Gearing Mindanao’s leaders
“Ang kabataan ang pag-asa ng Bayan. (The youth is the future of the country).” THE quote has been used over and over again that it has become cliché. However, we all have to agree that this statement by Rizal gives us the realization that there is a need to capacitate and develop the young leaders who will soon lead the country.
Sunstar Davao

'Makibaka!' no longer effective: ex-activist to leftist students
A Cebuano business research expert, who was a student activist in his college days, has reminded students that the “Makibaka!” they chant is not an effective way to express positions to shape public policy.
Philippine News Agency

PNP accused of concocting trumped-up charges vs Colmenares
The Philippine National Police-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG) has been accused of making trumped-up charges against former Bayan Muna party-list Representative Neri Colmenares, who was accused of involvement in the recruitment of minors for leftist groups.
Manila Bulletin

'What militarization?' AFP defends planned presence in schools
The military bristled at accusations that its plan to monitor the activities of leftist groups in schools would curtail academic freedom. "The entry in schools by members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) will not be in the scale and magnitude of a combat deployment," AFP Spokesperson Brigadier General Edgard Arevalo said on Friday, August 23.
Rappler, Philippine Star

Iloilo university clarifies purpose of Army deployment
The West Visayas State University’s (WVSU) College of Agriculture and Forestry (CAF) campus in Lambunao, Iloilo said on Saturday that its request for the deployment of Philippine Army (PA) personnel was not particularly to prevent recruitment of the Communist Party of the Philippines - New People’s Army (CPP-NPA).
Philippine News Agency

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TIMELINE: Killings in Negros
At least 21 people – 17 civilians and 4 policemen – were killed following a string of shooting incidents in this province in just 10 days, from July 18 to July 28, 2019. Most of the victims were in their homes when armed men attacked them in the wee hours of the day.
Rappler

Peace viable for NegOcc under whole-of-nation approach: guv
Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson has said that peace is viable for Negros Occidental under the whole-of-nation approach.
Philippine News Agency

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Bukidnon police ordered to probe alleged NPA hits
The Northern Mindanao police chief, Brigadier General Rafael Santiago Jr., has ordered a deeper investigation on the killing of four persons in Bukidnon whose remains were dug up in separate graves on August 22.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Peace Talks

Incidents/ Operations    

PNP steps up website watch
THE Philippine National Police-Anti-Cybercrime Group (PNP-ACG) has intensified its monitoring of certain websites to prevent them from being used by extremists as platforms to incite violence, officials said.
The Manila Times

MARAWI

TFBM’s “Kawiyagan” marks first anniversary, continues extending livelihood support to IDPs
Provision of projects and services through “Kawiyagan” (livelihood) program by the Task Force Bangon Marawi’s (TFBM) subcommittee on business and livelihood for the internally displaced persons (IDPs) in this war-torn city has turned one year yesterday, Aug. 22.
Bangon Marawi

SOUTHEAST ASIA AND THE WORLD     

Jail, torture, bereavement, starvation: one family’s endless horror in Syria
Noor al-Dein al-Dimashqi lost her husband when a Syrian government airstrike obliterated a marketplace in Idlib province last month, killing 38 people. Now she longs for the small moments they used to share.
The Guardian

Terrorists Turn to Bitcoin for Funding
Hamas has been designated a terrorist organization by Western governments and some others and has been locked out of the traditional financial system. But this year its military wing has developed an increasingly sophisticated campaign to raise money using Bitcoin.
Asharq Al-Awsat

2 women plead guilty in plot to commit terror attack in US
Two New York women who plotted to build a bomb for a terrorist attack in the United States face 20 years in prison after pleading guilty to federal charges, authorities say. Asia Siddiqui, 35, and Noelle Velentzas, 31, are US citizens and residents of the New York borough of Queens.
CNN Philippines

Police arrest terrorist suspects in East Java
The National Police’s Densus 88 counterterrorism squad apprehended three terrorist suspects at three different locations in Blitar regency, East Java, on Friday. Blitar Police chief Adj. Sr. Comr. Adewira Negara Siregar confirmed the arrests.
Jakarta Post

121 autonomous regions in 40 countries
India is not the only country that granted a degree of autonomy to its only Muslim-majority region, Jammu and Kashmir. Autonomy measures were incorporated in the country's constitution half a century ago, as a concession to the leaders of the Muslim-majority region, who in 1947 opted to accede to Hindu-majority India, instead of Muslim-majority Pakistan, when both countries gained independence. 
Anadolu Agency

BARMM

Gun licensing amnesty program for BARMM recommended
Peace advocates wants a firearm licensing amnesty for civilians in the Bangsamoro region to complement the decommissioning soon of Moro guerillas to restore normalcy in its provinces. Records obtained from the Philippine National Police indicated that in Maguindanao and Lanao del Sur provinces alone there more than 10,000 firearms in the hands of civilians whose licenses have either been revoked for non-renewal for a long time or are due for renewal.
NDBC news, Philippine Star

DBM approves staff positions for the BTA Parliament
After numerous meetings and coordination with the Department of Budget and Management (DBM), the budget for the five (5) support staff for each BTA parliament member as well as the skeletal staffing for the newly created Ministries under the Bangsamoro Organic Law was finally approved.
Luwaran

BARMM eyes solar power for communities
The Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) is eyeing the use of solar energy as a source of power for its communities. This, as the Germany-based WeGen Company, has expressed interest in helping the region solve its electrification problems.
Philippine News Agency

MAGUINDANAO AND COTABATO CITY

Ampatuan to be arraigned before two Sandiganbayan divisions on August 30
Shariff Saydona Mustapha Mayor Datu Sajid Islam Ampatuan will be arraigned on August 30 before two different divisions of the Sandiganbayan.
Manila Bulletin

Tell it to SunStar: Still waiting for justice
IT HAS been 1,461 days since 58 persons, 32 of them media workers, were waylaid and butchered on a hilltop in the town of Ampatuan, Maguindanao.
Sunstar Cebu

Maguindanao mayor bans stray animals along highways
A town mayor in Maguindanao has ordered the local police to seize stray farm animals that pose threats to motorists. Mayor Ohto Montawal of Datu Montawal, Maguindanao issued the order Friday after complaints reached his office about stray carabaos, cows, and goats along portions of the Cotabato-Davao highway that frequently cause highway mishaps among motorists.
Philippine News Agency

Cotabato City bags 8 awards from DOH
Cotabato City got not just one, not just two, and not even just three, but eight awards during the 2019 Regional Awarding Ceremony of the Department of Health, Cotabato City Mayor Cynthia Guiani-Sayadi today said.
NDBC news

NORTH COTABATO

LANAO PROVINCES

BASILAN

DFA-Basilan gov't passport services gains headway
More than a thousand residents have benefited from the joint passport processing program of the office of Gov. Jim Salliman and the Department of Foreign Affairs.
NDBC news

SULU 

Sulu mayors told to prepare development plans, gets BARMM support 
Governor Sakur Tan has told municipal mayors to prepare their respective development plans so the provincial government can submit these early to the national and regional governments to ensure “greater probability of inclusion” of the list of proposed infrastructure projects and other programs in Sulu.
Mindanao Examiner

Wrong histories about invasions
China, unlike other superpowers, had been the most peaceable of the powers unlike what has been portrayed by some “experts” and columnists. It does not mean that absolutely it has never been an aggressor, but there are corrections in facts and interpretations that will help us understand and respond better to current events.
The Manila Times

TAWI-TAWI 

DRUGS

De Lima to have 'reunion' with family, friends on 3rd birthday in detention
Senator Leila de Lima is turning 60 on Tuesday, August 27, and she will be celebrating her third birthday in detention with a small reunion with family, friends, and colleagues in the opposition on Sunday, August 25.
Rappler

Operations/ Incidents

3 pushers nabbed in GenSan, Koronadal drug busts
Police arrested three target-listed drug personalities in separate buy-bust operations in this city and Koronadal City in South Cotabato on Thursday night. Maj. Peter Pinalgan, chief of the city police drug enforcement unit, said Friday suspect Leonardo Bajo Jr., 50, was nabbed during an entrapment at his home in Purok 5-New Society, Barangay Apopong at about 8 p.m.
Philippine News Agency

Two men nabbed with P2M shabu in Tejero
The Cebu City Police Office’s Waterfront police confiscated suspected shabu (crystal meth) worth close to P2 million from  two men in a buy-bust operation in Barangay Tejero, Cebu City at 2:25 p.m. today, August 24.
Cebu Daily News

Higit P1-M halaga ng shabu, nasabat mula sa tricycle driver sa Maynila
Higit-kumulang P1.3 milyong halaga ng hinihinalang shabu ang nasabat ng mga awtoridad mula sa isang tricycle driver sa Quiapo nitong Sabado. Nagkasa ng buy-bust operation ang mga operatiba ng Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency laban sa 20-anyos na suspek matapos malaman na bukod sa pagpapasada ng tricycle, sangkot din ito sa ilegal na droga.
ABS-CBN News

Higit P12-M halaga ng shabu nasamsam sa 2 Pampanga buy-bust
Aabot sa mahigit P12 milyong halaga ng hinihinalang shabu ang nasamsam ng mga awtoridad sa Pampanga matapos ang 2 magkahiwalay na buy-bust operations. Noong Biyernes ng gabi ay natimbog ng Police Regional Office 3 sa Barangay Cabalantian, Bacolor, Pampanga ang mga drug suspect na sina alyas "TJ," misis niyang si alyas "Marissa," at 3 iba pa. 
ABS-CBN News

Recovery and Rehabilitation  

ILLICIT FIREARMS, EXPLOSIVES AND AMMUNITION

Gun parts from China intercepted by NAIA customs
Twenty rifle handguards and 6 handguard locks were intercepted by a Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Customs examiner inside a package from Shanghai, China.
Manila Bulletin

CROSS-BORDER TRADING/ SMUGGLING  

P15 million in used cell phones from Korea seized at NAIA
Hundreds of units of used smartphones from Korea worth P15 million were intercepted at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) recently.
Manila Bulletin

HUMAN TRAFFICKING

KIDNAP FOR RANSOM

ILLEGAL GAMBLING

PNP intensifies anti-illegal gambling ops as STL suspension is lifted
The Philippine National Police (PNP) has intensified its anti-illegal gambling monitoring after President Duterte lifted the suspension of the operations of the Small-Town Lottery (STL).
Manila Bulletin

ILLICIT FINANCIAL TRANSACTIONS/ EXTORTION

Cop convicted for investment scam
A policeman was convicted of estafa by a Quezon City court for a multimillion-peso investment scam that targeted other members of the Philippine National Police (PNP).
Philippine Star
 

Gretchen Diez: Sotto's remark on fate of SOGIE bill is insensitive
Transgender woman and LGBTQ+ rights advocate Gretchen Diez slammed Senate President Vicente Sotto III for his remark that the Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity and Expression Equality (SOGIE) bill has "no chance" in the Senate.
GMA News

Diez hopes Duterte makes SOGIE Bill his priority bill
Trans-woman and LGBTQ+ right advocate Gretchen Diez hopes that President Rodrigo Duterte will make SOGIE (Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity and Expression) Bill one of his priority bills.
Manila Bulletin

Gretchen Diez says she's open to running for office
Transgender woman Gretchen Diez on Saturday expressed openness to the possibility of running for offfice to maximize all means in advocating for change and equality for the LGBTQ+ community.
GMA News, Manila Bulletin

LOOK: QC City Hall installs all-gender signs in restroom
The Quezon City Hall on Saturday installed gender-neutral signs in a restroom of the compound. A general services staff placed the signs in a restroom, as shown in photos by the Quezon City Public Affairs’ Twitter account.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Press Freedom/ Freedom of Expression

Martial Law 

‘Brutalist’ martial law museum to rise in UP Diliman
The martial law museum to rise within the University of the Philippines (UP)’s Diliman campus will be a “brutalist” architectural structure, designed after a clenched fist to memorialize the struggles of those who fought against the Marcos dictatorship.
Philippine Star
 

Palace: Duterte can’t do anything if Congress rejects SOGIE bill
Malacañang said President Duterte cannot do anything if Congress will not pass the Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity or Expression (SOGIE) bill since the Executive cannot encroach on the territory of the Legislative Branch.
Manila Bulletin

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Bonifacio and the Cry of Pugad Lawin
National Heroes Day is celebrated every last Monday of every August to honor all Filipino heroes. The date was chosen to also mark the anniversary of the Cry of Pugad Lawin which was the beginning of the Philippine Revolution.
Philippine Star


OFFICE OF THE VICE PRESIDENT

VP camp: SOGIE not redundant as Sotto says
The spokesperson of Vice President Leni Robredo continued the Vice President’s push for a now controversial bill that would protect the rights of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender (LGBT) sector.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Robredo lauds DOJ, BuCor stance vs. Sanchez release
Vice President Leni Robredo was pleased upon learning that the Department of Justice and Bureau of Corrections have deemed former Calauan mayor and rape-slay convict Antonio Sanchez ineligible for benefits under the good conduct time allowance (GCTA) law, her spokesman said Saturday.
GMA News

VP spokesman: Having shabu in prison is good behavior?
Since when has committing a crime in prison ever been considered as good behavior?
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Robredo leads turnover of dormitory in Eastern Samar
To help address dropout rates and improve grades of learners, Vice President Leni Robredo underscored the need for facilities that would make education more accessible to for learners who live far away from their respective schools.
Manila Bulletin

ELECTION RELATED

DISASTER

NDRRMC: At least 2 die due to ‘Ineng’
At least two persons died as severe tropical storm “Ineng” pummeled northern Luzon with heavy rains and deep floods, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDDRMC) disclosed Saturday afternoon.
Manila Bulletin

MINDANAO

MinDA to tap LGUs for anti-poverty initiatives
The Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) will partner with the local government units (LGUs) for its poverty reduction programs. In a statement issued on Thursday, MinDA Chairperson Manuel Piñol said poverty needs to be addressed with "doable and practical programs" that can be "owned and implemented" by local government units in Mindanao.
Philippine News Agency

CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS

JUDICIARY

DOJ considers suspending processing of GCTA of inmates
The temporarily suspension in the processing of Good Conduct Time Allowance (GCTAs) of inmates is seriously being considered, Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra said Saturday.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Sotto says he has proof of Sanchez wearing women’s clothes in NBP
Senate President Vicente Sotto III bared that he has a photo to prove that convicted rapist and murderer Antonio Sanchez is wearing women’s clothes inside the National Bilibid Prison in Muntinlupa.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Drilon seeks inquiry on status of Antonio Sanchez's bodyguards
Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon seeks to know the status of Antonio Sanchez’s bodyguards who were convicted along with the former Calauan mayor for the rape-murder of Eileen Sarmenta and the murder of Allan Gomez in 1993.
GMA News

DILG backs DOJ: No early release for Sanchez
The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) on Saturday said it supports the Department of Justice's (DOJ) decision that former Calauan, Laguna mayor Antonio Sanchez is ineligible to avail of Good Conduct Time Allowance (GCTA) as he was "categorically excluded" from benefits provided under the law.
GMA News

De Lima: Was announcement of Sanchez' possible release a propaganda move for death penalty?
Senator Leila de Lima on Saturday asked if the "reckless" announcement of the impending release from jail of former Calauan, Laguna Mayor Antonio Sanchez was propaganda to drum up support for the death penalty.
GMA News

CBCP hopes Sanchez case not used to justify return of death penalty
An official of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) expressed hopes that the case of former Calauan, Laguna Mayor Antonio Sanchez will not be used as an argument for the revival of death penalty.
Manila Bulletin

Guevarra ignores accusation he used Sanchez case to enrage public into supporting death penalty revival
Department of Justice (DOJ) Secretary Menardo Guevarra has chosen to ignore allegations that he was trying to muster public support for the revival of the death penalty when he made the “premature” announcement of the possible early release of former Calauan, Laguna Mayor Antonio Sanchez.
Manila Bulletin

Women lawmakers laud Duterte stand against Sanchez release
Women lawmakers on Saturday lauded President Rodrigo Duterte’s decision not to allow rape and murder convict former Mayor Antonio Sanchez to regain freedom without serving his full prison sentence.
Manila Bulletin

‘Vigilant public’ should take credit for blocking possible release of Sanchez – Hontiveros
The reversal of the possible release of rapist-slay convict and former Calauan, Laguna Mayor Antonio Sanchez as “the victory of a vigilant public,’’ Senator Risa Hontiveros said Saturday.
Manila Bulletin

LEGISLATIVE

Senate of the Philippines

De Lima underscores need to outlaw black sand mining
Opposition Senator De Lima Saturday expressed dismay over the return of black sand mining operations in Cagayan and other parts of the country that could have a very strong negative impact on the environment, and livelihood opportunities of Filipinos.
Manila Bulletin

Hontiveros stresses new bill would stem tide of teenage pregnancies
Senator Risa Hontiveros pushed Saturday for the early passage of the Teenage Pregnancy Bill as she expressed concern over the growing number of teenage pregnancies.
Manila Bulletin

Marcos says Macario Sakay should be remembered more as a hero, not a mere bandit
Despite his negative portrayal in history books as a mere bandit during the American Occupation in the Philippines, Macario Sakay should be recognized as a true Filipino hero, Senator Imee R. Marcos said Saturday.
Manila Bulletin

House of Representatives

BUDGET, FINANCE and TAXATION

Economic team seeks Congress help in securing ‘A’ credit rating
Economic managers vowed to work closely with the Senate and the House of Representatives in ensuring speedy action on legislative proposals that would help the Philippines attain the much coveted “A” rating from international credit watchdogs.
Philippine Star

LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS (LGUs)

DEFENSE AND SECURITY

Eleazar invites netizens to report good, bad deeds of policemen on social media
Metro Manila police director Maj. Gen. Guillermo Eleazar urged millennials to use their social media savvy and influence in helping the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) in disciplining abusive cops, and in rewarding good deeds of lawmen.
Manila Bulletin

South Korea to help PH acquire 2 more corvettes worth P30 B
South Korea expressed willingness to finance the acquisition of two more corvettes worth P30 billion as part of the modernization program of the Philippine Navy (PN), Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana revealed Friday.
Manila Bulletin

ECONOMY AND INVESTMENTS

‘Worst may be over for growth slowdown in Asia’
While economic growth may still remain fairly weak over the coming year, the worst may be over for countries in Emerging Asia as supply chains are aligned in response to the trade war and demand firms up in less open economies, said London-based Capital Economics. 
Philippine Star

BUILD, BUILD, BUILD

OFFICIAL DEVELOPMENT ASSISTANCE

AUDIT, GRAFT AND CORRUPTION

Customs’ corruption hotline 8484 receives complaints about phone load, family woes
Over a week after the anti-corruption hotline of the Bureau of Customs (BOC) was activated, 28 complaints have been received by the bureau but only three of them were reports on alleged corrupt practices.
Manila Bulletin

FOREIGN RELATIONS  

Chinese survey ship defies PRRD order, re-enters PH EEZ sans notice
A Chinese survey ship which was earlier tracked to have been operating within the country’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ) has re-entered our territorial waters without informing authorities in an apparent defiance to President Duterte’s order.
Manila Bulletin

West Philippine Sea

Carpio: Duterte “might be the President who will find the solution to the South China Sea dispute”
“Despite everything,” President Rodrigo Duterte “might be the President who will find the solution to the South China Sea dispute,” Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio of the Supreme Court told a forum on Democracy and Disinformation on Friday as he noted that the South China Sea dispute was entering its third phase with the possible signing during Duterte’s visit to China next week, of the third document in relation to the November 2018 Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation on Oil and Gas development.
Mindanews

Disputed sea code of conduct a ‘trap’
SUPREME Court (SC) Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio warned that the code of conduct on the South China Sea is a “trap”. Carpio, during a speaking engagement at the Ateneo de Davao University (Addu) on Friday, August 23, said China will only sign the code of conduct once the reclamation of the Spratlys Island and the Scarborough Shoal (Panatag Shoal) will be fully completed.
Sunstar Davao

Exploring the depths of China-Philippines sea row
Former ISAFP chief Gen. Victor Corpus is consistent in the view that what is being contested in the simmering tension between the Philippines and China is the Manila Trench. According to Vic, the trench is ideal for movements of US nuclear submarines in the event of outbreak of hostilities between the United States and China.
The Manila Times

Talking points with China
We support the decision to include the disputed territories issue in the agenda of President Rodrigo Duterte in his visit to China later this month. As of press time, Mr. Duterte is expected to bring up this sensitive topic with his Chinese counterpart, Xi Jinping. 
The Manila Times

Duterte needs full support on Xi talks
Filipinos would do well to support and pray for President Duterte in his dialogue next week with China President Xi Jinping to firm up his resolve to invoke the 2016 arbitral ruling favoring the Philippines versus China based on the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.
Philippine Star

LABOR

TRANSPORTATION

LTO revokes license of grab driver
The Land Transportation Office (LTO) has revoked the driver’s license of a ride-hailing car driver who allegedly tried to sexually molest his sleeping female passenger while inside the car.
Manila Bulletin

P106B lost to road crashes per year, says road safety group
At least P105.7 billion is lost to fatal road crashes in the country every year, according to data presented by a civil society organization.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Road user tax seen to go up by 300 percent
The road user tax the government collects from millions of motor vehicle owners could go up by as much as 300 percent under a proposed law the Department of Finance (DOF) has submitted to the House of Representatives.
Philippine Star

HEALTH 

Partylist solon urges research for mosquito repelling plants
A partylist lawmaker yesterday urged government research agencies to conduct studies on plants that may be used in repelling mosquitoes.
Manila Bulletin

Angara welcomes signing of National Vision Screening Act
Senator Edgardo Juan ‘’Sonny’’ M. Angara Saturday welcomed the signing into law by Malacanang of the National Vision Screening Act (Republic Act 11358) as a vital tool for parents to detect the eye problems of their children at an early age, and address these while they still can.
Manila Bulletin

Leading healthcare provider bent to bring meaningful fight against dengue in modest home
One perk of writing for the Property Section is having that chance to peek at the residential—and leisure—developments that promise the best life to its future homeowners. If we’re lucky, we even get to have a taste of that curated lifestyle.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

FOOD AND AGRICULTURE

Moving on to coconut water and coconut cream
If the rice farmers are hurting grievously from the 30% drop in the farm gate price of palay as a consequence of rice tariffication, the coconut farmers, who are poorer than the rice farmers in the first place, are even worse off. The price of coconut has dropped 40% since last year.
Manila Bulletin

EDUCATION

ENERGY

POVERTY

SOCIAL WELFARE AND DEVELOPMENT

HOUSING

TOURISM

DOT: ‘The Philippines has kept a high profile in … world tourism …’
The Department of Tourism (DOT) said that the Philippines is one of the most “sought-after destinations” of international tourists.
Manila Bulletin

ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES 

PH, South Korea asked to act quicker on waste imports
Protesting environmental groups on Saturday demanded for quicker and more urgent action from the Philippine and South Korean governments on the issue of waste imports.
Manila Bulletin

Maynilad steps up reforestation
West zone concessionaire Maynilad Water Services Inc. pledged to plant 34,000 trees and mangroves as part of its annual “Plant for Life” program. The move is part of continuing efforts to reforest the Ipo Watershed and other watersheds within the West Zone.
Philippine Star

Mapping seagrass in the Philippines
At 8 in the evening, a handful of locals would go to Puraran Beach in Catanduanes. Each carried a net, a hook and line, or a spear, and a small pail. Their headlamp – or flashlight, for the others – lighted their way as they stepped on shallow water.
Rappler

Water crisis

INFORMATION, COMMUNICATION AND TECHNOLOGY

DEVELOPMENT SECTOR