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Communist Rebellion

3 poll candidates receive NPA extortion letters
Three candidates for local posts sought the help of the Police Regional Office 6 (PRO-6). The New People’s Army (NPA) sent them letters asking for money so they could campaign in rebel-influenced areas. For security reasons, Chief Superintendent John Bulalacao, regional police director, declined to identify the three candidates but he said the letters came from the NPA’s Southern Front Committee.
Panay News

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Whole-of-gov't approach needed to defeat Reds
Only a unified and whole government approach will defeat the threat posed by New People's Army (NPA) communist rebels, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) public affairs office chief Col. Noel Detoyato said Monday. He made this statement when asked what factors can spell defeat for the rebels once and for all.
Philippine News Agency

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Groups vow to seek justice for Malayao’s assassination    
Friends of National Democratic Front of the Philippines peace consultant Randy Felix Malayao gathered earlier today to commemorate the 40th day since his assasination and to commit to pursuing justice for the slain activist.
Kodao

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Labor group to ask CHR, ILO to look into terrorist-tagging of its members
Militant labor group Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU) said it will ask the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) and International Labor Organization (ILO) to look into the worsening “terrorist-tagging” of its members. KMU chairperson Elmer Labog made the declaration in response to the supposed growing attempts by government authorities to link their members to leftist groups. 
Business Mirror

Army told: Fact-check before red-tagging orgs, individuals
THE Movement Against Tyranny in Northern Mindanao (MAT) said the 4th Infantry Division (4ID) should get their facts straight, pointing out that protesters in the streets are not members of the communist rebel group, New People's Army (NPA).
Sunstar Cagayan de Oro

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CV execs discuss project implementation in rebel-infested areas
Regional officials in Central Visayas (CV) have discussed ways to construct school buildings in far-flung villages of Negros Oriental, where contractors who have won the bidding are afraid to go because of threats from armed groups.
Philippine News Agency

Cavite creates First Provincial Task force Against Insurgency
Cavite became the first province in the Philippines to organize a Provincial Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (PTF-ELCAC) after the Provincial Peace and Order Council approved a resolution during a meeting last March 8 at Trece Martires City.
Kalinaw News

Military conducts community dialogues in Surigao conflict areas
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) will continue to conduct dialogues in conflict-affected areas to win the hearts and minds of far-flung villagers in the hinterlands of Surigao del Sur.
Manila Bulletin

Rebel surrenders in Mountain Province
A MEMBER of the communist terrorist (CNT) voluntarily surrendered without a firearm to the joint operatives of the Police Regional Office Cordillera (PRO-COR) and Philippine Army. Police Brigadier General Rolando Nana, PRO-COR director, welcomed the returnee who realized that his life with the communist New People’s Army (NPA) will lead nowhere. 
Sunstar Baguio

Peace Talks

Incidents/ Operations   

Cop slain in Samar
A former intelligence operative of the Samar police was killed while a policewoman was wounded in an ambush on Monday morning in Barangay Malatogawe, Motiong town, Samar. Killed was Police Sergeant Glenn Meniano, an operative of the Samar Province Police Office.
Philippine Daily Inquirer, Philippine News Agency 

Hakbang parusa sa sagadsaring mag-amang trader-usurero na Abraham at Sammy Aurelio, ipinatupad ng Henry Abraham Command
Alas-7 ng gabi noong ika-5 ng Marso sa Baranggay Imurong, Baggao nang tinupok ng apoy ang tatlong makinarya ng sagadsaring mag-amang trader-usurero, sina Abraham at Sammy Aurelio.
PRWC

Extremism

2 soldiers killed, 2 others hurt in Lanao del Sur clash
Fighting erupted Monday afternoon between government troops and Islamic State-inspired militants in Lanao del Sur, leaving two soldiers dead and two others wounded. The clashes, which is still ongoing, started at around 3:00 p.m. in the town of Pagayawan near Marawi which militants held for five months in 2017.
Philippine Daily Inquirer, The Manila Times

Ruthless ASG member finally collared in Taguig
Government authorities have arrested in Taguig City a member of the Abu Sayyaf terrorist group (ASG) who has been wanted since 2001 for the kidnapping and killing of plantation workers in Basilan.
Manila Bulletin, Philippine Star

5 BIFF terrorists killed in military offensive in Maguindanao
Five militants were killed in the continuing bombardment of the lairs of the outlawed Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) in swampy areas in this province. The air and artillery strikes by the Army’s 6th Infantry Division against BIFF bandits in Shariff Saidona Mustapha, Maguindanao began Saturday.
NDBC News

Soldier killed in airstrikes targeting BIFF fighters
A soldier was killed on Monday during airstrikes targeting the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) in Maguindanao, the military said. “Namatayan na kami ng isa, pero tuloy tuloy pa rin yung exchange of fire (We already lost one soldier but the exchange of fire continues),” Army’s 6th Infantry Division commander Maj. Gen Cirilito Sobejana told reporters.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

MARAWI


Marawi IDP’s continuously receives relief goods up to date
Over 20,000 relief goods compose of family packs with clothes, hygiene kits, sleeping kits, and drinking kits from various agencies has been distributed to the Marawi Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in different evacuation areas of Marawi City in joint cooperation of Philippine Army and our Local Government Units (LGUs).
Kalinaw News

SOUTHEAST ASIA AND THE WORLD      

The caliphate is dead. For now
It began on the weekend. It's expected to be the final assault. Even if it proves to be one of several final assaults, the very last vestiges of the so-called "caliphate" are about to be wiped out. A few years ago the caliphate covered an area the size of Britain, measured in tens of thousands of square kilometres. Today it's last fighters defend an area the size of a suburban shopping mall, down to its final hundreds of metres.
The Sydney Morning Herald


U.S., India, discuss 'urgency' of Pakistan actions on terrorism: State
U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo told his Indian counterpart, Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale, on Monday that the United States stands with India in fighting terrorism, the State Department said, after a suicide attack on an Indian paramilitary convoy claimed by Pakistan-based militants.
Reuters

Social media polarises and radicalises – and MPs aren’t immune to its effects
Barely a week goes by without government ministers or MPs warning Facebook, Twitter, Google, YouTube (a subsidiary of Google), Instagram or WhatsApp (both owned by Facebook) that they must do more to prevent radical or dangerous ideas being spread. A “crackdown” is always just around the corner to protect users from harmful content.
The Guardian

Terrorists favour Malaysia due to good air connectivity, says deputy IGP
Malaysia’s air connectivity is the reason terrorists prefer to enter the country, using it as a transit point, before making their way to other countries, police believe. Deputy Inspector-General of Police Noor Rashid Ibrahim, however, said that police are able to detect and intercept any terrorist group’s movement.
Free Malaysia Today

Terrorism – top court acquits ex-cop of withholding info
The Federal Court today quashed the conviction and seven-year jail sentence of a former police corporal for alleged concealment of terrorism-related information from the authorities.
Malaysiakini

Bangsamoro

DTI backs Malaysia role in developing barter, halal industries
THE Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) said it wants to expand bilateral cooperation between the Philippines and Malaysia in barter trade and hopes to grow the halal industry with Malaysia’s help.
Business World Online

We have a claim over Sabah
When Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad came to Manila last week, he mentioned that the Philippines has no claim over Sabah. Hmmm, the Malaysian Prime Minister thinks that his press statement suddenly solved this age-old problem because of his ties with Pres. Rodrigo Duterte.
Philippine Star

7 cops involved in arrest of imams relieved – NCMF
The National Commission on Muslim Filipinos (NCMF) and sympathizers have expressed relief over the recent controversial arrest of three imams in Cagayan Valley, announcing that the seven policemen involved in their apprehension have been transferred to other posts as a form of disciplinary action.
Manila Bulletin

BARMM


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MAGUINDANAO AND COTABATO CITY

Guiani fills brother’s shoes for Cotabato
(Conclusion, continued from Thursday)
Cotabato City Mayor Frances Cynthia Guiani was thrust into the political arena when her brother, Japal, died of a lingering illness in September 2016 a few months after winning the mayoralty. Guiani continued Japal’s vision and made her own strides, and Cotabato has since been touted as the Most Competitive City in Region 12.
Manila Standard
First part: Cotabato mayor Guiani helps city leap forward

Cotabato’s ‘baiwalk’ to boost tourism, Moro heritage
Civilian and security officials have inaugurated a two-kilometer riverbank erosion control project here, hailing it as an added landmark in this community of coexisting tri-people – Muslims, Christians and Lumads.
Manila Bulletin

MILF uf MNLF nagka-engkwentro sa Maguindanao tungod sa tubig
Mis-counter ang nahitabo sa grupo sa Moro Islamic Liberation Front ug Moro National Liberation Front milabayng gabii. Kini ang goibutyag ni Major General Cirilito Sobejana, comanding officer sa 6th infantry division.*
RMN

NORTH COTABATO

LANAO PROVINCES

Youth Leaders Summit 2019 successfully held at Marantao, Lanao Del Sur
The 12th CMO Battalion, CMOR, Philippine Army headed by LTC ADRES A SORIANO (INF) PA, Commanding Officer facilitated in a 3-day Youth Leader Summit (YLS) held at Marantao, Lanao Del Sur started from March 8 until March 10, this year.
Kalinaw News

BASILAN

SULU 

TAWI-TAWI 

Tawi-Tawi town mayor named outstanding exec in Mindanao
The Philippine Veterans Bank (PVB) has named Mayor Jimuel Que of Bongao, Tawi-Tawi, as Outstanding Mayor in Mindanao during the 1st Mindanao Governance and Leadership Excellence Award 2019 last March 7. Que has been chosen for his "outstanding and passionate leadership, youthful dynamism and consistency in governance" as mayor of Bongao, capital of Tawi-Tawi province.
Philippine News Agency

Shadow Economies

DRUGS

Shabu in Southeast Asia at record high – U.N.
Methamphetamine (shabu) production in Southeast Asia has hit a record high, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) found in its latest report released on Monday, March 11. “Data on seizures, prices, use, and treatment all point to continuing expansion of the methamphetamine market in East and Southeast Asia," said UNODC Inter-regional Programme Coordinator Tun Nay Soe.
Rappler

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Palace: Duterte probably wants safeguards to avoid weed abuse
President Rodrigo Duterte probably would just want to have “multiple safeguards” to prevent the abuse of marijuana when he said that he was against its legalization for medical use, Malacañang said Monday.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Senators say any further hearings on medical marijuana now just a waste of time
Senators on Monday expressed belief that conducting further hearings on the proposed measure legalizing marijuana in the country would be a waste of time now that President Rodrigo Duterte has finally rejected any attempts to legalize its use under his watch.
Manila Bulletin

Principal author to no longer work for passage of medical marijuana bill
Now that President Rodrigo Duterte has already put his foot down against it, the principal author of the House proposal that will legalize the use of medical marijuana said that he will no longer lobby for its passage.
Manila Bulletin

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LOOK: Death threats vs priests critical of Duterte drug war
"Prepare now the place where your wake will be held… Because your next Mass… is the Mass for the repose of your souls." Text messages such as this barraged prominent Catholic leaders – Lingayen-Dagupan Archbishop Socrates Villegas and Caloocan Bishop Pablo Virgilio David – between February 10 and 14 this year.
Rappler


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Cebu police on alert against 'remnants' of Ozamis boys
The top police official in Cebu on Monday said authorities are now closely monitoring the activities of the alleged remnants of the Ozamis boys drug group who are reportedly active in the province, in time for the coming mid-term elections.
Philippine News Agency

Operations/ Incidents

P2.7M ‘shabu’ seized from 4 drug suspects in Manila
Over P2.7 million worth of suspected “shabu” (crystal meth) were recently confiscated by the police in a buy-bust operation against four suspected drug personalities in Malate, Manila.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Ex-village chair nabbed for drugs
A former barangay chairman was arrested, past 5 p.m. on March 8, after he was caught in a ‘pot session’ inside an abandoned house in Barangay Padian Torogan, in Madalum town, Lanao del Sur.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

2 suspects killed, 7 others nabbed in Bulacan anti-drug ops
Two alleged drug pushers were killed while seven other suspects were arrested in buy-bust operations conducted by the Bulacan police on Sunday and early Monday morning. Police Col. Chito Bersaluna, provincial director of the Bulacan Police Provincial Office, identified the two fatalities as Eric Gonzales, a resident of Barangay Poblacion, Plaridel, and Manny Paguia, of Barangay Santol, Balagtas, both in this province.
Philippine News Agency

P135K shabu seized in 2 Kidapawan drug stings
Policemen collared two suspected illegal drug dealers in separate buy-bust operations in Kidapawan City on Sunday and seized some PHP135,000 worth of shabu. At 8:30 a.m., police arrested suspect Eurick Quizon and seized from him some PHP130,000 worth of shabu following an operation in Barangay Balindong, Kidapawan City.
Philippine News Agency

Recovery and Rehabilitation  

Quezon City declares 11 villages ‘drug-cleared’
The Quezon City Anti-Illegal Drugs Abuse and Advisory Council (QCADAAC) has declared 11 villages in the city cleared of illegal drugs.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Building more drug rehabs, helping addicts a "challenge": DILG
THE construction of more drug rehabilitation facilities natiowide and provide assistance to recovering drug addicts remained big challenges to the national government's campaign against illegal drugs, an official of the Department of the Interior and Local Government said on Monday, March 11.
Sunstar Cebu

ILLICIT FIREARMS, EXPLOSIVES AND AMMUNITION

Calabarzon police seize 80 guns in focused operations for elections
The Police Regional Office 4 (Calabarzon) confiscated 80 firearms in focused operations from February 27 until March 10 in preparation for the May elections. The Calabarzon police said they arrested 292 persons, including 19 captured for illegal possession of firearms.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

War veteran yields firearm in Davao del Sur
A 91-year old man surrendered his firearm after the local police intensified the implementation of ‘Oplan Katok’ (Oplan Knock) in relation to the Commission on Elections (Comelec) gun ban, around 1:30 pm. Sunday.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

CROSS-BORDER TRADING/ SMUGGLING  

KIDNAPPING

ILLICIT FINANCIAL TRANSACTIONS 

Land Issues
Indigenous Peoples
Human Rights
PH out of ICC soon: Eyes on the Supreme Court to intervene
No decision is in sight from the Supreme Court (SC) to intervene, or at least to make guidelines, as the Philippines’ withdrawal from the International Criminal Court (ICC) becomes effective on March 17.
Rappler

ICC violating own provisions: Palace
If the International Criminal Court (ICC) will force its jurisdiction over the Philippines to investigate the Duterte administration’s war on drugs, this would mean that it would be violating its own provisions, Malacañang said on Monday.
Philippine News Agency, Philippine Daily Inquirer

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More priests bare death threats under Duterte's watch
More Catholic priests came out on Monday, March 11, to expose death threats against them under the watch of President Rodrigo Duterte. Fathers Flavie Villanueva, Robert Reyes, and Albert Alejo appeared in a press conference at the Saint Vincent School of Theology in Tandang Sora, Quezon City, to report death threats they have recently received.
Rappler, Philippine Daily Inquirer, Manila Bulletin

Death threats vs priests may be from pranksters, anti-Duterte trolls – Panelo
Death threats received by Lingayen-Dagupan Archbishop Socrates Villegas and three other priests could be from “pranksters” or staged by “anti-Duterte trolls” to put President Rodrigo Duterte in a bad light, Malacañang said Monday.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

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Duterte justifies misogynistic remarks: It’s my freedom to express myself
President Rodrigo Duterte, a self-confessed womanizer, defended himself on Monday from criticisms that he is a misogynist, asserting his right to freedom of expression.
Philippine Daily Inquirer, Manila Bulletin, Rappler

Press Freedom/ Freedom of Expression

Court of Appeals denies Rappler appeal in SEC case
The Court of Appeals (CA) has denied the motion for partial reconsideration filed by Rappler and upheld its earlier findings that the company’s foreign investment amounted to prohibited foreign control of a media company.
RapplerPhilippine Daily Inquirer

Palace on CA ruling vs Rappler: Let the law takes its course
Malacañang will let the courts do its duty after the Court of Appeals affirmed the decision of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) revoking Rappler’s license to operate.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Killings 

Martial Law  



 
Governance

SWS: Duterte admin’s satisfaction rating up by 16 points in December 2018
The net satisfaction rating of the Duterte administration soared 16 points in the December 2018 survey of theSocial Weather Stations (SWS) and was rated “excellent” in promoting women’s rights and in building and maintenance of public works.
Philippine Daily Inquirer, Philippine Star

Reenacted budget will decrease PH growth rate: Duterte
If the Philippine government continues to operate on a reenacted budget, the country’s growth rate will take a blow, President Rodrigo R. Duterte said on Monday night. Duterte made this remark warning that all Filipinos will suffer from declining gross domestic product (GDP) rate if delays in the approval of the proposed PHP3.757-trillion national budget will be prolonged.
Philippine News Agency

Duterte on 2019 budget standoff: I won't sign anything illegal
President Rodrigo Duterte maintained that he will not sign the ratified 2019 budget if it contains illegal provisions, amid the Congress debates that continue to delay the budget's passage.
Rappler

Malacañang taking Mahathir's advice on Chinese loans
Malacañang was receptive to Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad's warning on Chinese loans, saying the Philippines' economic managers continue to carefully evaluate loan agreements before signing on.
Rappler, Philippine Daily Inquirer

Panelo takes it back: Balutan resigned
Malacañang walked back on its statement that Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) general manager Alexander Balutan was fired by President Rodrigo Duterte. Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo on Monday, March 11, "clarified" that Balutan had resigned and had formalized this through a letter addressed to the Office of the President.
Rappler, Philippine Daily Inquirer

ELECTION RELATED

Absentee voting ballots will look different – Jimenez
The ballots to be used for overseas absentee voting in the May 13 midterm polls will look different from the one that will be used here.
Manila Bulletin

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De Lima to Comelec: There’s still time for Otso-Hugpong debate  
The Commission on Elections (Comelec) should reconsider its decision not to organize a debate between opposition coalition Otso Diretso senatorial candidate and rivals from the pro-administration Hugpong ng Pagbabago, detained Senator Leila de Lima said Monday.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

In Abra, political rivalry heats up
When President Rodrigo Duterte visited this province last week, a local candidate said it could be “the chance to bring change to Abra.” The President led the campaign rally of Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban) at Divine Word College of Bangued here.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Senate bets covering more areas as campaign enters first month
A month into the campaign, senatorial candidates are trying to cover as many areas as possible, making their way into crowds to appeal for a vote.  According to a report by Cedric Castillo, independent candidate Shariff Albani had a discussion with tribal leaders in Zamboanga del Sur.  Rafael Alunan was in Dumaguete City.
GMA News

Oppositions

Administration

Baste takes Sara’s place on campaign trail
Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio, Hugpong ng Pagbabago campaign manager on Monday rushed to Davao City for an urgent “family issue,” leaving her younger brother Sebastian or Baste to temporarily take her place on the campaign trail.
Philippine Daily Inquirer, Manila Bulletin

Pimentel: Honesty can’t be forced as an issue on everyone
While honesty is important to reelectionist Senator Aquilino Pimentel III, he said Monday that he couldn’t “force it to be an issue” for everybody.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Pimentel: PDP-Laban OK to debate with opposition, but …
Even though “unnecessary,” a debate between the senatorial candidates of the ruling party Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban) and those of the opposition was welcome, reelectionist Senator Aquilino Pimentel III said Monday.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Election-related Violence, Incidents and operations

DISASTER

MINDANAO

CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS

JUDICIARY

Bersamin couple drops unjust vexation case vs fishball vendor
Dr. Lucas B. Bersamin Jr. and wife Bianca have decided to withdraw the case of unjust vexation and threat that they had filed against a fishball vendor, the doctor’s father, Supreme Court Chief Justice Lucas P. Bersamin said Monday.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

LEGISLATIVE

Andaya asks senators: Why hostage the 2019 budget?
House committee on appropriations chairperson Rolando Andaya Jr said he hopes senators will not “hold hostage” the proposed P3.757-trillion budget for 2019. Andaya said this on Monday, March 11, days after Senate President Vicente Sotto III said the House realigned P79 billion under the ratified bicameral conference committee report on the 2019 budget.
Rappler

Senate also itemized parts of 2019 budget after ratification – Andaya
Rolando Andaya Jr, chairperson of the House committee on appropriations, said senators should not criticize them for itemizing the proposed P4.5 billion budget for health facilities after the ratification of the bicameral conference committee report on the 2019 budget.
Rappler

Lacson: House amendments include overpriced ambulances
Members of the House of Representatives were  allegedly allotted  P2.5 million  each from the 2019 national budget for an overpriced ambulance, Senator  Panfilo Lacson said  on Monday.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

To break the impasse, Congress may reconsider 2019 budget — Drilon
To end the impasse over the 2019 budget bill, Congress may recall its approval and discuss any changes in May. Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon made the suggestion on Monday as the Senate and the House of Representatives (HoR) traded allegations over the changes reportedly made in the budget.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Lacson on ‘pork’ allegations: This is not about Arroyo
This is not about Speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. Senator Panfilo Lacson said this on Monday, responding to a lawmaker’s allegation that he is “holding hostage” the 2019 national budget because of a “personal vendetta” against the Speaker.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

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An interventionist Senate in Philippine foreign policy
Foreign policy is often an eclipsed subject in electoral campaigns. By its nature, it is reserved to the remit of the agents of the Foreign Affairs department, particularly the Chief Executive, who acts as its main architect. Despite this, there has been an increasing demand for transparency on foreign policies, particularly by members of the Senate, a body that is not directly involved in negotiations.
Business World Online

BUDGET, FINANCE and TAXATION

LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS (LGUs)

Village execs not holding assembly to face sanctions: DILG
The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) warned barangay officials they will face administrative sanctions should they fail to hold two mandatory general assemblies this year.
Philippine News Agency

DEFENSE AND SECURITY

Philippine Navy’s first missile-armed frigate set for May launch
The Philippine Navy’s first of two missile-armed frigates will be launched in May this year. In an interview with military radio station DWDD, Philippine Navy chief Vice Admiral Robert Empedrad said he would be with Defense Sec. Delfin Lorenzana in South Korea from May 17 to 19 to witness the launching.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Clarify Mutual Defense Treaty
I note with keen interest the exchange of views between Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana and Foreign Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. regarding the Mutual Defense Treaty (MDT) we have with the United States.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

ECONOMY AND INVESTMENTS

Philippines gets $9.8 billion FDI in 2018, posts first drop in three years
Foreign direct investment (FDI) in the Philippines fell for the first time in three years in 2018 to $9.8 billion, nearly 4.5 percent lower than prior year’s record inflow, the central bank data showed on Monday.
Reuters

BUILD, BUILD, BUILD

TESDA Caraga partners with construction sector for 'Build, Build, Build' program 
Heeding the call of President Rodrigo Duterte to implement the “Build, Build, Build” program, the regional office of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) in Caraga has partnered with the construction sector, both private and public.
Philippine Information Agency

OFFICIAL DEVELOPMENT ASSISTANCE

GRAFT AND CORRUPTION

FOREIGN RELATIONS  

West Philippine Sea

LABOR

Malacañang says Mon Tulfo entitled to his opinion on Filipino workers
Malacañang sees no need to chastise special envoy to China Ramon Tulfo Jr for calling Filipino workers lazy, slow, and noisy compared to Chinese workers. Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said that though the Palace may have a different opinion about Filipino workers, they can't fault Tulfo for expressing himself.
RapplerPhilippine Daily Inquirer

Duterte admin favors Chinese workers as it prefers China interests–Alejano
Opposition senatorial candidate Gary Alejano on Monday said hiring of Chinese workers are being preferred in the country because the Duterte administration prioritizes China’s interests.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

From Comval to Manila: Workers face threats amid strike for regularization
Alona Sotto, a mother of two, celebrates her 38th birthday today (March 11) far from her family and home in Compostela Valley. She is among the hundreds of unionists whose strike has been met by violence since October 2018. Unable to continue their strike in Mindanao following the military operations against their unarmed picket line, the unionists set up instead their protest camp starting December 2018 in Manila.
Bulatlat

Labor groups dare Tulfo: Take 3-day immersion challenge
Laborers’ groups have challenged Ramon Tulfo, President Duterte’s special envoy to China, to “man up” by walking in their shoes for three days so that he will know how hard it is for them to earn a living.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

TRANSPORTATION

PNP boosts campaign to address traffic woes
In a bid to solve the problematic traffic in Metro Manila and nearby provinces, the Philippine National Police (PNP) on Monday signed a memorandum of agreement (MOA) with six other government agencies to further strengthen the enforcement capabilities of the Inter-Agency Council for Traffic (I-ACT).
Manila Bulletin

P704-million NAIA runway repair to be completed ahead of schedule
The Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) announced that the main runway of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) will be completed by March 15.
Manila Bulletin

HEALTH 

Over half of infants, toddlers in measles immunization program now vaccinated
The Department of Health (DOH) has vaccinated over half of the population of children aged 6 to 59 months whom it targetted in its anti-measles campaign. Health Secretary Francisco Duque III told Rappler on Monday, March 11, that 54% of the 3.7 million children aged 6 to 59 months have been vaccinated 5 weeks since immunization activities started last February 8.
Rappler

FOOD AND AGRICULTURE

A tale of two agricultures: The Philippines and Vietnam
If there is an agriculture miracle in the ASEAN in the past two decades, it is Vietnam. It is not hard to compare Vietnam with the Philippines. They have similarities in terms of land area, population, agricultural area, and, I guess, farm sizes.
Business World Online

EDUCATION

Teachers should be valued and compensated well – Angara
Re-electionist Senator Juan Edgardo “Sonny” Angara stressed the need for government to increase the take home pay of public school teachers if it wants to improve the quality of education in the country.
Manila Bulletin

‘Down-to-earth’ DepEd chief inspires Kalinga teachers
Department of Education (DepEd) Secretary Leonor Briones’ down-to-earth nature has left a positive mark that inspired teachers who met her for the first time. Teachers from Tabuk City National High School said Briones inspired them on how to teach and mold students into better persons.
Philippine News Agency

ACT: Newly hired teachers yet to receive 2019 salaries due to delay in budget release
Due to the delay in the signing of the 2019 budget, teachers have raised their concerns over the hold-up in the release of their salaries this year, Alliance of Concerned Teachers said on Monday.
Philippine Star

ENERGY

POVERTY

HOUSING

TOURISM

ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES 

Gold in the Philippines: How much is it really worth?
Gold is one of the rarest and priciest metals. The Philippines, it's been said, sits on "mountains of gold". This epithet needs a closer look. The country's Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) figures show that the country produced 20.765 metric tonnes (MT) of gold in 2018, valued at $866.72 million (Php44.8 billion, Dh3.14 billion).
Gulf News

Cimatu calls on public to cut down on use of plastics
Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Secretary Roy Cimatu urged the public to cut down on the use of plastics that usually end up in the oceans, and pose a threat to marine life.
Manila Bulletin

Bay rehab reveals Duterte’s soft side
Many Filipinos are now beginning to appreciate the soft side of President Rodrigo Duterte despite his tough stance on his war on drugs. Mr. Duterte, not to the surprise of many, also cares about the environment and its benefits to the population, tourism and the economy in general.
Business Mirror

El Niño to blame for Manila Water woes? Data doesn't support it
Ayala-led Manila Water repeatedly told media outlets and the public that El Niño and the low water level in the La Mesa Dam caused the widespread and surprise water service interruptions in parts of Metro Manila and Rizal.
Rappler

INFORMATION, COMMUNICATION AND TECHNOLOGY

EU offers PH ‘eye in the sky’
THE European Union (EU) has introduced to the Philippines its satellite surveillance and monitoring system in a bid to address environmental and security issues in the country.
The Manila Times, GMA News

DEVELOPMENT SECTOR 

International Alert Philippines is an independent peacebuilding organization that focuses on eradicating vertical and horizontal conflicts through research and analysis, advocacy, and capacity-building. We pool relevant news articles, blog posts, social media materials, and press releases through this daily digest to update ourselves and our partners on important events and ideas that may affect our programmes. Know more about us by following our social media accounts:

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Cou · Philippine Social Science Center, Commonwealth Avenue · Diliman · Quezon City 1800 · Philippines

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