Lanao Sur TWG to review local policies, fight extremist ideas
The Provincial Government of Lanao del Sur has created a technical working group (TWG) to help review and improve on local security policies “as tools to fight extremists ideology and maintain peace and order in the province.” Vice Governor Bombit Adiong Jr. said Lanao del Sur “has been a target of series of organized violent extremism campaign by local extremist groups whose ideology has been actively advocated to many phases of the community.”
Manila Standard

MARAWI

‘Marawi rehab needs own office’
A MEMBER of the Bangsamoro Transition Commission (BTC) said there should be a regional office that will solely focus on the rehabilitation of Marawi City. "Ngayon ang ARMM (government), does not know if it will move forward and they do not have enough budget to really supervise the rehabilitation," Datu Mussolini Sinsuat Lidasan, executive director of the Al Qalam Institute, said during the press conference of the MSummit: Moro Youth National Conference Saturday, December 1 at the Ateneo de Davao University.
Sunstar Davao

DepEd-ARMM calls for more support for Marawi schools
MORE than halfway through the school year since the reopening of classes in June, Marawi City still recuperates from the devastating war, especially on the education sector that needs intervention and other forms of assistance both for the educators and learners, according to a top academic official in the region.
Business Mirror

SOUTHEAST ASIA AND THE WORLD      

American Terrorists: Why Current Laws Are Inadequate for Violent Extremists at Home
Editor’s Note: For the U.S. government, terrorism is a foreign-linked danger, not a domestic one. Groups that foment violence at home are criminal and investigated as such, but a terrorism label is not used. Jason Blazakis, a professor at the Middlebury Institute of International Studies at Monterey who for many years ran the office at the State Department in charge of terrorist designations, argues that we need to change. 
Lawfare Blog

Obama Administration Dropped Huge Terror-Funding Case
Why did the Obama Administration drop a huge terror-funding case? In 2014, I was involved in triggering a federal investigation into Islamic Relief, one of the world’s largest Islamic charities. A criminal case was presented by three government agencies, whereupon the Obama Administration’s Justice Department astounded the agents involved by declining to prosecute. It is time for Congress to demand answers.
Clarion Project

On extremism and democracy in Europe: three years later
I will never forget the day that I sent off the final manuscript of the English edition of On Extremism and Democracy in Europe. It was Friday November 13, 2015. Elated at having finally finished a task I thought would take much less time, I came home to celebrate with my wife. Barely inside the house, she asked me, “did you hear about Paris?” I had not, having been totally immersed in finishing the manuscript: but I knew it was not good news.
Open Democracy

Hamas continues military training for students in government high schools in the Gaza Strip to prepare them to join its ranks
During 2018 Hamas has continued providing military training for students in government high schools in the Gaza Strip, with the “return marches” and ongoing tension with Israel in the background. The training is part of the al-Futuwwa (“youth/heroism”) program, which prepares them to join the ranks of Hamas (and other terrorist organizations) in the future. 
The Meir Amit Intelligence and Terrorism Information Center

Soldiering for peace in Mindanao
Muslim and Christian peace-builders in this city soldier on as they celebrate the 22nd year of the Week of Peace here from Nov. 29 to December 5. The multi-sectoral parade that formally kicked off the celebration on Thursday, drew a few thousands of students and teachers from private and public schools, military, police and government personnel, urban poor, farmers, lumads, Muslim and Christian religious leaders, and members of civil society organizations.
Philippine News Agency

BANGSAMORO ORGANIC LAW

Wesmincom tackles security measures ahead of BOL ratification
A forum on the Bangsamoro Organic Law, attended by hundreds of participants from the Western Mindanao Command and the PNP Regional Office 9, was convened at  the Western Mindanao Command headquarters to discuss security concerns  before the BOL will be implemented after its ratification on January 21, 2019.
GMA News

Sultan calls for unity among Muslim leaders ahead of BOL plebiscite
A Maranao sultan has gathered some 500 traditional leaders from all over the two provinces of Lanao to put up a united front in supporting for the ratification of the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL) ahead of the plebiscite on January 21, 2019.
Sunstar Cagayan de Oro

Bishops-Ulama Conference: Bangsamoro law is a “win-win” for peace
The Organic Law for the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao is a “win-win proposition” for peace in Mindanao and the entire country as it addresses the historical injustices as well as the aspirations of the Moro people for an autonomous region and at the same time affirms the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Philippines, the Bishops-Ulama Conference (BUC) said.
Mindanews

Quevedo: ‘Listening’ key to lasting peace
A respected Church leader in Mindanao called for continuing dialogue to bring just and lasting peace in Mindanao. Retired Cardinal Orlando Quevedo said dialogue made peace possible between the military and Moro Islamic Liberation Front.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

MAGUINDANAO AND COTABATO CITY

LANAO PROVINCES

BASILAN

SULU 

TAWI-TAWI 

DRUGS

Pope Francis urging gov’ts to combat drug addiction a boost for PHL drug war — Malacañang
Malacañang on Sunday claimed that Pope Francis' recent remarks urging governments to fight drug addiction is a boost to the Philippines' war on drugs. “We consider Vatican's remarks as a boost in our campaign as we battle the twin evils of crimes and drugs,” presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo said in a statement.
GMA News, Philippine Star

Reds and Yellows unhappy over ‘Kian’ convictions
WHILE the country rejoiced over the conviction of three policemen for the gruesome murder of Kian Loyd de los Santos, in August last year, the Reds and Yellows are so despondent over it.
The Manila Times

Bato inspires Cebu town to join war vs. drugs
Former Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Ronald "Bato" dela Rosa has urged over a thousand local government officials, barangay officials, Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) members, and teachers in Tuburan, Cebu to support the Duterte administration’s war against drugs.
Philippine News Agency

Duterte threatens to kill drug addicts
President Rodrigo Duterte gave impetus to the government’s campaign against illegal drugs by vowing to gather drug addicts and throw them off his helicopter to be fed to fishes. In a speech in Lanao del Norte last week, Duterte said he will pick up drug addicts, bring them to his helicopter handcuffed and interrogate them. Afterward, he would either push them off the helicopter or make them jump into a river.
The Manila Times

Operations/ Incidents

Recovery and Rehabilitation  

ILLICIT FIREARMS, EXPLOSIVES AND AMMUNITION

CROSS-BORDER TRADING/ SMUGGLING  

HUMAN TRAFFICKING 

ILLICIT FINANCIAL TRANSACTIONS 

The DU30 death squads
DURING the US Prohibition era, the Feds could not bring down Al Capone, Chicago’s “Public Enemy No. 1,” for the Valentine’s Day massacre and other murders, so they prosecuted him for tax evasion. He was convicted and jailed for 11 years, got sick and died not much later. “What lesson can we learn from this?” my 16-year-old US-based grandson Raf asked his 14-year-old brother Matt during a parlor game. “Pay your taxes before you start killing people,” Matt answered with quick wit. This brought the house down.
The Manila Times

The curious case of Delfin Lorenzana
Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana has made declarations that are contrary to President Duterte’s pronouncements on several controversies. But unlike other officials whose minor whimpers of discontent led to their dismissal by the President, Lorenzana has gotten away with his dissonant statements.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Who’s more ineffectual?
In his column, “The problem is poverty” (Opinion, 11/8/18), Peter Wallace said something about the “ineffectual rule” of the last administration, referring to former President Noynoy Aquino, while heaping praises on President Duterte.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

---------------------

Why crime went up in Q3 of 2018 according to PNP
More people are having greater confidence to report crime to the police, the reason why the number of people who claimed to have been victimized by criminals went up in the third quarter of this year.
Manila Bulletin

De Lima chides Duterte for latest attack against prelate
Sen. Leila de Lima on Sunday chided President Rodrigo Duterte anew for besmirching another Catholic priest by baselessly accusing the latter of using Church funds for personal use.
Manila Bulletin

DISASTER

MINDANAO

ELECTION RELATED

Comelec starts accepting applications for gun ban exemption
The Commission on Elections began accepting applications for gun ban exemption on Saturday. The Comelec said applicants may file their Certificate of Authority at the office of the Committee on the Ban on Firearms and Security Personnel at the Comelec main office in Intramuros.
GMA News

‘Broken’ peace deal with Marcoses drives Fariñas to run for Ilocos Norte governor
A "broken" peace deal between the Marcos and Fariñas political clans of Ilocos Norte is one factor that drove former House Majority Leader Rodolfo Fariñas to run against the grandson of former First Lady Imelda Marcos for the highest seat in the province.
GMA News

Bituin Escalante, Lav Diaz, Agot Isidro, more artists unite to get Filipinos to vote in 2019
Artists and celebrities are joining forces in a movement to get Filipinos to vote in the May 2019 elections. Through black-and-white videos shared on the Facebook page Art Forces of the Philippines, local personalities are expressing their views on political and social issues.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

#TheFilipinoVotes: What eight Senate aspirants have in store for the Filipino public
Eight senatorial aspirants bared their plans and expressed their thoughts on the country’s most pressing issues, in the first of a series of senatorial fora by CNN Philippines, as the 2019 midterm polls draw near.
CNN Philippines

Senate bets on labor issues: End 'endo,' gender discrimination
Three senatorial bets in a televised forum on Sunday, December 2, think the practice of "end-of-contract" (endo) labor schemes must be stopped. But one of them, Magdalo Representative Gary Alejano, asserted that for this to be implemented by private companies, the government must set an example by regularizing its own contractual employees.
Rappler

Duterte must issue bulletins on his health – 8 senatorial bets
Eight senatorial candidates agree that President Rodrigo Duterte should issue medical bulletins on his health. In a forum conducted by CNN Philippines at the University of the Philippines on Sunday, eight senatorial candidates were asked to vote on certain issues affecting the country.
Rappler

Enrile, Osmeña back China oil deal; Alejano says it's a trap
Former senators Juan Ponce Enrile and Sergio Osmeña III supported the recent oil deal between the Philippines and China, but Magdalo Representative Gary Alejano disagreed, calling the memorandum of understanding (MOU) a trap.
Rappler

Election-related Violence

CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS

‘Federalism up to Congress’
Malacañang is leaving the fate of the proposed shift to a federal form of government to Congress, saying the Palace understands if the legislative has other matters to attend to.
Manila Bulletin, GMA News

Palace confident Senate will back PRRD’s federalism proposal
Malacañang on Sunday expressed optimism that the Senate will eventually support President Rodrigo Duterte’s proposed shift to a federal form of government. Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo made this reaction after Senate President Vicente Sotto III said the Senate’s priority is the passage of the 2019 national budget.
Philippine News Agency

JUDICIARY

LEGISLATIVE

Political ad discount bill advances
The Senate has ratified the bicameral conference committee report on the measure amending the Fair Elections Act or Republic Act No. 9006 which seeks bigger discount rates for political advertisements.
Manila Bulletin

Solon proposes to slap P10,000 fine against parents who instigate purchase of fireworks
An administration lawmaker is proposing to slap a fine amounting to P10,000 against parents or guardians who instigate the purchase of fireworks or pyrotechnic devices by their minor child or ward.
Manila Bulletin

Solon confident Duterte will sign wiretap measure
A leader of the House of Representatives is certain President Duterte will immediately sign into law a bill seeking to authorize wiretapping in cases involving illegal drug trafficking and other cases.
Manila Bulletin

Proposed Traffic and Congestion Crisis Act dead this 17th Congress — Sarmiento
The proposed Traffic and Congestion Crisis Act, which seeks to address the traffic congestion hounding Metro Manila, Metro Cebu and Davao City, will not see the light this 17th Congress, the chairman of the House committee on transportation said Sunday.
Manila Bulletin

LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS (LGUs)

DEFENSE AND SECURITY

Anti-sub helicopters a key acquisition for Navy
The arrival next year of its first-ever anti-submarine helicopters will boost the Philippine Navy’s capability of securing the country’s waters more effectively.
Manila Bulletin

ECONOMY AND INVESTMENTS

PH economic managers make ‘logical’ move on TRAIN law
The country’s economic managers made a “logical” move to withdraw an earlier recommendation to suspend the second tranche of fuel excise tax next year, a Palace official said Sunday.
Manila Bulletin

Inflation to finally start slowing – poll
6.1-6.6% result seen for November, down from 2018 high of 6.7%
INFLATION likely slowed in November with economists polled by The Manila Times pointing to cheaper fuel and rice, among others, as having helped snap a 10-month run of elevated consumer prices.
The Manila Times, Philippine Daily Inquirer

Private sector submits recommendations to gov’t
The private sector has submitted several actionable recommendations to the Duterte administration’s economic team touching on the areas of agriculture, financing, peace and order as well as social protection.
Manila Bulletin

BUILD, BUILD, BUILD

Duterte on infra works: Make Davao’s last
President Duterte said he ordered Public Works Secretary Mark Villar to prioritize the infrastructure projects in other areas and attend to Davao City last. Duterte made the statement after noting that his critics cannot seem to see anything good under his government, even the infrastructure projects under the ambitious “Build, Build, Build” program.
Manila Bulletin

OFFICIAL DEVELOPMENT ASSISTANCE

GRAFT AND CORRUPTION

FOREIGN RELATIONS  

Prominent Spanish magazine pays tribute to PH and its historic ties with Madrid in special issue
A prominent Spanish magazine has paid tribute to the Philippines and its historic ties with Madrid in a special issue that chiefly reflected on the bilateral ties between the two countries, and the 500th anniversary of Spain’s arrival in the country.
Manila Bulletin

‘A Filipino first, and a Chinese second’
I live a curious double life: foreigners see me as Filipino, but Filipinos see me as Chinese. I often confuse Singapore’s taxi drivers.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

West Philippine Sea

LABOR

Netizens: Influx of Chinese migrant workers causes problem of lack of regular jobs in PH
Some netizens point to the influx of migrant workers from China as a cause of the prevailing problem of lack of regular jobs here, but a labor leader said they are barking up the wrong tree.
Manila Bulletin

TRANSPORTATION

HEALTH 

FOOD AND AGRICULTURE

Fiber industry regulator to distribute free abaca planting material
THE Philippine Fiber Industry Development Authority (PhilFIDA) expects to distribute for free to abaca farmers planting materials that can produce up to 54.4 million abaca plants. In a statement, PhilFIDA Executive Director Kennedy T. Costales said that the distribution of planting materials will help address the Philippines’ deficit of 25,000 metric tons (MT) of raw abaca fiber.
Business World Online

EDUCATION

ENERGY

POVERTY

HOUSING

TOURISM

ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES 

126 nations back eco preservation
One hundred ninety-six governments have agreed to scale up investments in nature and people towards 2020 to reverse the global destruction of nature and biodiversity loss. In the recent United Nations (UN) Biodiversity 14th Conference of Parties (COP14) in Egypt, governments agreed to accelerate action to achieve the Aichi Biodiversity Targets, agreed in 2010, from now until 2020.
Manila Bulletin

COMMUNICATION AND TECHNOLOGY

DEVELOPMENT SECTOR