Alleged top Islamic State operative killed in Sarangani
Authorities killed early Monday morning an alleged top leader of an Islamic State-inspired group in nearby Sarangani province. Chief Supt. Eliseo Rasco, Police Regional Office-12 director, said that Bassir Sahak was killed in an encounter with a joint police and military team in Sitio Lebe, Barangay Daliao, Maasim town.
Philippine Daily Inquirer, Manila Bulletin, Mindanews, NDBC News

Misinformation and intelligence failures: How the Philippines underestimates ISIS
Despite the presence of multiple militant groups in the Philippines who have made pledges of allegiance, or bayah, to Islamic State, the Philippine’ government and Armed Forces (AFP) have downplayed this threat. The statements they’ve made continuously ignore the reality of ISIS in the Philippines. 
The Defense Post

MARAWI

Latip-Yusoph: Targeting Meranaw innocence
FORWARDING the idea that “Fake news” is used to attack mainstream professional journalists is one of my major goals as a communication mentor. However, after reading the column of Ramon Tulfo (On Target) on inquirer.net, this has given me the reason why some people disrespect other writers. Journalists like him are expected to have done a good research about their subjects at hand.
Sunstar Cagayan de Oro

US sets $25 million for Marawi economic development
The United States has allotted some $25 million or about P1.3 billion in assistance to jumpstart the economy and develop communities in war-torn Marawi City, its ambassador to the Philippines said Monday.
ABS-CBN News

SOUTHEAST ASIA AND THE WORLD      

ASEAN Agrees to Anti-Terror Cooperation, Guidelines on Air Encounters
The ASEAN bloc and its dialogue partners wrapped up defense talks in Singapore at the weekend by agreeing to establish guidelines against unplanned air encounters and to boost anti-terror cooperation, officials said Monday. Meanwhile on Monday, about 1,000 naval personnel from member states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) embarked on their first joint maritime training exercises with the Chinese military off China’s southern coast and far from disputed areas in the South China Sea, news reports said. 
Benar News

We Need Tougher Sentence Powers To Crack Down On Extremists
The unjustifiable release of Anjem Choudary, a notorious Islamist hate preacher and a dangerous man, risks a fundamental deterioration of the battle against hate. Choudary, the leader of the now banned terrorist organisation Al-Muhajiroun, encouraged hundreds to join Islamic State through his famous rallies, online talks, and powerful networks.
Forbes

Improve US counterterrorism efforts by curbing corruption
In the years since the Sept. 11th attacks, the United States has spent huge sums to help foreign military and police forces develop the capacity to fight terrorism, with decidedly mixed results. Some of the biggest challenges to the effectiveness of U.S. counterterrorism aid can be explained by one word: corruption.
The Hill

C. Java Governor Ganjar tells 'santri' to launch 'jihad' against hoaxes
Central Java Governor Ganjar Pranowo has urged santri (Islamic boarding school students) to fight against terrorism, radicalism, stupidity, porn and hoaxes as parts of "today’s jihad revolution".
The Jakarta Post

Terrorist Plot Foiled
While the nation mourned the victims of the 2016 Pulse nightclub shooting in Orlando, Florida, an Indiana man who had become radicalized online was inspired by the terror attack to plan more killings in the name of ISIS.
Federal Bureau of Investigation

ISIS Launches New Bloody Threats Against West
An ISIS-affiliated group threatened to launch new attacks in the West through a new poster celebrating the Orlando nightclub massacre. The poster reminds of the June 2016 shooting rampage at the Pulse gay club that left 49 people dead and dozens more wounded.
Asharq Al-Awsat

BANGSAMORO ORGANIC LAW

LGUs may submit petition to Comelec for voluntary inclusion in 2019 plebiscite
Local government units may submit a petition to the Commission on Elections for voluntary inclusion in the January 21, 2019 plebiscite to ratify the Bangsamoro Organic Law. This is pursuant to Republic Act 11054 which states that all other areas contiguous to the territorial jurisdiction of the proposed Bangsamoro Autonomous Region (BAR) may submit a petition for voluntary inclusion.
Manila Bulletin, Rappler, Manila Standard, Business World Online

MNLF to help draw support for BOL
The Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) will mobilize its members and supporters to generate more support for the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL).
Manila Bulletin

Damakling Province holds General Assembly on BOL
In adherence to the directive of Mohagaher Iqbal, Chairman of MILF Committee on Information for all Provincial Information Directors to conduct assembly in their respective areas and educate the Moro people on Bangsamoro Organic law (BOL), and what to do during the plebiscite slated on January 21, 2019, hundreds of people gathered in an assembly at Barangay Digal, Buluan, Maguindanao on October 20 to listen to speakers who will provide them basic information on the BOL.
Luwaran

MAGUINDANAO AND COTABATO CITY

LANAO PROVINCES

BASILAN

SULU 

First kidnapping in world's fastest growing piracy hot spot in 18 months | Video
The Sulu and Celebes Seas, spanning the waters around Indonesia, Malaysia's eastern Sabah state and the Philippines, were until recently, the world's fastest growing piracy hot spot. The area had been notorious for a spate of kidnap-for-ransom activities by militants from the Abu Sayyaf extremist group, but increased security saw the number of abductions fall. 
Channel News Asia

Sulu guv draws praises for various projects
Governor Toto Tan continue to draw praises from the public for his many infrastructure projects and programs in the southern Philippine province of Sulu. Just recently, Tan donated a water system – through the “Kilusang Pagbabago Sulu” – for residents of Kambing in Kalingalang Caluang town. He also donated hundreds of pieces of lumber for the construction of foot bridges in Bus-Bus village in the capital town of Jolo.
Mindanao Examiner

TAWI-TAWI 

DRUGS

Report: UN's War on Drugs has Been a Failure
The United Nations’ fight against illegal drugs over the past 10 years has failed and even led to more drug use and violence, the International Drug Policy Consortium said in a report released on Sunday. The consortium is asking the UN General Assembly to reconsider their approach during the Special Session on Drugs summit in March, ten years after they set the current strategy. A focus on penalizing addicts meant a decrease in health and the welfare of communities.
Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP)

Albayalde disputes PDEA’s claim there’s already an oversupply of illegal drug in PH
National police chief Director General Oscar Albayalde disputed on Monday the claim of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) that there is already an oversupply of illegal drugs in the country that led to the significant reduction of the price of shabu.
Manila Bulletin

Ex-NBI official pleads not guilty on illegal drug charges
The former acting regional director of NBI-Central Mindanao Regional Office (NBI-CEMRO) who is facing a case of conspiracy to manufacture illegal drugs, following the discovery of the mega shabu laboratory in 2016, pleaded not guilty on Monday.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Smugglers, drug lords, politicians ganging up on Lapeña, says BOC deputy chief
Smugglers, drug lords, and politicians are allegedly ganging up on Bureau of Customs (BOC) Commissioner Isidro Lapeña in a bid to bring him down, a high-ranking Customs official said Monday.
Manila Bulletin

Operations/ Incidents

Recovery and Rehabilitation  

ILLICIT FIREARMS, EXPLOSIVES AND AMMUNITION

CROSS-BORDER TRADING/ SMUGGLING  

HUMAN TRAFFICKING 

SCAM 

A president like no other
What depressing rumors are swirling around the health condition of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte, his patriotic ardor and sincere concern for the underprivileged classes and distaste for any form of corruption are not only infectious but also persuasive and convincing.
Manila Bulletin

Why we need our own Macron
The divisions and fractures that run through our society must be overcome, whether they be economic, social, political or moral,” Emmanuel Macron declared during his formal inauguration ceremony at the Élysée Palace last year.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

-----------

Trillanes to critics: Don’t get tired of me
As he rejoiced the junking of a motion for his arrest on a non-bailable case, Senator Antonio Trillanes IV took a swipe at some people, who are getting tired of him.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Philippine court rejects Duterte bid to have critic arrested
A Philippine court on Monday rejected a petition by President Rodrigo Duterte's administration to have his fiercest critic in the Senate arrested, in a legal setback for Duterte that the senator called a victory for democracy.
ABC News, CNN Philippines, Rappler, Philippine Daily Inquirer

Drilon: Ruling on Trillanes case restores ‘perception of stability’ in courts
Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon is relieved by the decision of the Makati Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 148 not to issue an arrest warrant on Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV for his coup d’etat case, saying that the resolution of the case would “help restore the perception of stability in our courts.”
Philippine Daily Inquirer

DOJ on Makati court’s ruling on Trillanes: ‘This not the end of it’
This is not the end of it. This was how the Department of Justice (DOJ) Secretary Menardo Guevarra on Monday reacted to the ruling of Makati Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 148 on Senator Antonio Trillanes IV’s coup d’etat case.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

DISASTER

MINDANAO

Mindanao traders link with ASEAN neighbors and why that matters
Recent activities between Mindanao business groups and their counterparts in Singapore and Malaysia point to a revival of centuries-old precolonial trade ties. Before European colonists forced present-day Malaysia, Philippines, and Indonesia to plant and produce cash crops to fuel their mercantilist trade, interisland trading was robust in the Southeast Asian straits fomented by the Sri Vijayan and Madjapahit empires and later, the sultanates.
Manila Bulletin

ELECTION RELATED

Disqualification case filed against Pimentel at Comelec
A disqualification case has been filed against Sen. Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III at the Commission on Elections (Comelec), Monday. Lawyer Ferdinand Topacio said he filed the disqualification case against Pimentel as the latter is no longer eligible to seek reelection in the May 2019 midterm polls.
Manila Bulletin

Why the opposition and the rebels will not win
EVEN opposition leader Vice President Leni Robredo admits it. “The President is still very popular, and the candidates that he will endorse would benefit from the President’s popularity,” she said last week at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, a Washington DC think-tank.
The Manila Times

The electoral process as a rogue’s playground
THE Philippines is supposed to be a democracy, yet we seem to have perfected the art of turning it on its head, bastardizing it, and corrupting its rules.
The Manila Times

Sara Duterte backs opposing gubernatorial bets in Cebu
Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio on Monday expressed support for two opposing aspiring governors in the province.  These are Cebu Rep. Gwendolyn Garcia and Vice Governor Agnes Magpale.
ABS-CBN News

Election-related Violence

CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS

DILG assures federalism shift will further push Bangsamoro dev’t
The Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) assured the shift to federalism will further push the development of the Bangsamoro as the necessary push and support that Muslims in the region need for the autonomy they’ve been fighting for.
Manila Bulletin, Philippine News Agency

JUDICIARY

JBC exempts SC senior justices from public interviews for CJ post
The Judicial and Bar Council (JBC) has decided to no longer conduct public interviews of senior magistrates of the Supreme Court (SC) vying for the vacant chief justice (CJ) post.
Manila Bulletin

Appointment or not, Carpio won’t back off West PH Sea rights
Whether or not he is appointed Chief Justice, Senior Justice Antonio T. Carpio is not wavering on his advocacy on the country’s rights in the West Philippine Sea. Carpio, who is now acting Chief Justice with the retirement of Chief Justice Teresita J. Leonardo de Castro last October 10, considered his advocacy more important than being appointed head of the judiciary.
Manila Bulletin

LEGISLATIVE

House panel says 3 priority measures enacted since third session in July
THREE MEASURES identified as government priorities have been enacted since the 17th Congress opened its third regular session on July 23, the House Rules Committee said in a report. Among the measures President Rodrigo R. Duterte has signed into law were the Philippine Identification System (PhilSys) Act, the Occupational Safety and Health Standards (OSHS) law and the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL).
Business World Online

The class of 2019: Where are graduating senators going?
Four senators set to leave the chamber in 2019, but they are not retiring from public life. Some of them are venturing into local politics, while others are keen on continuing advocacy work and assuming an executive post.
Rappler

LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS (LGUs)

DILG to LGUs on use of funds: We will be watching you
The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) urged local government units (LGU) on Monday to wisely use millions of pesos in cash incentives to be given to them while warning them against any diversion of the funds.
Philippine Daily Inquirer, Manila Bulletin

DEFENSE AND SECURITY

Naval Visit Spotlights Indonesia-Philippines Maritime Ties
On October 22, an Indonesian Navy vessel arrived for a scheduled goodwill visit to the Philippines. While the interaction was just one of many within the wider relationship, it nonetheless spotlighted the ongoing activity among both Southeast Asian states in the maritime realm.
The Diplomat

Families of cops, soldiers killed in action now covered by 4Ps
The immediate families of cops and soldiers who were killed or wounded in action are now entitled to receive the conditional cash grants of the government’s Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps).
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Army's Mechanized Infantry Division activates brand-new unit
The Mechanized Infantry Division (MID) on Monday formally activated its 6th Mechanized Infantry Battalion (Provisional). Major Gen. Gilbert Gapay served as presiding officer and keynote speaker during the event held at Camp O'Donnell, Capas, Tarlac.
Philippine News Agency

ECONOMY AND INVESTMENTS

Sabal: Where is the Philippines in Asean?
OUR economic managers have projected that the Philippines is set to become an upper-middle income country in 2019. We are a lower-middle income country since 1987.
Sunstar Cagayan de Oro

BUILD, BUILD, BUILD

OFFICIAL DEVELOPMENT ASSISTANCE

GRAFT AND CORRUPTION

Anticorruption–a voluntary necessity or an explicit choice?
Although corporate social responsibility (CSR) seems to have become a buzzword in recent years, business has always been concerned about society and the environment. Their relationship is ultimately symbiotic: neither can or will a company thrive in a failing society, nor can a society prosper without a successful expanding economy. Integrity, business ethics, anti-corruption form part of cornerstones on which modern business is built.
Business Mirror

Bataan board member ‘Teri Onor’ nabbed for graft, estafa 
A member of the Bataan Provincial Board, who is also an actor, was arrested for graft and estafa on Monday afternoon at his rented apartment. Dexter Dominguez, 44, popularly known as comedian Teri Onor, was served an arrest warrant issued on July 5 by Judge Angelito Balderama of the Bataan Regional Trial Court Branch 1. He was taken by the police from his home in San Jose village here at 2:30 p.m.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

FOREIGN RELATIONS  

‘No hiccup’ in Balangiga bells return
US Ambassador to the Philippines Sung Kim has given assurances Washington would not allow any spasms regarding the return of the Balangiga bells he said would happen “soon.” Kim told the ANC’s headstart Monday the US government would be able to move forward with the return of all bells if the “notification passes without any action by Congress.”
Manila Standard

PH, Mexico mark 453rd year of Manila-Acapulco galleon trade
The Philippines and Mexico have jointly commemorated the 453rd anniversary of the Manila-Acapulco galleon trade – the first-ever globalized trade network in history.
Manila Bulletin

PH-China ties complicated, but future is bright, claims Chinese economic expert
Philippines-China relations are “complicated,” but even complicated relationships can blossom. Yuan Youwei, deputy director of the China Center for International Economic Exchanges (CCIEE) here gave this point of view ahead of Chinese President Xi Jinping’s visit to the Philippines next month.
Manila Bulletin

Inter-Parliamentary Union not welcome in PH — Palace
A group of international lawmakers planning to look into the alleged political persecution of two opposition senators is not welcome to visit the country, Malacañang said Monday. Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo expressed concern that the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) might only cause trouble in the country, as he criticized the group for meddling in the country’s affairs as well as disrespecting the local legal processes.
Manila Bulletin

Arroyo to push PH withdrawal from IPU
House Speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo on Monday said she would recommend to the Senate the withdrawal of the Philippines’ membership from the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), a global organization critical of the Duterte administration.
Philippine Daily Inquirer, Manila Bulletin

China, ASEAN start inaugural joint maritime drills
China and Southeast Asian states kicked off their first joint maritime exercises on Monday in an effort to ease regional tensions linked to rival claims in the South China Sea.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

West Philippine Sea

LABOR

TRANSPORTATION

Grab claims ‘95 times safer’ than other modes of land transport
RIDE-HAILING app Grab is buttressing its safety features even as it was deemed 95 times safer compared to other modes of transportation. A top official noted further investments are needed to further improve its services. Monday saw Grab Philippines unveiling a so-called tech road map for safety, which targets both passengers and riders.
Business Mirror

HEALTH 

FOOD AND AGRICULTURE

How to solve the country’s rice problem?
We can’t deny that presently there is so much that is going wrong in the Philippines. If asked to list down the positive things happening in the country one would be hard-pressed to think of anything truly substantial. What is more prevalent are the bad things, the continuous increase in the price of fuel, the crime rate climbing, the election circus getting crazier by the day, and in general rising prices of almost all basic commodities.
Philippine Star

EDUCATION

ENERGY

POVERTY

HOUSING

TOURISM

ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES 

COMMUNICATION AND TECHNOLOGY

Palace optimistic 3rd telco player will be named next month
Malacañang is optimistic that a third telecommunications player will be named by next month or else President Duterte will take over the government search. Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo said the selection process for the third major player, conducted by the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), was still ongoing.
Manila Bulletin

DEVELOPMENT SECTOR