CAGAYAN DE ORO (SE): The long stalled peace talks between the government and the National Democratic Front of the Communist Party of The Philippines got off the ground in Oslo, Norway, on August 22 last year in a flurry of excitement, which soured as quickly as it was generated by October 8 in their second round.

Nevertheless, the Ecumenical Peace Platform has called on both parties not to give up, but to look at peace-making as a process rather than a negotiation.

MANILA (UCAN): In just four months, official figures released by the Philippine National Police show that around 4,500 people have become victims of extrajudicial murder under the guise of the war on drugs instigated by the current president, Rodrigo Duterte.

MANILA (SE): Countries across the world today have been systematically taking the death penalty off their law books as democracy within their borders strengthens, but recently, as the power of the people has been waning in many traditional democracies, it is gradually being reintroduced.

The Philippines is no exception and as the current president, Rodrigo Duterte, ups the ante in his rule of fear over the country, the blood-soaked soil of the land has made it fertile ground for its reintroduction.

LIPA (UCAN): A Vatican decision overruling the local bishop on the validity of reported miracles and Marian apparitions at the Carmelite Monastery in Lipa, The Philippines, around 60 years ago has left some people confused.

“People are unhappy, unsatisfied and not at peace with themselves,” retired Archbishop Oscar Cruz said, adding that some followers of Our Lady of Mediatrix of All Graces have been asking for some sort of a review.

MANILA (SE): The president of The Philippines has kicked his vice president, Leni Robredo, out of the cabinet over her opposition to his signature policy of murdering the poor and pet passion of currying favour with the Marcos family.

Robredo staved off Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to be elected vice president, but it is becoming more obvious that Duterte wants to be rid of her and cozy up to the son of the late dictator, whom he has already introduced to China as his vice.

MANILA (SE): Archbishop Martin Jumoad called on the Philippine government to act immediately to put an end to the recruitment of children by dissident groups as soldiers.

Speaking after being installed as archbishop of Ozamiz, CBCP News reported him as saying, “Our government must double its efforts to win the sympathy of our young people on the side of goodness.”

MANILA (UCAN): The late Bishop Julio Xavier Labayen, from Infanta, was the inspiration behind the Magnificent Seven who gathered to sign an open letter challenging the martial law president, Ferdinand Marcos, over his human rights abuses in 1973.

MANILA (SE): What is being touted as the oldest Catholic magazine in Asia is celebrating its golden anniversary in Manila.

“Through thick and thin, IMPACT Magazine has been zealous in pursuing the development of perspectives on social issues not only within the confines of the Catholic Church, but also in other Asian religions,” Monsignor Pedro Quitorio, the magazine’s current editor-in chief, wrote in a special anniversary issue.