0.9% inflation in Sept lowest since June 2016

persons, reached at least 29,000 as of February 2019.

“We allege that the PNP manipu

categorizations of deaths in their attempt to shield the perpetrators and cover up the actual number of deaths,” the complaint read.

The complainants also reported at least 74 minors had been killed as direct targets or as collateral damage in the police operations.

The complainants were Irma Locasia, mother of Salvador Locasia Jr. who was killed in a police operation on Aug. 31, 2016; Dennise David, father of John Jezreel David who was killed in a police operation on Jan. 20, 2017; Maria Lozano, sister of Crisanto and Juan Carlos Lozano who were both killed in a police operation on May 12, 2017; Mariel Sabangan, sister of Bernabe Sabangan who was killed alongside Arnold Vitales in a police operation on May 15, 2017; Normita Lopez, mother of Djastin Lopez who was killed in a police operation on May 18, 2017;

would not cease until we attain the justice we are seeking),” she added.

Since an ICC investigation in the country has been banned and the court’s probers threatened, the complainants asked the ICC to access the United Nations report that is set to come out in March or June 2020.

Conti argued that the ICC probe still holds despite the withdrawal of the Philippine government from the ICC on March 17, 2019.

“Pinaninindiganponaminna talagangmayroonparing jurisdiction ang ICC. Kayaparinniyang kilalaninangaming supplemental complaint dahilhindinapipigil ng withdrawal ngPilipinassa ICC ang preliminary examination (We assert that ICC still has jurisdiction. It can still acknowledge our supplemental complaint because the withdrawal of the Philippines from the ICC cannot terminate the preliminary examination),” she said, adding that they could still submit evidence.

“We hope that any resolution of the prosecution of the case will provide a clear message to those involved in the killings that the international community is watching,” Neri Colmenares, also a lawyer for the complainants, said. Law continuing to help pull down

as it continues to help improve rice stock inventory of the country. This access to cheaper rice is good for Filipino consumers,” Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Ernesto Pernia said.

Rice stock inventory increased by 40.3 percent in August 2019 as a result of higher importation of rice.

Pernia said prices of retail and wholesale rice already fell by 6.0 to 8.0 percent, or about P3 per kilogram, since the law’s enactment in March 2019.

“While consumers enjoy lower rice prices, we must, at the same time, protect Filipino farmers from falling palay (unmilled rice) prices. The government must fasttrack and prioritize programs and projects under the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund to boost production and improve

ers,” he added.

Pernia said a joint resolution to help protect the farmers from falling palay prices is pending approval in Congress.

The resolution directs several government agencies and local government units to buy rice from local producers for their rice subsidy programs.

The Department of Agriculture and the Philippine Competition Commission are also conducting an investigation of anti-competitive practices to ensure that there is no collusion among millers and traders and to ensure that rice prices are acceptable to both consumers and farmers.

“We are also on the lookout for

emanate from the reported cases of African swine fever in the country and volatility in international oil prices poses,” Pernia said.