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Breaking: Iranian state media declare Supreme Leader Khamenei dead after U.S.–Israel strikes

EDGARDO HERNAL
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Breaking: Iranian state media declare Supreme Leader Khamenei dead after U.S.–Israel strikes

TEHRAN/BEIRUT — Iranian state media have declared the death of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei following a joint U.S. and Israeli military offensive, marking a dramatic escalation in Middle East tensions. Israeli officials and U.S. sources also reported that Khamenei was killed in the strikes targeting Iranian military and government sites early Saturday.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said there were “many signs” that Khamenei had been killed during the operation, while U.S. President Donald Trump confirmed on social media that the supreme leader was dead and called the event “the single greatest chance for the Iranian people to take back their country.”

Despite these claims, Iran’s government has not independently confirmed the death, and some state reports continue to frame developments cautiously. Analysts warn that the lack of a designated successor could create a power vacuum and escalate regional tensions further.

The U.S.–Israeli strikes have already triggered Iranian missile and drone retaliations against U.S. and allied positions in the region, raising concerns about a prolonged conflict. The attacks targeted strategic sites in Tehran and other cities, reportedly including Khamenei’s compound.

Khamenei, 86, had led Iran since 1989 and wielded significant control over its political, military, and religious institutions. His reported death, if confirmed, could profoundly impact Iran’s governance and the stability of the Middle East.

This is a breaking story. Updates will be provided as more information becomes available.

Tiyakin ang kaligtasan ng mga Pinoy habang lumalala ang giyera sa Middle East – Marcos

Carlo Juancho Funtanilla
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Tiyakin ang kaligtasan ng mga Pinoy habang lumalala ang giyera sa Middle East – Marcos

MAYNILA, Philippines — Inutusan ni Pangulong Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. ang mga kinauukulang ahensiya upang tiyakin ang kaligtasan ng mga Pilipinong naninirahan at nagtatrabaho sa Middle East, kasunod ng malawakang airstrikes ng Estados Unidos at Israel laban sa Iran na nagbunsod ng mas malalang tensyon sa rehiyon.

Sa pahayag na inilabas kagabi, sinabi ni Marcos na nakatanggap ang pamahalaan ng ulat hinggil sa mga pag-atakeng tumama sa iba’t ibang bahagi ng Iran at patuloy na kumukuha ng karagdagang impormasyon ukol dito. Aniya, ang kaligtasan ng mga Pilipino sa Iran at sa buong Middle East ang siyang top priority sa kasalukuyan.

Upang matugunan ito, inutos ng Pangulo sa Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) at Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) na agad tukuyin ang kinaroroonan ng mga kababayan sa mga apektadong lugar at magsagawa ng nararapat na hakbang upang masiguro ang kanilang kaligtasan at kapakanan.

Sinabi ng DFA na ang mga embahada ng Pilipinas sa Tehran, Tel Aviv, pati na sa mga bansang kasapi ng Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) kung saan may malalaking populasyon ng mga Pilipino, ay nasa full alert at handang tumugon sa mga kahilingan ng mga kababayan kung kinakailangan. Wala namang naiulat na nasaktan o naapektuhang Pilipino sa ngayon, ayon sa ahensya.

Mga Payo at Gabay sa mga OFW
Sa mga paalala ng mga misyon ng Pilipinas sa ibang bansa, kabilang ang United Arab Emirates at Israel, hinihikayat ang mga kababayan na manatili sa loob ng tahanan, manatiling mapagmatyag sa mga opisyal na anunsyo, at maghanda para sa mga abiso ng urgent alert o pagkakaroon ng red alert sa mga lugar na kanilang kinaroroonan.

Ang pinakabagong pahayag na ito ay lumalabas habang ang tensyon sa rehiyon ay patuloy na tumitindi, kung saan naglunsad ang Estados Unidos at Israel ng malawakang atake laban sa Iran at nagbunsod ng sunud-sunod na pagbomba at reprisals mula sa Tehran, kasama ang mga missile at drone strikes sa mga base ng U.S. at mga kaalyado sa Gitnang Silangan.

Patuloy na binibigyang-diin ng Malacañang at ng DFA ang kahalagahan ng pagkakaroon ng updated na impormasyon at pag-iingat sa mga kababayan, lalo na kung magpapatuloy ang eskalasyon ng mga operasyong militar sa rehiyon.

World leaders react cautiously to US and Israeli strikes after the death of Iran’s supreme leader

Venus L Peñaflor
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World leaders react cautiously to US and Israeli strikes after the death of Iran’s supreme leader

BRUSSELS — Global leaders expressed cautious concern Saturday following U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran and reports of the death of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Questions about the potential escalation and regional impact of the conflict resonated worldwide.

U.S. President Donald Trump confirmed Khamenei’s death on social media, describing it as “the single greatest chance for the Iranian people to take back their country,” while noting that joint airstrikes would continue. Israel also indicated the Supreme Leader had likely been killed in the strike on his compound, according to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Iran has yet to issue an official comment.

The reported death of Khamenei, who had no designated successor, raises uncertainties over Iran’s future leadership and could heighten concerns of broader conflict. In response, the U.N. Security Council scheduled an emergency meeting.

Many nations, wary of straining relations with the U.S., refrained from directly commenting on the strikes, condemning instead Iran’s retaliatory actions. Arab League nations denounced the Iranian attacks on neighboring countries, while European countries urged restraint.

Some countries spoke more explicitly: Australia and Canada voiced support for the U.S. strikes, while Russia and China criticized the military action. Russia called the strikes “a pre-planned and unprovoked act of armed aggression against a sovereign state,” while China emphasized that Iran’s “sovereignty, security, and territorial integrity should be respected” and urged a return to negotiations.

The U.S. and Israel’s strikes prompted retaliatory Iranian missile and drone attacks on Israel and U.S. bases across the region. In a joint statement, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron, and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz called for renewed negotiations, emphasizing that the Iranian people must ultimately determine their own future. Macron later stressed that military action alone cannot resolve issues related to Iran’s nuclear program or regional destabilization.

Arab nations including Saudi Arabia, Morocco, Jordan, Syria, and the United Arab Emirates condemned the Iranian strikes targeting U.S. bases in the region. Oman, acting as a mediator between Iran and the U.S., described the strikes as violations of international law.

Meanwhile, civilians in the West Bank reported minimal disruption despite missile interceptions over Israel. However, checkpoints and supply concerns prompted longer lines at gas stations. The Palestinian Authority condemned Iran’s attacks on Arab states but did not mention U.S. or Israeli actions.

Norwegian Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide warned of the risk of “a new, extensive war in the Middle East.” The International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons called the strikes “totally irresponsible,” citing concerns about escalation and nuclear proliferation. European Union leaders and the Arab League urged all parties to pursue diplomacy to ensure regional stability and nuclear safety.

The situation remains fluid as nations weigh responses to the strikes and the potential ramifications of Iran’s reported leadership vacuum.

Ancient interbreeding likely occurred more often between human females and Neanderthal males

Venus L Peñaflor
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Ancient interbreeding likely occurred more often between human females and Neanderthal males

NEW YORK — Humans and Neanderthals occasionally interbred tens of thousands of years ago, but new research suggests these encounters were more often between human females and Neanderthal males.

A genetic study published Thursday in Science analyzed Neanderthal and human DNA to uncover patterns of interbreeding. The findings indicate a preference for male Neanderthals mating with female modern humans, rather than the reverse, according to Alexander Platt, a geneticist at the University of Pennsylvania.

The evidence comes from examining the X chromosome, one of the sex chromosomes in humans, which contains far less Neanderthal DNA than other chromosomes. By comparing the human genome to Neanderthal DNA, researchers found a mirror pattern: more human DNA on Neanderthal X chromosomes than expected.

“This mirror image pattern is likely a result of mating behavior,” Platt explained. Because genetic females inherit two X chromosomes and males inherit one X and one Y, the inheritance patterns support the idea that more human females mated with Neanderthal males over time.

Population genetics expert Xinjun Zhang of the University of Michigan noted that the study cannot definitively explain how these pairings occurred. “I don’t know if we’ll ever get a definitive answer to how this happened, since we can’t travel back in time,” Zhang said.

The study highlights how human culture, social behavior, and interaction patterns likely shaped the genetic legacy of these encounters, rather than natural selection alone.

Joshua Akey, an evolutionary genomics researcher at Princeton University, praised the work, saying it fills “missing pieces to the puzzle” of human-Neanderthal interbreeding.

Neanderthal DNA still persists in most modern humans outside sub-Saharan Africa, influencing susceptibility to some diseases and immunity to others, making the study a key insight into the ancient interactions that shaped human evolution.


Middle East flights disrupted and thousands stranded after U.S.-Israel strikes on Iran

Paraluman P. Funtanilla
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Middle East flights disrupted and thousands stranded after U.S.-Israel strikes on Iran

LONDON — The U.S. and Israel’s military strikes on Iran triggered widespread airspace closures across the Middle East on Saturday, disrupting global travel and stranding thousands of passengers.

Israel, the United Arab Emirates and Qatar shut down their airspace, while southern Syria also suspended flights. Aircraft en route to major hubs including Tel Aviv and Dubai were diverted or forced to return to their points of origin as the situation escalated.

Dubai International Airport, the world’s busiest airport for international travel, reported more than 700 inbound and outbound flight cancellations. Operations were halted indefinitely at both Dubai International Airport and Al Maktoum International Airport, according to airport authorities.

Airlines urged passengers to check flight statuses before heading to airports, warning that the situation remains fluid.

Jonathan Escott, who had arrived at Newcastle Airport in England for a direct flight to Dubai on Emirates, said he learned upon arrival that his flight had been canceled.

“No one knows,” Escott said. “No one really knows what’s going on with the conflict, really. Not Emirates, Emirates don’t have a clue. No one has a clue.”

The disruption is expected to have ripple effects beyond the Gulf, particularly for Dubai-based Emirates and other international carriers that use the city as a global hub.

Emirates confirmed it was temporarily suspending operations to and from Dubai International. Air Canada canceled its scheduled Dubai services, while Qatar Airways suspended flights to and from Doha due to airspace restrictions.

European carriers also expanded cancellations. KLM had already announced it would suspend flights to and from Tel Aviv starting Sunday. Airlines including Lufthansa, Air France, Transavia and Pegasus Airlines canceled flights to Lebanon.

Virgin Atlantic canceled its Heathrow-to-Dubai service and said it would avoid Iraqi airspace, potentially extending flight times to India, the Maldives and Riyadh. The airline noted it was already avoiding Iranian airspace and would carry additional fuel to accommodate sudden rerouting.

British Airways suspended flights to Tel Aviv and Bahrain until next week and canceled Saturday services to Amman, Jordan.

In the United States, United Airlines said flights en route to Tel Aviv and Dubai were either diverted or returned. The carrier canceled flights between the U.S. and Tel Aviv through Monday and between the U.S. and Dubai through Sunday, issuing travel waivers allowing passengers to rebook without penalty.

Turkish Airlines announced that flights to Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, Iran and Jordan would be suspended through Monday, with additional cancellations possible. Services to Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates and Oman were suspended for Saturday.

With regional airspace closures continuing and security risks evolving, aviation authorities and airlines warned that further disruptions may follow as the conflict unfolds.

Iran’s supreme leader reportedly killed in major US-Israel strikes, Trump says

EDGARDO HERNAL
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0
Iran’s supreme leader reportedly killed in major US-Israel strikes, Trump says

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — U.S. President Donald Trump on Saturday announced that Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, had been killed in a large-scale joint military operation carried out by the United States and Israel, a development that, if confirmed, could dramatically reshape the political future of the Islamic Republic and escalate instability across the Middle East.

“Khamenei, one of the most evil people in History, is dead,” Trump wrote in a social media post, adding that “heavy and pinpoint bombing” would continue in the coming days as part of what he described as a necessary effort to disable Iran’s nuclear capabilities.

Iran did not immediately confirm Khamenei’s death.

The reported assassination marks a stunning escalation in U.S. intervention in Iran and could trigger retaliatory violence across the region and beyond. It also underscores a significant shift for Trump, who returned to office after campaigning on an “America First” platform that emphasized avoiding prolonged foreign conflicts.

If verified, Khamenei’s killing in what would be the second Trump-ordered strike on Iran within eight months could create a leadership vacuum in Tehran. The 86-year-old cleric, who succeeded Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini after the 1979 Islamic Revolution, held final authority over major state policies, overseeing both the country’s clerical establishment and the powerful paramilitary Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.

Eyewitnesses in Tehran told The Associated Press that some residents celebrated as reports of Khamenei’s death spread, though Iranian officials warned of severe retaliation.

Ali Larijani, secretary of Iran’s National Security Council, declared that Israel and the United States would “regret their actions,” writing on X that “the brave soldiers and the great nation of Iran will deliver an unforgettable lesson to the hellish international oppressors.”

Months of Rising Tensions

U.S. and Israeli officials said the operation had been planned for months. The coordinated strikes occurred during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan and at the start of Iran’s workweek, following stalled negotiations and renewed warnings from Washington over Tehran’s nuclear ambitions.

About 12 hours after the operation began, the U.S. military reported no American casualties and minimal damage to U.S. installations despite what it described as “hundreds of Iranian missile and drone attacks.” Targets inside Iran reportedly included Revolutionary Guard command centers, air defense systems, missile and drone launch sites, and military airfields.

Israel said it had also killed senior Iranian officials, including the commander of the Revolutionary Guard Corps and the country’s defense minister.

An Iranian diplomat told the United Nations Security Council that hundreds of civilians were killed or wounded in the strikes. Iran responded by launching missiles and drones toward Israel and targeting U.S. military bases in Bahrain, Kuwait and Qatar. Exchanges of fire continued into the night.

Israel’s military said Iran fired “dozens” of missiles, many of which were intercepted. Emergency service Magen David Adom reported 89 people lightly injured.

In southern Iran, at least 115 people were reported killed when a girls’ school was struck, according to local authorities speaking to state television. U.S. Central Command spokesperson Capt. Tim Hawkins said officials were aware of the reports and were investigating.

Iran’s state news agency IRNA reported at least 15 additional fatalities in the southwest, citing damage to residential areas and public facilities.

Regional Fallout

The escalation has disrupted flights across the Middle East and raised concerns over the security of critical maritime routes, particularly the Strait of Hormuz, through which roughly a third of global seaborne oil exports passed in 2025.

Saudi Arabia said it repelled an Iranian attack targeting its capital and eastern region. Bahrain reported missile strikes aimed at the U.S. Navy’s 5th Fleet headquarters, with drone debris damaging buildings in Manama and Muharraq. Kuwait and Qatar also reported drone and missile activity, while Jordan said it intercepted 49 drones and ballistic missiles.

In the United States, several Democratic lawmakers criticized the president for taking military action without congressional authorization. White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt said congressional leaders from both parties had been briefed in advance.

Trump acknowledged the possibility of American casualties, stating that “that often happens in war.” He said the objective was to “annihilate” Iran’s navy and dismantle regional proxies backed by Tehran. He also called on members of the Revolutionary Guard to surrender, offering immunity or warning of “certain death.”

Uncertain Political Future

Khamenei’s reported death leaves unanswered questions about succession in Iran’s theocratic system, where no clear successor has been publicly identified.

The strikes come amid sustained domestic unrest in Iran. The Human Rights Activists News Agency has reported more than 7,000 deaths in a government crackdown on nationwide protests, though Iranian authorities have acknowledged more than 3,000 fatalities.

As the situation continues to unfold, the potential for broader regional conflict remains high, with global markets and diplomatic relations likely to feel the effects of one of the most consequential military escalations in recent Middle Eastern history.

This is a developing story. Updates will follow as more information becomes available.

Neil Sedaka, hitmaking singer-songwriter of the 60s and 70, dies at 86

Paraluman P. Funtanilla
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Neil Sedaka, hitmaking singer-songwriter of the 60s and 70, dies at 86

NEW YORK — Neil Sedaka, the acclaimed singer-songwriter whose string of chart-topping hits helped define early rock ’n’ roll and whose career enjoyed a major resurgence in the 1970s, has died. He was 86.

Sedaka, known for classics such as “Breaking Up Is Hard to Do” and “Laughter in the Rain,” died Friday, according to a statement released by his family.

“Our family is devastated by the sudden passing of our beloved husband, father and grandfather, Neil Sedaka,” the family said. “A true rock and roll legend, an inspiration to millions, but most importantly, at least to those of us who were lucky enough to know him, an incredible human being who will be deeply missed.”

No further details regarding the cause of death were immediately disclosed.

A Brill Building Pioneer

A central figure in New York’s famed Brill Building songwriting community, Sedaka partnered with lyricist Howard Greenfield, his childhood friend and neighbor. Together, they crafted a series of hits that captured the innocence of the post-Elvis, pre-Beatles era of the late 1950s and early 1960s. Among them were “Happy Birthday Sweet Sixteen,” “Calendar Girl,” and “Oh! Carol,” the latter inspired by his high school sweetheart, Carole King.

Between 1959 and 1962, Sedaka placed 10 songs in the Top 10, cementing his reputation as one of the era’s leading pop voices. However, the British Invasion led by The Beatles and the rise of psychedelic and protest music pushed the Brill Building sound from the charts, ushering in what Sedaka later described as 13 years “in the wilderness.”

A Remarkable Comeback

Sedaka’s career experienced a revival in the mid-1970s, aided by Elton John, who signed him to Rocket Records. The resulting album, “Sedaka’s Back,” reintroduced him to American audiences and produced major hits including “Bad Blood” and “Laughter in the Rain.”

He achieved a rare distinction with “Breaking Up Is Hard to Do,” which reached No. 1 in its original upbeat 1962 version and again in 1975 after Sedaka re-recorded it as a ballad.

The Captain & Tennille’s rendition of his “Love Will Keep Us Together” became a chart-topping success in 1975 and earned a Grammy Award for Best Album. At the close of the song, Toni Tennille famously declared, “Sedaka’s back!”

A Life in Music

Born and raised in Brooklyn’s Brighton Beach neighborhood, Sedaka was the son of a Jewish taxi driver and began performing as a teenager. Encouraged by a second-grade teacher who recognized his musical talent, his mother, Eleanor, worked in a department store to purchase him a piano and later managed his career.

At 16, Sedaka was selected by Arthur Rubenstein as New York City’s top high school piano student. That same year, he embraced rock ’n’ roll, performing an original song, “Mr. Moon,” with Greenfield before a lively high school audience.

After studying at Juilliard, Sedaka signed with RCA Victor Records in 1958. His debut single, “The Diary,” achieved modest success, and he soon became a regular performer on Dick Clark’s “American Bandstand” and “Shindig!”

Throughout his career, Sedaka’s songs were recorded by a wide array of artists, including Elvis Presley, Frank Sinatra, The 5th Dimension and Nickelback. He also helped launch Connie Francis’ career with “Stupid Cupid” and “Where the Boys Are.”

Despite never being inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, Sedaka was honored by the Songwriters Hall of Fame for his enduring contributions to popular music.

Enduring Passion

Well into his 80s, Sedaka continued performing dozens of concerts annually. Reflecting on his longevity, he told The Associated Press in 2012: “It’s nice to be a legend, but it’s better to be a working legend.”

He is survived by his wife, Leba, whom he married in 1962, and their two children. His daughter Dara recorded a hit duet with him in 1980, “Should’ve Never Let You Go,” while his son Marc became a film and television writer.

With a catalog that sold millions worldwide and melodies that spanned generations, Neil Sedaka leaves behind a legacy firmly embedded in the history of popular music.

Pakistan and Afghanistan escalate into ‘OPEN WAR’ as airstrikes hit Afghan cities

Venus L Peñaflor
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Pakistan and Afghanistan escalate into ‘OPEN WAR’ as airstrikes hit Afghan cities

ISLAMABAD/KABUL — Tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan have sharply escalated into what Pakistan’s defence minister described as “open war,” following a series of cross‑border airstrikes and retaliatory attacks that have reverberated across the disputed frontier.

According to Pakistani officials, air‑to‑ground missiles struck Taliban government military installations in Kabul, Kandahar and Paktia early Friday. Islamabad said the strikes were aimed at “unprovoked Afghan attacks” and alleged they killed 133 Taliban fighters, wounded more than 200 and destroyed 27 militant positions. Afghan authorities confirmed the raids but disputed the casualty figures, saying they inflicted heavy losses on Pakistani forces, including 55 soldiers killed and 19 military posts captured.

“Our cup of patience has overflowed. Now it is open war between us and you (Afghanistan),” Pakistani Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif declared, signaling a major escalation in hostilities.

Latest Escalation and Retaliation

Taliban government spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid confirmed Pakistan’s aerial strikes in parts of Kabul, Kandahar and Paktia but did not provide casualty estimates. Kabul’s Ministry of Defence meanwhile asserted its forces launched retaliatory operations against Pakistani military positions along the shared border.

Explosions and the sound of jets were reported in Kabul, where ambulance sirens blared across neighbourhoods following the overnight strikes, according to Reuters witnesses. Islamabad has also reported ground clashes across multiple sectors of the 2,600‑kilometre (1,615‑mile) frontier, which Afghanistan does not formally recognise.

Background to the Conflict

Relations between the two neighbours have been strained for months over Pakistan’s accusations that Afghanistan’s Taliban government harbours militants, including the Tehreek‑e‑Taliban Pakistan (TTP), accused of staging deadly attacks on Pakistani soil. Kabul has consistently denied these claims, insisting it does not permit militants to operate from its territory.

Earlier diplomatic efforts, including a ceasefire last October mediated by Qatar and Turkey, briefly halted deadly clashes but were never fully sustained. Civilian casualties from prior airstrikes and cross‑border violence have drawn international concern, and regional powers have urged restraint.

International Response and Risks

The renewed hostilities have drawn calls for de‑escalation from neighbouring states such as Saudi Arabia and Russia, both urging restraint and offering potential mediation. However, continued military exchanges risk broader conflict and further destabilise the already fragile security landscape affecting millions of civilians, refugees and migrants across the wider South and Central Asian region.

Officials in Pakistan’s Punjab province reported heightened security alerts and increased detentions of Afghan nationals amid fears of militant retaliation. Kabul, meanwhile, reiterated its sovereignty and condemned the bombardment as a violation of international norms.

Diplomatic efforts to defuse the crisis are ongoing, but with both sides rejecting blame and continuing military operations, the prospects for a rapid de‑escalation remain uncertain.

This report incorporates the latest verified developments, but casualty numbers and strategic developments remain contested by both governments.

Us embassy in Israel authorizes staff departures as war concerns rise

EDGARDO HERNAL
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0
Us embassy in Israel authorizes staff departures as war concerns rise

TEL AVIV, Israel — The United States Embassy in Israel has authorized its staff to leave the country if they choose, as tensions escalate in the Middle East and concerns mount over a possible American military strike on Iran.

In an email sent before 10:30 a.m. Friday, U.S. Ambassador Mike Huckabee informed embassy personnel that discussions with officials in Washington resulted in the approval of “authorized departure” for employees wishing to exit Israel.

The message, recounted to The Associated Press by a source familiar with the communication but not authorized to disclose details publicly, urged staff to act quickly.

“Those wishing to take AD should do so TODAY,” Huckabee wrote, referring to “authorized departure.” He cautioned that while outbound flights may still be available in the coming days, there was no guarantee they would continue. Employees were advised to secure any available flight out of Israel and then proceed to Washington.

Despite the advisory, Huckabee stressed there was no need for panic, but emphasized the importance of prompt planning for those intending to leave. During a town hall meeting later Friday, he also said he was encouraging airlines to maintain flight operations.

The authorization follows the breakdown of nuclear negotiations between the United States and Iran a day earlier. Although Oman’s Foreign Minister Badr al-Busaidi, who has been mediating the talks, said significant progress had been made Thursday, no agreement was reached. Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi provided no specific details but stated that “what needs to happen has been clearly spelled out from our side.”

Meanwhile, airlines have begun adjusting operations. Netherlands-based KLM announced plans to suspend flights from Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion International Airport, reflecting growing regional uncertainty.

Other governments have also taken precautionary measures. Australia directed the departure of dependents of its officials stationed in Israel, citing a deteriorating security situation. India and several European countries have advised their citizens to avoid travel to Iran.

The move by the U.S. Embassy signals heightened contingency planning as American military assets, including aircraft and warships, increase their presence in the region. The developments underscore mounting instability across the Middle East as diplomatic efforts to contain tensions remain uncertain.

ICC hears claims of no prosecutions in 3,967 drug war deaths; defense denies Duterte link to Espinosa, Parojinog killings

Venus L Peñaflor
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ICC hears claims of no prosecutions in 3,967 drug war deaths; defense denies Duterte link to Espinosa, Parojinog killings

THE HAGUE — Lawyers for victims and defense counsel presented sharply opposing arguments before the International Criminal Court (ICC) as confirmation of charges hearings continued in the crimes against humanity case against former President Rodrigo Duterte.

Victims’ Counsel: No Prosecutions for Nearly 4,000 Deaths

Victims’ lawyer Gilbert Andres told ICC judges that the Duterte administration did not criminally prosecute police officers allegedly responsible for 3,967 drug war killings acknowledged by the government.

In his closing remarks, Andres disputed claims by the defense that the administration was “intolerant of rotten police officers.”

“Mr. Duterte’s administration has not criminally prosecuted the police officers responsible for the government-recognized deaths of at least 3,967 drug personalities,” Andres said.

He cited the administration’s 2017 year-end report, which documented 3,967 deaths in anti-drug operations from July 2016 to November 2017, adding that at most 302 cases were investigated.

Andres also referred to findings by the Supreme Court of the Philippines, which he said described the thousands of deaths as “indicative of the state policy of extrajudicial killings under the Duterte administration.” He quoted the High Court as taking judicial notice of the government report that listed drug war deaths among its accomplishments, saying this “may lead to the inference that these are state-sponsored killings.”

The year-end report also cited 16,355 homicide cases under investigation between July 2016 and September 2017, with a total of 20,322 deaths linked to the anti-drug campaign.

Andres argued that the scale, geographical spread, and sustained nature of the killings demonstrated that the attacks were “widespread and systematic,” targeting individuals perceived to be linked to illegal drugs. He further contended that the campaign disproportionately affected the poor and that presidential statements carried policy weight under the Philippine constitutional framework.

“Whatever the president publicly states is policy,” Andres said, adding that in the Philippine cultural context, the words of the head of state command obedience.

The ICC Office of the Prosecutor has charged Duterte with three counts of crimes against humanity — murder and attempted murder — covering alleged acts committed during his tenure as mayor and president.

Defense: No Direct Link to Specific Killings

Duterte’s defense lawyer, Nicholas Kaufman, countered that there is no evidence directly linking the former president to specific killings cited by prosecutors, including those of Leyte Mayor Rolando Espinosa and Ozamiz Mayor Reynaldo Parojinog.

Kaufman argued that Duterte’s involvement in Espinosa’s case ended when the mayor surrendered in August 2016 following a 24-hour ultimatum. Espinosa was later killed in an alleged shootout inside the Baybay City Provincial Jail.

“What happened thereafter, as awful as it may be, had nothing to do with our client. And not one witness can say that,” Kaufman told the court.

Regarding Parojinog’s death during a predawn raid on July 30, 2017, Kaufman said the operation was carried out pursuant to six judicial search warrants. He cited official investigative materials indicating that police were met with gunfire when serving the warrants and returned fire. Four individuals were reportedly arrested during the operation.

“If the intention was cold-blooded murder, why go to the bother of involving a judge?” Kaufman said.

He also rejected the prosecution’s characterization of “high-value target” (HVT) as a code for execution orders, describing it instead as an operational classification used by law enforcement to prioritize suspects based on intelligence assessments.

“Classification does not imply selection for murder, any more than it is proof of unlawful intent,” he said.

Under Count 2 of the charges, killings were allegedly carried out by members of a “National Network” between 2016 and 2017, covering 14 victims identified as high-value targets. Kaufman argued that the prosecution’s case relies heavily on insider testimony and “dubious and tenuous linkage” to Duterte.

As hearings conclude, ICC judges will determine whether the charges against the former president will be confirmed, paving the way for a full trial.

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