MARAWI

Govt cautioned against repeat of Yolanda debacle
AS the Marawi ground zero rehabilitation starts, Sen. Joseph Victor “JV” G. Ejercito yesterday cautioned the government against a repeat of what happened in the housing projects for the victims of typhoons Yolanda and Sendong.
The Manila Times

SOUTHEAST ASIA AND THE WORLD      

Why Do Terrorist Organizations Use Women As Suicide Bombers?
The news earlier this week that a woman in Tunis blew herself up in front of a shopping center came as a shock to many. This is the first attack in the Tunisian capital since 2015. While the attack has yet to be claimed, instability in bordering Libya remains a concern, as do claims by authorities that Islamic State and Al Qaeda continue to recruit extremists in Tunisia.
Forbes

Podcasts help extremists get their message out
Social media isn't the only place on the internet where extremists are spreading hateful views. Podcasts are also fueling the hate. Podcasts were once relegated to niche corners of the web, but the format has become much more mainstream in recent years. An estimated 73 million people in the United States tune into a podcast every month, according to Edison Research and Triton Digital.
CNN

It’s Time to Put CVE to Bed
In the wake of the Tree of Life Synagogue shooting in Pittsburgh, many commentators have criticized the Trump administration’s revocation of grants meant to target far-right violence, distributed through the Countering Violent Extremism (CVE) program at the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). 
Just Security (New York University School of Law)

'Ruined dreams': the people locked up in China's desert 're-education' centres
Most have only seen them from the air, but China correspondent Kirsty Needham took the risk and got down to ground level in Xinjiang to explore China's vast and growing network of detention centres.
The Sydney Morning Herald

Even in the face of terrorism, the Jewish tradition calls on us to remain open and welcoming
In the Hebrew scriptures, in the story of Abraham, we read about three strangers who approach Abraham’s tent. He does not greet them with suspicion or fear. He runs to welcome them, sits them down and washes their feet, and prepares a feast for them. 
The Washington Post

Mohammed bin Salman described Khashoggi as 'dangerous Islamist'
Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman described slain journalist Jamal Khashoggi as a "dangerous Islamist" after his disappearance weeks ago, according to US media reports.
Aljazeera

The Many Faces of Radicalization
Before Robert Bowers entered a Pittsburgh synagogue and opened fire, he spewed verbal bullets online. For months prior to the shooting Bowers made comments on Gab, a far-right social networking outlet created as an alternative to Twitter. There, Bowers posted numerous anti-immigrant and anti-Semitic comments. The Pittsburgh attack is not an isolated event.
Foreign Policy in Focus

Bahrain foils escape of six terrorism suspects
Bahrain has foiled an attempt to smuggle six terrorism suspects out the country in a plan that was orchestrated from Iran, the state's news agency reported. The fugitives were preparing to leave the country by boat from the Samaheej coast, the Bahrain News Agency said, without identifying the suspects or when they were arrested.
The National UAE

UK: Terror Investigations an "Inconvenience"?
Britain's Independent Reviewer of Terrorism Legislation, Max Hill, recently recommended: "...the Police should consider and reflect upon the community impact of a large-scale [terror] investigation, centering as it did on particular areas of Manchester with a large Muslim population... Good community policing, as well as good counter-terrorism policing, demands that real efforts are made to work within and with local communities, where many blameless residents will have been inconvenienced if not traumatised by the regular appearance of Police search and arrest teams on their street or in their home. I would like to see the outcome of Police reflections on this aspect..." 
Gatestone Institute

MSU hosting 6th ASEAN Universities Int’l Conference on Islamic Finance
Participants from various sectors of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) – particularly from the academe or education sector – are expected to converge in the Philippines for the 6th ASEAN Universities International Conference on Islamic Finance (AICIF).
Manila Bulletin

BANGSAMORO ORGANIC LAW

ARMM guv confident BOL can withstand legal scrutiny
Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) Governor Mujiv Hataman said Friday he is confident the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL) can hurdle scrutiny at the Supreme Court.   “We cannot allow the personal interests or anyone to again sow discord where we so clearly need peace,” Hataman said in a statement. 
Philippine News Agency

Birthing the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region
As with planned caesarean procedures, we know beforehand this baby’s birthday. On March 21, 2019, the people within the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) will determine in a plebiscite whether to welcome the birth of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region (BAR). But, as with any delivery, we cannot predict with absolute certainty the baby’s health condition at birth, or its future life prospects.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Chief Justice beyond the bounds of BOL
THE Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) reached by the United States with the Philippines must be an insurance shot for the former’s continuing obsession to re-strengthen US military capabilities in the Asia Pacific region. All of a sudden, the agreement was there, evidently crafted with covert dispatch when it became evident that President Noynoy Aquino would not get the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) passed within his term. 
The Manila Times

Iqbal pays courtesy visit to Basilan Provincial Government
Chairman Mohagher Iqbal of MILF Peace Implementing Panel paid courtesy visit to the Provincial Government of Basilan and was received personally by Governor Jim Salliman on October 20, 2018. 
Luwaran

MAGUINDANAO AND COTABATO CITY

Commander ‘Toothpick’ draws amulet hunters
There’s a disturbing reason some people wanted to visit the grave of Feliciano Luces in the public cemetery here. They wanted to get relics from Luces, also known as Commander Toothpick, a fierce cult leader made infamous by his murderous rampage against Moro rebels in the 1970s.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

LANAO PROVINCES

BASILAN

SULU 

‘Duterte’ rescued from Abu Sayyaf amid sustained pressure from gov’t forces
Sustained military operations of the Joint Task Force (JTF) Sulu led to the rescue of another kidnap victim in Panamao, Sulu on Thursday. Jose Duterte, 66, was rescued by elements of the Marine Base Landing Team 3 and the intelligence operatives under the Philippine Marine Ready Force-Sulu in Barangay Kandyok, Panamao, Sulu, at about 1:30 p.m.
Manila Bulletin, Philippine News Agency, Sunstar Zamboanga

TAWI-TAWI 

DRUGS

‘Kalakaran’ in the police force
On television, the furious chief of the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) snatched the ballcap off PO1 Eduardo Valencia’s head and threw it down, grabbed the towel he was holding to his face and tried to get him to face the camera—evidently in an effort to expose him to the public glare and thereby to humiliation.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Tell it to SunStar: Smuggling of drugs
AROUND 16 million Filipino voters believed Rodrigo Duterte’s promise to end drugs, crime and corruption in “three to six months.” In his more than two years in power, around 20,000 alleged drug pushers and users became victims of President Duterte’s all-out bloody war on drugs. In his 2018 State of the Nation Address (Sona), President Duterte promised that his war on drugs will continue and it will be “relentless and chilling.”
Sunstar Cebu

Cop linked to Sinaloa drug ops
A police spokesman said Friday that the arrest of a policeman using cocaine in Taguig City was a sign that the Sinaloa Mexican drug cartel is operating in the Philippines.
Manila Standard

Operations/ Incidents

Cops nab drug peddler, seize P30K worth of drugs
Police arrested a “habal-habal” (passenger motorbike) driver here during a drug buy-bust operation that also led to the confiscation of 19 sachets of “shabu” from him Friday.
Philippine News Agency

P400,000 worth of suspected shabu seized in Zamboanga City
Some P400,000 worth of suspected shabu were confiscated from 2 suspects in Barangay Tumaga here on Friday afternoon. Besides a big sachet of illegal drugs, a caliber 45 pistol with ammunition was found in the suspects' possession.
ABS-CBN News

3-day busts: 42 nabbed; P1.5M shabu confiscated
The Cebu City police have made good their promise to not let up in their campaign against illegal drugs despite the holidays as they arrested 42 people and confiscated an estimated P1.5 million worth of suspected shabu in three days of operations starting Wednesday (Oct. 31) until All Souls’ Day on Friday.
Cebu Daily News

Drugs, weapons seized in Cebu City jail
Some 19 small sachets of illegal drugs, 26 improvised bladed weapons and 10 tin foils were seized by jail and police operatives at the Cebu City Jail in Barangay Kalunasan, in Cebu City at dawn on Friday.
The Manila Times

34 nabbed, drug den dismantled in Tagum City raid
THIRTY-FOUR alleged drug personalities were arrested while inside a drug den, which was also dismantled, during the anti-drug operation on Friday, November 2, at Purok 3, Durian Avenue, Barangay Madaum, Tagum City.
Sunstar Davao

Recovery and Rehabilitation  

ILLICIT FIREARMS, EXPLOSIVES AND AMMUNITION

CROSS-BORDER TRADING/ SMUGGLING  

HUMAN TRAFFICKING 

SCAM 

Strong rule without martial law; The wisdom of age
This is classic Duterte. He is not bothered by name or words if it blocks action to keep peace and order. That is Duterte’s character. ‘No martial law, but strongest tools to impose law, order’ he said. That follows the Constitution which says that the civil government is supreme but the military can be called on to protect the people and the State. The massive smuggling of shabu is a danger to the people and the state.
Philippine Star

Palace: Duterte comparison with Brazil's Bolsonaro 'understandable,' but...
The comparisons between President Rodrigo Duterte and Brazil's President-elect Jair Bolsonaro cannot be made just yet despite similarities between the two leaders,  the Palace said Friday. Presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo made the argument after foreign news outlets compared the two leaders for their shared disdain for human rights organizations and fascination for military rule. 
GMA News, ABS-CBN News

Donald Duterte and Rody Trump
It is eerie, the similarity between Rodrigo Duterte and Donald Trump. The New York Times, the New York Daily News, the Chicago Tribune, Britain’s The Guardian and Asian newspapers have contributed to this discussion, which has been going on since late 2016. 
The Philippine Daily Inquirer

Pray for Duterte, ‘a very sick man,’ Caloocan bishop urges Filipinos
Filipinos should pray for President Rodrigo Duterte for he is a “very sick man,” Caloocan Bishop Pablo Virgilio David said Friday.  “I think it should obvious to people by now that our country is being led by a very sick man. We pray for him. We pray for our country,” David said in a Facebook post.
ABS-CBN News

A creeping militarization
The plan of President Rodrigo Duterte to place Bureau of Customs operations under military control ran into constitutional barriers. This was after smuggled shabu shipment valued at P11 billion slipped through the graft-ridden bureau. In a fit of rage, Duterte replaced Customs chief Isidro Lapeña with Marina head Ray Leonardo Guerrero, former Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief of Staff.
Manila Standard

Two presidents: One warning of military intervention, another inviting it
BECAUSE of the intense debate today about military takeover and militarization of the government, I want to devote a column to the striking contrast between President Dwight David Eisenhower (US president, 1952-1956) and President Rodrigo Duterte (2016 to present) in their attitude to military influence and involvement in a nation’s government.
The Manila Times

Duterte calls for proper care, maintenance of gov’t equipment
Government agencies have been reminded to keep their vehicles and equipment in good condition to prolong use and avoid additional expense. President Duterte has called for proper care and maintenance of government equipment after expressing dismay at how fast they become dilapidated and disposed of.
Manila Bulletin

Duterte hits All Saints’ Day amid message of hope, jokes about ‘Santo Rodrigo’
President Duterte hit the Catholic church anew after cursing out All Saints’ Day on the day itself, saying the Catholic faithful do not even know the “saints” who are commemorated on this religious holiday.
Manila Bulletin

Palace: Maza’s military junta claim, erroneous
Malacañang said that President Duterte’s decision to appoint former military officials to Cabinet positions does not translate that to a military junta-led government.
Manila Bulletin

-----------

DISASTER

No more signs of life: 21 still missing in Natonin landslide
No sign of life has been detected and 21 people are still missing at a landslide area here, where a building of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) was engulfed in mud and rainwater and crumbled in minutes at the height of Typhoon Rosita on Tuesday afternoon.
Philippine News Agency

Duterte scolds ‘no-show’ Agriculture Sec. Emmanuel Piñol
Nowhere in sight at a command conference on Typhoon Rosita’s impact, Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel Piñol got a public rebuke from President Duterte, who even taunted him for bragging that he has a lot of money.
Philippine Star


MINDANAO

ELECTION RELATED

Comelec to start posting tentative list of candidates Nov. 19
Those who filed their certificates of candidacy for the May 2019 midterm polls mark November 19, 2018, in your calendars as this is the day when the Commission on Elections will start posting the tentative list of candidates.
Manila Bulletin

Election-related Violence

CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS

JUDICIARY

LEGISLATIVE

Binay bill seeks breastfeeding and infant nutrition sessions for couples before wedding
Couples applying for a marriage license would have to undergo sessions informing them of the benefits of breastfeeding and infant nutrition soon. Senator Nancy Binay said this would take effect once Senate Bill No. 2051, the proposed “Family Support for Breastfeeding Act” is enacted into law.
Manila Bulletin

LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS (LGUs)

DEFENSE AND SECURITY

AFP readies shift to external defense role
THE Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) has served notice it is on track in meeting its objectives under its ongoing internal security operations (ISO), as it gears up to shift its full focus on the country’s territorial defense by way of its ongoing modernization program.
Business Mirror

ECONOMY AND INVESTMENTS

E-commerce a new inclusion in the PJEPA
Philippines and Japan are incorporating a new provision on e-commerce in their bilateral free trade agreement, which is undergoing general review ten years after it took effect. Japan Embassy Minister for Economic Affairs Makoto Iyori trade counsellor told reporters that e-commerce is a new sector to be covered in the Philippines-Japan Economic Partnership Agreement (PJEPA) because there was no such thing as e-commerce when the comprehensive trade deal was crafted.
Manila Bulletin

NEDA lauds Duterte’s signing of FINL
The National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) lauded President Rodrigo Duterte’s signing of the executive order that promulgated the long-delayed 11th Regular Foreign Investment Negative List (RFINL).
Manila Bulletin

BUILD, BUILD, BUILD

OFFICIAL DEVELOPMENT ASSISTANCE

GRAFT AND CORRUPTION

Former Davao del Norte mayor faces graft, bribery charges
Former Island Garden City of Samal mayor Aniano Paraiso Antalan of Davao del Norte has been slapped with graft and indirect bribery charges before the Sandiganbayan Third Division for a reportedly anomalous receipt of money.
Manila Bulletin

FOREIGN RELATIONS  

West Philippine Sea

Philippines mulls lifting West Philippine Sea oil exploration ban
The Philippine government is considering to lift the moratorium on oil and gas exploration in the West Philippine Sea to be able to move forward with an agreement with China. Manila is hoping to finalize the terms of an agreement with Beijing on the possible joint exploration in the West Philippine Sea or South China Sea as Chinese President Xi Jinping visits the country this month.
Philippine Star

LABOR

Big labor group demands P100 pay hike, pleads for Duterte’s push
The Associated Labor Unions-Trade Union Congress of the Philippines on Friday appealed to President Rodrigo Duterte to intervene and raise the suggested 25-peso increase in the minimum wage to P100.
Manila Standard

ALU-TUCP calls on Duterte to stand up for workers
Amid the alleged P25 wage hike in Metro Manila, the Associated Labor Unions-Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (ALU-TUCP) on Friday has called on President Duterte to stand up for workers.
Manila Bulletin

Villanueva lauds rescue of 22 OFWs from poor work conditions in Denmark
Senator Joel Villanueva lauded the rescue of 22 overseas Filipino workers (OFW) recently from poor living and working conditions in Denmark.
Manila Bulletin

TRANSPORTATION

Country’s first landport ready to roll
The daily commute from Cavite and Batangas to Metro Manila is expected to improve as the country’s first landport, done through a collaboration of the public and private sectors, opens on Nov. 5.
Philippine Star

HEALTH 

Garin insists on testimony of pathologist in Dengvaxia probe
Former Health Secretary Janette Garin continued to insist that the Department of Justice (DOJ) panel of prosecutors accept the testimony of a pathologist who would refute her liability in the deaths of persons who were inoculated with the Dengvaxia anti-dengue vaccine.
Manila Bulletin

FOOD AND AGRICULTURE

Mindanao farmers urged to directly export to China
Mindanao Business Council chair Vicente T. Lao urged farmers to seize the opportunity to export their produce directly to the Chinese market amid the growing interests in Mindanao. The business leader said more Chinese will be sourcing tropical fruits from Mindanao and undertake other business activities with Mindanawon businessmen, following the opening of the Consulate General of the People’s Republic of China last October 28.
Manila Bulletin

Tribal, rainfed areas eyed for sorghum
The country’s first-nationwide sorghum production will prioritize tribal ancestral domains and rainfed areas to lower poverty while increasing productivity, the Department of Agriculture (DA) said on Friday.
The Manila Times

NFA issues int’l tender to buy 500,000 tons of rice
The Philippines’ National Food Authority (NFA) issued an international tender to purchase up to 500,000 tons of rice, European traders said on Thursday. Tender offers will be opened on Nov. 20, they said.
Manila Bulletin

EDUCATION

ENERGY

POVERTY

HOUSING

TOURISM

ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES 

COMMUNICATION AND TECHNOLOGY

DEVELOPMENT SECTOR