden 12-metre (39-foot) boat sandwiched by a cox who steers the vessel from the rear and a drummer in front.

Seven rowers die in training accident off top Philippine resort

Philippines President <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/president-duterte-to-bring-up-territorial-issues-with-china-during-meeting-with-president-xi-philippines-ambassador-246386">Rodrigo Duterte</a> has offered big bounties for hundreds of convicted murderers and rapists set free in a corrections bureau blunder and said he would be happier if they were caught dead rather than alive.

The release under a good-behaviour reward programme of more than 1,700 criminals guilty of mostly violent offences has been a huge embarrassment for a crime-busting leader elected almost entirely on promises to make the streets safer.

Duterte said there was a "prize" of a million pesos ($19,175) for tracking down each convict still at large after less than 700 of them heeded his call for their surrender.

"The one million prizes are available to those who can capture them dead or alive. But maybe dead would be a better option. I will pay you smiling," he told reporters late on Tuesday.

Duterte is a former mayor and prosecutor who boasted he would kill as many as 100,000 criminals if be became president.

Since his election, he has become known for a bloody "war on drugs" during which police have killed thousands of mostly urban poor dealers and users.

Activists say many of the killings were executions, but police deny this.

His latest remarks are likely to outrage opponents who accuse him of deliberately inciting vigilantism.

His office rejects that and says his tough talk is endearing him to millions of Filipinos.

However, on Wednesday, Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra appeared to row back from Duterte's bounty offer.

"Dead or alive' should not be taken literally," he said.

"Law enforcers are supposed to effect peaceful arrests, but they may use reasonable force if the subject of the arrest violently resists."

The good conduct law was passed under Duterte's predecessor to try to reduce the populations of some of the world's most crowded jails.

More than 21,000 inmates were released, but justice department officials say more than 2,000 of them were sentenced for crimes like rape, drugs, murder, bribery, plunder, kidnapping and arson, and were therefore not eligible for release.

Some 1,700 of them were freed by a corrections bureau run by Duterte's appointees, two of them staunch loyalists. One of them, Nicanor Faeldon, was sacked after it emerged that nearly 900 serious offenders were freed on his watch. Faeldon denies wrongdoing.

Duterte defended the appointment on Tuesday of a new corrections bureau boss a prison chief for whom prosecutors have sought homicide charges.

Gerald Bantag ran a Manila jail wherein 2016, a grenade explosion killed 10 inmates, most of them drug offenders. A court has yet to take up the case.

"I don't think that he did it. If he did, then he might be convicted," Duterte said.

"But in the meantime, I like him because I heard he throws grenades," he added.

Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte has offered big bounties for hundreds of convicted murderers and rapists set free in a corrections bureau blunder and said he would be happier if they were caught dead rather than alive.

Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte has offered big bounties for hundreds of convicted murderers and rapists set free in a corrections bureau blunder and said he would be happier if they were caught dead rather than alive. The release under a good-behaviour reward programme of more than 1,700 criminals guilty of mostly violent offences has been a huge embarrassment for a crime-busting leader elected almost entirely on promises to make the streets safer. Duterte said there was a "prize" of a million pesos ($19,175) for tracking down each convict still at large after less than 700 of them heeded his call for their surrender. "The one million prizes are available to those who can capture them dead or alive. But maybe dead would be a better option. I will pay you smiling," he told reporters late on Tuesday. Duterte is a former mayor and prosecutor who boasted he would kill as many as 100,000 criminals if be became president. Since his election, he has become known for a bloody "war on drugs" during which police have killed thousands of mostly urban poor dealers and users. Activists say many of the killings were executions, but police deny this. His latest remarks are likely to outrage opponents who accuse him of deliberately inciting vigilantism. His office rejects that and says his tough talk is endearing him to millions of Filipinos. However, on Wednesday, Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra appeared to row back from Duterte's bounty offer. "Dead or alive' should not be taken literally," he said. "Law enforcers are supposed to effect peaceful arrests, but they may use reasonable force if the subject of the arrest violently resists." The good conduct law was passed under Duterte's predecessor to try to reduce the populations of some of the world's most crowded jails. More than 21,000 inmates were released, but justice department officials say more than 2,000 of them were sentenced for crimes like rape, drugs, murder, bribery, plunder, kidnapping and arson, and were therefore not eligible for release. Some 1,700 of them were freed by a corrections bureau run by Duterte's appointees, two of them staunch loyalists. One of them, Nicanor Faeldon, was sacked after it emerged that nearly 900 serious offenders were freed on his watch. Faeldon denies wrongdoing. Duterte defended the appointment on Tuesday of a new corrections bureau boss a prison chief for whom prosecutors have sought homicide charges. Gerald Bantag ran a Manila jail wherein 2016, a grenade explosion killed 10 inmates, most of them drug offenders. A court has yet to take up the case. "I don't think that he did it. If he did, then he might be convicted," Duterte said. "But in the meantime, I like him because I heard he throws grenades," he added.

Preferably dead: President Duterte offers cash for the capture of freed Filipino felons

Iran seized a boat and arrested 12 Filipinos as it busted a "fuel-smuggling ring" in the Strait of Hormuz on Saturday, the semi-official news agency ISNA reported.

"A foreign tugboat was confiscated as well as 283,900 litres (75,000 gallons) of petrol worth 233.71 billion rials ($20.2 million)," ISNA said, citing the coast guard chief in the southern province of Hormozgan.

"Twelve Philippine nationals were arrested and the relevant judiciary officials are currently taking the required legal measures," Major Hossein Dehaki was quoted as saying.

Dehaki said the group was suspected of operating a <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iran-seizes-foreign-vessel-smuggling-fuel-state-media-240586">fuel-smuggling</a> ring and the confiscated shipment had been intercepted close to Sirik county in the Strait of Hormuz.

The seizure comes amid tensions in the Gulf after the United States unilaterally withdrew from a nuclear deal putting curbs on Iran's nuclear programme in return for relief from sanctions.

The escalation has seen ships mysteriously attacked, drones downed and oil tankers seized in the Strait of Hormuz a chokepoint for a third of world's seaborne oil.

Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps detained a "foreign tanker" in Gulf waters on July 14 for allegedly smuggling contraband fuel.

"With a capacity of two million litres and 12 foreign crew on board, the vessel was en route to deliver contraband fuel received from Iranian boats to foreign ships," the Guards said at the time.

Maritime tracking service TankerTrackers reported the Panamanian-flagged MT Riah, used in the strait for fuelling other vessels, had crossed into Iranian waters, and at that point, its automatic identification system stopped sending signals.

In the most high-profile seizure, the Guards impounded the British-flagged Stena Impero tanker in the Strait of Hormuz on July 19 for breaking "international maritime rules".

Iran also seized another ship on July 31 with seven foreign crew onboard over fuel smuggling, but it has not revealed the vessel's identity or the nationality of its crew.

Iran seized a boat and arrested 12 Filipinos as it busted a "fuel-smuggling ring" in the Strait of Hormuz on Saturday, the semi-official news agency ISNA reported.

Iran seized a boat and arrested 12 Filipinos as it busted a "fuel-smuggling ring" in the Strait of Hormuz on Saturday, the semi-official news agency ISNA reported. "A foreign tugboat was confiscated as well as 283,900 litres (75,000 gallons) of petrol worth 233.71 billion rials ($20.2 million)," ISNA said, citing the coast guard chief in the southern province of Hormozgan. "Twelve Philippine nationals were arrested and the relevant judiciary officials are currently taking the required legal measures," Major Hossein Dehaki was quoted as saying. Dehaki said the group was suspected of operating a fuel-smuggling ring and the confiscated shipment had been intercepted close to Sirik county in the Strait of Hormuz. The seizure comes amid tensions in the Gulf after the United States unilaterally withdrew from a nuclear deal putting curbs on Iran's nuclear programme in return for relief from sanctions. The escalation has seen ships mysteriously attacked, drones downed and oil tankers seized in the Strait of Hormuz a chokepoint for a third of world's seaborne oil. Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps detained a "foreign tanker" in Gulf waters on July 14 for allegedly smuggling contraband fuel. "With a capacity of two million litres and 12 foreign crew on board, the vessel was en route to deliver contraband fuel received from Iranian boats to foreign ships," the Guards said at the time. Maritime tracking service TankerTrackers reported the Panamanian-flagged MT Riah, used in the strait for fuelling other vessels, had crossed into Iranian waters, and at that point, its automatic identification system stopped sending signals. In the most high-profile seizure, the Guards impounded the British-flagged Stena Impero tanker in the Strait of Hormuz on July 19 for breaking "international maritime rules". Iran also seized another ship on July 31 with seven foreign crew onboard over fuel smuggling, but it has not revealed the vessel's identity or the nationality of its crew.

Iran seizes boat in Strait of Hormuz, arrests Filipinos: Report

Thousands protested in the streets of Manila on July 22 as <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/you-must-be-stupid-president-rodrigo-duterte-says-he-wont-be-tried-by-international-court-236653">President Rodrigo Duterte</a> launched a spirited defence of his relationship with China. Duterte insisted that his refusal to challenge China's maritime assertiveness was not capitulation, but avoidance of conflict.

In one and half hour speech to Congress that frequently went off script, Duterte devoted part of his annual state of the nation address to arguing that it was senseless to confront a country with claims to the same waters, and a far superior military.

Some 3,000 protesters took to the streets to condemn the government over its stance towards China and deadly war on drugs.

Protesters burned a serpent-shaped effigy of Duterte decorated with a Chinese flag and gun.

Duterte has been heavily scrutinised for his ties to China. Critics have accused him of gambling with national sovereignty in pursuit of massive investments that have not yet materialised.

The <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/philippines-duterte-mulls-cutting-iceland-ties-over-united-nations-probe-236318">Philippine</a> leader made a few references to his signature war on drugs, despite a July 11 decision by the UN Human Rights Council to investigate the thousands of deaths and allegations of summary killings by police.

Critics say Duterte's frequent threats and talk of bloodshed have emboldened police to kill drug users and peddlers with impunity.

The president also joked about a preliminary examination of the drugs crackdown by the International Criminal Court (ICC), saying he might agree to go on trial with a few conditions that included an air-conditioned cell and "unlimited conjugal visits".

Thousands protested in the streets of Manila on July 22 as President Rodrigo Duterte launched a spirited defence of his relationship with China. Duterte insisted that his refusal to challenge China's maritime assertiveness was not capitulation, but avoidance of conflict.

Thousands protested in the streets of Manila on July 22 as President Rodrigo Duterte launched a spirited defence of his relationship with China. Duterte insisted that his refusal to challenge China's maritime assertiveness was not capitulation, but avoidance of conflict. In one and half hour speech to Congress that frequently went off script, Duterte devoted part of his annual state of the nation address to arguing that it was senseless to confront a country with claims to the same waters, and a far superior military. Some 3,000 protesters took to the streets to condemn the government over its stance towards China and deadly war on drugs. Protesters burned a serpent-shaped effigy of Duterte decorated with a Chinese flag and gun. Duterte has been heavily scrutinised for his ties to China. Critics have accused him of gambling with national sovereignty in pursuit of massive investments that have not yet materialised. The Philippine leader made a few references to his signature war on drugs, despite a July 11 decision by the UN Human Rights Council to investigate the thousands of deaths and allegations of summary killings by police. Critics say Duterte's frequent threats and talk of bloodshed have emboldened police to kill drug users and peddlers with impunity. The president also joked about a preliminary examination of the drugs crackdown by the International Criminal Court (ICC), saying he might agree to go on trial with a few conditions that included an air-conditioned cell and "unlimited conjugal visits".

Protests rage in Philippine capital as President Rodrigo Duterte defends China relationship

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/philippines-duterte-mulls-cutting-iceland-ties-over-united-nations-probe-236318">Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte</a> has declared he will never be tried by an international court for mass killings in his war on drugs, and vowed no let-up in a crackdown that he said he was winning and would see through "to the very end".

In a television interview with a celebrity pastor, the firebrand leader said the Philippine justice system was working fine, so it would be "stupid" to imagine he would let an international court put him on trial.

"I will only face, be tried or face a trial, in a Philippine court. Presided by a Filipino judge. Prosecuted by a Filipino ... I will not answer a Caucasian, asking questions, white man there. You must be stupid," he said late on Tuesday.

"I am a Filipino. We have our courts here... Shit. Do you have to bring me somewhere else? I would not like that. I have my country. It's working. I know it's working. Justice is working here."

His opponents argue otherwise and say police are killing with impunity, and that with an approval rating of about 80 percent, a super-majority in Congress and presidential appointees heading courts, commissions, and investigative bodies, there is little chance of Duterte being impeached or prosecuted at home.

Duterte, 74, has previously said he was so committed to his war on drugs that he was prepared to be tried for crimes against humanity at the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague, or rot in jail there.

However, within weeks of an ICC prosecutor announcing in February 2018 that a preliminary examination was being conducted into the killings, Duterte ordered police not to cooperate, and then unilaterally cancelled the Philippines' ICC membership. The ICC examination continues, despite his withdrawal.

His latest show of defiance comes days after the UN Human Rights Council approved a resolution to investigate the killings, responding to a call from 11 UN experts concerned about a "staggering" amount of deaths.

The Philippine government has rejected the resolution as meddling by biased Western states and denies activists' allegations that police are executing thousands of drug users and peddlers.

Duterte said he was making gains in his anti-narcotics campaign, with fewer drugs on the streets.

He said suspects should choose to "drop the drugs or drop dead", but suggested that was merely an expression, not an instruction to kill.

"Whether they like it or not, I will continue what I started to the very end," he said.

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has declared he will never be tried by an international court for mass killings in his war on drugs, and vowed no let-up in a crackdown that he said he was winning and would see through "to the very end".

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has declared he will never be tried by an international court for mass killings in his war on drugs, and vowed no let-up in a crackdown that he said he was winning and would see through "to the very end". In a television interview with a celebrity pastor, the firebrand leader said the Philippine justice system was working fine, so it would be "stupid" to imagine he would let an international court put him on trial. "I will only face, be tried or face a trial, in a Philippine court. Presided by a Filipino judge. Prosecuted by a Filipino ... I will not answer a Caucasian, asking questions, white man there. You must be stupid," he said late on Tuesday. "I am a Filipino. We have our courts here... Shit. Do you have to bring me somewhere else? I would not like that. I have my country. It's working. I know it's working. Justice is working here." His opponents argue otherwise and say police are killing with impunity, and that with an approval rating of about 80 percent, a super-majority in Congress and presidential appointees heading courts, commissions, and investigative bodies, there is little chance of Duterte being impeached or prosecuted at home. Duterte, 74, has previously said he was so committed to his war on drugs that he was prepared to be tried for crimes against humanity at the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague, or rot in jail there. However, within weeks of an ICC prosecutor announcing in February 2018 that a preliminary examination was being conducted into the killings, Duterte ordered police not to cooperate, and then unilaterally cancelled the Philippines' ICC membership. The ICC examination continues, despite his withdrawal. His latest show of defiance comes days after the UN Human Rights Council approved a resolution to investigate the killings, responding to a call from 11 UN experts concerned about a "staggering" amount of deaths. The Philippine government has rejected the resolution as meddling by biased Western states and denies activists' allegations that police are executing thousands of drug users and peddlers. Duterte said he was making gains in his anti-narcotics campaign, with fewer drugs on the streets. He said suspects should choose to "drop the drugs or drop dead", but suggested that was merely an expression, not an instruction to kill. "Whether they like it or not, I will continue what I started to the very end," he said.

'You must be stupid': Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte says he won't be tried by international court

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/philippines-top-senator-chides-iceland-for-abortion-united-nation-drugs-war-probe-236074">Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte</a> is "seriously considering" cutting his nation's diplomatic ties with Iceland after it spearheaded a UN resolution to probe his deadly drug war, the leader's spokesman said.

Duterte bristles at any Western condemnation of his signature campaign, which has killed thousands and critics say could amount to crimes against humanity.

The comments late Monday from presidential spokesman Salvador Panelo came in response to the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-withdraws-from-un-human-rights-council-145673">UN Human Rights Council</a> last week backing the Iceland-proposed resolution to review the killings.&nbsp;

"(Duterte) is seriously considering cutting diplomatic relations with Iceland," Panelo said in a statement.

"The adopted Iceland resolution is grotesquely one-sided, outrageously narrow, and maliciously partisan," he added.

Duterte launched the anti-drug crackdown in 2016, and since then police say they have killed over 5,300 drug suspects. However, human rights groups say the true toll is four times that number.

The UN review comes in addition to a preliminary examination already launched by war crimes prosecutors from the International Criminal Court, which the Philippines left earlier this year.

Panelo attacked the UN resolution saying it "likewise demonstrates how the Western powers are scornful of our sovereign exercise of protecting our people".&nbsp;

Duterte's government frequently paints international criticism as a violation of sovereignty, but watchdogs counter by saying an impartial local review is nearly impossible while Duterte is in power.

Last week Amnesty International released a report alleging the killing is "systematic" and police face very little, if any, scrutiny over the nightly slayings.

Duterte has already publicly mocked Iceland over the UN vote.

"Iceland, what is Iceland's problem Justice. That's your problem. You have too much ice," Duterte said Friday.&nbsp;

"These idiots, they don't understand the social, economic, political problems of the Philippines."

While the Philippines and Iceland have diplomatic ties, they do not have embassies in each other's country, said the Filipino foreign minister.

Economic ties include Icelandic investment in geothermal energy in the Philippines and Filipinos working as office and factory workers and nurses in Iceland.

Philippine Foreign Minister Teodoro Locsin had said his nation could withdraw from the UN rights council over the vote but later said it would not do so.

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte is "seriously considering" cutting his nation's diplomatic ties with Iceland after it spearheaded a UN resolution to probe his deadly drug war, the leader's spokesman said.

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte is "seriously considering" cutting his nation's diplomatic ties with Iceland after it spearheaded a UN resolution to probe his deadly drug war, the leader's spokesman said. Duterte bristles at any Western condemnation of his signature campaign, which has killed thousands and critics say could amount to crimes against humanity. The comments late Monday from presidential spokesman Salvador Panelo came in response to the UN Human Rights Council last week backing the Iceland-proposed resolution to review the killings. "(Duterte) is seriously considering cutting diplomatic relations with Iceland," Panelo said in a statement. "The adopted Iceland resolution is grotesquely one-sided, outrageously narrow, and maliciously partisan," he added. Duterte launched the anti-drug crackdown in 2016, and since then police say they have killed over 5,300 drug suspects. However, human rights groups say the true toll is four times that number. The UN review comes in addition to a preliminary examination already launched by war crimes prosecutors from the International Criminal Court, which the Philippines left earlier this year. Panelo attacked the UN resolution saying it "likewise demonstrates how the Western powers are scornful of our sovereign exercise of protecting our people". Duterte's government frequently paints international criticism as a violation of sovereignty, but watchdogs counter by saying an impartial local review is nearly impossible while Duterte is in power. Last week Amnesty International released a report alleging the killing is "systematic" and police face very little, if any, scrutiny over the nightly slayings. Duterte has already publicly mocked Iceland over the UN vote. "Iceland, what is Iceland's problem Justice. That's your problem. You have too much ice," Duterte said Friday. "These idiots, they don't understand the social, economic, political problems of the Philippines." While the Philippines and Iceland have diplomatic ties, they do not have embassies in each other's country, said the Filipino foreign minister. Economic ties include Icelandic investment in geothermal energy in the Philippines and Filipinos working as office and factory workers and nurses in Iceland. Philippine Foreign Minister Teodoro Locsin had said his nation could withdraw from the UN rights council over the vote but later said it would not do so.

Philippines' Duterte mulls cutting Iceland ties over United Nation probe

Allies of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/philippines-votes-in-polls-expected-to-strengthen-dutertes-grip-on-power-218221">Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte</a> have dominated a mid-term Senate election according to unofficial results on Tuesday, indicating growing support for the maverick leader and broad public endorsement of his controversial rule.

Nine of 12 Senate seats available look set to go to pro-Duterte candidates and the rest to independents, unofficial results showed, with the opposition that campaigned strongly against his presidency failing to make the cut.

Monday's ballot for more than 18,000 posts, among them hundreds of mayors, governors, and Congressmen, was billed as a referendum on the firebrand president, with special focus on his bid to consolidate power in the all-important upper house.

A Senate majority would be a boon for Duterte, lessening the chance of censures and house probes against his government and making it easier to co-opt independents and sideline opponents to push through bills vital to his ambitious reform agenda.

"This president's popularity and transferability of his popularity is unprecedented, to say the least, despite all the controversies," said political analyst Edmund Tayao.

"You expect normally two or three candidates from the opposition to win but this is a wipe-out."

Candidates leading the Senate race include the president's closest aide, the daughter of late dictator Ferdinand Marcos, the wife of the country's richest man, a jailed politician recently cleared of plunder, and a police general who led a war on drugs that killed thousands in its first few months.

OPPOSITION DECIMATED

They would join 12 Senate incumbents of which only four are from the opposition, including the biggest critic of Duterte's war on drugs, Leila de Lima, who has been in detention since 2017 on narcotics charges.

The mid-term results leave the political opposition in tatters and change the dynamic of a Senate that has traditionally been a vital check on state power and a bulwark against the kind of political dominance that Duterte is demonstrating. Duterte is expected to retain control in the lower house also.

The opposition vowed not to give in.

"We acted not for the certainty of victory but the certainty of our beliefs and conviction," said incumbent Senator Francis Pangilinan. "Our fight for justice, for sovereignty and a more progressive future for our people continues."

The mid-terms came at a time when Duterte, 74, is seemingly untouchable, with last year's spiralling inflation now under control and a recent poll showing his public approval rating at a staggering 81 per cent.

Duterte's down-to-earth appeal and his diehard social media support base have so far insulated him from domestic repercussions for his misogynistic remarks, jokes about rape, tirades against the Catholic church, an embrace of rival China, and a crackdown on drugs that killed thousands of users and small-timer peddlers in slum communities, many execution-style.

Experts say the administration's winning formula was focusing less on policy and more on Duterte's personality, including using daughter Sara Duterte as a potent surrogate, in a possible succession play for the 2022 presidential election.

"That was a wise move on the part of father and daughter, they were willing to use their brand," said political strategist Malou Tiquia.

&nbsp;

Allies of Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte have dominated a mid-term Senate election according to unofficial results on Tuesday, indicating growing support for the maverick leader and broad public endorsement of his controversial rule.

Allies of Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte have dominated a mid-term Senate election according to unofficial results on Tuesday, indicating growing support for the maverick leader and broad public endorsement of his controversial rule. Nine of 12 Senate seats available look set to go to pro-Duterte candidates and the rest to independents, unofficial results showed, with the opposition that campaigned strongly against his presidency failing to make the cut. Monday's ballot for more than 18,000 posts, among them hundreds of mayors, governors, and Congressmen, was billed as a referendum on the firebrand president, with special focus on his bid to consolidate power in the all-important upper house. A Senate majority would be a boon for Duterte, lessening the chance of censures and house probes against his government and making it easier to co-opt independents and sideline opponents to push through bills vital to his ambitious reform agenda. "This president's popularity and transferability of his popularity is unprecedented, to say the least, despite all the controversies," said political analyst Edmund Tayao. "You expect normally two or three candidates from the opposition to win but this is a wipe-out." Candidates leading the Senate race include the president's closest aide, the daughter of late dictator Ferdinand Marcos, the wife of the country's richest man, a jailed politician recently cleared of plunder, and a police general who led a war on drugs that killed thousands in its first few months. OPPOSITION DECIMATED They would join 12 Senate incumbents of which only four are from the opposition, including the biggest critic of Duterte's war on drugs, Leila de Lima, who has been in detention since 2017 on narcotics charges. The mid-term results leave the political opposition in tatters and change the dynamic of a Senate that has traditionally been a vital check on state power and a bulwark against the kind of political dominance that Duterte is demonstrating. Duterte is expected to retain control in the lower house also. The opposition vowed not to give in. "We acted not for the certainty of victory but the certainty of our beliefs and conviction," said incumbent Senator Francis Pangilinan. "Our fight for justice, for sovereignty and a more progressive future for our people continues." The mid-terms came at a time when Duterte, 74, is seemingly untouchable, with last year's spiralling inflation now under control and a recent poll showing his public approval rating at a staggering 81 per cent. Duterte's down-to-earth appeal and his diehard social media support base have so far insulated him from domestic repercussions for his misogynistic remarks, jokes about rape, tirades against the Catholic church, an embrace of rival China, and a crackdown on drugs that killed thousands of users and small-timer peddlers in slum communities, many execution-style. Experts say the administration's winning formula was focusing less on policy and more on Duterte's personality, including using daughter Sara Duterte as a potent surrogate, in a possible succession play for the 2022 presidential election. "That was a wise move on the part of father and daughter, they were willing to use their brand," said political strategist Malou Tiquia.

Philippines gives thumbs up to Duterte as loyalists dominate mid-term vote

In fresh show of naval force in the contested South China Sea, a US guided missile destroyer conducted drills with a Japanese aircraft carrier, two Indian naval ships and a Philippine patrol vessel in the waterway claimed by China, the US Navy said on Thursday.

US, India, Japan, Philippine navies sail together in South China Sea

The head of a Philippine news website that has locked horns with President Rodrigo Duterte was freed on bail on Thursday, a day after her widely condemned arrest on libel charges that critics say is a government effort to bully journalists.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/philippines-arrests-president-duterte-critic-journalist-maria-ressa-on-libel-charge-197186">Maria Ressa</a>, the award-winning head of news platform Rappler, was served a warrant live on television at her office on Wednesday for what media watchdogs said were trumped-up charges aimed at intimidating those who challenge Duterte's rule.

"For me, it's about two things - abuse of power and weaponisation of the law," Ressa said.

"You have to express outrage and do it now. Press freedom is not just about journalists, is not just about us, it's not just about me, it's not just about Rappler. Press freedom is the foundation of every single right of every Filipino to the truth," she told reporters after posting bail.

Ressa is accused of cyber libel over a 2012 Rappler article, which was updated in 2014, that linked a Filipino businessman to murder, human trafficking and drug smuggling. Rappler cited information contained in a 2002 intelligence report but did not say which agency compiled it.

The businessman's lawyer says the information was wrong and that the article was defamatory and that he wants to clear his name.

Duterte has made no secret of his annoyance at Rappler and has sparred frequently with its reporters, who are known for scrutinising his policies and his appointments and for questioning the accuracy of his sweeping, often bellicose statements.

CRITICISM DISCOURAGED

Rappler's reporting has accused his administration of creating a social media "ecosystem" designed to defend Duterte, threaten and discredit his opponents, and discourage Filipinos from criticising him for fear of being attacked by online trolls. The government denies the accusations.

Duterte once suggested Rappler was American-owned and could, therefore, be linked to the US Central Intelligence Agency. He called Rappler a "fake news outlet" and banned a reporter from covering his events.

Rappler, founded in 2010, is no stranger to legal challenges and faces ongoing cases over tax evasion and alleged ownership violations. It denies wrongdoing and says it will not be cowed into self-censorship.

This was the first time Ressa was arrested, although she said her release marked the sixth time she had been charged and granted bail.

Duterte's spokesman, Salvador Panelo, said the libel case had nothing to do with the government and that Duterte had no interest in punishing journalists.

"That's absolutely unrelated. The president has been criticised and he does not bother," he told DZMM radio.

Ressa spent the night in a room at the National Bureau of Investigation headquarters in the capital, Manila, and was unable to post bail because the court was closed.

Her brief detention was criticised by journalists and activists at home and abroad. Former US Secretary of State Madeleine Albright said it was an "outrageous" arrest that "must be condemned by all democratic nations".

London-based Amnesty International said Duterte's administration was using the law to "relentlessly intimidate and harass journalists". Dabet Panelo of the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines said it would backfire and called for protests on Friday.

The head of a Philippine news website that has locked horns with President Rodrigo Duterte was freed on bail on Thursday, a day after her widely condemned arrest on libel charges that critics say is a government effort to bully journalists.

The head of a Philippine news website that has locked horns with President Rodrigo Duterte was freed on bail on Thursday, a day after her widely condemned arrest on libel charges that critics say is a government effort to bully journalists. Maria Ressa, the award-winning head of news platform Rappler, was served a warrant live on television at her office on Wednesday for what media watchdogs said were trumped-up charges aimed at intimidating those who challenge Duterte's rule. "For me, it's about two things - abuse of power and weaponisation of the law," Ressa said. "You have to express outrage and do it now. Press freedom is not just about journalists, is not just about us, it's not just about me, it's not just about Rappler. Press freedom is the foundation of every single right of every Filipino to the truth," she told reporters after posting bail. Ressa is accused of cyber libel over a 2012 Rappler article, which was updated in 2014, that linked a Filipino businessman to murder, human trafficking and drug smuggling. Rappler cited information contained in a 2002 intelligence report but did not say which agency compiled it. The businessman's lawyer says the information was wrong and that the article was defamatory and that he wants to clear his name. Duterte has made no secret of his annoyance at Rappler and has sparred frequently with its reporters, who are known for scrutinising his policies and his appointments and for questioning the accuracy of his sweeping, often bellicose statements. CRITICISM DISCOURAGED Rappler's reporting has accused his administration of creating a social media "ecosystem" designed to defend Duterte, threaten and discredit his opponents, and discourage Filipinos from criticising him for fear of being attacked by online trolls. The government denies the accusations. Duterte once suggested Rappler was American-owned and could, therefore, be linked to the US Central Intelligence Agency. He called Rappler a "fake news outlet" and banned a reporter from covering his events. Rappler, founded in 2010, is no stranger to legal challenges and faces ongoing cases over tax evasion and alleged ownership violations. It denies wrongdoing and says it will not be cowed into self-censorship. This was the first time Ressa was arrested, although she said her release marked the sixth time she had been charged and granted bail. Duterte's spokesman, Salvador Panelo, said the libel case had nothing to do with the government and that Duterte had no interest in punishing journalists. "That's absolutely unrelated. The president has been criticised and he does not bother," he told DZMM radio. Ressa spent the night in a room at the National Bureau of Investigation headquarters in the capital, Manila, and was unable to post bail because the court was closed. Her brief detention was criticised by journalists and activists at home and abroad. Former US Secretary of State Madeleine Albright said it was an "outrageous" arrest that "must be condemned by all democratic nations". London-based Amnesty International said Duterte's administration was using the law to "relentlessly intimidate and harass journalists". Dabet Panelo of the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines said it would backfire and called for protests on Friday.

Philippine journalist released on bail after criticising Duterte government

Philippine prosecutors said Wednesday they will file a libel charge carrying up to 12 years in prison against journalist Maria Ressa, who leads a news website that has clashed with President Rodrigo Duterte's administration.

The case -- under a controversial cybercrime law penalising online libel -- adds to legal pressure on Ressa and her site Rappler, which has already been hit with tax evasion charges that could shutter the outlet and put her behind bars.

Ressa, who was named a Time Magazine "Person of the Year" in 2018 for her journalistic work, slammed the fresh case as a new front of "harassment" intended to silence her website.

Rappler has drawn the administration's ire since publishing reports critical of Duterte's signature anti-drug crackdown that has killed thousands of alleged users and pushers since 2016.

However, the new case against Ressa and former Rappler reporter Reynaldo Santos, Jr. stems from a 2012 report written about a businessman's alleged ties to a then-judge on the nation's top court.&nbsp;

While investigators initially dismissed the businessman's 2017 complaint about the article, the case was subsequently forwarded to prosecutors for their consideration.

Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra told AFP on Wednesday the case would be filed in court "very soon".

Duterte has lashed out at other critical media outfits, including the Philippine Daily Inquirer newspaper and broadcaster ABS-CBN.&nbsp;

He had threatened to go after their owners over alleged unpaid taxes or block the network's franchise renewal application.

Some of the drug crackdown's highest-profile critics have wound up behind bars, including Senator Leila de Lima, who was jailed on drug charges she insists were fabricated to silence her.

Ressa, already on bail for the tax charges, said the new case lacks a sound legal basis.

"It is ridiculous, of course it is harassment," she told AFP. "The story was published seven years ago, four months before the (cybercrime) law was enacted."

The law that forms the foundation of the case takes aim at various online offences, including computer fraud and hacking.&nbsp;

Nonoy Espina, chairman of the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines, said the case would set an ominous precedent.

"This is an extremely dangerous proposition since it essentially means anyone can be made liable for anything and everything they posted even way before the Cybercrime Law," he added.

Guevarra denied the government's decision to pursue the case was an effort to put pressure on the website.

"We do not inject politics in our work. No one tells us how to go about doing our job. We give contending parties equal opportunities to present their side," Guevarra told AFP.

Under the tax case, the government accuses Rappler Holdings Corp., Ressa and the site's accountant of failing to pay taxes on 2015 bond sales that it alleges netted gains of 162.5 million pesos ($3 million).

The Philippine justice system is notoriously overburdened and slow, with even minor cases taking years to be judged.

Philippine prosecutors said Wednesday they will file a libel charge carrying up to 12 years in prison against journalist Maria Ressa, who leads a news website that has clashed with President Rodrigo Duterte's administration.

Philippine prosecutors said Wednesday they will file a libel charge carrying up to 12 years in prison against journalist Maria Ressa, who leads a news website that has clashed with President Rodrigo Duterte's administration. The case -- under a controversial cybercrime law penalising online libel -- adds to legal pressure on Ressa and her site Rappler, which has already been hit with tax evasion charges that could shutter the outlet and put her behind bars. Ressa, who was named a Time Magazine "Person of the Year" in 2018 for her journalistic work, slammed the fresh case as a new front of "harassment" intended to silence her website. Rappler has drawn the administration's ire since publishing reports critical of Duterte's signature anti-drug crackdown that has killed thousands of alleged users and pushers since 2016. However, the new case against Ressa and former Rappler reporter Reynaldo Santos, Jr. stems from a 2012 report written about a businessman's alleged ties to a then-judge on the nation's top court. While investigators initially dismissed the businessman's 2017 complaint about the article, the case was subsequently forwarded to prosecutors for their consideration. Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra told AFP on Wednesday the case would be filed in court "very soon". Duterte has lashed out at other critical media outfits, including the Philippine Daily Inquirer newspaper and broadcaster ABS-CBN. He had threatened to go after their owners over alleged unpaid taxes or block the network's franchise renewal application. Some of the drug crackdown's highest-profile critics have wound up behind bars, including Senator Leila de Lima, who was jailed on drug charges she insists were fabricated to silence her. Ressa, already on bail for the tax charges, said the new case lacks a sound legal basis. "It is ridiculous, of course it is harassment," she told AFP. "The story was published seven years ago, four months before the (cybercrime) law was enacted." The law that forms the foundation of the case takes aim at various online offences, including computer fraud and hacking. Nonoy Espina, chairman of the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines, said the case would set an ominous precedent. "This is an extremely dangerous proposition since it essentially means anyone can be made liable for anything and everything they posted even way before the Cybercrime Law," he added. Guevarra denied the government's decision to pursue the case was an effort to put pressure on the website. "We do not inject politics in our work. No one tells us how to go about doing our job. We give contending parties equal opportunities to present their side," Guevarra told AFP. Under the tax case, the government accuses Rappler Holdings Corp., Ressa and the site's accountant of failing to pay taxes on 2015 bond sales that it alleges netted gains of 162.5 million pesos ($3 million). The Philippine justice system is notoriously overburdened and slow, with even minor cases taking years to be judged.

Philippines announces libel charge against critical journalist

Investigators probing the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/7-dead-as-bombs-hit-church-in-southern-philippines-193061">Catholic cathedral bombing that killed 21 people in the Philippines</a>' restive south said Monday a group tied to notorious Islamist Abu Sayyaf is the prime suspect.

Two explosions tore through the cathedral on the Muslim-majority island of Jolo, killing worshippers at Sunday mass and security forces in an attack claimed by the Islamic State group.

Authorities said the so-called Ajang-Ajang faction is a small band of several dozen that most likely carried out the bombing, the Philippines' worst in years, in an act of revenge.

"Last year their leader was killed. There have been persistent reports that they will retaliate," regional military spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Gerry Besana told AFP.

"Yes, we saw them in the CCTV. It was the brother of the leader who was killed," he said referring to footage from outside the cathedral. "He was seen with two other members of Ajang-Ajang."

Security forces say the group is composed of relatives of Abu Sayyaf kidnap-for-ransom group members who have been killed in clashes with the government.

Abu Sayyaf, which is based on the remote Jolo island, has been blamed for the Philippines' deadliest attack, a 2004 ferry bombing in Manila Bay that claimed 116 lives.&nbsp;

'Revenge group'&nbsp;

"There are high-level law enforcement operations against them (Ajang-Ajang)," said Rommel Banlaoi, chair of the Philippine Institute for Peace, Violence and Terrorism Research. "It evolved into a revenge group."

While Abu Sayyaf has sworn allegiance to Islamic State, that is not necessarily true for the motley members of Ajang-Ajang.

"Not all members of Ajang-Ajang group are pro-ISIS, but all of them are Abu Sayyaf group," said Banlaoi using another acronym for IS. "It's not IS-affiliated."

The IS claim, in a formal communique, said two suicide bombers had detonated explosive belts, according to the SITE Intelligence Group, which monitors jihadist activities.

But a military report said a second bomb that went off at the cathedral was left in the utility box of a motorcycle in the parking area outside.&nbsp;

Police said they believe the explosives were likely detonated remotely but did not elaborate.

Despite the contradictions, authorities have not ruled out IS involvement.

Regardless of who staged the bombing, concern was growing Monday over the impact it will have on a decades-long push for peace that culminated last week in voters approving expanded Muslim self-rule in the south.

The vote was the result of negotiations started in the 1990s with the nation's largest rebel group, the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), and will give it considerable power over the so-called Bangsamoro region.

"This is a big challenge for the Bangsamoro government," said Banlaoi.

The former rebels need to show they will be able to pull the region toward peace in order to attract much-needed investment to alleviate poverty and counter extremism, he told AFP.

"MILF needs to prove it can make a difference... the gravity of the problem faced by MILF is wow, so overwhelming," he added.

'Squandered opportunities'&nbsp;

The church attack came despite President Rodrigo Duterte putting the southern Philippines under martial rule after pro-IS militants seized the southern city of Marawi in May 2017.

Government officials have argued that martial rule, which gives authorities extra powers, has been effective in taming the perpetually restive region.

Meanwhile, condolences poured in from around the world for the victims at the cathedral, which has been repeatedly targeted by grenade attacks that did not prove fatal.

Pope Francis, speaking in Panama, expressed his "strongest reprobation" for the violence. Once again, he said, "the Christian community has been plunged into mourning".

But experts were also worried about how the attack would impact the hopes for new development in the region, which were spurred by the self-rule vote victory.

"It's a terrible human tragedy, it's also a development tragedy," World Bank economist Andrew Mason told broadcaster ABS-CBN.

"When we see conflict areas, when we see ups-and-downs and negative impacts due to violence and conflict, what we see is also these are development opportunities that are squandered."&nbsp;

Investigators probing the Catholic cathedral bombing that killed 21 people in the Philippines' restive south said Monday a group tied to notorious Islamist Abu Sayyaf is the prime suspect.

Investigators probing the Catholic cathedral bombing that killed 21 people in the Philippines' restive south said Monday a group tied to notorious Islamist Abu Sayyaf is the prime suspect. Two explosions tore through the cathedral on the Muslim-majority island of Jolo, killing worshippers at Sunday mass and security forces in an attack claimed by the Islamic State group. Authorities said the so-called Ajang-Ajang faction is a small band of several dozen that most likely carried out the bombing, the Philippines' worst in years, in an act of revenge. "Last year their leader was killed. There have been persistent reports that they will retaliate," regional military spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Gerry Besana told AFP. "Yes, we saw them in the CCTV. It was the brother of the leader who was killed," he said referring to footage from outside the cathedral. "He was seen with two other members of Ajang-Ajang." Security forces say the group is composed of relatives of Abu Sayyaf kidnap-for-ransom group members who have been killed in clashes with the government. Abu Sayyaf, which is based on the remote Jolo island, has been blamed for the Philippines' deadliest attack, a 2004 ferry bombing in Manila Bay that claimed 116 lives. 'Revenge group' "There are high-level law enforcement operations against them (Ajang-Ajang)," said Rommel Banlaoi, chair of the Philippine Institute for Peace, Violence and Terrorism Research. "It evolved into a revenge group." While Abu Sayyaf has sworn allegiance to Islamic State, that is not necessarily true for the motley members of Ajang-Ajang. "Not all members of Ajang-Ajang group are pro-ISIS, but all of them are Abu Sayyaf group," said Banlaoi using another acronym for IS. "It's not IS-affiliated." The IS claim, in a formal communique, said two suicide bombers had detonated explosive belts, according to the SITE Intelligence Group, which monitors jihadist activities. But a military report said a second bomb that went off at the cathedral was left in the utility box of a motorcycle in the parking area outside. Police said they believe the explosives were likely detonated remotely but did not elaborate. Despite the contradictions, authorities have not ruled out IS involvement. Regardless of who staged the bombing, concern was growing Monday over the impact it will have on a decades-long push for peace that culminated last week in voters approving expanded Muslim self-rule in the south. The vote was the result of negotiations started in the 1990s with the nation's largest rebel group, the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), and will give it considerable power over the so-called Bangsamoro region. "This is a big challenge for the Bangsamoro government," said Banlaoi. The former rebels need to show they will be able to pull the region toward peace in order to attract much-needed investment to alleviate poverty and counter extremism, he told AFP. "MILF needs to prove it can make a difference... the gravity of the problem faced by MILF is wow, so overwhelming," he added. 'Squandered opportunities' The church attack came despite President Rodrigo Duterte putting the southern Philippines under martial rule after pro-IS militants seized the southern city of Marawi in May 2017. Government officials have argued that martial rule, which gives authorities extra powers, has been effective in taming the perpetually restive region. Meanwhile, condolences poured in from around the world for the victims at the cathedral, which has been repeatedly targeted by grenade attacks that did not prove fatal. Pope Francis, speaking in Panama, expressed his "strongest reprobation" for the violence. Once again, he said, "the Christian community has been plunged into mourning". But experts were also worried about how the attack would impact the hopes for new development in the region, which were spurred by the self-rule vote victory. "It's a terrible human tragedy, it's also a development tragedy," World Bank economist Andrew Mason told broadcaster ABS-CBN. "When we see conflict areas, when we see ups-and-downs and negative impacts due to violence and conflict, what we see is also these are development opportunities that are squandered."

Islamist militants prime suspects in Philippine cathedral bombing

The death toll from a storm that devastated the Philippines shortly after Christmas rose to 126, authorities said Sunday, adding landslides caused by torrential rain were the top cause.

The storm hit central and eastern Philippine islands on December 29 and caused massive flooding and landslides.&nbsp;

More than 100 people died in the mountainous Bicol region southeast of Manila, regional disaster officials said.

While the Bicol region is often hit by deadly typhoons, many people failed to take necessary precautions because the storm was not strong enough to be rated as a typhoon under the government's storm alert system, according to civil defence officials.

Officials also said that many residents were reluctant to leave their homes during the Christmas holidays.

"In two days alone, Usman poured more than a month's worth of rainfall in the Bicol region," national disaster agency spokesman Edgar Posadas told AFP, using the local name for the storm which had weakened into a low-pressure area.

"Our search and retrieval operations are ongoing but the sticky mud and the unstable soil are a challenge."&nbsp;

The death toll was likely to climb further with 26 people still missing, Posadas added.

More than 152,000 people were displaced by the storm and 75 were injured, according to the national disaster agency.

President Rodrigo Duterte visited the storm-hit areas on Friday and urged officials to build evacuation centres instead of using schools as shelters for the displaced.

About 20 typhoons and storms batter the Philippines each year, killing hundreds of people.

The deadliest in recent years was Super Typhoon Haiyan which left more than 7,360 people dead or missing across the central Philippines in 2013.

The death toll from a storm that devastated the Philippines shortly after Christmas rose to 126, authorities said Sunday, adding landslides caused by torrential rain were the top cause.

The death toll from a storm that devastated the Philippines shortly after Christmas rose to 126, authorities said Sunday, adding landslides caused by torrential rain were the top cause. The storm hit central and eastern Philippine islands on December 29 and caused massive flooding and landslides. More than 100 people died in the mountainous Bicol region southeast of Manila, regional disaster officials said. While the Bicol region is often hit by deadly typhoons, many people failed to take necessary precautions because the storm was not strong enough to be rated as a typhoon under the government's storm alert system, according to civil defence officials. Officials also said that many residents were reluctant to leave their homes during the Christmas holidays. "In two days alone, Usman poured more than a month's worth of rainfall in the Bicol region," national disaster agency spokesman Edgar Posadas told AFP, using the local name for the storm which had weakened into a low-pressure area. "Our search and retrieval operations are ongoing but the sticky mud and the unstable soil are a challenge." The death toll was likely to climb further with 26 people still missing, Posadas added. More than 152,000 people were displaced by the storm and 75 were injured, according to the national disaster agency. President Rodrigo Duterte visited the storm-hit areas on Friday and urged officials to build evacuation centres instead of using schools as shelters for the displaced. About 20 typhoons and storms batter the Philippines each year, killing hundreds of people. The deadliest in recent years was Super Typhoon Haiyan which left more than 7,360 people dead or missing across the central Philippines in 2013.

Philippines: Death toll from storm, landslides climbs to 126

At least 22 people died from a storm that swept through the central Philippine islands at the weekend, authorities said Sunday, with rescue operations under way in flood-inundated communities.&nbsp;

The death toll rose from four a day after the storm brought heavy rain to the Bicol and Eastern Visayas regions, causing massive flooding and landslides, the government's office of civil defence said.

Many of the deaths were due to landslides and drowning, it added, saying floods had yet to recede even as the weather disturbance known locally as "Usman" weakened into a low-pressure area.&nbsp;

"Most of the (affected) areas are underwater. We are sending troops and rubber boats to rescue families. In some areas the floods have reached the roofs of homes," Claudio Yucot, head of the Bicol region's office of civil defence, told AFP.&nbsp;

At least 16 people died in Bicol while six others were killed in Eastern Visayas, civil defence officials said.&nbsp;

More than 22,000 people fled their homes ahead of the storm, which destroyed rice and corn crops and left some roads and bridges inaccessible, according to regional disaster officials.&nbsp;

Government forecasters said Sunday that heavy rain would continue over the next 24 hours in the northern Philippines.&nbsp;

An average of 20 typhoons and storms lash the Philippines each year, killing hundreds of people and leaving millions in near-perpetual poverty. 
The most powerful was Super Typhoon Haiyan which left more than 7,360 people dead or missing across the central Philippines in 2013.

At least 22 people died from a storm that swept through the central Philippine islands at the weekend, authorities said Sunday, with rescue operations under way in flood-inundated communities.

At least 22 people died from a storm that swept through the central Philippine islands at the weekend, authorities said Sunday, with rescue operations under way in flood-inundated communities. The death toll rose from four a day after the storm brought heavy rain to the Bicol and Eastern Visayas regions, causing massive flooding and landslides, the government's office of civil defence said. Many of the deaths were due to landslides and drowning, it added, saying floods had yet to recede even as the weather disturbance known locally as "Usman" weakened into a low-pressure area. "Most of the (affected) areas are underwater. We are sending troops and rubber boats to rescue families. In some areas the floods have reached the roofs of homes," Claudio Yucot, head of the Bicol region's office of civil defence, told AFP. At least 16 people died in Bicol while six others were killed in Eastern Visayas, civil defence officials said. More than 22,000 people fled their homes ahead of the storm, which destroyed rice and corn crops and left some roads and bridges inaccessible, according to regional disaster officials. Government forecasters said Sunday that heavy rain would continue over the next 24 hours in the northern Philippines. An average of 20 typhoons and storms lash the Philippines each year, killing hundreds of people and leaving millions in near-perpetual poverty. The most powerful was Super Typhoon Haiyan which left more than 7,360 people dead or missing across the central Philippines in 2013.

Philippine storm death toll rises to 22

Philippines Earthquake: No Tsunami Threat after quake

A Philippine mayor accused of involvement in narcotics trafficking survived an ambush&nbspon Sunday, police said, four months after President Rodrigo Duterte publicly threatened to kill him.

Retired police chief superintendent Vicente Loot, a mayor in the central province of Cebu, had been repeatedly named by Duterte as one of the so-called "narco-generals" protecting the illegal drug trade.&nbsp

Loot&nbspon Sunday&nbspwas on a boat arriving with his family at a port in the Cebu town of Daanbantayan when unidentified gunmen opened fire and wounded four people, police said. The mayor was unhurt.&nbsp

"We are looking at all possible motives and angles, including his being tagged in the narco-list, politics, or his previous work in the police force," acting town police chief Senior Inspector Irish Dilem told.&nbsp

Loot told radio DZMM he was urging authorities to investigate the incident but refused to speculate on the motive. He denies links to drugs

Duterte has launched an unprecedented war on drugs which has cost thousands of lives. He first named Loot in 2016 as part of his so-called "drug list" of local officials, policemen and judges whom he accused of involvement in narcotics trafficking.&nbsp

Three other mayors on the list have since been shot dead, one of them while inside a jail cell.&nbsp

Duterte had lashed out as Loot as he questioned the source of the mayor's wealth. In December 2017 he recounted a conversation he said he had with the official.&nbsp

"Did I not tell you during my meeting with (mayors), I told Loot, 'You son of a whore. General Loot, you are a general. I will kill you'. Because (he) used government for wrongdoing," Duterte said during a disaster briefing.&nbsp &nbsp

Duterte's spokesman did not immediately respond to requests for comment&nbspon Sunday's&nbspambush.&nbsp

The ambush came on the eve of local elections&nbspon Monday&nbspand two weeks after authorities released a list of over 200 elected officials with alleged links to drugs.

Rights groups criticised the issuance of what they called a potential "hit list".&nbsp

Three other mayors on the list have since been shot dead, one of them while inside a jail cell

A Philippine mayor accused of involvement in narcotics trafficking survived an ambush&nbspon Sunday, police said, four months after President Rodrigo Duterte publicly threatened to kill him. Retired police chief superintendent Vicente Loot, a mayor in the central province of Cebu, had been repeatedly named by Duterte as one of the so-called "narco-generals" protecting the illegal drug trade. Loot&nbspon Sunday&nbspwas on a boat arriving with his family at a port in the Cebu town of Daanbantayan when unidentified gunmen opened fire and wounded four people, police said. The mayor was unhurt. "We are looking at all possible motives and angles, including his being tagged in the narco-list, politics, or his previous work in the police force," acting town police chief Senior Inspector Irish Dilem told. Loot told radio DZMM he was urging authorities to investigate the incident but refused to speculate on the motive. He denies links to drugs Duterte has launched an unprecedented war on drugs which has cost thousands of lives. He first named Loot in 2016 as part of his so-called "drug list" of local officials, policemen and judges whom he accused of involvement in narcotics trafficking. Three other mayors on the list have since been shot dead, one of them while inside a jail cell. Duterte had lashed out as Loot as he questioned the source of the mayor's wealth. In December 2017 he recounted a conversation he said he had with the official. "Did I not tell you during my meeting with (mayors), I told Loot, 'You son of a whore. General Loot, you are a general. I will kill you'. Because (he) used government for wrongdoing," Duterte said during a disaster briefing. Duterte's spokesman did not immediately respond to requests for comment&nbspon Sunday's&nbspambush. The ambush came on the eve of local elections&nbspon Monday&nbspand two weeks after authorities released a list of over 200 elected officials with alleged links to drugs. Rights groups criticised the issuance of what they called a potential "hit list".

Philippine mayor survives ambush after Duterte threat

A decision by the Philippines to close the holiday hotspot of Boracay, which President Rodrigo Duterte has called a "cesspool", prompted airlines Thursday to cut back flights to the island, while business groups called for the decision to be reconsidered.

The abrupt presidential order to close Boracay to tourism for six months from April 26, aimed at rescuing the once idyllic island from ruin, was issued Wednesday.

Cebu Pacific, the dominant domestic carrier, said it cancelled 14 daily round-trip flights to Caticlan and Kalibo, Boracay's two main gateways, from April 26 to October 25, while Philippine Airlines said it would scale down services to the airports and add flights to other destinations.

Discovery World Corp, which operates an 88-room resort in Boracay, said Thursday that the closure would have a significant impact on its financial health, citing the resort's large contribution to revenue. The company`s shares dropped 7.5 per cent on Thursday.

The Philippine tourism minister, Wanda Teo, said Thursday that businesses and visitors to the crowded 10-square-kilometre (4-sq-mile) island would have to make a sacrifice.

"If you close one establishment but open another, tourists will still come. All establishments, whether compliant or not, will be closed," Teo told ANC news channel. "Everyone must sacrifice here."

The tourism industry urged a less drastic approach to rehabilitating the island and to delay the planned closure.

Jose Clemente, president of the Tourism Congress of the Philippines, said businesses were aware of Duterte's planned cleanup, but hoped for a partial or phased closure, and more time to adjust.

"We are a bit depressed right now in the industry," he said. "I really feel for the people in Boracay," he added. "They really need to find ways to be employed, or at least keep their head above water for the next six months."

Located off the northern tip of the central island of Panay, Boracay's white sand, lively night scene and abundant water sports attracted nearly 2 million visitors last year, with the largest contingents coming from China and South Korea.

In closing the island to visitors, Duterte, known for his no-nonsense style, was responding to numerous government inspections following his criticism in February of sanitary conditions on the island.

Duterte was furious about sewage problems stemming from inadequate treatment systems and unrestrained development of businesses, which in many cases were operating without permits.&nbsp

It is not immediately clear what the government plans to do during the closure and what the rehabilitation of the island might entail. A six-month closure could shave 0.1 per cent off the country's gross domestic product, according to a government estimate on Tuesday.

Wastewater management is expected to be the priority after inspections discovered businesses releasing untreated sewage into the sea.

Boracay is one of 7,300 islands in the archipelago nation and hosts 1,800 businesses, including global hotel chains like Shangri-La and Movenpick, and locally listed companies Megaworld Corp and Manila Water.

Philippine Airlines said it supported the government's decision.&nbsp

"We fully support the government's intention to make Boracay fully safe and environmentally friendly," said Jaime Bautista, the airline's president.

Both Philippine Airlines and Cebu Pacific offered customers full refunds or flights elsewhere and said they would still operate a limited number of flights to Caticlan and Kalibo airports to serve residents, which number about 50,000.&nbsp

Airlines offer around 1.2 million seats from Boracay's Caticlan airport annually, nearly three-quarters from the capital Manila, data from Aviation Consultants show.

"Cebu Pacific with some 323,000 odd seats a year from the Island would be the largest carrier disrupted," said John Grant, director of JG Aviation Consultants.

Discovery World said it has started to refund customer deposits, rebooking them to future dates or to its resort on the island of Palawan.

"Our plan is to downsize to a skeletal team for the upkeep and maintenance of the resort during the period," it said in a statement, referring to the Boracay facility.

The abrupt presidential order to close Boracay to tourism for six months from April 26 aimed at rescuing the once idyllic island from ruin

A decision by the Philippines to close the holiday hotspot of Boracay, which President Rodrigo Duterte has called a "cesspool", prompted airlines Thursday to cut back flights to the island, while business groups called for the decision to be reconsidered. The abrupt presidential order to close Boracay to tourism for six months from April 26, aimed at rescuing the once idyllic island from ruin, was issued Wednesday. Cebu Pacific, the dominant domestic carrier, said it cancelled 14 daily round-trip flights to Caticlan and Kalibo, Boracay's two main gateways, from April 26 to October 25, while Philippine Airlines said it would scale down services to the airports and add flights to other destinations. Discovery World Corp, which operates an 88-room resort in Boracay, said Thursday that the closure would have a significant impact on its financial health, citing the resort's large contribution to revenue. The company`s shares dropped 7.5 per cent on Thursday. The Philippine tourism minister, Wanda Teo, said Thursday that businesses and visitors to the crowded 10-square-kilometre (4-sq-mile) island would have to make a sacrifice. "If you close one establishment but open another, tourists will still come. All establishments, whether compliant or not, will be closed," Teo told ANC news channel. "Everyone must sacrifice here." The tourism industry urged a less drastic approach to rehabilitating the island and to delay the planned closure. Jose Clemente, president of the Tourism Congress of the Philippines, said businesses were aware of Duterte's planned cleanup, but hoped for a partial or phased closure, and more time to adjust. "We are a bit depressed right now in the industry," he said. "I really feel for the people in Boracay," he added. "They really need to find ways to be employed, or at least keep their head above water for the next six months." Located off the northern tip of the central island of Panay, Boracay's white sand, lively night scene and abundant water sports attracted nearly 2 million visitors last year, with the largest contingents coming from China and South Korea. In closing the island to visitors, Duterte, known for his no-nonsense style, was responding to numerous government inspections following his criticism in February of sanitary conditions on the island. Duterte was furious about sewage problems stemming from inadequate treatment systems and unrestrained development of businesses, which in many cases were operating without permits. It is not immediately clear what the government plans to do during the closure and what the rehabilitation of the island might entail. A six-month closure could shave 0.1 per cent off the country's gross domestic product, according to a government estimate on Tuesday. Wastewater management is expected to be the priority after inspections discovered businesses releasing untreated sewage into the sea. Boracay is one of 7,300 islands in the archipelago nation and hosts 1,800 businesses, including global hotel chains like Shangri-La and Movenpick, and locally listed companies Megaworld Corp and Manila Water. Philippine Airlines said it supported the government's decision. "We fully support the government's intention to make Boracay fully safe and environmentally friendly," said Jaime Bautista, the airline's president. Both Philippine Airlines and Cebu Pacific offered customers full refunds or flights elsewhere and said they would still operate a limited number of flights to Caticlan and Kalibo airports to serve residents, which number about 50,000. Airlines offer around 1.2 million seats from Boracay's Caticlan airport annually, nearly three-quarters from the capital Manila, data from Aviation Consultants show. "Cebu Pacific with some 323,000 odd seats a year from the Island would be the largest carrier disrupted," said John Grant, director of JG Aviation Consultants. Discovery World said it has started to refund customer deposits, rebooking them to future dates or to its resort on the island of Palawan. "Our plan is to downsize to a skeletal team for the upkeep and maintenance of the resort during the period," it said in a statement, referring to the Boracay facility.

Airlines cut back flights as Philippine holiday hotspot prepares for closure

Nineteen people were killed and 21 others injured when a passenger bus lost control and plunged off a cliff in the central Philippines, police said Wednesday.

The bus, which was heading to the capital Manila, skidded off a mountain road on Mindoro island late Tuesday, said regional police spokeswoman Imelda Tolentino.

Rescue workers were pulling the dead and injured from the vehicle, which landed at the bottom of a wooded ravine, she added.

&quot;Police are investigating why the driver lost control, whether there was mechanical trouble or the driver fell asleep,&quot; Tolentino told.

Police photos showed rescuer workers clambering down the cliff to reach the bus, which lay on its side amongst trees and grass about 15 metres (49 feet) below the road.

The accident occurred near Sablayan town, which is about 195 kilometres (121 miles) south of Manila.

Road accidents are common in the Philippines, where poorly maintained buses and poorly-trained drivers form the backbone of land transport options.

In 2010, 41 people died, including five foreigners, when a packed bus plunged into a deep ravine in the northern Philippines. Another 31 people perished in a bus crash in the country&#39;s north in April last year.

Public transport regulators said Wednesday they may suspend the franchise of the operator of the bus involved in the most recent disaster.

19 dead and 21 others injured when an accident occurred near Sablayan town

Nineteen people were killed and 21 others injured when a passenger bus lost control and plunged off a cliff in the central Philippines, police said Wednesday. The bus, which was heading to the capital Manila, skidded off a mountain road on Mindoro island late Tuesday, said regional police spokeswoman Imelda Tolentino. Rescue workers were pulling the dead and injured from the vehicle, which landed at the bottom of a wooded ravine, she added. "Police are investigating why the driver lost control, whether there was mechanical trouble or the driver fell asleep," Tolentino told. Police photos showed rescuer workers clambering down the cliff to reach the bus, which lay on its side amongst trees and grass about 15 metres (49 feet) below the road. The accident occurred near Sablayan town, which is about 195 kilometres (121 miles) south of Manila. Road accidents are common in the Philippines, where poorly maintained buses and poorly-trained drivers form the backbone of land transport options. In 2010, 41 people died, including five foreigners, when a packed bus plunged into a deep ravine in the northern Philippines. Another 31 people perished in a bus crash in the country's north in April last year. Public transport regulators said Wednesday they may suspend the franchise of the operator of the bus involved in the most recent disaster.

19 dead as bus plunges off Philippine cliff

Five people have perished in a raging inferno that tore through a hotel and casino complex in Manila, authorities said Monday, after firefighters battled more than 24 hours to douse the flames.

Rescuers said billowing smoke, sometimes so dense it obscured the 22-floor Waterfront Manila Pavilion, had hampered their efforts to contain the blaze which started Sunday morning.

The dead were all casino employees, and another of the workers was still in critical condition. About 20 people were injured.

Some 300 guests and staff were evacuated safely, hotel and fire officials told a press conference.

&quot;We are hoping no one was left behind in the rooms. Our firefighters have not yet gone up all parts of the building,&quot; Metro Manila Development Authority acting chief Jojo Garcia said.

Some firefighters were treated after inhaling the dense smoke, which shrouded the chaotic scene on Sunday.

&quot;The smoke was so big, so you can just imagine, there was zero visibility and our firefighters had difficulty breathing. Even outside the building there was zero visibility and it was much harder to operate inside,&quot; Manila district fire marshal Jonas Silvano told radio DZBB.

Deadly blazes break out regularly in the Philippines, particularly in slum areas where there are virtually no safety standards.

The deadliest in recent years was in suburban Manila where 72 people died in 2015 at a factory which makes rubber sandals.

But more modern buildings have also gone up in huge, deadly blazes.

In December, 38 people died in a fire at a four-storey shopping mall in the southern city of Davao.

The dead were all casino employees. About 20 people were injured

Five people have perished in a raging inferno that tore through a hotel and casino complex in Manila, authorities said Monday, after firefighters battled more than 24 hours to douse the flames. Rescuers said billowing smoke, sometimes so dense it obscured the 22-floor Waterfront Manila Pavilion, had hampered their efforts to contain the blaze which started Sunday morning. The dead were all casino employees, and another of the workers was still in critical condition. About 20 people were injured. Some 300 guests and staff were evacuated safely, hotel and fire officials told a press conference. "We are hoping no one was left behind in the rooms. Our firefighters have not yet gone up all parts of the building," Metro Manila Development Authority acting chief Jojo Garcia said. Some firefighters were treated after inhaling the dense smoke, which shrouded the chaotic scene on Sunday. "The smoke was so big, so you can just imagine, there was zero visibility and our firefighters had difficulty breathing. Even outside the building there was zero visibility and it was much harder to operate inside," Manila district fire marshal Jonas Silvano told radio DZBB. Deadly blazes break out regularly in the Philippines, particularly in slum areas where there are virtually no safety standards. The deadliest in recent years was in suburban Manila where 72 people died in 2015 at a factory which makes rubber sandals. But more modern buildings have also gone up in huge, deadly blazes. In December, 38 people died in a fire at a four-storey shopping mall in the southern city of Davao.

Five killed in 24-hour Philippine hotel blaze

A five-month battle against Islamic State supporters in the southern Philippines that claimed more than 1,000 lives has ended, the nation&#39;s defence secretary said today.

&quot;We now announce the termination of all combat operations in Marawi,&quot; Defence Secretary Delfin Lorenzana told reporters on the sidelines of a regional security meeting in Clark, a northern Philippine city.

Lorenzana said there were no more militants, known locally as coming from the Maute group, providing resistance following an intense final battle after which 42 bodies were recovered.

&quot;Those are the last group of stragglers of Mautes and they were caught in one building and so there was a firefight so they were finished,&quot; he said

&quot;All terrorists, fighting troops. All hostages have been recovered.&quot;

Hundreds of gunmen who had pledged allegiance to IS rampaged through Marawi, the Islamic capital of the mainly Catholic Philippines, on May 23, then took over parts of the city using civilians as human shields.

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte and security analysts said the militants were trying to establish a Southeast Asian caliphate in Marawi.

The ensuing US-backed military campaign to evict the militants claimed more than 1,000 lives, displaced 400,000 residents and left large parts of Marawi in ruins.

Duterte travelled to Marawi on Tuesday last week and declared the city had been &quot;liberated&quot;, shortly after the Southeast Asian leader for IS, a Filipino militant named Isnilon Hapilon, was shot dead there.

However, the continued fighting raised questions over whether the city was indeed free of the militants.

US Defence Secretary James Mattis today praised the Philippines for its success in Marawi.

&quot;One of the first things I&#39;m going to do when I get there is to commend the Philippine military for liberating Marawi from the terrorists,&quot; Mattis told reporters on board a flight to the Philippines to attend the security meeting in Clark.

&quot;It was a very tough fight as you know in southern Mindanao (the local region). And I think the Philippine military sends a very strong message to the terrorists.&quot;

Hapilon, who was on the US government&#39;s list of most- wanted terrorists, was killed along with one of the group&#39;s other leaders, Omarkhayam Maute, according to the military.

Hapilon and Maute, along with hundreds of other militants, had been able to defy near-daily bombing raids that left much of the city in ruins by sheltering in basements and travelling through tunnels, according to the military.

The impoverished southern Philippines, home to many of the nation&#39;s Muslim minority, has for decades endured conflict.

The nation&#39;s biggest Muslim rebel group is in talks with the government to end a rebellion that began in the 1970s and has claimed more than 120,00 lives.

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The US-backed military campaign to evict the militants claimed more than 1,000 lives, displaced 400,000 residents and left large parts of Marawi in ruins

A five-month battle against Islamic State supporters in the southern Philippines that claimed more than 1,000 lives has ended, the nation's defence secretary said today. "We now announce the termination of all combat operations in Marawi," Defence Secretary Delfin Lorenzana told reporters on the sidelines of a regional security meeting in Clark, a northern Philippine city. Lorenzana said there were no more militants, known locally as coming from the Maute group, providing resistance following an intense final battle after which 42 bodies were recovered. "Those are the last group of stragglers of Mautes and they were caught in one building and so there was a firefight so they were finished," he said "All terrorists, fighting troops. All hostages have been recovered." Hundreds of gunmen who had pledged allegiance to IS rampaged through Marawi, the Islamic capital of the mainly Catholic Philippines, on May 23, then took over parts of the city using civilians as human shields. Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte and security analysts said the militants were trying to establish a Southeast Asian caliphate in Marawi. The ensuing US-backed military campaign to evict the militants claimed more than 1,000 lives, displaced 400,000 residents and left large parts of Marawi in ruins. Duterte travelled to Marawi on Tuesday last week and declared the city had been "liberated", shortly after the Southeast Asian leader for IS, a Filipino militant named Isnilon Hapilon, was shot dead there. However, the continued fighting raised questions over whether the city was indeed free of the militants. US Defence Secretary James Mattis today praised the Philippines for its success in Marawi. "One of the first things I'm going to do when I get there is to commend the Philippine military for liberating Marawi from the terrorists," Mattis told reporters on board a flight to the Philippines to attend the security meeting in Clark. "It was a very tough fight as you know in southern Mindanao (the local region). And I think the Philippine military sends a very strong message to the terrorists." Hapilon, who was on the US government's list of most- wanted terrorists, was killed along with one of the group's other leaders, Omarkhayam Maute, according to the military. Hapilon and Maute, along with hundreds of other militants, had been able to defy near-daily bombing raids that left much of the city in ruins by sheltering in basements and travelling through tunnels, according to the military. The impoverished southern Philippines, home to many of the nation's Muslim minority, has for decades endured conflict. The nation's biggest Muslim rebel group is in talks with the government to end a rebellion that began in the 1970s and has claimed more than 120,00 lives.

Five-month battle with IS ends in Philippine city: Defence secretary

The Philippine military said&nbsp;Sunday&nbsp;it had captured the command centre of Islamic State group supporters who have besieged a southern city for nearly four months.

Security forces have engaged in ferocious street-to-street combat and launched airstrikes in their efforts to expel the fighters from Marawi, in a battle that has left 800 dead and raised fears that IS is looking to establish a Southeast Asian base in the Philippines.

The military said it had captured the militants&#39; control centre in a deadly operation that began&nbsp;Saturday&nbsp;against a mosque and another building.

&quot;This enormous (military) gain further weakened the terrorist group by denying them their erstwhile command and control hub,&quot; military chief General Eduardo Ano said in a statement.

&quot;As follow up and clearing operations continue, we expect the enemy to yield more previously occupied positions, but not without a fight,&quot; he said. &quot;We are ready for that.&quot;

Colonel Romeo Brawner, deputy commander of the task force battling the militants, said the military had encountered some of the heaviest resistance in recovering the mosque.

Its capture may be a sign that the prolonged fighting with the Maute militant group, whose leaders have pledged allegiance to IS, may be nearing a conclusion, he said.

&quot;We believe we are close to the end. The area where the Maute terrorist group can move is shrinking. We noticed that their resistance is weakening,&quot; Brawner told AFP.

&quot;They are retreating while we are assaulting but in the process of doing so, we are encountering many improvised explosive devices so we cannot just advance. We have to be very careful,&quot; he said.

One soldier was killed and seven others were wounded in the battle, he said.

Brawner said they had hoped to rescue numerous civilian hostages when they captured the mosque but they found no one.

In the once-bustling city, gunfire could still be heard ringing out in the distance as troops backed by armoured vehicles, pressed towards militant positions.

The rubble-strewn streets of Marawi were practically empty except for scores of heavily armed soldiers securing the area. Philippine aircraft and an American P-3 Orion spyplane flew above the city.

Hundreds of armed extremists flying the black flag of the Islamic State movement in the Middle East occupied Marawi, the Islamic capital of the mainly Catholic Philippines, on&nbsp;May 23.

The government said 666 militants, at least 147 government troops and 47 civilians have since been killed in the battle, which has forced thousands to flee their homes.&nbsp;

Brawner said the ringleaders of the siege are still believed to be inside Marawi, adding that the military was determined to hunt them down.

&quot;We do not want this to happen again in any other city in the Philippines,&quot; he said.

President Rodrigo Duterte has deployed thousands of troops and imposed martial law across the southern third of the country to deal with the crisis.

Security forces have engaged in ferocious street-to-street combat and launched airstrikes in their efforts to expel the fighters from Marawi, in a battle that has left 800 dead and raised fears that IS is looking to establish a Southeast Asian base in the Philippines

The Philippine military said Sunday it had captured the command centre of Islamic State group supporters who have besieged a southern city for nearly four months. Security forces have engaged in ferocious street-to-street combat and launched airstrikes in their efforts to expel the fighters from Marawi, in a battle that has left 800 dead and raised fears that IS is looking to establish a Southeast Asian base in the Philippines. The military said it had captured the militants' control centre in a deadly operation that began Saturday against a mosque and another building. "This enormous (military) gain further weakened the terrorist group by denying them their erstwhile command and control hub," military chief General Eduardo Ano said in a statement. "As follow up and clearing operations continue, we expect the enemy to yield more previously occupied positions, but not without a fight," he said. "We are ready for that." Colonel Romeo Brawner, deputy commander of the task force battling the militants, said the military had encountered some of the heaviest resistance in recovering the mosque. Its capture may be a sign that the prolonged fighting with the Maute militant group, whose leaders have pledged allegiance to IS, may be nearing a conclusion, he said. "We believe we are close to the end. The area where the Maute terrorist group can move is shrinking. We noticed that their resistance is weakening," Brawner told AFP. "They are retreating while we are assaulting but in the process of doing so, we are encountering many improvised explosive devices so we cannot just advance. We have to be very careful," he said. One soldier was killed and seven others were wounded in the battle, he said. Brawner said they had hoped to rescue numerous civilian hostages when they captured the mosque but they found no one. In the once-bustling city, gunfire could still be heard ringing out in the distance as troops backed by armoured vehicles, pressed towards militant positions. The rubble-strewn streets of Marawi were practically empty except for scores of heavily armed soldiers securing the area. Philippine aircraft and an American P-3 Orion spyplane flew above the city. Hundreds of armed extremists flying the black flag of the Islamic State movement in the Middle East occupied Marawi, the Islamic capital of the mainly Catholic Philippines, on May 23. The government said 666 militants, at least 147 government troops and 47 civilians have since been killed in the battle, which has forced thousands to flee their homes. Brawner said the ringleaders of the siege are still believed to be inside Marawi, adding that the military was determined to hunt them down. "We do not want this to happen again in any other city in the Philippines," he said. President Rodrigo Duterte has deployed thousands of troops and imposed martial law across the southern third of the country to deal with the crisis.

Philippine army captures key pro-IS base in besieged city Marawi

Philippine troops fighting Islamic State-linked rebels in a southern city have encountered armed resistance from women and children, the military said on Monday, as troops make a final push to end a conflict that has raged for more than 100 days.

Ground forces were braced for higher casualties amid fierce fighting in Marawi City on the island of Mindanao, where the field of battle has shrank to a small area in a commercial heart infested with snipers, and littered with booby traps.

&quot;We are now in the final phase of our operations and we are expecting more intense and bloody fighting. We may suffer heavier casualties as the enemy becomes more desperate,&quot; Lieutenant General Carlito Galvez, who heads the military in Western Mindanao, told reporters.

He said the number of fighters was diminishing and a small number of women and children, most likely family members of the rebels, were now engaged in combat.

&quot;Our troops in the field are seeing women and children shooting at our troops so that&#39;s why it seems they are not running out of fighters.&quot;

More than 800 people have been killed in the battle, most of them insurgents, since May 23 when the militants occupied large parts of the predominantly Muslim town.

The battle is the biggest security challenge in years for the mostly Catholic Philippines, even though it has a long history of Muslim separatist rebellion in Mindanao, an island of 22 million people that has been placed under martial law until the end of the year.

The protracted clashes and resilience of the rebels has fanned fears that Philippine groups loyal to Islamic State, and with ties to Indonesian and Malaysian militants, have formed an alliance that is well-organised, funded and armed, and serious about carving out its own territory in Mindanao.

Citing information provided by four hostages who had escaped from the rebels, Galvez said there were some 56 Christian hostages - most of them women - and about 80 male residents may have been forced to take up arms and fight the military.

The fighting was concentrated in an area around a mosque about a quarter of a square kilometre. He said soldiers were taking control of an average 35 buildings a day and at that rate, it could be three weeks before the city was under government control.

AIR STRIKES

Fighting in Marawi was intense on Monday, with heavy gunfire and explosions ringing out across the picturesque, lakeside town, the heart of which has been devastated by near-daily government air strikes.

Helicopters circled above to provide air cover for ground troops as fighting raged, with bursts of smoke rising above the skyline as bombs landed on rebel positions.

Galvez said intelligence showed the rebels&#39; military commander, Abdullah Maute, may have been killed last month in an air strike.

Postings on Facebook and chatter over the past two days on Telegram, a messaging application used by Islamic State and its sympathisers, had carried tributes to Abdullah, referring to him by one of his pseudonyms, he said.

&quot;There is no 100 percent confirmation until we see his cadaver but this is enough to presume he died already,&quot; he said.

The military has contradictory statements about the status of the rebel leaders over the past few months.

Abdullah Maute and brother Omarkhayam are the Middle East-educated leaders of a militant clan known as the Maute group that has gained notoriety in the past two years due to its ability to engage the army for long periods.

Under the name Dawla Islamiya, the Maute group has formed an alliance with Isnilon Hapilon, a leader of a pro-Islamic State faction of another group, Abu Sayyaf.

Galvez said the army&#39;s intelligence indicated both Omarkhayam and Hapilon, Islamic State&#39;s anointed &quot;emir&quot; in Southeast Asia, were still in the Marawi battle.

Ground forces were braced for higher casualties amid fierce fighting in Marawi City on the island of Mindanao, where the field of battle has shrank to a small area in a commercial heart infested with snipers, and littered with booby traps.

Philippine troops fighting Islamic State-linked rebels in a southern city have encountered armed resistance from women and children, the military said on Monday, as troops make a final push to end a conflict that has raged for more than 100 days. Ground forces were braced for higher casualties amid fierce fighting in Marawi City on the island of Mindanao, where the field of battle has shrank to a small area in a commercial heart infested with snipers, and littered with booby traps. "We are now in the final phase of our operations and we are expecting more intense and bloody fighting. We may suffer heavier casualties as the enemy becomes more desperate," Lieutenant General Carlito Galvez, who heads the military in Western Mindanao, told reporters. He said the number of fighters was diminishing and a small number of women and children, most likely family members of the rebels, were now engaged in combat. "Our troops in the field are seeing women and children shooting at our troops so that's why it seems they are not running out of fighters." More than 800 people have been killed in the battle, most of them insurgents, since May 23 when the militants occupied large parts of the predominantly Muslim town. The battle is the biggest security challenge in years for the mostly Catholic Philippines, even though it has a long history of Muslim separatist rebellion in Mindanao, an island of 22 million people that has been placed under martial law until the end of the year. The protracted clashes and resilience of the rebels has fanned fears that Philippine groups loyal to Islamic State, and with ties to Indonesian and Malaysian militants, have formed an alliance that is well-organised, funded and armed, and serious about carving out its own territory in Mindanao. Citing information provided by four hostages who had escaped from the rebels, Galvez said there were some 56 Christian hostages - most of them women - and about 80 male residents may have been forced to take up arms and fight the military. The fighting was concentrated in an area around a mosque about a quarter of a square kilometre. He said soldiers were taking control of an average 35 buildings a day and at that rate, it could be three weeks before the city was under government control. AIR STRIKES Fighting in Marawi was intense on Monday, with heavy gunfire and explosions ringing out across the picturesque, lakeside town, the heart of which has been devastated by near-daily government air strikes. Helicopters circled above to provide air cover for ground troops as fighting raged, with bursts of smoke rising above the skyline as bombs landed on rebel positions. Galvez said intelligence showed the rebels' military commander, Abdullah Maute, may have been killed last month in an air strike. Postings on Facebook and chatter over the past two days on Telegram, a messaging application used by Islamic State and its sympathisers, had carried tributes to Abdullah, referring to him by one of his pseudonyms, he said. "There is no 100 percent confirmation until we see his cadaver but this is enough to presume he died already," he said. The military has contradictory statements about the status of the rebel leaders over the past few months. Abdullah Maute and brother Omarkhayam are the Middle East-educated leaders of a militant clan known as the Maute group that has gained notoriety in the past two years due to its ability to engage the army for long periods. Under the name Dawla Islamiya, the Maute group has formed an alliance with Isnilon Hapilon, a leader of a pro-Islamic State faction of another group, Abu Sayyaf. Galvez said the army's intelligence indicated both Omarkhayam and Hapilon, Islamic State's anointed "emir" in Southeast Asia, were still in the Marawi battle.

Philippine army says taking fire from women, children in Marawi battle

Philippine lawmakers rejected the appointment of the social welfare minister on Wednesday after more than a year in office, marking the fourth exit from President Rodrigo Duterte&#39;s cabinet this year.

Judy Taguiwalo, a left-wing activist who was jailed during the 1970s martial law era of late dictator Ferdinand Marcos, failed to acquire the 13 votes needed to get approval by the 24 member Commission on Appointments in Congress.

In the Philippines, all cabinet ministers must be approved by the panel and hearings can take place long after they start work. Taguiwalo&#39;s appointment had been bypassed five times.

It was not immediately clear why she was rejected, but speculation had been rife that Taguiwalo&#39;s future was in doubt after the near-collapse of Duterte&#39;s peace process with Communist rebels, which was one of his top objectives when he took office.

Duterte is furious at what he sees as repeated attacks by rebels and duplicity by exiled political leaders to whom he says he has made numerous concessions.

Taguiwalo was nominated to the post by the outlawed Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) and Duterte hoped to show inclusivity and demonstrate his commitment to peace talks by giving two leftists cabinet positions.

Taguiwalo suffered the same fate as former foreign secretary Perfecto Yasay, who was found to have lied about holding US&nbsp;citizenship, and environment and natural resources secretary Regina Lopez, who was deemed unsuitable over her widespread suspensions and closures of mines.

Ismael Sueno was sacked by Duterte as interior and local government secretary over corruption allegations.

Four senators took to the floor of the chamber on Wednesday to defend Taguiwalo, among them Ralph Recto, who said the Philippines &quot;can never ask for a package as complete as her&quot;.

&quot;She holds the post by virtue of her ability, not by her affiliation,&quot; he said. &quot;If she&#39;s an ideologue, then the ideology she subscribes to is the same one we believe in and that ideology is to serve the people.&quot;

Duterte has insisted he does not try to influence the commission, even though he has a legislative supermajority.

Presidential spokesman Ernesto Abella expressed sadness at the rejection of Taguiwalo, who he said had impacted the lives of many Filipinos and served the Duterte administration with passion, professionalism, and integrity.

In the Philippines, all cabinet ministers must be approved by the panel and hearings can take place long after they start work. Taguiwalo's appointment had been bypassed five times

Philippine lawmakers rejected the appointment of the social welfare minister on Wednesday after more than a year in office, marking the fourth exit from President Rodrigo Duterte's cabinet this year. Judy Taguiwalo, a left-wing activist who was jailed during the 1970s martial law era of late dictator Ferdinand Marcos, failed to acquire the 13 votes needed to get approval by the 24 member Commission on Appointments in Congress. In the Philippines, all cabinet ministers must be approved by the panel and hearings can take place long after they start work. Taguiwalo's appointment had been bypassed five times. It was not immediately clear why she was rejected, but speculation had been rife that Taguiwalo's future was in doubt after the near-collapse of Duterte's peace process with Communist rebels, which was one of his top objectives when he took office. Duterte is furious at what he sees as repeated attacks by rebels and duplicity by exiled political leaders to whom he says he has made numerous concessions. Taguiwalo was nominated to the post by the outlawed Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) and Duterte hoped to show inclusivity and demonstrate his commitment to peace talks by giving two leftists cabinet positions. Taguiwalo suffered the same fate as former foreign secretary Perfecto Yasay, who was found to have lied about holding US citizenship, and environment and natural resources secretary Regina Lopez, who was deemed unsuitable over her widespread suspensions and closures of mines. Ismael Sueno was sacked by Duterte as interior and local government secretary over corruption allegations. Four senators took to the floor of the chamber on Wednesday to defend Taguiwalo, among them Ralph Recto, who said the Philippines "can never ask for a package as complete as her". "She holds the post by virtue of her ability, not by her affiliation," he said. "If she's an ideologue, then the ideology she subscribes to is the same one we believe in and that ideology is to serve the people." Duterte has insisted he does not try to influence the commission, even though he has a legislative supermajority. Presidential spokesman Ernesto Abella expressed sadness at the rejection of Taguiwalo, who he said had impacted the lives of many Filipinos and served the Duterte administration with passion, professionalism, and integrity.

Philippine lawmakers reject leftist cabinet minister in latest cabinet exit

Philippine police killed 32 people in dozens of anti-drug operations in a province north of the capital, Manila, in the single deadliest day of President Rodrigo Duterte&#39;s unrelenting war on drugs.

About 109 petty criminals, including street-level drug peddlers, were arrested and dozens of guns seized in police operations across Bulacan province from&nbsp;Monday&nbsp;night until&nbsp;Tuesday&nbsp;afternoon, said provincial police chief, Romeo Caramat.

&quot;We have conducted &#39;one-time, big-time&#39; operations in the past, so far, the number of casualties and deaths, this is the highest,&quot; Caramat told a news conference.

He defended police action and said the deaths were during shootouts, and were not executions, as activists have often alleged.

&quot;There are some sectors that will not believe us, but, we are open for any investigation. All we can say is that we don&#39;t have any control of the situation. As much as possible, we don&#39;t want this bloody encounter.&quot;

Thousands of people have been killed in the anti-drugs campaign, Duterte&#39;s signature policy, since it was launched on&nbsp;June 30&nbsp;last year, most users and small-time dealers from poor neighbourhoods.

The intensity of the crackdown has alarmed the international community, and activists and human rights groups say police have been executing suspects and planting drugs and guns at crime scenes. Police and the government officials reject that.

Police also denied involvement in thousands of murders by mysterious gunmen, blaming them on gang turf wars, drug dealers silencing informants, or vigilantes targeting drug users.

&quot;There were 32 killed in Bulacan in a massive raid, that&#39;s good,&quot; Duterte said in a speech.

&quot;Let&#39;s kill another 32 every day. Maybe we can reduce what ails this country.&quot;

Police conducted 49 sting drug operations in Bulacan that resulted in about 20 armed encounters, Caramat said. Ten other gunfights ensued when police tried to serve arrest warrants to suspects who fought back.

He said 93 of those held were wanted for other crimes, as well as drugs offences.

Bulacan has been a major target in the drugs war, with some 425 people killed and 4,000 offenders arrested, according to Caramat, making it the second-biggest hot spot in the crackdown outside of the Manila area.

Political opponents of Duterte have filed a complaint with the International Criminal Court (ICC) accusing the president and top aides of crimes against humanity, arguing they failed to address allegations of widespread police abuses that have been brought to their attention.

Duterte has welcomed the ICC complaint, and said he was willing to rot in jail to protect Filipinos.

He has often complained about human rights groups criticising and undermining his campaign and&nbsp;on Wednesday&nbsp;said he would instead investigate them, or worse.

&quot;If they are obstructing justice, shoot them,&quot; he said.

Bulacan police chief defended the action and said the deaths were during shootouts, and were not executions, as activists have often alleged

Philippine police killed 32 people in dozens of anti-drug operations in a province north of the capital, Manila, in the single deadliest day of President Rodrigo Duterte's unrelenting war on drugs. About 109 petty criminals, including street-level drug peddlers, were arrested and dozens of guns seized in police operations across Bulacan province from Monday night until Tuesday afternoon, said provincial police chief, Romeo Caramat. "We have conducted 'one-time, big-time' operations in the past, so far, the number of casualties and deaths, this is the highest," Caramat told a news conference. He defended police action and said the deaths were during shootouts, and were not executions, as activists have often alleged. "There are some sectors that will not believe us, but, we are open for any investigation. All we can say is that we don't have any control of the situation. As much as possible, we don't want this bloody encounter." Thousands of people have been killed in the anti-drugs campaign, Duterte's signature policy, since it was launched on June 30 last year, most users and small-time dealers from poor neighbourhoods. The intensity of the crackdown has alarmed the international community, and activists and human rights groups say police have been executing suspects and planting drugs and guns at crime scenes. Police and the government officials reject that. Police also denied involvement in thousands of murders by mysterious gunmen, blaming them on gang turf wars, drug dealers silencing informants, or vigilantes targeting drug users. "There were 32 killed in Bulacan in a massive raid, that's good," Duterte said in a speech. "Let's kill another 32 every day. Maybe we can reduce what ails this country." Police conducted 49 sting drug operations in Bulacan that resulted in about 20 armed encounters, Caramat said. Ten other gunfights ensued when police tried to serve arrest warrants to suspects who fought back. He said 93 of those held were wanted for other crimes, as well as drugs offences. Bulacan has been a major target in the drugs war, with some 425 people killed and 4,000 offenders arrested, according to Caramat, making it the second-biggest hot spot in the crackdown outside of the Manila area. Political opponents of Duterte have filed a complaint with the International Criminal Court (ICC) accusing the president and top aides of crimes against humanity, arguing they failed to address allegations of widespread police abuses that have been brought to their attention. Duterte has welcomed the ICC complaint, and said he was willing to rot in jail to protect Filipinos. He has often complained about human rights groups criticising and undermining his campaign and on Wednesday said he would instead investigate them, or worse. "If they are obstructing justice, shoot them," he said.

Bloodiest day in Philippines' war on drugs, police kill 32

The Philippines said Thursday it would refuse European Union grants that &quot;interfered&quot; with its internal affairs, following the bloc&#39;s repeated criticism of President Rodrigo Duterte&#39;s deadly drug war.

The European Union has been one of the most vocal international critics of the drug war, which has seen thousands of people killed since Duterte came to power last year.&nbsp;

&quot;The president has approved the recommendation of the department of finance not to accept grants... from the EU that may allow it to interfere with the internal policies of the Philippines,&quot; presidential spokesman Ernesto Abella told reporters.

Abella said one grant had already been declined for having &quot;objectionable&quot; conditions attached to it, although he refused to elaborate.

The European Union is the Philippines&#39; eighth biggest source of aid, with assistance last year worth $217 million, according to government data.

It was not clear how much money was in jeopardy.

Abella said humanitarian aid would still be accepted but the EU ambassador to Manila, Franz Jessen, said the decision impacted 250 million euros ($278 million) in grants.

Economic secretary Ernesto Pernia added to the confusion by saying Duterte may retract it.

&quot;I will not take that as a policy. It is more of a reaction to criticisms. To me, on face value, it appears kind of unwelcome or not a good move but perhaps, I don&#39;t think it&#39;s going to remain as such,&quot; Pernia told reporters.

Duterte, 72, has repeatedly criticised European lawmakers and the EU for condemning his drug war, which has led to accusations of a crime against humanity.&nbsp;

The European Union has said is reviewing Philippine exports&#39; duty-free status because of rights concerns, which also include Duterte&#39;s plans to bring back the death penalty and lower the age of criminal responsibility to nine.

Duterte last year used vulgar language and raised his middle finger in response to a European parliament statement expressing concern over the killings.

Foreign policy pivot

The German government also expressed concern after Duterte last year drew parallels between his drug war and Nazi Germany leader Adolf Hitler&#39;s Holocaust.

&quot;Hitler massacred three million Jews. Now there are three million drug addicts (in the Philippines). I&#39;d be happy to slaughter them,&quot; Duterte said, underestimating the number of people killed in the Holocaust.

He later apologised for the Hitler reference but said he was &quot;emphatic&quot; about wanting to kill addicts.

Duterte easily won presidential elections last year after promising to end crime by killing tens of thousands of drug traffickers and addicts.

Police have reported killing about 2,700 people since Duterte took office at the end of June and immediately launched his war on drugs.

Unknown assailants have killed more than 1,800 others, while about 5,700 other violent deaths are under investigation, according to police data.

Partly in response to American criticism of the drug war, Duterte has also loosened the Philippines&#39; ties with traditional ally the United States.

Duterte has instead embraced China, which has supported his drug war and sought to deepen economic ties by providing billions of dollars worth of investments and aid to the Philippines.

Asked about how to make up for the loss of EU money, Abella said Duterte had already attracted huge new sources of funds.&nbsp;

&quot;He has brought in an enormous amount, huge slabs of bacon,&quot; Abella said, in an apparent reference to China.

Duterte, a self-described socialist, has also forged warmer relations with Russia, and will travel to Moscow next week to meet President Vladimir Putin.

(AFP)

The European Union has been one of the most vocal international critics of President Duterte's drug war which has seen thousands of people killed

The Philippines said Thursday it would refuse European Union grants that "interfered" with its internal affairs, following the bloc's repeated criticism of President Rodrigo Duterte's deadly drug war. The European Union has been one of the most vocal international critics of the drug war, which has seen thousands of people killed since Duterte came to power last year. "The president has approved the recommendation of the department of finance not to accept grants... from the EU that may allow it to interfere with the internal policies of the Philippines," presidential spokesman Ernesto Abella told reporters. Abella said one grant had already been declined for having "objectionable" conditions attached to it, although he refused to elaborate. The European Union is the Philippines' eighth biggest source of aid, with assistance last year worth $217 million, according to government data. It was not clear how much money was in jeopardy. Abella said humanitarian aid would still be accepted but the EU ambassador to Manila, Franz Jessen, said the decision impacted 250 million euros ($278 million) in grants. Economic secretary Ernesto Pernia added to the confusion by saying Duterte may retract it. "I will not take that as a policy. It is more of a reaction to criticisms. To me, on face value, it appears kind of unwelcome or not a good move but perhaps, I don't think it's going to remain as such," Pernia told reporters. Duterte, 72, has repeatedly criticised European lawmakers and the EU for condemning his drug war, which has led to accusations of a crime against humanity. The European Union has said is reviewing Philippine exports' duty-free status because of rights concerns, which also include Duterte's plans to bring back the death penalty and lower the age of criminal responsibility to nine. Duterte last year used vulgar language and raised his middle finger in response to a European parliament statement expressing concern over the killings. Foreign policy pivot The German government also expressed concern after Duterte last year drew parallels between his drug war and Nazi Germany leader Adolf Hitler's Holocaust. "Hitler massacred three million Jews. Now there are three million drug addicts (in the Philippines). I'd be happy to slaughter them," Duterte said, underestimating the number of people killed in the Holocaust. He later apologised for the Hitler reference but said he was "emphatic" about wanting to kill addicts. Duterte easily won presidential elections last year after promising to end crime by killing tens of thousands of drug traffickers and addicts. Police have reported killing about 2,700 people since Duterte took office at the end of June and immediately launched his war on drugs. Unknown assailants have killed more than 1,800 others, while about 5,700 other violent deaths are under investigation, according to police data. Partly in response to American criticism of the drug war, Duterte has also loosened the Philippines' ties with traditional ally the United States. Duterte has instead embraced China, which has supported his drug war and sought to deepen economic ties by providing billions of dollars worth of investments and aid to the Philippines. Asked about how to make up for the loss of EU money, Abella said Duterte had already attracted huge new sources of funds. "He has brought in an enormous amount, huge slabs of bacon," Abella said, in an apparent reference to China. Duterte, a self-described socialist, has also forged warmer relations with Russia, and will travel to Moscow next week to meet President Vladimir Putin. (AFP)

Philippines to refuse EU grants that 'interfere' with its internal affairs

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has put the onus of stopping the rapid construction of man-made islands and increasing militarisation in the South China Sea on the US. &nbsp;

According to news agency Reuters, Duterte suggested that the failure by US to stop China from continuing building islands in the South China Sea showed there was no serious concern about the issue. &nbsp;&nbsp;

In July this year, the Permanent Cout of Arbitration in The Hague had ruled in favour of Philippines in an arbitration case against China over territorial rights in the South China Sea contained within an area that China calls the &quot;Nine-Dash Line&quot;.

China refused to acknowledge the verdict.

During Duterte&#39;s presidency, Philippines has gravitated towards China. He has expressed his willingness to mend ties with Beijing to benefit from improved economic relations between the two countries.&nbsp;

(WION with inputs from Reuters) 
&nbsp;

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

The Permanent Court of Arbitration had ruled in favour of Philippines in the arbitration case against China

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has put the onus of stopping the rapid construction of man-made islands and increasing militarisation in the South China Sea on the US. According to news agency Reuters, Duterte suggested that the failure by US to stop China from continuing building islands in the South China Sea showed there was no serious concern about the issue. In July this year, the Permanent Cout of Arbitration in The Hague had ruled in favour of Philippines in an arbitration case against China over territorial rights in the South China Sea contained within an area that China calls the "Nine-Dash Line". China refused to acknowledge the verdict. During Duterte's presidency, Philippines has gravitated towards China. He has expressed his willingness to mend ties with Beijing to benefit from improved economic relations between the two countries. (WION with inputs from Reuters)

Philippine President Duterte sweeps China's militarisation, man-made island issue under rug

A mayor on Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte&#39;s wanted list for alleged drugs links was killed along with nine of his guards in a shootout on Friday, police said, as a new phase of a bloody narcotics crackdown zeroed-in on high profile targets.

The 10 men succumbed to their wounds en route to hospital, police said, having opened fire on officers who tried to stop their two vehicles at a checkpoint in Duterte&#39;s troubled home province of Mindanao before dawn.

&quot;It was a legitimate police operation,&quot; said Bernard Tayong of the North Cotabato police office, adding that no officers were hurt but a police vehicle was riddled with bullets.

&quot;We have information the mayor and his men were transporting drugs so we tried to intercept them but they chose to shoot it out,&quot; he told reporters.

The killing of Samsudin Dimaukom, a powerful mayor, took place far from his predominantly Muslim town of Datu Saudi Ampatuan.

It came as police shift tactics in the controversial war on drugs by focusing on politicians, government officials, celebrities and high-ranking army and police suspected of involvement in the trade.

The new plan, called &quot;Project Double Barrel Alpha&quot;, was reported exclusively by Reuters on Monday and aims to increase arrests and reduce the bloodshed in a campaign that has claimed more than 2,300 lives since Duterte took office on June 30.

Duterte won a May election on the promises of killing criminals and campaigned under the logo of a clenched fist.&nbsp;

Duterte returned from a visit to Japan late on Thursday and during a news conference waved a thick book he said contained names of officials suspected of drug links. The book contains about 3,000 names.&nbsp;

&quot;I do not want to make this public because it will just make the Filipino cry,&quot; he said.

Of those killed in the anti-drugs campaign, more than 1,600 died during police operations, a toll that has drawn international concern about extrajudicial killings.

Shifting Focus

Duterte has fiercely defended the campaign and has repeatedly lashed out at his critics.

A recent poll showed public unease over the crackdown, with 94 percent of respondents saying it was important that police take suspects alive. 
Police investigators said seven guns, including an Armalite rifle and 13 small packs of suspected methamphetamines were recovered from the mayor`s vehicle after Friday&#39;s firefight.

The mayor&#39;s wife, who is also the town`s vice mayor, is also on Duterte`s wanted list.

National police spokesman Dionardo Carlos told Reuters on Thursday the drugs war had been expanded to go beyond poorer areas where low-level peddlers operate.

New targets were transport networks, show business circles, nightclubs and wealthier neighbourhoods to root out drugs like cocaine and ecstasy.

Carlos denied there was a deliberate sanctioning of extrajudicial killings. He said fatalities occurred when suspects refused to surrender and police were keen to avoid violence.

&quot;That`s why we are shifting to Alpha,&quot; he added.

Since late June, 750,000 drug users had surrendered, some 30,000 suspects were arrested. Of the &quot;high value&quot; targets, 201 had surrendered, 66 were arrested and 14 were killed.&nbsp;

He said 150,000 police had been drug tested and 164 gave positive results and would be dismissed.

Police would soon receive a large consignment of body armour, Carlos said, adding instructions were being given &quot;to make sure you are not giving (drug suspects) the chance to put your lives in danger&quot;.

(Reuters)

Local police recently shifted tactics in Duterte's controversial war on drugs by focusing on influential people

A mayor on Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte's wanted list for alleged drugs links was killed along with nine of his guards in a shootout on Friday, police said, as a new phase of a bloody narcotics crackdown zeroed-in on high profile targets. The 10 men succumbed to their wounds en route to hospital, police said, having opened fire on officers who tried to stop their two vehicles at a checkpoint in Duterte's troubled home province of Mindanao before dawn. "It was a legitimate police operation," said Bernard Tayong of the North Cotabato police office, adding that no officers were hurt but a police vehicle was riddled with bullets. "We have information the mayor and his men were transporting drugs so we tried to intercept them but they chose to shoot it out," he told reporters. The killing of Samsudin Dimaukom, a powerful mayor, took place far from his predominantly Muslim town of Datu Saudi Ampatuan. It came as police shift tactics in the controversial war on drugs by focusing on politicians, government officials, celebrities and high-ranking army and police suspected of involvement in the trade. The new plan, called "Project Double Barrel Alpha", was reported exclusively by Reuters on Monday and aims to increase arrests and reduce the bloodshed in a campaign that has claimed more than 2,300 lives since Duterte took office on June 30. Duterte won a May election on the promises of killing criminals and campaigned under the logo of a clenched fist. Duterte returned from a visit to Japan late on Thursday and during a news conference waved a thick book he said contained names of officials suspected of drug links. The book contains about 3,000 names. "I do not want to make this public because it will just make the Filipino cry," he said. Of those killed in the anti-drugs campaign, more than 1,600 died during police operations, a toll that has drawn international concern about extrajudicial killings. Shifting Focus Duterte has fiercely defended the campaign and has repeatedly lashed out at his critics. A recent poll showed public unease over the crackdown, with 94 percent of respondents saying it was important that police take suspects alive. Police investigators said seven guns, including an Armalite rifle and 13 small packs of suspected methamphetamines were recovered from the mayor`s vehicle after Friday's firefight. The mayor's wife, who is also the town`s vice mayor, is also on Duterte`s wanted list. National police spokesman Dionardo Carlos told Reuters on Thursday the drugs war had been expanded to go beyond poorer areas where low-level peddlers operate. New targets were transport networks, show business circles, nightclubs and wealthier neighbourhoods to root out drugs like cocaine and ecstasy. Carlos denied there was a deliberate sanctioning of extrajudicial killings. He said fatalities occurred when suspects refused to surrender and police were keen to avoid violence. "That`s why we are shifting to Alpha," he added. Since late June, 750,000 drug users had surrendered, some 30,000 suspects were arrested. Of the "high value" targets, 201 had surrendered, 66 were arrested and 14 were killed. He said 150,000 police had been drug tested and 164 gave positive results and would be dismissed. Police would soon receive a large consignment of body armour, Carlos said, adding instructions were being given "to make sure you are not giving (drug suspects) the chance to put your lives in danger". (Reuters)

Philippine mayor among 10 killed in shootout as drug war enters new phase

A United Nations (UN) rights expert will soon start investigations into President Rodrigo Duterte&#39;s deadly war on crime in Philipines, international agency AFP reported today. 
 
Last week, the president had said that he would allow the UN and European Union (EU) to investigate the killings, however, he challenged to face him in public debates. 
 
More than 3,000 people have been killed in the last 11 weeks in the country as part of Duterte&#39;s war on crime, drawing widespread condemnation from all quarters. Reuters reported. The president had pledged to kill 100,000 criminals in his first six months of office after he was elected to power on May 9 in a landslide victory. 
 
Philippines foreign minister Perfecto Yasay on Saturday told the United Nations that the world should not interfere in Duterte&#39;s crackdown on crime. 
 
&nbsp;&quot;The Duterte government is determined to free the Philippines from corrupt and other stagnating practices, including the manufacture, distribution and use of illicit drugs,&quot; he was quoted as saying by Reuters. 
 
&quot;Our actions, however, have grabbed both national headlines and international attention for all the wrong reasons.&quot; 
 
While Philipines has not yet issued a formal invitation, the UN rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions, Agnes Callamard, has told AFP that she would seek one. 
 
&quot;I welcome the reports recently (conveyed) through the media that the president and government of the Philippines will invite a UN mission to investigate the alleged extrajudicial executions,&quot; Callamard said in a statement emailed to AFP. 
 
However, she said that she would insist on a range of measures to ensure that those who spoke with her did not face retribution. 
 
Those would include &quot;my freedom of movement and freedom of inquiry, and the assurance that those who cooperate with me will not be the object of retaliation, such as intimidation, threats, harassment or punishment,&quot; she was quoted as saying. 
 
&quot;The date and scope of the fact-finding mission will be discussed and negotiated with the government, along with essential guarantees,&quot; she said. 
 
(WION with inputs from AFP, Reuters)

More than 3,000 people have been killed in the past 11 weeks in the country as a part of President Rodrigo Duterte's war on crime

A United Nations (UN) rights expert will soon start investigations into President Rodrigo Duterte's deadly war on crime in Philipines, international agency AFP reported today. Last week, the president had said that he would allow the UN and European Union (EU) to investigate the killings, however, he challenged to face him in public debates. More than 3,000 people have been killed in the last 11 weeks in the country as part of Duterte's war on crime, drawing widespread condemnation from all quarters. Reuters reported. The president had pledged to kill 100,000 criminals in his first six months of office after he was elected to power on May 9 in a landslide victory. Philippines foreign minister Perfecto Yasay on Saturday told the United Nations that the world should not interfere in Duterte's crackdown on crime. "The Duterte government is determined to free the Philippines from corrupt and other stagnating practices, including the manufacture, distribution and use of illicit drugs," he was quoted as saying by Reuters. "Our actions, however, have grabbed both national headlines and international attention for all the wrong reasons." While Philipines has not yet issued a formal invitation, the UN rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions, Agnes Callamard, has told AFP that she would seek one. "I welcome the reports recently (conveyed) through the media that the president and government of the Philippines will invite a UN mission to investigate the alleged extrajudicial executions," Callamard said in a statement emailed to AFP. However, she said that she would insist on a range of measures to ensure that those who spoke with her did not face retribution. Those would include "my freedom of movement and freedom of inquiry, and the assurance that those who cooperate with me will not be the object of retaliation, such as intimidation, threats, harassment or punishment," she was quoted as saying. "The date and scope of the fact-finding mission will be discussed and negotiated with the government, along with essential guarantees," she said. (WION with inputs from AFP, Reuters)

UN rights expert to probe Philippine killings

<div style="text-align: justify;">Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte expressed regret on Friday for calling US President Barack Obama a &quot;son of a whore&quot;. But then he went on to call UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon a &quot;fool&quot;.&nbsp; 
 
Duterte specified he had not meant to insult the American President when he called him a &ldquo;son of a whore&rdquo; --&nbsp;a&nbsp;view most certainly not shared by the Americans who decided to cancel a meeting between the two heads of state.&nbsp; 
 
Duterete said his statement did not refer&nbsp;directly to Obama&nbsp;but to the US state department, which has raised concerns of human rights violations over the at least 3,000 deaths that have occurred during Duterte&#39;s &quot;war on drugs&quot;. That war was begun only about two months ago, when Duterte took over as President.&nbsp; 
 
&quot;I got really angry about these threats over this human rights issue. This is the fault of the crazy people in the State Department,&quot; he said. 
 
Commenting on the espression &quot;putagina&quot;, Filipino&nbsp;slang for &quot;whore&quot;, Duterte said &ldquo;it is just an ordinary expression (used) by everyone&rdquo; and that it should not be taken literally.&nbsp; 
 
The two Presidents (Duterte and Obama)&nbsp;met briefly during the ASEAN summit in Laos, with&nbsp;AFP reporting Duterte as saying&nbsp;he had clarified the matter and that things were now settled.&nbsp; 
 
Duterte however will have to soothe&nbsp;other ruffled feathers too.&nbsp;The President of the Philippines has also called the pope and the&nbsp;US ambassador in Manila &quot;sons of whores&quot;. And on Friday he called UN chief Ban Ki-moon a &quot;fool&quot;;&nbsp;the United Nations has also&nbsp;spoken out against his crackdown, &nbsp;&nbsp; 
 
There have been no apologies -- apart from the one to Obama --&nbsp;so far. &quot;I will continue the campaign against the criminals. I do not have any pity for them,&quot; Duterte said. 
 
He ended with the colourful:&nbsp;&quot;I don&#39;t give a shit. I am the president of the Philippines, not the republic of the international community.&quot; 
 
(WION with inputs from agencies)</div>

Says the insult was aimed at the US state department, not the President

Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte expressed regret on Friday for calling US President Barack Obama a "son of a whore". But then he went on to call UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon a "fool". Duterte specified he had not meant to insult the American President when he called him a “son of a whore” -- a view most certainly not shared by the Americans who decided to cancel a meeting between the two heads of state. Duterete said his statement did not refer directly to Obama but to the US state department, which has raised concerns of human rights violations over the at least 3,000 deaths that have occurred during Duterte's "war on drugs". That war was begun only about two months ago, when Duterte took over as President. "I got really angry about these threats over this human rights issue. This is the fault of the crazy people in the State Department," he said. Commenting on the espression "putagina", Filipino slang for "whore", Duterte said “it is just an ordinary expression (used) by everyone” and that it should not be taken literally. The two Presidents (Duterte and Obama) met briefly during the ASEAN summit in Laos, with AFP reporting Duterte as saying he had clarified the matter and that things were now settled. Duterte however will have to soothe other ruffled feathers too. The President of the Philippines has also called the pope and the US ambassador in Manila "sons of whores". And on Friday he called UN chief Ban Ki-moon a "fool"; the United Nations has also spoken out against his crackdown, There have been no apologies -- apart from the one to Obama -- so far. "I will continue the campaign against the criminals. I do not have any pity for them," Duterte said. He ended with the colourful: "I don't give a shit. I am the president of the Philippines, not the republic of the international community." (WION with inputs from agencies)

Philippines President Duterte regrets calling Obama 'son of a w****', then calls UN chief 'fool'

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte, who has led a bloody war on drug suspects, today named over 30 politicians, officials and judges whom he linked to narcotics and warned them to surrender. 
 
Police and shadowy vigilantes have been blamed for killing over 800 drug suspects since Duterte&#39;s election on May 9. 
 
&quot;Due process has nothing to do with my mouth. There are no proceedings here, no lawyers,&quot; Duterte said in a pre-dawn speech just before he began naming the suspects.&nbsp;He listed seven judges and over 25 current or former congressmen, mayors and other local officials whom he alleged were involved in illegal drugs. 
 
Duterte ordered their security escorts withdrawn and cancelled their firearms permits, adding that they would face sanctions. 
 
&quot;If you show the slightest violence in the resistance, I will tell the police, &#39;Shoot them&#39;,&quot; he told reporters and soldiers in the southern city of Davao. 
 
Duterte, who has gained widespread domestic popularity for his outspokenness, conceded &quot;I might be wrong&quot; about the guilt of those he named. 
 
He said the military and police had compiled the list which he insisted was not coloured by politics or personal links, adding that some of those named were even his friends. 
 
Duterte&#39;s spokesman Martin Andanar later said that criminal cases would be filed against those named. 
 
&quot;The president is encouraging all of the persons of interest, the alleged drug lords and drug coddlers to come out in the open, to surrender themselves and submit themselves to thorough investigation,&quot; he told reporters. 
 
Some of those named have since come out in radio and television and denied their guilt. 
 
Duterte won election by vowing to wage a war on illegal drugs and other crime that would claim tens of thousands of lives.&nbsp;He has ordered police not to hesitate to kill and even urged ordinary citizens and communist guerrillas to join in the bloodshed. 
 
The country&#39;s largest broadcaster ABS-CBN has listed 852 drug suspects killed since Duterte&#39;s election. 
 
In his speech, Duterte scoffed at human rights groups opposed to the killings, saying they were free to protest. 
 
&quot;I do not care,&quot; he said. 
 
However the head of the influential Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines made an emotional appeal to the public to denounce the wave of drug killings. 
 
&quot;I am a human being. That is all it takes for me to stand up and say &#39;enough&#39;,&quot; archbishop socrates Villegas said in a message read at all Catholic masses in his archdiocese, located 160 kilometres north of Manila. 
 
He said the largely Catholic Philippines was becoming a &quot;killing fields nation&quot; for tolerating the violence. 
 
Despite criticism from foreign and local human rights organisations and even UN secretary-general Ban Ki-moon, surveys have shown Duterte enjoys wide public support. 
 
(AFP)

Duterte ordered their security escorts withdrawn and cancelled their firearms permits, adding that they would face sanctions

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte, who has led a bloody war on drug suspects, today named over 30 politicians, officials and judges whom he linked to narcotics and warned them to surrender. Police and shadowy vigilantes have been blamed for killing over 800 drug suspects since Duterte's election on May 9. "Due process has nothing to do with my mouth. There are no proceedings here, no lawyers," Duterte said in a pre-dawn speech just before he began naming the suspects. He listed seven judges and over 25 current or former congressmen, mayors and other local officials whom he alleged were involved in illegal drugs. Duterte ordered their security escorts withdrawn and cancelled their firearms permits, adding that they would face sanctions. "If you show the slightest violence in the resistance, I will tell the police, 'Shoot them'," he told reporters and soldiers in the southern city of Davao. Duterte, who has gained widespread domestic popularity for his outspokenness, conceded "I might be wrong" about the guilt of those he named. He said the military and police had compiled the list which he insisted was not coloured by politics or personal links, adding that some of those named were even his friends. Duterte's spokesman Martin Andanar later said that criminal cases would be filed against those named. "The president is encouraging all of the persons of interest, the alleged drug lords and drug coddlers to come out in the open, to surrender themselves and submit themselves to thorough investigation," he told reporters. Some of those named have since come out in radio and television and denied their guilt. Duterte won election by vowing to wage a war on illegal drugs and other crime that would claim tens of thousands of lives. He has ordered police not to hesitate to kill and even urged ordinary citizens and communist guerrillas to join in the bloodshed. The country's largest broadcaster ABS-CBN has listed 852 drug suspects killed since Duterte's election. In his speech, Duterte scoffed at human rights groups opposed to the killings, saying they were free to protest. "I do not care," he said. However the head of the influential Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines made an emotional appeal to the public to denounce the wave of drug killings. "I am a human being. That is all it takes for me to stand up and say 'enough'," archbishop socrates Villegas said in a message read at all Catholic masses in his archdiocese, located 160 kilometres north of Manila. He said the largely Catholic Philippines was becoming a "killing fields nation" for tolerating the violence. Despite criticism from foreign and local human rights organisations and even UN secretary-general Ban Ki-moon, surveys have shown Duterte enjoys wide public support. (AFP)

Philippine president identifies 30 officials linked to narcotics

Over 300 anti-narcotics and human rights groups from around the world on Tuesday called for the United Nations to condemn Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte&#39;s war on drugs that has already killed hundreds of people. 
 
The appeal, directed to the International Narcotics Control Board (INCB) and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), came as an influential Philippine senator called for an investigation into the killings of suspected drug pushers that Duterte has endorsed. 
 
Senator Leila de Lima and the foreign organisations cited reports of police killing hundreds of people since Duterte won May elections largely on a platform to wage a bloody war on drugs. 
 
&quot;Instead of ensuring the protection and rights of people who use drugs... President Duterte has called for them to be killed,&quot; said the statement from groups such as the Australian Drug Foundation and Canadian Drug Policy Coalition. 
 
&quot;Instead of ensuring the rights of people suspected of committing drug-related crimes... the President has called for them to be executed on the spot.&quot; 
 
The statement called on the INCB and the UNODC to condemn the killings and &quot;demand an end to the atrocities&quot;. 
 
De Lima, in a speech before Senate, also lashed out at the killings. &quot;We cannot wage the war against drugs with blood. We will only be trading drug addiction with another more malevolent kind of addiction.&nbsp;This is the compulsion for more killing,&quot; said the senator, a former justice minister who also headed the nation&#39;s human rights body. De Lima said police were summarily killing even innocent people, using the anti-drug campaign as an excuse. 
 
Since assuming the presidency on June 30, Duterte has promised to protect police and soldiers from sanctions for killing criminals and even urged ordinary citizens and communist rebels to join in the bloodshed. 
 
While his campaign has been widely popular in the impoverished Philippines, more groups have begun criticising Duterte, with De Lima calling for a congressional probe into the killings. 
 
But the president has dismissed human rights concerns while police have insisted that they only acted in self-defence. In June, even UN secretary-general Ban Ki-moon condemned Duterte&#39;s apparent support of extra-judicial killings. 
 
Police figures showed that as of Tuesday, 402 drug suspects had been killed a month into Duterte&#39;s presidency. 
 
The figure does not include those slain by suspected vigilantes. The country&#39;s top broadcaster, ABS-CBN, reported that 603 people had been killed since Duterte was elected, with 211 murdered by unidentified gunmen. 
 
(AFP)

While his campaign has been popular in the impoverished Philippines, more international groups have begun criticising President Duterte

Over 300 anti-narcotics and human rights groups from around the world on Tuesday called for the United Nations to condemn Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte's war on drugs that has already killed hundreds of people. The appeal, directed to the International Narcotics Control Board (INCB) and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), came as an influential Philippine senator called for an investigation into the killings of suspected drug pushers that Duterte has endorsed. Senator Leila de Lima and the foreign organisations cited reports of police killing hundreds of people since Duterte won May elections largely on a platform to wage a bloody war on drugs. "Instead of ensuring the protection and rights of people who use drugs... President Duterte has called for them to be killed," said the statement from groups such as the Australian Drug Foundation and Canadian Drug Policy Coalition. "Instead of ensuring the rights of people suspected of committing drug-related crimes... the President has called for them to be executed on the spot." The statement called on the INCB and the UNODC to condemn the killings and "demand an end to the atrocities". De Lima, in a speech before Senate, also lashed out at the killings. "We cannot wage the war against drugs with blood. We will only be trading drug addiction with another more malevolent kind of addiction. This is the compulsion for more killing," said the senator, a former justice minister who also headed the nation's human rights body. De Lima said police were summarily killing even innocent people, using the anti-drug campaign as an excuse. Since assuming the presidency on June 30, Duterte has promised to protect police and soldiers from sanctions for killing criminals and even urged ordinary citizens and communist rebels to join in the bloodshed. While his campaign has been widely popular in the impoverished Philippines, more groups have begun criticising Duterte, with De Lima calling for a congressional probe into the killings. But the president has dismissed human rights concerns while police have insisted that they only acted in self-defence. In June, even UN secretary-general Ban Ki-moon condemned Duterte's apparent support of extra-judicial killings. Police figures showed that as of Tuesday, 402 drug suspects had been killed a month into Duterte's presidency. The figure does not include those slain by suspected vigilantes. The country's top broadcaster, ABS-CBN, reported that 603 people had been killed since Duterte was elected, with 211 murdered by unidentified gunmen. (AFP)

UN must condemn Philippine drug killings: Rights groups

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