Duterte came to power last year promising to wage a brutal and unprecedented war on drugs. Since then, police have killed around 3,800 suspects in anti-narcotics operations, while thousands of other people have been murdered in unexplained circumstances.

His son Paolo Duterte and son-in-law Manases Carpio appeared at a Senate inquiry Thursday to answer accusations that they helped facilitate the shipment of crystal methamphetamine worth 6.4 billion pesos ($125.4 million) into the Philippines from China in exchange for payment.

The allegations emerged last month when a customs broker told the Senate panel that he had heard the names of Duterte’s son and son-in-law mentioned while seeking to expedite the shipment.

The broker later issued a statement clearing the two men of involvement.

But opposition senator Antonio Trillanes at the inquiry accused Duterte’s son of belonging to a drug trafficking gang, saying the 42-year-old had a tattoo on his back, resembling a dragon, that was “proof… of his membership” in the gang.

Paolo Duterte, vice-mayor of the southern city of Davao, told the panel that he had a tattoo but said he could not answer allegations based on hearsay.

“The law of karma will operate especially to those with evil intent,” he added in an apparent swipe at Trillanes, an arch-critic of the president.

Carpio, who is married to Davao city mayor Sara Duterte, also rejected allegations against their family.

“I and my brother-in-law have been publicly crucified based on rumours and gossip,” said Carpio, a lawyer.

“I have no knowledge of or involvement in the illegal drugs shipment.”

The sensational allegations have captured the attention of Filipinos, many of whom back the president’s vow to pursue an unrelenting war against drug traffickers.

Duterte, 72, has said he would be “happy to slaughter” three million Filipino drug addicts, even as critics warn the deaths of thousands of people killed in the crackdown may amount to a crime against humanity.

Duterte has denied ever inciting police or vigilantes to commit mass murder.

In speeches, he had encouraged his son to attend the hearing but advised him to invoke his “right of silence”.

Detained opposition senator Leila De Lima last month accused the president of hypocrisy over his son’s case.

“Let us look at the issue involving the 6.4 billion pesos worth of (illegal drugs) in the Bureau of Customs where the presidential son Paolo Duterte is being implicated,” she said.

“(Rodrigo) Duterte has said a mouthful about killing the poor caught with small grams of shabu but his silence on the tonnes of illegal drugs that slipped past customs is deafening.”//AFP

“Alas, the island is not reachable at this point because of the huge damage to the airport and the harbour,” Rutte told reporters, though he added there were no reports of deaths on the Dutch side so far. French authorities say at least nine lives have been lost on the French side.

A handout grab image made from a video released on September 6, 2017 by RCI.fm shows flooded streets and damage on the French overseas island of Saint-Martin, filmed from a terrace of the Beach Plaza hotel after high winds from Hurricane Irma hit the island.// AFP PHOTO

An aerial photography taken and released by the Dutch department of Defense on September 6, 2017 shows the damage of Hurricane Irma in Philipsburg, on the Dutch Caribbean island of Sint Maarten. // AFP PHOTO

This handout picture released on September 7, 2017, by RCI.fm shows damages on the French overseas island of Saint-Martin, after high winds from Hurricane Irma hit the island. // AFP PHOTO

Prayut led an entourage to visit Phnom Penh in a one-day visit to hold the third Cambodia-Thailand Joint Cabinet Retreat.

Prayut planned to emphasise strengthening cooperation in border development, labour, trade and investment, connectivity, and regional and international frameworks.

Prayut and his Cambodian counterpart also planned to witness the signing of two documents on a joint declaration regarding the meeting and the Agreement for the Avoidance of Double Taxation, according to a press statement.

The lawsuit comes a day after the same department asked immigration officials to prevent the now-closed English-language newspaper’s directors – Deborah Krisher-Steele and Douglas Steele – from leaving the country.

On August 4, the newspaper was slapped with a $6.3 million tax bill and given a month to pay the “exorbitant” amount. Unable to do so, the Daily published its last edition on Monday, its closure coming in the midst of a wide-ranging clampdown on independent media. More than 15 radio stations have also been shuttered, with the broadcasts Radio Free Asia, Voice of Democracy and Voice of America disproportionately affected.

The Tax Department’s criminal complaint was drafted on September 4 – the day of the deadline – and submitted to the Phnom Penh Municipal Court on Tuesday. The lawsuit levels the accusations at Krisher-Steele and Steele, as well as the newspaper’s founder, Bernard Krisher, alleging they showed “intention of evading tax with prior knowledge”.

Court spokesman Ly Sophanna would only confirm receipt of the complaint and that it was being reviewed yesterday.

The lawsuit accuses them of tax evasion under Article 135, which comes with a maximum fine of $4,800 and a prison sentence of up to five years. They are also accused under Article 136 for obstruction of the implementation of tax, which carries a fine of up to $2,400 and a one-year prison sentence.

In statements over the last few weeks, the Daily’s management had requested a “fair” audit of their financials in order to assess a reasonable tax liability.

Additionally, Krisher-Steele faces a “public defamation” charge for alleging that a confidential tax document was leaked by the department to government mouthpiece Fresh News, an allegation that was refuted by Tax Department head Kong Vibol, who instead accused Daily staffers of releasing it.

“The act that Deborah [Krisher-Steele] accused the officials at the General Department of Tax of was a serious defamation, which affects the honour [and] dignity of a state institution and a violation of the law on tax, which is not excusable,” the complaint reads.

Vann Puthipoll, Vibol’s deputy and tax representative on the complaint, hung up on a reporter when asked about the lawsuit.

The Daily’s Douglas Steele did not comment on the lawsuit but said the travel ban did not affect him because he had no intention of leaving the country. While Steele is in Cambodia, Krisher-Steele and Bernard Krisher, her father, reside in Japan.

John Sifton, Asia advocacy director at Human Rights Watch, said the lawsuit was clearly not about taxes, but an attempt to silence a media outlet, which would have a residual impact on others.

He added that if Prime Minister Hun Sen was serious about tax compliance, he wouldn’t have to go much farther than his own family to enforce it.

“If Hun Sen wanted to focus on unpaid taxes he could start by auditing his nieces and nephews, and the sons and daughters of his party leadership, who appear to have accumulated vast fortunes and created major conflicts of interest among senior government officials responsible for enforcing financial regulations,” he said.

Days after the Daily’s closure, tributes continued to pour in, with the local Overseas Press Club of Cambodia saying it was dismayed with the newspaper’s closure, which they said had curtailed the Kingdom’s press diversity.

The Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malay­sia deputy president said the op­pression of the Rohingya under the Myanmar government cannot be ignored.

“Malaysians love peace. But the unrestricted tyranny taking place under Aung San Suu Kyi’s regime cannot be allowed.

“Our humanity cannot be upheld if mass murder takes place without any response.

“I urge Malaysia to deploy the Navy to the Bay of Bengal. That is the only language that Myanmar will understand,” he said in a series of tweets yesterday.

Asean is no longer able to handle the issue of the Rohingya persecution in Myanmar, says Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Anifah Aman.

He said Asean had failed to address the issue efficiently so Malaysia will instead continue to raise the issue at the United Nations and Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC).

“Within Asean, I have given up hope. We had seven meetings, and Malaysia expressed our concerns to Myanmar and they (Myanmar) promised to address the concern.

“Until today, nothing has been done. Therefore, Malaysia may raise it at other levels, like the United Nations and OIC,” he said after meeting with Brazilian Foreign Affairs Minister Aloysio Nunes at Wisma Putra yesterday. Nunes is on a three-day working visit to Malaysia.

On Tuesday, Wisma Putra summoned Myanmar Ambassador to Malaysia, U Sein Oo, to express Malaysia’s displeasure over the latest violence in Rakhine state.

In Melaka, World Assembly of Youth’s (WAY) president Datuk Seri Idris Haron slammed Myan­mar’s de facto civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi over the violence, saying she could no longer be seen as the “Mahatma Gandhi of the Millennia”.

Idris said the Nobel laureate had let the world down in defending the rights of the minority Rohingya as the community is subjected to inhumane treatment and suffering.

“She was an inspiration to us all at one point but is no longer seen as a champion of human rights,” he told a press conference.

Idris, who is also Melaka Chief Minister, said Suu Kyi had refused to sympathise with the suffering of the Rohingya.

“The Rohingya are treated cruelly and are isolated but why is a Nobel laureate not restraining the atrocities? No man should be subjected to genocide, physical attacks and bullying by the majority,” he said.

Tensions have been escalating in the Korean peninsula after North Korea claims to have tested a hydrogen bomb and an intercontinental ballistic missile that could go as far as to the east coast of the US. With the war of words between the US and North Korea escalating, focus has turned to North Korea’s missile programme.

North Korea has been working towards developing nuclear capabilities right after the World War II. While the intentions were there as early as in the 1950s, the country missile programme began with Scuds missile, with its first batch reportedly coming via Egypt in 1976. In next few years it built its own versions called Hwasongs. Under the regime of the first communist leader Kim II-Sung, North Korea conducted the first missile test in 1984.

After the death of Kim II-Sung, it was his son Kim Jong-il who ramped up both nuclear and ballistic missile programmes. When Kim Jong-il passed away, it was Kim Jong-un who took the reins of the nuclear programme and has been what many would term as unstoppable in the face of world condemnation and strict sanctions against his country.

In mid 1980s and 1990s, North Korea continued to work on building variations of Scud; Rodong 1 (1,300 km), Taepodong-1 (2,500km), Musudan-1 (3,000km), Taepodong-2 (6,700km)

After criticism for its nuclear programme was voiced, North Korea signed the Nuclear Non proliferation Treaty (NPT) in 1985. However it denied access to the inspectors of International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in 1993 who wanted unfettered access to its waste storage sites.

Meanwhile it test fires a medium-range Rodong ballistic missile in the same year. The following year, it enters an agreement with the US and pledges to freeze its nuclear reactors in exchange of aid from the US.

In 1998, in violation of the treaty it test fires the first long range missile with a range of 1,300kms. Taking cognizance of the defiant act the Bush administration labels North Korea part of the “axis of evil”. North Korea withdraws from the NPT in 2003. In the October of the same year NK declares it has nuclear weapons.

In 2006, North Korea conducts first nuclear test, firing seven ballistic missiles. The UN Security Council passes a resolution demanding that the country put an immediate end to its nuclear programme.

Paying little attention to the council resolution the country claims to have successfully tested its first nuclear weapon. The consequences of the brazen declaration result in wide ranging sanctions on the country.

After the break down of the six-party talks in Beijing in December 2008, North Korea conducts its second nuclear test in 2009 launching a long range rocket. Following the test, UN Security council imposes more stringent sanctions.

In 2012 the US state department announces that North Korea had agreed to put a moratorium on its nuclear activity in exchange for food aid from the US. However in the same year, North Korea launches a long range rocket albeit it falls apart shortly after lift-off.

In February 2013, the country conducts third nuclear test, the first under Kim Jong-un. United Nations imposes more sanctions to register strong protest.  In 2014, ahead of Chinese president’s visit to Seoul, North Korea conducts series of missile tests. Tensions escalate between North and South Korea resulting in firing of shells across the border.

In December, 2015 North Korea announces that it has added hydrogen bomb to its arsenal. In January 2016, the country conducts fourth nuclear test and in September of the same year, conducts one more test.

In April, 2016 North Korea test-fires a submarine launched ballistic missile. In the same year, for the first time it fires a ballistic missile into Japan’s maritime economic zone. In September, 2016 North Korea conducts its fifth nuclear test.

In July, 2017 North Korea test-fired a ballistic missile and declares it to be a ‘landmark’ test of Hwasong-14 ICBM. It test-fires a series of ballistic missiles with a theoretical range of 10,000 kms, that could go as far as to the US.

Last week North Korea claimed that it successfully tested a hydrogen bomb designed to be mounted on its newly developed intercontinental ballistic missile, producing a greater yield than any of its previous nuclear tests.

Nam Seong-wook, professor of Korean Unification, Diplomacy and Security at Korea University, presented his findings on Kim’s personality at the Liberty Korea Party general meeting Wednesday.

Nam, during his former job at the Institute for National Security Strategy, carried out extensive research on the North Korean leader.

Following Kim’s ascent around 2008, INSS dispatched special task forces to Osaka and Bern in order to track down the heir-to-be and find out what kind of a person he is.

This picture shows a young Kim Jong-un at his school in Bern. (Yonhap)

Nam introduced an anecdote about the then 15-year-old Kim who was studying in Bern. “I was very shocked to find out how Kim swore at his girlfriend over the phone when she asked him to quit smoking,” he recalled. “This rough manner he displayed made me think things would get complicated once he becomes the ‘king’ of the nation.”

Nam claimed Kim’s uncontrollable temper has to do with the North’s recent provocations, warning that hostile acts will continue unless Kim is removed from his seat.

President Bounnhang Vorachith has given credentials to Seng to perform his duties in Thailand, the report said.

Bounnhang congratulated Seng over the appoinment, and Seng thanked the government for entrusting him with the task. He promised to carry out his duties to the best of his abilities.

If Sokha is found guilty, his party could be dissolved based on new legislation that prevents party leaders from holding a criminal conviction.

Phnom Penh Municipal Court spokesman Ly Sophanna said prosecutors had sufficient evidence to charge the opposition leader under Article 443 of the Criminal Code for “conspiring with [a] foreign power”. The charge carries a prison term of 15 to 30 years.

“Kem Sokha, head of Cambodia National Rescue Party, was arrested by police for committing [a] red-handed crime related to a secret plan and the activities of conspiracy between Kem Sokha and foreigners, which causes chaos and affects the Kingdom of Cambodia,” a court statement read.

The statement alleges that the “secret plan” has been carried out since 1993 until present, as purportedly revealed in a 2013 video.

Sokha was arrested midnight Sunday after the video – in which he claims to have received US assistance in planning his political career – resurfaced online. He was questioned for more than four hours on Monday at Tbong Khmum’s Correctional Centre 3 by a team of three Phnom Penh prosecutors.

Article 80 of the Cambodian Constitution grants immunity to lawmakers unless they are caught “red-handed”, which defence lawyer Pheng Heng said wasn’t the case in Sokha’s arrest, which was based on a four-year-old publicly available speech.

“At midnight the police cannot simply go inside the house, unless they hear a sound asking for help,” he said.

National Assembly spokesman Leng Peng Long said they would convene a meeting about Sokha’s immunity “as soon as possible”.

“But red-handed crimes don’t require us to strip off the immunity in advance,” he said.

Kem Monovithya, the deputy public affairs officer for the CNRP and Sokha’s daughter, reiterated the party’s decision not to replace Sokha as party head, regardless of the consequences.

“[T]here is no point for anyone to assume the leadership role when they know they will be placed in prison or forced to be a puppet just to have a meaningless opposition to legitimize the upcoming election,” she said via message.

Earlier this year, a new law was passed giving the Supreme Court the power to dissolve parties if their leaders have been convicted of a crime. The law was used to oust Sokha’s predecessor, Sam Rainsy, who was subject to numerous politically tinged convictions.

Yesterday, Interior Ministry spokesman Khieu Sopheak appeared to go a step further, saying the party faced dissolution if they even defended Sokha. This, he said, would apply at all political levels.

“The commune, district, provincial and municipal councils, and the senators will be gone as well,” he said. “If the party gets dissolved, nothing remains.”

CNRP Deputy President Mu Sochua, however, rejected the charges against Sokha outright.

“It’s a set-up, totally political scenario,” she said. “[Sokha] has always preached nonviolence, peace and democracy.”

She acknowledged that failing to appoint a new president could lead to the CNRP’s dissolution “any day”, which she said would be a blow to democracy, as they had been elected by their voters to represent them.

“I want to serve them with my full ability,” she said.

Fellow Deputy President Pol Ham said the party had no plans to protest to “defend” Sokha.

“It is good if they dissolve the party since I also want to retire . . . I want to go to the pagoda since I am old now,” he said.

Meanwhile, lawyer Heng said all defence lawyers were denied access to Sokha yesterday, but would request his transfer to Phnom Penh.

“The guards said they cannot allow the lawyers to meet him unless the prosecution orders the chairman of the prison [to allow it],” he said.

Lawyers have not been informed whether Sokha was questioned by the investigating judge.

While Sokha’s wife, Te Chanmono, was allowed to meet him, she was not permitted to bring him medication, Heng said.

According to Sochua, Sokha suffers diabetes and requires daily medicine.

Kingsley Abbott, of the International Commission of Jurists, said in an email that the “allegations against Kem Sokha have all the hallmarks of being politically motivated”, which made a fair trial almost impossible. “The single largest challenge facing the Cambodian justice system is the lack of independent and impartial judges and prosecutors,” Abbott said, adding this arrest came during a period of “rapidly deteriorating” human rights.

“The Government appears to be systematically neutralizing dissenting voices ahead of the next election, including political opponents, human rights defenders, civil society and the free media.”