Rodrigo Duterte, former Philippines president, charged with crimes against humanity at ICC

Three charges against Duterte stem from his years-long campaign against drug users and dealers that rights groups say killed thousands…

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/sep/23/rodrigo-duterte-charged-crimes-against-humanity-icc-philippines-ntwnfb

 

Trees, homes, roads: how the sea is swallowing coastal villages in the Philippines

The country's coastal communities have long lived with flooding but as climate change accelerates rising sea levels and reclamation projects reshape Manila Bay, residents now see their homes under water more often…

https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/gallery/2025/aug/18/flooding-climate-sea-coast-philippines-hagonoy-manila-bay-tibaguin-pugad-in-pictures

 

Former Philippines president Rodrigo Duterte arrested in Manila after ICC warrant

Duterte is wanted by the international criminal court over his so-called 'war on drugs', which rights groups say left 30,000 people dead…

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/mar/11/rodrigo-duterte-arrest-manila-former-philippines-president-war-on-drugs-ntwnfb

 

US Military Tells RFK Jr-Style Lies (Conspirituality podcast episode #212)

On June 14, Reuters published an article about the US Military’s clandestine program to discredit China’s Sinovac vaccine during the early days of Covid-19. Turns out the Pentagon hired an outside agency to purposefully spread FUD (fear, uncertainty, and doubt) about the Chinese inoculation program by flooding social media with anti-vax propaganda. It was a smack in the face for anyone—including us—who’s been calling for sound public health measures over the last four years. And it very likely killed people in Southeast Asia.

This week, we look at the harrowing reporting that revealed a shameful, interventionary program that began under the Trump administration and persisted at least a few months into the Biden presidency. We’ll also review the very few conspiritualists that have even covered the story—somewhat surprising, given that a good ol’ government conspiracy is their bread and butter. But what happens when anti-vaxxers are confronted with a government-led anti-vax program, enacted by the same military that some of them, like RFK Jr, want to drastically reduce? Let’s find out.
Interview: 

https://www.conspirituality.net/episodes/212-us-military-tells-rfk-jr-style-lies

PHOTOS: Teen Moms In The Philippines — A "National Emergency" : Goats and Soda : NPR

At 12 years old, Joan Garcia liked leaping into the sea and racing the boys to the nearest pylon. She liked playing tag. When she started having sex at 13, she thought it was just another game. Joan was skipping across the pavement, playing a game with friends, when an older neighbor noticed her rounding belly.
https://www.npr.org/sections/goatsandsoda/2020/08/21/787921856/photos-the-hidden-lives-of-teen-moms

Duterte's anti-terror law a dark new chapter for Philippines, experts warn

An anti-terrorism law that grants sweeping powers to president Rodrigo Duterte’s government is facing mounting legal challenges, as rights groups warn the legislation signals a new, dark chapter for the Philippines. The act, which lawyers say uses a vague and overly broad definition of terrorism, permits warrantless arrests and allows authorities to hold individuals for weeks without charge. It is to be implemented later this month, though at least six petitions against the law have already been filed in the supreme court.
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/jul/09/dutertes-anti-terror-law-a-dark-new-chapter-for-philippines-experts-warn

Maria Ressa’s conviction spells trouble for democracy in the Philippines - The Washington Post

Maria Ressa is a journalistic force in the Philippines and that’s why the country’s prevailing powers-that-be are trying to shut her up. Last week, a Manila court found Ressa and a colleague of hers at Rappler — the enterprising, investigative operation to which she is executive editor and CEO — guilty of cyber-libel related to a 2012 story that cited an intelligence report linking a prominent businessman to possible drug trafficking. Ressa did not write or edit the piece and the charges set against her were based on a law that was not yet on the country’s books at the time of the article’s publication.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2020/06/23/maria-ressa-philippines-democracy-duterte/

Assault On The Press And Democracy In The Philippines (Pod Save the World podcast)

An attack on press freedom in the Philippines and what it could mean for the future of their democracy. The two year anniversary of the US-North Korea Singapore summit. Right-wing zealots take over the Voice of America. Fighting between China and India and updates out of Russia. The US threatens to sanction the International Criminal Court (huh?), how right-wing news outlets are being used by foreign intelligence, and Bob Gates and John Bolton sell books. Then Ben talks to Rokhaya Diallo, a French journalist and activist, about the protests against systemic racism and police brutality in France and what’s next for President Emmanuel Macron.
Interview:
https://crooked.com/podcast/assault-on-the-press-and-democracy-in-the-philippines/

U.S.-Philippines alliance erodes due to China's rising influence - Axios

When the Philippines needed resources to fight its coronavirus outbreak, it turned not to its American allies, but to China.
https://www.axios.com/us-philippines-alliance-china-duterte-trump-vfa-fe9462e1-1bcd-421c-aa59-cdd7adb1241c.html

Philippines intends to end major security pact with the U.S. | PBS NewsHour

The Philippines notified the United States on Tuesday it would end a major security pact allowing American forces to train in the country, in the most serious threat under President Rodrigo Duterte to their 69-year treaty alliance. Foreign Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. said in a tweet that Manila’s notice of termination of the Visiting Forces Agreement was received by the deputy chief of mission at the U.S. Embassy in Manila. The termination would take effect after 180 days unless both sides agree to keep it.....

https://www.pbs.org/newshour/world/philippines-intends-to-end-major-security-pact-with-the-u-s

Dead whale washed up in Philippines had 40kg of plastic bags in its stomach

Marine biologists horrified to find 16 rice sacks and multiple shopping bags inside Cuvier’s beaked whale...
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/mar/18/dead-whale-washed-up-in-philippines-had-40kg-of-plastic-bags-in-its-stomach?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other

'The fight is not over': fears of Isis resurgence in Philippines

Warning from military commander comes after spate of attacks including deadly church bombing....
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/feb/08/the-fight-is-not-over-fears-of-isis-resurgence-in-philippines

Philippine forces cleared this city of Islamist militants in 2017. It’s still a ghost town. - The Washington Post

At the edge of a bridge leading into the heart of the devastation from a 2017 siege against Islamic State-linked militants, an electric-blue billboard stands apart from the ruins....
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/world/wp/2019/02/01/feature/philippine-forces-cleared-this-city-of-islamist-militants-in-2017-its-still-a-ghost-town/

DHS agents arrest American priest in Philippines on charges of molesting altar boys - The Hill

Department of Homeland Security (DHS) agents arrested a 77-year-old American priest in the Philippines for allegedly sexually assaulting at least seven Filipino altar boys. ....
https://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/420004-us-forces-arrest-american-priest-in-philippines-on-charges-of

How Cambridge Analytica’s parent company helped ‘man of action’ Rodrigo Duterte win the 2016 Philippines election | South China Morning Post

Strategic Communications Laboratories’ website said in the run up to the vote that its client was perceived as kind and honourable, but it rebranded the candidate as a strong, no-nonsense man of action to win....
http://www.scmp.com/news/asia/southeast-asia/article/2140303/how-cambridge-analyticas-parent-company-helped-man-action

Catholic Devotees Were Nailed to Crosses for Good Friday in the Philippines - TIME

Seven Filipino Roman Catholic devotees, including a woman, were nailed to wooden crosses in a Good Friday reenactment of Jesus Christ's suffering that was watched by thousands of spectators but frowned upon by church leaders. ...
http://time.com/5222418/good-friday-crucifixion-philippines/

16 and trying not to get pregnant - CNN

A new report signals a shift in the Philippines' soaring teen pregnancy rates, but in a deeply devout country where abortion is illegal, progress is slow. ...

Duterte tells Philippine soldiers to shoot female rebels in their vaginas - The Washington Post

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte told soldiers last week to shoot female rebels in their genitals, the latest of several violent, misogynistic remarks. Addressing a group of former communist rebels on Wednesday, Duterte, who served as a mayor before becoming president, appeared to encourage the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) to target women in conflict.....

https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/asia_pacific/duterte-tells-philippine-soldiers-to-shoot-female-rebels-in-their-vaginas/2018/02/12/fd42c6ae-0fb0-11e8-827c-5150c6f3dc79_story.html

Top U.S. & World Headlines — October 24, 2017

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=frXYbMGAwuI&feature=youtu.be
Interview:

Trump to Meet with Leader Who Claimed, “I Can Slash Open Your Body and Eat Your Heart in Front of You.” -- Mother Jones

The Trump administration released on Monday an itinerary for his upcoming trip to Asia next month, planned to strengthen alliances and curb the threat of Kim Jong Un's nuclear program. Perhaps unsurprisingly the trip will include a meeting with the president of the Philippines, Rodrigo Duterte. .....
http://www.motherjones.com/politics/2017/10/trump-to-meet-with-leader-who-claimed-i-can-slash-open-your-body-and-eat-your-heart-in-front-of-you/