Palace to CPP: Shun violence before we start talks
The communist rebels must lay down their arms and shun violence before the government resumes the peace negotiations with them, a Palace official said recently.
Manila Bulletin, Tempo
Clarify some issues in CASER before peace talks: NTF ELCAC exec
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) will support another round of peace talks provided some issues in the Comprehensive Agreement on Social and Economic Reforms (CASER) are clarified.
Philippine News Agency
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New AFP Chief keen on crushing CPP-NPA
Lieutenant General Felimon Santos Jr., newly designated Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), is determined to finish off the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) and its armed wing, the New People’s Army (NPA) before the end of President Duterte’s term in 2022.
Manila Bulletin, NDBC News
EO 70 to end insurgency’s ‘treacherous life cycle’: new AFP Chief
Lauding the significant gains of the National Task Force to End Local Communist (lNTF ELCAC), the newly-installed Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) is confident that the multi-pronged approach of Executive Order 70 will put an end to the treacherous life cycle of the more than five decades of insurgency.
Philippine News Agency, Business Mirror
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Gov’t help sought to find IP villager seized by NPA in Surigao
The Indigenous Peoples Mandatory Representative (IPMR) of the municipality of San Miguel in the province of Surigao del Sur appealed for help from the government to locate a Manobo tribe member abducted by the New People’s Army (NPA) in the area.
Philippine News Agency
Peace Talks
As ceasefire holds, Sison seeks release of elderly, sick political prisoners
Despite some initial hiccups, the 16-day holiday truce between the Government of the Republic of the Philippines (GRP) and the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDF) appears to be holding, and Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) founder and NDFP Chief Political Consultant is seeking to bring renewed vigor for peace between the Philippine Government (GRP) and the Left to the next level.
Manila Bulletin
Incidents/ Operations
Tribal Leader killed by NPA amid ceasefire in Bukidnon
A certain Tribal Leader Datu Sammy Diwangan, 45 y.o, IP Mandatory Representative was shot dead while his son John, 9 y.o. flee the attack of the NPA members of Guerilla Front Malayag at Barangay Canangaan, Cabanglasan, Bukidnon, 9:15 am yesterday.
Kalinaw News, GMA News, Philippine Daily Inquirer, Philippine Star, Sunstar Manila, Philippine News Agency, The Mindanao Times
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PNP seeks to clarify list of suspects that have links to terror groups in Mindanao
The Philippine National Police (PNP) wants to clarify the status of the people whose names appeared in the list of those who must be arrested when martial law was declared in Mindanao in 2017.
Manila Bulletin
MARAWI
SOUTHEAST ASIA AND THE WORLD
Killing of Soleimani puts Afghanistan in tight spot
The assassination of a top Iranian commander by the U.S. has put neighboring Afghanistan in a precarious situation to walk a tight rope of neutrality between Tehran and Washington.
Anadolu Agency
Iraq calls for foreign troops to leave after U.S. killing of Iranian commander
Iraq’s parliament called on Sunday for U.S. and other foreign troops to leave amid a growing backlash against the U.S. killing of a top Iranian military commander that has heightened fears of a wider Middle East conflict.
Reuters
Al-Shabaab jihadists attack U.S.-Kenya military base
Jihadists from Somalia's Al-Shabaab group on Sunday, January 5, attacked a military base used by US and Kenyan forces in Kenya's coastal Lamu region, the army spokesman said.
Rappler
Kenya says its military killed 4 terrorists as al-Shabaab claims attack on US base
Kenya's military said it killed at least four terrorists Sunday in repelling an attack on an airstrip located near a US military base.
CNN
Turkey’s interference in region encourages terrorism: Dar al-Ifta
"Turkey’s interference in the region creates a fertile environment for extremists and terrorist groups," said the Observatory for Monitoring Takfiri Fatwas and Extremist Ideologies at Dar al-Ifta in a statement on Sunday.
Egypt Today
Airstrikes target rebel-held areas in Syria's Idlib
Warplanes struck several rebel-held areas in the northern province of Idlib on Sunday as part of the campaign against the rebels in their last major stronghold in the country, a war monitor reported.
Xinhua
Under Boris Johnson, Islamophobia will reach a sinister new level
Boris Johnson is one of the most openly racist and Islamophobic politicians in recent British history. His own abhorrent statements aside, Johnson leads a party where multiple members have been excluded for Islamophobia, with a number subsequently readmitted.
The Guardian
See the difference between the two narratives on Xinjiang
It is clear by now that China and the West have significant differences in their narratives on Xinjiang. On the one hand, the Western narrative is zeroing in on human rights and religious freedom. When the New York Times published the "The Xinjiang Papers," journalists equated China's Xinjiang policy depicted in these so-called "leaked" documents as an "internment campaign."
CGTN
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BARMM
Latip-Yusoph: BARMM Challenge
"I LOST my job after serving for almost 20 years now. I have been my best all the time, but now I am a certified housewife in 2020." These are the words that struck me when one of my friends confirmed their removal from office due to the mass dismissal of the thousands of employees from the defunct Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM), now the new Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).
Sunstar Cagayan de Oro
MAGUINDANAO AND COTABATO CITY
NORTH COTABATO
3 people killed in Cotabato strafing incident —police
Three people were killed, and two others wounded Saturday night when armed suspects on two motorcycles strafed the victims house in Matalam town in Cotabato province in Mindanao.
GMA News, Philippine Daily Inquirer, Manila Bulletin, Philippine Star
Cotabato airport rehab to cost P2.6 billion
THE MOTHBALLED airport in M’lang, Cotabato will need at least P2.6 billion to rehabilitate and put into operation, according to the Mindanao Development Authority (MiNDA), citing an assessment from the Department of Transportation.
Business World Online
LANAO PROVINCES
BASILAN
SULU
TAWI-TAWI
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DRUGS
Another Duterte needed to continue the drug war –Senator Bato
Another Duterte may be needed in case the promise of President Duterte to emerge victorious in his controversial anti-illegal drugs campaign might not be realized just before he leaves office in June, 2022.
Manila Bulletin
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Palace: Duterte couldn’t care less if de Lima gets released or not
Malacañang said President Duterte could not care less if detained Senator Leila de Lima gets released or not, stressing that the judiciary was never pressured to jail his staunchest critic.
Manila Bulletin
De lima should not forget to put her name on list with her jailers – Palace
Malacañang said Senator Leila de Lima should not forget to put her name on the list of people who put her behind bars as she was the one peddling lies about her incarceration.
Manila Bulletin
De Lima seeks to achieve full vindication
“A final word. I am dead serious in achieving full vindication for the grievous wrongs done to me,’’ detained opposition Senator Leila de Lima said on Sunday.
Manila Bulletin
US sanctions and de Lima case a prelude to more
RECENTLY, the US Congress approved a 2020 budget that contains a provision introduced by Senators Richard Durbin (D-Illinois) and Patrick Leahy (D-Vermont) against anyone involved in holding Philippine Sen. Leila de Lima, who is facing three charges of illegal drug trafficking.
The Manila Times
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Robredo vows remain active in pursuing anti-drugs advocacy
She may no longer be the co-chair of the Inter-agency Committee on Anti-Illegal Drugs (ICAD), but Vice President Leni Robredo on Sunday said she would be “active” on pursuing anti-drugs advocacy.
Manila Bulletin
Operations/ Incidents
Bicol anti-drug stings net 4 ‘pushers,’ 21 sachets of shabu
Anti-narcotics operatives nabbed four suspected drug pushers in separate drug sting operations in Camarines Norte and Camarines Sur on Saturday.
Philippine News Agency
Recovery and Rehabilitation
ILLICIT FIREARMS, EXPLOSIVES, AND AMMUNITION
CROSS-BORDER TRADING/ SMUGGLING/ COUNTERFEIT GOODS
HUMAN TRAFFICKING
KIDNAPPING
ILLEGAL GAMBLING
ILLICIT FINANCIAL TRANSACTIONS/ EXTORTION
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MWSS should pursue alternatives to Kaliwa Dam – Bayan Muna
Party-list group Bayan Muna urged the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) to look for other water sources instead of relying solely on the controversial Kaliwa Dam, which may displace hundreds of indigenous people (IPs).
Philippine Daily Inquirer
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Press Freedom/ Freedom of expression
Martial Law
NorMin police: Security measures still in place after martial law
THERE have been no changes to security measures put in place after martial law in Mindanao ended last December 31, 2019, according to an official of the Police Regional Office (PRO)-Northern Mindanao.
Sunstar Cagayan de Oro
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Fighting drugs, corruption are Duterte’s priorities in 2020
Fighting corruption and illegal drugs and providing better social services will be among the priorities of President Duterte this New Year. After the government made headway in poverty alleviation efforts and other fronts in the previous year, presidential spokesman Salvador Panelo said the President would continue to “work hard” to serve the public interest and provide a comfortable and prosperous life for Filipinos.
Manila Bulletin
Duterte open to working with VP Leni again
President Duterte is open to the possibility of working again with Vice President Leni Robredo as long as she would be a “team player” of the government, according to a Palace official.
Manila Bulletin
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Go says Duterte monitoring events in Middle East
President Rodrigo Duterte is strictly monitoring the events and situation in the Middle East and has called for a meeting with the nation’s security officials to assess the likely impact of the tension between the United States and Iran to the country.
Manila Bulletin, GMA News
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OFFICE OF THE VICE PRESIDENT
Robredo calls for review of labor agreements to ensure protection of Filipino domestic helpers
Noting that Filipino domestic helpers were the most abused workers abroad, Vice President Leni Robredo on Sunday sought a review of the existing agreement of the Philippines with labor host countries on the protection of overseas Filipino workers.
Manila Bulletin
Robredo condoles with families of Singapore crash victims
Vice President Leni Robredo on Sunday condoled with the bereaved families of the Filipino migrant workers who were killed in a car crash in Singapore.
GMA News
ELECTION RELATED
DISASTER
MINDANAO
REVIEW: “Mindanao” the movie: the script reduces an island so full of cultural and ethnic diversity to a single narrative
I finally had the chance to watch Brillante Mendoza’s “Mindanao.” You have to give it to Judy Ann Santos: Her acting was very, very good. The cinematography including animation was beautifully done.
Mindanews
CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS
JUDICIARY
SC should have taken jurisdiction over provincial bus ban issue – Rep. Garbin
AKO Bicol Party-list Rep. Alfredo Garbin Jr said Sunday that the Supreme Court should have taken jurisdiction over petitions questioning the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority’s (MMDA) ban on bus stations along EDSA, citing that there are “genuine issues of constitutionality” that must be expeditiously threshed out and resolved.
Manila Bulletin
Angara lauds SC for starting Judges-at-Large program
Senator Juan Edgardo “Sonny” Angara has lauded the Supreme Court’s move to partially implement the Judges-At-Large Act by opening 50 initial positions, saying this is a significant step towards providing a faster resolution of pending cases in the courts.
Manila Bulletin
LEGISLATIVE
Senate of the Philippines
De Lima wants Senate probe into China-funded surveillance project
Detained opposition Senator Leila de Lima wants the Senate to investigate the China-backed Safe Philippines project, which will install closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras in select cities in Metro Manila and Davao City.
Rappler
House of Representatives
House leaders hail signing of P4.1-T 2020 budget Monday
House leaders said on Sunday that the scheduled signing into law of the proposed P4.1 trillion national budget on Monday, January 6, would help improve the country’s economic landscape, as it would ensure the continuity of the government’s projects, boost economic activities, and guarantee “a better and more comfortable life” for Filipinos.
Manila Bulletin
Bill to instill urgency for distressed OFW cases eyed
Ang Probinsyano Party-List Rep. Ronnie Ong intends to file a House bill that would slap administrative or criminal charges, or both against recruitment agency operators and government officials who fail to act urgently on complaints of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in life and death situations.
Manila Bulletin
House bill seeking establishment of Bicol women’s, children’s hospital nears approval
The House of Representatives has approved on third and final reading a bill seeking to establish the Bicol Women’s and Children’s Hospital.
Manila Bulletin
LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS (LGUs)
DILG files raps vs local execs remiss in road clearing operations
The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) said on Sunday it has filed administrative raps against 10 local chief executives (LCEs) before the Office of the Ombudsman for their non-compliance to President Duterte’s strict order “to clear roads of illegal obstructions and return to the public the use of all major roads and highways.’’
Manila Bulletin, Rappler
DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
DOJ confident good conduct law IRR can hurdle future legal test
Department of Justice (DOJ) Secretary Menardo Guevarra on Sunday expressed optimism that the new Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of Republic Act 10592 on expanding Good Conduct Time Allowance (GCTA) will hurdle future legal challenge.
Philippine News Agency
DEFENSE AND SECURITY
MDT does not oblige PH to send troops to Iraq in case of war — Lorenzana
Despite the existence of the 67-year-old Mutual Defense Treaty (MDT), the Philippines is not obliged to send soldiers as support force to the United States in case it engages in a war with Iran due to the killing of the latter’s top general upon the orders of US President Donald Trump, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana disclosed Sunday.
Manila Bulletin
Armed Forces of the Philippines
After three months, another AFP chief
When I was a young boy, Jan. 6 was celebrated as the Feast of the Three Wise Men, or the Three Kings — Gaspar, Balthazar and Melchior. It was a special day for kids, much like Christmas, since one could expect to find some money in our shoes upon getting up from bed in the morning.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
Philippine National Police
New PNP aviation security group chief named
The Philippine National Police (PNP) has appointed a new head of its Aviation Security Group (ASG) in a minor reshuffle that was triggered by the retirement of a senior police official.
Manila Bulletin
BUDGET, FINANCE, and TAXATION
BIR sets P2.5 T tax collection goal this year
The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) will start next month the 2020 nationwide tax collection drive to raise P2.5 trillion.
Manila Bulletin
Treasury increases prize pot for ‘premyo’ bond raffle
Following the success of its “premyo” bonds issuance, the government has almost doubled to 116 the number of winners to be drawn during the quarterly raffle this year, the Department of Finance (DOF) said.
Philippine Daily Inquirer, Business Mirror
ECONOMY AND INVESTMENTS
Inflation seen back in target range
THE country’s inflation rate will likely end the year back within the target range in the last month of 2019, a local economist has forecast.
Business Mirror
PSE cuts 2020 capital raising goal to P150B
THE Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE) Inc., the operator of the equities trading market, has reduced its capital-raising target to just P150 billion in 2020 after years of being unable to reach its P200-billion full-year target.
Business Mirror
BUILD, BUILD, BUILD and PUBLIC WORKS
OFFICIAL DEVELOPMENT ASSISTANCE
ADB projects approved in Duterte time nearly doubled
PROJECTS approved by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) in the first three years of the Duterte administration nearly doubled compared to those approved in the previous administration.
Business Mirror
AUDIT, GRAFT, AND CORRUPTION
FOREIGN RELATIONS
Filipino MidEast expert says Sulaimani killing to have ‘negative impact’ on peace in region
A seasoned Filipino diplomat, who is considered by many as one of the few remaining experts in Middle East affairs, said the killing of Iranian military leader Qassem Sulaimani will have a “negative impact” in the peace and security of the entire region.
Manila Bulletin
Prelates call on faithful to pray amid escalation of violence in ME
Amid the possible escalation of violence in the Middle East (ME), Catholic prelates have called on Filipinos to pray hard for peace.
Manila Bulletin
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300 Filipinos given temporary shelter as fires rage in Australia
Around 300 Filipinos have so far been evacuated and given temporary housing as catastrophic bushfires continue to blaze across Australia, an official from the Philippine Embassy in Canberra said.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
West Philippine Sea
LABOR
There are more than 3,000 OFWs in Iraq, not just 1,640 as previously reported by DFA – expert
A Filipino migration consultant on Sunday said there are more than 3,000 documented and undocumented Filipino workers who are currently in Iraq and not only 1,640 as earlier claimed by the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA).
Manila Bulletin
3,000 OFWs to be hit hard by US-Iran conflict
More than 3,000 documented and undocumented Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) are expected to be heavily affected by escalating tensions in the Middle East as a result of the United States’ (US) airstrike in Baghdad.
Manila Bulletin
Labor group says gov’t should start evacuating Filipinos in Middle East
With millions of Filipinos working and living in the Middle East, labor group Federation of Free Workers (FFW) believes the government should start evacuating them now.
Manila Bulletin
BI ready to implement travel ban if ordered by DFA, DOLE
Justice Secretary Menardo I. Guevarra said on Sunday, January 5, the Bureau of Immigration (BI) will stop Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) from leaving for Iran, Iraq and Libya once a deployment ban is issued.
Manila Bulletin
Prepare air, naval assets for MidEast evacuations, AFP ordered
In the wake of rising tension between the United States and Iran, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) has been ordered by President Rodrigo R. Duterte to prepare it's air and naval assets which could be used in the evacuation of overseas Filipino workers in the Middle East should hostilities erupt in the region.
Philippine News Agency
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TRANSPORTATION
Solon pushes for granting of full authority to LTFRB in determining fare rates for TNCs, TNVS
Deputy Speaker and Sorsogon Rep. Evelina Escudero wants to grant the Land Transportation Franchise and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) the full authority to determine the fare rates of transport network companies (TNCs) and transportation network vehicles service (TNVS) and to adopt a system of refund in case of overcharging in a bid to protect the interest of the riding public.
Manila Bulletin
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JoyRide registers almost 3,000 bikers during pro-government rally
Motorcycle ride-hailing firm JoyRide joined a pro-government rally on Sunday, January 5, using the event to register almost 3,000 bikers in its goal to fill the 10,000-cap for Metro Manila imposed on motorcycle taxi providers.
Rappler
Angkas has foreign ownership issues – TWG
As the government and motorcycle-taxi firms continue to lock horns, the interagency technical working group (TWG) has claimed app-based firm Angkas has not met foreign ownership provisions for transportation carriers.
Philippine Star
HEALTH
DOH on guard against mysterious disease with SARS-like symptoms from China
The Department of Health (DOH) on Sunday said that it has instructed the Bureau of Quarantine (BQQ) to intensify its screening of incoming travelers amid reports of a mysterious disease in China.
Manila Bulletin
DOH advises public to protect themselves against the flu during cold months
The Department of Health (DOH) urged the public to protect themselves against influenza or flu as it is a common disease during the cold months.
Manila Bulletin
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Rules on access to dangerous drugs for medical purposes relaxed
Locally unregistered medicines containing dangerous drugs can now be accessed by patients with medical needs after the Dangerous Drugs Board (DDB) approved a regulation providing for license to acquire, possess and use these drug products.
Business Mirror
FOOD AND AGRICULTURE
Marcos cautions DA about importing too much red onions
Senator Imelda “Imee” Marcos on Sunday urged the Department of Agriculture (DA) to ensure that the government’s plan to import metric tons of red onions would not affect the local harvest this coming March.
Manila Bulletin
PHL shoots for rice output of 19.6 MMT
The Department of Agriculture (DA) is targeting to expand the country’s paddy rice output this year by at least 6.5 percent to a record-high of nearly 20 million metric tons (MMT).
Business Mirror
EDUCATION
ENERGY
Power utilities should toe the line — Zarate
Bayan Muna Party-List Rep. Carlos Zarate has urged President Duterte to compel abusive players in the power sector to toe the line, just like the water concessionaires of Metro Manila.
Manila Bulletin
Govt tracks price hikes amid Mideast tension
THE country’s trade chief has warned that the brewing geopolitical tensions in the Middle East could put pressure on producers to increase their prices, as world oil rates surged on Friday after a United States strike killed an Iranian military leader and Iran vowed retaliation.
Business Mirror
POVERTY
SOCIAL WELFARE AND DEVELOPMENT
HOUSING
TOURISM
ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES
DENR Chief orders daily cleanup of Baywalk area, Baseco beach
Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Secretary Roy Cimatu last Friday ordered its officials and employees within the Manila Bay region to conduct daily cleanup activities at the baywalk area and Baseco beach to ensure the successful rehabilitation of Manila Bay.
Manila Bulletin
Water crisis
INFORMATION, COMMUNICATION AND TECHNOLOGY
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