PNP to launch more attacks against NPA
The Philippine National Police (PNP) will launch more attacks against the New People’s Army (NPA), its chief Police General Oscar Albayalde said.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
PNP to recall police escorts assigned to politicians suspected of supporting the NPA
The Philippine National Police (PNP) is planning to cancel the deployment of police security escorts to incumbent local officials running for reelection for supporting the New People’s Army (NPA).
Manila Bulletin
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Lawmakers accuse DND, AFP of electioneering
Lawmakers from the Makabayan bloc in the House of Representatives on Wednesday brought electioneering charges against the military for tagging their party-list groups as communist fronts.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
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‘She was tortured,’ claims mother of NPA leader slain in Tagum City
“I could see that she was still alive and tortured before she was killed.” This was the claim of a grieving mother, Emma Tirado, the mother of Cindy Tirado, 28, who was killed during an encounter with the military at dawn of April 15 in Barangay Canocotan, Tagum City in Davao del Norte.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
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Just answer challenge, AFP to Makabayan bloc
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Thursday stood by its claim against Makabayan party-list groups who recently filed a complaint before the Commission on Elections (Comelec) over a Facebook post accusing them as legal fronts of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People's Army (CPP-NPA).
Philippine News Agency
Solon denies military’s ‘no-show’ claim
Bayan Muna Representative Carlos Isagani T. Zarate has denied claims by a military official that members of the left-leaning Makabayan Bloc did not show up when they were invited to a validation trip to a school in Talaingod, Davao del Norte on Wednesday.
Manila Bulletin, Philippine News Agency
Rep. Zarate: MGen Parlade a ‘congenital liar’
Bayan Muna Rep. Carlos Isagani T. Zarate called a military official a “congenital liar” for alleging that members of the left-leaning Makabayan Bloc did not show up when invited to a validation trip on Wednesday to know if the red-tagging accusations against a Salugpongan School in Talaingod, Davao del Norte were true.
Mindanews
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Sandiganbayan affirms decision on Morong 43 defendants’ demurrer
The Sandiganbayan Seventh Division has affirmed its decision allowing the seven army and police officials reportedly involved in the illegal detention of the Morong 43 health workers to challenge the prosecution’s evidence against them as insufficient.
Manila Bulletin
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More tribal leaders speak up vs. abuses in Salugpungan school
Another group of tribal leaders in Mindanao reached out to the government for the shutdown of a left-leaning local school in Calinan, Davao City. Sitio Kahusayan Datu George Mandahay, on Tuesday, expressed the need to shut down Salugpungan Ta’tanu Igkanugon Community Learning Center, Inc. as parents have ruled out sending their children to the supposed learning center on suspicion that it is teaching them to rebel against the government.
Philippine News Agency
NPA couple yields to Army field unit in Bukidnon province
An alleged Communist New People’s Army Terrorist CNT) team leader and his wife voluntarily surrendered to the Army’s 8th Infantry (Dependable) Battalion (8th IB) in Barangay Poblacion, Impasug-ong, Bukidnon Province, on Wednesday.
Manila Bulletin, GMA News, Kalinaw News
NoCot folks welcome ‘persona non grata’ declaration vs. NPA
Residents and officials in this province welcomed the decision of the Provincial Peace and Order Council (PPOC) in declaring the New People’s Army (NPA) as “persona non grata.” Charlie Segucal, chairperson of Barangay Kabalantian in nearby Arakan town, spearheaded a peace rally last weekend denouncing the atrocities of the NPA following the PPOC declaration.
Philippine News Agency
Netizens hit ‘heartless’ NPA over boy’s death
Netizens expressed indignation over the heartless acts of the New People’s Army (NPA) with their latest atrocity resulting in the death of a 10-year-old boy in Las Navas, Northern Samar on Wednesday. The rebels detonated a landmine near a temporary patrol base of the Army’s 20th Infantry Battalion (IB) Charlie Company at around noon with the intention to kill soldiers but instead killed Armando Remolde, a Grade 3 pupil in remote San Miguel village.
Philippine News Agency
To decide and to believe
I first met Datu Kaylo in Talaingod in 2013. It was the founding anniversary of the Salugpongan Ta Tanu Igkanugon people’s organization. All the datu turned out, dressed in their festive best: tangkolo headdresses, suning beaded shoulder bags, tasseled sundang blades – the works. Kaylo was there, but self-effacingly only wore a simple kinaraan jacket.
Davao Today
Mindanao Peace Council, AFP, and Other Government Agencies Launch Summer Treat Activity for Lumads in Arakan, Cotabato
The Mindanao Peace Council, 19 th Infantry Battalion and other stakeholders launched its three-day Summer Treat Activity for the lumads of Sitio Inamong, Barangay Datu Ladayon here on Friday, April 12, 2019.
Kalinaw News
Arakan village declares CNTs as Persona Non-Grata
More or less 600 residents of barangay Kabalantian staged a Peace Rally as local officials enacted a resolution, declaring the Communist NPA Terrorists (CNTs) as persona non-grata in their barangay on Monday, April 15, 2019.
Kalinaw News
Peace Talks
Incidents/ Operations
3 rebels dead, Army soldier injured in gun battle
Three suspected New People’s Army (NPA) rebels died, while an Army soldier was injured in an encounter Wednesday afternoon in Sitio Banwa Minatay, Barangay Marcelo, Calatrava, Negros Occidental.
Philippine Daily Inquirer, Philippine News Agency, Kalinaw News
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Dawlah Islamiya Kin, Firearms Surrender in Lanao
A brother of an ISIS fighter who died during Marawi Siege, voluntarily surrendered to the Army’s 55th Infantry Battalion in Madalum, Lanao del Sur, 4:00 p.m., Wednesday, April 17,2019. “Alias PACONG, also a Dawlah Islamiya supporter, was saddened by the death of his brother who was deceived and recruited by the Maute Brothers in Butig”, said Lt. Col. Ian Noel Ignes, 55th Infantry Battalion commander.
Kalinaw News
MARAWI
SOUTHEAST ASIA AND THE WORLD
Strict regulation of Indonesia homeschooling key to counter terrorism, official says
An Indonesian official has urged the government to regulate homeschooling to prevent the radicalization of children following recent research into the minors involved in the 2018 Surabaya terror attacks.
The Defense Post
‘Cities Destroyed by Terrorism’ exhibition opens at National Museum in Riyadh
A major exhibition using virtual reality technology to recreate historic cities wrecked by terror groups has opened in the Saudi capital. Iraqi Prime Minister Adel Abdul-Mahdi on Wednesday inaugurated the “Cities Destroyed by Terrorism” expo being staged at the National Museum in Riyadh.
Arab News
Nearly 1,500 foreign militants arrive in Europe from Middle East — FSB chief
Some 1,500 foreign terrorists, who took part in combat actions in the Middle East, are in Europe now, Director of Russia’s Federal Security Service Alexander Bortnikov told a conference on countering international terrorism on Thursday.
Russian News Agency (TASS)
Potential Connection between the Trafficking of Women on the Darknet and the Financing of Terrorism
Human trafficking constitutes a key component of the terrorist strategy to subjugate and enslave vulnerable populations, promote ideology and increase the recruitment of activists. In addition, human trafficking can be an attractive source of revenue. Although human trafficking is not a primary source of revenue for terrorists, especially in comparison to other, more profitable sources of financing such as natural resources, taxation and extortion, it is an opportunistic source of financing.
International Institute for Counter-Terrorism
U.S. keeps Sudan on list of state sponsors of terrorism
The United States will maintain Sudan's designation as a state sponsor of terrorism, while it supports the African country's democratic transition, the U.S. State Department said Thursday. "The United States supports a transition to a peaceful and democratic Sudan led by civilians who represent the diversity of Sudanese society," the department said in a statement.
Xinhua
New Zealand, Quetta Attack and the Islamophobia Industry
In a fast news cycle, three seemingly unconnected things ended up being co-dependent on each other and how one drives the narrative of the other: the New Zealand attack, the Quetta attack and the Islamophobia industry:
Clarion Project
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BARMM
MAGUINDANAO AND COTABATO CITY
Comelec removes illegal campaign posters in Maguindanao
Commission on Elections (Comelec) officials on Wednesday took down campaign materials of local and national candidates that were placed in unauthorized areas in two Maguindanao towns.
Philippine News Agency
2 hurt as brawl erupts during peace covenant signing in Maguindanao town
A brawl erupted Wednesday between supporters of local candidates in Sultan sa Barongis, Maguindanao that left two persons injured. The conflict occurred while the poll body and the military facilitated peace covenant signing among candidates for peaceful midterm polls.
NDBC News
NORTH COTABATO
LANAO PROVINCES
BASILAN
SULU
TAWI-TAWI
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DRUGS
Duterte threatens to kill 6 Cagayan drug suspects
President Rodrigo Duterte has vowed to kill at least six major drug suspects in Cagayan province before his term ends as part of his bloodier war on narcotics.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
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‘Law enforcement problem’ prompts senator to go slow on approval of medical marijuana bill
The country’s “law enforcement problem” could hamper the proposed legalization of the use of medical marijuana, Senator Aquilino Pimentel III said Wednesday.
Manila Bulletin
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40 BJMP men watched for drug links
At least 40 Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) personnel are under close scrutiny for involvement in trafficking illegal drugs inside BJMP-run facilities.
Manila Bulletin
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PDEA comics boost anti-drug advocacy in W. Visayas
Using comic strips, with two vital characters, have boosted the anti-drug advocacy of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) in Western Visayas.
Philippine News Agency
Operations/ Incidents
QCPD confirms killing of top Cebu drug lord
The Quezon City Police District (QCPD) has confirmed reports that Cebu drug lord Franz Sabalones was shot dead along Barangay Scout Triangle in Quezon City early on Maundy Thursday.
Philippine Daily Inquirer, Manila Bulletin, Rappler
Authorities nab 16 suspects, seize P251K shabu in Pasig City
Sixteen suspects were arrested while a total of P251,600 worth of shabu was seized in separate police operations in Pasig City on Holy Wednesday.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
P5.3M worth of suspected cocaine found floating off Surigao del Norte
A block of suspected cocaine with an estimated value of P5.3 million was discovered floating by a fisherman in the waters of Surigao del Norte on Wednesday afternoon, police said.
Philippine Daily Inquirer, CNN Philippines
2 brothers fall in San Juan City drug sting
Two brothers, who are former drug surrenderees, were arrested in a buy-bust operation in San Juan City on Holy Wednesday, Eastern Police District (EPD) reported.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
2 teenagers, 4 others nabbed in Bacolod drug busts
Six persons, including two teenagers, were arrested in two separate buy-bust operations conducted by personnel of the Bacolod City Police Office on Wednesday.
Philippine News Agency
Recovery and Rehabilitation
2 Balay Silangan centers in Panay start operation on April 22
Two Balay Silangan Reformation Centers will start their operations on April 22, catering to close to 50 drug pusher-surrenderers from Capiz and Iloilo, according to the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) in Western Visayas.
Philippine News Agency
ILLICIT FIREARMS, EXPLOSIVES AND AMMUNITION
Woman arrested in Caloocan City for selling of bullets
A woman was arrested in Caloocan City for selling bullets to an undercover policeman in a buy-bust operation. Police identified the suspect as Joan Gonzales, 31, who allegedly sold 10 bullets for a still unknown caliber of firearm in an operation of the Northern Police District (NPD) Special Operations Unit and the Caloocan City Police on Wednesday at around 8:30 p.m.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
CROSS-BORDER TRADING/ SMUGGLING
HUMAN TRAFFICKING
Woman arrested in Mandaue City for trafficking own children
A 45-year-old woman was arrested by Mandaue City Police on Tuesday, April 16, for allegedly trafficking her own children online. The Police's Women and Children Protection Center - Visayas Field Unit (WCPC-VFU) led the entrapment operation in Mandaue City. The unit said they caught her offering her two youngest daughters, ages 6 and 7, to child predators online.
Rappler
ILLICIT FINANCIAL TRANSACTIONS
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Press Freedom/ Freedom of Expression
PH ranks 134th in 2019 World Press Freedom Index
The Philippines ranked 134th out of 180 countries in the 2019 World Press Freedom Index, an international organization reported Thursday. According to the index released by Paris-based Reporters Without Borders, the Philippines dropped one spot from its rank in the 2018 index.
Philippine Daily Inquirer, Rappler, GMA News
Hatred of journalists turning to violence worldwide, watchdog warns
Hatred of journalists whipped up by populist and authoritarian leaders is degenerating into violence across the world, media watchdog Reporters Without Borders (RSF) warned Thursday.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
DOJ vows to prosecute those involved in attacks vs journalists
The Department of Justice (DOJ) has vowed to prosecute those involved in attacks against journalists. DOJ spokesman Undersecretary Markk Perete gave the assurance when he met on Monday the mission from the New York-based Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ).
Manila Bulletin
Martial Law
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Presidency a thankless job, won’t recommend it to my daughter – Duterte
President Duterte considers the presidency a thankless job and won’t advise his daughter to follow in his footsteps.
Manila Bulletin
Malacañang execs take Lenten break: Where are they headed?
Malacañang officials are taking a holiday from their hectic work schedules this Holy Week while President Rodrigo Duterte spends his Lenten break in his hometown Davao City.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
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ELECTION RELATED
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'Renounce evil' in polls, Bishop David says on Holy Thursday
Caloocan Bishop Pablo Virgilio David called on Catholics to "renounce evil" in the May 13 polls, as he urged them to "go beyond ritual pietism" this Holy Week.
Rappler
Locsin calls out netizen: ‘That’s bastos & insensitive’
Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. on Thursday called out a Twitter user for asking him how Senator Grace Poe became his niece. “That’s bastos & insensitive. She was adopted by Susan Roces—a Locsin,” Locsin said in response to the netizen.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
Oppositions
Alejano pokes fun at Robin Padilla’s dare; challenges actor to experience real combat
Opposition senatorial candidate Rep. Gary Alejano of Magdalo Partylist Thursday poked fun at action star Robin Padilla’s dare for the two of them to “attack Spratlys”, belittling the actor’s fearlessness and capability in going to real shootout.
Manila Bulletin
‘Otso Diretso’ bets call on public to support and protect press freedom
Three “Otso Diretso” senatorial candidates called on the public to support and protect press freedom as a mission of international journalists found as alarming the “oppressive environment” for journalists in the Philippines.
Manila Bulletin
Administration
Election-related Violence, Incidents and operations
Abra vice governor bet Bersamin reports harassment by Bangued mayor
Abra vice gubernatorial candidate Ana Marie Afable Bersamin reported to police Wednesday, April 17, that her team was harassed by supporters of incumbent Bangued Mayor Dominic Valera.
Rappler
DISASTER
MINDANAO
CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS
JUDICIARY
LEGISLATIVE
Magna Carta for Workers in the Informal Economy moves towards approval in Senate
The measure that would protect workers in the country’s informal sector has advanced in the Senate. Senators are expected to debate on the proposed Magna Carta for Workers in the Informal Economy when they resume sessions in May.
Manila Bulletin
Sotto renews call for free toll during holidays
Senate President Vicente Sotto III on Thursday renewed his call for the Toll Regulatory Board (TRB) to implement free toll for motorists during holidays.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
BUDGET, FINANCE and TAXATION
LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS (LGUs)
DEFENSE AND SECURITY
Lorenzana meets with Japan defense minister in Tokyo
Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Delfin Lorenzana visited Japan's Defense Minister Takeshi Iwaya in Tokyo, Japan, on Wednesday, April 17. In a statement released on Thursday, the DND said Lorenzana "reaffirmed" the defense department's "commitment" to the partnership between the countries.
Rappler
ECONOMY AND INVESTMENTS
PH economic officials lure US capital experts
Top Philippine government economic officials recently trumpeted in Washington DC the country’s resilience to external headwinds and its capacity to sustain robust economic growth.
Manila Bulletin
BUILD, BUILD, BUILD
OFFICIAL DEVELOPMENT ASSISTANCE
GRAFT AND CORRUPTION
FOREIGN RELATIONS
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West Philippine Sea
Panelo tells Del Rosario: ‘We are now trying to fix your mess’
Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo hit back at former foreign affairs secretary Albert del Rosario, saying the Duterte administration was now “trying to fix his mess” after the Philippines lost possession of the Scarborough Shoal in 2012.
Philippine Daily Inquirer, Manila Bulletin, GMA News
Locsin: PHL should invest in weaponry instead of ‘throwing money at poverty’
Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. on Thursday called for bigger defense spending instead of “throwing money at poverty” amid China’s increasingly assertive behavior in the South China Sea.
GMA News
Locsin: No one goes to war for clams
The Philippines and China should not go to war over clams, Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. said, following a report on China’s poaching of giant clams in the Scarborough or "Panatag" Shoal in the West Philippine Sea.
Philippine Star
China's Aggression in the South China Sea
A long-standing territorial dispute between Beijing and Manila over Thitu Island (also known as Pagasa), one of the Spratly Islands in the South China Sea, resurfaced in full force recently, when more than 200 Chinese boats were spotted in the vicinity of the island. Thitu Island is controlled and administered by the Philippines, and Filipino civilians and military personnel inhabit the island. Sovereignty over the island is claimed by the Philippines, China, Taiwan and Vietnam.
Gatestone Institute
LABOR
PH, China to hold exploratory talks next week on deployment of Filipino workers
The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) is set to discuss possible employment opportunities for Filipino workers in China.
Manila Bulletin
First batch of 7 Filipinos in Libya safely arrive in Tunisia
Seven of the 20 Filipinos who availed of the Philippine government’s repatriation program in Libya have safely exited to Tunisia, the Department of Foreign Affairs said on Thursday.
Manila Bulletin
TRANSPORTATION
Nearly 300K passengers troop to ports on Holy Wednesday — PCG
The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) recorded almost 300,000 passengers in ports across the country on Holy Wednesday. Data from the PCG showed that 299,781 outbound passengers were in various ports in the country from 12 a.m. Wednesday until 12 a.m. Thursday.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
HEALTH
DOH reminds the public to take precautionary measures to stay safe and healthy
An official of the Department of Health (DOH) has reminded the public to be more health conscious as they take a vacation during the summer season.
Manila Bulletin
FOOD AND AGRICULTURE
EDUCATION
DepEd wraps up 77th Araw ng Kagitingan with awards to skilled and talented learners
The Department of Education (DepEd) lauded learners who showcased their skills and talents – particularly in highlighting patriotism and valor of Filipino freedom fighters.
Manila Bulletin
ENERGY
Bayan Muna to COA: Check hike in Mimaropa electricity subsidies
Bayan Muna has asked the Commission on Audit (COA) to check on the supposed P3.5-billion increase in electrification missionary subsidies from 2016 to 2017, in several provinces inside Region IV-B.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
Luzon solons thumb down nuclear energy
Two lawmakers from Luzon have thumbed down a proposal to utilize nuclear energy as a means to address the dire power situation in the country and said there are safer and cheaper alternative sources of energy that can be tapped.
Manila Bulletin
POVERTY
HOUSING
TOURISM
Boracay draws 619,000 tourists in 1st quarter of 2019
In the first 3 months of 2019, world-famous Boracay Island has already attracted 619,934 tourists. According to the Malay Municipal Tourism Office, this was the number of Boracay visitors from January 1 to April 15, 2019.
Rappler
ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES
Water crisis
INFORMATION, COMMUNICATION AND TECHNOLOGY
Filipinos urged to protect data, be safe online during Holy Week
The National Privacy Commission (NPC) reminded government agencies, businesses, and individuals to protect personal data during the Holy Week. In a statement on Wednesday, April 17, the NPC recommended the following actions:
Rappler
DEVELOPMENT SECTOR
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