Ending communist insurgency
THAT the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) and its above-ground and underground affiliated organizations recruit in schools is quite old news, the recent publicity surrounding the matter notwithstanding. The past holds countless cases of college students who ended up in the mountains.
The Manila Times

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Pampanga peace council declares CPP-NPA ‘persona non grata’
The Pampanga Peace and Order Council (PPOC) has declared members of the Communist Party of the Philippines–New People’s Army (CPP-NPA) as ‘persona non grata.’
Philippine News Agency

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Parents ask help after teen boys recruited to become NPA fighters
Parents of three teenagers reportedly taken by the New People’s Army (NPA) in Laak town, Compostela Valley sought the help of authorities.
The Mindanao Times

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Military, NPA engage in word war over exhumed remains
THE Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People's Army (CPP-NPA) have engaged in a word war over the discovery of skeletal remains in Bukidnon. On Friday, August 23, a joint team from the military and police dug out three skeletal remains that had belonged allegedly to a police official, a soldier, and a tribal leader.
Sunstar Cagayan de Oro

AFP-staged discovery of ‘graves’ raises many questions
As far as our records are concerned, there are no incidents involving NPA units in checkpoints, arrests or captives in Bukidnon around August 2017. The so-called “discovery” of a “mass grave” by the military the other day in Kitaotao, Bukidnon raises many questions.
NDFP

Army dares Karapatan to probe NPA’s rights violations
Officials of the Army's 4th Infantry Division (4ID) on Saturday renewed their condemnation of the atrocities of the communist New People's Army (NPA), daring the leftist human rights group Karapatan to investigate the rebels' violent acts.
Philippine News Agency

Peace Talks

Incidents/ Operations    

NPA rebel killed, 7 others arrested
A member of the New People’s Army (NPA) was killed and seven others were arrested in separate clashes in Ozamiz City on Sunday. Still two other rebels escaped. During the clashes, two soldiers were injured. 
The Manila Times, Kalinaw News

MARAWI

Marawi rising from the rubble
Mayor Majul Gandamra said economic activity in the war-torn city is coming back, as more sectors have been cleared by the military, which allowed Marawi to celebrate its 79th charter anniversary for four days last week.
Manila Standard

SOUTHEAST ASIA AND THE WORLD     

How Would Brexit Affect Counterterrorism?
As Brexit looms, predictions of chaos dominate the headlines. Brexit’s critics have expressed fears of financial disaster, the collapse of key services and risks to the security of the United Kingdom. Richard English of Queen’s University assesses how Brexit might affect U.K. and European counterterrorism. He argues that counterterrorism cooperation is likely to continue and that, on this issue at least, the danger of Brexit to the United Kingdom is minimal.
Lawfare Blog

'Case-by-case': Minister rules out blocking Facebook amid terror content crackdown
The federal government has ruled out blocking access to mainstream social media platforms including Facebook and Twitter despite its crackdown on websites hosting violent material or terrorism content.
The Sydney Morning Herald

Morrison lands at G7 with new plan to fight online extremism
Social media platforms will be asked to open up to new scrutiny of their efforts to tackle violent and extremist content, under a global voluntary code due to be announced by Prime Minister Scott Morrison at the G7 in France on Monday.
The Sydney Morning Herald

Terrorism: Two arrested by police investigating bomb attacks
A 39-year-old and 35-year-old are being held under the Terrorism Act following searches in the Lurgan and Craigavon areas. The two men arrested have been taken to Musgrave Serious Crime Suite for questioning.
BBC News

Egypt strongly condemns IS deadly attack on Iraqi football field
Egypt strongly condemned the recent deadly mortar attack launched by the Islamic State (IS) militant group on a football field in Iraq's northern province of Kirkuk, Egyptian Foreign Ministry said in a statement on Sunday.
Xinhua

Sabah revives barter trading with Philippines, Indonesia
Sabah will conduct barter trading of non-subsidized cooking oil with the Philippines and Indonesia next week, says Chief Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal on Saturday (Aug 24).
Philippine Daily Inquirer

BARMM

DoF guiding new Moro region on fiscal sustainability
THE DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE (DoF) is forming a technical working group (TWG) to help the newly formed Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) run its economic departments and crafting policies that will “ensure the region’s long-term fiscal stability.”
Business World Online

DOF, Bangsamoro to set up Islamic bank
The Department of Finance (DOF) and the Bangsamoro government have agreed to set up an Islamic Bank to provide financial access to micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) within the new autonomous region.
Philippine Star

P70.6-billion BARMM budget earmarked next year
A total of P70.6-billion budget has been earmarked for the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) next year to spur peace and development in the region, which comprises three of the 10 “poorest provinces” in the country based on national statistics.
Manila Bulletin

MAGUINDANAO AND COTABATO CITY

4 dead in collision of boats at Mindanao’s largest river
Four persons were killed on Saturday (Aug. 24) in a collision of two motor-rigged boats in Rio Grande de Mindanao, one of the Philippines’ largest bodies of water. Authorities are still searching for a missing boat passenger.
Philippine Daily Inquirer, Mindanews, Manila Bulletin

NORTH COTABATO

LANAO PROVINCES

BASILAN

SULU 

Initial exploration of ‘Area 7’ to need up to $2M
THE Philodrill Corp. and PXP Energy expect a “firm” investment commitment of between $1 million and $2 million for the initial stage of their partnership to explore Sulu Sea Basin or “Area 7” of the 14 pre-determined areas offered by the Energy department for prospective investors.
Business World Online

TAWI-TAWI 

Military official says Malaysian vessel mistaken for Chinese warship in waters off Tawi-Tawi
A high-ranking official of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) explained on Sunday that a Malaysian Navy ship recently seen passing through the waters of Tawi-Tawi was mistaken by local government officials to be a Chinese warship.
Manila Bulletin

DRUGS

Sedition case vs Robredo, opposition figures part of Duterte's 'authoritarian experiment' – De Lima
Detained senator Leila de Lima said on Sunday, August 25, that the sedition case filed against fellow opposition figures that include Vice President Leni Robredo is part of a “bigger authoritarian experiment” of President Rodrigo Duterte and his allies.
Rappler

Operations/ Incidents

20-year-old man caught with P1.3-M shabu
ANTI-NARCOTICS operatives arrested on Saturday, August 24, a 20-year-old drug personality who yielded at least P1.3 million worth of suspected methamphetamine hydrochloride (shabu) in Quiapo in Manila.
Sunstar Manila

Recovery and Rehabilitation  

ILLICIT FIREARMS, EXPLOSIVES AND AMMUNITION

CROSS-BORDER TRADING/ SMUGGLING  

BOC seizes imported glutinous rice in Zamboanga City
Customs Commissioner Rey Leonardo Guerrero has ordered the local Bureau of Customs (BOC) here to mount an “all-out campaign against all forms of smuggling of imported goods” that resulted in the seizure Friday of 190 sacks of imported gluttonous rice with an estimated market value of P700,000.
Manila Bulletin

HUMAN TRAFFICKING

KIDNAP FOR RANSOM

PNP anti-kidnap group wants its cops to learn Mandarin, other Chinese languages
The Philippine National Police (PNP) Anti-Kidnapping Group (AKG) is planning to send some of its personnel to foreign-language schools to learn Mandarin and other Chinese languages that are commonly used by Chinese nationals, who usually get embroiled in casino-related kidnappings in the Philippines.
Manila Bulletin

ILLEGAL GAMBLING

ILLICIT FINANCIAL TRANSACTIONS/ EXTORTION

Taking a stand
It’s been over a week since the Diez restroom incident but yet, there is no slowing down on the social media on the magnitude of outrage it has generated. While a few lawmakers and their supporters from the LGBT community tried to seize the opportunity to push for the controversial Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity and Expression or SOGIE Bill, it has only backfired on them as it had only exposed the real agenda of the measure they are pushing for.
Manila Standard

Press Freedom/ Freedom of Expression

Gov’t cites press freedom after Mindanao killing
PRESIDENT Rodrigo R. Duterte’s task force on media security at the weekend said there is press freedom in the Mindanao region despite martial rule and after the killing of a broadcast journalist there in July.
Business World Online

Martial Law 
 

Palace justifies proposed increase in OP’s intelligence, confidential funds
Malacañang said that the proposed P4.5-billion allocation being sought by the Office of the President (OP) for its confidential and intelligence funds is necessary to address internal and external security issues that the country is facing.
Manila Bulletin

Palace optimistic 2020 national budget will be passed before Christmas
After the “painful lesson” of a previous budget impasse, Malacañang is optimistic the proposed 2020 national budget will be signed into law before Christmas.
Manila Bulletin

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Palace: ‘We don’t need to talk about Sanchez anymore’
Malacañang said there was no longer any need to talk about convicted rapist and murderer former Calauan, Laguna Mayor Antonio Sanchez since he will not be walking free for good conduct anyway.
Manila Bulletin

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DFA: Duterte-Xi meeting to cover not just disputed West PH Sea
The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said that President Duterte and Chinese President Xi Jinping can still discuss issues other than the disputed waters when they meet in Beijing this week.
Manila Bulletin

Beijing not likely to change position on South China Sea – Chinese foreign ministry spokesman
Beijing’s position on the South China Sea arbitration ruling “has not changed a bit” even if President Rodrigo Duterte intends to raise the issue when he meets with Chinese President Xi Jinping during his official visit to Beijing this week.
Manila Bulletin

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Duterte defined: His SONA and his legacy.
ON July 23, my colleague Christine Tang and I were asked by GlobalSource Partners New York* to do a teleconference call with our international subscribers on the topic in the headline. I am pleased to share with readers the transcript of that call. Apologies, this will have to be in two parts. The second installment will be on the risks to this cautiously optimistic scenario, and some political analysis — what the President will likely do with his abundant political capital and the odds of policy continuity post 2022.
Business World Online

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Lorenzana calls on youth to emulate Filipino heroes, take up ROTC
Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana praised all the Filipinos who paid the ultimate price just to defend the country’s sovereignty from foreign invaders in time for the nationwide observance of the 2019 National Heroes’ Day on Monday.
Manila Bulletin

KMU, Tambisan sa Sining prepare Duterte effigy for Nat’l Heroes Day rally
Labor organization Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU) and cultural group Tambisan sa Sining will stage demonstrations on National Heroes Day to protest against contractualization and "attacks" on workers. 
GMA News

OFFICE OF THE VICE PRESIDENT

VP Robredo calls for approval of measure designating sea lanes in Philippine waters
A law designating sea lanes in Philippine waters is needed, Vice President Leni Robredo said on Sunday, referring to the Archipelagic Sea Lanes Passage Bill that has long been pending in Congress.
Manila Bulletin

Robredo dubs as ‘unusual’ proposed hike in Duterte’s confidential, intelligence funds in 2020
Vice President Leni Robredo said on Sunday the Filipino people deserve to know the reason behind the unusual increase in the government’s confidential and intelligence funds that will almost be doubled in 2020.
Manila Bulletin

ELECTION RELATED

DISASTER

NDRRMC: ‘Ineng’ leaves P282-M infra-agri damages in N. Luzon
As the rains stopped and the floods subsided, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) provided on Sunday the details of the devastating effects of severe tropical storm “Ineng” in northern Luzon, especially in Ilocos Norte, as it registered a total of P282 million worth of damages in infrastructure and agriculture.
Manila Bulletin

Gov’t to spend P61.6 billion for construction of flood mitigation structures
The government will spend P61.6 billion for the construction and maintenance of flood mitigation structures and drainage systems in the country next year.
Manila Bulletin

MINDANAO

CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS

JUDICIARY

SC affirms dismissal of graft complaints vs ex-DBP officials
The Supreme Court (SC) has cleared several former officials of the Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP) in connection with the P634.8 million in so-called behest loans granted to a textile company from 1979 to 1981.
Manila Bulletin

DOJ 'glad' if SC, Congress can clarify if heinous crimes excluded from GCTA law
The Department of Justice (DOJ) on Sunday, August 25, hopes the Supreme Court or Congress will be able to clarify whether or not inmates who are convicted of heinous crimes benefit from the Good Conduct Time Allowance (GCTA) law.
Rappler

LEGISLATIVE

Senate of the Philippines

[OPINION] Put Bato in his place
Wrong and all over the place. There’s no other way to describe Senator Dela Rosa’s reaction to Raoul Manuel, the president of the National Union of Students in the Philippines (NUSP).
Rappler

House of Representatives

Solon files bill renaming Camp Aguinaldo to ‘Camp General Antonio Luna’
Deputy Speaker and Surigao del Sur 2nd Rep. Johnny Pimentel has moved to rename Camp General Emilio Aguinaldo, the headquarters of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), to “Camp General Antonio Luna.”
Manila Bulletin

Batangas solon wants allowance for teaching materials mandated by law
The “Star for All Seasons” wants to institutionalize the grant of allowance for the purchase of teaching materials of the country’s 840,000 public school teachers.
Manila Bulletin

Romualdez: 2020 budget to hit anti-poverty targets
House Majority Leader and Leyte first district Representative Martin Romualdez on Sunday said that the P4.1-trillion National Expenditure Program (NEP) for 2020 would ramp up the government’s efforts to achieve anti-poverty targets, in effect uplifting the lives of poor Filipinos.
Manila Bulletin

Bill to outlaw non-consensual condom removal during sex
Avoiding the use of a condom despite assuring your partner that you will wear one during consensual sex could soon become a criminal offense in the Philippines.
Manila Bulletin, GMA News

BUDGET, FINANCE and TAXATION

LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS (LGUs)

DEFENSE AND SECURITY

AFP Westmincom now has reservations about Chinese warships in PHL
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom) now has reservations about allowing Chinese warships to pass Philippine territory due to lack of coordination.
GMA News

Gov’t needs P16 B for mandatory ROTC — Nograles
The government needs at least P16 billion if mandatory military training would be implemented for senior high school students, Puwersa ng Bayaning Atleta (PBA) Party-List Rep. Jericho Nograles revealed on Sunday.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Imee Marcos: Even my father changed his mind about mandatory ROTC
Even the late strongman Ferdinand Marcos saw no need to make the Reserve Officers' Training Program (ROTC) mandatory, his daughter, Senator Imee Marcos, said on Sunday.
GMA News

Marcos says AFP should make its recruitment process more attractive
Senator Imee Marcos on Sunday urged the government to help the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) beef up its recruitment processes by offering incentives to make military service attractive to those interested to join the AFP.
Manila Bulletin

PNP to designate ‘survivor officers’ to help in processing benefits for slain cops
The Philippine National Police (PNP) will be designating a policeman, or a “survivor officer” who will be tasked with handling all the documentary requirements needed for benefits entitled to lawmen who will die on the line-of-duty.
Manila Bulletin

ECONOMY AND INVESTMENTS

Moody’s slashes growth forecast for PHL this year
International credit watcher Moody’s Investors Services adjusted downward its growth forecast for the Philippines this year due largely to the delay in the passage of the budget. In a recent report, Moody’s said the Philippines is now expected to grow by only 5.8 percent for 2019. This is lower than its earlier forecast of 6 percent and below the government’s target range of 6 percent to 7 percent for the year.
Business Mirror, Philippine Star

BUILD, BUILD, BUILD

OFFICIAL DEVELOPMENT ASSISTANCE

AUDIT, GRAFT AND CORRUPTION

COA flags LLDA for failure to collect P29.46M in fees
The Laguna Lake Development Authority (LLDA) has failed to collect some P29.46 million in required fees in 2018 from operators of fish pens and fish cages in Laguna de Bay, according to the Commission on Audit (COA).
Philippine Daily Inquirer

FOREIGN RELATIONS  

Seychelles president lauds Filipinos working, living in East African island country
Seychellois President Danny Faure has lauded the Filipinos working and living in his country for their great contribution to its economy, culture and social life of the people of Seychelles.
Manila Bulletin

Chinese survey ship in EEZ just took shelter from typhoon – Lorenzana
Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana on Sunday said the Chinese survey ship Zhangjian that was again spotted within the Philippines' exclusive economic zone was just taking shelter from the inclement weather. 
GMA News

West Philippine Sea

Carpio calls China's territorial claims a ‘gigantic fraud on the human race’
China's massive claims across the South China Sea were the fake news of the century that needed to be corrected, according to Supreme Court Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio.
GMA News

LABOR

DOLE sets probe of Hong Kong labor office for alleged anomalous deal
An investigation has been launched against officials of Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO) in Hong Kong, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) said on Sunday.
Manila Bulletin

Employers reminded of workers’ pay rules on National Heroes’ Day
The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) has reminded private employers to follow the pay rules for workers who will report to work on August 26, National Heroes’ Day.
Manila Bulletin

TRANSPORTATION

HEALTH 

PhilHealth corruption must end before alcohol tax is increased —Gatchalian
Corruption at the state-run Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) needed to stop before the Senate would pass a measure that would raise excise taxes on alcohol products, Senator Sherwin Gatchalian said Sunday.
GMA News

FOOD AND AGRICULTURE

Pangilinan denounces ‘unbridled’ conversions of agricultural lands
Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan on Sunday said the unbridled conversion of agricultural lands into residential, commercial and industrial sites should stop in order to ensure that Filipino farmers are able to produce food for the country.
Manila Bulletin, Philippine Star

Villar says rice tarrification law meant to comply with WTO deal obligations
Senator Cynthia Villar on Sunday clarified misconceptions on the Rice Tariffication Law, saying it was passed due to the Philippines’ failure to meet with its obligations with the World Trade Organization (WTO).
Manila Bulletin

Rice farmers urged to avail early of one-time loan program
The Department of Agriculture (DA) encouraged the rice farmers to avail of the government’s one-time loan assistance as they have only until December this year to submit their applications.
Philippine News Agency

Group questions BFAR’s P520-M ‘aqua’ budget
The national fisherfolk group Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas (Pamalakaya) has questioned the P520.2-million item under the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) budget that will be allotted to the aquaculture program.
The Manila Times

EDUCATION

UPCAT applicants camp at UP Diliman one day before deadline of applications
Applicants swarmed the University of the Philippines Diliman one night before the deadline of filing of applications for the UPCAT (University of of the Philippines College Admission Test).
GMA News

ENERGY

Peco continues fight, asks court to overturn writ of possession given to Razon firm
The city’s nearly century-old power distributor, Panay Electric Co. (Peco), is trying to stave off the seizure of its assets by newly-formed company More Electric Power Corp. (More Power) by appealing a court decision to issue a writ of possession in favor of More Power over Peco’s facilities and equipment needed to distribute electricity in the city and other areas on Panay Island.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

POVERTY

SOCIAL WELFARE AND DEVELOPMENT

HOUSING

Housing department laments P6.2-billion budget too small
The Department of Budget and Management–approved P6.2-billion budget for the newly created Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) will definitely take its toll on the mass housing projects of the Duterte administration, an official warned. 
Philippine Star

TOURISM

ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES 

Out-of-the-box warrior
Encomiums flowed freely from top government officials and sundry politicians in the wake of the passing of former environment secretary Gina Lopez.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Gina Lopez: Breaking the norm, she made friends and foes
Close to her last day on earth, Gina Lopez was still giving encouraging words to friends and coworkers to push on with their projects to protect the environment and help impoverished communities even as she was losing her own battle with cancer.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Tagbilaran bishop pushes for ban on fireworks display, releasing of balloons
In an effort to intensify its campaign to protect the environment, Diocese of Tagbilaran Bishop Alberto Uy has called for a ban on fireworks display, and the practice of releasing balloons which are both environmentally destructive.
Manila Bulletin

Water crisis

INFORMATION, COMMUNICATION AND TECHNOLOGY

Filipinos spend ‘most time’ on social media in the world — poll
A recent flagship report on the latest trends in social media revealed that the Philippines is the leading country that spends the most time on social media globally.
Philippine Star

8chan founder: Filipinos not accessing the 'real internet'
"Facebook is not the internet," said 8chan founder Frederick Brennan in an interview with Rappler on Monday, August 19. According to Brennan, the Philippine context is an environment where disinformation, "fake news," and troll armies thrive because of Filipinos' dependence on the social media platform.
Rappler

P1.1 billion earmarked in 2020 for free internet service in public places
At least P1.1 billion out of the proposed P5.2-billion budget of the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) for next year will be used to implement the free internet service in public places.
Manila Bulletin

DEVELOPMENT SECTOR