An Executed OFW, a Disappointed Duterte + More Yuge News

OFW Jakatia Pawa executed in Kuwait.

The Department of Foreign Affairs confirmed the execution by hanging of a Filipino domestic helper in the Persian Gulf country. Pawa, who insisted on her innocence during the trial, was found guilty in the deadly stabbing of her employer’s 22-year-old daughter. While convicted in 2010, the execution was announced only on Tuesday, January 24, and came as a shock to the OFW and her family. The DFA stated that diplomatic efforts to spare her life had been exhausted, including an appeal by President Rodrigo Duterte to the Kuwaiti government.

Duterte to appoint commission clarifying Mamasapano investigation results.

At a dinner commemorating the 44 SAF soldiers killed in a failed military operation two years ago, President Duterte expressed his disappointment with former President Aquino’s handling of the Mamasapano tragedy and its aftermath. A previous PNP inquiry into the incident found Aquino, former PNP Chief Getulio Napeñas and Director General Alan Purisima to have violated the police chain of command, resulting in a mismanaged operation, while a separate probe by the Ombudsman cleared Aquino of any wrongdoing. The former president will issue a response later today.

Trump ordered construction of Mexican border wall.

Signing an executive order, President Donald Trump took a first step towards building a border wall, one of the newly elected president’s key campaign promises. While concrete details regarding the financing and construction of the proposed wall were not revealed, the order is just one of a host of planned measures aimed at curtailing immigration, both legal and illegal, and addressing concerns over potential terrorists entering the country. The measures to be reviewed include the resumption of “black site” detentions, the continued use of Guantanamo Bay and a reduction in the flow of refugees entering the country.

Brexit negotiations to involve greater parliamentary involvement.

Eliminating the government’s power to singlehandedly trigger formal Brexit negotiations with the EU, the unprecedented Supreme Court decision gives the British parliament a greater say in formulating the UK’s official stance. Following suit almost immediately, the European parliament confirmed its heavy involvement in the talks after concerns were voiced over a lack of participation. Not to be sidelined by the European council, a leading parliamentarian reiterated Europe’s tough negotiation strategy.