Samar army hits NPA anew over school encampment claim
The claim of the New People's Army (NPA) that soldiers have been using some schools in the Samar provinces as a "waiting area" during their operations against the communist terrorist group is a lie, a military official said.
Philippine News Agency
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Peace Talks
Samar bishops to lead local peace talks
The three Roman Catholic bishops in Samar Island have agreed to lead the localized peace talks to finally achieve peace and development in the three provinces.
Philippine News Agency
Catholic bishops to lead localized peace engagement with Reds
Top government, church, and civil society leaders passed a resolution here on Thursday designating three Catholic bishops to lead localized peace engagements (LPE) with members of the communist group operating in the region.
Philippine News Agency
Incidents/ Operations
‘NPA militiaman’ nabbed in Surigao Sur
Government forces arrested an alleged communist rebel militiaman Thursday night in the Surigao del Sur town of Lianga, a police official said.
Philippine News Agency
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MARAWI
Residents decry rehabilitation delays two years after Marawi siege
Residents on ground zero of the Marawi siege crying for help two years since the war ended. A U.S. cable report now states public anger over rehabilitation delays has bolstered the recruitment of extremist groups.
CNN Philippines
SOUTHEAST ASIA AND THE WORLD
Revealed: how teachers could unwittingly trigger counter-terror inquiries
Teachers, doctors and other public-sector workers could unwittingly spark counter-terrorism inquiries when they seek advice about the government’s controversial Prevent strategy, sensitive documents seen by the Guardian reveal.
The Guardian
Global watchdog keeps Pakistan on terrorism financing 'gray list'
Pakistan won an extra four months to meet international anti-terrorism financing norms on Friday when a global dirty money watchdog decided to keep the country off its blacklist for now.
Reuters
Prosecutions of International Terrorist Supporters Continue: Winter 2019 Update
A recent U.N. report warned about both the continued threat posed by Islamic State fighters and the challenges related to the effective prosecution of returned fighters and those who are financing terrorism.
Lawfare Blog
St Paul's bomb plot: IS supporter Safiyya Shaikh pleads guilty
Muslim convert Safiyya Shaikh went on a reconnaissance trip to scope out the London landmark and a hotel. The 36-year-old, born Michelle Ramsden, was arrested after asking an undercover police officer to supply bombs.
BBC News
UK: Far-right leader charged under Terrorism Act
The leader of the far-right Britain First group has been charged with an offence under the Terrorism Act, which the BBC reported stemmed from refusing to provide police with the pin code to his phone at the airport.
Aljazeera
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Metro Manila police chief recalls order to list information on Muslim students
Metro Manila police chief PMGEN Debold Sinas on Friday ordered the recall of a controversial memorandum instructing station commanders to draw up an updated list of information on Muslim students in the metropolis.
CNN Philippines
'Noble initiative': PNP chief sees nothing wrong with listing of Muslim students
The country’s top cop saw nothing wrong with the memorandum ordering the police to compile a list of Muslim students in Metro Manila, calling the controversial initiative “noble.”
Philippine Star, Manila Bulletin
Lawmakers slam profiling as 'worst kind of discrimination'
TWO Muslim members of the House of Representatives have criticized a police directive requiring updated lists of Muslim students as a "blatant profiling of Muslims" and "act of discrimination in its highest form."
Sunstar Manila
BARMM
Muslim leaders deplore profiling of Muslim youths in Manila
Muslim leaders in Mindanao on Friday expressed outrage on the profiling of Muslim students by the Manila Police District (MPD) “in line with the efforts to counter violent extremism,” stressing the move reeks of Islamophobia and discrimination.
Mindanews
MAGUINDANAO AND COTABATO CITY
Maguindanao prosecutor survives ambush
A prosecutor in Maguindanao survived an ambush Friday afternoon in this city but his two companions were still battling for their lives in a local hospital. Fiscal Tucod Ronda, deputy provincial prosecutor of Maguindanao province, sustained minor wounds, witnesses said.
Mindanews, NDBC News, Philippine News Agency, Philippine Daily Inquirer
NORTH COTABATO
Ex-BIFF members join ‘de-radicalization’ workshop
At least 20 former members of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) are undergoing a two-week “de-radicalization” workshop in the Army’s Camp Lucero here. The activity, which started on Thursday, is a joint undertaking of the 602nd Liberator Brigade and Balay Mindanaw, a nongovernment organization known for its peacebuilding work.
Mindanews
LANAO PROVINCES
BASILAN
SULU
ASG to ask P30-M ransom for 5 Indons
Moro National Liberation Front chairman Yusop Jikiri yesterday revealed that the Abu Sayyaf Group will demand P30 million from the employer of the five kidnapped Indonesian fishermen for their immediate release.
Tempo
TAWI-TAWI
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DRUGS
PDEA chief adopts ‘10+10’ strategies for 2020
The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) has vowed to consistently come up to public expectation with regards to “its delivery of real, impactful and life-changing methods” in its enforcement of the country’s anti-illegal drug strategies.
Manila Bulletin
PDEA cracks down on new drug modus: liquid injectable “shabu” sold on social media sites
Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) Director-General Aaron Aquino told his personnel to be even more vigilant as injectable liquid “shabu” (crystal meth) is now being sold and coursed through social media.
Manila Bulletin
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DDB soon to approve local use of epilepsy drug with marijuana compounds
Dangerous Drugs Board (DDB) Chairman Catalino Cuy said those who want to use Epidiolex locally, a drug that has components of marijuana and is used by patients suffering from epilepsy, will be able to do so soon.
Manila Bulletin
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Duterte tells cops: Instead of getting involved in drugs, retire and start small business
Instead of getting involved in the illegal drug trade, a policeman may quit his job and start a small business if he wants to earn more money.
Manila Bulletin
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Operations/ Incidents
20 ‘drug dealers’ nabbed in Bulacan buy-bust ops
At least 20 suspected drug dealers were arrested in this province on Wednesday and Thursday as police continued its relentless campaign against illegal drugs.
Philippine News Agency
Recovery and Rehabilitation
ILLICIT FIREARMS, EXPLOSIVES, AND AMMUNITION
CROSS-BORDER TRADING/ SMUGGLING/ COUNTERFEIT GOODS
Customs-NAIA intercepts P821 million of contraband in 2019
The Bureau of Customs at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) or Port of NAIA was recognized last Feb. 7 for having “successfully executed apprehensions of various prohibited commodities, including illegal drugs,” worth more than P821 million in 2019, according to their announcement on social media.
Manila Bulletin
Coast Guard stops rice smuggling, seizes 9,000 sacks in Zambo del Sur
The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) seized on Thursday (Feb. 20) at least 9,000 25-kilo sacks of smuggled rice off the waters of Pitogo, Zamboanga del Sur. The contraband was transported by a boat owned by a Sulu trader.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
P2.4-M smuggled cigarettes seized in Sibugay town
Government authorities seized a shipment of some PHP2.4 million worth of smuggled cigarettes in a remote area in the province of Zamboanga Sibugay, police said on Friday.
Philippine News Agency
HUMAN TRAFFICKING
KIDNAPPING
ILLEGAL GAMBLING
ILLICIT FINANCIAL TRANSACTIONS/ EXTORTION
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CHED grants stipend to IP college students in Nueva Vizcaya
In a bid to expand access to quality higher education, the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) has provided additional financial assistance to students belonging to indigenous peoples (IPs) in the province of Nueva Vizcaya.
Manila Bulletin
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Solon urges PNP to end ‘Oplan X-Men’ profiling; pushes for passage of SOGIE bill
The reported police profiling of transgender women has made the passage of the sexual orientation and gender identity expression (SOGIE) bill imperative, House Senior Deputy Minority Leader and Bagong Henerasyon party-list Rep. Bernadette Herrera said Friday.
Manila Bulletin
Castro lauds IPU for deciding to probe her, Elago’s harassment cases vs. Duterte admin
Assistant Minority Leader and ACT Teachers party-list Rep. France Castro Friday lauded the decision of the Committee on the Human Rights of Parliamentarians (CHRP) of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) to formally examine the complaints of “continuous harassment” against lawmakers allegedly committed by the Duterte administration.
Manila Bulletin
Press Freedom/ Freedom of expression
ABS-CBN CEO Carlo Katigbak issues statement on franchise renewal
With the topic of media network firm ABS-CBN’s franchise renewal much in the news recently, the company’s president and CEO, Carlo Katigbak, has issued a statement on the matter. The statement was aired on Thursday (Feb. 20) on ABS-CBN’s “TV Patrol” newscast. Here it is in full:
Manila Bulletin
Panelo appreciates ABS-CBN exec’s humble stance over company’s faults
There might still be “hope” for ABS-CBN Corporation under the leadership of Carlo Katigbak after he owned up to the network’s mistakes, a Palace official said Friday.
Manila Bulletin
Panelo: Press freedom won’t die even if ABS-CBN shuts down
Malacañang believes that freedom of expression and of the press will stay even if broadcast media giant ABS-CBN shuts down, saying there are other media outfits that can freely operate.
Manila Bulletin
Lacson: Senate hearing on ABS-CBN to tackle a resolution, not franchise bills
Senator Panfilo M. Lacson said Friday that House of Representatives Speaker Alan Peter S. Cayetano may have a point about the House having first crack at certain measures, because the 1997 Constitution provides that bills of local application like franchise measures must originate from the House of Representatives.
Manila Bulletin
Pangilinan: Senate hearing on ABS-CBN franchise neither unconstitutional nor illegal
The public hearing scheduled by the Senate public services committee even without a House of Representatives committee report on the proposed renewal of the ABS-CBN franchise is constitutional and legal, Sen. Francis Pangilinan said.
Manila Bulletin
Martial Law
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Palace clears VP of involvement in ‘Duterte resign’ calls
Malacañang is giving Vice President Leni Robredo the benefit of the doubt when she said she was not supporting any call for President Duterte to step down. Robredo said that she has received reports of a protest on Saturday, ahead of the 34th anniversary of the 1986 EDSA People Power Revolution on February 25.
Manila Bulletin
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Panelo: Nothing wrong with ‘Bato’s’ support for Duterte’s stand on ABS-CBN franchise
There is nothing wrong with Sen. Ronald dela Rosa’s public expression of support for President Duterte amid the ABS-CBN franchise controversy, a Palace official said.
Manila Bulletin
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Panelo: Palace willing to get Senate concurrence on VFA junking if SC requires it
Malacañang is willing to get the concurrence of the Senate on the termination of a military deal with the United States if the Supreme Court orders it.
Manila Bulletin
Duterte’s Gamble on the US-Philippines Alliance
On Tuesday, February 11, the government of the Philippines formally gave notice to the U.S. Department of State that it intended to begin the process of terminating the 1998 U.S.-Philippines Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA), a status of forces agreement that governs the presence of U.S. troops on Philippine soil.
The Diplomat
Ex-CJ Sereno says Duterte can’t terminate VFA sans Senate concurrence
Former Supreme Court (SC) chief justice Maria Lourdes Sereno on Friday said President Rodrigo Duterte cannot terminate the Philippines-United States Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) on his own.
GMA News
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OFFICE OF THE VICE PRESIDENT
Robredo urges inspection of hogs entering Bicol region amid reports of first ASF case there
Vice President Leni Robredo on Friday underscored the importance of conducting inspection and checkpoints for imported and transported hogs in the Bicol region following its confirmation of its first case of African Swine Fever (ASF).
Manila Bulletin
Leni alarmed by report that 70k kids struggling to read, blames poverty
The report showing that there are 70,000 children who are having a tough time reading in Bicol Region is alarming and should not be discounted, Vice President Leni Robredo said Friday.
GMA News
ELECTION RELATED
DISASTER
DepEd to request supplemental funds for Taal-damaged schools
With its Quick Response Fund (QRF) already depleted, the Department of Education (DepEd) will request for supplemental funds that would be used to repair, rehabilitate, and reconstruct schools damaged due to Taal Volcano’s eruption.
Manila Bulletin
MINDANAO
CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS
JUDICIARY
LEGISLATIVE
Senate of the Philippines
Lacson pushes perjury bill amid whistleblower testimony in Senate
Whistleblowers are mostly credible but only until they retract their statements. Senator Panfilo M. Lacson, chairman of the Senate national defense and security committee, issued the statement apparently referring to Allison “Alex” Chiong, Bureau of Immigration (BI) officer detailed at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA).
Manila Bulletin
House of Representatives
Salceda: No constitutional violation in proposed Public Service Act
The chairman of the House committee on ways and means on Friday gave the assurance that the much-criticized bill allowing full foreign ownership of transportation and communication services suffers no constitutional defect.
Manila Bulletin
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House approves on 2nd reading increased leave credits for employees
Supporters of a measure proposing to increase the annual service incentive leave credits of employees from five to ten are confident of a unanimous vote on the bill when presented next week on third and final reading in the House of’ Representatives.
Manila Bulletin
LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS (LGUs)
DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
Guevarra urges BI to get rid of culture of corruption
Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra on Friday urged the Bureau of Immigration (BI) to put an end to the corrupt activities involving its officials and personnel.
Manila Bulletin
DOJ to evaluate BI whistleblower for witness protection program
The Department of Justice will “thoroughly” evaluate if Immigration Officer Allison Chiong – the whistleblower in the Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGO) bribery mess – can be fully covered under its Witness Protection Program (WPP).
Rappler
Villanueva seeks probe of ‘pastillas’ scheme, cites issues related to influx of illegal foreign workers
Senator Joel Villanueva on Friday joined appeals for the thorough investigation of the so-called “pastillas” scheme at the Bureau of Immigration (BI).
Manila Bulletin
DEFENSE AND SECURITY
Armed Forces of the Philippines
Philippine National Police
BUDGET, FINANCE, and TAXATION
BIR shuts down POGO for failing to pay P114-million taxes
The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) has shut down a Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) for failing to pay over P114 million in taxes.
Rappler, Manila Bulletin
ECONOMY AND INVESTMENTS
Makati Business Club: 'Strong' U.S. ties important for PH economy, security
The Makati Business Club (MBC), which counts the country's largest conglomerates as its members, expressed concern over the Philippines' termination of the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) with the United States.
Rappler
BUILD, BUILD, BUILD and PUBLIC WORKS
OFFICIAL DEVELOPMENT ASSISTANCE
AUDIT, GRAFT, AND CORRUPTION
Sandiganbayan upholds graft conviction of ex-Davao Oriental mayor
The Sandiganbayan Third Division has upheld its decision convicting former Caraga Mayor William Sobiaco Duma-an of Davao Oriental of his graft charge for receiving a loan in exchange for the release of a three percent service fee in favor of a company back in 2010.
Manila Bulletin
FOREIGN RELATIONS
West Philippine Sea
Chinese militia vessels spotted near Pag-asa Island
Chinese militia vessels were found surrounding an island in the West Philippine Sea, according to Anthony Esguerra's Friday report on Stand for Truth.
GMA News
LABOR
TRANSPORTATION
HEALTH
China says coronavirus vaccine trials to start around late April
China could start clinical trials for a potential vaccine for the novel coronavirus around late April, an official said Friday, February 21.
Rappler
Young Chinese doctor dies of novel coronavirus
A 29-year-old doctor at the epicenter of China's new coronavirus outbreak has died from the disease, one of the youngest known fatalities of the epidemic and the latest among medical workers.
Rappler
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Asia-Pacific airlines could lose $27.8 billion to coronavirus – IATA
Airlines operating in the Asia-Pacific region stand to lose a combined $27.8 billion of revenue this year in the ongoing coronavirus crisis, the International Air Transport Association (IATA) said on Thursday, February 20.
Rappler
Israel confirms 1st coronavirus case in cruise ship returnee
Israel confirmed its first case of new coronavirus Friday, February 21, in a citizen who flew home from Japan earlier this week after being quarantined on the stricken cruise ship Diamond Princess.
Rappler
Quarantine nightmare still not over for left-behind cruise ship crew
The nightmare of a 14-day quarantine is ending for most passengers on the coronavirus-stricken Diamond Princess cruise ship, but it is far from over for the more than 1,000 crew.
Rappler
3 new coronavirus cases in Iran after 2 deaths
Iran has confirmed 3 new coronavirus cases following the deaths of two elderly men, the health ministry told AFP on Thursday, February 20, as Iraq banned travel to and from its neighbor.
Rappler
South Korea confirms 52 more coronavirus cases, total 156
South Korea confirmed 52 more cases of novel coronavirus on Friday, February 21, taking its overall figure to 156 and making it the worst-infected country outside China.
Rappler
Australian coronavirus victims had tested negative in Japan
Two Australians evacuated from the Diamond Princess cruise ship have tested positive for coronavirus on their return home, despite being cleared in Japan, authorities said Friday, February 21.
Rappler
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DOH: 41 new PUIs as of Friday; 52 Filipinos on cruise ship reportedly COVID-19 positive
The Department of Health said 41 new patients under investigation (PUIs) for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) have been reported on Friday.
Manila Bulletin
DOH: Wuhan repats ready to go home; Filipinos from cruise ship also to be quarantined at NCC
The Department of Health (DOH) said Filipinos who were repatriated from Wuhan, China, are set to go home on Saturday (Feb. 22) after they complete the 14-day mandatory quarantine period at the Athletes’ Village of New Clark City (NCC) in Capas, Tarlac.
Manila Bulletin
Panelo: Health protocols in place for ‘seamless’ repatriation of 497 Filipinos on cruise ship
Health safety protocols are in place for next week’s repatriation of 497 Filipinos aboard the cruise ship quarantined at sea in Japan, Malacañang announced Friday.
Manila Bulletin
Repatriation plan for Pinoys onboard Japan cruise ship approved
The Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) has given its nod on the repatriation plan for all Filipino passengers and crew of M/V Diamond Princess cruise ship in Japan, Malacañang said on Friday.
Philippine News Agency
52 Filipinos on Japan cruise ship infected with coronavirus will not be repatriated yet
The scores of Filipino passengers and crew members of Japanese cruise ship Diamond Princess who were infected by the novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) will not be among those to be repatriated to the Philippines on Sunday, February 23.
Rappler
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DOJ approves indictment of Garin, et al over Dengvaxia deaths
Former Health secretary and current Iloilo Representative Janette Garin faces more charges in connection with her alleged liability over the deaths of children who got inoculated with the Dengvaxia anti-dengue vaccine.
Manila Bulletin
Garin blames ‘politics’ for latest case filed against her for Dengvaxia deaths
House Senior Deputy Minority Leader and Iloilo Rep. Janette Garin remained unperturbed by decision of the Department of Justice to indict her for criminal charges in connection with the deaths of eight children who allegedly died from the Dengvaxia vaccine.
Manila Bulletin
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Solon demands immediate implementation of pay hikes for nurses as mandated by law
As the deadly coronavirus disease (COVID -19) continues to threaten public health, a senior official of the House of Representatives has demanded the immediate implementation of higher salaries for government nurses, saying this is provided under the law.
Manila Bulletin
FOOD AND AGRICULTURE
DA holds ASF forum in Zambo City
Stakeholders vowed to support the government-led initiatives to ensure that this city remains free from African swine fever (ASF) during a forum organized by the Department of Agriculture (DA) here Friday.
Philippine News Agency
Agri group urges raising of other livestock amid ASF
The head of the Samahang Industriyang Agrikultura (SINAG) has reiterated the group’s call to backyard hog farmers to raise other livestock amid the African swine fever (ASF) problem in the country.
Philippine News Agency
Hog, pork ban remains despite ASF nat'l zoning plan
Governor Gwendolyn Garcia has stood pat to ban the entry of live hogs, pork and pork products in the province despite the national zoning and movement plan by the Department of Agriculture (DA) amid the African swine fever (ASF) scare.
Philippine News Agency
DA-Bicol confirms 1st ASF case
Some 250 heads of pigs in the town of Bombon in Camarines Sur will be culled after 23 hogs died in the area and were tested positive for African swine fever (ASF) by veterinary personnel of the Department of Agriculture (DA) in Bicol.
Philippine News Agency
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Villar urges veterinarians to continue helping agriculture sector
Senator Cynthia Villar is urging all veterinarians in the country to continue in their contribution to strengthen the agriculture sector.
Manila Bulletin
EDUCATION
DepEd calls for stronger link between teachers’ pre-service, in-service
To uplift the quality of education in the country, Education Secretary Leonor Briones pointed to the need for a stronger link between the pre-service and in-service of teachers.
Manila Bulletin
ENERGY
POVERTY
SOCIAL WELFARE AND DEVELOPMENT
Gordon welcomes increased SSS collections to enable ‘dignified’ retirement for pensioners
Senator Richard J. Gordon Friday welcomed the expected lengthening of the life of the Social Security System (SSS)-run fund that would enable the dignified retirement of its pensioners.
Manila Bulletin
HOUSING
TOURISM
AirAsia offers lower airfares to boost PH tourism
AirAsia on Friday, February 21, announced a 30% discount on fares on all domestic flights in support of the Philippine government's bid to spur local tourism amid the novel coronavirus (nCoV-2019) threat.
Rappler
Group urges DOT to promote use of reusable bags during PH Shopping Festival next month
An environmental group urged the Department of Tourism (DOT) on Friday to promote the use of reusable bags when the country holds its first-ever “Philippine Shopping Festival” next month.
Manila Bulletin
ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES
UP fraternity calls youth action on climate change
University of the Philippines (UP) fraternity members have called on the youth to act on climate change for a sustainable future during a press conference after the annual Oblation Run in UP Diliman, Quezon City on Friday.
Manila Bulletin
INFORMATION, COMMUNICATION AND TECHNOLOGY
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