The Standard - 2016 July 13 - Wednesday

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VOL. XXX  NO. 150  3 Sections 32 Pages P18  TUESDAY : JULY 12, 2016  www.thestandard.com.ph  editorial@thestandard.com.ph

Ex-Health secretary accused of graft

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OSG DEFENDS COPS Amid killing spree, police to be shielded from probes

By John Paolo Bencito

THE government’s top lawyer on Monday called on police to continue their campaign against illegal drugs and promised to shield them against any congressional investigation as the bodycount of suspected drug pushers continued to pile up.

“We will not allow anybody to derail this effort of the PNP [Philippine National Police] and its officers to implement the order of our President to stop this… drug menace in our society,” said Solicitor General Jose Calida in a press conference. “I am here to encourage the

PNP not to be afraid of any congressional or Senate investigation. We will defend them,” he said. “The Office of the Solicitor General will be the first line of defense. We will assess whether the investigation is really in aid of legislation. If it is not, then

we will advise the PNP not to attend,” he added. Police have confirmed killing more than 110 suspects since President Rodrigo Duterte won elections in May promising a law-and-order crackdown that would claim thousands of lives and fill funeral parlors.

As the official death toll has mounted, human rights lawyers have expressed deep concerns that the war on crime was spiraling out of control while opposition lawmakers have called for a congressional inquiry into the spate of killings. Next page

Japanese help. A day before the release of a verdict by the Permanent Court of Arbitration on the case filed by the Philippines against China, the Japanese Coast Guard PLH02 Tsugaru docks at the South Harbor on Monday, July 11, ready to take part in a three-day joint maritime law enforcement exercise with the Philippine Coast Guard, the 6th Joint Maritime Law Enforcement, which will be staged off Manila Bay. It aims to further enhance the capabilities of Philippine Coast Guard and the Japanese Coast Guard to combat piracy and armed robbery at sea and to acquire skills in conducting airlift rescue operations. DANNY PATA

Threat to Sierra Madre investigated By Sara Susanne D. Fabunan A DAY before a UN arbitration court releases its ruling on the West Philippine Sea dispute, the Department of Foreign Affairs said it is verifying reports that China is out to destroy the BRP Sierra Madre in response to the ruling in The Hague. Refusing to comment further, Foreign Affairs spokesman Charles Jose said that they will

confirm reports that a defense ministry spokesman in Beijing had said they would “sink or tow” the Sierra Madre, which was purposely grounded on the disputed Second Thomas Shoal in the South China Sea. “We’ll try to check the veracity of the report,” Jose said. In response to the ruling of the Arbitral Tribunal, a commentary by a Chinese defense spokesman published in the official People’s Daily said that although Beijing has been

exercising patience over the issue, it is committed to defending its socalled 9-dash line territory. “The story of the Renai Shoal [shows] China is fully capable of dragging away that Philippine vessel hanging in there,” People’s Daily said. “But for the stability of the South China Sea, China offers goodwill and patience and has always shown high restraint.” China was, however, committed to defending every inch of its territory, the commentary said. Next page

De Lima says she will not be intimidated

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