International Criminal Court backs probe into Philippines' 'war on drugs'

Wazzup Pilipinas!?

Pre-trial Chamber of International Criminal Court granted its ex-prosecutor Fatou Bensouda's request to conduct probe in relation to crimes against humanity allegedly committed in the PHL between November 2011 and March 16, 2019 in the context of 'war on drugs'.  

The so-called 'war on drugs' campaign cannot be seen as a legitimate law enforcement operation, and the killings neither as legitimate nor as mere excesses in an otherwise legitimate operation. 

Rather, the available material indicates, to the required standard, that a widespread and systematic attack against the civilian population took place pursuant to or in furtherance of a State policy, within the meaning of Article 7(1) and (2)(a) of the Statute.

The ICC pre-trial chamber has opened the crucial investigation into the Philippine war on drugs, the court's pre-trial chamber announced on September 15. 

The investigation covers not only Duterte's war on drugs but also alleged Davao Death Squad killings from 2011 to 2016. 

ICC pre-trial chamber: "The systematic character of the attack against the civilian population, on the other hand, is discernible at this stage on the basis of the same considerations as expressed just above with respect to the policy requirement." 

"In the assessment of the Chamber, there exists information sufficiently linking the killings in the Davao area in 2011-2016 to the relevant facts of the so-called ‘war on drugs’ campaign as discussed above."

ICC pre-trial chamber says it is not necessary at this stage to scrutinize the Davao Death Squad killings, "what is important for the present decision is that..it appears that the killings in the Davao area show a certain pattern and may constitute crimes against humanity..."

"In conclusion, the Chamber finds that it has been sufficiently established for the purpose of an authorisation to investigate that the contextual elements of crimes against humanity under Article 7 of the Statute have been met." 

The long arms of justice catch up with Duterte.

The Supreme Court in a 15-0 decision announced that the PH withdrawal from the ICC shall not discharge Duterte from any ICC criminal proceedings. 

Now the Pre-Trial of Duterte begins. 

It's about time Duterte gets into a corner where nobody hears his rants or bullying. No more.

Duterte is, apparently guilty of murdering suspected drug dealers and traders, with emphasis on suspected, which is why he will be charged with crimes against humanity. And may he suffer the same fate as Milosevic.

Decade long impunity hopefully coming to an end. And if he can be charged of incompetence also, that’ll be sweet.

Many thanks ICC, the  EJK's victims and their families have been longing for justice. Filipinos will rejoice when the mastermind murderer Duterte is finally convicted as GUILTY of the crimes against humanity.

Very good news! Duts, pina-plantsa na ang kaso mo. Nakahanda na ba ang wheel chair? Long have we waited for this time of reckoning!

Long live Duterte to face his crimes against humanity! Bago siya makulong, ibalik muna lahat ng nakulimbat sa kaban ng bayan. Buksan ang SALN at lahat ng bank accounts niyan at ng kanyang gabinete at mga appointed crooks seated in government.r

This is one of the price he pays for telling the United States of America to get out of his country.

Ang puno kapag naputulan ng malaking ugat, utay-utay nalalagas ang mga dahon at sanga. wait and see!

Parang nakakatakot ang susunod na kabanata. And it is guaranteed gripping! Are we just going to sit and watch! Duterte will definitely retaliate and it will all be unjustly.

The war on drugs and sex is stupid, people will pay for both regardless of its morals. regulate it, makes it safer for both parties and generates income.

Chel Diokno will run again for senator on 2022

Wazzup Pilipinas!?

Human Rights Lawyer Chel Diokno announces in an interview with One News that he will again run as senator in the 2022 elections. 

In a tweet, Diokno confirmed that he will run again for the senate. "Napakaraming bagay ang hindi patas dito sa atin – sa batas, sa ekonomiya, sa mga patakaran sa COVID. Gawin nating mas makatarungan ang buhay ng mga Pilipino", he added.

“We did not have much resources, we did not have a ground crew that could really fight the ground war... but I’ve had two years to think about it, to plan how to wage a better campaign and during this time a lot has changed, the political landscape has changed,” Diokno said.

On an interview with “The Chiefs” on One News, “We have seen how important is it to have a good message and to really take advantage of social media platforms,” he added.

While he’s already sure of his senatorial bid, Diokno also revealed that he is currently not allied or affiliated with any political party. 

In 2019, Diokno ran for Senate under opposition coalition Otso Diretso. He lost with 6,308,065 votes.

The "mild-mannered" Senator 

Mas mainam ang independent kasi walang kikilingang partido - his loyalty is to the Filipino people not to any political party; also less likely magloko kasi wala ring kakampi kung magka-aberiya; but he looks like a straight arrow (sana). Him and VP Robredo; hanap pa 

Finally!!! Someone fit and competent to run in the senate. Five votes from my own family assured! Will campaign to other relatives, friends and colleagues. 

The Senate of the Philippines sorely needs men with the mind and heart like Atty. Chel Diokno's.

Anybody who wants what’s good for our country will definitely vote for Chel Diokno. Who says otherwise are stupid DDS and Marcos loyalists.

Vote for competence, decency and integrity. This man will put those 7-hour glitch senators to shame. 

Binoto ko siya noong 2016 at iboboto ko ulit siya sa 2022! Sana this time marunong na mag isip ang mga botante at hindi na magpadala sa mga nagsasayaw at nagdadramang kandidato.

Dapat lang para maiahon naman ang dignidad ng senado na masyadong nasalaula ng mga bobo at gago.

Let’s make him Number 1. He DESERVES a seat in the Senate and will make among the best representations of the public there. 

Badtrip prin ako sa nangyari last election..

Imagine Bong Go, Bato Dela Rosa, Bong Revilla, Imee Marcos, ang mga nanalo?? Ampots yan tapos,, sila Chel Diokno, Bam Aquino, Doc Willie Ong,  Nelly Colmenares amg hindo nanalo,,Hays naku po naman..paanong magic nangyari or sadyang napaka $!^@%& nlng yung ibang botante parang DDS,TANGA..

Sinong taong nasa matinong pag-iisip ang pipili ng Bato kesa Diokno? Utang na loob, ibalik natin yung mga karespe-respeto at matatalino sa Senado!

I voted for him last time and will gladly do it again. I have been campaigning for him within my family first. We can all start small.

.It's about time na mapalitan ang mga hindi deserving na maging Senador. And Atty CHel is  one who deserves one of the seats in the Senate.

Ngipin lang ang panlaban nila sa iyo, kasi wala silang masabi sa credentials mo Atty. Chel. 

Get registered, people. Time for changes. We need Atty. Chel Diokno. We're rooting for him. Kailangan natin ng utak sa senado, hindi budots, hindi namimigay ng jacket, hindi action star.

Bigyan naman ng pagkakataon ang malinis at qualified na manungkulan.

Carousell Group Raises US$100 Million from STIC Investments to Accelerate Classifieds 4.0 in Greater Southeast Asia

Wazzup Pilipinas!?

Valued at US$1.1 billion, the regional leader of classifieds will continue to cement its frontrunner position across Goods, Autos and Property verticals, and accelerate its transactional push into recommerce


Carousell Group, the leading classifieds group in Greater Southeast Asia, today announced that it has secured an investment of US$100 million to accelerate its leadership in the region, and to reimagine the classifieds experience with a focus on convenience and trust, to make secondhand the first choice.

This round of funding, led by STIC Investments, a leading Korean private equity that invests across Asia, marks a significant milestone that will bring Carousell's valuation to US$1.1 billion. The investment will power the group's ambitions to redefine commerce for secondhand goods and automobiles in an increasingly digitally savvy, affluent and sustainability-conscious region.

"The pandemic has shown us that our mission to inspire the world to start selling and buying secondhand is more relevant than ever. People in the community are using our platforms to make more possible for each other—through shared passions, making ends meet, affording what they need, or simply because it is more sustainable. We believe that the accelerated adoption of digital experiences is an opportunity for us to double down on our recommerce efforts with a focus on convenience and trust, to unlock step-change growth in our community," said Quek Siu Rui, Co-founder and CEO of Carousell. "STIC's investment is a validation of our mission and strategic direction. We'll deepen our investments in recommerce across more categories and markets, and will continue to seek opportunistic acquisitions in scaling up."

"We have been monitoring Carousell as one of the leading platforms in Greater Southeast Asia, and are excited to partner up with a significant stake in its growth story," said Jason Cho, Managing Director of STIC Investments. "Carousell continues to achieve tremendous user growth as they transform the recommerce market, adding new features that are focused on creating trusted marketplaces and enhancing overall user experience. We are highly confident that Carousell will be at the center of the secondhand economy in this region at a time when an increasing number of socio-economic and environmentally conscious consumers are shifting towards a circular economy". As part of the funding round, Mr. Cho will join the Carousell Board of Directors.

Since its founding in 2012, the Group serves a community of tens of millions of users across eight markets in Greater Southeast Asia under the brands Carousell, Mudah.my, Cho Tot and OneKyat. Carousell's pioneering mobile-first approach reignited the classifieds space, making selling and buying easier and proving to be an essential one-stop shop across all categories.

"We have grown way beyond categories like fashion, electronics and general goods," said Siu Rui, "As the region becomes more affluent, people want to enjoy the finer things in life. We are looking at authentication capabilities for higher-value products, including luxury goods and cars. Our goal is to make transacting in a secondhand marketplace as convenient and trusted as any e-commerce platform so that secondhand can truly be the first choice."

This year alone, Carousell has piloted a Certified Mobiles programme in Singapore, offering a 12-month warranty for used mobile phones to offer users a like-new experience at secondhand prices, and launched integrated shipping with PosLaju (the Malaysia national postal service) to provide contactless transaction options for sellers and buyers during the Movement Control Order. Carousell Auto Group, which was formed earlier this year to leverage its regional leadership position in car classifieds, has in a short period rolled out a Certified Autos programme in Malaysia that achieved the largest inventory of certified cars in the country, with other key markets to follow.

"We are grateful and privileged to have investors, teammates and users who believe in our mission and our journey in building a meaningful and enduring company," Siu Rui added.