Suspect in Sultan Kudarat bomb attacks killed in police operation
A suspected member of Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) said to be involved in twin bomb attacks in Isulan, Sultan Kudarat recently was gunned down by military forces in Maguindanao on Saturday morning.
Manila Bulletin, Manila Standard, ABS-CBN News, Xinhua, NDBC News

MARAWI

Mindanao lawmaker pushes bill seeking monetary compensation for Marawi siege survivors
A Mindanaoan lawmaker is batting for the passage of a bill seeking monetary compensation for the loss or destruction of private residential homes, other properties and commercial buildings in Marawi City during the 2017 siege.
Manila Bulletin

Army unveils Marawi murals for fallen soldiers at Libingan ng mga Bayani
The Philippine Army has commemorated the liberation of Marawi by paying tribute to the soldiers who died in the battle at the Libingan ng Mga Bayani in Taguig City.
GMA News

SOUTHEAST ASIA AND THE WORLD      

Malaysian police arrest 8 over suspected terrorism spread
Malaysian police said on Saturday that eight terror suspects had been arrested in recent operations for spreading extremist ideology in Malaysia.
Xinhua

Fake news, religious extremism are new challenges for grassroots leaders : Chan Chun Sing | Video
Fake news, religious extremism and exclusivism are among the four emerging challenges faced by grassroots leaders today as they work to keep Singapore cohesive, said Trade and Industry Minister and Deputy Chairman of the People's Association Chan Chun Sing. Lee Li Ying reports.
Channel News Asia

Saudi justice ministry holds training program against terrorism funding, money laundering
Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Justice concluded a training program aimed at combating terrorism funding and money laundering. More than 300 judges from Saudi criminal courts took part in the program, which was held at the Judicial Training Center and aimed to support participants’ executive judicial skills.
Arab News

Muslim World League chief calls for multi-faith peace caravan
More than half of ISIS fighters are of European descent, driven to extremism by Islamophobia and a rising tide of right-wing, nationalist movements across the continent, according to the general secretary of the Muslim World League. In an interview with The National, Mohammed bin Abdul Karim Al Issa said a peaceful solution to the Palestinian question was also central to denying extremists a recruiting tool.
The National UAE

Azerbaijan expands its anti-terrorist list
The Financial Monitoring Service of Azerbaijan has expanded the list of persons and structures subject to international sanctions for their support of terrorism. The following organization has been added to the list: Jama'a Nusrat ul-Islam wa al-Muslimin (JNIM). The organization, operating in Mali and Burkina Faso, is suspected of having links with Al-Qaeda and other terrorist groups.
Azer News

ANALYSIS: Why Iraq must not become a client-state of the Iranian regime
Recently, US President Donald Trump addressed the UN Security Council in New York. Among many topics including the failure of socialism and the wrong path of globalism around the world, President Trump took up the subject of Iran.
Al Arabiya

Anglophones and Francophones still approach Islam differently
IN BOTH internal and external affairs, every Western democracy is facing tricky questions over Islam. In this delicate area, domestic and foreign-policy questions can never be completely separated, given that nations in Islam’s heartland have an interest in the welfare and orientation, both political and spiritual, of their co-religionists in the West.
The Economist

The Clinton Doctrine: Prophecies and failures
The Clinton Doctrine in many ways was seen as epitomising a sound economy and a sensible foreign policy. Particularly one that eschewed from the conflicts in the West Asia, unlike that of his predecessor and successor, both from the same family. In fact, if anything, Clinton could take credit for trying to restart the peace process between Israel and Palestine.
Observer Research Foundation

More than 20 charities stripped of status by national watchdog
Multiple Australian charities have had their registrations revoked following recent compliance investigations by the national watchdog. The Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission stripped the charity status from 22 organisations in the most recent financial year, new data shows.
Sydney Morning Herald 

Asri says Perlis Islamic schools free from extremism
Perlis mufti Mohd Asri Zainul Abidin said Islamic teaching centres in the state are vetted by the police, adding that the state police chief is also part of the state’s Islamic Religious Council. “I always ask the state police chief about the students at these learning centres, especially the foreigners.
Free Malaysia Today

World Teachers’ Day more meaningful this year for ARMM teachers
The Department of Education in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (DepEd-ARMM) paid tribute to the teachers during the celebration of World Teachers’ Day. This year’s observance has become more meaningful for hundreds of teachers in the region whose lives were in danger for several months last year. When the war in Marawi erupted in 2017, schools inside the city had to shut down and living in and near conflict areas have become very risky.
Mindanao Examiner

BANGSAMORO ORGANIC LAW

LGU North Cotabato supports inclusion of its 39 villages in Bangsamoro Region
The Local Government of North Cotabato led by Gov. Lala Talino-Mendoza expressed full support to the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL) and the inclusion of its 39 villages in the planned Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) said a post by the MILF Chairman Official Facebook Page.
Luwaran

WOMB Commemorates Efforts in the Peace Process
The Women’s Organizations Movement of the Bangsamoro (WOMB) commemorated their efforts in the peace process believing that attaining justice is through the passage of Organic Law for the Bangsamoro held at Casa Leticia Hotel, Davao City on October 2-3, 2018 with the theme, “Harvesting and Planning for Moving Forward of Bangsamoro women,” 
Luwaran

MAGUINDANAO AND COTABATO CITY

LANAO PROVINCES

BASILAN

SULU 

Military seeks more time to answer allegations re 7 slain in Patikul, Sulu
Citing “ongoing military operations and other programmed command / unit activities,” three military officials in Sulu on Monday asked the Regional Human Rights Commission (RHRC) of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao for an extension until October 15 to answer claims of the families and witnesses that the seven persons slain in Patikul, town on September 14 were not Abu Sayyaf members but civilians harvesting fruits.
Mindanews

TAWI-TAWI 

DRUGS

Outrage over ambush of PDEA agents
Local and national officials have condemned the ambush-slay Friday in Lanao del Sur of five agents of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), taking turns in assuring measures for the immediate dispensation justice in what they called a “brutal” and “cowardly” attack.
Manila Bulletin

Incentives for speedy resolution of PDEA team ambush offered
Officials on Saturday condemned the fatal ambush of five anti-narcotics agents in Kapai town and offered cash rewards for information leading to the arrest of the culprits. Lanao del Sur Gov. Soraya Alonto-Adiong, presiding chairperson of the provincial peace and order council, said the municipal government of Kapai will help identify the culprits for them to be prosecuted for the offense.
NDBC News

PDEA agents ‘not safe’
“OUR life is always in danger, especially now that many drug syndicates are affected by our anti-drug campaign,” said Director Wardley Getalla of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) 7. Getalla was reacting to the deaths of five PDEA agents in Mindanao.
Sunstar Cebu

Operations/ Incidents

12 nabbed in Binangonan drug busts
Twelve drug suspects were arrested in two separate buy-bust operations in Binangonan, Rizal from Thursday night to early Friday morning, authorities said. Seven were arrested in Barangay Mahabang Parang by operatives of the Rizal Police Intelligence Branch. 
ABS-CBN News

SPD cops nab150 drug dealers, suspects
Authorities have arrested a total of 150 individuals in two-day simultaneous police operations in southern part of Metro Manila in line with the government’s crackdown against suspected drug dealers and other criminal elements in the country.
Manila Standard, ABS-CBN News

P106M worth of drugs confiscated since June
OVER P106 million worth of drugs has been confiscated in Central Visayas since Chief Supt. Debold Sinas took over as chief of the Police Regional Office 7 last June 4.
Sunstar Cebu

Recovery and Rehabilitation  

ILLICIT FIREARMS, EXPLOSIVES AND AMMUNITION

2 MILF members nabbed with arms cache in S. Cotabato
Police arrested on Friday two alleged members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) for keeping in their possession a cache of high-powered firearms in Lake Sebu, South Cotabato.
Manila Bulletin

CROSS-BORDER TRADING/ SMUGGLING  

NBI joins probe on missing Zamboanga rice
The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) was instructed yesterday by Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra to join the probe into 7,015 sacks of suspected smuggled rice that went missing in Zamboanga City last Sept. 30. 
Philippine Star

HUMAN TRAFFICKING 

SWS: Government rating still ‘very good’ despite drop
While public satisfaction with the national government remained in “very good” territory, it has dropped to its record-low under the administration of President Duterte, according to Social Weather Stations (SWS).
Philippine Star, Sunstar Manila

Catholic bishops praying for Duterte’s health
The head of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines is praying for the health of President Duterte.
Manila Bulletin, Philippine News Agency

Nearly half of Pinoys believe Duterte has health problems – SWS
Nearly half of adult Filipinos, or 45 percent of them, believed President Rodrigo Duterte has health problems, a third quarter Social Weather Stations poll found. Meanwhile, 26 percent did not believe the president had health problems, while 29 percent were undecided.
GMA News

Duque says no need to be alarmed by Duterte’s health
Health Secretary Francisco Duque III advised the public yesterday not to be alarmed by the detection of a “growth” in the digestive tract of President Rodrigo Duterte. The President’s endoscopy showed what appeared to be “growth” in his digestive tract, which would require him to undergo more tests.
Cebu Daily News

Sotto to Duterte: Set surveys aside and continue working
President Duterte should not bother about his administration’s ratings in surveys and just go on doing his job.
Manila Bulletin

Duterte makes unannounced trip to Hong Kong
Away from the prying eyes of the public, President Duterte has made his way to Hong Kong with his family, the Chief Executive’s top aide confirmed.
Manila Bulletin, Philippine Daily Inquirer

A letter to the President that should be in mainstream media
My friend and colleague in the 2005 Constitutional Commission, Lito Lorenzana, wrote a column about a letter that should be published in mainstream media. I agree with its contents and I am sure many will once they read it. It was written as a post in Facebook.
Philippine Star

-----------

DISASTER

MINDANAO

CDO Mayor Moreno presents PDP-Laban slate for May 2019 polls; Girlie Balaba among council bets
Mayor Oscar Moreno on Friday presented the PDP-Laban’s candidates here for the May 2019 polls, among them former TV personality Girlie Balaba, a close friend of President Rodrigo Duterte, who visited Moreno last month to inform him she wants to run for councilor of the second district under the PDP-Laban.
Mindanews

ELECTION RELATED

NPC senatorial slate may drop Bam, Imee — Sotto
Torn between their feuding families, the National People’s Coalition (NPC) might have to drop both Sen. Paolo “Bam” Aquino and Ilocos Norte Gov. Imee Marcos in its list of senatorial candidates to support for next year’s polls.
Manila Bulletin

Pimentel wants Roque to run for senator
Senator Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel, III wants Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque to run for senator in the 2019 elections.
Manila Bulletin

Negros Oriental ballots next and last in VP vote recount
After the Supreme Court ruled in favor of Vice President Leni Robredo for the application of 25-percent shading threshold in the revision process, the recount of ballots from Negros Oriental will start in two weeks’ time.
Manila Bulletin

CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS

JUDICIARY

JBC opens applications for another SC seat
The Judicial and Bar Council (JBC) has opened applications for another seat at the Supreme Court (SC) which will become vacant upon the retirement of one of its justices, Justice Noel Tijam, on January 5.
Manila Bulletin

LEGISLATIVE

LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS (LGUs)

DEFENSE AND SECURITY

Japan military joins historic PH-US war games
Japanese troops stormed a beach in the Philippines Saturday in joint exercises with US and Filipino troops that officials said marked the first time Tokyo's armored vehicles rolled on foreign soil since World War II.
ABS-CBN News, The Straits Times

PH, Australia conclude joint maritime exercise
The first leg of the 5th Combined Philippine Navy-Royal Australian Navy (PN-RAN) Maritime Training Activity has concluded in this part of the country, a military official said Saturday.
Philippine News Agency

ECONOMY AND INVESTMENTS

Consumers to endure 2 more months of oil price hikes before fuel excise tax is halted
Consumers would have to endure two more months of increasing oil prices before the government could halt the second round of excise tax on fuel producs under the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) Law.
Manila Bulletin

Economists see need to suspend fuel tax hikes in 2019 amid fast inflation
The second round of increases in fuel excise taxes scheduled in January 2019 should be suspended to arrest the impact of skyrocketing prices of commodities, which hit a fresh nine-year high last month, economists said Saturday.
GMA News

BUILD, BUILD, BUILD

OFFICIAL DEVELOPMENT ASSISTANCE

GRAFT AND CORRUPTION

EDITORIAL - The other war
From 50 to 80 government officials are reportedly under investigation for possible corruption, with the probe being conducted by the Presidential Anti-Corruption Commission. The PACC can file complaints or else forward its findings to the Office of the Ombudsman and the Department of Justice for the filing of appropriate indictments.
Philippine Star

Acharon seeks leave of court to challenge evidence against him
South Cotabato Rep. Pedro Acharon Jr. has filed a motion for leave to file demurrer to evidence before the Sandiganbayan Seventh Division since he believes there is lack of evidence to prove his graft charge.
Manila Bulletin

FOREIGN RELATIONS  

Chinese embassy gifts Davao City with 13 schoolbuildings
The Chinese embassy in Manila said on Saturday, October 6, that it has gifted Davao City with 13 schoolbuildings which stands to benefit 2,000 students.
Rappler

West Philippine Sea

LABOR

TRANSPORTATION

Will Indonesia ride-hailing giant Go-Jek enter PH?
Indonesian ride-hailing giant Go-Jek is poised to expand its services in Southeast Asia, bringing its rivalry with Grab to the Philippines. Go-Jek started in Indonesia in 2010 as a call center for on-demand "ojek" or motorcycle taxi service.
Rappler

HEALTH 

AGRICULTURE

EDUCATION

No salary increase, but higher allowance, bonus for teachers
Education Secretary Leonor Briones said Friday that teachers under the Department of Education (DepEd) will receive bonuses and higher allowances, but not a salary increase, this year.
Manila Bulletin

Lawmaker bats for 3 measures to benefit teachers
An administration congressman on Saturday urged the leadership of the House of Representatives to put in its list of legislative priorities a number of proposed measures benefiting the country’s teachers.
Manila Bulletin

ENERGY

DOE supports keeping incentives for upstream petroleum sector
The Department of Energy (DOE) is throwing its support to the players of the upstream petroleum sector for their bid on non-scrapping of investment incentives – contrary to what is being propounded by the Department of Finance (DOF) under the Tax Reform for Attracting Better and High-quality Opportunities (TRABAHO) Bill.
Manila Bulletin

British firm Wood PLC mulls expansion in RE for PH airports
British firm Wood PLC has expressed interest to expand its footprint in the country as it looks into the potential of establishing solar farms and to supply this renewable energy (RE) to power airports in the country, according to Trade and Industry Secretary Ramon M. Lopez.
Manila Bulletin

POVERTY

HOUSING

TOURISM

Government ready for Boracay Island’s reopening. But are we?
DURING the habagat (Southwest monsoon) season, the waters off the main beach of Boracay Island push up and out, then hurriedly race to the shore, where the waves finally crash in a massive foam of white on the creamy white sand.
Business Mirror

DOT to limit Boracay tourists
Department of Tourism (DOT) Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat said the department will limit the tourists visiting Boracay starting October 26 during its soft opening following the results of the study being done in the island.
Cebu Daily News

Changing Bantayan’s status not Senate’s priority
BUSINESSES and lot owners in Bantayan Island will have to wait a little more before getting titles for their properties. A plan to lift the status of the island from a wilderness and protected area into an alienable and disposable land through legislation is apparently not among the Senate’s top priorities.
Cebu Daily News

ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES 

COMMUNICATION AND TECHNOLOGY

DEVELOPMENT SECTOR