Duterte tags 2 generals in illegal drug trade, but no names mentioned

Metro Manila (AdChoiceTV News, October 4) — President Rodrigo 
Duterte said two generals are involved in the illegal drug trade, 
but did not name names or identify if they are from the military or police.

"Right now, even as I fly here and go back. 
There are about — again — two generals who are still playing 
with drugs," he said during the Valdai Discussion Club forum in Sochi, Russia 
on Thursday (Friday, Philippine time).

"And I said, 'Well, I told you do not destroy my country because 
it is being flooded with drugs,'" Duterte added.

Duterte also recalled that when he assumed the presidency in July 2016, 
he found out that nine generals were involved in drug trafficking.

During the think tank forum attended by other world leaders, 
Russian officials, and academicians, Duterte also defended his 
administration's bloody war on drugs. He lambasted his critics 
and rights advocates, adding he was surprised when even the 
United Nations Human Rights Commission "heavily criticized" 
his policy to kill drug suspects who refuse to surrender.

"I would post to the entire community of the world, 
'Is it wrong for a president to say do not destroy my country, 
especially the children, because I will kill you?' 
That was my order to the armed forces and the police," he said.

Government data show at least 6,600 people have been 
killed in anti-illegal drug operations since Duterte took office in 
July 2016. Local and international human rights groups say 
the anti-drug campaign has resulted in more than 20,000 
extrajudicial killings, a claim the government has denied.

Gov’t open to releasing full list of PH delegation to Russia amid junket allegations

Metro Manila — Malacañang said it is open to releasing the list of the entire delegation that accompanied President Rodrigo Duterte on his five-day trip to Russia.

Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo replied yes when asked by AdChoiceTV if the full list of the country’s delegation should be accessible to the public.

Panelo said the list can be requested from Chief of Presidential Protocol Robert Eric Borje. The protocol office has not yet responded to AdChoiceTV’s request.

This comes amid speculation from netizens that some government officials — and even civilians — are on a junket paid for by the government. Duterte had sacked many executives before for excessive travels.

Aside from 16 Cabinet members who are part of Duterte’s official delegation, an accompanying delegation is also with the President during his five-day trip. While a list of the official delegation has been released, a list of the accompanying delegation has yet to be made public.

However, some individuals have posted on social media identifying themselves as part of Duterte’s accompanying delegation. They include newly-appointed Overseas Workers Welfare Administration Usec. Mocha Uson and Eastern Samar Gov. Ben Evardone.

AdChoiceTV has asked Evardone about his role in the Russia trip, but he has not yet responded. On Instagram, he posted a video where he appeared to be strolling around Moscow's Red Square and photos of him eating caviar.

Evardone thanked former House Speaker Feliciano "Sonny" Belmonte Jr. for the caviar. Belmonte, who no longer holds any government post, is also in Russia and appears to have boarded the same plane with Duterte and other officials.

It is not clear whether Belmonte is part of the country’s delegation. But his daughter, Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte, thanked Quezon City 4th District Rep. Jesus “Bong” Suntay on Facebook for “spending my Dad’s birthday with him today in Russia as part of [President Rodrigo Duterte’s] official party.”

Other officials in the accompanying delegation include House Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano, and Reps. Sheen Tan, Ria Christian Fariñas and Marlyn “Len” Alonte.

Social media posts indicate that the following government officials are also in Russia, but it is unclear whether they are part of the Philippine delegation:

- Senator Christopher “Bong” Go

- Deputy Speaker Lord Allan Velasco

- Deputy Speaker Ferdinand Hernandez

- House Majority Leader Martin Romualdez

- Taguig-Pateros 1st District Rep. Lani Cayetano

- Cavite 7th DIstrict Rep. Jesus Crispin “Boying” Remulla

- Pampanga 2nd District Rep. Juan Miguel “Mikey” Arroyo

- Camarines Sur 2nd District Rep. Luis Raymund “LRay” Villafuerte

- Palawan 1st District Rep. Franz “Chicoy” Alvarez

- Bohol 2nd District Rep. Erico Aristotle Aumentado

- Valenzuela City 1st District Rep. Weslie “Wes” Gatchalian

- Quirino Gov. Dakila Carlo “Dax” Cua

- Batangas Gov. Hermilando “Dodo” Mandanas

The spouses of some government officials were also seen accompanying them in Russia.

Atty. Larry Gadon, a 2019 senatorial race loser, was also spotted in Russia, posing for photos with other government officials

Celebrities, including Philip Salvador, James Ronald Obeso of comedy duo Moymoy Palaboy, and Cesar Montano, were also seen in social media posts from officials in Russia.

Panelo said that as far as he knows, these celebrities are not paid for entertaining the Filipino community as they wait for Duterte’s arrival.

“They have been doing that during the presidential campaign. They just happen to be genuine and rabid fans of the PRRD,” Panelo said.

Meanwhile, some 150 businessmen are also part of Duterte’s business delegation. Among them are Arnold Mamaclay of Rensol Recruitment and Antonio Tiu of Agrinurture Inc.

Sources said businessmen paid their own way to Russia and boarded a Qatar Airways flight to the country.

AdChoiceTV News Joan Indang, Joey Castro, Robi Chan contributed to this report.

Putin assures PH of aid in anti-terror drive during Duterte meet

Metro Manila — Russian President Vladimir Putin assured that his country is ready to assist the Philippines in fighting terrorism during his fourth meeting with President Rodrigo Duterte Thursday in Sochi .

"Dear Mr. President, we are ready to continue to offer partnership in the area of counter-terrorism efforts, to share our experience and practices," Putin said during the bilateral meeting with Duterte, according to a transcript posted on the Russian leader's website.

Putin noted how Duterte “managed to considerably bring down the level of the terrorist threat in the country and strengthen the potential of law enforcement agencies."

He also expressed interest to work with the Philippines in expanding industrial cooperation, establishing peaceful use of nuclear energy, space exploration and the use of digital technologies.

Both Putin and Duterte acknowledged the Marawi siege, which cut short the Philippine leader’s first trip to Russia in 2016.

Duterte underscored the need to sustain dialogues between Manila and Moscow’s foreign ministries, national security councils and economic agencies.

“I am, therefore, happy to continue our dialogue with the view of identifying vital areas of cooperation which will concentrate on our efforts in the coming years,” Duterte said.

Duterte also reaffirmed the Philippines’ strong commitment to build a “robust and comprehensive partnership” with Russia.

This is not the first time that Putin has offered the Philippines help to fight terrorism.

After the Jolo blasts in January, Putin said Russia is ready “to further step up interaction with our Philippine partners in combating the terrorist threat in all its forms and manifestations.”

In several speeches, Duterte has also credited Russia for giving the Philippines arms, while chiding the US — his country's traditional ally — for holding off an arms deal amid human rights concerns surrounding his drug war. - AdChoiceTV News