Palace warns Reds: Don't violate ceasefire again
Malacañang on Sunday called on communist rebels to refrain from committing another violation of the holiday ceasefire even if the rebels have denied launching offensives against government forces.
Philippine Star, Manila Bulletin, Philippine News Agency
Of ceasefires, love and food
The Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) has for 51 years been foisting revolution and disturbance on Philippine society. While the desperation that Rizal warned about may not be deep enough to bring about a revolution, it is serious enough to keep the CPP going.
The Manila Times
On the Reciprocal and Unilateral Ceasefire between GRP and NDFP
Ang National Democratic Front of the Philippines-Southern Tagalog ay lubos na nakikiisa at sumusuporta sa magkatugong pagdedeklara ng tigil putukan sa pagitan ng Communist Party of the Philippines – New People’s Army (CPP/NPA) at ng Government of the Republic of the Philippines (GRP).
Communist Party of the Philippines
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AFP's ‘edited’ photo authentic: Palace
Malacañang on Sunday came to the defense of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), which has been in hot water for allegedly manipulating the photo of the surrender of New People's Army (NPA) rebels.
Philippine News Agency, Manila Bulletin, Business Mirror, Philippine Star
Bayan Muna reps urge Congress to probe ‘fake surrenderers’
Bayan Muna party-list representatives Caslos Isagani Zarate and Eufemia Cullamat on Saturday urged Congress to investigate allegations of ‘fake surrenderers,’ as a photoshopped photograph released by the Philpipine Army’s 9th Infantry Division in Masbate showing allegedly surrendered firearms and alleged communist rebels who surrendered may just be part of a “fake surrenderers and bounty collection racket of state forces.”
Mindanews, Manila Bulletin
Hinggil sa niretokeng litrato ng mga di umanong NPA surenderees
Lalong nalantad at napatunayan ang matagal nang sinasabi ng rebolusyonaryong kilusan sa rehiyong Timog Katagalugan hinggil sa mga kasinungalingan at mga itinatagong ‘kalansay’ ng Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) sa pagkakalat ng mga pekeng balita, pekeng labanan at pekeng mga sumukong NPA.
Communist Party of the Philippines
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NDF-Eastern Visayas condemns 8th Infantry Division’s push for martial law in Samar
The National Democratic Front in Eastern Visayas (NDF-EV) today condemned the 8th Infantry Division of the Philippine Army’s urging for martial law in Samar as a crude attempt to sabotage the efforts to resume peace talks.
Communist Party of the Philippines
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NPA activities declining in NoCot-Davao Sur border
Military authorities stationed in the borders of North Cotabato and Davao del Sur said Sunday that the strength of communist rebels in their area of operation has been declining.
Philippine News Agency
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CPP aborts annual plenum in Surigao del Norte citing security concerns
The Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) canceled its planned annual plenum on Sunday evening, December 29, in Bacuag, Surigao del Norte following a standoff between government soldiers and the New People's Army (NPA), the CPP's armed wing.
Rappler, Cebu Daily News
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Development projects win peace for Negros Oriental
Negros Oriental Gov. Roel Degamo has underscored the need for all the people in the province to unite as he vowed to put premium on development and not “bullets” as a means to attain lasting peace.
Philippine News Agency
Peace Talks
Galvez warns vs resuming peace talks at national level; says localized talks “highly effective”
Presidential Peace Adviser Carlito Galvez has urged everyone to “exercise caution” in resuming peace negotiations with the National Democratic Front (NDF) as localized peace talks, he said, have proven to be “highly effective in achieving enduring peace, social justice, and development.”
Mindanews
Incidents/ Operations
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MARAWI
Keeping faith
The GUIDON’s last article for the Marawi rehabilitation series tackles Islamophobia and debunks the Muslim-Christian hostility in the city with narratives from the religious on the ground.
The Guidon
SOUTHEAST ASIA AND THE WORLD
PH gov’t condemns deadly Somalia bombing; DFA reports no Filipino victim in explosion
The Philippine government on Sunday condemned the latest incident of a truck bombing in Somalia that killed more than 70 individuals and injured dozens of others.
Manila Bulletin
5 Stabbed at Rabbi’s Home in NY; Suspect Charged: Police
Authorities say an Orange County man stabbed five people at a rabbi's home late Saturday night in Monsey, New York — the latest and most violent in a string of anti-Semitic attacks in the greater New York City area in the last few days.
NBC, BBC, CNN, Bloomberg
Putin thanks Trump for foiling new year attacks
Russia's President Vladimir Putin has thanked US counterpart Donald Trump for intelligence that helped foil "acts of terrorism" on Russian soil, according to a Kremlin statement.
BBC
Turkey hails UK arresting father of YPG/PKK terrorist
Turkey on Sunday praised British judicial authorities for the recent arrest of the father of an accused YPG/PKK terrorist on charges of bankrolling terrorism.
Anadolu Agency
The Impact Of The U.S.’ War On Terror On China’s Muslim Population
The northern Chinese region of Xinjiang, where the country’s Muslim population is concentrated, has long been victim to repressive policies and strict securitization.
The Organization for World Peace
Israel, UAE and the hypocritical manipulation of religion
On December 21, right-wing British magazine The Spectator published an article by Ed Husain, a controversial figure on the British Muslim scene, entitled Islam's reformation: an Arab-Israeli alliance is taking shape in the Middle East.
Aljazeera
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BARMM
BARMM Chief Minister Ebrahim makes meaningful governance through moral leadership in 2019
The Chief Minister Ahod “Al hadj Murad” Ebrahim of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) have made meaningful governance in running the Bangsamoro Government through his “moral leadership” for the year 2019.
Luwaran
Sorghum program eyed for IP, BARMM villages
The Mindanao Development (MinDA) is introducing next year a sorghum program to the indigenous communities in Mindanao and the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) areas as part of beefing up their economic activities.
The Mindanao Times
MAGUINDANAO AND COTABATO CITY
NORTH COTABATO
Army seizes BIFF guns in North Cotabato
Military forces conducting law enforcement operations in areas believed to be lairs of the Islamic State-linked Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom fighters (BIFF) on Saturday seized high-powered guns and other war materiel in North Cotabato.
Philippine News Agency
Crime incidents in NoCot down in 2019
Police authorities in North Cotabato on Sunday announced that proactive stance and public cooperation led to the reduced number of crime incidence in the province in 2019 as compared to last year.
Philippine News Agency
LANAO PROVINCES
BASILAN
SULU
Misuari vows to help crush Abu Sayyaf
The Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) is counting on Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) founding chair Nur Misuari’s vow to help the military go after the Abu Sayyaf Group, a long-time security headache for the government.
Mindanews
TAWI-TAWI
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DRUGS
Drug war tougher in 2020 – PNP chief
Human rights groups may find it hard to believe, but lately the Philippine National Police has been exercising tolerance in dealing with drug suspects. This, however, is about to change in 2020, according to the PNP officer-in-charge.
Philippine Star
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US ban on PH officials linked to De Lima’s detention now in Pompeo’s hands
The fate of Philippine officials involved in the “unlawful detention” of opposition Senator Leila de Lima now rests in the hands of Secretary of State Mike Pompeo who will decide if they should be barred from the United Stares as provided in a recently-passed law.
CNN
US senator lashes at Duterte gov’t for threatening to require visas from Americans travelling to PH
United States Senator Patrick Leahy slammed the Duterte administration amid its threat to require visas from American travelers to the Philippines as a response to the amendments made in the 2020 US national budget which bans Philippine officials involved in Senator Leila De Lima’s detention.
Manila Bulletin, Philippine Star
De Lima can only be released if acquitted by PH court, not by pressure of US senators – DOJ
Justice Secretary Menardo I. Guevarra said on Sunday, December 29, detained Sen. Leila de Lima “can only be released upon an acquittal and not at anytime upon pressure exerted by foreign politicians who do not represent the People of the Philippines.”
Manila Bulletin
Nalzaro: US interferes in our domestic affairs
WHY is it that the United States of America (USA) is interfering in the domestic affairs of our country by insisting that opposition Sen. Leila de Lima is a victim of “political persecution” by the Duterte administration and condemning the extrajudicial killings (EJK) in connection with the administration’s war on drugs.
Sunstar Cebu
PNP hopeful cops excluded from US travel ban
The Philippine National Police expressed confidence that its officers would be not barred from the United States which had imposed a travel ban on those involved in human rights violations, including the continued detention of Sen. Leila de Lima on drug charges.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
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Operations/ Incidents
Recovery and Rehabilitation
ILLICIT FIREARMS, EXPLOSIVES, AND AMMUNITION
CROSS-BORDER TRADING/ SMUGGLING/ COUNTERFEIT GOODS
HUMAN TRAFFICKING
BI rescues 4 human trafficking victims, arrests fake Pinoy amid Christmas rush
The Bureau of Immigration (BI) has rescued four more suspected victims of human trafficking at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA).
Manila Bulletin
KIDNAPPING
ILLEGAL GAMBLING
ILLICIT FINANCIAL TRANSACTIONS/ EXTORTION
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Saving child sex workers
The collective cries of girls huddled in a corner is often the soundtrack to a rescue operation. They fear they’ve done something wrong and that they’ll be arrested too. It’s not long before they realize they’re the ones being saved.
Rappler
Press Freedom/ Freedom of expression
Martial Law
65% of Pinoys think martial law in Mindanao should be lifted this week —SWS
The majority of Filipinos believe that martial law in Mindanao should not be extended beyond its deadline on December 31, according to a Social Weather Stations survey released late Sunday.
GMA News
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President Duterte to lead 123rd Rizal Day event in Davao City
President Duterte will be leading the commemoration of the 123rd death anniversary of national hero Dr. Jose Rizal in the city Monday morning.
Manila Bulletin, Philippine Daily Inquirer
Duterte to visit quake survivors in Mindanao on Rizal Day — Cotabato governor
President Rodrigo Duterte will likely skip the wreath-laying ceremony at the Rizal Park on Monday to distribute checks and financial assistance to evacuees displaced by the series of strong earthquakes that hit Mindanao in October and December this year, a top official of Cotabato province said.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
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US travel ban vs. PH officials validated: Palace
The United States' (US) entry ban imposed on Philippine officials responsible for the arrest of Senator Leila de Lima is validated, Malacañang said on Sunday.
Philippine News Agency, Manila Bulletin
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Palace: Let Rizal’s sacrifice make us a better people
Malacañang expressed hope that the sacrifice of Dr. Jose Rizal more than a century ago would push Filipinos to be better version of themselves as the country commemorates the 123rd anniversary of his martyrdom.
Manila Bulletin
OFFICE OF THE VICE PRESIDENT
OVP increases medical and burial assistance
More indigent Filipinos have been benefited by the basic services such as medical and burial assistance provided to them by the Office of the Vice President in 2019.
Manila Bulletin
ELECTION RELATED
DISASTER
'Ursula' death toll climbs to 41: NDRRMC
The death toll from Typhoon Ursula, which battered a large portion of the country last week, has now climbed to 41, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) announced on its 6 a.m. update Sunday.
Philippine News Agency, Manila Bulletin
Child-friendly spaces set up in typhoon-ravaged town
Elementary school children and even those as young as three years old can freshly remember the rage of the Typhoon Ursula that lashed Balasan town, Iloilo on Christmas Day, an official from the social welfare office said.
Philippine News Agency
MINDANAO
CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS
JUDICIARY
YEAR-END REPORT: SC vows independence, fast resolution of cases
Ten incumbent associate justices of the Supreme Court (SC) are appointees of President Duterte. This is on top of the appointment and promotion of then-Associate Justice Diosdado M. Peralta as Chief Justice and head of the country’s judiciary.
Manila Bulletin
LEGISLATIVE
Senate of the Philippines
House of Representatives
2020 budget to be signed ‘just in time’ next month — Garbin
The proposed P4.1-trillion General Appropriations Act (GAA) for 2020 will be enacted “just in time,” a ranking member of the House of Representatives said on Sunday. This, despite Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea’s earlier pronouncement that the national fiscal plan could be signed by President Rodrigo Duterte on January 6 at the very latest.
Manila Bulletin
Solon eagerly awaits signing of law granting 20% increase in salary of gov’t nurses
Anakalusugan partylist Rep. Mike Defensor is eagerly awaiting the signing into law of a bill granting another 20 percent increase in the base monthly salary of government nurses over the next four years.
Manila Bulletin
House panel OKs bill authorizing use of 4Ps rice subsidy to purchase palay from farmers
The House Committee on Agriculture and Food has passed a bill authorizing the use of the rice subsidy as provided for under the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) in the 2019 General Appropriations Act (GAA) for the purchase of palay (unhusked rice) from farmers.
Manila Bulletin
BUDGET, FINANCE, and TAXATION
LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS (LGUs)
DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
DEFENSE AND SECURITY
PCG decentralizes hiring process
The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) has brought the recruitment of its personnel to the provinces to give opportunities to those who are qualified but cannot afford to go to Manila to apply.
Philippine Star
Armed Forces of the Philippines
YEAR-END REPORT: Philippine military transforms daunting challenges to concrete opportunities in 2019
Donning a Barong Tagalog, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana surveyed the military equipment and technologies that were featured in a static display at Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City.
Manila Bulletin
Philippine National Police
PNP to also focus on reformation of erring cops
The Philippine National Police (PNP) is now crafting a policy that would focus on reformation of the policemen who were meted with punishments for wrongdoings.
Manila Bulletin
NCRPO wants to shorten thanksgiving procession of Black Nazarene on Monday
The National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) wants to shorten the Thanksgiving procession for the Black Nazarene that will be held on Monday, December 30, in Manila.
Manila Bulletin
ECONOMY AND INVESTMENTS
BUILD, BUILD, BUILD and PUBLIC WORKS
OFFICIAL DEVELOPMENT ASSISTANCE
AUDIT, GRAFT, AND CORRUPTION
FOREIGN RELATIONS
PH envoy leads Prague lecture on ASEAN as Asian economic powerhouse
A Philippine envoy, together with other top diplomats from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), spearheaded a lecture introducing the various pillars of Asia’s premier regional bloc before the students and officials of the University of Economics in Prague.
Manila Bulletin
West Philippine Sea
We lost our islands with arbitration award
AS discussed in my last column, the arbitral tribunal declared only one feature occupied by China in the Spratlys, Mischief Reef, as within our exclusive economic zone (EEZ), which the superpower cannot claim since as a “low-tide elevation,” or one which sinks to the sea at high tide, it cannot be appropriated by any country.
The Manila Times
LABOR
TRANSPORTATION
House panel chair cautions DOTr group against limiting number of motorcycle-taxis
Samar Rep. Edgar Mary Sarmiento cautioned on Sunday the Department of Transportation (DOTr) Technical Working Group (TWG) against limiting the number of motorcycle taxis operating in Metro Manila and other highly-urbanized areas, saying that it would make the commuting public suffer more.
Manila Bulletin
HEALTH
YEAR-END REPORT: DOH in 2019 A year of public health challenges
The Department of Health (DOH) faced a year “full of public health challenges” as it faced different disease outbreaks–starting from measles to dengue and the return of polio after 19 years.
Manila Bulletin
Watch what you eat during the New Year revelry – DOH
The Department of Health (DOH) reminded the public to eat in moderation during the New Year’s Eve celebration on Tuesday, December 31.
Manila Bulletin
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Number of fireworks-related injuries increasing ahead of New Year’s eve revelry
The number of cases of fireworks-related injuries (FWRIs) has climbed to 46 ahead of the New Year’s Eve celebration.
Manila Bulletin, Philippine Star
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PH Red Cross helps PGH following influx of ‘lambanog’ – poisoning victims
Staff and volunteers of the Philippine Red Cross (PRC) were ordered by PRC Chairman Richard Gordon to coordinate with the Philippine General Hospital (PGH) Administration and provide full support to PGH in assisting patients suffering from various ailments traceable to ingesting “lambanog” or coconut wine.
Manila Bulletin
FOOD AND AGRICULTURE
Buy, promote local fruits this New Year –Secretary Dar
Department of Agriculture (DA) Secretary William Dar urged Filipinos to promote and buy local fruits this New Year.
Manila Bulletin
What China and India can teach PH about agriculture
What agriculture policy lessons can be learned from China and India, the two agriculture giants? The following is from a recent article by Ashok Gulati, a famous agriculture economist, and his coauthor Sakshi Gupta, which appeared in the Financial Express of India.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
EDUCATION
YEAR-END REPORT: DepEd in 2019: The quest for quality education continues
The quality of education in the country was put under the spotlight in 2019 following the results of both local and international assessments on students’ performance which highlighted the low performance of Filipino learners.
Manila Bulletin
ENERGY
Oil price hike of P1-P1.50 due to excise tax takes effect Jan. 1, 2020
Retail prices of gasoline and other oil products will go up from P1 to P1.50 per liter starting January 1, 2020, with the scheduled upward adjustments of the excise tax imposed on them.
Manila Bulletin
POVERTY
SOCIAL WELFARE AND DEVELOPMENT
HOUSING
TOURISM
DOT upbeat about more Japanese tourist arrivals in 2020
The Department of Tourism (DOT) is hopeful that more tourists from Japan will visit the Philippines in 2020 after the country recently welcomed its 8 millionth foreign guest this year, who happened to be a Japanese national.
Manila Bulletin
ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES
Cimatu reminds public firecrackers cause pollution, pose safety, health risks
Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Secretary Roy Cimatu on Sunday appealed to the public to refrain from using firecrackers and fireworks to welcome the New Year as these traditional ways cause pollution and pose serious safety and health risks.
Manila Bulletin
Water crisis
Angat Dam water level still below normal
The allocation of raw water from Angat Dam to Metro Manila and the provinces of Rizal and Cavite would remain below normal as the supply failed to reach the usual year-end target level for the first time since 2010 despite an uptrend due to recent typhoons.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
INFORMATION, COMMUNICATION AND TECHNOLOGY
What Rizal taught us about the pitfalls of spreading and reading fake news
As a member of the propaganda movement and himself a victim of fabricated narratives, the national hero knows a thing or two about the dangers of spreading and consuming fake news. Three of his writings remind us of the lessons.
ABS-CBN News
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