News Briefs: Feb. 12, 2019
PNP to review escorts’ treatment of De Lima
The Philippine National Police on Monday said it would review concerns raised by supporters of opposition Sen. Leila de Lima that she was being treated harshly by her police escorts during transfers to and from court hearings and the PNP custodial center in Camp Crame, Quezon City, where she has been detained for nearly two years on drug charges.
Women’s rights advocates, led by former presidential peace process adviser Teresita Quintos-Deles, activist nun Mary John Mananzan and Minerva Ambrosio, head of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines National Legal Aid Center, met with officials of the PNP Headquarters Support Service (HSS) at Camp Crame “to convey to the PNP … our concern and consternation about what we found to be unnecessarily rough handling by the members of the PNP assigned as security detail” of the senator.
But Senior Supt. Vincent Calanoga, chief of HSS, maintained that the escorts were just carrying out “the appropriate security for [De Lima], considering security conditions at the time.” —Jaymee T. Gamil
US pledges P300-M aid in PH fight vs terrorism
Malacañang on Monday welcomed the United States’ P300-million aid pledge to boost the Philippines’ intelligence gathering capabilities in fighting terrorism.
Article continues after this advertisementPresidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo said in a statement that the offer was proof of the country’s continued good relations with the United States, its longtime ally.
Article continues after this advertisementThe US defense department recently said it was helping the Armed Forces of the Philippines in gathering intelligence information on terrorist groups in the country.
Panelo said the government needed all the help it could get in fighting terrorism.
“Terrorism knows no boundaries, politics, religion and creed. It is the new evil in the world that strikes at every country and every continent,” he said. —Julie M. Aurelio
Oil companies raise prices of diesel, gasoline
Pump prices of oil products rose again after last week’s respite as the price of Dubai crude saw a big jump over the past seven days.
Shell, Phoenix, Total, PTT, Seaoil and Unioil announced a price increase of 55 centavos per liter of diesel and 90 centavos per liter of gasoline.
Shell and Seaoil also raised the price of kerosene by 85 centavos per liter. —Ronnel W. Domingo
