Palace condemns Eastern Samar NPA attack
Malacañang condemned the attack reportedly carried out by members of the New People’s Army (NPA) in Barangay Libuton, Borongan, Eastern Samar that left two dead and wounded several individuals, including three children and policemen Friday.
Manila Bulletin, Philippine News Agency, Manila Standard
New NPA attack in Eastern Samar condemned
The treacherous attack committed by the New People’s Army (NPA) that killed two and wounded several others on Friday has sparked outrage among officials in Eastern Visayas. In a statement issued Friday night, Eastern Samar Governor Ben Evardone said the local government was “appalled at the heinous acts of terror.”
Philippine News Agency
Military denounces NPA attack in Eastern Samar
The military condemned on Saturday the ambush perpetrated by suspected New People’s Army (NPA) rebels in Borongan, Eastern Samar that led to the death of a cop and an elderly woman, and wounding of several persons.
Manila Bulletin, GMA News
PNP condemns rebel attack in Eastern Samar
The Philippine National Police (PNP) condemned on Saturday the ambush allegedly perpetrated by local Communist rebels in Eastern Samar that left a policeman and a civilian dead and 13 others wounded.
Manila Bulletin
CHR to investigate Samar ambush allegedly involving NPA
The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) will conduct an independent probe into the recent ambush in Borongan, Eastern Samar, that allegedly involved members of the New People’s Army (NPA).
Philippine Daily Inquirer
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Gov't to ‘win game’ vs. communism: Andanar
Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary Martin Andanar has expressed confidence that President Rodrigo Duterte’s administration will “win the game” in addressing the decades-long communism in the country.
Philippine News Agency
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Marcos calls for Christmas truce between gov’t forces, NPA rebels
Senator Imee Marcos on Saturday called for a Christmas truce between the government and the New People’s Army (NPA) following an ambush that killed a cop and hurt civilians in Borongan, Eastern Samar yesterday.
Manila Bulletin
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Sr. Patricia Fox defends fellow missionary charged with perjury
Patricia Fox, the Australian nun who was deported by the government after working 27 years as a missionary in the Philippines, defended her colleague Sister Elenita Belardo, who had sought legal protection against military harassment, but was in turn accused of perjury by the National Security Adviser.
Rappler
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Ex-rebels’ halfway house to rise in Zambo Sibugay
Zamboanga Sibugay Gov. Wilter Yap Palma has urged former members of the New People’s Army (NPA) to convince their remaining comrades to surrender. Palma made the call as he led Friday the groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of a PHP5-million halfway house at the provincial capitol compound in Barangay Ipil Heights, Ipil, Zamboanga Sibugay.
Philippine News Agency
Army’s 302nd IB intensifies security patrols as CPP anniversary draws near
Colonel Noel Baluyan, commander of the 302nd Infantry Brigade, has ordered two of its battalions and all Citizen’s Armed Forces Geographical Units (Cafgu) here to intensify its security patrols and continue its combat operations against the New People’s Army (NPA).
Cebu Daily News
NTF-ELCAC behind extortion issue, says NPA-Negros spox
New People’s Army (NPA)-Negros Island spokesperson Ka Juanito Magbanua identifies the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict as the culprit behind the extortion issue against the NPA.
Communist Party of the Philippines
Peace Talks
Joma: Reds to withdraw from staged peace talks
The National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) will withdraw from peace talks with the government if the negotiations are just a “set-up,” its chief political consultant Jose Maria “Joma” Sison said on Saturday.
The Manila Times
Christmas ceasefires possible after ‘friendly’ back channel talks–Sison
Reciprocal unilateral ceasefires can be declared by both National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) forces and the Manila government during the Christmas season following successful “informal” talks between the NDFP and President Rodrigo Duterte’s envoys in The Netherlands last weekend.
Kodao
PNP: Samar ambush shows NPA’s ‘insincerity’ to give peace a chance
The latest ambush by the New People’s Army (NPA) in Borongan, Eastern Samar shows that they are “insincere” to give peace a chance, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said Saturday.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
Army in Caraga vows support for PRRD’s decision on peace talks
Top officials of the Philippine Army in Caraga Region assured the public that they will follow whatever the decision on President Rodrigo R. Duterte on the peace talks with the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) and its armed wing, the New People’s Army (NPA).
Philippine News Agency
Incidents/ Operations
Borongan ambush death toll rises to 3
THE death toll from the ambush in Borongan City, Eastern Samar climbed to three as two civilians were confirmed dead along with a policeman. Local officials in Eastern Samar have condemned the attack.
Sunstar Tacloban, The Manila Times
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Senate to tackle anti-terrorism, sin tax bills before Christmas break
Senate is expected to tackle the proposed anti-terrorism act and amendments on the sin tax reform bill before going on Christmas break, Senate President Vicente Sotto III said on Saturday.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
Misuari vows to help government in anti-terrorism efforts
Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) chair Nur Misuari promised President Rodrigo Duterte he will help the government in their efforts to wipe out terror groups in Mindanao, particularly in Sulu where the Abu Sayyaf group is actively operating.
Philippine Star
MARAWI
Military detonates 500-lb bomb in Marawi
The military’s Explosive and Ordnance Disposal Team detonated on Saturday, December 14, a 500-pound bomb that did not explode when dropped by an Air Force unit at the height of the five-month-long siege of Marawi City in 2017.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
SOUTHEAST ASIA AND THE WORLD
Jihadists execute 4 hostages in Nigeria – French NGO
Jihadists have executed 4 Nigerian hostages held since July, French aid group Action Against Hunger said, adding that one of its staff and two drivers were among those killed. The 4 were among 6 hostages abducted and held by the jihadists in northeastern Nigeria, the Paris-based NGO said.
Rappler
Hong Kong’s revolution is sliding into terrorism with home-made bombs primed to kill and maim
Yonden Lhatoo says radicals on the front lines of the city’s protest movement building powerful, improvised explosive devices are ticking all the defining boxes of textbook terrorism while we still argue over calling them rioters.
South China Morning Post
An Arsenal Star Criticized China’s Detention Camps. Fury Soon Followed.
The soccer club distanced itself after Mesut Özil condemned China’s mass detention of Uighurs. But Chinese state media, and sports fans, were not mollified.
The New York Times, CGTN
Japanese manga about a Uighur woman’s persecution in China becomes viral hit
In Tokyo A Japanese comic book telling the powerful and tragic tale of a 29-year-old Uighur woman from China has become a surprise viral hit. "What has happened to me — A testimony of a Uyghur woman" recounts the story told by Mihrigul Tursun, a member of the Muslim minority in western China that has faced relentless crackdowns from authorities in Beijing.
The Washington Post
Sweden: Confronting Reality
One problem is that the Swedish state itself contributes indirectly to the spread of extremism. The Swedish Security Service (Säpo) has found that a "relatively large" number of organizations with links to violent extremism have been using Sweden's state and municipal grant systems, which Säpo says could "contribute to radicalization and thus growth in extremist environments in Sweden."
Gatestone Institute
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Duterte appoints Misuari as special economic envoy to OIC
President Duterte appointed Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) founding chairman Nur Misuari as Special Economic Envoy on Islamic Affairs to the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) to usher in the speedy creation of the Bangsamoro Development Assistance Fund (BDAF), one of the remaining commitments contained in the Tripartite Review Process (TRP) carried out by the Philippine government, MNLF, and the OIC.
Manila Bulletin, GMA News, Philippine News Agency, Philippine Daily Inquirer, Rappler, ABS-CBN News
BARMM
Bangsamoro chief minister makes call for investments
Thanking Turkey for its support, Chief Minister of Bangsamoro Autonomous Government (BAG) Haji Murad Ebrahim invited investors to explore opportunities in his region. Speaking at the annual 28th International Congress of Muslim Communities Union in Ankara, Ebrahim said that under the transition agreement plan with the Philippine government led by Rodrigo Duterte, BAG is moving forward with an agenda of governance and development.
Anadolu Agency
BARMM earmarks P100 million for community, peace-building programs
The Bangsamoro local government ministry has earmarked a total of P100 million for 2020 community services and peace-building programs of the region’s cross-section police regional advisory council.
Philippine Star
PEACETALK: Let this generation be those who simply say ‘WE’ instead of ‘US’ or ‘THEM’
Acceptance speech of Bangsamoro Member of Parliament Zia Alonto Adiong as the 2019 TOYM Awardee for Government Service, on 13 December 2019 at the Centennial Hall of the Manila Hotel. Adiong is one of 10 TOYM awardees for 2019, and the lone Mindanawon
Mindanews
MAGUINDANAO AND COTABATO CITY
Pooled Editorial | December 19 and the quest for justice
On December 19, the day set by the Quezon City Regional Trial Court Branch 221 for the promulgation of its much-awaited verdict on the Ampatuan massacre, it will be 10 years and 25 days since the killings occurred in Maguindanao on November 23, 2009.
Bulatlat
Jail to be locked down for massacre verdict
The National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) will lock down the jail facility inside its Camp Bagong Diwa headquarters in Taguig City on Thursday for the much-awaited hearing where the Quezon City Regional Trial Court (RTC) is set to hand down its verdict on the 116 men charged for the 2009 massacre in Ampatuan, Maguindanao, that resulted in the death of 58 people, including 32 journalists.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
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Maguindanao Malasakit Center ‘big help’ to patients, says doc
The country’s 53rd Malasakit Center at the Maguindanao Provincial Hospital in Datu Hofer, Maguindanao, provides a reprieve to hundreds of indigent patients, a health official said Friday.
Philippine News Agency
NORTH COTABATO
LANAO PROVINCES
BASILAN
SULU
TAWI-TAWI
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DRUGS
PCOO’s anti-drug war documentary film ‘delighted’ Duterte
President Rodrigo Duterte was enthralled when he watched the government’s documentary film that tackles the gains and challenges of the current administration’s crackdown on illegal drugs, Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary Martin Andanar said on Friday.
Philippine News Agency
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If Bato’s US visa was cancelled, it was wrong — Sotto
Senate President Vicente Sotto III on Saturday defended Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa amid reports that the latter’s United States visa was cancelled over the alleged extrajudicial killings (EJKs) during the Duterte administration’s war against illegal drugs.
Manila Bulletin
Dela Rosa says no word yet from U.S. on supposed visa cancellation
Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa, former chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP), said on Saturday, December 14, that he has not received any official communication from the US regarding a report that his US visa was cancelled.
Rappler
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De Lima chides PNP for saying EJK reports were ‘rehashed, unfounded’
Opposition Senator Leila M. de Lima has taken to task the Philippine National Police (PNP) for downplaying reports of extra-judicial killings (EJKs) and abuses committed under the Duterte administration’s so-called war on drugs as “rehashed” and “unfounded.”
Manila Bulletin
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GMA Network statement on media personalities on drug watchlist
GMA Network strictly adheres to its company-wide drug-free policy. In line with this, the Network seeks to be informed of the names of the media personalities allegedly included in the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency's (PDEA) drug-watchlist to enable us to undertake appropriate measures as deemed necessary.
GMA News
Operations/ Incidents
P170-K shabu seized in Koronadal drug bust
Joint anti-drug operatives arrested an alleged drug courier and peddler from Maguindanao and recovered some PHP170,000 worth of suspected shabu in an entrapment operation here on Friday night.
Philippine News Agency
Recovery and Rehabilitation
ILLICIT FIREARMS, EXPLOSIVES, AND AMMUNITION
CROSS-BORDER TRADING/ SMUGGLING/ COUNTERFEIT GOODS
HUMAN TRAFFICKING
Chinese syndicates now into illegal recruitment, says crime advocate Ang-See
Anti-crime advocate Teresita Ang-See on Saturday said it is disturbing that Chinese syndicates have expanded their activities to include illegal recruitment of their countrymen.
GMA News
KIDNAPPING
WATCH: Cops rescue foreigners abducted, raped in Cavite
Members of Philippine National Police-Anti-Kidnapping Group (PNP-AKG) rescued three Chinese women who were allegedly abducted and sexually assaulted by six Chinese men in Cavite province.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
ILLEGAL GAMBLING
ILLICIT FINANCIAL TRANSACTIONS/ EXTORTION
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UP students stand up for climate justice, human rights during the 2019 Lantern Parade
The University of the Philippines (UP) Diliman just held its annual Lantern Parade, and true to form, it went beyond showcasing the creativity and resourcefulness of its students.
GMA News
Press Freedom/ Freedom of expression
Martial Law
Group: 66 political-related killings due to martial law
A TOTAL of 66 political-related killings in Davao Region were recorded, since President Rodrigo Duterte declared, in May 2017, martial law in Mindanao, a political activist group said. Karapatan Southern Mindanao secretary general Jay Apiag said majority of them are peasants and indigenous people.
Sunstar Davao
Zambo solon, police back non-extension of martial law
Second District Rep. Manuel Jose Dalipe II on Friday announced his support for President Rodrigo Duterte’s decision not to extend the imposition of martial law in Mindanao next year. Dalipe’s statement came after the President announced that martial law in Mindanao will not be extended after it expires on December 31.
Philippine News Agency
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Duterte bonds with boy, 5 suffering from leukemia
A five-year-old boy who is battling leukemia received an early Christmas present from no less than President Duterte on Friday.
Manila Bulletin
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Guevarra defends Duterte’s threat to have military take over water distribution in MM
Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra on Saturday, December 14, defended the declaration of President Rodrigo Duterte that the military could take over the water distribution operations from water concessionaires Manila Water and Maynilad.
Manila Bulletin, CNN Philippines
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PCIJ’s failure to get copy of Duterte’s SALN not contrary to transparency policy
Malacañang said the failure of the Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism (PCIJ) to obtain a copy of President Duterte’s Statement of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth (SALN) was not contrary to the Chief Executive’s campaign for transparency in government.
Manila Bulletin
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OFFICE OF THE VICE PRESIDENT
Robredo insists community should be made partner in local governance
Actively engaging the community as a partner of local governance, Vice President Leni Robredo emphasized once again the need for the government to involve people in crafting policies.
Manila Bulletin
VP Leni disowns fake post in social media
An online post showing Vice President Leni Robredo’s photo and her quote about water in connection with the issue against the country’s two biggest water concessionaires was fake, her office said.
Manila Bulletin
ELECTION RELATED
DISASTER
DSWD, LGUs report P49.8-million assistance extended to victims of typhoon ‘Tisoy’
The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and concerned local government units have so far provided P49.8-million worth of assistance to families affected by typhoon “Tisoy” (international name “Kammuri”) last December 2.
Manila Bulletin
MINDANAO
CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS
JUDICIARY
LEGISLATIVE
Senate of the Philippines
Sotto assures that there would be no repeat of delay in nat’l budget approval
Despite a protest by a colleague on the alleged last-minute “pork” insertions to the P4.1-trillion proposed 2020 national budget, Senate President Vicente Sotto III assured Saturday that there would be no repeat of the delay in the transmittal of the ratified General Appropriations Bill (GAB) to President Duterte.
Manila Bulletin
Lacson bares P7.2 trillion unused pork barrel funds culled since 2001
The Philippine government has an average of about P480 billion in unused appropriations or pork barrel funds every year for the past 15-year period covering the Arroyo and (Benigno ‘’Noynoy’’) Aquino presidencies ending in mid-2016.
Manila Bulletin
Gatchalian calls for enforcement of anti-bullying measures
Senator Sherwin "Win" Gatchalian on Saturday called on the Department of Education (DepEd) to strictly enforce and monitor anti-bullying measures in schools after results of a global education survey found that Filipino students were the most exposed to bullying.
GMA News
House of Representatives
2020 budget aligned with Duterte’s priorities – Ungab
President Duterte will only veto an inserted provision of the proposed 2020 General Appropriations Act if these are not in line with the priorities his administration have set or if these will not benefit the poor.
Manila Bulletin
Solon wants P90,000 be awarded to Filipinos who reach 90 yrs old
Senior Citizens partylist Rep. Francisco Datol Jr. is proposing that the cash reward of P100,000 being given to centenarians under the law, be granted “in advance” to the senior citizens upon reaching the age of 90.
Manila Bulletin
BUDGET, FINANCE, and TAXATION
Banks accelerate digital payments
Philippine banks are growing their digital financial services at a very fast rate and according to the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), digital payments will cover a full 100 percent of all transactions in less than 10 years.
Manila Bulletin
LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS (LGUs)
DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
Bilibid returnees die in Duterte administration blunders
In Malacañang on September 4, President Rodrigo Duterte issued a live television warning to heinous crime convicts who were previously released on good conduct time allowance (GCTA): surrender or be hunted. "If you do not, then beginning at this hour, you are a fugitive from justice," Duterte said, without citing a law, without a court order, and without so much a written memorandum, even though GCTA, once granted, can never be revoked.
Rappler
DEFENSE AND SECURITY
Armed Forces of the Philippines
PH Army to get training, weapons, ammo from US Navy
Before the year ends, the Philippine Army (PA) will receive small arms weapons, ammunition and military trainings from the United States Navy through its Navy International Programs Office (NIPO) as part of the continuing efforts to strengthen the two countries’ military cooperation.
Manila Bulletin
Philippine National Police
PNP to buy 25,120 pieces of assault rifles at the lowest price
The Philippine National Police (PNP) will be acquiring more than 25,000 pieces of Israel-made basic assault rifles that are expected to be used by policemen assigned to run after threat groups that include communist rebels and rogue Moro groups in Mindanao.
Manila Bulletin
Sinas denies maltreating lady TV reporter
The office of Brig. Gen. Debold Sinas, director of the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO), denied on Saturday that he physically stopped a female TV reporter from interviewing him during the security inspection for the Traslacion 2020.
Manila Bulletin
PNP in Luzon, Visayas placed on full alert status for holiday season
Police forces in Luzon and the Visayas were placed under the highest security alert status in order to maximize the security plan for the holiday season.
Manila Bulletin
1,314 pass November 2019 PNPA Cadet Admission Exams
More than 1,000 examinees passed the November 2019 Philippine National Police Academy College Admission Test (PNPACAT), the country’s police academy announced on Saturday.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
ECONOMY AND INVESTMENTS
BUILD, BUILD, BUILD and PUBLIC WORKS
OFFICIAL DEVELOPMENT ASSISTANCE
AUDIT, GRAFT, AND CORRUPTION
FOREIGN RELATIONS
West Philippine Sea
LABOR
TRANSPORTATION
Cu explains high Grab fares
Limited cars to serve a big number of passengers this holiday season has resulted in higher fare rates and difficulty in booking a ride. This was the explanation of Grab Philippines on Saturday to commuter complaints of exorbitant Grab fares.
Manila Bulletin
NAIA’s runway 13-31 closed after minor mishap
The Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) runway 13-31 was closed for operations early today after an Airbus A320 jet with 140 passengers and crew on board made an excursion towards the Runway Safety Area (RSA – grassy area) while positioning for takeoff.
Manila Bulletin
PH re-elected to int’l maritime body
The Philippines has been re-elected as a member of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) Council under Category C for Biennium 2020 to 2021, during the 31st Session of the IMO Assembly at the IMO Headquarters in London on Nov. 29.
Philippine News Agency
HEALTH
DOH hopeful on list of maximum prices of medicines
The Department of Health (DOH) has expressed hopes that their proposed imposition of maximum drug retail prices (MDRP) on certain medicines will immediately be approved by President Duterte.
Manila Bulletin
FOOD AND AGRICULTURE
A ten-year plan for rice
The opening up of our rice market to imports under the Rice Tariffication Act (RTA) will be good to our country in the long run. The retail price of rice will moderate in line with the world market price to the benefit of consumers and the economy as a whole.
Manila Bulletin
ASF contained in Quezon City? Belmonte says no new cases in past 30 days
Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte said that African swine fever (ASF) has been contained in her city as no new cases have been recorded in the past month. In a statement on Saturday, December 14, Belmonte said there has been "no new positive blood tests reported since November 13 and no ASF-related death in the past 30 days."
Rappler
EDUCATION
PH studies program launched in Madrid university
A program in Philippine Studies was launched at the Universidad Complutense de Madrid in Spain on Friday, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) announced.
Manila Bulletin
DepEd lauds ALS teachers for mentoring the ‘last, the lost, and the least’
Amid a myriad of challenges, the Department of Education (DepEd) continues to encourage Alternative Learning System (ALS) teachers to set the standard of excellence in the delivery of quality basic education to the “last, the lost, and the least.”
Manila Bulletin
ENERGY
POVERTY
[OPINION] P10,727 a month? Why numerical estimates shouldn't be taken that seriously
As a former lecturer on statistics and quantitative analysis, I was very fond of numbers, figures, and estimates. In fact, I used to tell my students that statistics can estimate just about anything! As long as you have the right sampling technique, adequate sampling size, and you declare your margin of error, then you can make estimates about any characteristic of a certain population. This is what "inferential statistics" is all about.
Rappler
SOCIAL WELFARE AND DEVELOPMENT
HOUSING
TOURISM
ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES
Vizcaya group opposed to mining questions DILG move
An environmental group in Nueva Vizcaya has called on residents around a copper and gold mine in the province to man the “people’s barricade” to stop the continued operation of an Australian mining company whose license had expired.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
When communities uphold climate justice
More than four years ago, 18 individuals — mostly farmers, fisherfolk, workers and concerned Filipino citizens who bear the brunt of the impacts of climate change — and 14 Filipino nonprofit environmental and human rights organizations filed a petition before the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) to investigate the responsibility of 47 investor-owned fossil fuel and cement companies (collectively called the “Carbon Majors”) for human rights violations or threats stemming from climate change impacts.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
Water crisis
INFORMATION, COMMUNICATION AND TECHNOLOGY
PCOO releases PH quincentennial brand manual
The Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) has released a “brand manual” that will serve as a guide for the next 500 days to the quincentennial commemoration of the world circumnavigation in 2021.
Philippine News Agency
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