• President Aquino meets with security cluster
• Palace hopes president-elect Rodrigo Duterte to respect women when he assumes presidency

“Government continues to exert determined efforts to bring about the safe release of the kidnap-for-ransom hostages through a combination of law enforcement and military operations,” Presidential Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. said in a statement on Wednesday evening.

President Aquino met with the security cluster at 2:30 p.m. on Wednesday.

“The President and members of the Security Cluster were given updates by the AFP and the PNP on the security situation in Mindanao,” Coloma said.

Last month, the Chief Executive vowed that the government will not stop until the threat posed by the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) is ended.

“The full resources of the State are being brought down on the ASG. Our primary objective is to rescue the hostages and ensure the safety of our civilian population. We will leave no stone unturned and are studying every instrument, both military and legal, to ensure success in our areas of operations and wherever else required,” he said in a statement released following the beheading of Canadian mining executive John Ridsdel after the government failed to pay the P300 million ransom demanded by the bandits

President Aquino said the government wants “to seriously erode any ability of the ASG to continue to function” by conducting continuing operations in Basilan against Hapilon and his sub-leader, Furuji Indama. PND (kt)

The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) on Wednesday ruled that Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte violated the Magna Carta of Women when he gave a controversial comment on the rape and killing of an Australian missionary many years ago.

“In adopting the Resolution, the CHR, as an independent and constitutionally created body, has done its duty in fulfilling its mandate and as an advocate of women’s rights,” Communication Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr said in a statement regarding the CHR rresolutions

“How the incoming President will address matters pertaining to women’s rights and dignity during his watch will certainly be of paramount interest to the citizenry,” he said.

“Unlike during the campaign, when he shrugged off criticisms of such remarks, as President he would be expected to demonstrate strong and faithful adherence to the principles enshrined in the Magna Carta for Women and to all the laws of the land.”

The CHR said that the words and actions of Mayor Duterte were discriminatory of women that is enjoined by the Magna Carta of Women.

The human rights body’s resolution called on the Civil Service Commission (CSC) and the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) to take appropriate measures regarding Duterte’s actions. PND (as)