Filipinos in Taiwan told to lie low

The Philippines today advised its nationals living in Taiwan to stay at home or commute directly to and from work to avoid “hate assaults.” Amadeo Perez Jr., head of the Manila Economic and Cultural Office in Taiwan, said that “tension is high” after the shooting of a Taiwanese fisherman by the Philippine Coast Guard last [...]

Killings mar Philippines midterm vote

At least five people were reported killed in separate attacks in Bayog in southern Philippines yesterday, marking the latest wave of election-related violence that has left around 60 dead since February. Two teachers were also killed by unidentified gunmen in the nearby Isabela and Maguindanao provinces yesterday. Several other election-related killings were reported elsewhere in [...]

Pope calls for peace in Korea

Pope Francis prayed for a “political solution” in Syria and for “reconciliation” on the Korean peninsula in his first Easter Sunday message in front of a crowd in St Peter’s Square. Latin America’s first pontiff also issued an appeal for hostages held by militants in Nigeria and condemned human trafficking as “the most extensive form of slavery in [...]

Death toll rises as Sabah tensions spread

The Philippine government confirmed on Monday that 11 supporters of Jamalul Kiram III, the self-professed Sulu Sultan, were killed in clashes in Sabah on Saturday. Five Malaysian policemen also died as violence spread to other parts from the scene of the near-month long standoff in Lahad Datu. Two Filipino imams from Tawi Tawi and Sulu, both [...]

Bangladesh: Political violence leaves two dead

Two people were killed and hundreds injured in clashes yesterday as thousands of activists mounted a nationwide blockade of roads to demand an independent body to oversee elections next year. Several areas in Dhaka and across the country became battlegrounds as violence flared between protesters led by led by the main opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party, [...]

Bangladesh: General strike sparks clashes

Violence flared yesterday as thousands of protesters from the country’s biggest Islamist party took to the streets to enforce a general strike to demand the release of its leaders from prison. Jamaat-e-Islami activists and elements from its student wing Islamic Chhatra Shibir clashed with police, blocked roads, burned tires and attacked vehicles in Dhaka and [...]

Pakistan: NGO wants real action on crimes against women

A human rights group yesterday urged the government to publicize punishments as a way to prevent violence against women. “The corrupt culture in police stations, the deterioration of law and order and lengthy court cases have diminished the fear of legal repercussions in our male-dominated society,” said Abid Ali, program officer for policy and data [...]

Indonesia: President vows action on sectarian clashes

President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has promised a series of measures to prevent increasing incidents of communal and sectarian violence across the country. “Communal and sectarian conflicts are happening often. This cannot be ignored. There must be something wrong when people find it hard to find security and tranquility,” he told cabinet members yesterday. Direct instructions are [...]

Pakistan: Shia guard religious sites amid attacks

Shia youths across the country have taken up arms to defend their houses of worship during the holy month of Muharram, the first month of the Islamic calendar, amid escalating violence this week targeting the minority Muslim community. Dozens of people were killed this week in bombings that targeted Shia congregation halls and processions held [...]

Five dead, nine wounded in rebel attacks in southern Thailand

Five people were killed and nine wounded in several attacks by rebels on the weekend in southern Thailand, where violence surrounding the activities of an Islamist separatist movement has taken more than 5,300 lives in the past eight years, local media reported Sunday. A car bomb exploded next to the police station in Rey Soh [...]

Zambo ambush, illegal mining to be probed

The House of Representatives will investigate the ambush of a Subanen tribe chieftain which led to the death of his 11-year-old son and the series of violent incidents in a gold-rich mining area allegedly being exploited by illegal mining groups and syndicates in Balabag, Zamboanga del Sur. At the same time, Laguna Rep. Dan Fernandez, [...]

Boy shot dead as police clear slum

A 15-year-old boy was killed and 27 others were hurt when residents clashed with about 100 policemen during a demolition of shanties in a slum in Tarlac City yesterday. John Cali Lagrimas, a resident of San Francisco village, was shot as police defended the demolition team from residents who threw rocks and empty bottles. Superintendent Arnel [...]

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