Ressa and Dmitry Muratov of Russia won the Nobel Peace Prize for their fight for freedom of expression in countries where reporters have faced persistent attacks and even murder.
Activists claim the victims were unarmed political organizers and workers’ advocates.
March 09, 2021
A woman activist displays a slogan condemning the recent government attacks on activists as they hold a rally near the Malacanang presidential palace to mark International Women’s Day on March 8, 2021 in Manila, Philippines.
Credit: AP Photo/Aaron Favila
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Over the weekend, Philippine police backed by military units killed nine people in a series of raids against suspected communist insurgents in the southern part of Luzon island.
Philippines authorities conducted separate raids in the provinces of Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, and Rizal, while serving at least 24 search warrants, mostly for illegal firearms and explosives.
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News about last month’s coup d’etat in Myanmar prompted solidarity actions in Manila, which became more frequent after the Philippine government dissociated itself from the United Nations Human Rights Council statement expressing concern over the actions of the Tatmadaw.
The statement of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on February 12 mentioned the popularity of State Counselor Aung San Suu Kyi among Filipinos. “The Lady is a deeply and widely admired icon of democracy among the Filipino people who identify with her and her people, given similar struggles against tyranny in the not distant past,” the DFA statement said.