War with the NPA, war without end
Editor's note: This story was first published in Newsbreak magazine on December 1, 2007, as part of its series on the counterinsurgency campaign of the Arroyo government. The interviews were made with military officers – many of them now retired – as well as communist leaders during the administration of Gloria Macapagal Arroyo. Much of the thinking and tactics employed by the military under Arroyo is also being done now under the Duterte government – although in varying degrees. We are reprinting this story to put the government’s current counter-insurgency measures in perspective.
Rappler
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Rights body urged to act on communist recruitment of minors
Relissa Lucena, mother of Alicia who has allegedly been recruited by leftist groups, on Saturday called on the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) to act on the cases of minors being "taken away" by the organizations that have links to the communist movement. In an interview, Lucena said parents like her only want for the immediate return of their children.
Philippine News Agency
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New anti-terror measure needed, but left slams it
Senate President Vicente Sotto III and Senator Panfilo Lacson on Saturday underscored the need for Congress to come up with a new anti-terror law to deal with external and internal terrorism threats amid the government’s self-reliance thrust.
Manila Standard
NUPL opposes Senate anti-terror bill
An organization of lawyers has expressed its opposition against the passage of the proposed anti-terrorism law which it fears would enable the government to target critics, including members of the media.
Manila Bulletin
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Interfaith dialogue key to end insurgency: Army
The Philippine Army underscored the role of interfaith dialogue in ending local communist armed conflicts in communities in Agusan del Sur.
Philippine News Agency
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Students warned vs. NPA recruitment
Students of the City University of Pasay (CUP) have been warned against the several recruitment activities of the New People’s Army (NPA) and the deceptions of its allied militant organizations to the youth.
Philippine News Agency
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2 former rebels get E-CLIP benefits
Two former rebels who recently surrendered to the government were given financial aid in Camarines Sur, a 9th Infantry Division (9ID) official said on Saturday.
Philippine News Agency
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Duguan ang kamay ng AFP-PNP-CAFGU
Mapanghati at mapanlilang ang mga pahayag nina Presidential Peace Adviser Gen. Carlito Galvez, Jr., AFP SolCom Chief Lt. Gen. Antonio Parlade, Jr. at 31st IBPA Commanding Officer Lt. Col. Eric Culvera.
Communist Party of the Philippines
Imperyalistang panghihimasok ng US, mananatili sa kabila ng pagsasawalang-bisa ng VFA
Hanggang angas lang ang hakbang ni Duterte na talikuran ang Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA). Kamakailan, inamin na ng imperyalistang US na patuloy silang ‘magbibigay ng tulong’ sa militar ng Pilipinas di umano’y para labanan ang insurhensya.
Communist Party of the Philippines
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Cagayan de Oro journalists condemn renewed red-tagging
The Cagayan de Oro Press Club (COPC) has condemned the renewed red-tagging of several journalists here. In a statement issued on Saturday, COPC President Manuel Jaudian asked the police and military to look into this “seemingly witch-hunt efforts of some misguided elements.”
Philippine Daily Inquirer
Man on motorbike inquiring about Bayan Muna solon Zarate
An unidentified man on a motorcycle was spotted inquiring about Bayan Muna Rep. Carlos Isagani Zarate in Quezon City on Saturday morning.
Philippine Daily Inquirer, GMA News
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PNP claims Bulacan factory unions infiltrated by NPA
Unions of four Bulacan manufacturing companies have allegedly been infiltrated by communist rebels through the Kilusang Mayo Uno, the police said during the February 27 launch of the Joint Industries for Peace Office (JIPCO) in the province.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
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Army deploys new battalion in Rizal
A new battalion of the Philippine Army was positioned in Rizal as the military aims to deliver the final blow against insurgents in Southern Luzon.
Tempo
Peace Talks
Incidents/ Operations
67 Manobo families flee homes in Surigao del Sur
Sixty-seven families in the hinterlands of Lianga, Surigao del Sur have fled their homes again, fearing hostilities between government troops and New Peoples Army (NPA) rebels might escalate.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
NPA leader slain in encounter in Bukidnon
An alleged high-ranking leader of the New Peoples’ Army (NPA) was killed in an encounter around 3 p.m. Friday with government forces in Damulog, Bukidnon, the military said.
Mindanews, Tempo, CNN Philippines, Sunstar Zamboanga, Kalinaw News
Army encounters NPA in Guihulngan City
Troops under 62nd Infantry (Unifier) Battalion encountered more or less 10 NPA terrorists at So Agpapatao, Brgy Binobohan, Guihulngan City, Negros Oriental around 6:10 pm of February 28, 2020 (Friday).
Kalinaw News
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MARAWI
SOUTHEAST ASIA AND THE WORLD
Bollards take over the beaches as threat of terrorism changes the face of Sydney
Sydney councils are scrambling to secure crowded places as the federal government warns that sites such as stadiums, shopping centres, pedestrian malls and major events continue to be attractive targets for terrorists.
The Sydney Morning Herald
Xenophobia is stock-in-trade of Europe’s far right
It speaks to the tension of the moment that, when a car was driven into a crowd of people at a carnival parade in the small German town of Volkmarsen, the first thought was of terrorism — jihadist or far-right, one or the other.
The Arab Weekly
How loose talk costs lives in the fight against extremism
Michael Bloomberg, the candidate for the Democratic Party’s presidential nomination, has come under fire for surveillance programs conducted against Muslims while he was mayor of New York.
Arab News
Two Years after ISIS, Mosul Tallies Up the Cost—and Looks to laser-enabled Reconstruction of its Ancient Glory
The Mosul Museum once held hand-chiseled reliefs and statues from three civilizations across three millennia. It exhibited two 13th-century coffins inscribed with verses from the Qur'an, statues depicting Hercules, and a series of ninth-century-BC bronze bands that wrapped a series of enormous doors known as the Balawat Gates.
Newsweek
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BARMM
Ex-MILF fighters get P137.6-M in decommissioning grants
The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD)- Region 12 has released PHP137.6 million in grants to more than a thousand decommissioned combatants of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) in Maguindanao, an official said on Friday.
Philippine News Agency
Decommissioned BIAF combatants undergo Trainers Training
More than 30 combatants of the Bangsamoro Islamic Armed Forces, Moro Islamic Liberation Front (BIAF-MILF) have undergone Training of Trainers (ToT) conducted at Eden Nature Park, Toril, Davao City on February 22-24.
Luwaran
MAGUINDANAO AND COTABATO CITY
Clan wars in Maguindanao, Basilan settled amicably
Local officials settled Friday two bloody clan wars, one in Basilan and the other in Maguindanao, via separate peace covenants reached after tedious dialogues that lasted for months.
NDBC News, Philippine Star
Army officer nabbed for asking money from applicants
An Army officer was arrested Friday by joint army counter-intelligence group and Criminal Investigation and Detection Group in the Bangsamoro Region over reports he was getting money from applicants at the 6th Infantry Division.
Mindanews
NORTH COTABATO
LANAO PROVINCES
BASILAN
SULU
TAWI-TAWI
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DRUGS
PNP to submit Espenido investigation results on March 7
The Philippine National Police (PNP) said on Saturday that it would submit the results of its investigation on Police Lieutenant Colonel Jovie Espenido and other cops included in the drugs watchlist to President Rodrigo Duterte on March 7.
GMA News
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DOJ expected to release resolution on perjury case vs Bikoy next month
The Department of Justice (DOJ) will hopefully release this March the resolution on the perjury case against Peter Joemel Advincula, who is also known as Bikoy. The office of Assistant State Prosecutor Ferdinand Fernandez said it has already submitted for approval a draft of the resolution before the Office of the Prosecutor General.
Manila Bulletin
Operations/ Incidents
P800K worth ‘shabu’ seized in Naga City
Anti-narcotics operatives confiscated suspected “shabu” (crystal meth) worth P800,000 from three suspected drug personalities in a buy-bust operation in Naga City on Friday night.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
4 suspected drug pushers fall in Quezon buy-busts
Police arrested four suspected “shabu” (crystal meth) peddlers in series of buy-bust operations in this city and towns of Calauag and Candelaria in Quezon province on Friday and Saturday.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
Recovery and Rehabilitation
ILLICIT FIREARMS, EXPLOSIVES, AND AMMUNITION
CROSS-BORDER TRADING/ SMUGGLING/ COUNTERFEIT GOODS
HUMAN TRAFFICKING
KIDNAPPING
ILLEGAL GAMBLING
No sacred cows in fight vs. illegal gambling: PNP chief
Philippine National Police (PNP) chief, Gen. Archie Francisco Gamboa, assured that no one will be spared in the continuing fight against all forms of illegal gambling.
Philippine News Agency
ILLICIT FINANCIAL TRANSACTIONS/ EXTORTION
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Bataan wants to settle LGUs’ decades-old land dispute
The Sangguniang Panlalawigan (Provincial Board) here was preparing to invite municipal officials of Bagac and Mariveles towns to settle a boundary dispute that has been running for decades, a board member said Friday.
Philippine News Agency
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PH backs UN's caution vs. use of human rights for hidden agenda
The Philippine government expressed support to the direction that the United Nations (UN) Secretary-General António Guterres and the High Commissioner for Human Rights have outlined for a human rights agenda oriented towards cooperation between states and the UN system, to veer away from a naming-and-shaming approach that has characterized the work of the Human Rights Council.
Philippine News Agency
Press Freedom/ Freedom of expression
Sotto: Senate won’t resort to shortcuts in renewal of ABS-CBN franchise
The Senate will stick to procedures set by the Constitution in the granting of franchises to public utilities, and will not resort to short cuts, Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III maintained Saturday.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
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[OPINION | NEWSPOINT] The right to be entertained
A serious sociopolitical conflict is developing over the Duterte regime’s campaign to take away the ABS-CBN franchise. The conditions are made for it: As the largest independent broadcast network, ABS-CBN simply has no place in President Duterte’s authoritarian designs.
Rappler
[OPINION] Closing ABS-CBN is a blow to Philippine film heritage
Last week, I went to Pineapple Lab and saw a restored version of Ibong Adarna produced in 1941 by LVN Pictures. It’s the first black-and-white Filipino movie with a varicolor film sequence.
Rappler
Martial Law
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3 agencies transferred from Office of the President to DSWD
The Presidential Commission on Urban Poor (PCUP), National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP), and National Anti-Poverty Commission (NAPC) have been finally transferred to the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).
Manila Bulletin
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Sotto optimistic SC will rule VFA abrogation must have Senate concurrence
Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III thinks the Supreme Court will side with the Senate in the issue of the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) abrogation.
Philippine Daily Inquirer, Manila Bulletin
Senate’s petition to SC on VFA abrogation to benefit future senators — Lacson
The Senate’s petition, which aims to contest the abrogation of the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) between the Philippines and the United States, will also benefit future senators, Senator Panfilo Lacson said Saturday.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
Duterte's decision to end the alliance with the US is reckless
"In this venue, your honours, I announce my separation from the United States," thundered Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte during his historic visit to China in 2016. At the time, few, including members of his inner circle, took the remarks seriously, never mind literally.
Aljazeera
VFA termination is pro-Filipino
Today the main competition is in economy and human resources, not military. The termination of the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) is an aspect of an independent foreign policy that will allow more flexible readjustments and calibrations according to the world situation. It is not anti-US or pro China, but pro-Filipino. Why?
The Manila Times
OFFICE OF THE VICE PRESIDENT
ELECTION RELATED
DISASTER
Batangas suffers P123 million in tourism losses due to Taal eruption
The eruption of Taal volcano left a huge impact in tourism sites in the province of Batangas, particularly those located within the 14-kilometer danger zone.
Rappler
DSWD warns of 'unscrupulous’ persons victimizing quake victims
The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) 12 (Soccsksargen) on Friday warned of "unscrupulous" individuals who are allegedly dipping their fingers into the emergency assistance for earthquake victims in North Cotabato.
Philippine News Agency
MINDANAO
CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS
JUDICIARY
LEGISLATIVE
Senate of the Philippines
Senate may defer acting on economic bills if COVID-19 rages on, says Sotto
Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III on Saturday said the Senate may delay action on economic bills, particularly the Corporate Income Tax and Incentives Reform Act (Citira) if the threat of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) rages on.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
After high school for sports, senators now batting for creation of state university for athletes
Following the approval of the creation of the Philippine High School for Sports (PHSS), senators are pitching the creation of a state university for athletes. The Senate recently approved on third and final reading the Senate Bill No. 1086, which seeks to establish the PHSS to train and develop young athletes.
Manila Bulletin
De Lima wants early cash gifts for senior citizens who reach 80, 90 years
Senator Leila de Lima on Saturday called on the Senate to promptly approve a measure seeking to grant senior citizens additional cash gifts of P10,000 when they reach 80 and 90, apart from the P100,000 incentive when they reach 100 years old.
GMA News
House of Representatives
House Visayan bloc declares support for Cayetano’s leadership
The 48-strong Visayan bloc of the House of Representatives continues to rally behind the leadership of Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano and his position on national issues, including the franchise renewal of broadcast giant ABS-CBN, Cebu Rep. Vincent Franco “Duke” Frasco said on Saturday (Feb. 29).
Manila Bulletin
House coup plot scenario made up – Atienza
Buhay Partylist Rep. Lito Atienza on Saturday chided Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano for allegedly a “creating a scenario of treachery” and an attempted coup to give him a reason for keeping his end of the term-sharing bargain with Marinduque Rep. Lord Allan Velasco.
Manila Bulletin
LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS (LGUs)
DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
DEFENSE AND SECURITY
Armed Forces of the Philippines
63 Army officers complete 'Battalion Pre-Command Course'
A total of 63 Philippine Army (PA) officers graduated from the Battalion Commander Pre-Command Course in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City on Friday.
Philippine News Agency
Philippine National Police
Ateneo set to release study on public perception of Philippine police
The Ateneo School of Government is set to release the results of a study on why the public has a low perception of the Philippine National Police’s (PNP).
Philippine Daily Inquirer, GMA News
‘Illegal’ security groups protecting VIP foreigners, mostly Chinese — PNP-CSG
Illegal security agencies are now giving special protection to foreigners, who are mostly Chinese nationals, the Philippine National Police (PNP) Civil Security Group (CSG) revealed on Saturday.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
BUDGET, FINANCE, and TAXATION
ECONOMY AND INVESTMENTS
BUILD, BUILD, BUILD and PUBLIC WORKS
OFFICIAL DEVELOPMENT ASSISTANCE
AUDIT, GRAFT, AND CORRUPTION
Sandiganbayan grants probation request of ex-Dinagat Islands mayor
The Sandiganbayan Fourth Division has given due course to the Petition for Probation of former Dinagat Islands mayor Gwendolyn Buray Ecleo-Pols, who was convicted of three counts of perjury due to the false statements made in her statement of assets liabilities and net worth (SALN) for the years 2006, 2007, and 2010.
Manila Bulletin
FOREIGN RELATIONS
West Philippine Sea
LABOR
Thousands may lose jobs due to COVID-19 impact on business – TUCP
Thousands of workers may lose their jobs in the next 6 months as businesses take a hit from the novel coronavirus disease COVID-19 outbreak, a labor group said on Saturday, February 29.
Rappler
TRANSPORTATION
LTO to roll out centralized digital system in Q2 2020
The Land Transportation Office’s (LTO) centralized digital system, which will streamline its services, will take effect in the second quarter of 2020.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
HEALTH
South Korea reports 594 more COVID-19 cases, total 2,931
South Korea confirmed 594 more coronavirus cases on Saturday, the biggest increase to date for the country and taking the national total to 2,931 infections with three additional deaths.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
COVID-19 has killed 43 with 593 cases confirmed in Iran
An Iranian Health Ministry spokesman on Saturday said the new coronavirus has killed 43 people amid 593 confirmed cases in the Islamic Republic. Kianoush Jahanpour urged people to stay away from mass gatherings and limit their travel.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
Japan cancels major cherry blossom festivals as coronavirus fears grow
Major cherry blossom festivals in Japan have been canceled due to the deadly new coronavirus, the latest in a growing list of events quashed as the epidemic spreads globally.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
Kim warns of ‘serious consequences’ if COVID-19 reaches North Korea
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un warned top party officials of the “serious consequences” of failing to prevent an outbreak of the new coronavirus in the country, state media reported Saturday.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
U.S. reports 4th case of novel coronavirus of unknown origin
US health officials reported Friday, February 28, a fourth case of novel coronavirus of unknown origin, indicating the disease was spreading in the country.
Rappler
States to get test kits as White House amps up virus effort
Federal health officials scrambled Friday to get coronavirus testing up and running in every state, as the Trump administration signaled it may also invoke a 70-year-old defense law to guarantee the availability of protective gear should the virus spread.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
US reports first drug shortage tied to virus outbreak
Health officials reported the first U.S. drug shortage tied to the viral outbreak that is disrupting production in China, but they declined to identify the manufacturer or the product.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
U.S. postpones ASEAN regional summit due to coronavirus
The United States has delayed a regional ASEAN summit scheduled to take place in Las Vegas next month due to fears of the coronavirus, a senior administration official said Friday, February 28.
Rappler
U.S. game makers conference postponed amid virus fears
A game developers conference in San Francisco was postponed Friday, February 29, after Facebook and Microsoft withdrew from the event due to concerns about the spread of novel coronavirus.
Rappler
Mexico confirms first 3 cases of coronavirus, linked to Italy
Mexico's health ministry said the country has confirmed three cases of the coronavirus, becoming the second Latin American nation reached by the global outbreak.
Rappler
Don’t share unofficial information about COVID-19 – Dubai police
The Dubai Police have cautioned the public against sharing unconfirmed and unofficial information about novel coronavirus disease COVID-19 on social media, warning them that they can get "blacklisted" for spreading unverified information.
Rappler
Paris half-marathon canceled over coronavirus fears
The Paris half-marathon, which was scheduled for Sunday, March 1, with 44,000 registered runners, has been canceled over fears of coronavirus, officials said Saturday, February 29.
Rappler
Keep the faith: Singapore churches go online amid coronavirus
Roman Catholic couple Rizaldy and Marissa Sapiera long to go back to church on Sundays in Singapore but for now, they must hear pre-recorded masses at home due to the deadly coronavirus.
Rappler
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Pinoys urged to stay cautious amid Covid-19 threat
Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary Martin Andanar on Friday advised the public to stay safe and careful, as cases of the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) continue to rise around the world.
Philippine News Agency
Singapore confirms 2nd Filipino coronavirus patient
The Singaporean government confirmed on Saturday, February 29, its second Filipino patient of the novel coronavirus disease called COVID-19.
Rappler
2 more from Diamond Princess now symptomatic, 7 test negative for COVID-19
Two more repatriates from the cruise ship Diamond Princess, who are in quarantine at New Clark City (NCC), have started showing respiratory symptoms while seven out of nine repatriates have tested negative for the deadly COVID-19 coronavirus disease, Department of Health (DOH) said Saturday.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
Pinay in South Korea: Coping with the coronavirus outbreak
I am a Baguio girl and will always be. I am happily married to a South Korean GM engineer and currently reside in Incheon City. We welcomed 2020 with hope.
Rappler
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Mayor wants strict Covid-19 monitoring at Cebu City seaports
Mayor Edgardo Labella on Friday asked quarantine and Coast Guard officials to prevent foreign vessels from countries affected by the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) from docking at the local ports.
Philippine News Agency
15 quarantined in Dipolog City for Covid-19
A total of 15 persons, mostly teachers, have been ordered to go on a 14-day self-quarantine for the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) following their trip to South Korea.
Philippine News Agency
11 South Korean tourists in Boracay being monitored for coronavirus
The inter-agency task force in Malay, Aklan said 11 tourists from South Korea were being closely monitored in case they were infected with the novel coronavirus (COVID-19).
Rappler
QC trains health workers, volunteers vs coronavirus
The Quezon City government is training its health workers and volunteers on handling biosecurity risks in communities amid the COVID-19 scare.
Rappler
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PAL cancels flights to and from South Korea after expanded travel ban
Flag carrier Philippine Airlines (PAL) announced on Saturday the cancellation of flights going to and from South Korea after the Philippine government expanded its travel ban in a bid to stop the spread of the coronavirus diseases (COVID-19).
Philippine Daily Inquirer
CebuPac cancels PH-Korea flights from Mar. 3-Apr. 30
Low-cost carrier Cebu Pacific (CEB) is canceling its flights between the Philippines and South Korea from March 3 to April 30.
Philippine News Agency
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LOOK: 2nd DOH sea ambulance operates in Calauag, Quezon
The Department of Health (DOH)-CALABARZON (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, Quezon) turned over the second sea ambulance to the local government of Calauag, Quezon Friday, February 28, to serve patients from its distant island barangays.
Rappler
FOOD AND AGRICULTURE
9 CamSur towns under tight watch vs. ASF
As preventive and control measures to stop the spread of African swine fever (ASF) in Camarines Sur, the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC) has placed villages in the nine towns, including Naga City, under tight surveillance against the ASF.
Philippine News Agency
DA sees rabbit meat as potential replacement for pork
The Department of Agriculture (DA) is eyeing rabbit meat as a potential replacement of pork amid the threat posed by the spread of the African Swine Fever (ASF).
Philippine News Agency
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EDUCATION
DepEd: More non-teaching staff, guidance counselors needed in public schools
The Department of Education (DepEd) is pushing for more slots for non-teaching staff and guidance counselors in public schools nationwide to help reduce teachers’ workload.
Manila Bulletin
DepEd highlights ‘Pinay Power’ at 2020 National Science and Technology Fair
To help inspire learners, especially girls, to pursue a career in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), the Department of Education (DepEd) will feature successful Filipino women in the field of science at this year’s National Science and Technology Fair (NSTF).
Manila Bulletin
ENERGY
Catholic bishop calls on banks to stop funding coal operations
A Roman Catholic bishop, who has been at the forefront of the campaign to save the environment, is urging Philippine financial institutions to stop funding the expansion of coal operations in the country and instead support the development of renewable energy.
Philippine Daily Inquirer, Rappler
POVERTY
SOCIAL WELFARE AND DEVELOPMENT
HOUSING
TOURISM
PH-wide mall sale deferred amid Covid-19 threat
The highly-anticipated nationwide mall sale has been moved to a later date due to the "alarming rise" in coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) cases worldwide, the Department of Tourism (DOT) announced on Saturday.
Philippine News Agency, Philippine Daily Inquirer, Rappler
ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES
Group calls on gov't anew to ban imported wastes
Environmental group EcoWaste Coalition called on Saturday for the government anew to strictly impose a ban on waste importation “without further delay.”
Philippine News Agency
DENR, CEZA ink pact to protect Boracay-like beach in Cagayan
The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and the Cagayan Economic Zone Authority (CEZA) will be crafting a comprehensive management plan to ensure the protection and sustainability of Nangaramoan Beach in Cagayan.
Manila Bulletin
INFORMATION, COMMUNICATION AND TECHNOLOGY
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