(Thread) The fetid pus left behind by Duterte's drug war:
Thousands killed from 2016 to 2022. Now the a P6.7 billion drug bust involves a cop from the anti-drug unit of the Philippine National Police.
There is context to the deep roots of illegal drug groups. Duterte’s war was an obscenity, starting from the top.
He waved sheafs of paper to attack local govt officials and judges allegedly in bed with drug lords - with many getting killed in the aftermath, forced to leave the country, or grovel for the honor of becoming lapdogs.

Families separated as hundreds flee AFP, NPA clash in Himamaylan, Negros Occidental on Thursday, October 6. Near midnight, parents were still looking for children who were on their way to school when fighting started. (Photo courtesy of Aksyon Radyo Bacolod) @rapplerdotcom Where the evacuees are (1) : Aksyon Radyo Bacolod reports more than 450 residents at the regional evacuation center in Sitio Bajay, Barangay 3 near the city proper; 60 fled across the border to Payao, Binalbagan town . @rapplerdotcom

(Thread; lalang) Ang paboritong libro ni VP Leni ay kwento ng isang pamilya: ang abogadong ama at ang mga anak na namulat sa pagkilala ng mali at tama habang nagmamasid sa kanilang komunidad. (Panahon ito kung saan namamayagpag ang pagsikil sa mga karapatan ng Black Americans.) Sinabi ni VP na paulit-ulit nyang nabasa ang "To Kill A Mockingbird."
At sa tuwing pag-basa nya, may nakukuha syang bagong leksyon , o paglalim ng pagunawa sa gawain at buhay ng isang abogado at development worker na nagsusumikap na ma-wasto ang mga problema ng lipunan.

Police arrested Bayan Iloilo secretary-general Elmer Forro in Cabatuan, Iloilo on March 29, alleging he was part of an ambush in Lambunao, Iloilo on April 7, 2020 - he was already a high-profile activist then, appearing in rallies and interviews. Forro was also arrested in Iloilo City on May 1, 2020, a day after BAYAN MUNA coordinator Jory Porquia was assassinated, a Bayan statement said.

Thread - “hakot”: Poor people in the provinces welcome free rides. Maybe they’re curious, maybe they really support; mostly, they lack resources. Hitching rides on trucks is normal sa amin. Saw that at Leni stationary caravan; not for a moment thought it was hakot, kahit libre. May substantial delegation of sugar workers nung stationary caravan; di lang na focus kasi attractive ang get up at kamada ng middle class. Naka truck din sila. Ganyan din kalaspag. Am sure we won’t call the volunteer who fed them, na nangsusuhol, bagkus compassionate.

Sara Duterte speaks at the Bacolod UniTeam rally: says they will pursue two major "reforms" started by the Duterte administration: Build, build, build and the anti-crime program of her father, President Rodrigo Duterte. "Kaya kailangan natin ang unity." @rapplerdotcom The Davao mayor touts her city's law and order grains, says she has ensured it is not in debt. Adds that she wants "pantay pantay lahat". @rapplerdotcom

The crowd a few minutes before the UniTeam Bacolod City 5:30 pm grand rally on February 23. Photos by Ronnie Baldonado @rapplerdotcom The Negros for BBM page estimate of the crowd around 10 minutes ago. Rally’s starting late because caravan from north slow moving.

Former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and husband Mike Arroyo arrive in Bacolod for the campaign sortie of UniTeam candidates Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. and Sara Duterte. Photo by C Canet @rapplerdotcom UniTeam presidential bet Ferdinand Marcos, Jr meets Negros Occidental Vice Gov Jeffrey Ferrer at Stonehill Suites in Bacolod City. Ferrer is the husband of Rep. Juliet Ferrer, the grand daughter of Marcos crony Benidicto. Photo by C Canet @rapplerdotcom

News of many “maraming” PSG personnel getting COVID19 — the reason cited Bong Go for Duterte cancelling national address — shows clearly the perils of opaque governance and abuse of discretion by those in powers. Let’s review the timeline. We know that members of the Presidential Security Group were vaccinated with Sinopharm, some as early as Sept 2020 ptvnews.ph/psg-chief-psg-… (that’s a govt platform ha)

Reminder to remind govt: 1)Sinas COVID19 protocol violation... how many police/civilians infected in circle(s) of contact... also how many police execs held non-essential activities exposing peeps to COVID Reminder to remind govt: 2) PNP-PDEA gun battle ... those responsible for violating manual of operations on both sides...

WE KNOW WHO FEED THE MONSTER
Sirens wail, lights streak past in a blur. Vans screech, doors slam. Rescuers in hazmat suits evoke dirty wars in far off places.
I come for a health procedure, leave with good news.
But the air folds and ripples as the monster slithers by. (More) We’re used to wails and screams during disasters.
The monster that stalks the land today crushes throats.
Voices drop, and drop, and drop, matching lowering odds, as word trickles in of a rejection, and another, and then another. (More)

American Idol, 1st half of top 24: Alyssa Wray, Wyatt Pike, Grace Kinstler, Anilee List , and Willie Spence. The rest can slug it out for 6th. You can’t beat these 5. (Pike is country cross-over, saw some Keith Urban there). My personal faves: Grace and Alyssa For the others... Andrea Valles made me forget for a moment my hatred of “Carless Whispers” and she’s got ‘tude. Love Deshawn’s voice but he didn’t show half of what he’s got.

(Thread) Will say this about VP Robredo. (This isn’t about 2022 but the here and now)
Have heard some folks chafe that she isn’t charismatic, that her speeches don’t excite. Maybe so, if you want empty bombast and false promises. But she has shows great executive skills.

https://twitter.com/lenirobredo/status/1376711656957353984

We’ve had enough excitement and posturing to last us four lifetimes. The VP takes time to detail - with facts and context - where some roots of problems lie. She prescribes solutions — some long-term, many immediate — and then quietly networks to put in place some solutions.

I hope the Supreme Court takes note of this. These are all legal activists. CRACKDOWN ALERT @karapatan southern tagalog describes the simultaneous raids as “tokhang-style” — similar to Duterte’s drug war operations. (Will translate in thread) At least 3 arrests, 3 dead. For context: Raids immediately followed Duterte’s growl for troops to kill when they see armed rebels. But remember, a judge just threw out the case against Lady Ann Salem because, clearly, evidence of arms planted, testimony manufactured. Other similar cases also dismissed.

COVID19 surging again, vaccines coming in slowly — the powerful jumping the lines as usual. The favoured Duterte vaccine (initially used as SMUGGLED) still lacks documentation per FDA. You wonder how they green light purchase orders. But all Duterte can say is kill, kill, kill. Duterte screams kill because, of course, it’s tokhang, jagainst perceived leftists this time. He orders troops to kill when they see armed rebels. But a judge just threw out the case against Lady Ann Salem because, clearly, evidence was planted, testimony manufactured.

Duh. Only idiots would buy into that “challenge” for VP @lenirobredo to accept funds from you to buy vaccines. Everyone knows how incompetence/corruption/lack of transparency caused the delay in transacting with vaccine makers and even friendly states. #DuterteLegacy Memory lane. Duterte initially blustered against western vaccines in favor of those produced by his patrons, China and Russia. Slammed advance payments. We know how China ‘collects’ on favours and aid. Also it has been grossly lacking in transparency reuters.com/article/us-hea…

Tyranny and corruption share a bed. (Thread)
The Red Tagging hysteria aims to divert attention from the Duterte regime’s wussy behavior towards Chinese aggression and the massive corruption by appointees who took advantage of a health crisis to line their pockets. They now claim P15-billion missing isn’t, that it’s being “liquidated” by hundreds of hospitals. Like these were advances. But during the probe hearings and other times, other hospitals — including state hospitals — moaned about delays in reimbursements, as did the Ph Red Cross

This is a thread on @EspinaNonoy ‘s FB which clearly shows what he means by a “mob howling for blood” — calling for summary execution of the killer cop. What follows is his post on the “attempt to twist the narrative of the uproar that followed the Paniqui executions.” (More) The new lie, he notes, “blithely claims that so-called human rights advocates he been calling for the lynching of the cop and his kid while Duterte's disciples sought a trial.” (More)

What really interests me is Vietnam: started its trial of a locally-developed COVID-19 vaccine Thursday... The country has kept its coronavirus tally to just above 1,400 cases and gone over two months without community transmission.

news.abs-cbn.com/news/12/17/20/… Also ... “Last week, Indonesia received 1.2 million doses of COVID-19 vaccine made by China's Sinovac, with another 1.8 million set to arrive next month.” ... exactly how advanced (or delayed) is the evaluation and approval of potential vaccines in PH?

The IATF is not running a tight ship ... could use the synonym “loose” to describe the quality of thought and logic of the country’s top leaders. That ball was dropped from up there and higher. bloomberg.com/news/articles/… 3 mos after Pfizer approached but CDA not the issue here

https://twitter.com/drtonyleachon/status/1340109781231521793

Rappler has good report on convoluted procedures. Hardly a fan of Duque but IATF hand seen here rappler.com/newsbreak/in-d… Duque often falls in step with the boss — who refuses to criticise him, eh?

Inefficiency is bad enough. Neglect and displays of cavalier response among top officials are worse.
Duterte's tries to mask failure by attacking those who stepped into the breach. This is criminal and unforgivable. #DuterteMeltdown (thread) So many around the country still have to receive aid. Duterte wastes time with yet another angry rant. His sole goal — to hide the real costs of a presidency in perpetual idolation. That is why we got the #DuterteMeltdown