VOL. XXX NO. 59 3 Sections 32 Pages P18 TUESDAY : APRIL 12, 2016 www.thestandard.com.ph editorial@thestandard.com.ph
Duterte leads Poe in 3 new surveys
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‘EXCESSIVE FORCE’
Intl rights group assails PNP action in Kidapawan By Sandy Araneta and Christine F. Herrera
AN INTERNATIONAL human rights group on Monday took the government to task for using lethal force to break up a protest by farmers in Kidapawan City on April 1, resulting in two shooting deaths and dozens of injuries.
“The Philippine government needs to determine why the police found it necessary to fire at protesters,” said Phelim Kine, deputy Asia director at Human Rights Watch. “Some protesters were throwing stones, but lethal force may only be used as a last resort to save lives,” Kine said. The police used batons and guns against the protesters, including women and children, during the April
1 dispersal. Darwin Sulang, 22, and a bystander, Enrico Fabligar, 30, were fatally shot, and dozens who were injured required hospitalization for gunshot and other wounds. The police also reported injuries to their officers. In the aftermath, police have detained 78 protesters and charged 74 of them with offenses including assaulting a police officer.
Three separate investigations into the incident are under way by the official Commission on Human Rights, the Philippine National Police, and the Senate committee on justice and human rights. Human Rights Watch urged the government to make sure the investigations into the police use of force are credible, transparent and impartial.
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Take that! A protester throws paint bags at the photos of President Benigno Aquino III and Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala during a rally in front of the Department of Agriculture office in Quezon City on Monday. Demonstrators decried the violent dispersal of hungry farmers in Kidapawan City on April 1 and the alleged inaction of government in addressing drought in the countryside. MANNY PALMERO
Robredo fan hits bullying online
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Army chief: Slain Moroccan was ISIS conduit By Florante S. Solmerin, Sandy Araneta and Francisco Tuyay ARMY chief Lt. Gen. Eduardo Año said Monday the Moroccan killed in the government offensive against the Abu Sayyaf was the conduit between the bandit group and Islamic State terrorists. “Last year, he came up on the radar of
our intelligence service because he was trying to link up the Abu Sayyaf to the Middle East terrorist group,” Año said, referring to Mohammad Khattab. Khattab, a bomb expert, has been living in the country for the last three years, Año said. Armed Forces spokesman Brig. Gen. Restituto Padilla said Monday at least 13 more Abu Sayyaf gunmen died as the
military pressed more attacks Sunday against the fleeing bandits in Tipo-Tipo, Basilan. On Saturday, at least 18 soldiers and five bandits were killed when the Abu Sayyaf ambushed the advancing soldiers. Padilla said bad weather prevented the Air Force from sending close air support for the ground troops that day. Next page