PNP on alert for NPA attacks
Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Director General Oscar Albayalde on Thursday ordered all police commanders to be on alert after the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) leadership instructed its armed wing, the New People’s Army to intensify attacks against the government.
Manila Bulletin, Philippine News Agency, Philippine Star, GMA News

Nothing new with Reds threat of nationwide offensive: AFP spox
There is nothing new with the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) threat to mount a nationwide offensive in response to another year-long extension of martial law in Mindanao, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said Thursday. In an interview with reporters, Brig. Gen. Edgard Arevalo, AFP spokesperson, said the rebels are merely using the martial law extension as an excuse for their real goals which is to conduct attacks and disturbances which could severely affect the country.
Philippine News Agency

Gov’t troops ready as CPP orders NPA to launch attacks
The Police Regional Office 11 (PRO 11) placed all units on high alert after the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) directed the New People’s Army (NPA) to launch attacks in response to the extension of martial law.
Manila Bulletin

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Ilocos Norte remains ‘rebel-free’: Military
Residents in this part of Luzon continue to enjoy a generally peaceful community with no monitored threats from the New Peoples Army (NPA). The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), represented by Major Pedro Acosta Dacanay Jr., confirmed this as Ilocos Norte is a candidate for an insurgency-free province.
Philippine News Agency

16 barangays declared NPA-free
A TOTAL of 16 insurgency-affected barangays in Davao City have been declared as cleared, peaceful, and conflict–resilient communities by the board, a military official said. These barangays are in Toril, Marilog, Baguio, Calinan, Paquibato, Buhangin, and Bunawan.  Brigadier Genetal Ernesto C Torres Jr., commander of 1003rd Infantry Brigade, said the Area Clearing Validation Board (ACVB) composed of officers from 1003rd Infantry Brigade, 10th Infantry Division, Davao City Police Office (DCPO), barangay officials from the concerned 16 barangays, and City Government officials convened Wednesday, December 12, to validate the recommendation of the evaluation board on the clearing of identified barangays.
Sunstar Davao

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Stop the vilification
WE ARE sending you our statement in relation to the vilification campaign of against our members and affiliates. On December 11, 2018, posters with photos, were published around Iloilo City tagging our allied organizations and our leaders Bryan Bosque of Anakbayan, JC Alejandro, our former Regional Coordinator and Spokesperson, and one of our member, as “kampon” or communist fronts.
The Daily Guardian

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10ID condemn NPAs terroristic act against IP leader Datu Jumar Bucales in Surigao del Sur
On December 12, 2018, 1:40pm., a lumad leader Datu Jumar Bocales, 42, Tribal Datu of Barangay Ganayon, Lianga Surigao Del Sur was ambushed by undetermined number of NPAs at Barangay San Isidro, Lianga, Surigao del Sur. The NPAs opened fire at him and his companions using high powered firearms. Bocales was able to evade the attack sustaining a gunshot wound on his left arm. He immediately proceeded to Linaga Police Station to report the incident and was brought to the hospital by the police. Police are still conducting investigation on the incident.
Kalinaw News (Civil-Military Operations Regiment)

Peace Talks

Incidents/ Operations  

Gov’t troops abort NPA meeting in Leyte
Soldiers from the Philippine Army’s 802nd brigade seized rifles, bullets, other war materials, and subversive documents after a 30-minute clash with members of the New People’s Army (NPA) in a remote village in Calubian, Leyte early Thursday. Army 802nd brigade commander Brig. Gen. Lope Dagoy said in a press briefing in Ormoc City that the clash aborted a bi-annual meeting around 6 a.m. in Anislagan village attended by 20 communist rebels.
Philippine News Agency

New study shows how PH extremist groups use social media to recruit
A new study details how extremist groups in the Philippines use social media to identify possible new recruits and spread extremist beliefs. The study, "Understanding Violent Extremism: Message and Recruitment Strategies on Social Media in the Philippines," was presented on Thursday, December 13, in Pasig City. It is a joint project of The Asia Foundation (TAF) and Rappler.
Rappler

Maute member nabbed in Caloocan
Operatives of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG)-National Capital Region arrested a member of the Islamic State-inspired Maute group on Wednesday. In a statement Thursday, Supt. Arnold Thomas Ibay, Regional Chief of the CIDG Regional Field Unit (RFU), identified the suspect as Jomar Labay a.k.a. “Jumar Ibrahim”, who was arrested along Phase 9 Pocket 7A, Barangay 176, Bagong Silang Caloocan City.
Philippine News Agency, Philippine Star

MARAWI

Sunio: Save the humanitarian workers
SINCE when has doing good for the needy become dangerous? Doing good induces others to reciprocate, said Arthur P. Ciaramicoli, an author. But in humanitarian work, goodness and goodwill may not always follow. Sometimes, threats also lurk.  Humanitarian work is at its height in Marawi City and the surrounding municipalities following the siege in the city in May 2017. 
Sunstar Cagayan de Oro

SOUTHEAST ASIA AND THE WORLD      

Britain sees surge in far-right activity flagged to its anti-terrorism program
The number of people flagged to Britain's counter-extremism program on suspicion of far-right activity has increased by more than one third, figures released Thursday showed. Data from the Home Office's Prevent program, a central plank of Britain's strategy to combat terrorism, showed a 36% uptick in the number of referrals of people at risk of involvement in far-right activity (1,312 people) between April 2017 and March 2018, compared with the same period the year before.
CNN

Cardiff University to track hate speech and 'triggers'
Cardiff University has been awarded £1m for its HateLab research programme. It will look at "trigger" events like terrorism and Brexit and how they may motivate hate crimes. An online hate speech dashboard is being developed, using artificial intelligence to monitor hate speech in real time. The aim is to enable police and support organisations to respond more quickly - and pre-empt online and street hate crimes.
BBC News

KISSA AND DAWAT: Christmas time: Jesus and Mary in Islam
The City Hall is spending millions to spruce up the holiday ambiance. True enough, as with previous years, it is a huge attraction to city residents and visitors alike. Interestingly, Mary holds a special devotion among Chavacanos because of her association with local history as the “Lady of the Pilar,” whose early beginning is traceable to the Senora del Pilar de Zaragoza in Spain.
Mindanews

Moros, IP kids remain vulnerable in Mindanao conflict areas
The Moro people and indigenous children remain the most affected by conflict as armed rebels continue fighting government forces in Mindanao, a United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund (UNICEF) official said Thursday. "They are highly vulnerable to recruitment by armed groups and on the other hand are accused by security forces because they are seen as rebels," said Lotta Sylwander, UNICEF representative to the Philippines, during the Children and Armed Conflict Forum in Makati City.
Philippine News Agency

BANGSAMORO ORGANIC LAW

Barangay treasurer pushing for BOL gunned down in NorCot
A village treasurer known for his staunch support for the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL) was shot dead in Midsayap, North Cotabato by still unidentified armed men on Wednesday. The Midsayap town police station named the fatality as Ahmad Kumayog, 43, treasurer of Barangay Mudsing and an active peace advocate working for the BOL ratification.
Manila Bulletin, Manila Bulletin 2, Manila Standard

Duterte vs Islamic State for Mindanao’s heart and soul
While Islamic State aligned militants stir violence and instability on the southern Philippine island of Mindanao, the government hopes a proposed new political entity will help to stop the spread of its radical ideology across the long-troubled region. The proposed new autonomous region, the main upshot of a peace deal between the government and insurgent Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), currently doubles as safe haven for the Islamic State-aligned Abu Sayyaf Group, Maute Group and the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF).
Asia Times

Gains in new Bangsamoro region ensured: Madrigal
All efforts will be exerted to ensure that the gains made in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) are sustained. This was emphasized by newly-installed Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief-of-staff Lt. Gen. Benjamin Madrigal during his assumption speech Tuesday.
Philippine News Agency

CHED-ARMM, NABEI conduct Forum on BOL education provisions
The Commission on Higher Education of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (CHED-ARMM) and National Association for Bangsamoro Education, Inc. (NABEI) this Sunday, December 9, conducted a whole-day Forum on Understanding Education Provisions of Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL) and sought support of educators for ratification of the organic law.
Luwaran

MAGUINDANAO AND COTABATO CITY

Attacks on Maguindanao Teduray tribesmen condemned
The Sanguniang Panglalawigan (SP) and the Provincial Peace and Order Council (PPOC) of Maguindanao have vehemently condemned recent attacks on constituent tribesmen, denouncing such atrocities as an affront to the local government’s painstaking stride for peaceful coexistence in the locality.
Manila Bulletin

Maguindanao village councilman survives ambush
Policemen in Shariff Aguak town in Maguindanao province have launched a manhunt against two men, who ambushed and injured a village councilman on Wednesday morning. Maguindanao police director, Senior Supt. Madzgani Mukaram, identified the victim as Samsudin Abdulkarim, 49, council member of Barangay Satan, Shariff Aguak.
Philippine News Agency

Cotabateños, Maguindanaons hail martial law extension
Led by Mayor Frances Cynthia Guiani-Sayadi, Cotabateños have expressed joy over the approval by both houses of Congress of the extension of martial law in Mindanao for another year. In a joint session Wednesday, both the Senate and the House of Representatives (HoR) voted - 235-28-1 – in favor of the extension of martial law in Mindanao from Jan. 1 to Dec. 31, 2019.
Philippine News Agency

LANAO PROVINCES

BASILAN

FastCat operator gets P1.8-B loan from PNB to build 5 new ferries
At present, APFC operates a dozen vessels servicing the Eastern and Western part of the country’s central corridor but plans to expand its operations and add more routes soon. The company also plans to do an Initial Public Offering (IPO) to raise more funds and set up a ship repair facility in Batangas. “We’re looking at doubling up our routes in Central Visayas and tap the Mindanao area,” APFC President Christopher Pastrana told reporters yesterday. “We want to open up the Tawi-Tawi-Basilan-Zamboanga area.”
Manila Bulletin

SULU 

3 ASG members, 1 Marine killed in firefight in Sulu
Three Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) members were killed during an encounter with the members of the 62nd Marine Company of the Force Reconnaissance Group of the Philippine Marine Corps at Minis Island, Patikul, Sulu on Thursday. Marine Captain Felix Serapio, Jr., director of the Marine Corps Public Affairs Office, said the encounter took place at around 2 in the morning.
Manila Bulletin, Philippine News Agency, Philippine Star

TAWI-TAWI 

DRUGS

Want killings to stop? ‘Drop drugs, it’ll end tomorrow’ – Duterte
Want killings in the country to stop? President Rodrigo Duterte has the solution: Stop using or peddling drugs. “Kayong mga durugista o may kilalang durugista na galit sakin kasi pinatay ko ‘yung kaibigan ninyo, anak ninyo (expletive) sila ang sabihan mo,” Duterte said Thursday in his speech during the unveiling of the Las Piñas Drug Rehabilitation Center marker.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

‘20,000 deaths?’: Duterte questions critics’ death-toll claims from drug war
President Rodrigo Duterte on Thursday challenged his critics to prove the government's anti-illegal drug campaign has claimed more than 20,000 lives. "20,000 deaths? It does not say where did it happen? What actually happened? How did it happen? When? Where? Wala," he said in a speech during the unveiling of the marker of Mella Hotel in Las Piñas City.
ABS-CBN News

Duterte’s War on Drugs Can’t Escape International Law
Earlier this month, the International Criminal Court (ICC) announced that it would continue to study complaints filed against Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte’s war on drugs despite his unwillingness to recognize the legitimacy of the body. The announcement marks the continuation of international legal scrutiny around one of Duterte’s most controversial policies as president.
The Diplomat

OFWs urged to help drive vs. illegal drugs, fight fake news
Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Assistant Secretary Marie Rafael is asking Overseas Filipino Workers (OFW) to help in the government's anti-illegal drugs campaign and stop the spread of fake news by informing their fellow migrant workers of the "real score."
Philippine News Agency

Public support needed to solve drug problem
The recent raid on a suspected shabu laboratory inside the exclusive Greenhills Subdivision in San Juan City tells us how drug lords have become even more brazen with their illegal trade, despite President Rodrigo Duterte’s bloody all-out war on illegal drugs. The police raiding team seized P204 milion worth of chemicals and equipment that could produce up to 30 kilos of shabu per week.
Business Mirror

No proof linking Lapeña to multi-billion shabu haul: PDEA
There is no evidence that former Customs commissioner Isidro Lapeña was involved in the PHP6.8-billion shabu shipment that slipped into the country through the industrial magnetic lifters, the head of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) said Thursday.
Philippine News Agency

Court set to rule on 2016 floating shabu lab case
A local court  is expected to rule Friday on the case of a floating shabu laboratory seized off the coast of Subic in Zambales on July 2016. The Olongapo RTC Judge Raymond Viray will rule on the government’s case against four Chinese men from Hong Kong arrested in the operation conducted in July 2016.
Philippine Star

Operations/ Incidents

‘Habal-habal’ driver yields P6.8-M 'shabu' in Cotabato
Anti-narcotic agents, backed by policemen, arrested here shortly before noon Thursday a “habal-habal” (motorcycle-for-hire) driver found carrying PHP6.8-million worth of suspected "shabu".
Philippine News Agency, Mindanews, NDBC News

Cops kill 'high-value target' in Makati drug operation
A “high-value target” was killed in a supposed shootout with police who were about to serve him with a search warrant in Makati on Wednesday night, December 12. Cops said the shootout between police and Rolando Abundo Jr happened after the suspect allegedly shot at operatives who were about to serve him the warrant in nis home in Barangay Pio del Pilar, Makati.
Rappler

Authorities nab Odicta in-laws for drugs, firearms
Authorities collared the brothers and a sister-in-law of the wife of slain drug lord Melvin Odicta for having in their possession an estimated PHP380,000 worth of suspected shabu and firearms on Thursday.
Philippine News Agency

3 'pushers nabbed in Legazpi raid; P178K shabu seized
Anti-narcotics operatives collared three suspected drug pushers and seized from them PHP178,000 worth of shabu in a drug raid on Thursday morning in a coastal village here, a ranking official of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) in Bicol said.
Philippine News Agency

Recovery and Rehabilitation  

ILLICIT FIREARMS, EXPLOSIVES AND AMMUNITION

Martial law worked vs loose guns but no extension needed: poll watchdog
Martial law helped maintain peace during the village and youth elections in parts of Mindanao last May, a poll watchdog conceded Thursday, but said this did not mean it should be extended. Congress on Wednesday granted President Rodrigo Duterte’s request to continue military rule in the southern Philippines for another year.
ABS-CBN News

Son of ex-vice gov, 2 others nabbed for gunrunning in Cagayan province
The son of a former Cagayan vice governor was arrested for gunrunning along with two others in a police sting operation at 5:20 p.m. on Wednesday (Dec. 12). Rambo Fausto, former vice governor Leonides Fausto’s son and the village chairman of Barangay Lakambini in Tuao town, sold four pistols to an undercover police agent at a shopping mall parking lot in Barangay Pengue Ruyu here, police said.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

CROSS-BORDER TRADING/ SMUGGLING  

HUMAN TRAFFICKING

ILLICIT FINANCIAL TRANSACTIONS 

Balangiga bells ‘property of Catholic faith’: PRRD
President Rodrigo R. Duterte on Thursday said nobody from both Philippine and United States governments should take credit for the return of the Balangiga bells, noting that they have always been property of “the Catholic faith.” “The credit of the return of the Balangiga (bells) does not belong to any worker or officials of government,” Duterte said during his speech at the unveiling of the Mella Hotel marker in Las Piñas City.
Philippine News Agency, Rappler, CNN Philippines

Duterte to skip High Mass during Balangiga bells turnover
President Duterte said that he will not attend the High Mass for the historic return of the three Balangiga bells to its origin in Eastern Samar on Saturday. Duterte made the statement days before he is set to lead the turnover of the relics in Balangiga, Eastern Samar.
Manila Bulletin, ABS-CBN News

PRRD to attend Balangiga Bells turnover due to peoples' requests
After initially canceling his attendance at the turnover of the Balangiga bells to Eastern Samar local officials on Saturday (Dec. 15), President Rodrigo R. Duterte has decided to show up due to the peoples’ “persistent requests.” Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo made this remark early Thursday morning after announcing on Wednesday night that the President would no longer be able to attend the church bells’ turnover to attend to more “pressing concerns.”
Philippine News Agency

Duterte to priests: If you can wish for me to die, why can’t I?
President Rodrigo Duterte on Thursday defended his call to kill bishops critical of his government, citing a priest who wished him ill during a Mass for opposition Senator Antonio Trillanes IV in September. “Sabi ko, ‘patayin mo ‘yang mga obispo na ‘yan.’ Kung sila mismo sa misa nila, in a Mass there — I think it was Trillanes who was there. Sabi ng pari, ‘Sana mamatay na ito si Duterte,'” the President said in a speech in Las Piñas City.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

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Duterte alluding to Maria Ressa Time cover? ‘Inyo na ‘yan’
Was the naming of Rappler CEO Maria Ressa as Time magazine's Person of the Year, along with other journalists, on President Rodrigo Duterte’s mind as he gave a speech on Thursday, December 13, in Las Piñas? Without mentioning Ressa by name, the Philippine President said he couldn’t care less about accolades given to his critics.
Rappler, Philippine Daily Inquirer, ABS-CBN News

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Samar diocese snub proposal to keep 1 Balangiga bell in Manila
The Diocese of Borongan in Eastern Samar has rejected the proposal to keep one of the three Balangiga Bells in Manila. Bishop Crispin Varquez and the clergy of the diocese said such a transfer is a disrespectful mangling of history and the right of the Catholic faithful of Balangiga to their private property.
Manila Bulletin, Rappler, Philippine Daily Inquirer

Balangiga bell sparks word war between Zubiri, Diocese of Borongan
Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri on Thursday hit back at church leaders who described as “disrespectful” his suggestion to share one of the returned Balangiga bells to the National Museum for the benefit of the youth.
Manila Bulletin

Balangiga Bells' home is church, not museum: diocese
The Diocese of Borongan in Eastern Samar opposed the proposal to place one of the three Balangiga Bells at the National Museum in Manila. “We, the Bishop and Clergy of the Diocese of Borongan collectively object to and strongly stand against the transfer of one or all of the Bells of Balangiga from their historical and rightful habitat, which is the Parish Church of St. Lawrence, Deacon and Martyr, in Balangiga, Eastern Samar, Diocese of Borongan,” Borongan Bishop Crispin Vasquez said in a statement Thursday.
Philippine News Agency

DISASTER

DOST ‘high-tech’ map key in disaster fight
Charting Cordillera terrain using a modern imaging and data gathering tool to generate precise hazard maps and models could be the key to preventing massive landslides like what happened this year in Natonin town, Mountain Province, and Itogon town, Benguet province.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

MINDANAO

Xiamen Airlines to launch Quanzhou-Davao route
Xiamen Airlines will launch its inaugural flight from Quanzhou to Davao on December 18, in a move that is seen to further boost the local tourism and business industry. In a press statement on Thursday, Xiamen Airlines-Philippines General Manager Lin Huagun said the new route marks the first non-stop route from Mainland China to Davao.
Philippine News Agency

P12 billion in infra projects to be implemented in Mindanao next year
Around P12 billion in various infrastructure projects will be implemented in Mindanao next year. Sherwin Manual, information unit head of the Philippine Rural Development Project (PRDP)-Mindanao said in an interview Thursday that they expect a massive implementation of at least 172 infrastructure subprojects in several areas in Mindanao in 2019, mostly farm-to-market roads, bridges, potable water supply facilities, and irrigation systems.
Mindanews

ELECTION RELATED

Election-related Violence

Village chair dies in gun attack
A barangay chairman was killed while his son was injured after they were waylaid by motorcycle-riding gunmen in Barangay Tugal, Midsayap, Cotabato last Thursday. Supt. Joan Maganto, Midsayap police chief, identified the victims as Sahabudin Madendog, 54, village chair of Barangay Nabalawag, Midsayap and his son, Nasrudin Tumagantang, 29.
Manila Bulletin

CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS

Puno comment on House Cha-cha ‘misplaced’ – solon
The chairman of the House Committee on Constitutional Amendments on Thursday branded as “misplaced” the observations made by former Chief Justice Reynato Puno against the Resolution of Both Houses of Congress 15 or the proposed federal charter.
Manila Bulletin

Draft Charter elicits concern
While supportive of the idea of a shift to federalism, some Cebu business leaders are wary of how it is going to be done. Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI) President Antonio Chiu said safeguards must be put in place to ensure that national and local interests are protected with the changes expected in a federal form of government.
Cebu Daily News

House resolution on federalism wanting, superficial–Duterte ally
A key ally of President Duterte and advocate for federalism finds the House-approved resolution on Charter change wanting, describing it as “taphaw” (Visayan for shallow). Secretary Adelino Sitoy, head of the Presidential Legislative Liaison Office and former mayor of Cordova town, said Resolution of Both Houses  No. 15 approved by the House of Representatives on Tuesday, was “only superficial” in fulfilling the government’s hopes for a federal government.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

JUDICIARY

LEGISLATIVE

House approves all Duterte priority measures
The House of Representatives, with former President and now Speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo at its helm, on Thursday boasted of passing all priority legislative measures sought by President Duterte on his third year as Chief Executive.
Manila Bulletin

Bill increasing war veterans’ monthly pension to P20,000 awaiting Duterte’s signature
Senator Gregorio Honasan said Thursday he awaits the signing into law by President Duterte this Christmas season of a consolidated bill seeking a 300 percent increase in the monthly old-age pension of senior Filipino war veterans.
Manila Bulletin

Senators sound alarm over China-funded DILG surveillance project
 Senators have sounded the alarm over a China-funded surveillance system project of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), citing its potential "security threat" to the country.
Rappler

Budget 'insertions' likely have Duterte approval, says Lagman
Opposition congressman Edcel Lagman believes Budget Secretary Benjamin Diokno could not have "inserted" P75 billion into the proposed 2019 budget without the consent of President Rodrigo Duterte himself.
Rappler

Senate ratifies bicam report on cancer control
The Senate on Thursday ratified the bicameral conference report on the measure would establish a national framework to combat cancer. Senator Joseph Victor “JV” Ejercito said the bicameral report is the reconciled and consolidated version of Senate Bill No. 1850, “National Integrated Cancer Control Act,” which he co-authored and sponsored, and House Bill No. 8636.
Manila Bulletin

Drilon seeks transfer of P16-B budget for LGUs to DOH
Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon has sought the transfer of the P16-billion budget allocation supposedly lodged at the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) to provide assistance to local government units (LGUs)to the Department of Health (DOH).
Manila Bulletin

Senate adjourns; 2019 budget approval deferred
The government would have to operate with a reenacted budget early next year as the Senate opted to adhere to its legislative calendar and adjourn for the holidays, failing to approve the P3.757-trillion proposed budget for 2019.
Manila Bulletin

Diokno is a man of integrity — Legarda
Senator Loren Legarda, chairwoman of the Senate finance committee, came on Thursday to the rescue of beleaguered Department of Budget and Management (DBM) Secretary Benjamin Diokno.
Manila Bulletin

LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS (LGUs)

DEFENSE AND SECURITY

Japan to sell air defense radar to PH – Lorenzana
Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana Thursday confirmed that Japan has offered to sell to the Philippines its air defense radar technology to help the country in its territorial defense.
Manila Bulletin

Philippine Navy officials tour US submarine in Palawan
Philippine Navy officials went aboard a US Navy submarine and a submarine tender during the latter's port visit to Puerto Princesa City, Palawan earlier this week. The crews of Los Angeles-class fast attack submarine USS Greeneville and submarine tender USS Emory S. Land hosted Armed Forces of the Phillippines officials for a tour and a meeting with submarine force crew members on December 10.
Philippine Star

ECONOMY AND INVESTMENTS

BUILD, BUILD, BUILD

OFFICIAL DEVELOPMENT ASSISTANCE

GRAFT AND CORRUPTION

FOREIGN RELATIONS  

West Philippine Sea

US firm on right to operate in South China
The United States will continue to exercise its right to fly, sail and operate in the disputed South China Sea and in other areas where international law allows it, notwithstanding the statement of a ranking Chinese military officer who called for Beijing’s more aggressive stance against the US’ freedom of navigation operations in the disputed waters.
Manila Bulletin

LABOR

DOLE sets inspection of firecracker factories
The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) will inspect the facilities of pyrotechnics and firecracker manufacturers to determine whether or not occupational safety and health (OSH) standards are adhered to.
Manila Bulletin

TRANSPORTATION

Delay in release of subsidy for jeepney drivers hit
Senator Grace Poe on Thursday criticized the supposed delay in the release of the fuel subsidy for jeepney drivers and operators to cushion the effects of the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) Law.
Manila Bulletin

LTFRB resolution directs PNP, MMDA to stop Angkas bikers following SC TRO
The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) has issued a resolution directing all law enforcement units to immediately apprehend and impound motorcycles of Angkas bikers if found transporting paying passengers on the road.
Manila Bulletin

PNR: Pinabayaan National Railways
What is happening to the state-run Philippine National Railways (PNR)? I ended up asking this question at the end of the litany of woes poured out by union leaders headed by Edgar Bilayon, president of the Bagong Kapisanan ng mga Manggagawa sa PNR (BKMP) during our weekly breakfast forum Kapihan sa Manila Bay last Wednesday.
Philippine Star

HEALTH 

Dengue fever cases up 33 percent in 2018
The Department of Health (DOH) on Thursday reported that dengue fever cases in the country rose by 33 percent from January to November this year compared to the same period in 2017.
Manila Bulletin

PAO forensic expert stands firm on Dengvaxia findings
People who are claiming that the Dengvaxia vaccine is safe are “misleading” and “betrays the memory” of hundreds of children who have died because of the vaccine, a Public Attorney’s Office (PAO) forensic expert said Thursday.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

FOOD AND AGRICULTURE

EDUCATION

ENERGY

EU inks 7 clean energy pacts
The European Union on Thursday signed seven new contracts with various civil society organisations, cooperatives, regional and local authorities, corporate social responsibility institutions and universities to provide clean energy to 40,000 households in the Philippines.
Manila Bulletin, Philippine News Agency

DOE moves to jump-start PHL-China energy talks
ENERGY Secretary Alfonso G. Cusi said on Thursday that his office has initiated moves meant to jump-start discussions between the Philippines and China on a possible joint oil and gas exploration. “The MOU [memorandum of understanding] is meant to explore a solution. So, I sent a notice through the DFA [Department of Foreign Affairs] saying I am ready and want to meet with them immediately,” said Cusi.
Business Mirror

POVERTY

HOUSING

TOURISM

ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES 

COMMUNICATION AND TECHNOLOGY

DEVELOPMENT SECTOR