IT IS CORRECT FOR NDFP TO BE FOR PEACE NEGOTIATIONS AND EXPOSE DUTERTE’S SCHEME OF FASCIST DICTATORSHIP
It is correct for NDFP to be ever willing to negotiate peace with the Government of the Republic of the Philippines (GRP) in order to stress the fact that the Duterte regime has been responsible for all-out war since 2016 and for the termination of the peace negotiations since 2017 and has no real intention to engage in these because these would block the Duterte scheme of declaring martial law nationwide, rigging the May 2019 elections if at all held and imposing a fascist dictatorship on the people through charter change to a bogus kind of federalism. 
Joma Sison FB Post

‘Workers could lose jobs due to NPA attacks
Workers of a mining company in Negros Oriental may lose their jobs after suspected New People’s Army (NPA) guerrillas torched P20 million worth of heavy equipment in Ayungon town, the military said yesterday. Brig. Gen. Ignacio Madriaga, commander of the Army’s 30th Infantry Brigade, said the attack was proof that the NPA is a terror organization.
Philippine Star

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CHR concerned about alleged profiling of ACT members by police
The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) over the weekend expressed concern over the supposed police profiling of members of the Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT). CHR spokesperson Jacqueline Ann De Guia, in a statement released Sunday, called on members of the police to be transparent and to adhere to the rule of law.
GMA News

Guihulngan Confidential
“LOOK: six members of Sparu (Special Partisan Unit) of NPA killed in the ‘Oplan Sauron’ of the AFP and PNP in Negros Oriental,” People’s Television tweeted on December 28. “17 NPA members were arrested, 1 voluntarily surrendered, 3 at large and 25 assorted firearms and subversive documents recovered.”
The Manila Times

Peace Talks

Joma Sison nixes terms of new talks
The government and the communist rebels should not dictate the composition of both negotiating panels in the peace talks, said exiled Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) founder Jose Maria “Joma” Sison on Sunday. “Duterte is out of order if he insists that he dictates who [would] compose the NDFP (National Democratic Front of the Philippines) negotiating panel, advisers and consultants. Likewise, the NDFP cannot go over his head and dictate the composition of the GRP (government) negotiating panel, advisers and consultants,” Sison said in an online interview from Utrecht in the Netherlands.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Lorenzana: Joma Sison longing for peace talks resumption to remain relevant
Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana Sunday said Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) founding chairman Jose Maria Sison is longing for the resumption of the peace talks with the government is order to remain relevant.
Manila Bulletin

‘No chance of peace talks with communists’
Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana over the weekend said he does not see the government and the communists going back to the negotiating table after Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) founder Jose Maria “Joma” Sison announced that his organization’s priority is the ouster of President Rodrigo Duterte.
The Manila Times

Incidents/ Operations   

Flags to fly half-mast in sympathy with blast victims
The city mayor on Sunday asked school officials to fly the Philippine flag in campuses at half-mast for five days in sympathy with the victims of the deadly bombing here last week. Halima Satol-Ibrahim, the city government’s chief information officer, said Mayor Cynthia Guiani-Sayadi has asked local school administrators to raise the flag at half-mast from Monday till Friday.
NDBC News, Philippine Daily Inquirer

MARAWI

Ucpb releases survival, recovery loans to survivors of Marawi war
The United Coconut Planters Bank (UCPB) said it has distributed “survival and recovery loans” to farmers and fishermen from Marawi City through the bank’s e-money cards after the Department of Agriculture released the loans last month. The UCPB is the DA’s conduit bank on releasing the loans, and the UCPB said it distributed these through its e-money cards beginning late November initially to 200 farmers and fishermen.
Business Mirror

BATANG MINDANAW: The shared memory of home will continuously bridge differences, politics and class
They were a group of Meranaos, temporarily taking chances at life in a foreign city, a little faraway from inged, from home. In one of those times, while stories brewed in the afternoon twilight, and coffee warmed the cool air, these young fellows spoke of home with words tasting like nostalgia despite the bitter tang of coffee.
Mindanews

SOUTHEAST ASIA AND THE WORLD      

Brain scans show social exclusion creates jihadists, say researchers
For years western policymakers have tried to establish what causes individuals to be radicalised. Now a pioneering study has used medical science to gain fresh insight into the process – in the brains of potential jihadists. University College London (UCL) researchers were part of an international team that used neuroimaging techniques to map how the brains of radicalised individuals respond to being socially marginalised. 
The Guardian UK

35% of Women Arrested for Terrorism in Spain Are Moroccans
Two  Spanish criminologists conducted a study on women involved in terror-related crimes in Spain. The study, quoted by  Ceutaldia, indicates that nearly 34.8 percent of women radicalized by terror organizations in Spain are Moroccans. The study showed that the majority of the 21 women “investigated during the last decade for radicalization” were between 19 and 25 years old.
Morocco World News

2 Americans Said to Have Joined ISIS Caught on the Front Lines in Syria
A 34-year-old man from Houston who sent a résumé and cover letter seeking a job inside the Islamic State was captured alive on the battlefield alongside another American fighting for the terrorist group, according to the Syrian Democratic Forces, who announced the arrest on Sunday.
The New York Times

Changes to terrorism laws on the table after failure to impose supervision order
The Attorney-General's office is contemplating tougher terror laws, after the state failed in a last-ditched bid to slap an extended supervision order on a convicted terrorism “activity offender” who had an “obsession” with the Islamic State.
Sydney Morning Herald

Should the U.S. Leave Afghanistan?
In “Time to Get Out of Afghanistan” (Op-Ed, Jan. 2), Robert D. Kaplan refers to the diplomatic expertise of Richard Holbrooke. Mr. Holbrooke famously remarked, after becoming familiar with Afghan affairs, “We may be fighting the wrong enemy in the wrong country.” He recognized that Pakistan was the true enemy.
The New York Times

Winning: Religion, Bad Habits And Terrorism
Why are the vast majority of terrorism deaths the result of Islamic radicalism? Worse, why is that form of terrorism most common in the Middle East among the Arabs, especially those from the Arabian Peninsula where Islam first appeared 1,500 years ago? Until recently it was difficult for people in most Middle Eastern countries to openly discuss this trend much less where it came from and what could be done about it.
Strategy Page

The Story of an American Islamic State Member Allegedly Captured in Syria
On the morning of Jan. 6, the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) announced that it had captured five Islamic State foreign fighters in Syria, including two reported U.S. citizens. The SDF identified the American captives as Zaid Abed al-Hamid, a 35-year-old from an undisclosed location in the U.S, and Warren Christopher Clark, a 34-year-old from Houston, Tex. 
Lawfare Blog

Mufti urges Egyptians' unity in face of terrorists
Grand Mufti Shawqy Allam urged all Egyptians to close ranks in the face of terrorist groups which seek to destabilize the country.  In a statement late Saturday, the Mufti condemned a blast that took place in Nasr City district of eastern Cairo.  He offered condolences to the family of an Egyptian police officer, who was an explosive expert, who died in the explosion while defusing a bomb. 
Egypt Today

Prevention and spread of violent extremism - Government urged to do more
Mr Mutaru Mumuni Muqthar, the Executive Director of the West Africa Centre for Counter-Extremism (WACCE), has urged government to do more in the prevention, spread of radicalization and violent extremism amongst the youth in Ghana. He said the pervasive vulnerabilities such as the high number of unresolved chieftaincy conflicts, political vigilantism, violence and the uncompromising political environment during political seasons can affect Ghana in a manner that could change the country’s security profile forever.
Ghana Web

Reject religious extremism, Shafie tells Sabahans after Christmas party row
Chief Minister Shafie Apdal has told Sabahans to reject extremism when practising one’s religion, saying it has no place in Sabah’s multi-racial society. Responding to a police report on the Christmas celebration in Tawau, Shafie said extremism and racism would disrupt the harmony and unity in the state.
Free Malaysia Today

Eight-year-old boy questioned by counter-terrorism police officers in London school over ‘radicalisation’ fears
An eight-year-old boy was questioned by two counter-terrorism police officers and a social worker at a school in east London over alleged radicalisation fears, The Independent can reveal. The Counter Terrorism Professional Standards Unit has now launched an investigation into the matter after the boy’s parents logged a formal complaint about the treatment of their young son.
The Independent UK

BATANG MINDANAW: The Tapestry of the Bangsamoro Youth 
Like many young people before me and throughout history, I have been called slack, self-centered, and shallow by the generation who came before me. I am, after all, a millennial whose best talent they say is taking a selfie that can get many hearts and likes. I have heard from well-meaning elders that the culture of my ancestors may die completely during my time and that the Moro identity that kept us different will eventually disintegrate as we assimilate within the global community.
Mindanews

Sabah CM to meet southern Philippines leaders next week
Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal (pix) is expected to discuss several important issues with yet unnamed leaders from the southern Philippines when they visit the state capital next week. Mohd Shafie said one of the topics would be about the safety aspects of Sabah’s east coast, as well as to strengthen cooperation with the southern Philippines leaders in an effort to combat cross-border crimes plaguing the area.
The Sun Daily (Malaysia), The Malaysian Insight

BANGSAMORO ORGANIC LAW

PH still in ‘rough waters’ in its search for lasting peace
President Duterte recognized that there was still more work to be done in achieving lasting peace in the Philippines, saying the country was still sailing in “rough waters”. Duterte made the comment during the post-disaster assessment briefing in Camarines Sur. In his remarks, the President mentioned how it was important to place the right people in government because there was still more work to do.
Manila Bulletin

Analysts see BOL approval in Jan. 21 plebiscite
WITH two weeks left before the plebiscite that will decide on the proposed Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL), analysts agreed there is a possibility that it will be ratified, yet there are challenges ahead in the transition to an autonomous Bangsamoro region.
Business World Online

Palace, Congress team up for BOL
Malacañang and Congress have asked the Supreme Court to dismiss the petition assailing the constitutionality of the Bangsamoro Organic Law. In a 118-page comment, the Palace and both Houses of Congress, through the Office of the Solicitor general, asked the high court to dump the petition filed in October by the Sulu provincial government seeking to strike down the BOL or Republic Act 11054 and to stop its implementation.
Manila Standard

OSG asks SC to junk petition against BOL
Government lawyers have asked the Supreme Court (SC) to dismiss the petition challenging the constitutionality of the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL) under Republic Act No. 11054 that was approved by President Duterte last July. The SC was also asked to junk the plea for a temporary restraining order (TRO) that would stop the government from implementing RA 11054.
Tempo

MAGUINDANAO AND COTABATO CITY

LANAO PROVINCES

BASILAN

SULU 

TAWI-TAWI 

DRUGS

Duterte vows to pursue ‘to ends of the earth’ persons involved in illegal drugs
Following the killing of a suspected narco-politician, the government has pledged to pursue “to the ends of the earth” persons involved in illegal drugs and other crimes until they are brought to justice.
Manila Bulletin

No exemptions in drug war, says Palace after ex-Maguindanao mayor killed in police ops
There will be no exemptions in the administration's war against illegal drugs, the Malacañang said on Sunday on the heels of the death of a former Maguindanao mayor in a recent anti-drug operation by police. "
GMA News, Philippine Star, Business World Online, Philippine Daily Inquirer, Manila Standard

PRO-Davao to remain persistent with anti-drug ops
POLICE Regional Office (PRO)-Davao vowed to remain persistent on their campaign against illegal drugs in Davao region for 2019. "We are relentless on our campaign against illegal drugs by conducting more and more anti-drug operations until we stop its proliferation and soon together with our children, we will savor and enjoy a drug-free and crime-free Philippines," PRO-Davao regional director Police Chief Superintendent Marcelo Morales said. 
Sunstar Davao

Operations/ Incidents

3 suspects yield shabu, marijuana, firearms
Around P400,000 worth of “shabu” (crystal meth) and marijuana were seized from three arrested drug suspects in Quezon City on Sunday. According to the Quezon City Police District (QCPD), two of the three suspects were not new to the drug business because they had been charged before in other cities.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

P100,000 worth of shabu seized in Bacolor
Operatives of the Police Regional Drug Enforcement Unit seized almost P100,000 worth of suspected shabu (methamphetamine hydrochloride) during an anti-illegal drug operation in this town. Superintendent Rommel Batangan, who led the drug bust, said the suspect identified as Louiegi Manalang, a resident of Floridablanca, was onboard a motorcycle when he transacted with undercover police. 
Sunstar Pampanga

6 nabbed in anti-drug operations
SIX drug personalities were arrested while some P9,300 worth of illegal drugs seized in separate anti-drug operations in Zamboanga City, a police official disclosed. Senior Inspector Shellamie Chang, Zamboanga City Police Office (ZCPO) information officer, identified the arrested drug personalities as the following: Elerick Sotto; Ricardo Morales; Romel Villegas; Rey Bandejas; Jamester Francisco; and, Brian Manibog. 
Sunstar Zamboanga

Recovery and Rehabilitation  

ILLICIT FIREARMS, EXPLOSIVES AND AMMUNITION

CROSS-BORDER TRADING/ SMUGGLING  

KIDNAPPING

ILLICIT FINANCIAL TRANSACTIONS 

Five AFP chiefs in over 900 days
The most striking, most visible and to some observers the most amusing, aspect of the Armed Forces of the Philippines is the short shelf life of our chiefs of staff, resulting in among other things, the proliferation of retiring four-star generals.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

GOCC dividends rise 32% in 2018 to over P40B
GOVERNMENT-OWNED and -controlled corporations (GOCCs) remitted a record P40.18 billion worth of dividends to the national government in 2018, the Department of Finance (DoF) said in a statement over the weekend. The 2018 dividend rose 32% from 2017. The total was remitted by 55 GOCCs.
Business World Online, Manila Bulletin, GMA News, Philippine Daily Inquirer

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Robredo reminds Duterte of impact of his joke about molesting his family’s housemaid
Vice President Leni Robredo on Sunday reminded President Rodrigo Duterte of the impact of his joke about molesting his family’s housemaid to Filipinos, especially to domestic helpers working abroad.
Manila Bulletin

DISASTER

Wrong forecast worsened Usman death toll in Bicol – expert
A wrong forecast, late warnings, and a lack of hazard awareness worsened the death toll due to Tropical Depression Usman in Bicol, said disaster scientist Mahar Lagmay on Saturday, January 5. "The forecast on December 28 to 29, 2018, was moderate (light blue) to heavy (dark blue) rainfall in Bicol. But the actual rainfall was intense (yellow) to torrential (red), the latter being the highest amount of rainfall," according to a note Lagmay posted on Facebook.
Rappler

MINDANAO

Ex-solon George Hofer dies
Former Zamboanga del Sur 3rd district congressman, Dr. George Hofer passed away on Sunday, Jan. 6, a report reaching the House of Representatives said. He was 80.
Manila Bulletin, Rappler

ELECTION RELATED

Comelec says Bato’s movie should not be shown during campaign period
Former Philippine National Police (PNP) chief and senatorial aspirant Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa and those behind the movie on his life story should make sure it will not be shown during the campaign period of the May 13, 2019 midterm polls.
Manila Bulletin

Party withdraws nomination of mayor tagged in Batocabe slay
The political party Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats (Lakas-CMD) announced on Sunday, January 6, that it has withdrawn its nomination of Daraga Mayor Carlwyn Baldo, the reelectionist tagged in the murder of AKO Bicol Representative Rodel Batocabe.
Rappler, GMA News

Davao PNP eyes 24/7 checkpoint for poll period
The Police Regional Office (PRO) in Region 11 or Davao Region is laying down its security plans for the 2019 mid-term elections with the start of the poll period on January 19. Chief Supt. Marcelo Morales, regional director of PRO-11, has ordered all city and provincial chiefs of police to implement 24/7 checkpoint operations across the region for the whole duration of the election period which ends June 12.
Philippine News Agency

Bicol in the eye of the political storm
THE Dec. 22, 2018 killing of Ako Bicol party-list representative and Daraga mayoral candidate Rodel Batocabe in Daraga, Albay and the allegations of multibillion peso insertions in the public works budget for the province of Sorsogon have cast the Bicol region in the eye of a political storm. The region, which includes Albay, Camarines Sur, Camarines Norte, Masbate and Catanduanes, is no stranger to political violence and corruption, but what’s happening today seems to exceed previous levels.
The Manila Times

Election-related Violence

CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS

Federalism by an indolent legislature
There have been several federalism proposals over the years. Last year alone, we had the draft by the Puno constitutional commission formed by President Duterte, and the instant Arroyo House of Representatives draft. These proposals are in the form of one-sided contracts premature to be brought to the people for acceptance. 
Philippine Daily Inquirer

JUDICIARY

LEGISLATIVE

House approves bill seeking disposition of unused gov’t properties for socialized housing projects
The House of Representatives has approved on third and final reading a bill seeking the disposition of unused government-owned properties for socialized housing projects. Voting 202-5, the Lower Chamber approved House Bill 8553 or the proposed “Idle Government-Owned Lands Disposition Act,” principally authored by Ilocos Sur Rep. Eric Singson
Manila Bulletin

LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS (LGUs)

DEFENSE AND SECURITY

ECONOMY AND INVESTMENTS

Low inflation seen in next 2 years
After enduring expensive consumer products and services in 2018, Filipinos can expect to experience the relief of stable prices over the next two years, thanks to government policies implemented in recent months, according to the central bank.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Peso faces new threat as Duterte gears up for poll
AS IF FALLING for six straight years wasn’t enough, the Philippine peso is now facing an additional threat: a midterm election that may compound concerns about its economy. As the nation gears up for polls due in May, political uncertainties may pose an added source of pressure to those stemming from its long-running deficits.
Business World Online

Enrile stresses need to encourage more foreign investments in PH
Former Sen. Juan Ponce Enrile underscored the need to encourage more foreign investments in the Philippines to create more jobs in the country. Enrile said there is a need to forego laws that dissuade foreign investors from making investments to create millions of jobs for Filipinos and spur the country’s economic growth.
Manila Bulletin

BUILD, BUILD, BUILD

Extension of 2018 budget to put ‘Build, Build, Build’ in bad light
An opposition lawmaker says the extension of the 2018 national budget, which President Rodrigo Duterte recently approved, could be seen as a negative reflection of the administration’s flagship “Build, Build, Build” program.
Manila Bulletin

Reinsurance sector seen to reap windfall from ‘BBB’
THIS year’s Philippine Insurers and Reinsurers Association (Pira) chairman believes the reinsurance industry would reap a windfall from the revenue-generating effects of the government’s “Build, Build, Build” (BBB) infrastructure program.
Business Mirror

OFFICIAL DEVELOPMENT ASSISTANCE

GRAFT AND CORRUPTION

Sandiganbayan allows prosecutors to amend charges vs ex-Landbank officials
The Sandiganbayan allowed prosecutors to amend original information stated within a graft charge filed against former Land Bank of the Philippines (Landbank) officials in relation to an allegedly anomalous sale of its Meralco stake in 2008.
Rappler

FOREIGN RELATIONS  

West Philippine Sea

LABOR

Labor group calls on Duterte to abolish all wage boards
The Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (TUCP) is urging President Duterte to abolish all wage boards in the country and replace it with a singular wage-fixing body that will determine a uniform minimum wage rate nationwide.
Business Mirror

TRANSPORTATION

LTO starts online-only submission of medical certificates
Starting Monday, Jan. 7, the Land Transportation Office (LTO) Metro Manila and the Davao Region (Region 11)) will only accept online medical certificates of those applying for a student permit, a driver’s license, or a renewal of their license.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Study on P508-B Sangley airport plan submitted
The Sangley Point International Airport, a future alternative to the busy Ninoy Aquino International Airport (Naia) in Manila, remains in the picture as the Cavite provincial government submitted the full project study to the country’s economic planners last month. The project, said to be aligned with the “One Belt, One Road” policy of the People’s Republic of China, aims to ease air congestion in Naia, where options for expansion are constrained by its location within the capital district of Metro Manila.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

HEALTH 

FOOD AND AGRICULTURE

More farm-to-market roads sought
THE Department of Agriculture (DA) is eyeing to develop aggressively a number of farm-to-market roads (FMRs) to boost farmers’ income and overall food production this year.
The Manila Times

EDUCATION

ENERGY

Shell reinforces bet on ‘clean energy’ future
As the planet burns and in the state of “energy toxicity” we’re in, the world for sure cannot just sit idly by. The science that we now know on climate change risks wrecking havoc on human’s physical environment is indeed real – and attempts at reversing its track will certainly be a long game.
Manila Bulletin

Critic of campaign vs Iloilo power supplier shot dead
An Iloilo City councilor has denied involvement in the killing of his estranged cousin who had accused him of being among those behind an alleged fake signature campaign against the city’s electricity distributor. Councilor Plaridel Nava said he was not capable and was not behind the killing of Mercedes “Gingging” Nava, his first cousin.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

POVERTY

HOUSING

TOURISM

‘P100 billion in losses a small price to pay to save Boracay’
The economic setback caused by the six-month closure of Boracay Island in Malay, Aklan, is a small price to pay to save the country’s top tourist destination, an official of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) said. Undersecretary Benny D. Antiporda, deputy spokesman of Environment Secretary Roy A. Cimatu, said over the weekend that closing Boracay was “inevitable” to fast-track the rehabilitation of the island paradise.
Business Mirror

ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES 

Group urges vigilance to avoid repeat of 'plastic waste' mess
The tons of plastic wastes that arrived in the country from South Korea, supposedly to be used as raw materials for a recycling facility in Tagoloan, Misamis Oriental, will finally be brought back to its country of origin, even as an environmental group called for vigilance to avoid repetition of the incident.
Philippine News Agency

Deforestation, dying rivers leading to water wars
An eerie calm exists over the villages of Fedelisan, Sagada and Dalican in Bontoc in Mountain Province in northern Philippines. It is because there is no telling how many killings will again turn the pristine waters red. Not too long ago, 10 people died and scores injured in prolonged tribal war over water.
Business Mirror

COMMUNICATION AND TECHNOLOGY

Duterte: No TROs vs 3rd telco
President Duterte made it clear over the weekend that he does not want any legal impediment to the selection of Mindanao Islamic Telephone Co. Inc. (Mislatel) as third telecommunications player and the franchise should be fully operational this year. Duterte said the courts should not issue temporary restraining orders for the projects of the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), including the third telco player.
Philippine Star

DEVELOPMENT SECTOR