Two Arrested for Violating Election Gun Ban in Maguindanao del Sur

Law enforcement officers detained two persons for violating the election gun ban in Maguindanao del Sur, authorities confirmed on Tuesday, September 16, 2025. Police Brigadier General Jaysen De Guzman, head of the Police Regional Office in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region (Pro-Bar), identified the suspects only by their aliases, Musa and Norodin. The arrests were made during a checkpoint operation on Monday, September 15, in Sambulawan village, Datu Salibo. According to De Guzman, police found two high-powered firearms and two short firearms clearly visible inside the vehicle occupied by the suspects. "Upon inquiry and inspection, the suspects were unable to provide valid documents to legally possess firearms," De Guzman stated, noting that the arrest violated Republic Act 10591, known as the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act, as well as the Commission on Elections' (Comelec) gun ban. This election-related firearm prohibition coincides with the upcoming Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) parliamentary elections scheduled for October 13, 2025. The gun ban was implemented starting August 14 and will remain effective until October 28. The detainees and the confiscated firearms are currently held by the Datu Salibo Municipal Police Station pending proper documentation and subsequent legal proceedings, De Guzman added.

UN Commission Accuses Israel of Genocide in Gaza Amid Rising Violence

GENEVA — A United Nations independent commission has accused Israel of perpetrating genocide against Palestinians in Gaza, asserting the state's intent to destroy the group and holding senior Israeli leaders accountable for incitement.\n\nThe Independent International Commission of Inquiry (COI), which operates independently of the UN and has faced strong criticism from Israel, released a report stating that "genocide is occurring in Gaza and is continuing to occur," commission chair Navi Pillay declared. "The responsibility lies with the State of Israel."\n\nIsrael responded swiftly, categorically denying the allegations. The Israeli foreign ministry denounced the report as "distorted and false," calling for the commission's immediate disbandment.\n\nThe commission, tasked with investigating human rights issues in Israeli-occupied Palestinian territories, published its findings nearly two years after the conflict escalated due to Hamas's surprise attack on October 7, 2023, which resulted in 1,219 Israeli deaths, predominantly civilians.\n\nThe subsequent Israeli military response has led to nearly 65,000 fatalities in Gaza, mostly civilians, as reported by Hamas-run Gaza's health ministry, figures the United Nations considers credible. The majority of Gaza's population has experienced displacement, with escalated conflict pushing more residents to flee amid a declared famine in Gaza City.\n\nThe COI reported that Israeli authorities have committed four of the five genocidal acts defined by the 1948 Genocide Convention: killing group members, inflicting serious bodily or mental harm, deliberately causing life conditions intended to partially or fully destroy the group, and preventing births within the group.\n\nInvestigators pointed to statements from Israeli civilian and military leaders and patterns of force use as evidence of intent to annihilate Palestinians in Gaza. The report specifically named Israeli President Isaac Herzog, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant as having incited genocide, noting a failure by authorities to take punitive actions against them.\n\nPillay, 83, a former judge of the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda and past UN human rights chief, emphasized that the highest levels of Israeli leadership bear responsibility for these crimes.\n\nWhile not a judicial entity, the COI's findings carry significant diplomatic weight and support legal investigations. Pillay confirmed cooperation with the International Criminal Court (ICC), stating, "We’ve shared thousands of pieces of information with them."\n\nShe warned the international community against complacency, stating, "The absence of action to stop it amounts to complicity."\n\nThe genocide accusations against Israel have also been echoed by non-governmental organizations and independent UN experts, though the UN itself has refrained from officially labeling the conflict as such. The UN's humanitarian chief has called for decisive global action to prevent genocide, and the rights chief condemned what was described as "genocidal rhetoric" from Israeli officials.\n\nIn January 2024, the International Court of Justice ordered Israel to "prevent and punish direct and public incitement to commit genocide" in Gaza. Four months later, the ICC issued arrest warrants for Netanyahu and Gallant on charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity.\n\nThe ICC's actions provoked backlash from the United States government, which last month imposed sanctions on ICC judges and prosecutors, restricting their access and freezing assets in response.\n\nThe commission's report marks a critical juncture in international scrutiny of the Gaza conflict and places heightened pressure on global actors to respond to alleged war crimes and human rights violations.

UN Commission Accuses Israel of Genocide Against Palestinians in Gaza

The United Nations Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory released a landmark report on Tuesday accusing Israel of committing genocide against Palestinians in the Gaza Strip. Following a two-year investigation encompassing events from October 7, 2023, to July 31, 2025, the commission determined that Israeli authorities and security forces have carried out four of the five genocidal acts outlined in the 1948 Genocide Convention. These acts include killing Palestinians, inflicting serious physical or mental harm, deliberately imposing life conditions calculated to bring about partial or total destruction, and implementing policies to prevent births. The report highlights explicit statements from Israeli civilian and military leaders alongside a consistent pattern of actions indicating intent to destroy Palestinians in Gaza as a group. "The Commission finds that Israel is responsible for the commission of genocide in Gaza," said Navi Pillay, chair of the fact-finding mission. She emphasized, "It is clear that there is an intent to destroy the Palestinians in Gaza through acts that meet the criteria set forth in the Genocide Convention." Pillay further held Israeli leadership, including President Isaac Herzog, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, accountable for orchestrating a genocidal campaign lasting nearly two years. The commission also criticized Israel for failing to conduct meaningful investigations or prosecutions related to these crimes and for disregarding international orders and warnings. The extensive report detailed the devastating impact of Israeli military operations in Gaza, citing mass casualties, a crippling siege causing starvation, destruction of healthcare and educational infrastructure, direct attacks on children, widespread sexual and gender-based violence, and assaults on cultural and religious sites. urgent calls were made for Israel to lift its blockade, end starvation policies, permit unhindered humanitarian access, and cease activities linked to the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, which the commission associated with endangering aid recipients. Additionally, the commission urged UN member states to stop arms sales to Israel, prevent corporate complicity in genocide, and pursue accountability through legal channels. "The international community cannot stay silent on the genocidal campaign launched by Israel against the Palestinian people in Gaza," Pillay stated. "When clear signs and evidence of genocide emerge, the absence of action to stop it amounts to complicity. Every day of inaction costs lives and erodes the credibility of the international community. All states are under a legal obligation to use all means that are reasonably available to them to stop the genocide in Gaza." Addressing a press conference in Geneva, Pillay described the genocide in Gaza as a "moral outrage and a legal emergency," urging immediate international action without waiting for further legal rulings. One aspect not conclusively confirmed by the commission was the forcible transfer of children, a fifth genocidal act under the convention. Commissioner Chris Sidoti clarified, "We have no evidence that category five has arisen in the case of Gaza or the West Bank." Sidoti also dismissed Israeli Foreign Ministry criticisms of the report as unoriginal and repetitive, stating the dismissals mirrored automated responses and failed to engage substantively with the evidence presented. The Israeli military offensive on Gaza has reportedly resulted in nearly 65,000 Palestinian deaths since October 2023, leaving the region devastated and experts warning of a famine crisis.

Israel Launches Ground Offensive in Gaza City Amid Intense Bombardment

JERUSALEM/CAIRO — Israel initiated a significant ground offensive in Gaza City on Tuesday, marking a new phase in its military campaign against Hamas. The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed the start of the operation in the densely populated urban center and emphasized their focus on dismantling terrorist networks. An Israeli military spokesperson reported that the IDF had begun "dismantling Hamas terrorist infrastructure in Gaza City," following orders for hundreds of thousands of residents to evacuate the area for their safety. Defense Minister Israel Katz tweeted, "Gaza is burning. The IDF is striking with an iron fist at the terrorist infrastructure, and our soldiers are fighting bravely to set the conditions for the release of hostages and the defeat of Hamas." Local residents observed a marked increase in bombardments over the past 48 hours, with heavier explosions devastating numerous homes. The military also intensified its coastal assault, deploying naval vessels alongside tanks and aircraft to target strategic positions. Speaking at the outset of a court appearance related to an ongoing corruption case, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu acknowledged the escalation, stating, "We have launched a significant operation in Gaza." The operation signals a critical escalation in the conflict, reflecting Israel's determination to dismantle Hamas's control in the Gaza Strip, while raising serious concerns about humanitarian impacts amid the intensified hostilities.

Justice Department Adopts Cautious Approach on Witness Protection Applications

Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla announced a stringent and cautious process for admitting individuals into the Witness Protection Program (WPP). During a budget hearing held in the House of Representatives, he emphasized that the Department of Justice will not accept applications lightly, ensuring that only those who fully disclose their testimony and withstand thorough scrutiny will qualify. Remulla pointed out that he personally interviews applicants, including contractors Pacifico "Curlee" and Cezarah "Sarah" Discaya, who have expressed interest but have yet to file a formal application. He stressed the importance of complete transparency, stating, "We are very, very circumspect and conservative in accepting people to the Witness Protection Program. The first requirement, of course, is that the person is telling the whole truth and nothing but the truth." The Justice Secretary clarified that statements alone are insufficient. Instead, he insisted on verifying accompanying documents such as financial ledgers and records to establish credibility. Interviews are conducted either by a designated panel or by Remulla himself to ensure the integrity of each case. This declaration followed a call from Mamamayang Liberal party-list Representative Leila de Lima, who urged the DOJ to be selective in its acceptance approach to the WPP. Responding to queries from Sagip party-list Representative Paolo Marcoleta, Remulla underscored that no final decision has been made to exclude the Discayas, but emphasized that all applicants must adhere strictly to the formal process. "What matters is that we follow a proper procedure to evaluate the witness. It is essential that the person tells the truth, and that the testimony is necessary to uncover the whole truth to hold accountable those who must be punished," he stated. Addressing the specifics of the Discayas’ allegations, Remulla noted inconsistencies, highlighting that they have only disclosed alleged kickbacks from government contracts over the past three years despite being contractors since 2007. He expressed concerns that their information might be incomplete and indicated a need for further probing. The Discayas accused several lawmakers of receiving illicit commissions linked to government projects they secured, but critics argue their claims are selective for focusing on transactions post-2022. Remulla’s remarks reflect the DOJ’s commitment to a meticulous and judicious approach in managing potential witnesses and safeguarding the integrity of ongoing investigations.