Land use conversion delays: Duterte puts part of the blame on NPA
President Duterte has partly blamed the New People’s Army (NPA) rebels for derailing the government’s land use conversion program. In the Cabinet meeting last Wednesday, Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo said the President claimed that communist rebels have threatened government inspectors surveying the land and prevented them from doing their job.
Manila Bulletin

Gov’t to offer a piece of land to Reds who will surrender
Communist rebels who will surrender to the government will be given a chance to own a piece of land under a new directive of President Duterte.
Manila Bulletin

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NDF consultant Randy Malayao laid to rest
Mourners raised their fists while marching on Thursday, February 7, the day slain activist Randy Malayao was laid to rest. The San Pablo Church in Isabela province was filled with hundreds of Malayao's relatives, friends, and other symphatizers who are crying for justice for his brutal killing.
Rappler, The Manila Times

Groups in Cagayan march to call for justice for slain activist Malayao
Several groups in Cagayan Valley marched around Tuguegarao City on Wednesday, February 6, to call for justice for slain peace consultant and activist Randy Malayao. Nearly 100 members of Danggayan, Makabayan, Karapatan, and Anakpawis in Cagayan held placards and posters saying, "Hustisya para kay Ka Randy!" (Justice for Brother Randy!)
Rappler

Karapatan: Obstruction of justice raps vs Malayao kin, counsel 'baseless'
Rights group Karapatan on Thursday slammed the police for filing complaints against slain peace consultant Randy Malayao’s sister and lawyer for retrieving his personal belongings.
Philippine Star

Malayao burial: ‘Rise above grief’
Perla Urpano was usually composed during the seven-day wake of National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) consultant Randy Malayao, greeting and thanking people who came to pay their respects to her brother.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

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CA junks ACT petition
On technical ground, the Court of Appeals (CA) has dismissed outright the petition filed by the Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT) to stop the Philippine National Police (PNP) from profiling and obtaining the list of its member-teachers both in public and private schools.
Manila Bulletin

DDoS by DDS? Hands off alternative media, uphold people’s right to know
The AlterMidya Network, a national network of over 30 independent and alternative news organizations in the Philippines, strongly condemns the continuing series of cyberattacks against two of its members, online news outfits Bulatlat.com and Kodao Productions.
Davao Today

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‘Permit to campaign’ costs P100T – NPA
The New People’s Army (NPA) in Western Visayas is imposing fees on midterm election candidates seeking to campaign in rebel-controlled areas which are mostly hinterland barangays.
Panay News

Army expects more rebel to yield
THE Philippine Army’s 3rd Infantry Division is looking forward to more rebel surrenderees as government troops intensify the campaign against insurgency. Lieutenant Colonel Ericson Rosana, 3ID’s assistant chief of staff for Civil Military Operation, said the overwhelming support of different stakeholders in Panay Island would be a big factor for rebels in laying down their arms.
The Daily Guardian

Persevere in attaining greater heights in the National Democratic Revolution with Socialist Perspective    
It is with extreme pride and honour that we salute all comrades in celebration of the 47th founding anniversary of the Christians for National Liberation. Carrying forward our theme and thrust from the 8th National Congress, it is with resolute determination that we persevere in attaining greater heights in the National Democratic Revolution with Socialist Perspective by intensifying our participation in the people’s armed revolutionary struggle.
NDFP

Peace Talks

Incidents/ Operations   

Bomb-making materials found in Butuan
AUTHORITIES on Wednesday, February 6, recovered components in making explosives and ammunition in Sitio Kauswagan, Barangay Bit-os, Butuan City. Some 356 pieces of electric blasting caps with five meter-long leg wire and 184 rounds of caliber 5.56 ammunition were found inside two ice buckets and another two plastic containers concealed inside two sacks. 
Sunstar Cagayan de Oro

Duterte to terrorists: Don’t surrender because I’ll kill you
President Rodrigo Duterte on Thursday again lashed out at Islamic State-inspired terrorists in the Philippines, days after he ordered the military to pummel their lairs in the hinterlands of Mindanao.
ABS-CBN News, GMA News, Manila Bulletin

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Philippine official: Abu Sayyaf harboring suicide bomber
An Abu Sayyaf militant leader accused of plotting a recent suicide attack in a Roman Catholic cathedral in the southern Philippines may be harboring a foreign would-be suicide bomber in his jungle base, a senior official said Thursday.
The Washington Post

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Joint AFP-PNP units neutralize Abu Sayyaf member in Tawi-tawi
Joint military and police units neutralized an Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) member during the conduct of checkpoint operations at Brgy Lapid-Lapid, Bongao, Tawi-Tawi on Tuesday, February 5, 2019.
Manila Bulletin, Philippines News Agency, Sunstar Zamboanga, The Manila Times

2 Abu Sayyaf nabbed in Zamboanga
Two suspected members of the Abu Sayyaf Group charged for involvement in the 2001 Golden Harvest kidnapping have been arrested by authorities in Zamboanga City. National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) spokesperson Deputy Director Ferdinand Lavin identified the two as Harub Jaljalis, who is also known as Indal, and Pinky Ani Hadjinulla.
Manila Bulletin, Philippine News Agency, The Manila Times, Business World Online

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Amendments to terror law in Senate plenary
SENATOR Panfilo M. Lacson on Wednesday presented to the plenary the bill seeking to strengthen the country’s terrorism laws. Senate Bill No. 2204 seeks to address the infirmities of Republic Act No. 9372 or the Human Security Act by redefining and providing additional penalties to terrorist acts as well as removing some of the limitations of law enforcement agencies to prevent and address terrorism.
Business World Online

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Alert status down in Metro Manila
THE security alert status in Metro Manila have been downgraded following the arrest and filing of charges against those involved in Jolo Cathedral bombing last month.
Tempo

Jolo Blast

Jolo church blast suspect Kammar innocent, tortured to admit crime–lawyer
Mukammar Pae turned himself in to clear his name, not to surrender to authorities for a crime he did not commit, his lawyer said on Thursday. Lawyer Meltoni Sibulan said police tortured his client and forced him to admit to the twin bombings of the Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Cathedral in Jolo, Sulu province, on Jan. 27.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Indonesian couple left child to Abu Sayyaf backers days before Jolo blasts
The Indonesian couple believed to be suicide bombers in the January 27 Jolo cathedral twin explosions had a 10-year-old daughter they left to sympathizers of the Abu Sayyaf Group before carrying out the bombings.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Editorial: Faithfuls put to test
FOLLOWING the two bombing attacks at the Cathedral of Our Lady of Mount Carmel in Jolo, Sulu, the Archdiocese of Davao and the Public Safety and Security Command Center (PSSCC) released an advisory prohibiting the bringing in of backpacks, knapsacks, cartons, boxes, and other similar items inside the church premises.
Sunstar Davao

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MRT releases list of liquids, other allowed items amid ban on bottled drinks
 Following its ban on bottled drinks, the Metro Rail Transit released Thursday a list of liquids and other items allowed inside its stations. In a statement, the transportation department asked the public for deeper understanding as it implements its new security policy.
ABS-CBN News, Rappler

MARAWI

Katarina Rodriguez refuses to be mocked for her Marawi advocacy
Katarina Rodriguez is not one to stay silent when someone questions her advocacies. Without expecting to be mocked, Miss World Philippines 2018 first posted a photo of herself beaming and greeting her fans a Happy Chinese New Year on her Instagram page last Tuesday, Feb. 5.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

SOUTHEAST ASIA AND THE WORLD      

New Research Network Launched to Understand Latest Trends in Online Terrorist Propaganda
Leading thinktanks and academic institutions from around the world are coming together to understand terrorist exploitation of technology and the digital space.
RUSI

UN tells UK: stop using terror charges against peaceful protesters
UN human rights experts have demanded that the UK cease the use of security and terrorism-related charges against peaceful protesters, after 15 anti-deportation activists were prosecuted for an offence carrying a potential life sentence.
The Guardian

We'll continue our fight against terrorism and its sponsoring countries: Al-Jubeir
Minister of State for Foreign Affairs and Cabinet's Member Adel Al-Jubeir affirmed the Kingdom's constant and consistent commitment to the objectives of the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS and to achieve cooperation and coordination among all member states to combat terrorism and extremism.
Saudi Gazette

Kenyan terror hub of Mombasa determined to change its image
The Kenyan capital of Nairobi is still coming to terms with last month's shocking act of terrorism, a hotel attack which left 21 people dead. The investigation into that bloodshed has taken police to the city of Mombasa, where a string of arrests have been made. Mombasa has long been viewed as a breeding ground for regional terrorism.
France24

Lawyers back Muslim community after controversial comments from bench
The peak body for the legal profession in Australia has called for better "communication and understanding of the Islamic faith" by lawyers and judges, days after a NSW Supreme Court judge courted controversy by urging Muslims to publicly disavow violence in the Koran.
The Sydney Morning Herald

Why a Deal With the Taliban Will Prevent Attacks on America
The United States and the Taliban made progress in peace talks in late January after coming to a basic understanding about withdrawing American troops in return for Taliban commitments to prevent Afghanistan from becoming a safe haven for transnational terrorists. 
The New York Times

'Overreacting to failure': Facebook's new Myanmar strategy baffles local activists
Facebook banned four ethnic armed Myanmar-based groups from its site this week, in its latest effort to reckon with its role in the violence in that nation. But the tech giant’s decision is drawing criticism from local civil society and human rights groups who warn that the move appears ill-considered and inconsistent with international law.
The Guardian

Indonesia: Group of FMs talk immigration, terrorism
The 14th foreign ministerial meeting of MIKTA (Mexico, Indonesia, Republic of Korea, Turkey and Australia) was held in Indonesian city of Yogyakarta on Thursday.
Anadolu Agency

Maliki Osman reaffirms Singapore's commitment to the global fight against terrorism
Senior Minister of State for Defence and Foreign Affairs, Dr Mohamad Maliki Osman, has reaffirmed Singapore's commitment to the efforts to combat terrorism, and emphasised the importance of international cooperation and intelligence sharing.
The Straits Times

ARMM gets P1.4-B sand and gravel investment
The newly ratified Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL) is up to a good start this year after a PHP1.4-billion sand and gravel project was approved by the Regional Board of Investments (RBOI), officials said Thursday.
Philippine News Agency

BANGSAMORO ORGANIC LAW

National canvassing for 2nd-leg plebiscite moved to next week
THE national canvassing for the second part of the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL) plebiscite has been postponed to next week. On Thursday, the National Plebiscite Board of Canvassers (NPBOC) decided to defer the national canvassing since it has yet to receive a Certificate of Canvas from areas covered by the plebiscite in North Cotabato and Lanao del Norte. 
Business Mirror, Philippine News Agency

Lanao del Norte rejects inclusion of towns in Bangsamoro region
Lanao del Norte has rejected the inclusion of key areas of its province in the new Bangsamoro region. Lanao del Norte voted against the inclusion of all 6 municipalities that wanted to join the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), according to unofficial results from the Provincial Plebiscite Board of Canvassers on Thursday, February 7. The 6 municipalities are Tagoloan, Balo-i, Pantar, Munai, Nunungan, and Tangkal.
Rappler, The Manila Times, Mindanews, Philippine Daily Inquirer, Davao Today

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At least 24 of 67 villages in Cotabato to join Bangsamoro region; Lanao del Norte votes no for 6 towns
UNOFFICIAL AND partial results released by the joint military-police-Commission on Elections (Comelec) monitoring office indicate a majority support for the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL), but new areas joining the new region are limited.
Business World Online, GMA News

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Mangudadatus ask SC to junk petitions vs Bangsamoro law
Maguindanao Governor Esmael Mangudadatu and Mangudadatu town Mayor Freddie Mangudadatu have urged the Supreme Court to junk petitions questioning the constitutionality of the Bangsamoro Organic Law.
ABS-CBN News, GMA News, Philippine Daily Inquirer

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MILF taps renegade commander to join new Bangsamoro government
A renegade commander who once led bloody attacks following an unsuccessful attempt at self-rule in the southern Philippines is now being considered to help govern the country’s new autonomous region for its Muslim minority.
ABS-CBN News

EU lauds PH for peaceful conduct of BOL plebiscite
European Union (EU) Ambassador to the Philippines Franz Jessen on Thursday congratulated the Philippine government and all stakeholders for the successful conduct of the second Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL) plebiscite. "Congratulations to the Philippine Government, the Moro Islamic Liberation Front and the Commission on Elections for the generally peaceful conduct of the second phase of the Bangsamoro Organic Law plebiscite on February 6, 2019 in Lanao del Norte's and North Cotabato's towns and villages," the envoy said in a statement.
Philippine News Agency

World Bank: BOL ratification a milestone for lasting peace in Mindanao
The World Bank Group on Thursday hailed the ratification of the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL), saying that it is a milestone to promote “lasting peace” in Mindanao.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

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Malaysia condemns flag burning incident, urges stern action against perpetrator
Malaysia today called on the Philippines' government to take a stern action against self-proclaimed founder of the United States Allied Freedom Fighters of the East, Elly Pamatong over the burning of Jalur Gemilang last month. This follows a controversial video uploaded on the Facebook page of ‘President Pamatong Supporters’ on Jan 19 and 21, featuring the burning of the Malaysian flag in the country.
New Straits Times

MAGUINDANAO AND COTABATO CITY

Army found guns kept inside CR in Maguindanao
Government forces conducting combat clearing operations in Datu Piang, Maguindanao on Thursday discovered high powered firearms kept in an unexpected place – vacant comfort room. Maj. Gen. Cirilito Sobejana, the commander of the 6th Infantry Division, said members of 1st Mechanized Infantry Battalion found the high powered firearms at about 7:30 in the morning inside the comfort room at the back of barangay hall of Buayan, Datu Piang, Maguindanao.   
NDBC News


LANAO PROVINCES

Lanao Sur resets SK special polls
The holding of special elections for the vacant positions of the Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) or youth councils in Lanao del Sur, which were not filled up last year, was reset indefinitely after the Commission on Elections (Comelec) questioned why these would be handled by the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG).
The Manila Times

Datu Dominguez proclaimed
Secretary Carlos Garcia Dominguez III was proclaimed Datu Carlos Garcia Dominguez III by HRH last January by Sultan Firdausi Ismail Yahya Abbas, Sultan of Lanao, which to the Bangsa Mranaw (Mranaw People), is the land of the four kingdoms of Lanao (Pat-a-Pangampong a Ranao,) extending from Lanao del Sur to the province of Bukidnon. 
Manila Standard

BASILAN

Basilan gov calls for sobriety, vigilance after BOL plebiscite
Basilan Governor Hadjiman Hataman-Salliman has called for unity, sobriety, and vigilance among Muslim and Christian residents in that province. Salliman issued the call as he expressed concern over potential strains between the Muslim-Christian relations brought about by the double bomb attack on a church in Jolo, Sulu, and the grenade attack on a mosque in this city.
Philippine News Agency

SULU 

TAWI-TAWI 

DRUGS

Duterte advises drug cops and pols to write their obits now
Politicians and cops involved in the illegal drug trade should prepare their obituaries since there will be “no middle ground” in the government’s crackdown against them, President Duterte said Thursday.
Manila Bulletin

Malacañang welcomes arrest of alleged drug middleman Kenneth Dong
Malacañang has welcomed the arrest of Chinese-Filipino businessman Kenneth Dong, one of the personalities suspected to be behind the P6.4-billion shabu shipment which slipped past the Bureau of Customs (BOC) in 2017.
Manila Bulletin

DepEd eyes including drug education in public school curriculum
In a bid to advance President Duterte’s campaign against illegal drugs, the Department of Education (DepEd) proposed to include drug education in the public school curriculum.
Manila Bulletin, GMA News

‘Duterte has power over narco-list’
President Rodrigo Duterte is the only one who can clear or remove politicians from the so-called “narco-list.” This was the clarification by Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency chief Aaron Aquino following reports that three politicians in Ilocos Region were already cleared from any involvement in the illegal drug activities.
Manila Standard

PDEA, PNP eye more drug-cleared villages in Iloilo City
The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) look forward to declare 50 percent of Iloilo City’s slightly affected barangays as drug-cleared at the end of the first quarter.
Philippine News Agency

Operations/ Incidents

3 'target-listed' pushers nabbed in South Cotabato
Police arrested three target-listed drug pushers in a buy-bust operation on Wednesday in a village in the South Cotabato town of Polomolok. In a report to Regional Police Office-12, the Polomolok municipal police station on Thursday said the suspects were nabbed at around 7:30 a.m. in Barangay Pagalungan.
Philippine News Agency

Recovery and Rehabilitation  

ILLICIT FIREARMS, EXPLOSIVES AND AMMUNITION

13 loose guns turned over to Army in Maguindanao
Thirteen high-powered loose firearms were handed-over to 1st Mechanized Infantry Battalion by the local government of Datu Salibo, Maguindanao on February 06, 2019.  The firearms were turned over in a ceremony during the Muncipal Peace and Order Council (MPOC) meeting led by Mayor Norodin S. Salasal held at SB Hall, Brgy. Sambulawan in Datu Salibo, Maguindanao. 
NDBC News

Suspect’s relative nabbed for guns
A RELATIVE of a suspect in the ambush on San Fernando Mayor Lakambini Reluya was caught by the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) 7 on Wednesday afternoon, Feb. 6.
Sunstar Cebu

W. Visayas police intensifies campaign vs. illegal firearms
The Police Regional Office 6 (Western Visayas) will intensify its campaign against loose firearms and expired licenses as the May 2019 mid-term election draws near.
Philippine News Agency

CROSS-BORDER TRADING/ SMUGGLING  

HUMAN TRAFFICKING

ILLICIT FINANCIAL TRANSACTIONS 

Duterte tells military: Get the youth to run the country next time there’s a mutiny
President Duterte said he advised the military to stop siding with politicians the next time they will stage a mutiny or rebellion and instead find at least 10 youth leaders to run the government.
Manila Bulletin, ABS-CBN News, Philippine Daily Inquirer

Red tape enrages Duterte; walks out of debating cabinet
President Duterte expressed exasperation about corruption anew, saying the government is doomed to fail because of red tape which he said cannot be solved even during five straight terms of office.
Manila Bulletin, The Manila Times

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President to use veto power to block unlawful allocation – Panelo
President Duterte is prepared to use his veto power to block any unlawful allocation in the proposed 2019 national budget, Malacañang said Thursday.
Manila Bulletin, Philippine Star

Duterte wants best, safe implementation of nat’l ID
President Duterte has ordered for the best and safest implementation of the Philippine Identification System Act (PhilSys) starting in September this year.
Manila Bulletin, Philippine Star

Duterte to certify military pension reform bill as urgent
President Rodrigo Duterte will certify as urgent a bill that seeks to reform the pension system for military and uniformed personnel, Malacañang said on Thursday, February 7.
Rappler, Manila Bulletin

Duterte orders complete immunization for Filipino children
President Duterte has ordered a more intensified campaign for the complete immunization of children following the declaration of a measles outbreak in Metro Manila.
Manila Bulletin

Duterte reappoints Joker Arroyo nephew to PhilHealth
President Duterte has reappointed physician Jack Arroyo Jr., nephew of the late senator Joker Arroyo, as new members of the board of directors of the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth).
Manila Bulletin

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DISASTER

MINDANAO

Revisiting Mindanao 2020
Mindanao accounts for about a third of the country’s land area and a quarter of the country’s population, yet a mere seventh of overall income, measured in gross domestic product or GDP. It’s not because of lack of natural resources; on the contrary, Mindanao appears far more naturally endowed than Luzon and the Visayas.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

ELECTION RELATED

Comelec allows Loren Legarda to run for Antique congresswoman
The Commission on Elections (Comelec) dismissed petitions to stop Senator Loren Legarda from running for Antique lawmaker as the poll body saw "no proof" that Legarda is a resident of Malabon, not Antique.
Rappler, Manila Bulletin

Police warns local officials from hiring guns and goons
Police forces in Western Visayas have intensified the intelligence monitoring and implementation of other security measures after receiving reports that some local officials in the region have tapped the services of gun-for-hire syndicates and the communist rebels to ensure victory in the May 13 midterm elections.
Manila Bulletin

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Mayor Sara to hit campaign trail for HNP-backed senatorial bets
Mayor Sara Duterte will hit the campaign trail for the 11 senatorial candidates supported by Hugpong ng Pagbabago (HNP) in Pampanga on Tuesday, the start of the campaign period for candidates for senators and party-list groups.
Philippine News Agency

Otso Diretso kicks off campaign in Caloocan and Naga City
The Otso Diretso senatorial slate starts its election campaign on Tuesday, Feb. 12, in Caloocan City, followed by a trip to Naga City in Camarines Sur the next day.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

2019 Senate race; bonding
SENATORIAL candidate Bong Go could very well be the Social Welfare Secretary, given his many acts of assistance pervasively and suffocatingly published just about daily with pix even.
The Manila Times

Election-related Violence, Incidents and operations

CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS

JUDICIARY

LEGISLATIVE

Andaya-led House panel summons Diokno to 2019 budget probe
The House committee on appropriations formally issued a subpoena to Budget Secretary Benjamin Diokno, ordering him to attend the hearing on alleged anomalies in the proposed 2019 budget on Friday, February 8.
Rappler

Tinio confirms P160-million ‘pork’ per Congressman parked in 2019 budget
ACT Teachers partylist Rep. Antonio Tinio confirmed on Thursday the reported P160-million allocation per congressman in the 2019 budget.
Manila Bulletin

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Anti-‘bastos’ act authors urge Duterte to sign it into law
The principal authors of the Safe Spaces Bill in the House of Representatives are strongly urging President Duterte to sign the landmark measure that would create a culture of respect for women and lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community.
Manila Bulletin

ROTC bill to wait for resumption of House sessions; or certification as urgent
There will be no Reserve Officers Training Corps next school year unless President Rodrigo Duterte certifies urgent the bill proposing to revive the military training program for students.
Manila Bulletin

BUDGET AND FINANCE

LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS (LGUs)

DEFENSE AND SECURITY

United States open to Lorenzana’s proposal to review 68-year-old MDT
The United States on Thursday welcomed the possibility of making “adjustments” in the 68-year-old Mutual Defense Treaty with the Philippines as both Manila and Washington explores various ways to deepen its engagements and develop a roadmap for the future of its bilateral relationship.
Manila Bulletin

Tabak Division has new Commander
The 1st Infantry “TABAK” Division has a new commander in the person of Brig. Gen. Roberto T. Ancan who succeeded Maj. Gen. Roseller G. Murillo in a change of command ceremony presided by Lt. Gen. Macairog S. Alberto, the Commanding General, Philippine Army, held here today (February 7, 2019).
Kalinaw News

ECONOMY AND INVESTMENTS

BUILD, BUILD, BUILD

OFFICIAL DEVELOPMENT ASSISTANCE

GRAFT AND CORRUPTION

Sandiganbayan acquits former DBM, TRC execs of graft over PDAF scam
The anti-graft court Sandiganbayan acquitted former Department of Budget and Management (DBM) undersecretary Mario Relampagos and former Technology Resource Center (TRC) chief Dennis Cunanan of multiple counts of graft in connection with the pork barrel scam.
Rappler

FOREIGN RELATIONS  

West Philippine Sea

China deploys militia as Philippines builds on Pag-asa Island
China deployed its maritime militia to the vicinity of Pag-asa Island (Thitu Island) in the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea) after the Philippines began constructing on the island, an international think tank said.
Rappler

Lorenzana refutes report of Washington think tank
Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana Thursday clarified a report made by Washington think tank Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative (AMTI) that the Philippines is not just building a beaching ramp in Pagasa Island, Palawan but also into land reclamation covering eight acres or 32,000 square meters.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

South China Sea: Trump military adviser calls for firmer rules to stop near misses
One of the US’ most senior military figures and an adviser to President Donald Trump has called for firmer rules governing naval encounters in disputed waters such as the South China Sea, where near misses between warships continue to test territorial claims and rights to “free navigation”.
South China Morning Post

De Lima proposes July 12 as PH Victory Day vs China sea claim
President Duterte may have put the decision on the back burner, but Sen. Leila de Lima wants Filipinos to remember the day their country won a landmark victory in its challenge to China’s claim to nearly the entire South China Sea.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

LABOR

TUCP shifts appeal to President Duterte, pushes approval of SOT bill
The Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (TUCP) said Congress adjourning without acting on the Security of Tenure bill will spell doom for an estimated 20 million contractual workers.
Manila Bulletin

Labor groups eye complaint vs Bello over deal with employers
Labor groups are "seriously considering" filing a complaint against Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III before the Office of the Ombusman, over a recent regularization agreement with an employers' group.
Rappler

TRANSPORTATION

House panel OKs Magna Carta of tricycle drivers, operators
The House Committee on Transportation has approved a substitute bill that will regulate tricycles and provide social security and health care benefits to workers in the tricycle sector.
Manila Bulletin

LTFRB tells operators to keep vehicles in good condition
The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) has reminded public utility vehicle (PUV) companies and operators to provide roadworthy units for the riding public following fatal road crashes that killed and injured passengers.
Manila Bulletin

HEALTH 

Guevarra orders prosecutors to resolve this month 1st batch of Dengvaxia raps
Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra has asked state prosecutors to resolve within the month the first batch of complaints concerning the children who died after getting shots of the Dengvaxia anti-dengue vaccine.
Manila Bulletin

DOH: Measles outbreak expands to other areas of Luzon, Visayas
The Department of Health (DOH) on Thursday, February 7, announced a measles outbreak in other areas in Luzon, Central Visayas, and Eastern Visayas. Health Secretary Francisco Duque III made the announcement in a news briefing as he reiterated his appeal to the public to have children vaccinated against measles.
Rappler, Manila Bulletin

Vaccine scare: PAO chief not to blame for 'impassioned advocacy,' says Panelo
Should Public Attorney’s Office (PAO) chief Persida Acosta answer for the low immunization rates that contributed to measles outbreaks? Malacañang, on Thursday, February 7, was not prepared to put the blame on Acosta.
Rappler

FOOD AND AGRICULTURE

Duterte rejects veto of rice tariff
President Duterte has rejected the appeal of local rice industry groups to veto some provisions of a bill imposing tariffs on rice in place of import restrictions.
Manila Bulletin

Duterte defends rice tariffication bill before industry stakeholders
President Rodrigo Duterte has defended the Rice Tariffication Bill before stakeholders in the rice industry who had asked the chief executive to veto the proposed measure.
ABS-CBN News

Senate Bill to seek lower organic certification costs
The Senate Committee on Agriculture and Food has endorsed the approval of the bill seeking cheaper certification cost for organic products.
Manila Bulletin

PRRD tells Landbank to approach farmers, NPA surrenderers
Malacañang said Thursday President Rodrigo R. Duterte has directed the Land Bank of the Philippines (LBP) to initiate engagement with farmers. "The President said that Landbank should go to the farmers instead of the farmers going to Landbank,” Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said in a Palace briefing.
Philippine News Agency

EDUCATION

Reforming the country’s education system
Just how relevant and responsive is the country’s current higher education system? If we are to go by scores from the World Economic (WEF) for 2018, I can say that we really need to reform or reformulate higher education in the country to make it more relevant and responsive to our fast changing times, especially now that technology is accelerating change.
The Manila Times

ENERGY

NEA backs DoE plan to review performance of power co-ops
THE National Electrification Administration (NEA) said it supports plans by the Department of Energy (DoE) to review the performance of electric cooperatives, but added that the function is currently being performed by NEA.
Business World Online

POVERTY

HOUSING

20 Yolanda-hit families in north Negros get houses thru TESDA
About 20 families affected by Super Typhoon Yolanda in two local government units of northern Negros Occidental have received houses under the initiative of the Technical Education and Skills Authority (TESDA).
Philippine News Agency

TOURISM

Siargao rehab up next in tourism department's cleanup drive
Surfing destination Siargao is up next on the Department of Tourism's list of sites to be rehabilitated, Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat said Thursday. Government is "working on" the plan for Siargao as it is currently rehabilitating popular destinations El Nido in Palawan and Panglao in Bohol, said Puyat.
ABS-CBN News

ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES 

DILG orders 108 LGUs to explain absence of waste management plan
The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) has ordered 108 local government units (LGUs) to explain why they do not have solid waste management plans as provided under the law.
Rappler, Manila Bulletin, Business World Online

LLDA orders closure of 4 establishments for polluting Manila Bay
The Laguna Lake Development Authority (LLDA) has shut down four more establishments found dumping untreated wastewater into the Manila Bay. It issued cease and desist orders (CDOs) against Billion Building, HK Sun Plaza, Tramway Bayview Buffet Restaurant in Pasay City, and D Circle Hotel in Manila.
Manila Bulletin

INFORMATION, COMMUNICATION AND TECHNOLOGY

DICT receives P23.8m grant for broadband development from USTDA
The United States on Thursday awarded a Php 23.8 million grant to the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) to support the implementation of the Philippines National Broadband Network Project and provide access to the underserved markets throughout the country.
Manila Bulletin

Curing the 3rd telco’s defects
BEFORE adjourning for a three-month recess, the Senate approved a concurrent House of Representatives resolution that effectively paves the way for a third major telecommunications player to operate in the Philippines.
Business World Online

DEVELOPMENT SECTOR