Philippines: 100 foreign fighters joined ISIS in Mindanao since the Marawi battle
Foreign militants continue to flow into the southern Philippines, with more than 100 entering Mindanao since the end of the battle of Marawi, a Philippine terrorism expert told The Defense Post. A year after Marawi city was recaptured from the clutches of militants, the southern Philippines remains an attractive destination for foreign fighters, and neighboring nations remain concerned that many issues relating to their citizens who were killed in the five-month battle have yet to be resolved.
The Defense Post

Hortillosa: On sprouting checkpoints in Oro
IN OUR efforts to tighten security and ensure safety of the Kagay-anons, you may have already observed that we have placed a lot of established checkpoints like our checkpoints in Barangay Tablon, Barangay Indahag and Koresko, Barangay Lumbia this city which the Oro police call as Border Checkpoint or Strong Checkpoint. 
Sunstar Cagayan de Oro

MARAWI

OUR MARAWI: What if one day we will have nothing in our hands but new sets of broken promises?
The ground breaking has given me and many a 50-50 reaction, where a half of me felt happiness and a very powering hope, thinking that this could really be something, this could really be the start, there is really a hope for the people of Marawi. But a part me was doubtful, considering the trust issues every IDP (internally displaced person0 has developed towards the government because of the unanswered questions we had and have that are often left unanswered.
Mindanews

SOUTHEAST ASIA AND THE WORLD      

Watchdog Warns of Islamic State Resurgence
he U.S. Defense Department’s Office of Inspector General is warning in a new report that conditions could be ripe for the Islamic State to resurge in Iraq and Syria, even as new violence erupts between the Turkish and U.S.-backed forces fighting the militants in the region.
Foreign Policy 

Terrorism studies and the struggle for primary data
From the 1980s to the present day, many of the field's most influential scholars have lamented that a majority of articles rely on literature review-based methodologies and do not present any new, first-hand insights. Instead of authors talking with (former) terrorists, perusing the archives of counterterrorism agencies, administering psychological tests to extremists, or engaging in fieldwork, they have mostly resorted to talking amongst themselves. 
Phys/ University of Oslo

Social media is a ‘force multiplier’ for a lone wolf on the edge
A common criticism of research on lone wolf terrorism is that lone attackers are “not so lonely” and they often have involvement with extremist groups. There is some merit to that argument. Consider the historic assassination of Martin Luther King, Jr.
The Hill

The Real Terrorist Threat in America
Since 9/11, no foreign terrorist group has successfully conducted a deadly attack in the United States. Instead, the threat today is one of individuals—usually with ready access to guns—radicalized by a diverse array of ideologies absorbed from the internet. In light of the recent attempted mail bombings, the deadly shooting at a Pittsburgh synagogue, and a rise in hate-related incidents, two of the country’s top experts in terrorism and homeland security discuss present and future threats to and in the United States. 
Council for Foreign Relations

HIAS chief: If you're not combating hate speech, you're accepting it
Hours before an American shooter invaded the Tree of Life synagogue in Pittsburgh, he published a social media post invoking the name of HIAS (once known as the Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society), the organization that I lead.
CNN

Regulated barter scheme wins support from Sabah gov’t
REGULATED barter between southwestern Mindanao and neighboring countries is expected to get rolling by next year with the state government of Sabah in Malaysia ready to open its borders to the trade by January, according to an official of the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA).
Business World Online

BANGSAMORO ORGANIC LAW

Cop killed in Cotabato City daytime gun attack
Gunmen on a motorcycle killed a police officer and wounded another in a daring attack in a residential area here Sunday.
NDBC News

“We Must Upgrade Ourselves Morally, Intellectually, and in Leadership Skills“-Al Mansoor
“We must upgrade ourselves, morally intellectually and in leadership skills,” said Abdulraof “Sammy Al Mansoor” Macacua during the 50th Foundation anniversary of the Al-Muslimin Alpha Phi, Inc. (AMAPI) at Genalin Resort and Convention Center, Barangay Calean, Tacurong City on November 3, 2018.
Luwaran

UBJP-Maguindanao 2nd District-A Holds Assembly and Advocacy in Salipada K. Pendatun town
Maguindanao Province-The United Bangsamoro Justice Party conducted an assembly and advocacy on “Understanding the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL) last November 3, 2018 at Gen. Salipada K. Pendatun, Maguindanao attended by UBJP officers from different municipalities under 2nd district of Maguindanao.
Luwaran

MAGUINDANAO AND COTABATO CITY

LANAO PROVINCES

Meranao families get food aid from regional BRIDGE program
More than a thousand Meranao families benefited from the latest food rationing activity in Lanao del Sur of a government poverty alleviation program. The office here of the Bangsamoro Regional Inclusive Development for Growth and Empowerment, or ARMM-BRIDGE, said in a statement Sunday that 1,050 families in Lanao del Sur received food rations during dispersal operations in the province last October 15.
NDBC News

BASILAN

SULU 

Dureza welcomes release of ASG kidnap victim
Presidential Peace Adviser Jesus Dureza on Monday welcomed the recent release of Jose Duterte by his Abu Sayyaf captors in Sulu after more than a year but added he had no knowledge or participation in the alleged payment of ransom.
Philippine News Agency, Manila Bulletin

TAUSUG KRISBLADE: On the Tausūg Gastronomic Riches
The varieties of Tausūg kitchen art do not come easy to enumerate — there are just a lot of them, encompassing the sweet confections and the more exotic haute cuisine that Tausūgs tend to use as ways for impressing visitors with how they can turn the kitchen into a studio where their arts are created with their simple native instruments.
Mindanews

TAWI-TAWI 

DRUGS

Albayalde cries foul over claim drug war worsens ‘palit-puri’ in PNP
Director General Oscar Albayalde, chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP), denied on Monday the supposed existence of “palit-puri” scheme which according to a nongovernment organization (NGO) worsened under the government’s anti-illegal drug campaign.
Manila Bulletin, Philippine News Agency

No drug raid in schools, universities sans coordination —PNP
The Philippine National Police (PNP) will not conduct drug buy-bust operations in schools and universities without coordinating with their officials, PNP chief Director General Oscar Albayalde said on Monday.
GMA News, Philippine Daily Inquirer

S. Cotabato hikes incentives for top-performing anti-drug bodies
The provincial government of South Cotabato has increased the cash incentives beginning this year for the top performing city and municipal anti-drug abuse councils (ADAC).
Philippine News Agency

Killings and abuses
Regardless of one’s skepticism about the long term benefits of a planned Senate inquiry into the extrajudicial killings in Cebu, it is hoped that the hearings will result in legislation that will require greater accountability and transparency from the police in their operations.
Cebu Daily News

Operations/ Incidents

Police kill 21 in Undas 2018 anti-drug operations
Cops killed 21 drug suspects during the "4-day Undas holiday" from October 31 to November 3, Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Director General Oscar Albayalde announced in a press conference on Monday, November 5.
Rappler, GMA News

2 drug suspects nabbed in Mandaluyong City
Two drug suspects in Mandaluyong City were arrested Monday after the police chanced upon them using suspected “shabu” (crystal meth).
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Recovery and Rehabilitation  

ILLICIT FIREARMS, EXPLOSIVES AND AMMUNITION

CROSS-BORDER TRADING/ SMUGGLING  

HUMAN TRAFFICKING 

SCAM 

Militarization? Go for it, Mr. President
President Rodrigo Duterte is being accused by his detractors of “militarizing” the Bureau of Customs. The President’s order is being blown out of proportion. There is no disagreement on the principle of civilian supremacy over the military — it is enshrined in our Constitution.
The Manila Times

Duterte appoints Karlo Nograles as new Cabinet Secretary
President Duterte has appointed Davao City 1st Rep. Karlo Nograles as the new Cabinet Secretary, Malacañang announced Monday. Presidential Spokesman Salvador said Nograles was expected to take his oath before the President Monday afternoon.
Manila Bulletin, Rappler

PH has a ‘reign of fear’ among lawbreakers — Palace
The country has a “reign of fear” among lawbreakers amid the government’s strict enforcement of laws against illegal drugs and crimes, Malacanang acknowledged Monday. Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo made the argument to dispel the allegation of Australian nun about the supposed “reign of terror” spawned by the Duterte’s violent crackdown on the drug trade.
Manila Bulletin

Guerrero to use full extent of power to cleanse BOC
New Customs Commissioner Rey Guerrero on Monday warned that he will use the full extent of his power to rid the bureau of corruption.
Manila Bulletin

-----------

DISASTER

‘Life goes on’: Long road for Super Typhoon Haiyan survivors
The Philippines’ catastrophic Super Typhoon Haiyan stole almost everything from Juvilyn Luana and Joel Aradana — their spouses, children and homes — but in each other they found love and the strength to start a new family.
Philippine Daily Inquirer, Philippine Star

Why super typhoon Yolanda was so deadly
When Super Typhoon Haiyan struck in 2013 it was the disaster-prone Philippines' worst storm on record, with 7,350 people dead or missing.
ABS-CBN News

Tacloban houses named after Pope Francis almost complete
Residents of 11 coastal villages in this city who heavily suffered the brunt of Super Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan) will finally be awarded with permanent housing units funded by the Roman Catholic Church after almost three years of waiting.
Philippine News Agency

MINDANAO

COA: Compostela Valley is 2nd richest province; Zambales, Pampanga enter top 10
Compostela Valley has clinched the spot as the second richest province in the Philippines in terms of assets in 2017 despite not being in the top 10 in previous years, according to the 2017 annual financial report of the Commission on Audit (COA).
GMA News

ELECTION RELATED

64% of Filipinos will support candidates who push for higher tobacco taxes – Pulse Asia
Six out of 10 Filipinos will support candidates who will push for an increase in tobacco taxes, survey results from pollster Pulse Asia showed. Pulse Asia Research Director Ana Tabunda presented these findings in a press conference at the Department of Health Monday, November 5.
Rappler

Party-list system is still being abused
If there was ever an outdated concept in Philippine politics it’s the party-list system. Let’s be honest, it’s not the only one (of course), but it is one of many and should be addressed if we really want to make the House of Representatives what it was truly meant to be – a government with representatives for every Filipino and not just the rich and powerful.
Philippine Star

Kin of disappeared support Colmenares’ senate bid
Families of victims of enforced disappearance expressed support to former Bayan Muna partylist representative, Neri Colmenares, who is running for a senatorial seat in the 2019 elections.
Bulatlat

Midterm election a Duterte referendum
The national election in May 2019 will be a referendum on the three-year-old regime of President Rodrigo Duterte, whose persona as a strongman will carry or crush his candidates for the two houses of the Congress.
Philippine Star

Candidates scrambling to get Duterte’s backing
MOST aspirants in the 2019 midterm polls share a common prayer: to be included in President Duterte’s list of “competent and honest” candidates.
Cebu Daily News

Election spending to offset ‘slowdown’
MANY fear economic growth in the Philippines will slow down this year and the next because of higher local inflation and the global market volatilities touched off by the brewing US-China trade war and the Middle East geopolitics. Economic analysts are almost one in saying that the gross domestic product (GDP), while still expanding, will grow at a slower pace and certainly miss the government target range of 7 percent to 8 percent.
Business Mirror

Election-related Violence

Trece Martires mayor 'mastermind' in vice mayor's slay?
Trece Martires Mayor Melandres de Sagun is the "mastermind" in the killing of Vice Mayor Alexander Lubigan, no less than the vice mayor's wife said in an affidavit submitted to the Department of Justice (DOJ) on Monday, November 5.
Rappler

CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS

Duterte creates Interagency Task Force on Federalism
An interagency task force has been created to increase public awareness about federalism and constitutional reform. In Memorandum Circular No.52, President Duterte designated the secretary of the Department of Interior and Local Government to chair the Interagency Task Force on Federalism (IATF) with the Secretary of Justice as vice chairperson.
Manila Bulletin, Philippine News Agency

2019 polls to determine federalism push: analyst
THE 2019 midterm elections will determine the fate of President Rodrigo R. Duterte’s federalism agenda, an analyst sought for comment said. Malacañang also on Monday issued Memorandum Circular (M.C.) No. 52 creating the Inter-Agency Task Force on Federalism and Constitutional Reform, which is directed to “liaise” with Congress to “address the roadblocks to constitutional reform.”
Business World Online

JUDICIARY

LEGISLATIVE

Interagency body bats for passage of more child-friendly laws
The Council for the Welfare of Children (CWC), a focal government interagency body pushing for children’s rights, on Monday bared that they are batting for the passage of more child-friendly laws.
Manila Bulletin

Congress urged to prioritize passage of bill abolishing GOCCs
The Public Sector Labor-Management Council (PSLMC) is calling on Congress to prioritize the passage of a bill abolishing the Governance Commission for Government-Owned and Controlled Corporations  (GCG).
Manila Bulletin

LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS (LGUs)

Año is now officially DILG chief
Eduardo Año on Monday took his oath as secretary of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) after serving for 10 months as the department’s officer-in-charge.
ABS-CBN News

DEFENSE AND SECURITY

Solon seeks to double female recruits in PNP
Surigao del Sur 2nd district Rep. Johnny Pimentel believes in “girl power” in the Philippine National Police (PNP), especially in cases where minors are concerned.
Manila Bulletin

PNP not keen on hiring more women in police force
The Philippine National Police (PNP) is not keen on hiring more women in the police force amid proposal to increase the population of policewomen to at least 20 percent of its total force.
Manila Bulletin

ECONOMY AND INVESTMENTS

Debt watcher keeps PHL rating a notch above minimum investment grade
A KOREAN DEBT WATCHER kept its credit rating for the Philippines at above minimum investment grade, citing tax reform and infrastructure spending gains even as rising prices continue to bite.
Business World Online, Philippine Star

SE Asia Stocks-Singapore snaps 3 sessions of gains; Philippines rises
Singapore shares slumped on Monday after three straight sessions of sharp gains, while Philippine stocks rose for a second session in a row. Singapore's Straits Times index closed 1.8 percent lower, making it the biggest loser in Southeast Asia.
Reuters

Japanese firm puts on hold P40-B expansion project
A Japanese manufacturing firm is putting its P40-billion expansion plan on hold amid uncertainty over tax perks, keeping the company from creating thousands more new jobs in the country.
Cebu Daily News

BUILD, BUILD, BUILD

US catching up on PH infra program
The US government is trying to play catch-up in the Philippines $170-billion infrastructure build-up, drumming up interest from its liquid private sector, which is further empowered by the newly-approved BUILD Act that aims to support various infrastructure development in developing countries, particularly ASEAN.
Manila Bulletin

Palace ready to cooperate with Senate on infra probe
The Duterte administration is prepared to cooperate with a planned Senate inquiry into two massive infrastructure projects to attest these construction plans are in order.
Manila Bulletin

Palace brushes off De Lima's concern on displacement under 'Build, Build, Build'
Malacañang Palace on Monday downplayed opposition Senator Leila De Lima's concern about the possible displacement of 180,000 families under two projects in the government's flagship infrastructure program.
CNN Philippines

OFFICIAL DEVELOPMENT ASSISTANCE

Philippines, China set to sign P175 billion railway loan deal
President Duterte and Chinese President Xi Jinping are set to sign this month the P175-billion Philippine National Railways (PNR) South Railways project, a 639-kilometer standard gauge railway line between Manila and Bicol.
Philippine Star

GRAFT AND CORRUPTION

Why zero tolerance for corruption is what PH needs
We think it timely to call attention today to a startling opinion piece by Dan Steinbock, published yesterday on page A5 of our Op-Ed section — titled “The economic costs of corruption in the Philippines.”
The Manila Times

FOREIGN RELATIONS  

West Philippine Sea

Never too late to act on something that is yours — Panelo
It is up to President Duterte to determine the “perfect time” when to take full advantage of the South China Sea arbitration ruling to address the country’s territorial row with China, according to a Palace official.
Manila Bulletin

Gov’t verifying reports about China monitors in SCS
The government is considering filing a diplomatic protest if reports that China has established weather monitoring stations in the disputed South China Sea are proven true.
Manila Bulletin, Rappler, GMA News, Business World Online

LABOR

P25 approved hike in minimum wage not enough — Villanueva
With inflation continuously increasing, the P25 approved raise in the minimum wage of Metro Manila workers is not enough, Sen. Joel Villanueva believes.
Manila Bulletin

Prelates say workers in Metro Manila deserve more than P25 wage increase
Two Metropolitan Catholic prelates believe workers in Metro Manila deserve more than a P25 wage increase. Bishops Honesto Ongtioco of Cubao and Broderick Pabillo of Manila said the amount is measly amid the rise in the prices of goods and commodities.
Manila Bulletin

P25 wage hike in Metro Manila still ‘subject to change’ – Palace
The P25 increase in the minimum wage of private workers in Metro Manila is still “subject to change” depending on the economic situation, Malacañang said Monday. But for now, Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo said the latest wage adjustment approved by the wage board was “enough” to help workers in the National Capital Region (NCR).
Manila Bulletin

Saudi gov’t investigates death by poisoning of OFW
Saudi Arabian authorities are currently investigating the death of a Filipina household service worker who reportedly died of poisoning last week. Philippine Embassy in Riyadh Charge d’Affaires Christopher Patrick Aro said the victim, Emerita Gannaban, 44, succumbed to death at the Prince Mohammed bin Abdulaziz Hospital in Riyadh on October 29.
Manila Bulletin

TRANSPORTATION

Duterte ‘impressed and proud’ of PITX
President Duterte has ordered transport authorities to check the roadworthiness of public transport vehicles that will use the country’s first landport.
Manila Bulletin, Philippine Daily Inquirer, ABS-CBN News

HEALTH 

P257B needed for first year of universal health care coverage – DOH
The Department of Health (DOH) will need about P257 billion the first year it implements the universal health care (UHC) once the law is passed, the health secretary said on Monday, November 5.
Rappler

PAO wants to upgrade to murder Dengvaxia complaints it filed
The Public Attorney’s Office (PAO) is considering upgrading to murder the complaints filed against Health Secretary Francisco Duque III, former Health Secretary Janette Garin and their co-respondents concerning their liability in the deaths of those who received shots of the Dengvaxia anti-dengue vaccine.
Manila Bulletin, GMA News

FOOD AND AGRICULTURE

We must pursue permanent solution to rice problem — Gatchalian
A member of the Senate majority bloc threw on Monday his support behind a move by the Duterte administration to impose sanctions on rice traders and retailers who are caught selling at prices above the suggested retail price (SRP) for local and imported rice.
Manila Bulletin

Rice self-sufficiency down to 93.44%
The ability of local farmers to meet consumer demand for rice decreased last year as the country’s reliance on rice imports grew. The share of local rice production to the total rice supply in the market may decline even further this year after the government decided to lift the limit on rice imports that enter the country.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Where to, rice tariffication?
The Philippines is now entering a tariff-based regime with the expected lifting of the quantitative restriction on rice after three extensions granted by the World Trade Organization (WTO). The last extension was delayed due to unresolved issues, such as the role of the state trading enterprise, among others.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

EDUCATION

ENERGY

POVERTY

Contract delays 4P’s release
BECAUSE of minor glitches in extending the contracts with conduit banks, the money intended for the beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) 7 for the period July to September has been delayed.
Sunstar Cebu

HOUSING

TOURISM

Palace backs DOJ: EO needed for casino ban in Boracay
Malacañang agreed on Monday that an executive order, as recommended by the Department of Justice, would be needed to enforce the ban on casinos and gambling in Boracay, which reopened on Oct. 26 after a 6-month closure for rehabilitation.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES 

Plant 10 trees a year bill approved by House panel
The House Committee on Appropriations has approved a substitute bill requiring all graduating elementary, high school and college students to plant at least 10 trees each as a prerequisite for graduation.
Manila Bulletin

COMMUNICATION AND TECHNOLOGY

PLDT fires up 5G base station in PHL
Claiming to be the “first in the Philippines and one of the first in the region,” PLDT Inc. is firing up its first 5G base station here to cater to the growing demand for connectivity in the enterprise sector.
Business Mirror

DEVELOPMENT SECTOR