Duterte taunts NPA: You’re doomed
President Rodrigo Duterte taunted anew communist rebels, saying they were doomed because they no longer have food and was losing the race for land reform to the government.
Philippine Daily Inquirer, GMA News

A Consequence of Duterte’s Treason
Public attention is once more called to the Duterte regime’s treasonous policy of selling out the Filipino people’s sovereign rights over the West Philippine Sea by a Chinese vessel sinking a Philippine boat and leaving 22 Filipino fishermen to the elements.
NDFP

CPP opposes US Coast Guard's deployment of Stratton in South China Sea
The United States Coast Guard's deployment of maritime security cutter Stratton in the Pacific region—for "protection"—should not be welcomed by Filipinos, according to the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) on Thursday.
GMA News

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Army vows to aid S. Kudarat town in fight vs. NPA, illegal drugs
The military vowed to actively support the local government unit (LGU) of Senator Ninoy Aquino (SNA), Sultan Kudarat, in its fight against illegal drugs and communist rebels. Lt. Col. Elmer Boongaling, commander of the Army’s 33rd Infantry Battalion (33IB), gave this assurance Thursday during the joint SNA Municipal Peace and Order Council (MPOC), Municipal Anti-Drug Advisory Council (MADAC) and Barangay Anti-Drug Advisory Council (BADAC) meeting at the town hall.
Philippine News Agency

Peace Talks

Incidents/ Operations    

NPA Sorsogon vice chair slain, 1 arrested in clash
The vice chairman of New People’s Army in Sorsogon province was killed while his assistant was arrested in an encounter with authorities on Thursday morning.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Sabah readies for ASG threat
Sabah continues to beef up its security due to persistent threats posed by the pro-Islamic State group Abu Sayyaf in southern Philippines. Military forces had been called to back up the police in securing Sabah from militants, according to Malaysian media, which quoted Police Inspector General Datuk Seri Abdul Hamid Bador. He said threats of kidnappings and cross-border raids by the Abu Sayyaf remain high, adding that attacks could happen any day at any time.
The Manila Times, Mindanao Examiner

MARAWI

DOF: ‘Marawi bonds’ to be issued when 'cash-intensive' rehab phase starts
The Department of Finance said Thursday the government will issue the so-called Marawi bonds once building of large-scale infrastructure projects in the war-torn city starts.
Philippine Star, Business World Online, The Manila Times

Former 'Darna' star Nanette Medved-Po donates classrooms to Marawi kids
She may have played Darna before, but Nanette Medved-Po doesn’t need to wear any costume to be a hero. On Instagram, the former actress happily announced that she turned over on Wednesday eight classrooms to be used by the young children of Marawi.
ABS-CBN News

SOUTHEAST ASIA AND THE WORLD     

Sri Lanka attacks: India arrests man 'linked to Easter Sunday bomber'
Indian anti-terrorism investigators have arrested a man with alleged links to the suicide bomber who planned Sri Lanka's deadly Easter Sunday attacks. Investigators said Mohammad Azharuddin, 32, was friends on Facebook with Zahran Hashim, the alleged ringleader of the attacks, claimed by Islamic State (IS).
BBC News

'Jihadi Jack' Letts: Prosecution of parents 'inhumane and cruel'
The prosecution of the parents of a Muslim convert dubbed "Jihadi Jack" has been described as "inhumane to the point of being cruel", a court heard. John Letts, 58, and Sally Lane, 56, are accused of sending or trying to send their son Jack money after he had joined Islamic State.
BBC News

The terrorism of Iran and its militias must be confronted
The Houthis’ targeting of Abha Airport with a missile, injuring 26 civilians, is clear and explicit evidence of the group’s terrorism. This targeting of a civilian airport makes us re-evaluate the comprehensive Yemeni peace process at all levels.
Arab News

London bomb factory is a sign of Iran’s widening campaign of terror
The latest revelation that an Iranian-backed terror group has been stockpiling bomb-making materials in London has shed fresh light on Tehran’s reach in Europe.
The National UAE

How ‘Generation Wealth’ Is a Boon for Islamist Extremists
Islamist extremists won’t ever need to wage some final apocalyptic battle against the West. At the rate of our own self-sabotage — particularly the unraveling of American exceptionalism —  all Islamic extremists have to do is wait.
The Clarion Project

Qatar on Our Campuses
For years the government of Qatar has engaged in an extensive influence operation on American campuses. At the same time that the government of Qatar has supplied aid and support to al-Qaeda, the Iranian regime and Hamas, it has attempted to sway political opinion in the U.S. by spending millions of dollars each year on a vast network of lobbyists, think tanks and media outlets. 
The Clarion Project

Suspected New Zealand mosque gunman first to face country’s anti-terrorism law
The suspected gunman in the New Zealand mosque massacres was expected to become the first to face charges under the country’s anti-terrorism law during a court hearing Friday.
The Washington Post

BARMM

Moro execs hail Duterte’s Independence Day fete in Lanao del Sur
Muslim officials have hailed President Rodrigo Duterte’s celebration of the 121st Independence Day in Malabang, Lanao del Sur, saying the record-setting event “fleshed out” the Chief Executive’s commitment to “correct historical injustices” among the country’s minority Bangsamoro sector.
Manila Bulletin

BARMM farmers graduate from School-On-The-Air Program
Over 500 farmers have just graduated from the School-On-The-Air program on soybean farming. The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Agrarian Reform of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (MAFAR-BARMM) conducted the mass graduation on Thursday at the Office of the Chief Minister Compound in Cotabato City.  
Ranao Star

MAGUINDANAO AND COTABATO CITY

Maguindanao youth converge for peace building
Around 800 youth representatives from different municipalities of Maguindanao recently gathered at the municipal covered court of Datu Saudi Ampatuan, Maguindanao for a forum dubbed as "The Role of Young Men and Women in Peace Building and in Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism." 
Ranao Star

NORTH COTABATO

LANAO PROVINCES

Mamodiong asks Comelec to fast-track poll fraud case
Seven losing candidates for governor and vice governor in Lanao del Sur on Thursday urged the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to expedite the nullification case filed against the proclaimed winning candidate in the May 13 polls.
Manila Times, Manila Standard

BASILAN

SULU 

TAWI-TAWI 

DRUGS

PDEA improved handling of P6.8-B seized illegal drugs, COA says
The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) has implemented the recommendations of the Commission on Audit (COA) on the improvements of its handling of P6.8-billion worth of seized illegal drugs and its transparency to inspecting auditors, the COA said in its 2018 report.
GMA News

COA flags P74-M travel expenses of PDEA for lack of supporting docs
The Commission on Audit (COA) has questioned the P74-million spending of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) for its domestic travels due to its failure to submit complete supporting documents.
GMA News, Rappler

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Duterte explains drug deaths: ‘They have nowhere to hide’
Many poor drug suspects end up dead because they have nowhere to hide, President Duterte said Thursday amid his government’s relentless crackdown on the narcotics trade.
Manila Bulletin

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Operations/ Incidents

P9-M cocaine seized from Indonesian at NAIA
Authorities led by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) and Bureau of Customs (BOC) on Wednesday afternoon seized 1.66 kilograms of cocaine worth PHP9 million from an arriving passenger at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 3.
Philippine News Agency, Manila Bulletin, Philippine Daily Inquirer

Pregnant teen, 3 others fall in buy-bust
A pregnant teenager and three other suspects were arrested in a buy-bust that also yielded a haul of P60,000 worth of crystal meth, or shabu, in Quezon City on Thursday (June 13).
Philippine Daily Inquirer

2 alleged drug pushers dead in Lucena
An alleged drug pusher was killed in a buy-bust operation while another one was shot and killed by an unidentified gunman in two separate incidents here on Wednesday and Thursday.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

‘Drug pusher’ slain in Albay; ‘shabu’ seized in Camarines Sur
Anti-narcotics police killed an alleged notorious drug pusher in Albay, while another yielded P170,000 worth of suspected shabu (crystal meth) in Camarines Sur on Wednesday night, a police report said.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

14 drug suspects nabbed in Pandacan, Manila
Fourteen drug suspects landed in jail while some P400,000 worth of shabu (crystal meth) were confiscated in separate anti-illegal drug operations in Pandacan, Manila within a two-day span.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Student yields P544-K shabu in Zambo anti-drug op
A female student was arrested while some PHP544,000 worth of suspected shabu was seized in an anti-drug operation in this southern port city, a top police official disclosed Thursday.
Philippine News Agency

Recovery and Rehabilitation  

ILLICIT FIREARMS, EXPLOSIVES AND AMMUNITION

CROSS-BORDER TRADING/ SMUGGLING  

HUMAN TRAFFICKING

KIDNAP FOR RANSOM

ILLICIT FINANCIAL TRANSACTIONS 

In big rally, Kapa leader, flock tell Duterte: No scam; God’s with us
In a show of force, thousands of members of Kapa Community Ministry International Inc. gathered for a prayer rally here on Thursday, urging President Duterte to reconsider his order shutting down their group’s operations.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

KAPA members gather in GenSan for prayer rally
Thousands of members of KAPA (Kabus Padatuon) ministry gathered today in Calumpang Sports Complex in Barangay Calumpang for the prayer rally after President Duterte ordered the Naitonal Bureau of Investigation and Criminal Investigation and Detection Group to shut down its offices in Mindanao and Visayas.
NDBC News, Mindanews

Duterte not worried about losing Kapa members' support
President Rodrigo Duterte is not worried about the risk of losing the support of members of the religious group Kapa Community Ministry International Inc. after he ordered its shutdown for alleged involvement in pyramiding schemes, Malacañang said on Thursday.
Philippine News Agency

Duterte reiterates order that KAPA ministry must stop, calling it a scam
President Rodrigo Duterte on Thursday reiterated that KAPA community ministry international must cease operation immediately, calling it an investment scam.
NDBC News, GMA News

Duterte on arrest order for Kapa leaders: It still stands
President Rodrigo Duterte continued to lash at a religious group which he ordered closed for operating what the President said was a pyramid scam, warning land reform beneficiaries here against dealing with the group, Kabus Padataon Ministry International Inc. or Kapa.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Kapa needs to go to court to lift closure order – Palace
A religious group allegedly engaged in investment scam would have to go to court if it seeks the lifting of the government’s closure order, a Palace official said Thursday.
Manila Bulletin

Get permit first, Mayor Sara tells investment firms
Mayor Sara Duterte said she remains firm against investment solicitations unless the companies involved have government permits to do so. Mayor Sara clarified she has not prohibited Dabawenyos from shelling out their hard-earned money into financial schemes that promise high returns of as much as 400 percent.
Philippine News Agency

PNP-12 warns illegal investment operators anew
The Police Regional Office (PRO) 12 (Soccsksargen) on Thursday warned various entities and individuals operating illegal investment schemes to stop their activities or face the "full force of the law".
Philippine News Agency

NBI urges public to heed PRRD warning vs. Kapa
The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) cautioned the public to heed President Rodrigo Duterte's concern about the financial viability of the Kapa Community Ministry International Inc.
Philippine News Agency

NBI: No one has come forward yet to file complaint vs Kapa
The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI)  admitted Friday that no one has filed a complaint yet against Kapa Community Ministry International (Kapa Ministry) for its alleged involvement in investment scams.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

NBI hopes to file raps vs Kapa by next week
The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) hopes to file before the Department of Justice (DOJ) by next week criminal complaints against Kapa Community Ministry International over its alleged involvement in an investment scam.
Manila Bulletin

NBI to Kapa members: Be thankful we have a very smart President
Be thankful for a very smart President who made a pre-emptive move in favor of members of the Kapa Community Ministry International (Kapa Ministry). It was President Rodrigo Duterte who ordered the shut down of Kapa.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

No bail for KAPA execs in investment scam — Duterte
Those who will continue the operations of Kapa Ministry International  Inc. (KAPA) will be arrested without bail, President Duterte said yesterday. “All of you who are in KAPA, in case your names will appear in the papers, watch out because you will be arrested without bail,” the President said in his speech during the distribution of certificates of land ownership at the Lagao Gym in General Santos City.
Philippine Star

Alert up in GenSan for PRRD visit, Kapa prayer rally
The Police Regional Office (PRO)-12 placed all its units in the city and the neighboring areas under heightened alert in connection with the scheduled visit of President Rodrigo R. Duterte here Thursday, which coincided with the prayer rally of a controversial religious group.
Philippine News Agency

CHR: Scams emphasize need for proper implementation of Universal Health Care
The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) on Thursday said the recent issue of ‘ghost’ dialysis claims underscored the need for the proper implementation of the Universal Health Care Law.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Press Freedom/ Freedom of Expression

Martial Law   

3 speeches in a row, Duterte silent on Chinese ship sinking PH vessel
Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has not made any public statement about the ramming of a Philippine fishing boat by a Chinese vessel a day after the defense department bared it and 4 days after the incident itself.
Rappler

Duterte declines use of bulletproof glass panel during GenSan speech
President Rodrigo Duterte rejected Thursday the use of a bulletproof glass panel placed in front of his podium during his speech in General Santos City. Duterte ordered the Presidential Security Group to remove bulletproof glass at the start of his speech.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Duterte regrets decision to run for president
President Rodrigo Duterte on Wednesday expressed regret over his decision to seek the presidency in the 2016 election which he won by a landslide. Duterte issued the remark as he vented his frustration with government corruption anew.
GMA News, Manila Bulletin

Duterte laments entry of rich people in party-list system
President Rodrigo Duterte on Wednesday lamented the use of the party-list system by millionaires to gain seats in the House of Representatives, undermining the original goal of providing representation to marginalized sectors.
GMA News, Philippine News Agency, Manila Bulletin

Duterte: Gov’t working on salary hike for teachers but there are millions of them
President Rodrigo Duterte on Wednesday assured public school teachers that his government would raise their salaries even as he took note of their number.
GMA News

Duterte declines use of bulletproof glass panel during GenSan speech
President Rodrigo Duterte rejected Thursday the use of a bulletproof glass panel placed in front of his podium during his speech in General Santos City.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

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

121st Philippine Independence Day

Independence Day greetings extended to Duterte by UAE leaders
Leaders from the United Arab Emirates sent congratulatory greetings to President Rodrigo Duterte on the country's celebration of its 121st Independence Day on Wednesday, according to the Emirates News Agency.
GMA News

ASEAN apologizes for inverted Philippine flag on Independence Day greeting
The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) has apologized for using an inverted Philippine flag for its Independence Day greeting.
Manila Bulletin

Cops allegedly scribble over protester’s indigenous peoples tattoo
A member of the Philippine National Police allegedly drew scribbles over a protester’s tattoo that featured indigenous peoples during the Independence Day celebration in Kawit, Cavite.
Interaksyon

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OVP says it will submit to COA documents on its anti-poverty program
The Office of the Vice President (OVP) vowed Thursday to submit all requirements needed by the Commission on Audit (COA) after it flagged some P28.189 million in the former’s anti-poverty program due to deficiencies like lack of official receipts, liquidation reports and progress reports.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

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Erwin Tulfo out of country, yet to surrender firearms —PNP's Banac
Broadcaster Erwin Tulfo is currently abroad, and has not surrendered his firearms yet as ordered, the Philippine National Police said Thursday. "Ang pinakahuli nating ulat na natanggap ay nasa abroad si Mr. Erwin Tulfo kaya di pa naaaksyunan ang kaniyang renewal at 'yung pagsuko ng firearms," PNP spokesman Police Colonel Bernard Banac said in a press briefing.
GMA News

ELECTION RELATED

Comelec to losing bets: No extension of deadline for Soces filing
The deadline on the filing of statement of contributions and expenditures (Soces) for losing candidates will not be extended, an official from the Commission on Elections (Comelec) warned on Thursday.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Over 6,000 violators arrested during poll gun ban period —PNP
The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Thursday said a total of 6,362 gun ban violators have been arrested nationwide during the election gun ban period that ended on June 12. At a press briefing, PNP spokesman Police Colonel Bernard Banac said the number of arrested individuals can be broken down into the following:
GMA News, Philippine News Agency

Villar spent P135M of her own money on senatorial race
Senator Cynthia Villar, who topped the 2019 senatorial race, spent over P135 million of her own money on getting herself reelected, documents released by the Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Thursday showed.
GMA News

Topnotchers Villar, Poe among early filers of SOCE
Senators Cynthia Villar and Grace Poe, topnotchers in the May 2019 Senate race, led the 19 Senate bets who filed their Statement of Campaign Expenditures (SOCE) before the Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Thursday, June 13, in time for the deadline set by the poll body.
GMA News

Mar Roxas spent P179-M in failed Senate bid
Former Interior Secretary Mar Roxas spent P179.19 million in his failed bid to return to the Senate, his statement of contributions and expenditures (SOCE) shows. Roxas, who placed 16th in the Senate race, received P167.05 million in cash contributions and shelled out P12.14 million.
ABS-CBN News

5 incoming senators file SOCEs so far: Comelec
Some winning and losing national candidates in the May 13 midterm polls have already filed their Statements of Contributions and Expenditures (SOCEs) before the Commission on Elections (Comelec) on the last day of the month-long filing period on Thursday.
Philippine News Agency

Only 7 of 12 winning senators have submitted their SOCEs
Seven of the 12 winning senators in the May 13, 2019 midterm polls have so far submitted their Statements of Contributions and Expenditures to the Commission on Elections as of Thursday. They are Nancy Binay, Cynthia Villar, Pia Cayetano, Bong Go, Grace Poe, Francis Tolentino, and Ramon Revilla.
Manila Bulletin

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Robredo camp: Vote recount results in 3 provinces confirm 2016 poll victory
Vice President Leni Robredo on Thursday claimed she won in the election case she is locked in with former senator Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos, Jr. based on the results of a vote recount involving Camarines Sur, Iloilo, and Negros Oriental.
GMA News, Manila Bulletin, Rappler

Palace leaves to Comelec decision on partylist nominees’ qualifications
Malacañang said that it will be up to the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to review the qualifications for partylist nominees after President Duterte claimed that partylists are being exploited by the rich people.
Manila Bulletin

DISASTER

MINDANAO

CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS

JUDICIARY

1,800 new lawyers take oath before SC at PICC       
The country has 1,800 new lawyers who took their oath as members of the bar Thursday (June 13) afternoon at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC) in Pasay City.
Manila Bulletin

Justice Bernabe to new lawyers: 'Integrity is non-negotiable'
“Never compromise your integrity,” is the main message of Supreme Court Associate Justice Estela Perlas-Bernabe to the 1,800 new lawyers who took the oath on Thursday, June 13, after passing the 2018 bar examinations.
Rappler

LEGISLATIVE

Senate of the Philippines

Villar commits to help in resolving chairmanship issues
Senator Cynthia Villar has committed to help in resolving the Senate majority’s problem on committee chairmanships.
Manila Bulletin

House of Representatives

Speaker Arroyo on ABS-CBN franchise: ‘I have no comment, Congress is finished’
Speaker Gloria Macapagal Arroyo is mum on Lower Chamber’s supposed non-action on the bill seeking to renew the legislative franchise of broadcasting giant ABS-CBN Corp.
Manila Bulletin

Palace advises secret balloting for PDP-Laban’s bet for Speaker
Malacañang on Thursday advised the Partido Demokratiko Pilipino–Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban) to conduct secret balloting among its members to determine their pulse for the House speakership race.
Philippine News Agency, Manila Bulletin

Newly unveiled sculpture at House aims to remind solons to prioritize public interest
Speaker Gloria Macapagal Arroyo on Thursday led the unveiling of a new sculpture at the House of Representatives Complex that would serve as a reminder that the interest of the Filipino people should be the priority in legislation.
GMA News

Returning A Teacher party-list solon passes away
Incoming A Teacher party-list Representative Mariano "Nonoy" Piamonte has passed away on Thursday. News of Piamonte's passing was confirmed by PBA party-list Representative Jericho Nograles, whom he had worked with.
GMA News

Party-list system: Boon to democracy or a Frankenstein?
In the span of a single week the party-list system in the legislature has oscillated from being hailed as a “pivotal force” in the organization of the 18th Congress to being dismissed as “evil” by no less than the President of the Philippines.
The Manila Times

BUDGET, FINANCE and TAXATION

Lacson hails PRRD, DBM for increase in pension of military, police retirees
Senator Panfilo M. Lacson on Thursday thanked the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) for finally clearing the way for the increase in the pension of 220,000 military and uniformed personnel (MUP) retirees.
Manila Bulletin

LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS (LGUs)

DEFENSE AND SECURITY

ECONOMY AND INVESTMENTS

Peso retreats as investors flock to safe-haven assets
The Philippine peso softened against its US counterpart on Thursday, as investors flocked to safe-haven assets in light of ongoing geopolitical tensions overseas. The local currency lost 1.5 centavos to close at P51.865:$1 from Tuesday’s P51.85:$1.
GMA News

12-ha. cyberpark, biz district soon to rise in Bulacan
A 12-hectare business district, which is seen to provide job opportunities not only to Bulakenyos but also to residents from nearby provinces, will soon rise in this city. 
Philippine News Agency

BUILD, BUILD, BUILD

OFFICIAL DEVELOPMENT ASSISTANCE

AUDIT, GRAFT AND CORRUPTION

FOREIGN RELATIONS  

Cambodia extends visa-free entry for Filipinos to 30 days
The Royal Government of Cambodia has approved a 30-day, visa-free entry policy to Filipino travelers, the Philippine embassy in Cambodia announced Thursday. According to the embassy, Cambodia "agreed, in the spirit of reciprocity," to its request to extend the initial period of stay for Philippine passport holders without a visa to 30 days upon arrival.
Philippine News Agency

West Philippine Sea

WATCH: How alleged Chinese ship sank Filipino fishing vessel in West PH Sea
 In what seems to be a "hit-and-run" incident at sea, a ship rammed a Philippine fishing vessel anchored near Recto Bank in the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea) on Sunday, June 9. The Philippine military made the information public on Wednesday, June 12, as the country commemorated Independence Day.
Rappler

Filipino crew asleep when Chinese vessel hit their boat —captain's kin
The crew of the Filipino vessel that sank after being hit by a Chinese fishing vessel in Reed Bank were sleeping when the incident happened over the weekend, according to a relative of the Filipino boat's captain on Thursday.
GMA News

Owner of PH boat sunk by Chinese ship: 'I only ask for justice'
The owner of the Philippine fishing boat that was sunk by a Chinese vessel is demanding justice for her crew.
Rappler

Coast Guard awaits accounts of 22 rescued fishermen off Recto Bank to kick start probe
The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) will wait for the first-hand accounts of the 22 fishermen before starting a probe on the sinking of local fishing boat allegedly by a Chinese vessel Wednesday night in Palawan.
Manila Bulletin

PHL files diplomatic protest over Reed Bank incident
Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro "Teddyboy" Locsin Jr. on Thursday said he has already filed a diplomatic protest over the incident in which a Filipino fishing boat sank after it was hit by a Chinese vessel over the weekend at Reed Bank.
GMA News, Philippine News Agency, Manila Bulletin

China calls sinking of Philippine boat an 'ordinary maritime accident'
The sinking of a Filipino fishing boat by a suspected Chinese trawler in disputed waters was described by Beijing Thursday, June 13, as an ordinary maritime accident, after Manila accused the alleged Chinese crew of cowardice for fleeing the scene.
Rappler

Zhao to Panelo: China vows to punish ‘irresponsible’ crew if they’re Chinese
China has vowed to "educate and punish" the crew of the vessel that hit and sank a Philippine fishing boat in the Recto Bank if it was indeed Chinese, a text message supposedly from the Chinese ambassador to President Rodrigo Duterte's spokesman showed.
GMA News

Palace seeks probe on Reed Bank incident, wants Chinese crew sanctioned
Malacañang on Wednesday called for an investigation into the sinking of a Filipino fishing boat following a collision with Chinese vessel off Recto Bank in the West Philippine Sea and the imposition of sanctions against the Chinese crew.
GMA News

Palace: PHL ready to break diplomatic ties with China
The Philippines is ready to sever diplomatic relations with China should it be established that the sinking of a Filipino fishing boat as a result of a collision with a Chinese vessel at the disputed Recto Bank was done with intent, Malacañang said Thursday.
GMA News, Manila Bulletin, Rappler

Duterte's call if he wants to talk with Xi over boat sinking
President Rodrigo Duterte will decide whether or not there is a need to talk with Chinese President Xi Jinping to discuss the recent "collision" between Chinese and Filipino fishing vessels in Recto Bank (Reed Bank) in the West Philippine Sea, Malacañang said on Thursday.
Philippine News Agency

Locsin on Reed bank incident: F*ck the international community
Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. is not keen on seeking support from the international community following the incident in Reed Bank where a Filipino fishing boat sank after it was reportedly rammed by a Chinese vessel.
GMA News, Rappler

PHL Navy chief says ramming of another vessel at sea must be 'strongly condemned'
Philippine Navy chief Vice Admiral Robert Empedrad on Thursday joined Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana in condemning the incident at Reed Bank where a Filipino fishing boat sank after it was reportedly hit by a Chinese vessel on Sunday.
GMA News

Navy official says Chinese vessel which abandoned 22 Pinoys violated the law of conscience
While there are rules and protocols on the rescue of people in distress in the middle of the sea, officials of the Philippine Navy believe that the captain and crew of the Chinese fishing vessel that may have either accidentally hit or intentionally rammed a Philippine fishing vessel near the Recto Bank at the West Philippine Sea have committed a serious offense: the law of conscience.
Manila Bulletin

Defense chief seeks strong protest over boat sinking
Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana will recommend Manila the filing of a strongly worded diplomatic protest after a fishing boat that was hit in the disputed South China Sea by a suspected Chinese vessel that also abandoned the 22 Filipino fishermen onboard as their boat sank.
Manila Bulletin

Lorenzana now unsure if Chinese vessel sank Philippine boat
From condemning a Chinese vessel "in the strongest terms" for sinking a Filipino boat in the West Philippine Sea, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana is now unsure if the vessel was Chinese in the first place.
Rappler

Reed Bank collision may not be an accident — AFP official
The marine incident at Recto Reef in which a Chinese fishing vessel hit a Filipino boat last Sunday may have been intentional, according to an official of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).
GMA News, Rappler

VP Robredo supports Reef Bank incident probe
Vice President Leni Robredo supports the proposal to investigate the Recto Bank incident involving a Chinese and Filipino fishing boats last Sunday.
GMA News, Manila Bulletin

Duterte urged to issue 'national condemnation' of Reed Bank incident
Opposition lawmakers from the House of Representatives on Thursday condemned the acts of a Chinese fishing vessel that rammed and sank a Filipino boat off the coast of Recto Bank in the West Philippine Sea.
GMA News

Hontiveros calls on Duterte to recall PHL ambassador to China; Trillanes recommends referring case to IMO
Senator Risa Hontiveros on Thursday called on President Rodrigo Duterte to recall the country’s ambassador and consuls to China amid the abandonment of Filipino crew whose boat sank after reportedly being hit by a Chinese vessel.
GMA News, Manila Bulletin

Palace on Hontiveros’ call to recall diplomats to China: We don’t need your advice
Malacañang on Thursday said it is up to Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. whether to heed the advice of opposition Senator Risa Hontiveros to recall Philippine diplomats to China. "Lahat ng options kino-consider ‘yan. We don’t need the advice of the good senator on that," presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo said at a news conference.
GMA News

Drilon: Chinese vessel abandonment of Filipino crew, a violation of UNCLOS provision
Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon said Thursday the Chinese vessel’s abandonment of the 22 Filipino crew of the boat it reportedly hit and eventually sank was a violation of state’s duty to rescue under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
GMA News

Ex-DFA chief Del Rosario on Reed Bank incident: We must now consider a 'multilateral approach'
Former Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario on Thursday said the government must now consider a "multilateral approach" following the Reed Bank incident where a Filipino fishing boat sank after it was hit by a Chinese vessel last Sunday.
GMA News, Rappler

‘We know what to do’ – Panelo on ex-SFA del Rosario’s advice
The government knows how to deal with the controversial ramming of a Filipino fishing boat by a Chinese vessel without being told by former Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario, Malacañang said Thursday.
Manila Bulletin

Poe: China should act, prove its sincerity
China should take action on the Chinese vessel’s sinking of a Filipino fishing boat and abandonment of 22 fishermen in Recto Bank last June 9, Senator Grace Poe said on Thursday.
Manila Bulletin

Gordon piqued at Chinese crews’ inhumane act of abandoning Filipino fishermen
Senator Richard J. Gordon said Thursday he takes umbrage at the act of a Chinese vessel of leaving and abandoning the Filipino crew after their boat collided with the latter’s vessel and sank near the Recto (Reed) Bank in the West Philippine Sea last Sunday.
Manila Bulletin

Casilao calls for ‘special protection’ of Pinoy fishers 
A militant lawmaker is demanding “special protection” for Filipino fishermen in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) following the collision of a foreign vessel and a Philippine fishing boat in the area.
Manila Bulletin

Bishop hits China after sinking of Philippine fishing boat
A Catholic prelate said the report that a Filipino fishing boat sank after it was hit by a Chinese vessel a manifestation of China’s continuing bullying of the Philippines.
Manila Bulletin

Sinking of Philippine Boat Puts South China Sea Back at Issue
Tensions in the disputed South China Sea ratcheted up on Thursday as the Philippine government protested the sinking of a Filipino boat by a Chinese fishing vessel, which left 22 Filipino fishermen floating at sea before they were rescued by a Vietnamese boat.
The New York Times

‘Not a friend’: Netizens hit China over sinking of Philippine boat
Filipinos online were furious when news broke out that a Chinese vessel rammed into a Philippine boat in the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea). On Independence Day, June 12, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana announced that a Chinese vessel sank a Philippine fishing boat in Recto (Reed) Bank in the West Philippine Sea on June 9, and left the 22 Filipinos on board "at the mercy of the elements."
Rappler

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LABOR

DOLE urges OFWs to stay away from HK rallies
The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) on Thursday advised overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in Hong Kong to refrain from joining mass actions and demonstrations in the Chinese special administrative region.
Philippine News Agency, Manila Bulletin

Palace ‘outraged’ by rape of Pinay in Kuwait
Malacañang on Thursday condemned the rape of a Filipina household worker in Kuwait by a Kuwaiti police officer. Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said although he has yet to seek the reaction of President Rodrigo Duterte, the Palace is “outraged” by the incident.
Philippine News Agency, Manila Bulletin

Bolster K-12 program to address jobs-skills mismatch in PH – Villanueva
Senator Joel Villanueva on Thursday underscored the need to strengthen the K-12 curriculum to address the issue of jobs-skills mismatch and underemployment in the country.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

TRANSPORTATION

Airlines agree to relocate flights to Sangley airport — DOTr
Airline companies have agreed to “fully relocate” their general aviation freight turboprop as well as commercial turboprop operations to Sangley airport in Cavite once the infrastructure is in place, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) said Thursday.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Cavite-Metro Manila ferry eyed for Sangley Airport — Tugade
Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade on Thursday said a ferry connecting the area of Sangley in Cavite and Manila through Manila Bay can be used if some flights would be transferred to Sangley Airport.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Angkas eyeing 6-month pilot run by end June
Motorcycle ride-hailing firm Angkas is eyeing to start the six-month pilot run of its operations by the end of June as it trains its drivers to ensure road safety and improve the services for its riders.
Philippine News Agency, Manila Bulletin, Rappler

Only compliant TNVS providers allowed – LTFRB
The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) maintained that only qualified and compliant transport network vehicle service (TNVS) providers are allowed on the road, following appeals to temporarily allow unaccredited units to service commuters who are feeling the reduction of TNVS units.
Manila Bulletin

MORE passenger safety and the LTFRB
Passengers and commuters want convenient, safe, and faster mobility to reach their destinations. There is great inconvenience for people who take multiple rides (tricycle, jeep or bus, MRT/LRT, jeep again to destination, reverse the process going back home). Taking a taxi is good but there are many complaints like choosy drivers, robbery, or sex molestation inside the cab, etc.
Business World Online

HEALTH 

Duque admits WellMed owner is a godson
Health Secretary Francisco Duque III on Wednesday admitted that the owner of WellMed Dialysis Center, who was recently arrested, is his godson in a wedding.
GMA News

NBI eyes larger probe on bogus claims by health providers
State investigators are eyeing to cast a wider net to catch officials of private corporations and the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) involved in similar scams of bogus claims for treatments to members.
Philippine News Agency, Manila Bulletin

Old, new solons back Duterte’s move to overhaul PhilHealth
Old and new House members agree: President Rodrigo Duterte’s planned reorganization of the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) amid the “ghost patients” mess speaks well of the administration’s anti-corruption campaign.
Manila Bulletin

Former Health chief Garin sees Duterte’s political will solution to PhilHealth corruption
It is only President Duterte’s political will that could break the “highly contagious” fraud virus affecting the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth), lawmakers said Thursday. Iloilo Representative-elect Janette Loreto-Garin cited that the Chief Executive is “the key to real and permanent reforms in PhilHealth.”
Manila Bulletin

Don’t blame us for scheme that defrauded PhilHealth–PSA
While it acknowledged it had refused to share information about deceased members of Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) due to the data privacy law, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) on Thursday said it should not be blamed for the scheme that defrauded PhilHealth.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Amid PhilHealth mess, study cites surging cost of PH health care
Coming on the heels of huge losses incurred by Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) from overpayments and fraudulent claims are results of a study that found that the cost of health care in the country is surging.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

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DOH urges public to donate blood in line with World Blood Donor Day
The Department of Health (DOH) has urged the public to donate blood to help save lives in time for the global celebration of the World Blood Donor Day on Friday, June 14.
Manila Bulletin

FOOD AND AGRICULTURE

EDUCATION

Teachers' salary hike up next, Duterte assures
President Rodrigo Duterte appealed to public school teachers to wait a bit longer for an increase in their salaries, noting that it is harder to source funds for them given the number of educators in the country.
Philippine News Agency

Teachers’ salary hike 'matter of nat’l policy': Briones
Education Secretary Leonor Briones on Thursday said the much-awaited salary increase for the teachers has been discussed “as a matter of national policy in the Cabinet,” while the policymakers are studying its impact on the entire bureaucracy.
Philippine News Agency

Kalinga weaving as SHS special track awaits DepEd approval
The inclusion of the traditional Kalinga weaving as a special track for Senior High School in Lubuagan town here will have to wait for another year as the program implementation is still being finalized, a Department of Education (DepEd) official said on Thursday.
Philippine News Agency

Teachers’ plaint
Teaching is not about money but about public service, Education Secretary Leonor Briones told her constituents last week. She was right — at least about the public service part.
Business World Online

ENERGY

POVERTY

HOUSING

TOURISM

Tourist arrival grows by 12.15% in April – DOT
The Department of Tourism (DOT) said that over 600,000 foreign tourists had visited the country in April alone, registering a 12.15 percent growth rate as compared to the previous year.
Manila Bulletin

ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES 

Water crisis

Water crisis feared
Amid the weak El Niño episode, the water level at Angat Dam in Bulacan on Thursday reached its lowest level in five years and may even further decline to its 160-meter critical level in nine to 10 days, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said.
Manila Bulletin

INFORMATION, COMMUNICATION AND TECHNOLOGY

Government websites down due to storage upgrade
Several government websites were inaccessible yesterday due to a storage upgrade implemented on the government web hosting service. The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) apologized for the inconvenience caused by the downtime and intermittent connection on accessing some government websites.
Philippine Star

DEVELOPMENT SECTOR