Police and military officers are splitting into pro-Duterte and anti-Duterte groups
We understand that the killer Espenido should not be in the Duterte drug list because he belongs to the Duterte drug syndicate. The split among pro-Duterte and anti-Duterte police officers is becoming conspicuous. The Duterte loyalists have been promoted against the standards and procedures of the PNP and have offended too many other police officers.
NDFP
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CTGs not welcome in IPs Ancestral Domains
A ceremonial reading of sectoral resolution declaring CPP-NPA-NDF and their legal fronts as Persona non Grata by the Unified Tribal Council of Elders and Leaders in Monkayo, Davao de Oro was held yesterday, 17 February 2020.
Kalinaw News
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Lawmaker to teachers: Protect youth from NPA recruitment
Concerned over reports that influence of the New People’s Army (NPA) has already reached school campuses, Agusan del Norte 2nd District Rep. Ma. Angelica Amante-Matba urged teachers in the province to help the government save the youth from joining the rebels.
Kalinaw News
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Palparan enjoying special treatment in Bilibid – NUPL
Retired Army Major General Jovito Palparan was "unduly enjoying" special treatment in prison even after he was convicted for the disappearance of two student activists in 2006, the National Union of Peoples' Lawyers (NUPL) said Tuesday.
GMA News, Manila Bulletin
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Bodies of slain NPA rebels in Isabela remain unclaimed
The remains of the three New People’s Army (NPA) rebels, who were killed in an encounter with government troops Sunday, have yet to be claimed by their relatives, according to Fifth Infantry Division (5th ID) spokesperson Major Noriel D. Tayaban.
Manila Bulletin
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Kin of alleged CTG-NPA members cry foul over trumped up charges, seek CHR help
The sister and brother of a couple who were alleged members of the Communist Terrorist Group-New People’s Army (CTG-NPA) and were arrested in Barangay Tulang, Getafe, Bohol on February 8, 2020, claimed that the two were innocent as they seek the help of the Commission on Human Rights.
Cebu Daily News
Victorious tactical offensive reflects revolutionary mass support
eon Tumagtang Command, NPA – Front Twelve congratulates Jose Percival Estocada Jr. Command in their victorious tactical offensive launched against the operating troop of the Regional Mobile Force Company (RMFC) on the evening of February 12, 2020 in Brgy. Aglobong, Janiauy, Iloilo.
Communist Party of the Philippines
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3 rebels surrender in Malita
Three members of the New People’s Army (NPA) brought with them high-powered firearms as they surrendered to the troops of 73rd Infantry Battalion in Malita, Davao Occidental on Saturday.
The Mindanao Times
Peace Talks
Incidents/ Operations
Ex-CPP chair nabbed over 1985 killings
Rodolfo Salas, former chair of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) and head of the New People’s Army (NPA), on Tuesday questioned the authenticity of the arrest warrant and the murder charges against him. Police arrested Salas, 72, also known as “Kumander Bilog,” in his house in Barangay Balibago here at 5 a.m. on Tuesday on 29 counts of murder in connection with the so-called “Inopacan massacre” in Leyte province in 1985.
Philippine Daily Inquirer, GMA News, Rappler, Philippine News Agency, Manila Standard
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MARAWI
Philippine NGO: Delays in Rebuilding Marawi Fuel IS Recruitment
The Philippine government’s delay in rebuilding Marawi nearly three years after pro-Islamic State militants ransacked the southern city is encouraging recruitment of new fighters and could provoke an uprising among displaced residents, the head of a local NGO warned Tuesday.
Benarnews
SOUTHEAST ASIA AND THE WORLD
USAID pushes back on counterterror regulation complaints
The U.S. Agency for International Development has pushed back on reports that a policy intended to prevent U.S. humanitarian funding from supporting terrorism hinders crisis response efforts in Nigeria.
DEVEX
This Researcher Juggled Five Different Identities to Go Undercover With Far-Right and Islamist Extremists. Here's What She Found
Wearing a blond wig and walking through the streets of central Vienna in October 2017, Julia Ebner reminded herself of her new identity: Jennifer Mayer, an Austrian philosophy student currently studying abroad in London. It was one of five different identities that Ebner, an Austrian researcher specialized in online radicalization and cumulative extremism, adopted in order to infiltrate far-right/Islamist extremist networks.
TIME
Australia needs to walk the talk on women, peace and security
In October 2000, the UN Security Council unanimously adopted resolution 1325, which formally established the women, peace and security (WPS) agenda. The agenda has become the central framework through which to advocate for women’s participation across all peace and security decision-making processes, to promote the rights of women and girls in conflict and crisis settings, and to press for the integration of gender perspectives within conflict prevention, conflict resolution and post-conflict rebuilding efforts and throughout disaster and crisis responses.
Australian Strategic Policy Institute
Not all Uyghurs are terrorists, Turkey tells China
Turkey’s foreign minister on Sunday said China should not label all Muslim ethnic Uyghurs as terrorists, following talks with his Chinese counterpart in Germany, AFP reported.
Middle East Monitor
'Leaked' Xinjiang files likely cooked up by foreign intel agencies
As China spares no effort in its fight against the novel coronavirus outbreak, some Western media coincidently and simultaneously released the so-called Karakax list, which they called the third "leaked documents" from Northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, and they attacked China's anti-terrorism measures in the region.
Global Times
Paddington Green: inside the anti-terror HQ taken over by climate anarchists
For almost 50 years, Paddington Green police station in London was the nexus of the UK’s anti-terror policing operations. Its 16 high-security, subterranean cells have held IRA terrorists, Islamist would-be suicide bombers and prisoners returned from Guantánamo Bay.
The Guardian
Turkey arrests suspected ex-ISIS executioner
Turkish police have arrested a suspected former executioner for the Islamic State group (ISIS) in Syria, who became a gas repairman when he returned to civilian life in Turkey, local media reported on Tuesday, February 18.
Rappler
Al Azhar condemns attack on Burkina Faso church
Al Azhar has condemned a terrorist attack on a Protestant church in the village of Pansi in the Yagha region in Burkina Faso, which left scores of people dead and wounded.
Egypt Today
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PAMANA program gets P1.7B funding for 2020'
The government has allotted P1.7 billion this year for PAMANA projects designed to foster peace and development in areas wracked by armed conflict, Presidential Peace Adviser Carlito Galvez Jr. confirmed Tuesday.
Mindanews
‘Halal tourism’ in Iloilo pushed
Business leaders here are pushing to explore "Halal tourism" to complement the campaign of the Department of Tourism (DOT) to make this city a top destination for meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions (MICE).
Philippine News Agency
BARMM
Policy team eyed to fast-track Bangsamoro Dev’t Plan
The national government and Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), along with the Asian Development Bank (ADB), plan to create a policy team that will look into ways on how to best implement the Bangsamoro Development Plan covering the period 2020-2022.
Philippine News Agency
Bangsamoro Government receives continous support from Embassy of Japan
Chief of Mission of the Embassy of Japan Yamamoto Yasushi has pledged to continue their full support for the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) through projects that will “bring greater stability and prosperity in the region.”
NDBC News
MAGUINDANAO AND COTABATO CITY
NORTH COTABATO
LANAO PROVINCES
BASILAN
Basilan execs have common anti-COVID-19 efforts
Officials launched Monday Task Force NCov covering Lamitan City to enforce measures preventing the spread of the 2019 novel coronavirus or COVID-19 in its constituent-barangays.
NDBC News
SULU
More soldiers deployed in Patikul to rescue five Indons
The military in Sulu province has deployed more security forces in Patikul, Sulu to rescue the five Indonesian fishermen kidnapped in Tambisan island in Malaysia last month.
Manila Bulletin
TAWI-TAWI
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DRUGS
Palace says Espenido may be right, a victim of faulty intelligence in war on drugs
Malacañang on Tuesday said Police Lieutenant Colonel Jovie Espenido could be a victim of faulty intelligence after his name was included in the government’s list of drug personalities.
GMA News, Philippine News Agency
Bato vouches for Espenido, but says there was no failure of intelligence
Senator Ronald dela Rosa on Tuesday vouched for the integrity of relieved Police Lieutenant Colonel Jovie Espenido, but disagreed with the latter’s claims that failure of intelligence led to the police official’s inclusion in the government drug watchlist.
GMA News
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Village execs reminded to keep anti-drug bodies functional
The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) in Central Visayas on Tuesday reminded leaders of drug-cleared villages to maintain a “highly functional” anti-drug abuse council to retain the status.
Philippine News Agency
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Sotto: No need to legislate law for medical marijuana
Senate President Vicente Sotto III said Tuesday there is no need for Congress to legislate a law to make use of marijuana for medical purposes legal.
GMA News
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Trillanes back in Philippines to face conspiracy to commit sedition case
Former Senator Antonio Trillanes IV arrived in the country on Tuesday morning to face the conspiracy to commit sedition charge filed against him and several others, according to Nimfa Ravelo's report on Dobol B sa News TV.
GMA News
Trillanes posts bail for conspiracy to commit sedition case
Former Senator Antonio Trillanes IV posted bail Tuesday to remain free while he awaits trial for a criminal case over an alleged plot against President Rodrigo Duterte.
GMA News
With 14 cases, Trillanes awaits fate for non-bailable kidnapping
Opposition figure Antonio Trillanes IV is currently facing 14 cases under the Duterte administration – the last one being the most threatening so far as it could send him back to jail indefinitely.
Rappler
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Cop chief cites dwindling shabu supply in Bacolod City
The supply of illegal drugs here has decreased recently based on the dwindling volume of shabu seized by the Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO) in various operations. Col. Henry Biñas, city police director, said compared to the past few months, the market value of illegal drugs recovered by the operatives is no longer that much in recent weeks.
Philippine News Agency
Operations/ Incidents
7 suspects nabbed in Taguig buy-bust, P2.9-M worth of crystal meth seized
Police officers and drug enforcement agents arrested seven drug suspects in a buy-bust operation in Taguig City on Monday night and confiscated over P2.9 million worth of crystal meth, locally known as shabu.
Philippine Daily Inquirer, Manila Standard
Cop killed, another one hurt in Misamis Oriental clash
A police officer was killed while another one was wounded following an encounter between the police and some armed men in Libertad, Misamis Oriental on Monday night.
GMA News, Rappler
Veggie dealer yields marijuana, hand grenade in N. Vizcaya
A 27-year-old vegetable dealer was arrested on Tuesday for possession of one kilo of dried marijuana leaves and a hand grenade during a buy-bust in Barangay Almaguer North here.
Philippine News Agency
Taguig cop faces extortion rap in drug case
A police officer is now facing charges of robbery-extortion after he allegedly mulcted money from a relative of a drug suspect in Taguig City.
Philippine News Agency
Recovery and Rehabilitation
ILLICIT FIREARMS, EXPLOSIVES, AND AMMUNITION
CROSS-BORDER TRADING/ SMUGGLING/ COUNTERFEIT GOODS
HUMAN TRAFFICKING
BI intercepts 8 human trafficking victims at NAIA/Mactan
Bureau of Immigration (BI) officers thwarted three more human trafficking attempts with their recent interception of eight victims at the Manila and Cebu airports.
Manila Bulletin
KIDNAPPING
ILLEGAL GAMBLING
Police destroy over 50 illegal gambling machines
Over 50 "video karera" and "fruit game" machines were destroyed in Camp Crame on Tuesday morning in line with the directive of Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Police General Archie Francisco Gamboa to intensify the campaign against illegal gambling.
GMA News
ILLICIT FINANCIAL TRANSACTIONS/ EXTORTION
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LGBTQ+ groups hit Oplan X-Men’s ‘targeted harassment’ against transgender women
LGBTQ+ groups were up in arms about the alleged profiling of transgender women in Makati City, caught especially in a viral video that circulated online on Friday, February 14.
Rappler
'Profiling' ops not discriminatory: NCRPO
The National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) on Tuesday said it does not intend to discriminate anyone in its "profiling" operations.
Philippine News Agency, Manila Bulletin
Press Freedom/ Freedom of expression
OSG asks Supreme Court to issue gag order on case vs. ABS-CBN
The Office of the Solicitor General (OSG) has asked the Supreme Court to issue a gag order prohibiting the parties from discussing the merits of its quo warranto petition against ABS-CBN Corporation and its subsidiary, ABS-CBN Convergence, Inc.
GMA News, Rappler
Palace backs SolGen on gag order plea on ABS-CBN franchise
Malacañang on Tuesday backed the petition of the Office of the Solicitor General asking the Supreme Court to order ABS-CBN not to discuss the merits of the quo warranto petition in public.
GMA News, Philippine News Agency
Panelo: If there is gag order on ABS-CBN quo warranto, it will cover all except lawmakers
Everyone including celebrities, except for lawmakers, may be covered if the Supreme Court (SC) grants the government’s plea for gag order in the quo warrant case against ABS-CBN television network, Malacañang said Tuesday.
Manila Bulletin
Duterte's threat to shut down ABS-CBN should not be taken literally —Palace
President Rodrigo Duterte's tirades and threats against ABS-CBN Corporation should not be taken literally, his spokesperson Salvador Panelo said on Tuesday.
GMA News
Poe: Senate to push through with ABS-CBN franchise hearing amid gag order petition
The Senate will push through with its hearing on the bill seeking the renewal of the franchise of ABS-CBN Corporation amid the petition for gag order filed by the Office of the Solicitor General before the Supreme Court.
GMA News
Poe offers Senate’s ‘protection’ to resource persons invited to ABS-CBN hearing
Senator Grace Poe said Tuesday that the Senate public services committee will be giving ABS-CBN officials and other resource persons the protection to be able to shed light on the issues preventing the renewal of its franchise.
Manila Bulletin
Dela Rosa questions impact of ABS-CBN closure on employees
Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa on Tuesday questioned the veracity of reports that thousands of people would lose jobs if the ABS-CBN network loses its franchise.
Manila Bulletin
OPINION: Calida’s gag order petition betrays desperation
A week after he filed a quo warranto petition before the Supreme Court to shut down broadcast giant ABS-CBN for alleged violations of its franchise which is due to expire on March 20, Solicitor General Jose Calida asked the High Court to issue a gag order on the media outfit.
ABS-CBN News
Philippines: Withdraw gag order plea against ABS-CBN TV network
Responding to news that Philippine Solicitor General Jose Calida has asked the Supreme Court for a gag order against statements about its pending petition to nullify the franchises of TV network ABS-CBN, Amnesty International’s Regional Director Nicholas Bequelin said:
Amnesty International, Philippine Daily Inquirer
Rights groups, lawmakers condemn Calida's motion to gag ABS-CBN
A week after he filed a quo warranto petition to void ABS-CBN's network franchise, Solicitor General Jose Calida filed a motion to gag the broadcast giant on the case, spurring criticism from rights groups and lawmakers.
Rappler
Lawmakers not acting on ABS-CBN franchise because they’re afraid of Duterte —Atienza
Buhay party-list Representative Lito Atienza on Tuesday said that members of Congress are not working on the franchise renewal of ABS-CBN Corporation because they fear President Rodrigo Duterte.
GMA News
Speaker shouldn't stop discussions on ABS-CBN franchise merits –Lagman
Speaker Alan Cayetano should not restrict his colleagues' mandate to discuss and vote on the merits and demerits of 11 pending bills seeking ABS-CBN's franchise renewal, Albay Representative Edcel Lagman said Tuesday.
GMA News
Business groups call for ABS-CBN franchise renewal
Four of the biggest business groups in the Philippines called on Congress to act on bills filed by several lawmakers to renew the broadcasting franchise of media giant ABS-CBN.
Rappler
Cable TV group slams ABS-CBN for franchise approval ‘shortcut’
An association of cable television operators in the country on Tuesday criticized broadcaster ABS-CBN for allegedly taking a "shortcut" in the approval of its franchise.
GMA News
ABS-CBN case: Testing the limits of corporate structuring practices
Solicitor General Jose Calida has accused ABS-CBN of cheating the government by using two franchises not originally granted to the network, but to companies it later came to own.
Rappler
Vice Ganda, Boy Abunda to convince Congress to give ABS-CBN franchise?
IT is the height of servility to an oligarch for Sen. Franklin Drilon and other Yellow legislators to be still trying to give ABS-CBN Corp. the franchise to operate in the weeks till March when its current permit, given in 1995 at the height of the Yellow Rule, expires.
The Manila Times
Sounds familiar
Why should the quo warranto case filed on Feb. 10 by Solicitor General Jose Calida seeking the forfeiture of the ABS-CBN franchise be viewed merely as a legal process intended to curb the radio-TV network’s alleged “abusive practices,” and not as an assault on press freedom?
Philippine Daily Inquirer
Martial Law
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PRRD’s white wristband symbol of peace, not medical plaster
President Rodrigo Duterte was not wearing a medical plaster but a white wristband as a “symbol of peace”, Malacañang said on Tuesday. Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo allayed concerns that Duterte was wearing a protective dressing commonly used to protect limbs with broken bones.
Philippine News Agency
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National Food Policy out by October: Nograles
Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles announced that the government would be coming out with its National Food Policy by October this year as part of its efforts to eradicate hunger in the country.
Philippine News Agency
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Military coup vs. Duterte ‘a pipe dream’: Palace
Malacañang on Tuesday described as a “pipe dream” the claim of communist founder Jose Maria Sison that some Philippine military officials who are pro-Americans are planning to stage a coup d’etat against President Rodrigo Duterte.
Philippine News Agency
End of VFA paves way for China build in Scarborough Shoal —Carpio
The abrogation of the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) will send a message to China that it is free to build air and naval bases on the Scarborough Shoal, retired Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio said on Tuesday.
GMA News
No more VFA? PH, U.S. ‘will work out something else’ – Romualdez
As the Philippines and the US count down to the end of their Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA), diplomats from both countries said they would figure out ways to maintain robust bilateral relations.
Rappler
Trump VFA reax, positive tone for PH independent foreign policy
President Donald Trump's approving remarks on the termination of the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) connotes a positive tone for Manila's pursuit of an independent foreign policy, Philippine Ambassador to the United States Jose Manuel Romualdez said Tuesday.
Philippine News Agency
Why Justice Carpio is on the wrong side of the VFA issue
With all due respect to Justice Antonio Carpio, he has unfortunately fallen into the trap of seeing our strategic choice as either pro-United States or pro-China (“Weakening our defenses in the WPS,” Crosscurrents, 2/13/20).
Philippine Daily Inquirer
Shall there be no more visits?
SO, Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has served notice to the United States of the termination of the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) and, apparently, US President Donald Trump does not give a rat’s ass!
The Manila Times
Scrapping VFA: Much ado about nothing
THIS comedy by Shakespeare is very apt for what’s happening in the Philippines today. In this Shakespearean comedy, rumors, gossip, lying and speculations are the pervading themes that override reality.
The Manila Times
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OFFICE OF THE VICE PRESIDENT
ELECTION RELATED
DISASTER
Tolentino appeals for help for 455 towns without access to drinking water
Senator Francis Tolentino on Tuesday urged the government to push for the immediate creation of a potable water supply system for municipalities which still have no access to clean drinking water.
GMA News
MINDANAO
CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS
House committee to vote on Cha-cha proposals from inter-agency panel
The House Committee on Constitutional Amendments was set to vote on several Charter change proposals on Wednesday-February 19, Cagayan de Oro City Second District Representative and House Constitutional Amendments panel Chair Rufus Rodriguez said Tuesday.
GMA News
Cha-cha resolution with admin's proposals filed at House
Taking into account the recommendations made by the administration’s Inter-Agency Task Force on Federalism and Constitutional Reform, a lawmaker on Tuesday filed a resolution of both Houses proposing amendments to the 1987 Constitution.
Philippine News Agency
Congressional committee’s proposals to amend the Constitution
Rep. Rufus Rodriguez, chairman of the congressional committee to amend the Constitution, invited me to react to the committee’s proposals in its public hearing last week at the Batasang Pambansa.
Philippine Star
JUDICIARY
LEGISLATIVE
Senate of the Philippines
Senators push for bill allowing use of motorcycles as PUVs
Senators on Tuesday pushed for the passage of the bill that would allow the use of motorcycles as public utility vehicles or motorcycles-for-hire.
GMA News
House of Representatives
Congressmen looking to lower e-cigarette access age to 18
Even after the recently passed excise tax law made 21 the minimum age to purchase and use e-cigarettes, some House of Representatives members are looking to lower it to 18.
Rappler
House OKs changes to Public Service Act on 2nd reading
The House of Representatives on Tuesday approved on second reading a measure amending the 84-year-old Public Service Act. The chamber passed via voice vote House Bill No. 78, which seeks to provide a clear statutory definition of a public utility.
Philippine News Agency
LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS (LGUs)
DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
BI-NAIA terminal heads relieved of duty amid investigation on ‘pastillas’ scheme
The Bureau of Immigration (BI) has relieved from their posts the terminal heads of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) while it investigates an alleged scheme in which Chinese nationals are escorted through the immigration process in exchange for a fee.
GMA News
BI chief Morente still enjoys Duterte’s confidence — Palace
President Rodrigo Duterte remains confident in the capability of Bureau of Immigration Commissioner Jaime Morente despite the latest corruption allegations against the agency, Malacañang said Tuesday.
GMA News
DEFENSE AND SECURITY
Russian envoy visits AFP chief
Russian Ambassador to the Philippines Igor Khovaev on Monday met with Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief-of-staff Gen. Felimon Santos Jr., in what was described as "introductory courtesy call".
Philippine News Agency
Armed Forces of the Philippines
Tank gunnery simulator to boost efficiency of troops
The efficiency of troops tasked to man and operate tanks that will be acquired by the Philippine Army (PA) will be greatly boosted with the arrival of a tank gunnery simulator.
Philippine News Agency
Philippine National Police
BUDGET, FINANCE, and TAXATION
Dominguez sees investor confidence boost if ABS-CBN 'violations' proven true
Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III sees a boost in investor confidence should the alleged violations of embattled media giant ABS-CBN be proven true.
Rappler
ECONOMY AND INVESTMENTS
BUILD, BUILD, BUILD and PUBLIC WORKS
DPWH wants to adopt Japan’s measures in coastal management
The Department of Public Works and Highways had expressed plans to adopt Japan’s coastal management program in order to build more reliable infrastructure projects in coastal areas in the country.
Manila Bulletin
OFFICIAL DEVELOPMENT ASSISTANCE
China loans to PH projects to continue despite COVID-19
Even as the Chinese economy takes a hit from the COVID-19 outbreak, Beijing’s top diplomat in Manila said that the economic giant would continue to extend loans and grants for big-ticket infrastructure projects in the Philippines.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
AUDIT, GRAFT, AND CORRUPTION
COA to DSWD: Pay Landbank's P82.72 million in unpaid 4Ps service fees
The Commission on Audit (COA) said the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) should pay Land Bank of the Philippines (Landbank) some P82.72 million in unpaid service fees relating to accredited private conduits for Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT), or the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps).
Rappler
FOREIGN RELATIONS
West Philippine Sea
LABOR
Bello: POEA resolution not necessary to resume OFW deployment to HK, Macau
Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III said a formal Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) resolution allowing the resumption of the deployment of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) to Hong Kong and Macao is not necessary.
Manila Bulletin
TRANSPORTATION
LTFRB trains drivers in safety, etiquette under PUV modernization plan
The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) has assured the public of more competent public utility vehicle (PUV) drivers under the government’s modernization program. LTFRB Chairman Martin Delgra III said the agency and the Department of Transportation (DOTr) have been addressing issues of errant PUV drivers through several programs under the modernization plan.
Manila Bulletin
HEALTH
China reports 1,868 deaths, 72,436 new cases as coronavirus impact broadens
China reported 1,886 new virus cases and 98 more deaths in its update on Tuesday on a disease outbreak that has caused mild illness in most people, an assessment that promoted guarded optimism from global health authorities.
Business Mirror
China to waive tariffs on U.S. medical imports amid virus outbreak
China will waive trade-war tariffs on imports of selected United States medical equipment from March 2, the government said Tuesday, February 18, as the country battles to contain the new coronavirus epidemic.
Rappler
China arrests activist who criticized Xi Jinping over virus – rights group
Police in China have arrested a prominent activist who had been a fugitive for weeks and criticized President Xi Jinping's handling of the coronavirus epidemic while in hiding, a rights group said Tuesday, February 18.
Rappler
Wuhan hospital director dies of coronavirus
A hospital director at the epicenter of China's virus epidemic died Tuesday, February 18, state media said, the latest medical worker to fall victim to the coronavirus which has spread across the country.
Rappler
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Singapore announces $4.6-billion boost to fight virus
Singapore unveiled US$4.6 billion in financial packages on Tuesday, February 18, to deal with the impact of the deadly coronavirus outbreak, which has battered the city-state's economy and sparked fears of a recession.
Rappler
Mining giant BHP warns coronavirus could impact demand
BHP, the world's biggest miner, warned Tuesday, February 18, that demand for resources could be hit by the novel coronavirus outbreak in China unless the epidemic is contained by the end of March.
Rappler
Organizers cancel Tokyo Marathon for 38,000 runners over coronavirus
Organizers said Monday, February 17, they are cancelling the amateur portion of the Tokyo Marathon, affecting around 38,000 runners, on fears about the spread of the new coronavirus in Japan.
Rappler
Macau casinos to reopen after virus ban lifted
Macau's casinos will reopen Thursday, February 20, after authorities lifted a city-wide two-week closure aimed at stopping the spread of the deadly new coronavirus.
Rappler
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OFW in Hong Kong tests positive for COVID-19
A Filipina household service worker in Hong Kong tested positive for the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19), the Philippine Consulate General said Tuesday. The consulate general added that it has already sent a team to the hospital where the patient is confined to check on her condition.
Manila Bulletin
8 more Filipino crew of Japanese cruise ship catch novel coronavirus
Eight more Filipinos working on the Japanese cruise ship Diamond Princess have contracted the novel coronavirus, bringing the total number of infected Filipino crew members to 35, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said on Tuesday, February 18.
Rappler
Coronavirus cases top 500 on cruise ship off Japan
Another 88 people from a cruise ship off Japan have tested positive for the coronavirus, authorities said Tuesday, February 18, as those free of the disease hoped they were spending their last night on board before disembarking.
Rappler
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73% of PUIs in Philippines already discharged, says DOH
Only around a quarter of the 527 persons under investigation (PUIs) for suspected coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in the Philippines are still admitted in hospitals, according to data from the Department of Health (DOH).
GMA News
Philippines to wait for WHO, FDA approval before allowing entry of drug for COVID-19 —DOH
The China-approved cure for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) must first secure the approval of international and local medical authorities before it can be distributed in the Philippine market, the Department of Health (DOH) said Tuesday.
GMA News
DOH, DOT, DILG see no need to cancel festivals, conferences due to COVID-19
Public gatherings, meetings, and festivals in the Philippines should not be hampered by the threats of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) which has already sparked global scare, national government officials said on Tuesday.
GMA News, Rappler
Stranded OFWs may return to Hong Kong, Macau as gov't partially lifts travel ban
Filipinos stranded in the Philippines because of the novel coronavirus outbreak are now allowed to return to their jobs in Hong Kong and Macau, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) and the Deparetment of Health (DOH) said on Tuesday, February 18.
Rappler
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PH coronavirus watch: Suspected cases per region, as of February 18, 2020
The Philippines is ramping up its probe of people with symptoms of respiratory illness, in order to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus.
Rappler
Pinoy who travelled to Hong Kong is PUI No. 2 in Region 12
The Department of Health (DOH) has reported another patient under investigation (PUI) in Region 12 for the deadly coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-2019).
Mindanews
14 PUMs in southern Negros city under home quarantine
A total of 14 persons under monitoring (PUMs) for the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) are under home quarantine in Bago City, Negros Occidental as of Tuesday.
Philippine News Agency
17 of 24 PUIs tested negative for Covid-19 in CAR
A total of 17 out of the 24 persons under investigation (PUI) in the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) have tested negative for the 2019 coronavirus disease (Covid-19) while seven are waiting for lab results from the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM).
Philippine News Agency
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Caloocan Bishop suggests sprinkling dry ash on Ash Wednesday amid virus concerns
The Church will continue its Lenten activities but will implement precautionary measures amid the coronavirus threat, Caloocan Bishop Pablo Virgilio David said Tuesday.
GMA News
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DOH: New price ceiling for some medicines result of thorough review, consultations
The new price ceilings that will be imposed on certain medicines in the country pursuant to the Maximum Drug Retail Price (MDRP) have gone through complex review since 2017, according to the Department of Health (DOH) on Tuesday.
GMA News
Duque: Maybe I was given 2nd term at DOH to continue lobby for cheaper meds
Health Secretary Francisco Duque III on Tuesday said he was probably given a second shot to head the Department of Health (DOH) so he could continue lobbying to give the public better access to cheaper medicines.
GMA News
Senior citizens to benefit most from drug price cap — DOH’s Duque
The elderly Filipinos who commonly take maintenance medications will benefit the most from the implementation of drug price caps in the country, according to the Department of Health (DOH) on Tuesday.
GMA News
FOOD AND AGRICULTURE
NegOcc maintains ‘very high alert’ against ASF
The Negros Occidental provincial government is maintaining a “very high alert” status to prevent the entry of African swine fever (ASF) that still poses a threat to its multi-billion hog industry.
Philippine News Agency
ASF task force seizes 117 kilos of meat in Naga City
At least 117 kilos of beef and pork meat, four game fowls, and eight crates of quail eggs were intercepted and confiscated by members of Task Force African swine fever (TD-ASF) on Tuesday morning at the Bicol Central Bus station in Naga City.
Philippine News Agency
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DA: P3 billion to fuel farm, fishery modernization
THE government has initially allotted P3 billion to fuel the modernization and industrialization of the country’s agriculture and fishery sector, the Department of Agriculture (DA) said.
Business Mirror
EDUCATION
DepEd: Partial K to 12 curriculum review results available in March
With the K to 12 curriculum review ongoing, the Department of Education (DepEd) said on Tuesday it will be ready to release initial results of the review by next month.
Manila Bulletin
DepEd to get stakeholders’ inputs on whether or not to join next PISA
Education Secretary Leonor Briones said the Department of Education (DepEd) has yet to decide if the Philippines will join the next Programme for International Students Assessment (PISA) following the low ranking Filipino learners obtained in 2018.
Manila Bulletin
EU project to support Filipino teachers in challenged areas
An enrichment program designed for teachers in challenged areas in the Philippines will be crafted in the country co-funded by the Erasmus+Programme of the European Union.
Philippine News Agency
ENERGY
DOE meets NGCP, Meralco on power crunch measures
THE Department of Energy (DOE) is meeting officials of the Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) and the National Grid Corp. of the Philippines (NGCP) today to discuss measures being undertaken to mitigate the impact of the power-supply deficiency between April and May this year.
Business Mirror
POVERTY
SOCIAL WELFARE AND DEVELOPMENT
HOUSING
TOURISM
ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES
Villar says banning single-use plastics may be 'impossible'
Senator Cynthia Villar on Tuesday, February 18, said that banning single-use plastic may be impossible, pending the availability of alternatives to packaging.
Rappler, Manila Bulletin
DENR appeals for public support to curb illegal logging in calabarzon
The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) in Region 4A (Calabarzon) has appealed to the public to help the agency stop illegal logging activities in the region.
Business Mirror
INFORMATION, COMMUNICATION AND TECHNOLOGY
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