News Update
As of December 14, 2017 (Thursday)
1. Manila Bulletin
North Korea would not commit to peace talks but ‘door ajar’ – U.N. envoy
United Nations political affairs chief Jeffrey Feltman said on Tuesday that senior North Korean officials did not offer any type of commitment to talks during his visit to Pyongyang last week, but he believes he left “the door ajar.” Feltman said he asked North Korea to signal that it was prepared to consider engagement like possible
“talks about talks” and to open “technical channels of communication.”
“They listened seriously to our arguments … They did not offer any type of commitment to us at that point,”
said Feltman. “They agreed it was important to prevent war … How we do that was the topic of 15-plus hours of discussions.” He said the United Nations could act as a facilitator.
https://news.mb.com.ph/2017/12/13/north-korea-would-not-commit-to-peace-talks-but-door-ajar-u-n-envoy/
2. Philippine Star
Duterte won’t rule out nationwide martial law
Martial law in Mindanao can be expanded outside the region if enemies of the state converge and consolidate forces to topple the government, President Duterte said last night, with a warning to terrorists and rebels that the government would be ruthless against those who sow terror in the country. Backed by the authority to impose military rule in Mindanao for one more year, Duterte did not discount the possibility that martial law could be expanded to the entire country.
Duterte yesterday expressed gratitude to Congress for its imprimatur on the one-year extension of martial law and the suspension of the writ of heabeas corpus in Mindanao.
http://www.philstar.com/headlines/2017/12/14/1768251/duterte-wont-rule-out-nationwide-martial-law
3. Daily Inquirer
No endorsers for impeach rap against Ombudsman
The pro-Duterte Volunteers Against Crime and Corruption (VACC) on Wednesday submitted an impeachment complaint against Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales, but without an endorsement by any lawmaker.
In the 94-page complaint, Morales was accused of betrayal of public trust and unlawful disclosure of
information on the Office of the Ombudsman’s investigation into President Duterte’s alleged ill-gotten wealth.
http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/952314/no-endorsers-for-impeach-rap-against-ombudsman
4. Manila Times
Duterte extends De la Rosa’s term for another 3 months
President Rodrigo Duterte has extended the term of Philippine National Police Chief Ronald “Bato” de la Rosa for another three months, saying he still has a task for him to do.
Duterte made the announcement in a press briefing on Wednesday.
Earlier in the day, Malacanang said that de la Rosa would be appointed chief of the Bureau of Corrections, which the PNP chief welcomed.
De la Rosa was scheduled to retire on January 2018 when he reaches the mandatory retirement age of 56.
http://www.manilatimes.net/duterte-extends-de-la-rosas-term-another-3-months/368410/
