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Communist Rebellion
Duterte considers communists as 'friends'
Nearly a week after announcing his plan to revive peace talks with the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP), President Rodrigo Duterte on Tuesday said he sees the communist insurgents as his "friends." The President said he could not be totally harsh on the members of the CPP, including its armed wing, the New People's Army (NPA), because he was able to establish good relations with them.
Philippine News Agency

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63 minor combatants killed, surrendered in Mindanao
From January 2019 to date, at least 63 minor combatants of the New People’s Army (NPA) whose age ranges from 12 to 17 have either been killed or surrendered to authorities during armed confrontations in Northern Mindanao and Caraga regions, the military said Tuesday.
Manila Bulletin

4ID welcomes CHR probe on NPA recruitment of minors
In the pursuit of finally ending the recruitment of minors of the Communist Terrorist Groups (CTGs), 4th Infantry “Diamond” Division, Philippine Army welcomes the decision of the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) to probe the NPAs recruitment of minors.
Kalinaw News

Dela Rosa thinks 90% of university students still pro-gov’t
Sen. Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa claimed Tuesday that most university students, or about 90 percent of them, were pro-government, while the remaining 10 percent were leftists or communists.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

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Lend a hand to bring Joma home, Dutch embassy urged
Dissatisfied with the outcome of their meeting with representatives from the Dutch Embassy on their call to bring back Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) founder Jose Maria Sison to the Philippines, anti-communist group League of Parents of the Philippines (LPP) on Tuesday protested anew in front of the embassy's office in Makati City.
Philippine News Agency

EU exec to help halt flow of foreign funds to CPP-NPA
Expressing concern over reports about international funding to communist-linked organizations in the Philippines, a member of the European Union (EU) Parliament vowed to help the Philippine government put a stop to the flow of financial support.
Philippine News Agency

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Resist Looming Tyranny & Human Rights Attack
The Christians for National Liberation joins the international community this year 2019 in commemorating the 71st Anniversary of Human Rights Day. Pope Francis aptly describes human rights that include the unfair economic structures creating huge inequalities.
Communist Party of the Philippines

Ipagbunyi ang buhay-at-kamatayang pakikibaka ni Ka Romano!
Pulang Saludo sa Tatlong Martir ng Antipolo. Nagbibigay ng pinakamataas na pagpupugay ang Apolonio Mendoza Command-NPA at ang buong rebolusyunaryong kilusan sa lalawigan ng Quezon kina Kasamang Ermin Bellen, mas kilalang Ka Romano at sa dalawa pang kasamang sina Jose Villahermosa at Lucio Simburoto.
Communist Party of the Philippines

Papanagutin ang AFP-PNP sa patuloy na pagbinbin ng mga labi ni Kasamang Ermin Bellen
Mariing kinokondena ng National Democratic Front of the Philippines-Southern Tagalog (NDFP-ST) ang rehimeng Duterte sa kawalan ng habag at di makataong pagkakait sa pamilya na makuha ang mga labi ng kanilang mahal sa buhay. 
Communist Party of the Philippines

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Labor groups urge gov’t to end red-tagging of trade unions
Various labor groups in the Philippines held protest actions on Tuesday to commemorate International Human Rights Day and to call for an end to the red-tagging of trade union members and activists.
GMA News

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Reds duplicity prevents kin from reclaiming body of slain rebel
Further proof of communist rebels' duplicity and deceit is further gleaned from the family of a ranking New People's Army (NPA) leader, killed in a clash with government troops in Antipolo City, Rizal, which cannot recover his body and give it a decent burial as he is known by another name in the rebel movement, a ranking official of the National Task Force to End  Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF ELCAC) said Monday.
Philippine News Agency

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CPP-NPA declared Persona Non Grata in Kitaotao, Bukidnon
A Peace –Building Seminar (PBS) initiated by the 3rd Infantry Battalion in partnership with LGU of Kitaotao, Bukidnon concluded on Sunday, December 8 with the declaration of CPP-NPA-NDF as Persona Non Grata by residents of Brgy Sinuda and Brgy Kipilas of Kitaotao, Bukidnon.
Kalinaw News

Davao Norte town creates ‘peace protocol’ after NPA clash
With the recent clash between the New People’s Army (NPA) and government troops in neighboring areas, this municipality has established a "peace protocol" to further secure the town from the threats of insurgency.
Philippine News Agency

Lanao Norte gov warns village execs vs failure to back counterinsurgency campaign
The governor of Lanao del Norte province warned village offficials in the province they faced serious legal consequences if they failed to report communist rebel presence or if they supported the insurgents.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

People’s participation against communists urged
THE joint Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and Philippine National Police (PNP) Area Clearing Validation Board (ACVB) in the Cordillera Region is set to release its list of areas cleared of threats from members of the communist terrorist groups or CTGs.
Sunstar Baguio

NPA has become irrelevant, says military chief in N. Luzon
The chief of the Armed Forces’ Northern Luzon Command (Nolcom) has described the New People’s Army (NPA) as “irrelevant” even as President Rodrigo Duterte expressed his renewed interest in resuming peace talks with the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP).
Philippine Daily Inquirer

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53 NPA fighters yield in Zambo Norte localized peace deal
The formal surrender of 53 communist New People’s Army (NPA) rebels here, followed by their oath of allegiance to the government, highlighted the "3rd and Final Localized Peace Engagement" on Tuesday with the local units of the communist rebel movement in this province.
Philippine News Agency

Subanens hold peace rally as NPA leaders finalize peace talks
While the 53 members of New People’s Army (NPA) and their leaders were on the final stretch of the peace negotiations with government officials, Subanen groups and non-governmental organizations held a “peace rally” outside the Convention and Sports Center here on Tuesday.
Philippine News Agency

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13 NPA rebels surrender in Sarangani
At least 13 members of the New People’s Army (NPA), some of them facing various charges, surrendered on Monday to military and police authorities in Sarangani province.
Philippine News Agency

Following the death of Notorious Southern tagalog NPA Commander, NPA Terrorists surrender firearms
Four days after the death of a notorious terrorist leader, three NPAs surrendered high-powered firearms to government forces at Quezon Province’s town of Lucban on Monday.
Kalinaw News, Philippine Daily Inquirer

Peace Talks

Gov’t, Reds need to KO ‘hardliners’ to revive peace talks: former ceasefire chief
President Rodrigo Duterte’s last-ditch attempt to resuscitate peace talks with Maoist rebels will require both sides to rein in hardliners and to be open to negotiate despite continued hostilities on the ground, the government panel’s former ceasefire chief said Tuesday.
ABS-CBN News

Joma claims Duterte admin ‘not really interested’ with peace talks
Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) founder Jose Maria Sison on Tuesday expressed belief that the Duterte administration is not really interested with resuming peace talks with the communists.
GMA News

Faith-based peace group urges gov’t to resume peace talks with communists
Cause-oriented group Philippine Ecumenical Peace Platform (PEPP) urged the Duterte administration to resume peace negotiations with the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDF) and work for a comprehensive settlement of the decades-long conflict.
Manila BulletinPhilippine News Agency

Rights group supports resumption of gov’t-NDF peace talks
Human rights group Karapatan has strongly supported the resumption of the peace talks between the government and the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDF).
Manila Bulletin

Solon warns of Reds' insincerity during peace talks
Senator Ronald dela Rosa on Tuesday assailed the communist rebels for their "insincerity" during peace talks, warning that the Reds' willingness to resume talks with the government could just be another ploy to give space to rebels who are cornered by state security forces.
Philippine News Agency, Rappler

Negros Church leader to gov’t: Free jailed Reds to bring peace talks back to life
A ranking Church leader in the province of Negros Occidental called for the release of top rebel leaders, including priest Frank Fernandez, to revive peace negotiations between the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) and the government.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Incidents/ Operations    


 
Extremism
Sotto: Anti-terrorism bill gives gov’t teeth, makes martial law unnecessary
Senate President Vicente Sotto III on Tuesday assured the public again of the passage of the bill strengthening the country’s anti-terrorism law so there will be no need for martial law in Mindanao.
Manila Bulletin

AFP to push for tougher anti-terrorism law as Mindanao martial law ends
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said it would continue to push for a tougher law against terrorism, as President Rodrigo Duterte declared that he would no longer extend martial law in Mindanao.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

MARAWI 

Hataman moves to save P4-B unreleased Marawi rehab funds
Malacañang, Task Force Bangon Marawi (TFBM), should do everything it can to “save” the more than P4 billion in unreleased Marawi rehabilitation funds from expiring, Deputy Speaker and Basilan lone district Rep. Mujiv Hataman said Tuesday.
Manila Bulletin, Manila Standard

Marawi residents on ending martial law: “long overdue”
The news that President Rodrigo Duterte would not ask for a fourth extension of martial law in Mindanao beyond December 31, 2019 was widely cheered by war-weary residents in Marawi City on Tuesday. “It’s about time. This was long overdue but we welcome this development,” Drieza Liningding, chair of the Moro Consensus Group said.
Mindanews, Cebu Daily News

SOUTHEAST ASIA AND THE WORLD


Is organised crime fuelling terror groups in Liptako-Gourma?
Illicit activities such as weapon, drug, motorcycle and fuel trafficking, cattle rustling, artisanal gold mining and poaching are at the heart of terror groups’ survival. These activities also finance their establishment and expansion.
Institute for Security Studies

Russia foils 50 terrorist crimes in 2019
Russian law enforcement agencies have prevented 50 terrorist crimes from happening so far this year, Director of the Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) Alexander Bortnikov said Tuesday.
Xinhua

Islamist extremism remains dominant UK terror threat, say experts
The attack on London Bridge shows the Islamist threat remains strong in the UK, counter-terrorism and counter-extremism experts have said, warning against complacency.
The Guardian

Kuwait Bolsters Efforts to Combat Terrorism, Dry Up Its Sources
A Kuwaiti official affirmed Monday that his country has launched efforts at national and international levels to combat terrorism and violent extremism and dry up their sources.
Asharq Al-Awsat

Commentary: Xinjiang's human rights progress an indisputable fact
The progress made in the field of human rights protection in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region is a hard fact that cannot be disputed. Human rights include first and foremost the rights to life, subsistence and development. For Xinjiang, a vast borderland of challenging terrain, much has been done to develop the local economy, thus granting the people a better life.
Xinhua
 
Bangsamoro
BARMM 

MILF base commanders gather; propose dev’t plans, programs
Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) base commanders in Mindanao converged here to recommend how to transform their areas into peaceful and progressive communities.
Philippine News Agency

Performance management training for BTA staff held
The Office of the Parliament Speaker organized a three-day ‘Total Performance Management (TPM)’ training for Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) administrative officers on December 6 to 8, 2019 in Cotabato City.
NDBC News

Lidasan: Bitiala session on the role of CSOs in BARMM
IN MY previous article, I ask the question, where are the CSOs in BARMM? What role fo they play in the transition? To answer these question, the Al Qalam Institute for Islamic Identities and Dialogue in Southeast Asia of the Ateneo de Davao University conducted a Workshop on the Role of CSOs in the Bangsamoro.
Sunstar Davao

Australia to assist MinDA on BARMM livelihood projects
The Australian government will partner with the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) in its implementation of livelihood projects in Sulu and Lanao del Sur envisioned at linking the Bangsamoro region to the multi-billion dollar global Halal industry, according to agency Chairman Manny Piñol.
Manila Bulletin

MAGUINDANAO AND COTABATO CITY 

SC allows live coverage of promulgation of Maguindanao massacre decision
The Supreme Court (SC) on Tues­day decided to allow live media cover­age of the December 19 promulgation of the trial court’s decision on the 2009 Maguindanao massacre where 58 persons died, 32 of them media practitioners.
Manila Bulletin, GMA NewsPhilippine News Agency, Rappler, Business Mirror, CNN Philippines

Solons hail SC move to allow live media coverage of Maguindanao case decision
Members of the House of Representatives lauded the Supreme Court (SC) Tuesday for granting media’s appeal for them to allow the live coverage of the promulgation of the decision on the decade-old Maguindanao massacre case.
Manila Bulletin

Andanar vows 'complete' live coverage of Ampatuan massacre ruling
State-run broadcast firm People's Television Network (PTV) will have a "complete, secure, and truthful" coverage of the promulgation of the ruling on the 2009 Maguindanao massacre, Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary Martin Andanar assured Tuesday.
Philippine News Agency, Philippine Daily Inquirer

Camp Bagong Diwa to go on lockdown Dec. 18, 19: NCRPO
The National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) on Tuesday said a lockdown will be implemented in Camp Bagong Diwa in Taguig City from December 18 to 19. "Hindi muna (papayagan ang visitation), para maka-focus kami sa promulgation [Visitation is not allowed for us to be focused on promulgation]," NCRPO acting chief, Brig. Gen. Debold Sinas said in a press briefing.
Philippine News Agency

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Mayor Sayadi wants ML to stay, saying it helped improved city peace and order
If she had her way, Cotabato City Mayor Cynthia Guiani-Sayadi prefers that Martial Law in Mindanao stays. “We want the retention of Martial Law because of the atrocities in the nearby municipalities,” Sayadi said.
NDBC News

Cops seize high-powered guns in Maguindanao
Police seized assorted high powered firearms during a raid on a house in South Upi, Maguindanao on Monday. Maj. Esmael Madin, chief of the police’s Criminal Investigation and Detection Group in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (CIDG-BARMM), identified the target of the operation as Roderick Platon, of Barangay Looy in South Upi town.
Philippine News Agency

Families displaced by Maguindanao clashes cry for help
As government forces battle terrorists in the central Mindanao province of Maguindanao, thousands of people are forced to leave their homes and stay in flimsy makeshift booths in coconut groves and other open spaces.
Rappler

NORTH COTABATO

LANAO PROVINCES

BASILAN

SULU 


PH, Indonesia to renew commitment in watching over Sulu-Celebes Sea
Maritime security concerns in the Sulu-Celebes Sea, like kidnap for ransom and terrorism, are expected to be addressed as the Philippines and Indonesia renew their commitment to enforce security in the said sea.
Manila Bulletin

TAWI-TAWI 


P34M worth of suspected shabu seized in Tawi-Tawi; 3 nabbed
Combined operatives from the military, the police, and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) seized suspected shabu worth P34 million during a buy-bust operation in Tawi-Tawi on Tuesday.
GMA News, NDBC News, Mindanews, Sunstar Zamboanga
 
Shadow Economies
DRUGS

Robredo to release ‘report to the nation’ on Dec. 16
Vice President Leni Robredo said on Tuesday she will release her findings on the drug war in a “report to the nation” on December 16, Monday, after the country’s hosting of the 30th Southeast Asian (SEA) Games.
Manila Bulletin, Manila Standard, Philippine Star

Robredo calls for justice, support for families orphaned by drug war, rehab for drug users
Vice President Leni Robredo on Monday called for justice and support for orphans and family members who lost their loved ones to drug war killings on top of improved community-based rehabilitation for drug users to mark the International Human Rights Day, saying it is everybody’s responsibility to ease the burden of their fellowmen. 
GMA News

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Dela Rosa says ‘ninja cops’ issue affected him because he endorsed Albayalde
While President Rodrigo Duterte did not confront him on the controversy involving resigned Philippine National Police chief Oscar Albayalde, Senator Ronald dela Rosa said he was still affected by the issue because he was the one who endorsed the latter to be his successor.
GMA News, Manila Bulletin

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Selling of drugs now online, says police official
Selling of illegal drugs, in particular methamphetamine hydrochloride or locally known as shabu, has been “upgraded” or has changed its approach, a police officer here said.
Mindanews

Operations/ Incidents

Chinese member of ‘big time’ drug syndicate nabbed at Naia
A Chinese man, suspected to be a member of a “big-time” international drug syndicate linked to operations of several shabu laboratories in the country was apprehended at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (Naia), the Bureau of Immigration (BI) reported Tuesday.
Philippine Daily Inquirer, Manila Bulletin

P192-M illegal drugs destroyed in Cebu
A total of PHP192.2 million worth of illegal drugs under the custody of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) and various Philippine National Police Crime Laboratory Offices (PNP-CLOs) in Central Visayas were destroyed through thermal incineration on Tuesday. 
Philippine News Agency

2 drug suspects killed in drug bust
TWO drug personalities from Marawi City were killed in a drug bust in Zonta, Seaside, Purok 4-A, Barangay 23-C, Boulevard, Davao City Tuesday, December 10. Almost a million worth of illegal drugs were seized.
Sunstar Davao

P8.2M ‘shabu’ seized in Marikina may be linked to PNP’s ‘biggest 2019 drug haul’
The P8.2 million worth of crystal meth, locally known as shabu, seized in a buy-bust operation in Marikina City on Monday could be linked to the P2.5 billion worth of illegal drugs earlier confiscated from a Chinese national in Makati City.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Recovery and Rehabilitation

Bacolod City drug rehab center seen to open next year
The PHP35-million Bacolod City Drug Treatment and Rehabilitation Center (BCDTRC) is expected to open next year as about 75 percent of the facility has already been constructed.  
Philippine News Agency

ILLICIT FIREARMS, EXPLOSIVES, AND AMMUNITION

CROSS-BORDER TRADING/ SMUGGLING/ COUNTERFEIT GOODS  

HUMAN TRAFFICKING

KIDNAPPING


PNP to probe alleged kidnapping in Makati
The Philippine National Police-Anti Kidnapping Group (PNP-AKG) on Tuesday said it would conduct a probe on the alleged kidnapping of a Chinese woman in Makati City.
Philippine News Agency

Chinese abducting POGO workers ‘fairly common’ – Makati investigator
Abductions of Chinese online gaming workers have become a fairly frequent occurrence in the cities of Makati, Muntinlupa, and Parañaque, said Makati Police Investigation Unit chief Major Gideon Ines Jr on Tuesday, December 10.
Rappler

Number of Chinese kidnapped in PH jumps by 71% in 2019
The number of kidnapped Chinese has risen by 71% from 2018 to 2019, according to the latest data from the Philippine National Police (PNP) Anti-Kidnapping Group (AKG).
Rappler

Actress Gabby Padilla on Duterte: 'Didn’t he promise you safer streets?'
Gabby Padilla is, perhaps, best known for playing strong and courageous characters on the silver screen. And her outspokeness, it turns out, is a real life trait as well.
Rappler

ILLEGAL GAMBLING

ILLICIT FINANCIAL TRANSACTIONS/ EXTORTION

 
Land Issues
Farmer beneficiaries share joy, hopes on gov’t housing project
Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries (ARB) who are in need of decent and affordable housing are taking advantage of the new program launched by the government through the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) and newly-established Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD).
Philippine News Agency

 
Indigenous Peoples
Protection of IPs alive, robust in PH: NCIP
Contrary to the bad picture being painted by communist-linked groups, an official of the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) said the protection of indigenous peoples in the Philippines is alive and robust.
Philippine News Agency


Removing tax exemptions of coops adverse to farmers, IPs
A top official of the Cooperative Development Authority (CDA) on Monday said imposing a tax on cooperatives will have a negative impact on the growth of farmers and indigenous peoples (IPs), who are organized and empowered through cooperativism.
Philippine News Agency 

[ANALYSIS] Aetas and New Clark City: Trampling on human rights of our first peoples
Beneath the glitz and glamor of the New Clark City (NCC), one of the venues of the 30th SEA Games hosted by the Philippines, lies an insidious reality – the forcible displacement of the Aetas from their ancestral domain. The 9,450 hectare-development located in Capas, Tarlac, encroaches on the land over which the Aetas have been living since time immemorial.
Rappler

Unlisted no more: Sama Bajaus in Zamboanga City get birth certificates
For the first time, members of the Sama Bajau group in Zamboanga City were given birth registration certificates by the local government of Zamboanga City, in cooperation with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF).
ABS-CBN News


 
Human Rights
CHR urges Filipinos: Celebrate, defend human rights every day
The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) has called on Filipinos to celebrate and defend human rights every day, and not only on the commemoration of the International Human Rights Day.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

LAWLESSNESS IN THE PHILIPPINES UNDER DUTERTE
The land is the Philippines, the law is President Rodrigo Duterte, and the method is fear. This was the situation this year as Duterte's term hit its halfway mark in 2019.
Rappler

On Human Rights Day, fight vs abuses continues amid crackdown under Duterte
Groups on Tuesday, December 10, reminded Filipinos the importance of stadning up against repressive policies and fighting for human rights despite massive crackdown under the Duterte administration.
Rappler

Pledge to uphold human rights, gov’t workers told
Government workers were reminded on Tuesday to uphold human rights by taking seriously the words found in a “Human Rights Pledge” crafted especially for them, a Palace official said on Tuesday.
Philippine News Agency

Church leaders, advocates say human rights ‘deteriorating’ in Visayas
Human rights has deteriorated in the Visayas, human rights defenders and leaders from the Catholic Church said here on Tuesday, December 10. “It’s deteriorating on all fronts,” Fr. Jose Bagadiong, a Catholic priest of the Society of the Divine Word, told Rappler on the sidelines of Task Force Detainees of the Philippines’ Human Rights Day event in Cebu City.
Rappler

Velez: Why protest still matters
A FEW months ago, a taxi driver drove pass a rally. He looked at the rallyists, their placards bearing messages of human rights and ending Martial Law. He then shared his thought to his passenger about the futility of rallies.
Sunstar Davao

On Int’l Human Rights Day, De Lima urges youth to fight injustices, speak truth to power
On International Human Rights Day, detained Senator Lelia de Lima urged Filipino youth to use their voices to speak the truth and stand up against injustices to inspire change as violations against human rights continue all over the world, including the Philippines.
GMA News, Manila Bulletin

Reproductive rights are human rights
Yesterday, the world marked Human Rights Day, which is, among other occasions, the culmination of the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence. The 16-day event begins on Nov. 25, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, and runs until Dec. 10.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Iloilo mayor apologizes to LGBTQ community for anti-gay slur
Mayor Jerry Treñas on Tuesday apologized to the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) community a day after he used an anti-gay slur in castigating courts dealing with the legal dispute of rival power distribution firms.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Press Freedom/ Freedom of expression

154 attacks, threats vs. journalists recorded from 2016 to 2019 —report
A total of 154 attacks or threats against journalists were recorded between the start of President Rodrigo Duterte’s term in June 2016 and December 5, 2019, according to a report by a network of media entities.
GMA News


Bono defends free press in PHL: ‘The safety of journalists is very important’
U2 frontman Bono, who’s in the Philippines for the band’s first-ever Manila concert, spoke up about the importance of press freedom in the country. “I have a very deep conviction about journalism,” the singer told the press on Tuesday.
GMA News, Philippine Daily Inquirer

Martial Law 


Duterte won’t seek another martial law extension in Mindanao
President Duterte will not seek another extension of martial law in Mindanao following the weakening of the terrorist rebellion in the south, Malacañang announced Tuesday.
Manila Bulletin, GMA NewsPhilippine News Agency, Rappler, Business World Online, Philippine Star, Sunstar Davao, The New York Times

AFP happy with PRRD decision to lift martial law in Mindanao
The Armed of the Philippines (AFP) on Tuesday welcomed President Rodrigo R. Duterte's decision heeding its recommendation not to extend martial law in Mindanao.
Philippine News Agency

‘Wise and compassionate’: solons laud Duterte’s decision not to extend martial law in Mindanao
Lawmakers on Tuesday agreed with President Rodrigo Duterte’s “wise and compassionate” decision not to extend martial law in Mindanao beyond Dec. 31 this year, the date it expires.
Manila BulletinPhilippine News Agency 

Dela Rosa supports Duterte decision not to extend martial law in Mindanao
Senator Ronald Dela Rosa on Tuesday expressed support for President Rodrigo Duterte's decision to no longer extend martial law in Mindanao when it expires on December 31. “Pwede na para sa akin; I am from Mindanao,” Dela Rosa told reporters.
GMA News

Lifting of Mindanao martial law shouldn’t have preconditions —Makabayan solons
There should be no preconditions attached to the non-extension of martial law in Mindanao by the end of the year, progressive lawmakers in the House of Representatives said Tuesday.
GMA News

AFP vows to sustain its gains in Mindanao after over 2 years of martial law
Following President Rodrigo Duterte's decision to no longer extend martial law in Mindanao, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Tuesday vowed to continue working with local officials and the residents in the region to sustain the gains brought by military rule in the area for more than two years.
GMA News

Editorial: No more martial law in 2020
AFTER more than two years, martial law in Mindanao will end after Malacañang announced on Tuesday, December 10, that President Rodrigo Duterte will no longer extend it.
Sunstar Davao

 
Governance

Duterte suggests revolutionary government ‘to correct everything’
President Duterte has proposed anew the establishment of a revolutionary government “to correct everything” amid the water concession controversy.
Manila Bulletin

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Duterte meets, honors award-winning Army marksmen
A known gun enthusiast, President Duterte has recognized a team of Philippine Army (PA) shooters which bagged 22 medals in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Armies Rifles Meet (AARM) 2019 in Indonesia last month.
Manila Bulletin

Duterte feels sorry for Edsa congestion
President Rodrigo Duterte on Tuesday sympathized with commuters due to crippling traffic jams in the Philippine capital, including on Edsa (Epifanio delos Santos Avenue), the busiest highway in the metropolis.
Philippine News Agency

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PH streets remain safe, says Palace spokesperson
The country’s streets remain safe, but the public must stay vigilant and report any suspicious behavior of individuals to the police, Malacañang said Tuesday.
Manila Bulletin, Rappler

Gov’t intensifies drive to address poverty
Government agencies have joined forces to step up the campaign against hunger in the country. A memorandum of understanding (MOU) to implement a concerted and targeted “#GoodbyeGutom program” was sealed by member-agencies of the Human Development and Poverty Reduction Cabinet Cluster in Malacañang Monday.
Manila Bulletin

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Duterte: ‘I will expropriate everything’ if water companies don’t explain bad deals
Revealing his “last card” for dealing with the water controversy, President Rodrigo Duterte has threatened to “expropriate everything” if he is not satisfied with the explanations of the persons involved in the alleged onerous water distribution contracts.
Manila Bulletin, Rappler

Manila Water, Maynilad: We're not public utility companies
Concessionaires Manila Water and Maynilad Water Services reiterated that they are not public utility companies, despite delivering water to households in Metro Manila and nearby areas.
Rappler

Manila Water, Maynilad won't pursue payment from gov't
Water concessionaires Manila Water and Maynilad on Tuesday said they would no longer ask the government to pay them more than PHP10-billion they got in the arbitral award as compensation for losses and damages in the non-implementation of water rate hikes a few years ago.
Philippine News Agency, Rappler

Water companies: ‘We will abide by what the President wants’
Apparently succumbing to public and government pressure, water concessionaires Manila Water Co., Inc. and Maynilad Water Services, Inc. Tuesday declared they will no longer collect from government the total P11.8 billion they won through a Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) ruling.
Manila Bulletin

Water firms still liable even if onerous provisions scrapped
Malacañang on Tuesday said Maynilad Water Services Inc. and Manila Water Co. may still face economic sabotage charges even if the supposed onerous provisions in the water concession agreements are scrapped.
Philippine News Agency

Ex-Presidents Ramos, Arroyo may be sued over water deals – Palace
Former Presidents Fidel V. Ramos and Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo may be charged if they could be proven to have connived in the crafting of the “onerous” 1997 agreements with Manila Water and Maynilad to distribute water in Metro Manila and nearby areas.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

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Bono's 'soft message' to President Duterte: 'You can't compromise on human rights'
U2 frontman Bono, together with Senator Richard Gordon, and US Ambassador Sung Kim met with members of the press at the Philippine Red Cross (PRC) Headquarters on Tuesday to launch PRC's partnership with drone delivery service Zipline.
GMA News, Rappler, CNN Philippines

Bono says he has no plans to visit President Duterte
Bono is in the country for U2’s first-ever Manila show on Wednesday, but he has “no plans” to pay President Rodrigo Duterte a visit.
GMA News

Southeast Asian Games (SEAG)

Panelo: Cayetano presumed innocent until proven otherwise
House Speaker Alan Cayetano is presumed innocent until proven otherwise in the investigation on alleged irregularities in the country’s hosting of the Southeast Asian Games, a Palace official said Tuesday.
Manila Bulletin, GMA News

MMDA: Expect heavy traffic on Edsa for SEA Games closing; avoid yellow lane
Motorists must expect heavy traffic congestion on Wednesday (Dec. 11) on EDSA and other major thoroughfares because of the closing ceremony of the 30th Southeast Asian (SEA) Games, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) said.
Manila Bulletin

OFFICE OF THE VICE PRESIDENT

VP Leni cites gov’t responsibility to uphold human rights
Vice President and opposition leader Leni Robredo on Tuesday emphasized the crucial role of the government in upholding human rights and protecting the citizens from any form of abuses.
Manila Bulletin

ELECTION RELATED

DISASTER

MINDANAO

Mindanao's 1st modern PUVs launched in CDO
Mindanao's first batch of modern public utility jeepneys (PUJs) has started its maiden route on Tuesday, as part of the Land Transportation Franchising Regulatory Board's (LTFRB) Public Utility Vehicle (PUV) Modernization program.
Philippine News Agency

CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS

DILG leads campaign to gain support for constitutional amendments
The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) and the Inter-Agency Task Force on Constitutional Reform (Task Force CORE) have been assured of the support of 256 local chief executives and hundreds more local officials from 60 provinces for the government’s campaign of its proposed amendments to the Constitution.
Manila Bulletin

JUDICIARY

Defensor thanks SC for allowing transfer of Batocabe murder case to Manila
Anakalusugan partylist Rep. Mike Defensor has thanked the Supreme Court for allowing the transfer of the murder case of former Rep. Rodel Batocabe to Manila from Legazpi City, even as he assured that the Lower Chamber would keenly keep an eye on the case until justice is served.
Manila Bulletin

LEGISLATIVE

Senate of the Philippines

Senate starts deliberating on bill creating water agency
The Senate will start tackling tomorrow, December 11, the proposals for the creation of an agency to handle water resources management, sewerage and sanitation in the country.
Manila Bulletin, GMA News

Duterte not endorsing Prime Water to take over concessions – Villar
Senator Cynthia Villar on Tuesday downplayed claims that President Duterte was building up her family’s Prime Water Infrastructure Corp. to replace Manila Water Company, Inc. and Maynilad Water Services, Inc. as Metro Manila’s water concessionaire.
Manila Bulletin, GMA News

Senate panel takes up issues on 2 treaties with Russia
The Senate foreign relations committee started on Tuesday ironing out international law and Philippine legal matters that are needed before it asks the Senate leadership for a floor debate on the proposed Philippine-Russian Federation extradition treaty and Philippine-Russian Federation mutual legal assistance treaty.
Manila Bulletin

Senate panels push for salary hike for gov't workers
The Senate bill pushing for a fresh round of salary increases for government workers is now at the plenary. On Monday, December 10, Senator Ramon "Bong" Revilla, Senator Christopher "Bong" Go, and Senate President Pro-Tempore Ralph Recto sponsored Senate Bill 1219 under Committee Report No. 26. The bill was jointly submitted by the Senate committees on civil service, government organization and professional regulation; and finance.
Rappler

House of Representatives

House OKs P20/kilo excise tax on plastic
The House Committee on Ways and Means approved on Tuesday a bill seeking to impose P20 excise tax for every kilo of plastic used for packag­ing, excluding sachets.
Manila Bulletin, Rappler

Solons want tax-delinquent POGOs shut down
House of Representatives members have underscored the need for tax-delinquent Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) to change their ways or else get shut down.
Manila Bulletin

BUDGET, FINANCE, and TAXATION

LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS (LGUs)

DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE


DOJ: Water contracts violate existing laws, should be considered void
The onerous provisions in the 1997 water concession agreements should be considered void for violating existing laws, Department of Justice (DOJ) spokesman and Undersecretary Markk Perete said Tuesday (Dec. 10).
Manila Bulletin

DOJ hails water companies’ decision to drop arbitral claims worth billions
Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra on Tuesday (Dec. 10) welcomed the decisions of water concessionaires Manila Water Co., Inc. and Maynilad Water Services, Inc. to drop their multi-billion peso claims on the government.
Manila Bulletin

DEFENSE AND SECURITY

PH capable of acquiring 'BrahMos' missiles
 Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said the country can support the acquisition of medium-range ramjet supersonic BrahMos cruise missiles, which are being eyed by the Philippine Army (PA) for coastal defense missions.
Philippine News Agency


PH Navy: BRP Jose Rizal first sea trials successful
The first sea trials of BRP Jose Rizal (FF-150), the country's first-ever guided-missile frigate, proved successful. "The first sea trials (which took place last November 23 to 27) was successful even in Sea State 4 conditions," Philippine Navy (PN) public affairs office chief Lt. Commander Maria Christina Roxas said in a message to the Philippine News Agency Tuesday.
Philippine News Agency

Armed Forces of the Philippines


BRP Conrado Yap deployed to Palawan
BRP Conrado Yap (PS-39), the Philippine Navy’s (PN) most powerful warship to date, is off to Palawan to patrol the country’s maritime waters and secure the territorial seas in the West Philippine Sea (WPS).
Manila Bulletin, GMA News

Philippine National Police

Napolcom OKs restructuring of 5 police districts
The National Police Commission (Napolcom) has further strengthened the police force with the approval of the restructuring of five police district offices in the National Capital Region.
Manila Bulletin

ECONOMY AND INVESTMENTS

BUILD, BUILD, BUILD and PUBLIC WORKS

OFFICIAL DEVELOPMENT ASSISTANCE

AUDIT, GRAFT, AND CORRUPTION


Sandiganbayan denies motion of Iloilo mayor, affirms conviction
The Sandiganbayan Special Sixth Division has denied the motion for reconsideration and the urgent motion to re-open the case filed by Dingle Mayor Rufino Pablo Palabrica III of Iloilo after he was convicted of two counts of graft due to the irregular lease of a market stall and grant of business permit back in 2014.
Manila Bulletin

Ex-CHED official acquitted of graft
Former Director III and Officer-in-Charge of Commission on Higher Education (CHED) Regional Office IV-B (MIMAROPA) Maria Rita Ortiz has been acquitted by the Sandiganbayan Second Division of her graft charge involving the reportedly anomalous issuance of a permit to offer a nursing program.
Manila Bulletin

Marcos cases: Salonga son belies Calida claim
Steve Salonga, son of the late Senate President Jovito Salonga, maintains that the briefcase stolen in New York during his father’s visit there in March 1986 contained only duplicates of documents that could pin down Ferdinand and Imelda Marcos, and their cronies in the ill-gotten wealth cases lodged by the Presidential Commission on Good Government (PCGG).
Philippine Daily Inquirer

FOREIGN RELATIONS  

West Philippine Sea


Year of rough seas for PH in the face of belligerent China
Yes, the Chinese have been sneaking in and around the West Philippine Sea before, but in 2019, Filipinos faced empirical and visceral proof of China's constant, widespread, and belligerent presence in Philippine waters.
Rappler

LABOR

Workers’ group urges employers to give 13th month pay early
The Federation of Free Workers (FFW) on Tuesday called on employers not to wait until the last minute to give their employees their 13th month pay.
Manila Bulletin

TRANSPORTATION


Muntinlupa gov’t asks Skyway extension proponents to submit traffic, construction plans
The Muntinlupa City government has asked the operator and contractor of the Skyway Extension Project to coordinate with the city regarding traffic advisories, and submit construction timetable plans in order to properly manage traffic, especially around the Alabang viaduct area.
Manila Bulletin

DOTr mulls extending dry run of motorcycle taxis
With the six-month dry run for motorcycle-taxis almost over, transport regulators are now considering to extend the ongoing pilot run for another half a year in a bid to regulate new motorbike-hailing firms.
Manila Bulletin

Time needed for yacht registration cut at least a year to 5 days —DOTr
The time needed to register yachts with the Maritime Industry Authority has been reduced from almost two years to only five days, Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade has said.
GMA News

HEALTH

PAO set to file more dengvaxia raps
The Public Attorney’s Office (PAO) is set to file this Friday more complaints before the Department of Justice (DOJ) against those who should be held responsible for the deaths of children who received shots of the still experimental anti-dengue vaccine Dengvaxia.
Manila Bulletin

98 arrested in NCR for vaping in public; 812 vape stores closed
The National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) has arrested a total of 98 persons caught vaping in public areas. NCRPO acting director Brig. Gen. Debold Sinas said in a press briefing Tuesday that 98 vape gadgets were also confiscated.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

FOOD AND AGRICULTURE

Villar on higher galunggong prices: 'Why eat it if too expensive?'
The country's richest senator, billionaire Cynthia Villar, said Filipinos should look for healthier and cheaper alternatives to galunggong or round scad, as the Department of Agriculture (DA) eyes its importation amid rising prices.
Rappler

[OPINION] When a farmer asks for seeds instead of noche buena
The old man’s face was a picture of defeat. Someone who produces food should never know hunger, but how does one feed a family when one earns so little? Accept government doleouts? Take out a loan? Would you even consider selling your land when your soul has always been bonded to it?
Rappler

DAR linking farmers with buyers like Lazada, Gerry’s Grill to provide bigger market for agri products
The Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) is working to link agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs) with buyers to provide them with an established market for their farm products.
Manila Bulletin

EDUCATION

DepEd eyes 95% disbursement rate amid possible P14-B budget cut in 2020 due to backlogs
The Department of Education (DepEd) targets to achieve a higher disbursement rate by the end of the fiscal year as it faces a possible P14-billion budget cut in the 2020 allocations.
GMA News

Can PHL just adopt Singapore’s curriculum? No, says DepEd chief
Education Secretary Leonor Briones on Tuesday said that while the Philippines aims to further improve its basic education curriculum, it cannot simply copy and adopt the educational program of other excelling countries such as Singapore.
GMA News

DepEd eyes improving medium of instruction in primary school years
The Department of Education (DepEd) is looking into the possibility of improving the medium of instruction in the primary years of Filipino students after the country ranked lowest in reading comprehension in the 2018 Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) where English language was used.
GMA News

TESDA amends housekeeping training regulations
The Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) has amended the Training Regulations (TRs) for Housekeeping NC III and NC IV qualifications falling under the tourism sector in a bid to align its training standards with industry trends and international commitment.
Manila Bulletin

ENERGY

POVERTY

SOCIAL WELFARE AND DEVELOPMENT


IRR for law institutionalizing national poverty reduction strategy signed
The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) led on Tuesday the signing of the implementing rules and regulations (IRR) of the Republic Act (RA) 11310, institutionalizing the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program as a national poverty reduction strategy.
Manila BulletinPhilippine News Agency

HOUSING

TOURISM


DOT: Tourist numbers improve; South Korea primary source of visitors
More than 6.8 million international tourists visited the Philippines from January to October of this year, the Department of Tourism (DOT) reported on Monday.
Manila Bulletin

ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES

Environment group lauds CHR’s probe on climate-related human rights violations of fossil fuel companies
The environmental think-tank Center for Energy, Ecology, and Development (CEED) welcomed the outcome of the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) investigation on the accountability of 47 of the world’s biggest fossil fuel companies for climate-related human rights violations against Filipinos.
Business Mirror, Manila Bulletin

Legarda pins hope on developed countries to raise $100B in aid to vulnerable ones
Deputy Speaker and Antique Rep. Loren Legarda is counting on the developed countries to fulfill and “go beyond their commitments” to raise $100 billion per year by 2020 to aid “vulnerable” and developing countries.
Manila Bulletin

Water crisis

INFORMATION, COMMUNICATION AND TECHNOLOGY

ISM Communications to transform into Dito Holdings
The board of ISM Communications approved the name change of the company to Dito CME Holdings, a move which makes the company the publicly listed vehicle of Davao City tycoon Dennis Uy.
Rappler

DEVELOPMENT SECTOR

International Alert Philippines is an independent peacebuilding organization that focuses on eradicating vertical and horizontal conflicts through research and analysis, advocacy, and capacity-building. We pool relevant news articles, blog posts, social media materials, and press releases through this daily digest to update ourselves and our partners on important events and ideas that may affect our programmes. Know more about us by following our social media accounts:
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