40% of NPA soldiers are gay, Duterte claims
President Rodrigo Duterte on Saturday claimed that some "40 percent" of New People Army (NPA) rebel soldiers are gay. The President made the remark while he was telling a story during a speech in Biñan, Laguna.
GMA News

-----------------------------

NPA atrocities cases set to be filed with UN body
The Philippines has sent a delegation to Geneva to formally file a complaint with the United Nations against alleged atrocities and human rights abuses committed by communist rebels. Led by National Security Council deputy director general Vicente Agdamag, the team handed the complaint early this week to Ambassador Evan Garcia, the country’s Permanent Representative to the UN in Geneva, for transmittal to the UN Human Rights Council and the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights.
Philippine Star, Manila Bulletin

-------------------------

Some local execs in NoCot helping NPA: Army
Some local officials in North Cotabato have been giving assistance to the communist New Peoples Army (NPA) in the province, a military official said Saturday.
Philippine News Agency

-------------------------

TESDA pledges support in the resolution of armed conflict
The Technical Education and Skills Development Authority’s (TESDA) top officer pledged the agency’s full support and cooperation in preventing and addressing local communist armed conflict in the country.
Manila Bulletin

Cabaero: Cardema and Edsa
WHO is this person? What are his credentials? Where did he come from? These were the questions raised about National Youth Commission (NYC) Chairman Ronald Cardema after his controversial statement recommending that President Rodrigo Duterte revoke the scholarships of “anti-government” students. 
Sunstar Cebu

--------------------------

The AFP is shameless for seeking to erase historical records of military abductions    
The Communist Party of the Philippines denounces the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) for pushing the United Nations to purge its human rights archives showing the history of enforced disappearances perpetrated by the AFP and other state security forces.
NDFP

Sino si Randy Malayao sa mata ng demokratikong kilusan?    
Isinagawa ng mga demokrata ang isang parangal sa pinaslang na National Democratic Front of the Philippines peace consultant na si Randy Malayao noong ika-19 ng Pebrero. Ang parangal na pinamagatang “Bloom where you are planted” ay pagdakila sa anila’y mabait, masipag, matalino at mahusay na aktibistang buong buhay na naglingkod sa sambayanan.
Kodao

Peace Talks

Incidents/ Operations   

1 NPA killed, 5 firearms seized in MisOr encounter
A New People's Army (NPA) rebel was killed during an encounter with government troops on Saturday morning in the borders of the Misamis Oriental towns of Talisayan and Medina. Lt. Col. Roy Derilo, commander of the Army's 58th Infantry Battalion, said the troops also recovered five high-powered firearms from the encounter site.
Philippine New Agency, Philippine Star

2 cops killed in Occidental Mindoro clash
Two policemen were killed after government troops and members of the communist New People's Army (NPA) clashed thrice in Occidental Mindoro on Saturday. The military did not identify the fatalities, who died in the second clash at 9:40 a.m. in Barangay Mapaya, San Jose town, according to the 2nd Infantry Division.
ABS-CBN News, Manila Standard, Philippine Daily Inquirer

New leader rises for Mindanao terrorists
Unlike many of his slain comrades, the touted new leader of the Islamic State group in the southern Philippines lacks the bravado, clan name or foreign training. Not much is known about Hatib Hajan Sawadjaan, but the attacks attributed to him heralding his rise are distinctly savage: A deadly bombing, which authorities say was a suicide attack by a foreign terrorist couple, blasted through a packed Roman Catholic cathedral in the middle of a Mass.
The Manila Times

The Best Proactive Approach to Prevent Terrorism
Reaction to Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana’s call for high alert after the Jolo Catholic cathedral attack (Story published in The Manila Times Jan. 28, 2019 issue) In his statement regarding the bombing of the Jolo Catholic cathedral, Philippine Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said he has directed his troops to be on high alert, to secure all places of worship and public places, and to initiate proactive security measures to thwart hostile plans.
The Manila Times

MARAWI

SOUTHEAST ASIA AND THE WORLD      

De-radicalization and the defeat of IS: Radicalization will not disappear by itself
The defeat of the Islamist State in Middle East and North African battlefields is now a reality. The terrorist group — which brought bereavement to the populations of the Arab region — has been defeated militarily in Iraq and in Syria.
The Manila Times

SDF looks to clear more civilians from last ISIL pocket in Syria
US-backed fighters have said they are keeping a corridor open to rescue remaining civilians from the last sliver of territory held by the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL or ISIS) in Syria, as the UN appeals for urgent assistance.
Aljazeera

Saudi crown prince defends China's right to fight 'terrorism'
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS) has supported China's right to undertake "anti-terrorism" and "de-extremism" measures, according to Chinese state media, in remarks activists lambasted as a defence of Beijing's crackdown on its Uighur Muslim minority.
Aljazeera

Muslim nations to discuss countering hate speech and extremism at OIC summit in Abu Dhabi
Foreign ministers from across the Muslim world will gather in Abu Dhabi this week to discuss ways to combat hate speech, extremism and the exploitation of religion. The capital will host the 46th session of the Council of Foreign Ministers of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, OIC, on Friday and Saturday March 1-2. The agenda will include political, social and economic topics, along with challenges facing the Muslim world.
The National UAE

We shouldn't turn our backs on returning jihadi 'housewives'
When four years ago aspiring jihadi brides Shamima Begum, 15, and her two friends from Bethnal Green skipped the United Kingdom for Islamic State in Syria, I found myself grappling with maternalistic concern and the question of mercy.
The Sydney Morning Herald

International warships seize 22,000 kilograms of terror financing narcotics in Indian Ocean
More than 22,000 kilograms of illegal narcotics, much of it destined to fund terrorism, has been seized in the northern Indian Ocean since December, the Canadian commander in charge of anti-smuggling operations told The National.
The National UAE

BANGSAMORO ORGANIC LAW

Halfway into term, Duterte delivers on Bangsamoro promise
Mindanao's first president was able to deliver one major promise to his home region: the passage of a Bangsamoro law and the creation of a new region hoped to end decades of violence. On February 22, President Rodrigo Duterte finally formed the Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA), kickstarting the process of governing the new Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).
Rappler

Govt vows to provide Bangsamoro budget
PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte has pledged to provide a budget for the Bangsamoro autonomous region to support its development. He assured members of the Bangsamoro transition government that the region’s resources will belong to the Bangsamoro people.
The Manila Times

Murad Ebrahim: From guerrilla commander to government official
After half a century as a Moro revolutionary, Murad Ebrahim, the chair of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), is ready to join the government as head of the new Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Duterte: “The road to peace may be long and rough, but I am glad that we have finally reached its endpoint”
A new chapter in Philippine history began on Friday, February 22, 2019 at the Rizal Hall here with the leadership of the two Moro liberation fronts that waged half a century of armed struggle to assert their right to self-determination, and representatives from other sectors of Moro society and the minorities in the core territory of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).
Mindanews

At the BTA oathtaking, ‘Barong Bangsamoro’ symbolizes ‘Filipino by citizenship, Bangsamoro by identity’
Men and women of the Bangsamoro in their colorful cultural attire and barong, stepped out of the elevators of the Manila Prince Hotel Friday noon, posed for souvenir photos – and selfies — at the lobby while preparing for their date with history in Malacanang, the seat of power in the country.
Mindanews

Rebels' surrender of weapons to make BOL successful —Andanar
Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary Martin Andanar on Saturday said the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL) can fulfill its purpose of bringing lasting peace in Mindanao if all of the firearms of Muslim rebels will be surrendered to the government.
GMA News

Local execs to support normalization efforts of BARMM
Officials will maximize efforts to resolve clan wars in support of the disarmament goal of Malacañang and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front. The peace deal between the government and the MILF is partly focused on decommissioning of guerillas while they are being reintroduced into the mainstream communities.
NDBC News

-------------------

UN chief hails establishment of Bangsamoro transition body
United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres on Saturday hailed the establishment of the Bangsamoro Transition Authority as a “landmark achievement on the road to lasting peace in Southern Philippines.”
Manila Standard

PCID lauds appointment of 80 Bangsamoro transition members
The Philippine Center for Islam and Democracy (PCID) lauded on Saturday the appointment of 80 individuals as members of the Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA).
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Japan pledges P1.1 billion aid to BARMM
The Japanese government is set to provide over P1.1 billion in grants for programs to be implemented in the newly created Bangsamoro region. Philippine Ambassador to Japan Jose Laurel V and Japanese Ambassador Koji Haneda on Thursday exchanged notes on various grant aids during the 7th Meeting of the Philippines-Japan Joint Committee on Infrastructure Development and Economic Cooperation held in Osaka.
Philippine Star

MAGUINDANAO AND COTABATO CITY

Duterte: Liguasan Marsh belongs to Mindanaoans
President Duterte has assured the people of Mindanao that they will be able to benefit from the resources they will get from the Liguasan Marsh as the island starts to adopt the recently ratified Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL).
Manila Bulletin

Over 30 drug dependents surrender in Maguindanao
More than 30 reforming former drug dependents are now one with authorities in addressing religious extremism in this province. Major Gen. Cirilito Sobejana of the Army’s 6th Infantry Division said Saturday the group joined the athletic fun run in Ampatuan town in Maguindanao last Thursday to manifest cooperation with the military’s campaign against local terror groups and cohort narcotics syndicates.  
Philippine Star

NORTH COTABATO

LANAO PROVINCES

Maranao mothers undertake livelihood skills training
Around 60 Maranao mothers in Bubong and Saguiaran, Lanao del Sur cooked turmeric powder and palapa, a Maranao condiment during a livelihood skills training which is part of the Creating Spaces Project.  The training aims to provide economic opportunities to mothers who got married at an early age. The mothers are expected to generate income from selling processed foods. 
Manila Standard

BASILAN

Basilan town councilor hurt in gun attack
A town councilor of Basilan was wounded in a gun attack Friday afternoon by unidentified riding-in-tandem assailants in a west coast village in this city, police said.
Philippine Star, Philippine News Agency

SULU 

Zambo City extends aid to Jolo fire victims
The city government has extended PHP1 million in financial assistance to the July 25, 2018 fire victims in Jolo, Sulu. Mayor Maria Isabelle Climaco-Salazar handed over the PHP1 million check on Friday to Jolo Mayor Kherkar Tan.
Philippine News Agency

TAWI-TAWI 

DRUGS

Has the decade-old war on drugs in Asia succeeded?
The war on drugs in Asia has been going on for over a decade now. From death penalties for drug offenders in China to the bloody security crackdown in the Philippines, which has claimed 27,000 lives so far, countries in the region continue fighting drugs with brutal measures.
Aljazeera

PDEA Chief appeals to voters: Reject narco-politicians
Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) Director-General Aaron Aquino issued an appeal for the electorate to shun narco-politicians specifically those employing vote-buying tactics in a bid to come out victorious in the May 2019 mid-term national elections.
Manila Bulletin

De Lima marks 2nd year in jail with new book
Senator Leila de Lima will mark her second year in jail with a new book collecting her dispatches from Camp Crame. 
Rappler

Operations/ Incidents

Four inmates die in police jail raid in Davao City
Four inmates were killed while 4 members of the Davao City Police Office (DCPO) were wounded during a pre-dawn surprise inspection at the Davao City Jail in Barangay Ma-a here on Saturday. Ma. Theresita Gaspan, the DCPO spokesperson, said the surprise jail inspection was conducted following reports that illegal drugs, particularly shabu, was prevalent in the facility, which has over 3,000 inmates.
Rappler, Mindanews, Philippine Daily Inquirer

PDEA destroys P1.9M marijuana in Benguet
Some P1.9 million worth of marijuana plants were destroyed in two operations by the local police and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency in Benguet on Friday (Feb. 22) and Saturday (Feb. 23).
Philippine Daily Inquirer

PDEA shoots two cops who accompanied Pasig pusher in buy-bust
Police Officer 3 Mark Anthony Vista Police Officer 2 Marlou Roldan, both assigned to the Eastern Police District (EPD) – accompanied suspected big-time drug peddler Raymond Ryan Cruz, who was the subject of the PDEA operation.
Rappler

Live-in partners yield P75-T ‘shabu’
Seven sachets of suspected illegal drugs valued at around P75,000 were recovered in a buy-bust operation in Purok Bayabasan, Barangay Bata. Live-in partners Albert Fajardo and Shiela May Cordova were caught after they sold suspected shabu to an undercover officer for P500 around 5 p.m. on Friday, police said.
Panay News

Detained drug lord’s live-in partner nabbed, P3.4M shabu seized, cohort killed in Carcar raid
A drug raid in a house in Barangay Poblacion 1, Carcar City, on Saturday, February 23, yielded P3.4 million worth of suspected shabu, resulted to the arrest of the FilArabian common law wife or live-in partner of an arrested drug lord, and the death of another drug suspect, who tried to shoot it out with the raiding police team.
Cebu Daily News

LRT-2 passenger nabbed for carrying marijuana
A passenger of the Light Rail Transit-2 (LRT-2) was arrested on Saturday at the Cubao Station after being caught carrying marijuana, according to the Quezon City Police District.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Recovery and Rehabilitation  

ILLICIT FIREARMS, EXPLOSIVES AND AMMUNITION

CROSS-BORDER TRADING/ SMUGGLING  

KIDNAPPING

ILLICIT FINANCIAL TRANSACTIONS 

Palace: Duterte admin just ignore critics’ rants
Malacañang explained that the Duterte administration is doing everything it can to address the issues at hand after the opposition, particularly detained Senator Leila De Lima, slammed the government’s anti-illegal drugs and infrastructure programs.
Manila Bulletin, Philippine Daily Inquirer

President Duterte to attend two events in downtown Cebu City on Sunday
President Rodrigo Duterte will be in Cebu to attend two succeeding events at the downtown area in Cebu City on Sunday evening, February 24. According to the Philippine Information Agency in Central Visayas (PIA-7), the President is expected to distribute grants of unconditional cash transfers to beneficiaries at the Cebu Technological University (CTU) along M.J. Cuenco Avenue at 6 p.m..
Cebu Daily News

-------------------------

Gadon asks the president to withhold budget for People Power commemoration
Senatorial candidate Larry Gadon Saturday played spoiler for Monday’s commemoration of the 33rd Anniversary of the People Power Revolution when he asked President Rodrigo Duterte to stop allocating government funds to the EDSA People Power Commission.
Manila Bulletin

-------------------------

Robredo on Duterte skipping People Power event: It’s his choice
Vice President Leni Robredo has no problem with President Rodrigo Duterte showing no interest in attending the commemoration of the 33rd anniversary of the EDSA People Power Revolution on Monday, Feb. 25.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Robredo: Debates give voters better foundation for voting
Vice President Leni Robredo on Saturday underscored the importance of debates in every election, saying that it would be the foundation of voters’ decision come election time.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

ELECTION RELATED

Comelec not organizing senatorial debates
The Commission on Elections (COMELEC) will not be organizing their own senatorial debates, a poll official said in a radio interview on Saturday. Commissioner Rowena Guanzon said that the debates should be left to private organizations, such as universities, since they have enough resources to host such an event.
Manila Bulletin

COMELEC to use social media regulations to track candidates’ campaign expenses
For the first time, the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) will be using social media regulations to track candidates’ expenses during the campaign period.
Manila Bulletin

COMELEC exec: Candidates should post bond before running
A Commission on Elections (COMELEC) official proposed that candidates should post a bond upon filing their certificates of candidacy to lessen election violations during campaign period.
Manila Bulletin

---------------------

Vote for honest candidates with no corruption record – CBCP
A Catholic Church leader has called on the faithful to “be guided by good moral values in voting for the right candidates in the May polls.”
Manila Bulletin

Labor Win bet turns on 'elite' Otso Diretso: Choose us instead
Labor senatorial candidate Ka Leody de Guzman on Saturday, February 23, urged voters to consider their slate as the third and best alternative to senatorial tickets allied with the Duterte administration and the Liberal Party.
Rappler

Oppositions

Ex-President: If you dislike admin, vote for Otso Diretso
Former President Benigno Aquino III on Saturday called on voters disgruntled with the Duterte administration to pick senatorial candidates from the Otso Diretso slate in the May 2019 elections.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Opposition commemorates EDSA People Power; reminds Filipinos of the value of democracy
Members of the opposition remind the public to remember the value of democracy that the People Power revolt taught the Filipinos amid these “dark and trying times” ahead of its 33rd anniversary commemoration on Monday.
Manila Bulletin

Bam urges voters to air grievances thru the ballot
Senator Paolo Benigno Aquino IV on Saturday called on Filipinos to air their grievances with government through the ballot in the mid-term May 23, 2019 elections.
Manila Bulletin

Senatorial bet Gutoc to ‘DDS’: Join the 33rd People Power celebration
Otso Diretso senatorial candidate Samira Gutoc on Saturday called on supporters of President Rodrigo Duterte to join the commemoration of the 33rd anniversary of the People Power Revolution.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Administration

Rafael Alunan completes Duterte’s 2019 Senate slate
Former Interior and Local Government chief Rafael Alunan III completes the senatorial slate of President Rodrigo Duterte for May 2019. This was confirmed when Alunan joined the campaign rally of PDP-Laban on Saturday, February 23, in Biñan City.
Rappler, Manila Bulletin

Election-related Violence, Incidents and operations

NCRPO seizes 238 firearms since start of gun ban
A total of 238 firearms were seized by police authorities since the start of gun ban in the country. The Commission on Elections (Comelec) earlier declared the gun ban period from January 13 to June 12 in order to ensure a safe midterm elections.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

DISASTER

MINDANAO

CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS

JUDICIARY

LEGISLATIVE

House OKs on 2nd reading free freight services for relief goods
The House of Representatives has approved on second reading a bill that will provide free freight services in the transportation of relief goods to calamity-stricken areas.
Manila Bulletin

Increase in pension of veterans proposed
The vice chairman of the House Committee on Appropriations is proposing to increase the monthly pension of all Filipino war veterans by P3,000 across the board.
Manila Bulletin

Bill vs foreign sexual offenders filed
Foreign sexual offenders may soon be barred from visiting the Philippines following a bill recently filed in Senate.
Manila Bulletin

BUDGET AND FINANCE

LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS (LGUs)

DEFENSE AND SECURITY

ECONOMY AND INVESTMENTS

BUILD, BUILD, BUILD

OFFICIAL DEVELOPMENT ASSISTANCE

Philippines, Japan finalize ¥3.56 B grants for infrastructure
The Philippine and Japanese governments have formally exchanged notes on ¥3.56 billion worth of grants for the establishment of a proposed railway institute, as well as peace-building efforts in Mindanao, the Department of Finance said.
Philippine Star

GRAFT AND CORRUPTION

FOREIGN RELATIONS  

U.S. Secretary of State to visit Philippines amid China flirtation
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo will travel next week to the Philippines, the State Department said Friday, February 22, as the former US colony increasingly flirts with regional giant China.
Rappler, Manila Bulletin

LOOK: Philippines marks 65th year of German ties with new model embassy
On the 65th year of bilateral relations between the Philippines and Germany, the Philippine embassy in Berlin moved to its own building in the heart of the German capital. Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin inaugurated the new Philippine Chancery on Monday, February 18.
Rappler

DFA cries foul over German journalist’s report
The Department of Foreign Affairs on Friday said it views as “unfortunate” what it called the “biased representation” by German journalist Arnd Henze of ARD Capital Studio Berlin who interviewed Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin, Jr. at the sidelines of the opening ceremony of the new building of the Philippine Embassy in Berlin early this week.
Manila Bulletin

West Philippine Sea

LABOR

DOLE to commemorate 33rd EDSA anniversary with job fair
Around 20,000 local and overseas jobs will be up for grabs during a job and business fair on Monday, February 25, in celebration of the 33rd anniversary of the EDSA People Power Revolution. The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) said that the local and overseas jobs are being offered by 50 participating employers and recruitment agencies.
Manila Bulletin

DOLE to prioritize hiring of Filipino workers; Bello wants increased penalties
The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) assured that it will prioritize the employment of Filipino workers over foreign nationals who intend to work in the country.
Manila Bulletin

Biz groups warn longer maternity leave might push employers to prefer men
Is the Expanded Maternity Leave Act good for women but bad for business? While the law is good in concept and hailed as a victory for women, business leaders are concerned that it could close job opportunities for women, especially in small and medium enterprises (SMEs) that, unlike many multinational corporations, may find the additional cost of doing business too steep.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

TRANSPORTATION

Duterte concedes, regrets failure to ease traffic along EDSA
President Rodrigo Duterte on Saturday said he had delivered on most of his promises, but addressing the appalling traffic situation along EDSA was not one of them.
GMA News

HEALTH 

Noynoy Aquino: Baseless claims of Acosta to blame for vaccination crisis
Former president Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III has an unsolicited advice to the Duterte administration – call out the “baseless” claims of Public Attorney's Office (PAO) chief Persida Acosta to regain public trust on vaccination.
Rappler

Acosta on vaccination scare: ‘Why should they blame me?’
Public Attorney’s Office (PAO) Chief Persida Acosta has again explained that she should not be blamed for the vaccination scare which resulted to a measles outbreak in the country. “Bakit ako sisisihin nila? Ano kasalanan ko dyan? (Why should they blame me? What wrong did I do?)” asked Acosta.
Manila Bulletin

FOOD AND AGRICULTURE

Senator Binay asks agencies to reveal El Niño plans; raises food security concerns
Government agencies should start informing the public about their plans and programs to mitigate the possible negative impacts of ‘’El Niño,’’ Senator Nancy Binay said Saturday.
Manila Bulletin

Tañada to check on effects of rice tariffication
Opposition senatorial bet Erin Tañada said that the public should monitor the implementation of the recently-signed Rice Tariffication Law (RTL) to ensure that Filipino farmers still have the opportunity to sell their products despite the unrestricted importation of rice.
Manila Bulletin

Not so much policy reform and enabling legislation but better program planning and execution in agriculture
This two-part column had for its premise the observation that what ails our agriculture is not so much the lack of appropriate policies and enabling legislation but more of inadequacy in the nitty-gritty of program planning, implementation and monitoring and feedback (and embarrassingly, graft and corruption).
Manila Bulletin

EDUCATION

Partylist solon wants to institutionalize a ‘Teacher to the Barrios’ program
A partylist lawmaker wants to institutionalize a “Teacher to the Barrios” program for the Department of Education (DepEd) to provide basic education to the students in geographically-isolated communities.
Manila Bulletin

CHED prepares memo on political campaigns
The Commission on Higher Education (CHED) is set to issue next week a memorandum on political campaigns in public and private higher education institutions (HEIs) nationwide.
Manila Bulletin

ENERGY

POVERTY

HOUSING

JV floats two names for housing secretary
President Duterte can consider two “very capable” housing officials to head the new Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD).
Manila Bulletin

TOURISM

ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES 

INFORMATION, COMMUNICATION AND TECHNOLOGY

Senator Gatchalian sees mobile number portability to benefit subscribers, telco players
Senator Sherwin Gatchalian believes that mobile users could easily move from their current service providers to the new major telecommunication player now that President Duterte already signed the new Mobile Number Portability Act (Republic Act 11202).
Manila Bulletin

DEVELOPMENT SECTOR