Govt aid helps heal pain of massacre victims’ families
Lina Amadora was only nine years old when New People’s Army (NPA) guerrillas killed her father in what is now known as the Inopacan Massacre.
Manila Bulletin
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Police: Disgruntled NPA sowing fake news
THE Cordillera's top police officer believes the New People's Army (NPA) rebels under the Lejo Cawilan Command that is operating in Kalinga are now disgruntled and are sowing intrigues through fake news.
Sunstar Baguio
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More and more communities decry CPP-NPA-NDF and its allied left leaning organizations in Agusan Norte, declares Persona Non Grata
Another batch of communities decry the CPP-NPA-NDF and its Allied Left Leaning Organizations and declared them as Persona Non Grata in Agusan Norte during the Provincial Peace and Order Council (PPOC) 1-Day Community Immersion held at Brgy Mahaba, Cabadbaran City, Agusan del Norte on October 26, 2019.
Kalinaw News
Army to Agnor Town Local Leaders and Residents: Reject Communist Terrorist Group
The Army Commander in Caraga urged local leaders and its residents to reject the Communist Terrorist Group (CTG) during the Municipal Development Council (MDC) and Municipal Peace and Order Council (MPOC) Launching of the Municipal Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (MTF-ELCAC).
Kalinaw News
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The road to peace, is rough, and on the left
I have read the column of Gov. Danilo Suarez titled The Road To Peace posted last October 17 on your website. It was a week after the first 100 days of the governor as head of the province of Quezon, and still, he is clearly unaware of the real plight of his people, especially the coconut farmers and the indigenous people from the countryside.
Communist Party of the Philippines
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One NPA Terrorist with One (1) High-Powered Firearm Surrender to 73IB
A member of the NPA identified as Melchor of Squad 1, Platoon Central, WGF TALA (GF71), FSMR, resident of Sitio Melag, Brgy Kinam, Malapatan, Sarrangani Province voluntarily surrendered to Alpha Company, 73IB under 1st Lt. Orestes D. Fausto, Sarangani Police Provincial Office, and Malapatan Police Station on Wednesday, 30 October 2019.
Kalinaw News
Peace Talks
Incidents/ Operations
Cafgu member killed, partner spared by suspected rebels
A MEMBER of the Civilian Armed Forces Geographical Unit Active Auxillary (CAA) was killed by suspected New People's Army (NPA) rebels in Barangay Batangan, Valencia City, Bukidnon on October 27. The military identified the victim as Pablo Omblero. He was allegedly killed in front of his live-in partner Elizabeth Dela Torre.
Sunstar Cagayan de Oro
Malacañang condemns NPA’s execution of unarmed CAFGU volunteer
Malacañang has condemned the brutal killing of a civilian member of the military auxiliary force in Bukidnon and vowed to bring the perpetrators to justice.
Manila Bulletin
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ISIS fading in Mid East, thriving in the Philippines
While Islamic State’s (ISIS) fate hangs in the balance after the recent assassination of its leader in Syria, the terrorist group is still alive and well in the Philippines.
Asia Times
MARAWI
2nd batch of profiled MAA IDPs receive P73K
The 2nd batch of the internally displaced persons (IDPs) from the most affected area profiled through Kathanor (profiling spearheaded by Task Force Bangon Marawi) have each received the P73 thousand cash assistance from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).
Bangon Marawi
207 scholarships awarded to students in Bangon Marawi program
A total of 270 scholarships were recently awarded by the Department of Science and Technology - Science Education Institute (DOST-SEI) to undergraduate and graduate students under the Bangon Marawi Program.
GMA News
SOUTHEAST ASIA AND THE WORLD
Global Terrorism: Threats to the Homeland
Our nation continues to face a multitude of serious and evolving threats ranging from homegrown violent extremists (HVEs) to cyber criminals to hostile foreign intelligence services and operatives. Keeping pace with these threats is a significant challenge for the FBI.
Federal Bureau of Investigation
Dozens of countries oppose U.S. using Xinjiang to interfere in China's internal affairs
Dozens of countries on Tuesday expressed firm opposition to the United States and other countries for using Xinjiang to interfere in China's internal affairs.
Xinhua
Rival Camps Clash Over Xinjiang at UN Committee Session
Once again, the United Nations is the site of a showdown center on China’s human rights violations in Xinjiang. On October 29, two different factions submitted statements to the Third Committee session on the Committee for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD) – one group criticizing China’s actions and the other supporting it.
The Diplomat
Germany tightens hate speech and gun laws to fight far-right extremism in wake of synagogue attack
The German government on Wednesday approved a draft law to crack down on the far right, three weeks after a deadly attack by an alleged neo-Nazi targeting a synagogue.
South China Morning Post
Togo ups its ante against terror threats
Until early 2018, violent extremism in West Africa had been largely confined to the Sahel region. Since then fears of a spillover into neighbouring coastal states, including Togo, have been rising.
Institute for Security Studies
Saudi Writer: Those Who Blame U.S. For ISIS Terrorism Disregard The Fact That For Years Millions Have Been Taught Extremism And Hatred For The West
In its official responses to the killing of ISIS leader Abu Bakr Al-Baghdadi, Saudi Arabia fully supported the U.S. and its policy, while stressing the strong alliance between the two countries. This was expressed, inter alia, in a conversation between Saudi Crown Prince Muhammad bin Salman and U.S. President Donald Trump, and in the Saudi Foreign Ministry statement on the topic.
Middle East Media Research Institute
Secularism and Jihad: Defining Secularism and Islam against French Identity
The Al Qaida September 11 attacks drastically altered US national security policy and raised doubt about, through these events and responses to them, America’s standing as a global power. Because globalization has increased the level of person to person interaction beyond national borders, the same changes in security policy hold true for several US ally and non-ally countries.
International Institute for Counter-Terrorism
NPR accuses Trump of ‘spiking the football’ by saying ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi died a coward
National Public Radio acknowledged Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi’s leadership and accused President Trump of “spiking the football” during a panel discussion Sunday about the mission that killed the wanted terrorist.
Fox News
After Baghdadi death, Nobel laureate Nadia Murad asks: What about the rest?
The fight for justice for victims of Islamic State militants does not end with the death of leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, Nobel laureate Nadia Murad said on Wednesday, asking: “How about those that raped us?”
Reuters, France24
COLUMN-Baghdadi death marks the end of an era for 'war on terror': Peter Apps
The death of Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi this week will not mark the end of Islamic state, nor U.S. military efforts against Islamist militancy in the Middle East and beyond. But coming against the backdrop of the U.S. withdrawal from Syria and growing Pentagon preoccupation with great-power rivals such as China, it may mark the end of an era in U.S. foreign and military policy.
Reuters
Al Baghdadi's Idlib hideout could give Assad a pretext for another assault on the province
There was one key, surprising detail in the now-familiar saga of the killing of ISIS leader Abu Bakr Al Baghdadi in an American special operations raid last weekend.
The National UAE
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BARMM
Agreement signed for better higher education in Bangsamoro areas
THE BANGSAMORO Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) and the national government signed an agreement on Wednesday to improve access to higher education, especially in conflict-affected areas.
Business World Online, GMA News
MAGUINDANAO AND COTABATO CITY
Mangudadatu welcomes court’s denial to reopen Maguindanao massacre case
Maguindanao 2nd district Rep. Esmael “Toto” Mangudadatu on Wednesday welcomed the junking of the motion of Maguindanao massacre prime suspect Datu Andal Ampatuan Jr. to reopen the trial of what has been dubbed the single deadliest attack on journalists in history.
Manila Bulletin, Tempo
3 cops jailed for illegal drugs in Maguindanao
Three active police officers were arrested for alleged possession of suspected shabu during a joint buy-bust operation in Maguindanao on Wednesday.
Philippine Daily Inquirer, Philippine Star
NORTH COTABATO
LANAO PROVINCES
SAF member, drug dealer killed in Marawi police operation
A policeman was killed while another was wounded in a shootout Tuesday with a wanted Maranao drug dealer who also perished in the incident. A police team dispatched by Col. Madzgani Mukaram of the Lanao del Sur provincial police to arrest Abdullah Taurac in his hideout in Barangay Lilod in Marawi City Tuesday was forced to neutralize him when he shot with a pistol Sergeants Reagan Salbino and Mohaimen Urandig.
NDBC News, Philippine Star
BASILAN
SULU
TAWI-TAWI
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DRUGS
PNP: We have accounted for 1.5 million drug users
The Philippine National Police has accounted for around 1.5 million drug users for the last three years, its spokesman said on Wednesday.
GMA News, Philippine Daily Inquirer
Corruption, illegal drugs unabated? Something must be wrong somewhere – Lacson
“Something must be going wrong somewhere.” Senator Panfilo Lacson said this Wednesday as he lamented the seemingly continued existence of corruption and illegal drugs in the country.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
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Palace: Duterte’s ‘kind gesture’ may just be the Vice President’s ticket to the presidency
Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo raised such a prospect as he urged Robredo anew to grab President Duterte’s “kind gesture” for her to lead the government’s war on drugs.
Manila Bulletin
Opposition to Duterte: Just quit, give Robredo 3 years
Opposition lawmakers on Tuesday urged President Duterte to just step down and let Vice President Leni Robredo run the government, after he, in a fit of pique, challenged her on Monday to take over the campaign against illegal drugs.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
Carpio: Duterte can delegate certain powers to VP Leni
Recently-retired Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio on Tuesday said President Rodrigo Duterte could delegate certain powers to Vice President Leni Robredo, following Duterte’s statement he would make Robredo the drug czar for 6 months.
ABS-CBN News, Philippine Daily Inquirer
Bong Go challenges Robredo to accept President Duterte’s offer as drug czar
Senator Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go on Wednesday challenged Vice President Leni Robredo to accept the offer of President Rodrigo Duterte to be his “drug czar”.
Manila Bulletin
Sotto’s advice to those who know nothing about the war on drugs: Zip it!
Senate President Vicente Sotto III on Wednesday advised those who know nothing about the illegal drug trade: Zip it! In a Twitter post, Sotto, a former chairperson of the Dangerous Drugs Board, said the war on illegal drugs is an ongoing struggle.
GMA News, Philippine Daily Inquirer, Manila Bulletin
Agot Isidro twits Duterte on plan to make VP anti-drug czar
If actress Agot Isidro were Vice President Leni Robredo, she would not bother with President Duterte’s offer to be the anti-illegal drugs czar, since it is doubtful if the administration will let her succeed, anyway.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
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Cayetano: Western approach not applicable to PHL's drug war
Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano on Wednesday claimed that the "health-based" Western approach in curbing the use of illegal drugs is not applicable to the Philippines where methamphetamine hydrochloride or shabu is widely used.
GMA News
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Ping retorts ‘pest control’ to Teddy Boy’s ‘population control’ in tweet exchange about rouge cops
Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin suggested Wednesday that rogue policemen should get the same treatment they dish out to drug suspects.
Manila Bulletin
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PNP vows to cooperate with NBI on probe of Misamis Occidental mayor’s killing
The Philippine National Police (PNP) vowed on Tuesday to cooperate with the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) which was tapped by President Duterte to investigate the killing of Clarin, Misamis Occidental Mayor David Navarro over trust issue on the police force.
Manila Bulletin
Gordon supports Duterte decision to let NBI probe Clarin mayor’s killing
Letting the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to take over the probe into the killing of Clarin, Misamis Occidental Mayor David Navarro will assure the public that the investigation would be fair and neutral, Senator Richard Gordon said Wednesday.
GMA News
NBI willing to coordinate with the CHR but…
Lawyer Tomas Enrile, the director of the National Bureau of Investigation in Central Visayas (NBI-7), said they are willing to coordinate with the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) on the investigation of the ambush-slay of Clarin, Misamis Occidental Mayor David Navarro.
Cebu Daily News
Operations/ Incidents
45 public transport personnel test positive for drugs
The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) said 45 public transport personnel mostly drivers were tested positive for illegal drugs out of the 4,862 who underwent the procedures.
Manila Bulletin
PDEA finds less than 1% drug users in PUV work force
Less than 1 percent or a mere 45 out of almost 5,000 public transportation workers who underwent drug tests nationwide tested positive, according to the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA).
Philippine Daily Inquirer
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PDEA-7 uproots P8.6M worth of marijuana plants from Balamban plantation
Law enforcers uprooted P8.6 million worth of marijuana plants from Sitio Quo, Barangay Gaas, Balamban town in midwestern Cebu on Tuesday morning, October 29, 2019. But they failed to arrest the three cultivators who were identified as Tisi Palando, Rodrigo Cabalis and Lordi Pragosa.
Cebu Daily News
Pasil couple nabbed with P360-K worth of marijuana
Police arrested a couple residing in Sitio Lawis, Barangay Pasil on Wednesday afternoon, October 30, who were caught in possession of three kilograms of marijuana with an estimated value of P360,000.
Cebu Daily News
Big-time ‘weeds’ supplier busted in Lucena
Police arrested a major supplier of marijuana or “weeds” in this city in a buy-bust operation on Tuesday afternoon. Jhun Odiver, 29, was collared by anti-illegal drugs operatives after he sold marijuana to an undercover police officer in Barangay 4 around 5 p.m., Colonel Audie Madrideo, Quezon police chief, said in a report.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
Recovery and Rehabilitation
ILLICIT FIREARMS, EXPLOSIVES, AND AMMUNITION
CROSS-BORDER TRADING/ SMUGGLING/ COUNTERFEIT GOODS
Second shipment of misdeclared pork, other meat products seized at Port of Manila
A few days after two containers of smuggled pork and other meat products from China were seized at the Port of Manila, another shipment of the same goods worth P3.5 million was intercepted at the same port Wednesday.
Manila Bulletin
HUMAN TRAFFICKING
KIDNAPPING
ILLEGAL GAMBLING
2 suspected ‘bookies’ bet collectors nabbed in Quezon
Two suspected bet collectors of illegal operation of government-run Small Town Lottery (STL) or “bookies,” were arrested in Tiaong and Lopez towns in Quezon province on Tuesday, police said.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
ILLICIT FINANCIAL TRANSACTIONS/ EXTORTION
DOJ to file charges vs Kapa next week
The Department of Justice (DOJ) hopes to file in court next week charges against Kapa-Community Ministry which is being accused of engaging in an investment scam.
Manila Bulletin
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Kaliwa Dam: Dumagat leader stands ground vs Duterte threat
An indigenous community leader in Sierra Madre has assailed President Rodrigo Duterte’s threat of using “extraordinary powers” to implement the P18.7-billion Kaliwa Dam project, touted as the solution to the water shortage in Metro Manila and surrounding provinces.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
On Dumagat Day, tribes vow continuing resistance to Kaliwa dam project
Indigenous people of Rizal marked the Dumagat Day last week with the theme, “Advance the unity in the defense of the environment and strengthen the movement that promotes the right to ancestral lands and self-determination of Indigenous Dumagat and Remontado!”
Bulatlat
Water firm reaffirms support for Kaliwa Dam
West zone concessionaire Maynilad Water Services Inc. maintained that the controversial P18.7-billion China-funded Kaliwa Dam is a viable long-term solution to the current supply shortage amid continued calls to stop the project.
Philippine Star
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De Lima lauds UP Visayas dance group
Senator Leila de Lima has lauded the University of the Philippines (UP) Visayas Skimmers dance group for standing up to the Duterte administration’s anti-people policies through their performance which “smacks of the truth” without sugar-coating the reality under the present government.
Manila Bulletin
Press Freedom/ Freedom of expression
Radioman shot in Tacurong City; now in critical condition
A local journalist is now fighting for his life in a hospital after being shot in Tacurong City on Wednesday afternoon. Benjie Abdul Caballero, 38, acting station manager of Radyo ni Juan FM and provincial stringer for Remate tabloid, was waiting for a ride in front of his house around 1 p.m. when a man approached and pumped bullets into him, the Max FM Radio in Tacurong reported.
Philippine Daily Inquirer, NDBC News, Mindanews, Rappler
EDITORIAL – Still 5th in impunity
As in previous years, the Philippines is once again ranked among the five worst countries in terms of killings targeting journalists. There has been no spike in journalists’ murders in the past year. But the 41 unresolved killings kept the Philippines in fifth place for the third straight year in the 2019 World Impunity Index drawn up by the Committee to Protect Journalists, behind only Somalia, Syria, Iraq and South Sudan.
Philippine Star
Martial Law
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‘Realistic Duterte Halloween mask’ for sale on Amazon
A “realistic” mask based on the face of President Rodrigo Duterte is being sold on online shopping site Amazon in time for the Halloween.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
Palace on Duterte Halloween mask: ‘Amusing…really scaring criminals’
Malacañang is not offended by the selling of Holloween masks inspired by President Rodrigo Duterte, saying that it speaks of the Chief Executive’s popularity.
Philippine Daily Inquirer, Manila Bulletin
Palace reminds public to take precautions on their travel in observance of All Saint’, Souls’ Day
Malacañang has called on the public to take safety precautions when they travel to observe All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day.
Manila Bulletin
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Palace: ‘No choice’ but bear with traffic as govt completes transport projects
The public has “no choice” but to bear with the traffic condition in Metro Manila for now, Malacañang said Wednesday after traffic navigation app Waze dubbed the capital as the worst area to drive in.
Manila Bulletin
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Medialdea is gov’t OIC during Duterte’s Asean trip in Thailand
President Rodrigo Duterte has designated Executive Salvador Medialdea as the government’s officer-in-charge (OIC) during his attendance to the 35th Association of Southeast Asian Summit in Thailand from November 1 to 4.
Philippine Daily Inquirer, Manila Bulletin
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Malacañang declares half-day work for gov’t offices on October 31
Malacañang has ordered half-day suspension of government work on Thursday, October 31 in preparation for the All Saints’ Day weekend.
Manila Bulletin, GMA News, ABS-CBN News
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OFFICE OF THE VICE PRESIDENT
ELECTION RELATED
Guanzon to propose amendments to Local Absentee Voting Act
Commission on Elections (COMELEC) Commissioner Rowena Guanzon wants more sectors to be included in the Local Absentee Voting.
Manila Bulletin
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Justice Caguioa no longer in charge of Marcos-Robredo PET case
Supreme Court (SC) Associate Justice Benjamin Caguioa is no longer the member-in-charge of the high stakes electoral protest filed by Bongbong Marcos against Vice President Leni Robredo.
Rappler
Bongbong Marcos asks for more time to comment on poll protest
Former senator Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. has asked the Supreme Court for more time to comment on his poll protest against Vice President Leni Robredo.
ABS-CBN News, Philippine Daily Inquirer
DISASTER
At least 400 aftershocks recorded following Magnitude 6.6 tremor
At least 400 aftershocks have been reported after the Magnitude 6.6 quake that hit Tuesday morning an area in Mindanao that was also hit by Magnitude 6.3 on Oct. 16.
NDBC News
Over 8,000 people displaced by Mindanao earthquake
The magnitude 6.6 earthquake in Mindanao has affected 1,681 families or 8,402 people, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said in its latest situation report on Wednesday, October 30.
Rappler
Caritas Manila asks for donations for Mindanao quake victims
The social action arm of the Archdiocese of Manila launched the appeal Tuesday, on the day a strong tremor hit Cotabato. “We are knocking to your generous hearts to help our brothers and sisters in Cotabato,” Father Anton Pascual, Caritas Manila executive director, said in a statement.
Manila Bulletin
NDRRMC: Over 300 individuals injured in magnitude 6.6 Mindanao quake
More than 300 individuals were injured following the magnitude 6.6 earthquake that jolted several areas in Mindanao on Tuesday, data from the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) showed on Wednesday morning.
GMA News, Philippine Daily Inquirer
DepEd fears funds insufficient to repair quake-cracked schools
The Department of Education said Wednesday it was scrambling for funds to repair hundreds of school buildings that were destroyed by a series of earthquakes in Mindanao.
ABS-CBN News, Philippine Daily Inquirer, Manila Bulletin
DepEd asks for additional funding for quake-affected schools, ensures continuous monitoring
The Department of Education (DepEd) on Wednesday assured that it will continue to find funding for the repair of classrooms and schools that were damaged by the 6.6 magnitude earthquake which jolted North Cotabato.
Manila Bulletin
Quake aftermath: Still no classes in 34 localities in Region 12
Classes remained suspended Wednesday in 34 of 49 localities in Soccsksargen (Region 12) after the magnitude 6.6 earthquake rocked a large part of Mindanao Tuesday, the Office of Civil Defense-12 (OCD-12) said.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
Zubiri wants all infrastructures in Mindanao inspected after successive quakes
Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri on Wednesday called for a thorough assessment of all infrastructures in Mindanao following the strong earthquakes that jolted its provinces in the last three weeks.
Manila Bulletin
PRO-12 activates task group on earthquake
The Police Regional Office 12 (PRO-12) on Tuesday activated the Disaster Incident Management Task Group right after a magnitude level 6.6 earthquake shook parts of Mindanao with Tulunan, North Cotabato as the epicenter at around 9:00AM.
NDBC News
MINDANAO
CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS
JUDICIARY
Half-day work in all courts on October 31
Chief Justice Diosdado M. Peralta announced a half-day work in all courts in the country on Thursday, October 31, to enable court officials and employees to prepare for All Saints’ Day celebration on November 1.
Manila Bulletin, GMA News
LEGISLATIVE
Senate of the Philippines
Revilla files Remittance Act bill
A bill seeking to require remittance companies and agents to fully disclose to overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) the fees they impose for their money transfer services has been filed in Senate.
Manila Bulletin
House of Representatives
Bill to declare August ‘National Farmers Month’ filed
Isabela Rep. Faustino Michael Carlos T. Dy III wants to declare August of every year as National Farmers’ Month, lamenting that the recognition of farmers as the country’s national heroes is long overdue.
Manila Bulletin
Bayan Muna pushes for free or discounted funeral services for poor families
In time for All Saints' Day this weekend, a measure has been filed at the House of Representatives seeking to grant free to discounted funeral services to poor families nationwide.
GMA News, Philippine Daily Inquirer
House bill codifying, clarifying taxes on POGOs filed
A bill codifying and clarifying the taxes imposed on Philippine Offshore Gaming Operations (POGOs) was filed at the House of Representatives on Wednesday.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
Bill seeks to resolve family tug-of-war over the body of a deceased relative
Domestic tumult brought about by family members who find themselves in a tug-of-war for the right over a cadaver of a deceased relative will finally be addressed if a bill filed by a Negros Occidental lawmaker is passed into law.
Manila Bulletin
BUDGET, FINANCE, and TAXATION
DOF: Complete picture with infra spending will show poverty decline
Complete the economic picture with infrastructure spending and you would see a decline in poverty rate, according to the Department of Finance (DOF).
Philippine Daily Inquirer
PTV4 applies for tax amnesty to settle P1.1 billion tax debts
The state-owned PTV4 has availed of the Bureau of Internal Revenue’s (BIR) tax amnesty program on delinquent accounts to settle its more than P1.1 billion tax debts.
Manila Bulletin
Mining, oil firms given until Jan. 1 to disclose real owners
To ensure that dirty money cannot enter the country through extractive industries, the government requires mining and oil firms to disclose their beneficial owners as mandated under a recent rule issued by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).
Philippine Daily Inquirer
LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS (LGUs)
DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
PNP ready to assist BuCor's crackdown vs corruption
The Philippine National Police says it is ready to provide support to the new Bureau of Corrections chief's efforts to curb corruption at the state penitentiary. PNP Directorial Staff chief Guillermo Eleazar says they are willing to provide additional staff to help supervise efforts at the Bureau of Corrections.
ABS-CBN News
Bilibid shanties a 'haven' for contraband: PNP exec
Metro Manila's former police chief defended Thursday the demolition of illegal structures inside the New Bilibid Prison, which some groups have decried after inmates were supposedly left without sleeping quarters.
ABS-CBN News
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DEFENSE AND SECURITY
SWS 3rd quarter survey shows number of families victimized by common crimes went down
The number of Filipino families who said they have been victimized by common crimes within the past six months has diminished, based on the third quarter of 2019 Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey results.
Manila Bulletin
Armed Forces of the Philippines
AFP chief Clement promoted to a rank of general
Armed Forces of the Philippines chief of staff Noel Clement was promoted to the rank of general more than a month after his appointment in September. According to the AFP's Public Affairs Office, the donning of ranks ceremony was presided by Department of National Defense Undersecretary Cardozo Luna on Wednesday.
GMA News
Golan Heights peacekeeping veteran is new Visayas military chief
Major General Roberto Ancan will take over the Armed Forces of the Philippines' Central Command (Centcom) in Cebu City on Thursday morning, October 31.
Rappler
Philippine National Police
PNP hopes Duterte to name new police chief soon
The spokesperson of the Philippine National Police on Wednesday urged President Rodrigo Duterte to name a new PNP chief soon. PNP spokesman Bernard Banac said that even without a permanent head at the helm, the PNP's law enforcement operations and its programs continue under its police officer-in-charge Lt. Gen. Archie Gamboa.
ABS-CBN News
It’s best for IAS to remain under PNP – Banac
The Philippine National Police (PNP) is not keen on the proposal to transform its Internal Affairs Service (IAS) into a separate, independent unit. PNP spokesperson Brig. Gen. Bernard Banac on Wednesday said the national police force needs the IAS as its “watchdog.”
Philippine Daily Inquirer
ECONOMY AND INVESTMENTS
BUILD, BUILD, BUILD and PUBLIC WORKS
First 10-km segment of CalaEx opens in time for All Saints’ Day rush
A portion of the 45-kilometer Cavite-Laguna Expressway (CalaEx) project was opened yesterday, providing relief to motorists ahead of All Saints’ Day.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
Plywood floods infra-hungry PH, but is it safe?
The volume of imported plywood grew nearly four times since the government stopped requiring quality checks for the building material in 2015, prompting the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) to consider taking extra precaution.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
OFFICIAL DEVELOPMENT ASSISTANCE
AUDIT, GRAFT, AND CORRUPTION
Sandiganbayan convicts Agusan del Norte town mayor, police chief
Tubay Mayor Fidel Garcia of Agusan del Norte and the town’s Police Chief Benny Esparagoza have been found guilty of six criminal charges by the Sandiganbayan Seventh Division for the violent dispersal of a rally back in 2006.
Manila Bulletin
Sandiganbayan affirms conviction of former Zamboanga del Sur officials
The Sandiganbayan Seventh Division has affirmed its decision to convict officials of Tambulig town in Zamboanga del Sur of graft in connection with the irregular purchase of a vehicle in 2012.
Manila Bulletin
Sandigan acquits NGO execs Roque, Ang in P6.5-M PDAF case
The Sandiganbayan has junked two counts of graft and two counts of malversation charges against private individuals Godofredo Roque and Morrys Ang in connection with the P6.5 million worth of Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) released to their non-government entities for livelihood projects for farmers that turned out to be non-existent.
GMA News, Philippine Daily Inquirer
COA denies payment to construction firm for Pangasinan road project
The Commission on Audit (COA) has denied the request for payment of a construction firm, claiming to have implemented a road improvement project in Malasiqui, Pangasinan in 1998.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
FOREIGN RELATIONS
West Philippine Sea
Carpio's retirement goal: To convince Duterte to assert arbitral ruling
In public, retired justice Antonio Carpio is generally a man of few words, except if you get him to talk about the West Philippine Sea, his expertise and advocacy.
Rappler
LABOR
DFA repatriates 32 distressed Filipinos from 3 different jurisdictions
The Philippine government on Wednesday announced the repatriation of some 32 distressed Filipinos from three different regions in the world.
Manila Bulletin
DOLE accredits more first-aid trainers
Aside from the Professional Regulation Commission, business establishments can now engage the services of three more institutions to provide first aid training to their first aiders.
Manila Bulletin
TRANSPORTATION
Almost 700 PNP-HPG personnel deployed for Undas
Almost 700 personnel from the Philippine National Police - Highway Patrol Group (PNP-HPG) were deployed in cemeteries and transportation hubs nationwide to provide motorist assistance to those who will travel to their respective provinces this All Saints' Day and All Souls' Day.
GMA News
Provincial bus drivers reminded: Don’t drive for more than 6 hrs straight
The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) has reminded provincial bus drivers about an existing regulation where they are only allowed to drive for six hours straight.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
‘Human factor’ main cause of road crashes in 2019 – PNP-HPG
“Human factor” or errors in driving is the main cause of road accidents in the country for 2019, Philippine National Police-Highway Patrol Group (PNP-HPG) said Wednesday.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
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LTFRB’s Delgra suspends Bicol director, 16 personnel for corruption allegations
The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTRFB) has suspended its regional director and 16 personnel in Bicol for corruption allegations, the board said on Wednesday.
GMA News, Philippine Daily Inquirer
HEALTH
DOH on ‘code white’ alert for Undas 2019
The Department of Health (DOH) said that all public hospitals will be on ‘Code White’ alert in preparation for any possible emergencies that may happen during the annual observance of All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day on Friday and Saturday, respectively.
Manila Bulletin
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Vietnamese doctors help with robotic surgeries in PGH
Doctors from Ho Chi Minh City-based Bình Dân Hospital have assisted their counterparts at the Philippine General Hospital with using robots to perform two surgeries to remove a part of the stomach of two obese patients.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
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Taxing everything, even the lowly ‘daing’
The Department of Health (DOH) is considering to impose taxes on salted food products. “Ito ‘yung iniisip natin na pag-aralan na pagtataasan natin ang buwis sa salted food, maaaring magkaroon ito ng positive na outcome sa ating mga kalusugan,” Health spokesperson and Undersecretary Eric Domingo said in a press briefing in Malacañang on Wednesday.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
DOH wants outright ban of e-cigarettes
The Department of Health (DOH) on Wednesday said it is in favor of banning electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes), stressing that it has no proven positive effect on its users’ health.
Philippine Daily Inquirer, Manila Bulletin
DOH reports number of dengue cases has soared to more than 360,000
The Department of Health (DOH) on Wednesday reported that the number of dengue cases across the country has soared to more than 360,000.
Manila Bulletin
FOOD AND AGRICULTURE
Defensor blasts Bureau of Animal Industry for ASF scourge
Anakalusugan Party-List Rep. Mike Defensor has joined the chorus of solons who have chastised the Department of Agriculture’s (DA) Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) for the outbreak of African swine fever (ASF) in the country.
Manila Bulletin
Farmers down on their knees over rice crisis
This is to draw the attention of our government leaders to the ongoing palay price crisis that has hit 3 million or so rice farmers across the archipelago.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
EDUCATION
CHED looks forward to K to 12 review; cites need to make informed adjustments
Commission on Higher Education (CHED) Chairman J. Prospero De Vera III on Wednesday expressed support to the proposed review of the K to 12 Program stressing the need to address various challenges in its implementation that affect the higher education sector.
Manila Bulletin
Education matters
“We didn’t start the fire, it was always burning since the world’s been turning…” Do you know the famous song from Billy Joel in which he runs through more than one hundred post-World War II developments in less than 4 minutes (from Marilyn Monroe to the Suez Crisis, from the Berlin Wall to AIDS) ?
Philippine Star
ENERGY
Duterte ‘wants to learn more’ about nuclear, as Philippines prepares atomic energy plan
The Philippines will prepare a detailed plan for the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) on how it could embark on a nuclear power programme, its energy chief said on Wednesday, backing a push for the country to tap nuclear energy.
South China Morning Post
For this Batangas community, power means reducing electricity costs
The Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) had launched formally the revised rules of the Net-Metering Program, with a mass-housing community in Batangas cited as a showcase for this scheme that would allow consumers to lessen their monthly bill with their own power generator.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
PH still not ready for full nuclear energy program
The Department of Energy yesterday formally received an International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) report on the Philippines’ capability to adopt nuclear energy for electricity generation.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
POVERTY
TRAIN revenues, infra investments seen to ease poverty
If the infrastructure investments as a result of the higher revenue generated under the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) Act are included in the picture, the first tax package will ultimately cut poverty incidence, the Department of Finance said.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
SOCIAL WELFARE AND DEVELOPMENT
HOUSING
TOURISM
ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES
Suspension of mining operations in Mindanao sought following quakes
The Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) has been urged to suspend all mining operations in Mindanao and immediately conduct assessments to determine the stability of mine areas in the region in the wake of the recent earthquakes and the series of aftershocks.
Manila Bulletin
DENR bats for creation of Enforcement Bureau to protect forest rangers
An enforcement bureau must be established within the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) to effectively stop illegal logging and smuggling of wildlife species in the country, Environment Secretary Roy Cimatu said.
GMA News
Foreign buyer behind P2-B worth of giant clams seized in GenSan: DENR
Authorities are searching for a foreign buyer of some P2 billion worth of giant clams found in General Santos City, an environment official said Wednesday. The endangered giant clams were fossilized and could be used for cosmetics and decorations, according to DENR Undersecretary Benny Antiporda.
ABS-CBN News
Water crisis
INFORMATION, COMMUNICATION AND TECHNOLOGY
Facts about NSO Group, the Israeli firm accused of cyber espionage
Israeli spyware company NSO Group is accused by WhatsApp of cyber espionage targeting journalists, lawyers, human rights activists and others on the Facebook-owned messaging service.
Rappler
NTC regional chiefs ordered to coordinate with NDRRMC for ‘Undas’
The National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) has ordered its regional directors to coordinate with the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) as well as civil action groups and amateur radio groups to assist the public during the observance of this year’s “Undas.”
Philippine Daily Inquirer
DEVELOPMENT SECTOR
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