Stop using ‘child-warriors’ to fight your war, OPAPP to CPP-NPA
Presidential Peace Adviser Carlito G. Galvez Jr. has denounced anew the devious and inhumane tactic of the Communist Party of the Philippines – New People’s Army (CPP-NPA) of recruiting children and training them to become combatants in a protracted guerilla war that is based on a twisted and outdated Maoist ideology.
Philippine News Agency, GMA News, Philippine Star
Why is CHR silent on NPA attacks, recruitment of minors?
Anti-communist groups on Thursday slammed the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) for allegedly snubbing the longstanding violence and atrocities committed by the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army-National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF) and its front organizations.
Philippine News Agency
Parlade renews call for CHR to take action vs. Reds’ atrocities
A ranking military official called on the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) anew to take action against atrocities of the New People’s Army (NPA), the armed wing of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP).
Philippine News Agency
Resignation raised
Members of the League of Parents of the Philippines stage a protest rally while burning the tarpaulin of CHR Chairman Chito Gascon in front of the Commission on Human Rights office in Quezon City, accusing Gascon as New People’s Army protector, calling for his resignation and condemning the CHR silence on the CPP-NPA-NDF terrorism on the Filipino children and families.
Manila Standard
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Esperon to seek reinstatement of perjury raps vs. leftist groups
National Security Adviser (NSA) Hermogenes C. Esperon Jr. will ask prosecutors to pursue the perjury charges he filed against officials of leftist groups who made misrepresentations under oath in a habeas data suit earlier filed against the government.
Philippine News Agency
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Supreme Court bans surveillance of family of alleged communist rebel
The family of an alleged communist rebel should not be subjected to surveillance, and the police must stop badgering the spouse and children, the Supreme Court ruled.
Rappler, GMA News, Philippine Daily Inquirer, Manila Standard, CNN Philippines
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NegOcc Army, prov’l execs dismiss NPA claim on peace fund use
A top official of the Philippine Army in Negros Occidental has dismissed the claim of the New People’s Army (NPA) over the use of the peace and order fund allocated by the provincial government.
Philippine News Agency
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Ex-rebel supporters in Sorsogon pledge allegiance to gov't
Some 48 former supporters of the New People’s Army (NPA) in Barcelona town in Sorsogon recently took their oath of allegiance to the government, the 9th Infantry Division (9ID) Public Affairs Office said on Wednesday.
Philippine News Agency
58 ex-NPAs in Davao Oro get cash assistance
Fifty-eight former rebels (FR’s) from the Davao de Oro have been given livelihood and financial assistance under the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP), a military official said Wednesday.
Philippine News Agency
OPAPP chief hands over P30-M project in Agusan Norte
Over a thousand households in far-flung villages in Nasipit and Buenavista municipalities in Agusan del Norte are now served directly by the PHP30 million potable water supply system level II project from the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP).
Philippine News Agency
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Army destroys 215 firearms, explosives seized in Region 8
The Philippine Army 8th Infantry Division (8ID) has destroyed 215 firearms and explosives recovered in Eastern Visayas since 2011.
Philippine News Agency
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Police launches program to strengthen industrial peace in Bulacan
The regional police here has launched the Joint Industrial Peace and Concerns Office (JIPCO), a proactive effort to shield the workforce from radical labor organizations and prevent the infiltration of communist groups in Central Luzon’s industrial zones.
Philippine News Agency
Govt execs, businessmen told to stop giving NPA ‘tax’
In a move to help resolve insurgency, Gov. Manuel Mamba has appealed to politicians, businessmen and contractors to cease giving in to pressures from the communist New People’s Army (NPA), which collects revolutionary taxes from them.
The Manila Times
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DOJ to look into claim that Palparan gets special treatment at Bilibid
The Department of Justice (DOJ) will look into an allegations that retired Army major general Jovito Palparan has been getting special treatment at the New Bilibid Prison.
GMA News
53 troops sent to 2 Davao Sur villages to end insurgency
At least 53 troops from the Army and the police have been deployed in two villages here and in nearby Santa Cruz town, where the military chose to launch its end-the-communist-insurgency campaign in former rebel strongholds.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
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State terrorism on the pretext of anti-terrorism
The Philippine Senate, now dominated by an overwhelming number of pro-Duterte senators as a result of the rigging of the 2019 mid-term elections, has approved Senate Bill 1083, otherwise known as the Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020, seeking to amend the Human Security Act of 2007.
NDFP
Peace Talks
Incidents/ Operations
Troops discover another NPA lair in Sarangani
Government troops discovered an abandoned hideout of the New People’s Army (NPA) in an operation on Tuesday in a hinterland village in Malapatan town, Sarangani province.
Philippine News Agency, Mindanews
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Solons file reso urging House to condemn, probe profiling
The Makabayan Bloc led by Kabataan party-list Representative Sarah Elago on Thursday filed a measure urging the House of Representatives to condemn and investigate the profiling of individuals based on age, appearance, political beliefs, religion, ethnicity, race, and sexual orientation.
GMA News
Metro Manila cops undergo cultural sensitivity training
The National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) on Thursday commenced its “Cultural Sensitivity Training" that aims to help its personnel further understand and appreciate Muslim beliefs, culture, and traditions.
Philippine News Agency
Guilt by association
For Philippine National Police chief Archie Gamboa, the intense backlash the police faced last week—following the revelation that station commanders had been directed to compile a list of Muslim students in Metro Manila high schools, colleges and universities “as part of the strengthening of peacebuilding and counter violent extremism of the PNP”—was much ado about nothing.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
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AFP lauds Senate passage of anti-terrorism bill
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) welcomed on Thursday the Senate's approval of a stronger anti-terrorism law in the country.
Philippine News Agency, GMA News
Lacson defends anti-terror bill from critics
The Anti-Terrorism Bill passed by the Senate has enough legal safeguards against perceived abuses that may be committed during its implementation, Senator Panfilo Lacson assured on Thursday as he addressed concerns raised by critics of the measure.
Philippine News Agency, GMA News, Manila Standard
Bayan likens Anti-Terror Bill’s passage to gifting Thanos with Infinity Stones
If you ask militant group Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan), the Senate’s passage of the Anti-Terrorism Bill is as absurd as gifting Marvel movie supervillain Thanos with the Infinity Stones and the Infinity Gauntlet.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
Hontiveros: Anti-Terrorism Act may be used against opposition groups
The Anti-Terrorism Act that has been recently approved by the Senate on third and final reading may be used against organizations opposing the administration, according to Senator Risa Hontiveros on Thursday.
GMA News
EDITORIAL - Another law vs terrorism
In the years following the horrific terrorist attacks in New York and Washington on Sept. 11, 2001, governments moved to improve the legal weapons against violent extremism.
Philippine Star
MARAWI
SOUTHEAST ASIA AND THE WORLD
Terrorism Threat in West Africa Soars as U.S. Weighs Troop Cuts
The Pentagon and the State Department are sending mixed messages about reducing America’s presence in a region bloodied by terrorist violence.
The News York Times
Germany is belatedly waking up to the threat of far-right terrorism
Five bullet-holes still scar the window of Karamba Diaby’s office in Halle, a city in eastern Germany. No one knows who fired at the empty building, where Germany’s only black mp meets constituents and does routine political work. But Mr Diaby’s staff do not doubt that the attack, in mid-January, was racially motivated.
The Economist
Chinese envoy criticizes accusations on Xinjiang as untruthful at UN human rights session
The accusations by Britain and other countries on China's Xinjiang policies are untruthful and interfere with China's internal affairs and judicial sovereignty, a Chinese envoy said here Wednesday at the ongoing 43rd session of the United Nations (UN) Human Rights Council.
Xinhua
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BARMM
BARMM asks DILG for Cotabato City jurisdiction handover
The highest policy-making body of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) has requested the Department of the Interior and Local Government to immediately turn over Cotabato City to the regional government under the supervision of the region’s Ministry of the Interior and Local Government (MILG-BARMM).
Philippine News Agency
Barmm trade mission cancelled amid Covid-19 scare
THE recent outbreak of 2019 novel coronavirus disease (Covid-19) in some parts of Europe has cancelled a supposed trade mission of businessmen from the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (Barmm), a business leader said.
Sunstar Davao
61% of BARMM families poor
Poverty incidence in provinces now covered by the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao remains high with 61 percent of the population unable to earn enough for food and non-food needs in 2018, according to the Philippine Statistics Authority.
Manila Standard
MAGUINDANAO AND COTABATO CITY
Army seizes IEDs, bomb-making materials in Maguindanao
Government forces on Thursday discovered a hideout of the Islamic State-linked Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) in Maguindanao and seized explosives and bomb-making components in the area.
Philippine News Agency, NDBC News
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SAF 44 suspect arrested while in Cotabato hospital
Police arrested one of the suspects in the January 25, 2015 massacre of 44 Special Action Force (SAF) personnel in Mamasapano, Maguindanao, inside a hospital here Wednesday afternoon.
Philippine News Agency, NDBC News, Philippine Daily Inquirer
NORTH COTABATO
LANAO PROVINCES
BASILAN
SULU
Westmincom welcomes MNLF help to find abducted physician
The Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom) welcomed on Thursday the help of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) to rescue a physician seized by the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) bandits in Sulu.
Philippine News Agency
TAWI-TAWI
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DRUGS
Bow and arrow
After the violence and anarchy of Tokhang and Double Barrel, the government now has a more targeted campaign against the drug menace. It’s called PADS – the Philippine Anti-Illegal Drugs Strategy.
Philippine Star
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[PODCAST] How Duterte's drug list works
It is one of the most central instruments in President Rodrigo Duterte's unrelenting but lagging anti-drug campaign: the drug list. Since Duterte assumed office, thousands of names have been added to the list, while hundreds have been released to the public.
Rappler
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Philippines to UN body: Exercise prudence in assessing 'rights abuses'
The Philippines is asking the United Nations Human Rights Council to use the best of its judgment in its appraisal of claims on human rights abuses in President Rodrigo Duterte’s war on drugs, to maintain its credibility, and save multilateralism from skepticism.
GMA News
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Operations/ Incidents
100 grams of meth seized from Marawi resident in drug bust
Police arrested on Wednesday (Feb 26) a 25-year old woman in a drug bust operation at a village here. Maj. Abogado Mautin, chief of Iligan City Police Station 4, identified the suspect as Najmah Cabib Angantap, of Bangon, Marawi City.
Philippine Daily Inquirer, Sunstar Cagayan de Oro
Cavite barangay chair, known as ‘most wanted’ drug lord in Calabarzon, killed in Naga buy-bust
A barangay chief in Cavite, considered the most wanted drug lord in the Calabarzon Region, was killed in a police operation in Naga City on Thursday.
GMA News
Ex-model, cohort nabbed for selling shabu online
Anti-narcotics operatives arrested a former men's magazine model and her cohort in separate buy-bust operations on Wednesday.
Philippine News Agency
PDEA, cops arrest woman peddling illegal drugs in Tacurong City
Police and anti-narcotic agents arrested here Wednesday morning a woman who was known for peddling illegal drugs in the city.
NDBC News
Recovery and Rehabilitation
111 W. Visayas villages earn drug-cleared status
A total of 111 barangays out of 263 barangay-applicants from Western Visayas hurdled the 19th Regional Oversight Committee deliberation held in this city on Thursday.
Philippine News Agency
ILLICIT FIREARMS, EXPLOSIVES, AND AMMUNITION
CROSS-BORDER TRADING/ SMUGGLING/ COUNTERFEIT GOODS
HUMAN TRAFFICKING
KIDNAPPING
2 Chinese nabbed for kidnapping over gambling debt
Authorities on Thursday arrested two Chinese nationals for abducting a compatriot who fell victim to a loan shark syndicate in Parañaque City.
Philippine News Agency
ILLEGAL GAMBLING
ILLICIT FINANCIAL TRANSACTIONS/ EXTORTION
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Dictators never last: Our kind of Edsa
We join the nation in commemorating the 1986 Edsa People Power Revolution. We remember the heroes and the people who had launched countless prayer vigils and protests that ultimately led to the historic ouster of the dictator after years of martial rule.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
Press Freedom/ Freedom of expression
ABS-CBN ‘humbled’ by Duterte’s acceptance of apology
ABS-CBN Corporation on Thursday said it was “grateful and humbled” by President Rodrigo Duterte’s acceptance of the network’s apology over the Chief Executive’s political advertisements that the broadcast company failed to air in 2016.
GMA News
No need for Duterte’s guidance on unaired ad refund: Palace
Broadcast firm ABS-CBN Corp. need not seek President Rodrigo Duterte’s guidance on how to donate the PHP2.6 million refund the network was supposed to pay him for unaired campaign advertisements during the 2016 presidential race, Malacañang said on Thursday.
Philippine News Agency, GMA News
Sara backs ABS-CBN franchise renewal
Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio on Thursday supported the renewal of the franchise of media giant ABS-CBN Corp., saying her father, President Rodrigo Duterte, was also concerned about the fate of its employees.
The Manila Times
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Ex-SC justice refutes DOJ: ABS-CBN needs franchise, not permit, after May 4
A retired Supreme Court justice said on Thursday, February 27, that without a franchise, ABS-CBN will have to cease operations after May 4, contrary to the informal opinion of Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra that a provisional permit would be enough for the media giant to operate.
Rappler
NTC can't issue ABS provisional permit sans new franchise
Despite various actions from both Chambers of Congress seeking to extend the validity of ABS-CBN’s franchise, the law prohibits the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) from issuing a provisional permit for the network to continue beyond the terms of its franchise, Senator Panfilo Lacson said on Thursday.
Philippine News Agency
IBP chief: Congress decision on ABS-CBN franchise better than ‘stop-gap’ provisional authority
A decision on ABS-CBN's franchise by both chambers of Congress may be better than a "stop-gap" measure leading to provisional continued operations for the network, the president of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines said Thursday.
GMA News
DOJ lauds House call on NTC for ABS-CBN 'provisional authority'
Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra on Wednesday welcomed the move of the House of Representatives' legislative franchise committee enjoining the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) to grant provisional authority to broadcast firm ABS-CBN Corp. while the renewal of its franchise is pending.
Philippine News Agency
Senate can OK ABS-CBN franchise renewal before break if House transmits on time —Lacson
The franchise renewal of ABS-CBN can positively be acted upon by the Senate if the House of Representatives transmits its version before the first regular session of the 18th Congress ends, according to Senator Panfilon Lacson on Thursday.
GMA News
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Tackling ABS-CBN franchise bills not urgent: Cayetano
Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano finds no urgency in tackling several pending bills renewing the legislative franchise of broadcast network ABS-CBN at the House of Representatives even after President Rodrigo Duterte accepted the firm’s apology over his unaired campaign advertisements in 2016.
Philippine News Agency, GMA News, Manila Bulletin
Joint resolutions extending ABS-CBN franchise to create more problems —Cayetano
As far as Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano is concerned, the House joint resolutions seeking to extend the franchise of ABS-CBN will create more issues and problems than provide a solution.
GMA News
Cayetano willing to go to jail over ABS-CBN continued ops even with expired franchise
Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano said Thursday he is willing to be jailed over his stand that ABS-CBN can continue to operate under a provisional authority even after its franchise had expired.
GMA News
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After media giants, campus publications also 'unsafe' – student groups
If the government is able to threaten Rappler and ABS-CBN, what’s stopping them from doing the same to alternative media groups and student publications? This is the argument made by Philippine Collegian editor-in-chief Beatrice Puente on Wednesday, Febraury 26 in a mobilization organized by the UP College of Mass Communication (CMC) Student Council.
Rappler
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Martial Law
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Duterte orders agencies to eliminate 'overregulation'
Long lines, redundant processes, and too many signatures for transactions in government are expected to be cut drastically, as President Rodrigo Duterte ordered national agencies to eliminate "overregulation."
Rappler, Philippine News Agency, GMA News
Duterte creates national task force vs. ASF
President Rodrigo Duterte has signed an executive order creating a national task force to prevent the entry, contain, and control animal-borne diseases such as African swine fever (ASF) following the sharp rise in the number of cases nationwide.
Philippine News Agency, GMA News
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Duterte’s ‘US or China’ territory remarks 'mere banter': Palace
Malacañang on Thursday dismissed as a mere banter the latest pronouncement of President Rodrigo Duterte that the Philippines could either be a territory of the United States (US) or a province of China.
Philippine News Agency, GMA News
AFP spokesman Arevalo: We can survive sans US military assistance
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Thursday reiterated its assurance to the public that it can survive even without military assistance from the United States.
GMA News
Lacson on AFP, PNP assurance that Philippines can do without VFA: ‘Alangan namang kumontra pa’
The assurance given by the military and police that the Philippines can boost its defense capabilities despite the termination of the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) with the United States can be considered a mere acquiescence, according to Senator Panfilo Lacson on Thursday.
GMA News
Message to the President
Dear Mr. President, I wish you all the best for the remainder of your term and will continue to be supportive of your efforts to do good for the country. I2 strongly support your agricultural program and commend you for the appointment of William Dar as Secretary.
Philippine Star
Joint PH-US military training ongoing despite scrapping of VFA
Despite the recent order of President Duterte to scrap the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) with the United States, joint exercises and training between American and Filipino service members are still proceeding as scheduled.
Manila Bulletin
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PRRD won’t meddle in alleged ouster plot vs. Cayetano
President Rodrigo Duterte will not intervene in the internal affairs of the House of Representatives, Malacañang said on Thursday, amid a claim that there is supposed ouster plot against House Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano.
Philippine News Agency, GMA News
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OFFICE OF THE VICE PRESIDENT
Panelo visits wake of VP Robredo's mother
Presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo visited the wake of Vice President Leni Robredo's late mother, Salvacion Gerona, as shown in photos sent by the Office of the Vice President on Thursday morning.
GMA News
ELECTION RELATED
DISASTER
Duterte declares state of calamity in Calabarzon due to Taal Volcano unrest
President Rodrigo Duterte declared a state of calamity in Calabarzon to aid in the relief and rehabilitation of the region following the eruption of Taal Volcano. Duterte signed Proclamation No. 906 on February 21. A copy was given to media on Thursday, February 27.
Rappler
Nothing wrong with seeking foreign aid for Taal rehab: Palace
Malacañang on Thursday said there is nothing wrong with seeking help from international organizations for the rehabilitation of areas in Southern Tagalog affected by Taal Volcano’s eruption, Malacañang said on Thursday.
Philippine News Agency
MINDANAO
CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS
JUDICIARY
LEGISLATIVE
Senate of the Philippines
Pacquiao bill seeks to increase retirement age for military personnel to 60 years old
Senator Manny Pacquiao has filed a bill seeking to increase the compulsory retirement age for military officers and enlisted men from 56 years old to 60.
GMA News
House of Representatives
House panel OKs bill hiking teaching supplies allowance of public school teachers to P5,000
The House Committee on Basic Education and Culture approved on Thursday a substitute measure seeking to increase the teaching supplies allowance of public school teachers to P5,000.
Manila Bulletin
Cayetano says Velasco is behind ouster plot
Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano said Marinduque Representative Lord Allan Velasco himself is behind the ouster plot against him. “Nangangako ng pondo at chairmanship, at 'yong iba siya mismo kausap, 'di ba? But as I said, 'pag nahuli ano pa ba sasabihin?” Cayetano said in an ambush interview at the Taguig City University on Thursday, February 27.
Rappler, Philippine News Agency
Velasco denies plotting oust-Cayetano coup amid ABS-CBN issue
Marinduque Representative Lord Allan Velasco denied involvement in a supposed coup plot against Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano as the latter faces scrutiny over the ABS-CBN franchise issue.
Rappler, GMA News
LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS (LGUs)
Over 1,000 LGUs pass DILG's financial housekeeping assessment
Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Eduardo Año on Thursday urged local government units to continue financial transparency as he praised over 1,000 localities that passed the financial housekeeping assessment of the agency.
GMA News
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DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
Police 'still facing blank wall' in BuCor lawyer slay probe
The Philippine National Police (PNP) is "still facing a blank wall" in its probe into the killing of Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) top lawyer Fredric Santos a week after his death.
Rappler
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800 immigration personnel at NAIA reshuffled
Around 800 personnel of the Bureau of Immigration (BI) assigned at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) have been affected by a total revamp which took effect on Thursday.
Philippine News Agency, GMA News
DEFENSE AND SECURITY
Travel ban to S. Korea won't affect BRP Jose Rizal delivery
Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Delfin Lorenzana on Wednesday said the government's ban on travelers from certain parts of South Korea amid the coronavirus disease-2019 (Covid-2019) scare will not have an adverse effect on the delivery of the country's first-missile frigate.
Philippine News Agency
Armed Forces of the Philippines
Philippine National Police
200 more Soccsksargen cops to undergo weight loss program
Some 200 more police personnel in Region 12 (Soccsksargen) are set to undergo a weight loss program after being found exceeding the standard body mass index (BMI) set by the Philippine National Police (PNP).
Philippine News Agency
BUDGET, FINANCE, and TAXATION
ECONOMY AND INVESTMENTS
$1.6-billion exports to US at risk from GSP loss
ENATE Democrats urged the United States Trade Representative (USTR) office to look into the possibility of revoking the generalized system of preferences (GSP) extended by Washington to the Philippines over human rights and labor-related issues, a move that could imperil $1.59 billion worth of exports to US.
Business Mirror
[ANALYSIS] Why Nokia, Wells Fargo, and Honda are leaving the PH
In the past few weeks a number of foreign firms – Nokia, Wells Fargo, and Honda – announced their decisions to pull out of the Philippines.
Rappler
BUILD, BUILD, BUILD and PUBLIC WORKS
DPWH: Panguil Bay Bridge construction starts this month
The joint venture group of three major Korean construction firms is set to begin construction of the Panguil Bay Bridge this month.
Manila Bulletin
OFFICIAL DEVELOPMENT ASSISTANCE
AUDIT, GRAFT, AND CORRUPTION
Sandiganbayan acquits ex-DOF official, eight execs over P380 million tax credit scam
The Sandiganbayan has cleared a former Department of Finance (DOF) Undersecretary Uldarico Andutan, Jr. and eight other executives of private corporations in the graft charges involving the transfer of least P380 million of Tax Credit Certificates (TCCs).
GMA News
FOREIGN RELATIONS
West Philippine Sea
LABOR
Virus-hit ship’s Filipino crew eyed for Bagong Bayani Awards
The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) is mulling the nomination of the Filipino crew of the quarantined Diamond Princess cruise ship for Bagong Bayani Awards (BBA), a national search for the country’s outstanding and exemplary overseas Filipino workers (OFWs).
Philippine News Agency
DOLE lauds exemption of OFWs from travel ban to S. Korea
The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) welcomed the government's decision to exempt overseas Filipino workers from the travel ban to South Korea.
Philippine News Agency
TRANSPORTATION
Poe: Scrap rider cap, allow competition between motorcycle taxi companies
Senator Grace Poe said government regulators should just allow competition between motorcycle-hailing service providers instead of imposing a cap on the number of units that can be allowed to ply the road.
Manila Bulletin
Central Mindanao airport to operate in 2020: DOTr exec
Hopes are high that the Central Mindanao Airport (CMA) may start operating before yearend after 15 landowners finalized Thursday the sale of their properties to the government through the Department of Transportation (DOTr) and the provincial government of North Cotabato.
Philippine News Agency
HEALTH
No country should make ‘fatal’ mistake of ignoring COVID-19: Tedros
All countries should do more to prevent the spread of COVID-19 coronavirus and none should make the “fatal” mistake of assuming that it won’t be affected, UN health agency chief, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, said on Thursday.
United Nations
Pandemic: What does it mean and does it matter?
When does an epidemic become a pandemic? As the novel coronavirus continues its spread across the globe, what does the designation mean to world healthcare systems as they try to rein in the deadly disease?
Rappler
China reports 29 more coronavirus deaths, lowest since January
China reported 29 more deaths on Thursday, February 27 from the new coronavirus epidemic, the lowest daily figure in almost a month, and the number of fresh infections rose slightly.
Rappler
Why coronavirus could help save China's endangered species
The novel coronavirus outbreak in China may end up saving one of the world's most trafficked animals after Beijing announced a total ban on the sale and consumption of the pangolin.
Rappler
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Taiwan accuses mainland Chinese trolls of sowing virus panic
Taiwan authorities have accused Chinese internet trolls of sowing panic over the coronavirus outbreak, with much of the disinformation falsely implying the island has an out of control epidemic.
Rappler
Shincheonji: The secretive sect in South Korean virus outbreak
The secretive South Korean religious group at the center of the country's new coronavirus outbreak is a sprawling network so wealthy it can mobilize thousands of believers to hold Pyongyang-style mass performances at Seoul's Olympic stadium.
Rappler
South Korea starts virus checks on 200,000-plus 'cult' members
More than 200,000 members of a religious sect were being checked for coronavirus symptoms by South Korean authorities Wednesday, February 26, as US commanders reported the first case among American forces in the country.
Rappler
U.S., South Korea postpone joint military exercises over virus
The US and South Korean militaries on Thursday, February 27, postponed forthcoming joint exercises due to the coronavirus outbreak as the Asian country reported 334 new cases, taking its total to 1,595.
Rappler
Saudi Arabia suspends entry for Mecca pilgrims over coronavirus
Saudi Arabia on Thursday, February 27, suspended visas for pilgrims wishing to visit Mecca over coronavirus fears, the foreign ministry said.
Rappler
Microsoft expects financial hit from coronavirus spread
Microsoft on Wednesday, February 26, lowered its revenue estimates for the current quarter, saying it will feel the impact of the coronavirus epidemic with lower sales of Windows software and Surface devices.
Rappler
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Immigration having hard time knowing travel history of inbound travelers from S. Korea
The Bureau of Immigration (BI) has yet to enforce the travel ban on inbound passengers from South Korea's North Gyeongsang province due to issues in identifying the passengers’ travel history, the agency’s spokesperson said Thursday.
GMA News
Crew of virus-hit Diamond Princess cruise ship to start disembarking
Crew members aboard the Diamond Princess, a cruise ship that was quarantined in the Japanese port of Yokohama due to the outbreak of a new coronavirus, will start disembarking later Thursday, February 27, the government said.
Rappler
Pinay in Hong Kong tests positive for Covid-19
A 29-year-old Filipino woman in Hong Kong has tested positive for the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19), the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said on Thursday.
Philippine News Agency
Medical teams at Athletes’ Village also to undergo quarantine —DOH
The 20 medical teams tasked to take care of the people in quarantine facility Athletes’ Village in Tarlac will also undergo the same protocol, the Department of Health (DOH) said on Thursday.
GMA News
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Bicol remains coronavirus-free with discharge of 13 PUIs
The Department of Health (DOH) in Bicol on Wednesday said all the 13 patients under investigation (PUI) for the novel coronavirus disease (Covid-19) have been cleared and discharged from their quarantine facilities.
Philippine News Agency
PUIs covered under new PhilHealth package
Two Antiqueños, who are patients under investigation (PUIs), are covered by the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) which came up with a new health insurance package.
Philippine News Agency
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Go lauds signing of MOA for liver transplantations in PH
Senator Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go has lauded the signing of a memorandum of agreement (MOA) to perform pediatric liver transplantations in the country on Wednesday at the Premier Guest House in Malacañan Palace.
Philippine News Agency
FOOD AND AGRICULTURE
1.2K pigs culled in CamSur due to ASF
A total of 1,245 hogs were culled this week in the towns of Calabanga and Bombon in Camarines Sur after several pigs that died there were tested positive for African swine fever (ASF), the Department of Agriculture (DA) in Bicol said on Thursday.
Philippine News Agency
GenSan hog farm workers losing jobs due to ASF scare
Several hog farms here have reportedly laid off workers due to mounting losses as a result of the declining sales in the wake of the African swine fever (ASF) outbreak in Davao Region.
Philippine News Agency
DA sets heightened measures to protect Zambo hog industry
Fearing the possible collapse of the local hog industry, an official of the Department of Agriculture in Region 9 (DA-9) said Thursday they have implemented intensified measures against the deadly African swine fever (ASF).
Philippine News Agency
Eastern Visayas pork safe due to ban; region still ASF-free
Neighboring provinces do not have to impose strict quarantine measures on meat products from Leyte and Samar, as Eastern Visayas is still free of African swine fever (ASF) and with the imposition of a total ban of pork products from affected areas.
Philippine News Agency
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DA allots P2B for Zamboanga Sur farmers
Agriculture Secretary William Dar distributed close to P2 billion in financial assistance, farm machinery, equipment and facilities, and various related projects to qualified farmers in Zamboanga del Sur (ZdS), who are “deeply affected by the dwindling price of palay (unmilled rice) in the province,” an agriculture official said.
The Manila Times
EDUCATION
DepEd to continue implementing K to 12 amid ‘multi-faceted challenges’
The Department of Education (DepEd) is committed to continuously implement the K to 12 program amid the “multi-faceted challenges” being faced by the agency in its implementation.
Manila Bulletin
DepEd to focus on reading literacy of students
Recognizing quality to be the “biggest challenge” of basic education today, the Department of Education (DepEd) will focus on addressing the gaps in reading literacy of students.
Manila Bulletin
ENERGY
4 power firms to pay P23.4-B overdue debts: solon
Four power producers have committed to pay their financial obligations to the government amounting to more than PHP23 billion, a lawmaker said on Thursday.
Philippine News Agency
POVERTY
SOCIAL WELFARE AND DEVELOPMENT
HOUSING
TOURISM
DOT: Anti-COVID-19 measures in place for March nationwide mall sale
The Department of Tourism (DOT) on Thursday assured the public that precautionary measures will be put in place during the nationwide mall sale that starts on Sunday (March 1) amid the 2019 coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) scare.
Manila Bulletin
Mount Pulag re-opens to tourists
Starting Thursday, Mount Pulag, the highest peak in Luzon, has been re-opened to trekkers and resumes its operation as a hiking site.
Philippine News Agency
ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES
DENR studying impact of ratifying total ban on imported wastes
The Philippines is on its way to ratifying a provision in an international treaty that would prohibit the shipment of garbage from developed countries to poorer nations, an official of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) said Wednesday.
Philippine News Agency
CDO archbishop supports ban on entry of foreign wastes
A Roman Catholic Church leader here has expressed his support to moves banning the entry of garbage from other countries. “I would agree to that,” Cagayan de Oro Archbishop Antonio Ledesma said Thursday, referring to the looming ratification of the Basel Ban Amendment by the Senate.
Philippine News Agency
Environment group hails CDO solid waste program
Environmental advocacy group Green Convergence has praised the city government for enforcing policies on solid waste management.
Philippine News Agency
Solon urges NSWMC to provide list of non-eco-friendly products
Deputy Speaker Loren Legarda on Thursday urged the National Solid Waste Management Commission (NSWMC) to formulate a list of non-environmentally acceptable products for prohibition.
Philippine News Agency
INFORMATION, COMMUNICATION AND TECHNOLOGY
How much time is acceptable for a telco to fix a bad connection?
Telecommunications companies in the Philippines – by which I mean the companies which sell mobile and home phone lines and internet services – stand to make a lot of money from providing these services to as many people in the country as possible as a long-term goal.
Rappler
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