Don't tell us what to do on human rights, Parlade to Karapatan
Human rights group Karapatan, an organization espousing instability and violence, has no right to remind the government that its foremost role is the promotion and protection of human rights.
Philippine News Agency

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Martial law? Duterte vows to do ‘something drastic’ to address PH violence
President Rodrigo Duterte on Thursday warned he would “do something drastic” to address the continuing lawless violence in the Philippines, following the spate of killings in Negros Oriental.
Philippine Daily Inquirer, Business World Online, ABS-CBN News, Manila Bulletin, The Manila Times

Martial law eyed in Negros Oriental to stop killings
Malacañang said President Duterte may place Negros Oriental province under martial law to put an end to the killings supposedly carried out by members of the New People’s Army (NPA).
Manila Bulletin, Business Mirror, Rappler

No need for martial law in Negros province – CHR
The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) on Thursday said there is no need to declare martial law in Negros province amid the spate of killings.
Manila Bulletin, Philippine Daily Inquirer

Negros Occidental gov says there’s no telling what Duterte would do with martial law in neighbor Oriental
Negros Occidental Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson said he hoped for an end to the bloodshed in his neighboring province, Negros Oriental, so President Rodrigo Duterte won’t have to use emergency powers or declare martial law.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Bishop pleads to Duterte: More blood won’t stop Negros bloodshed
A top Church leader on Negros Island decried the Duterte administration’s bloodthirsty response to the bloodbath in Negros Oriental province, appealing to President Rodrigo Duterte to abandon plans to declare martial law and instead tread on a path to peace by resuming talks with communist guerrillas.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

PNP accuses Makabayan bloc, leftist groups of ‘bloating’ Negros killings
Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Oscar Albayalde on Thursday accused the House Makabayan bloc and leftist groups of “bloating” the issue on the string of killings in Negros Oriental and using it as propaganda against the government.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

3 suspects in NegOr cops' slay nabbed in Cebu
The Police Regional Office in Region 7 (Central Visayas) on Thursday said they are now looking into the possible link of the three armed men arrested in the southern town of Badian, Cebu to the killing of the four policemen in Ayungon, Negros Oriental last July 18.
Philippine News Agency, Sunstar Cebu

Kin of slain lawyer in Negros Oriental condemns red-tagging
The family of Anthony Trinidad, the lawyer who was shot dead in Guihulngan City, Negros Oriental on July 23, condemned the red-tagging of their kin. Andrea Trinidad, sister of the murdered lawyer, said "Anthony or any member of our family is not a communist sympathizer as portrayed by the people who want to harm and kill us."
Rappler

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Esperon presses perjury raps vs. Red front groups
National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon on Thursday personally appeared before the Quezon City Prosecutor's Office at the hearing of the perjury charges he filed against groups which initiated the writ of amparo petitions against him, President Rodrigo Duterte and other officials of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) which were subsequently dismissed by the Court of Appeals (CA).
Philippine News Agency

Rights groups ready to face Esperon’s perjury complaint
Rights groups said they will face the perjury complaint filed against them by National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon Jr., stressing that the complaint poses a threat on the safety of human rights defenders in the country.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

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Fate of Salugpungan schools in DepEd-11’s hands
The decision to lift the suspension -- or even total revocation -- of the license to operate of the controversial Salugpungan Ta’Tanu Igkanogon Community Learning Centers Inc. (STICLCI) rests solely on the Department of Education-Region 11 (DepEd-11), an official said Tuesday.
Philippine News Agency

DepEd creates panel to look into complaints vs group of tribal schools
The Department of Education (DepEd) in the Davao Region has created a five-man investigating panel that will look into the allegations of National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon against the Salugpongan Ta’ Tanu Igkanogon Community Learning Center, Inc., which runs several schools in the region.
Mindanews, Manila Bulletin

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Davao implements Whole-of-Nation Approach in dealing with CPP-NPA
Provincial government units in the Davao region attested how undergoing a paradigm shift have helped them to effectively implement the “Whole-of-Nation Approach” in addressing the communist insurgency in their respective areas.
Philippine News Agency

Zambo Sur dads declare NPA 'persona non grata'
Zamboanga del Sur's Sangguniang Panlalawigan (Provincial Board) has recently declared the communist New People’s Army (NPA) persona non-grata in that province, officials said Thursday.
Philippine News Agency

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New Army Company Commander assumes post in Surigao del Norte
The Charlie (Crasher) Company of the 30th Infantry (Python) Battalion (30IB) has a new Company Commander in the person of 1st Lieutenant Christian Elpedes who replaced 1st Lieutenant Gabby Ladyong last Sunday, July 28 during a turnover ceremony presided by 30IB Commander, Lieutenant Colonel Jeffrey A Villarosa at Brgy Diaz, San Francisco,Surigao del Norte.
Kalinaw News

No militarization of barangays – Army
Its community support team deployment is not meant to “militarize” villages, clarified the Philippine Army’s 3rd Infantry Division (3ID). Its Community Support Program (CSP) teams are meant to hear the sentiments and issues being faced by the people in the villages, explained Lieutenant Colonel Joel Benedict Batara, commander of the 61st Infantry Battalion (61IB).
Panay News

Peace Talks

Incidents/ Operations    

BI to deport suspected Jordanian terrorist
A Jordanian man tagged as a former henchman of Osama Bin Laden’s brother-in-law was arrested in Mindanao and will be deported by the Bureau of Immigration (BI) for illegally entering the country.
Manila Bulletin, Benar News, Business World Online

Returnees now clear and present danger
On Jan. 27, a bomb exploded in Our Lady of Mount Carmel Cathedral in Jolo, Sulu province, in the Philippines. A day after the attack, which killed 22 and injured more than 100 people, the Philippine Defense Ministry announced the act had been carried out by an Indonesian couple.
The Jakarta Post

MARAWI

SOUTHEAST ASIA AND THE WORLD     

Keep Singapore safe against hate speech, extremist ideology and foreign interference: Josephine Teo
Thoughtless remarks and careless words that go viral instantaneously can easily undo racial harmony and disrupt the multicultural society in Singapore, said Second Minister for Home Affairs Josephine Teo on Thursday (Aug 1).
The Straits Times

FBI memo warns QAnon poses potential terror threat: report
An FBI document, first reported by Yahoo News, identifies conspiracy theories as potential domestic terrorism threats, specifically identifying QAnon, a group that believes there is a "deep state" working against President Trump, in the memo.
The Hill

Middle Eastern Terrorism Coming to the US through Its Mexican Border
A captured Islamic State fighter recently related how, in an effort to terrorize America on its own soil, the Islamic terror group is committed to exploiting the porous US-Mexico border, including through the aid of ISIS-sympathizers living in the United States.
Gatestone Institute

Community Cohesion Projects to Prevent Violent Extremism
This review looks at the use of community cohesion projects to prevent or counter violent extremism (P/CVE). It finds that such initiatives can be helpful in conflict-affected societies, but there are limited evaluations in the literature, and these generally do not make a direct causal link between interventions to promote social (community) cohesion and P/CVE.
UK Government

Nigeria claims Boko Haram 'defeated' after 10-year insurgency
Nigeria’s presidency claimed that a 10-year insurgency by extremist group Boko Haram has been defeated, even as it acknowledged the growing threat posed by international militants.
The National

Mayor of Mogadishu dies as result of al-Shabaab attack
The mayor of Mogadishu has died after being badly wounded in an al-Shabaab extremist attack in his office last week, the government of Somalia has announced.
The Guardian

Burka Ban Takes Effect in Netherlands Joining 15 Other Countries Across the World
A Dutch law prohibiting face coverings in public venues comes after at least 15 other countries took similar measures to prevent the spread of extremism in their nations and promote an open dialogue and greater security.
Sputnik News

Dutch 'burqa ban' rendered largely unworkable on first day
The Netherlands’ so-called burqa ban has been rendered largely unworkable on its first day in law after both the police and Dutch transport companies signalled an unwillingness to enforce it.
The Guardian

Large Muslim prison population a test for Johnson’s unity pledge
With news of a new prime minister in 10 Downing Street, a landmark UK House of Commons paper on the British prison population that was released last week was largely ignored. It contains information on the prison population size and change over time, the demographic profile of prisoners, safety in prisons, and costs per prisoner.
Arab News 

Hamza bin Laden's death is symbolic but will not end Al Qaeda threat
The death of Osama bin Laden’s son Hamza, chosen heir of Al Qaeda, is symbolic but will not impact the terror group’s operations, experts told The National.
The National UAE

BARMM

Bangsamoro parliament passes resolution on ad-hoc joint body for Sulu Sea, Moro Gulf
THE BANGSAMORO Parliament has passed a resolution calling for the creation of an ad-hoc body to identify zones of cooperation and ensure the equitable sharing of resources from the Sulu Sea and Moro Gulf between the region and the national government.
Business World Online, Sunstar Zamboanga

HEART renamed, now under BARMM local gov't ministry
The Bangsamoro leadership has entrusted to the interior ministry the noticeably efficient emergency response outfit in the now defunct Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.
NDBC News, Philippine Daily Inquirer

BARMM launches new emergency response office
The Bangsamoro Autonomous Regional Government launched a new emergency and disaster response office - the Rapid Emergency Action on Disaster Incidence (RAPID-BARMM) on Wednesday, July 31, in Cotabato City.
NDBC News

MAGUINDANAO AND COTABATO CITY

Judge halts Andal Ampatuan’s repeated MRs
A Quezon City judge stressed the repeated filing of motions by Maguindanao massacre principal accused Andal Ampatuan with similar allegations must stop as the proceedings will become ad infinitum or without ending.
Manila Bulletin

NORTH COTABATO

LBP caravan draws 1,500 farmers, MSMEs in NoCot
Farmer Rolly Pagunsan has been farming palay and corn the past two decades but it was only his first time, if ever, to get a loan from a government bank, to fund his corn fields with minimal interest.
NDBC News

LANAO PROVINCES

NEA names Lasureco head
STATE-RUN National Electrification Administration (NEA) has deployed one of the agency’s deputy administrators to oversee the beleaguered Lanao del Sur Electric Cooperative Inc. (Lasureco).
The Manila Times

BASILAN

10 nabbed, P62-K shabu seized in Zambo, Basilan anti-drug ops
A total of 10 people were arrested while some PHP62,500 worth of illegal drugs seized in anti-drug operations in this city and in Basilan, officials said Thursday.
Philippine News Agency

Search on for soldier who jumped off boat
A search and rescue operation was conducted by authorities on Thursday to find a soldier who went missing after allegedly jumping off a commercial boat in Basilan. 
Manila Bulletin

SULU 

TAWI-TAWI 

DRUGS

Tagle asks for prayers for bishops, priests suffering false accusations
Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle has asked the clergy and faithful in the Archdiocese of Manila to offer Masses and prayers this Sunday, August 4, to bishops and priests especially to those who suffer because of “persecutions and false accusations.”
Manila Bulletin

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No bail for accused ‘shabu smuggler’
A Manila court has denied the petition for bail of Kenneth Dong or Dong Yi Shen, the alleged middleman in the smuggling of some P6.4 billion worth of “shabu” (crystal meth) found in a Valenzuela City warehouse in 2017. The Chinese-Filipino trader has been charged with drug smuggling.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Operations/ Incidents

P7M suspected shabu seized in QC buy bust
Operatives of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) seized up to P7-million worth of suspected shabu from a Nigerian and four Filipinos late Wednesday evening, GMA News' James Agustin reported.
GMA News

Batangas buy-bust leads to car chase; suspect dead
The police recovered P170,000 worth of suspected “shabu” (crystal meth) in an anti-drug operation that led to the death of one of the suspects, authorities said Thursday. The slain suspect was identified as Reinier Ambion, a resident of Amadeo, Cavite.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Notorious ‘shabu’ peddler fall in Lucena buy-bust
Police arrested a suspected drug pusher in a buy-bust operation here early Thursday. Anti-illegal drugs operatives collared Francis Ferreras, 22, after he sold “shabu” (crystal meth) to an undercover police officer in a transaction in Barangay Cotta around 2:30 a.m.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Suspected drug pusher nabbed in Albay buy-bust
A woman suspected of peddling drugs was arrested in a buy-bust operation in Tabaco City in Albay province Wednesday afternoon, police said Thursday.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

10 drug suspects fall in Bulacan
Ten drug suspects were nabbed in separate police buy-bust operations conducted in this province on Wednesday and Thursday. Col. Chito G. Bersaluna, Bulacan police director, identified those arrested as Magdalena Mercado, Danilo Policarpio, Richie Gonzales, Allan Tandiama, Reynante Dachosa, Rhonel Torrente, Vince Fajardo, Kienien Mark Tangol, Raymundo Cruz, and Emerson Galeos.
Philippine News Agency

Recovery and Rehabilitation  

ILLICIT FIREARMS, EXPLOSIVES AND AMMUNITION

CROSS-BORDER TRADING/ SMUGGLING  

HUMAN TRAFFICKING

DOJ, DSWD to build center for human trafficking victims
The Department of Justice (DOJ) and Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) led on Wednesday the groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of a multi-purpose building that would house victims of human trafficking for their full rehabilitation and recovery.
Philippine News Agency

KIDNAP FOR RANSOM

ILLEGAL GAMBLING

ILLICIT FINANCIAL TRANSACTIONS/ EXTORTION

26 cases filed vs. investment schemes
The Police Regional Office 11 has filed 26 cases against those behind the investment schemes which authorities believed were scams. Major Jason Baria, spokesperson of the agency, said that many of those facing cases before the courts have failed to return the money of their supposed investors.
The Mindanao Times

Rough Cuts | The platitude that Tagum City has to live with
Last week people who were believed to be victims of the Ponzi style investment scam did their first anarchic activity in Tagum City. They probably were those who invested money in varying amounts on the promise of fast and high interest rates of return. They could be those who do away with reason to give way to their anger.
The Mindanao Times
 

Press Freedom/ Freedom of Expression

Kidapawan broadcaster slay considered 'case clear' —police
The police Special Investigation Task Group considered “case cleared” the killing of radio broadcaster on July 10, 2019, after the filing of charges against the three of four suspects at the City Prosecutor’s Office, a high-ranking PNP official said Thursday.
GMA News, Philippine News Agency, NDBC News

Martial Law 

Pangilinan: Resist historical revisionism, remember Cory’s fight vs martial rule
An opposition senator urged Filipinos to resist attempts to revise the country’s history and remember how the late former President Corazon “Cory” Aquino led he struggle against martial rule.
Philippine Daily Inquirer, GMA News
 

Duterte says Gordon ‘a fart away from disaster’
President Rodrigo Duterte on Thursday gave Senator Richard Gordon an earful for criticizing his proclivity to appoint retired military and police officers in major government posts.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Ready, aim, fire! Duterte mulls arming firemen to help in peace keeping
After putting out the fire, firemen should now also look for criminals. President Rodrigo Duterte said this Thursday as he suggested arming firemen to help maintain peace in the country.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

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New law makes mandatory early detection of eye problems in young learners
President Duterte has signed the “National Vision Screening Act” that institutionalizes an early detection of visual problems among kindergarten students in the country.
Manila Bulletin, Philippine Daily Inquirer

Duterte signs 25-year renewable energy franchise granting Leviste firm business to distribute electricity  
A measure granting a 25-year renewable energy distribution franchise to Solar Para Sa Bayan Corporation (SPSB) has been signed into law by President Duterte. Under Republic Act No. 11357, the solar firm is allowed to supply and distribute power in remote and unviable areas as well as unserved or underserved parts of the country to improve access to sustainable energy.
Manila Bulletin, GMA News

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Duterte to study removal of 'visa on arrival' privilege for foreigners
President Rodrigo Duterte will consider the suggestion of Foreign Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr to stop granting foreigners visas upon arrival, Malacañang said on Thursday, August 1.
Rappler

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Duterte to unmask 10 PCSO officials involved in corruption – Palace
Less than 10 Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) officials will be unmasked by President Duterte for alleged corruption soon, a Palace official said Thursday amid an ongoing inquiry into the agency.
Manila Bulletin, Philippine Daily Inquirer

Retired generals used dummies to operate jueteng disguised as STL – Lacson
Senator Panfilo Lacson said Thursday, August 1, that retired generals were those who pocketed the multibillion small town lottery (STL) revenues.
Rappler, Manila Bulletin

Balutan denies Lacson’s accusations of non-payment of royalties by retired generals
Former Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) general manager retired General Alexander Balutan denied on Thursday that there are some retired generals who are franchise holders of Small Town Lottery (STL) operations that do not remit to PCSO their royalties amounting to hundreds of millions of pesos.
Manila Bulletin, Philippine Daily Inquirer

Balutan: Corruption in issuance of TROs delaying STL franchise termination
Former Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) general manager retired General Alexander Balutan on Thursday cried corruption in the issuance of temporary restraining orders (TROs), thus delaying the termination of erring Small Town Lottery (STL) owners.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Ex-PCSO GM Balutan belies Lacson’s claims: ‘Why pick on generals only?
Why pick on generals only? Former Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) general manager retired General Alexander Balutan said this Thursday as he denied the claims of Senator Panfilo Lacson that there was a rise in the number of retired military and police officers with Small Town Lottery (STL) franchises during his stint in the agency.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Solons ask lottery officials to go on leave to allow unfettered probe of PCSO anomalies
Malacanang allies in the House of Representatives Thursday dared officials of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office to go on voluntary leave of absence to help guarantee an objective and unfettered investigation of the widespread anomaly in PCSO operations.
Manila Bulletin

Gatchalian: PCSO needs to undergo reforms; ‘Cannot be business as usual’
Senator Sherwin Gatchalian on Thursday backed the option to reform and privatize the entire operations of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO), following the recent anomalies hounding the agency due to reports of “massive corruption”.
Manila Bulletin

OFFICE OF THE VICE PRESIDENT

ELECTION RELATED

Comelec surprised by first day voter registration queues
The long queues in some local offices of the Commission on Elections on the first day of voter registration was surprising for a poll official.
Manila Bulletin

Comelec fears slow turnout of registrants amid Duterte’s call to postpone SK, barangay polls
President Rodrigo Duterte’s call for the postponement of the upcoming barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) elections may result to a slow turnout of applicants at the start of the voter registration.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Comelec to 'slow down' preparations for 2020 barangay, SK polls
The Commission on Elections (Comelec) said it will "slow down" preparations for the May 2020 barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) elections following President Rodrigo Duterte's call for Congress to postpone the polls to 2022.
Rappler

Comelec informs voter applicants of different registration form
Voters will see a different application form when they register during the two-month registration period. Commission on Elections spokesman James Jimenez said that unlike in the past where there was a different form for every transaction, in the revised form, voter applicants need only to check the oval corresponding to their type of transaction.
Manila Bulletin

DISASTER

NDRRMC sends construction materials to quake-hit Batanes
The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) has shipped construction materials which are due to arrive in Itbayat town in Batanes in a couple of days, to be used for rebuilding houses damaged by earthquakes last July 27.
Philippine News Agency

NFA releases 437 sacks of rice for Batanes quake victims
The National Food Authority (NFA) has released a total of 437 bags of rice in support of ongoing relief operations for the earthquake victims in Itbayat, Batanes.
Philippine News Agency

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Robredo’s Angat Buhay program to raise funds for houses damaged by Itbayat quake
Private partners of Vice President Leni Robredo’s Angat Buhay program will band together to raise funds for the restoration of houses damaged by powerful earthquakes in Batanes.
Manila Bulletin

Dagupan City to extend P100-K aid to Batanes
The Dagupan City government is set to donate PHP100,000 to Batanes as a display of solidarity and support to victims of twin earthquakes on July 27, resulting in nine deaths. In the Sangguniang Panlungsod regular session Tuesday, resolution number R-5782 authored by Councilors Celia Lim, Librada “Dada” Reyna, and Cisco Jay Flores, was unanimously approved.
Philippine News Agency

MINDANAO

CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS

Rodrigo Duterte is losing interest in creating a federal Philippines
For all his foul tongue, his habit of comparing himself to Hitler and Idi Amin and his loud encouragement of death squads that so far have killed over 20,000 supposed drug dealers, Rodrigo Duterte campaigned on a big idea when he ran for the presidency of the Philippines in 2016.
The Economist

JUDICIARY

Carpio’s views on WPS won’t affect Chief Justice nomination, Palace says
Malacañang said that Supreme Court Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio’s stand on the West Philippine Sea issue will not hurt his chances of becoming the country’s next top magistrate.
Manila Bulletin, Philippine Daily Inquirer

LEGISLATIVE

Senate of the Philippines

DILG backs Sen. Gatchalian’s ‘No Garage, No Car’ bill
The Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) on Thursday has expressed overwhelming support for the approval of the proposed “No Garage, No Car’’ bill being pushed in the Senate by Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian.
Manila Bulletin

Angara calls for Senate probe on overstocking of billions worth of medicines by the DOH 
Senator Juan Edgardo “Sonny” Angara has sought a Senate inquiry into the reported overstocking of drugs and medicines by the Department of Health (DOH).
Manila Bulletin, Philippine Daily Inquirer

Recto gives CHED chance to get passing grade in Fund Utilization 101
Senate President Pro Tempore Ralph Recto on Thursday hit the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) for failing to fully utilize its budget for various education programs in 2018.
Manila Bulletin, Philippine Daily Inquirer

House of Representatives

Bill pushes for standard, higher monthly pay for media workers
A bill that seeks to give a minimum monthly compensation and additional insurance benefits for media workers has been filed in the House of Representatives.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

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ACT-CIS deserves House panel chairmanship, says nominee
Anti-Crime and Terrorism Community Involvement and Support (ACT-CIS) Party-List deserves its House panel chairmanship in the ongoing 18th Congress, its nominee Rep. Niña Taduran said Thursday.
Manila Bulletin

House committee on rules wants lawmakers to use tablets
In a bid to reduce paper consumption, the House committee on rules is currently studying a proposal to digitize the legislative process by providing a tablet each for the 300 legislators.
Rappler

DILG eyes 'No Garage, No Car' policy, asks Congress to pass law for it
An official from the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) on Thursday said the agency would urge Congress to pass a law that will prohibit the selling of cars to those who do not have a parking area.
GMA News, Philippine Daily Inquirer

BUDGET, FINANCE and TAXATION

DOF to propose higher taxes on e-cigs, vapes; juice flavors to be limited to two
The Department of Finance is proposing to raise taxes on electronic cigarettes and vapes to impose restriction for smokers on Thursday.
Manila Bulletin

Land Bank exec says agri-dev't plan submitted to DOF
In response to the call of President Rodrigo Duterte, Land Bank of the Philippines (LBP) submitted its three-year agriculture development plan to help small farmers and fisherfolk.
Philippine News Agency

LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS (LGUs)

DILG compels mayors to hold barangay chairmen accountable for road obstructions
The Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) has compelled mayors to hold their barangay chairmen accountable for all the obstructions on public roads.
Manila Bulletin

Bacolod mayor elected LCP prexy
Bacolod City Mayor Evelio Leonardia was elected president of the League of Cities of the Philippines (LCP) during its 68th General Assembly and Election of National Executive Board at the EDSA Shangri-La in Manila recently.
Manila Bulletin

DEFENSE AND SECURITY

South Korea-donated PH Navy ship set to sail home August 5
The BRP Conrado Yap (PS-39), formerly the South Korean Pohang-class corvette "Chungju" (PCC-762), will sail to the Philippines shortly after handover ceremonies on August 5. This was disclosed by Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Delfin Lorenzana when sought for updates on the ship Thursday.
Philippine News Agency

PNP willing to help BI over reported influx of Chinese nationals
Philippine National Police chief Police General Oscar Albayalde on Thursday said the PNP is willing to extend assistance to the Bureau of Immigration (BI) if it needs help with the supposed influx of Chinese nationals in the country.
GMA News

Evolving security threats
Without any fanfare or special activities to mark its 69th founding anniversary, the government’s chief spook agency quietly celebrated the event last Wednesday. 
Philippine Star

ECONOMY AND INVESTMENTS

BUILD, BUILD, BUILD

OFFICIAL DEVELOPMENT ASSISTANCE

AUDIT, GRAFT AND CORRUPTION

117 flood control projects worth P878 M uncompleted in 2018 – COA
At least 117 flood control projects financed with at least P878.57 million in government funds were not completed in 2018 due to lapses in the observance by the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) of provisions of the Government Procurement Law, the Commission on Audit (COA) revealed Thursday.
Manila Bulletin

PACC chief wants to lower P50-M plunder threshold to P25M
Presidential Anti-Corruption Commission head Dante Jimenez on Thursday recommended lowering the threshold amount for plunder from P50 million to  P25M. Jimenez strongly supports moves to re-impose death penalty in the country for plunderers.
GMA News

BOC chief faces graft complaint for alleged illegal personnel appointment
Bureau of Customs (BOC) Commissioner Rey Guerrero and other bureau officials are now facing graft complaints before the Office of the Ombudsman for the alleged illegal appointment of personnel.
Philippine Daily Inquirer, Rappler

FOREIGN RELATIONS  

Historic PHL-Indonesia maritime border treaty enters into force
The historic maritime boundary agreement between the Philippines and Indonesia, which delineates their overlapping Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZ), finally entered into force on Thursday more than two decades since it was first discussed by the two Southeast Asian nations.
GMA News

West Philippine Sea

U.S. set to push security strategy as Chinese maneuvers rattle region
Recent incidents involving Chinese ships in Southeast Asian waters are testing regional faith in Beijing’s sincerity about maritime peace, and aiding a renewed U.S. push to build alliances with countries unnerved by China’s assertiveness.
Interaksyon

No country has ‘complete, sole’ of South China Sea – DND
The complete and sole control of South China Sea (SCS) does not rely on the hands of a single country – not the Philippines, not even the China, nor any other claimant-countries, the Department of National Defense (DND) said Thursday.
Manila Bulletin

DND insists China 'squatting' in West PH Sea
The Philippines has “possession and position” in the West Philippine Sea, the Department of National Defense (DND) said on Thursday, August 1, in a statement on President Rodrigo Duterte’s much-criticized remark in his 4th State of the Nation Address (SONA) on July 22.
Rappler

Esperon on Chinese envoy's remark: 'Defensive is a form of offensive'
National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon Jr does not seem comforted by Chinese Ambassador Zhao Jianhua's statement that it is only maintaining a defensive position in the South China Sea.
GMA News

Diplomatic protest vs China long overdue – bishops
Two Catholic prelates welcomed the reported filing of diplomatic protest against China saying it was long overdue.
Manila Bulletin

PHL never gave up positions in West PHL Sea —DND's Andolong
The Philippines never gave up any of its positions in the West Philippine Sea under the Duterte Administration, a spokesperson for the Department of National Defense (DND) said Thursday.
GMA News

Tell it to SunStar: Arrogant passage
THE question on whether or not the Chinese aircraft carrier CV-16 Liaoning passed through Sibutu Strait in Tawi-Tawi is a disturbing issue for the simple reason that sincerity and truth matters between Philippine-China relations.
Sunstar Cebu

LABOR

Palace calls for a stop to bickering as admin crafts its version of the SOT
Stop playing the blame game. Malacañang has called for an end to the finger-pointing over the vetoed security of tenure (SOT) bill, as it moved to craft an administration version that balances the interests of labor and management.
Manila Bulletin, Philippine Daily Inquirer

Dole’s ‘watered down’ SOT bill caters to business whims — TUCP
The country’s biggest labor group assailed the Department of Labor and Employment (Dole) on Wednesday for its  “watered-down” version of the security of tenure (SOT) bill that the group said caters to the whims of the business sector.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

DOLE on track on pushing measures vs. contractualization
The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) remains steadfast on the commitment of President Rodrigo Duterte to end contractualization by providing contractual workers regular status in their jobs.
Philippine News Agency

DOLE to use creative approaches in championing occupational safety, health with young workers
The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) on Wednesday said it is pushing for interactive and youth-friendly approach of engaging young workers in advocating work safety and health culture.
Manila Bulletin

Solon to foreign companies: use local labor and materials
Muntinlupa Rep.  Rozzano Rufino “Ruffy” Biazon is proposing to require foreign companies engaged in business in the country to use local labor and material resources.
Manila Bulletin

'911 TESDA' to draw 11K employment in Metro Manila
The recent launch of "911 TESDA", the employment app of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), will give employment opportunities to 11,000 jobseekers in Metro Manila alone, an official said on Thursday. 
Philippine News Agency

TRANSPORTATION

CAAP exempts students from paying airport terminal fee
Students are now exempted from paying terminal fee at airports under the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines. In a memorandum, the CAAP waived the collection of terminal fee for students starting August 1, 2019.
GMA News, Philippine Daily Inquirer

Angkas apologizes for ‘like sex’ promo
Motorcycle-hailing firm Angkas apologized on Thursday for its controversial Twitter post endorsing a promo for new riders.
Manila Bulletin, GMA News

MMDA sets another provincial bus ban dry run starting August 7
The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) set a second dry run of the controversial provincial bus ban starting next Wednesday, August 7. In a press release on Thursday, August 1, MMDA General Manager Jojo Garcia said "all provincial bus operators" pledged to join the dry run.
Rappler

HEALTH 

DOST presents locally developed solutions in combating dengue
Increased dengue cases in the country called for innovative solutions through products from the country’s science and technology agency.
Manila Bulletin

WHAT WENT BEFORE: Dengvaxia is world’s first dengue vaccine
Dengvaxia, developed by French pharmaceutical company Sanofi Pasteur, is the world’s first dengue vaccine. In December 2015, Dengvaxia was licensed and approved for use in the Philippines by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Doctors’ group urges DOH to lift Dengvaxia ban
Reacting to the rising number of dengue cases in the country, a group of Filipino doctors has urged the Department of Health (DOH) to lift the ban on the controversial dengue vaccine, Dengvaxia.
Manila Bulletin, Philippine Daily Inquirer

DOH probes death of student after undergoing deworming
The Department of Health (DOH) is conducting an investigation with regard to the death of one student and hospitalization of seven others in Surigao del Norte after undergoing deworming.
Manila Bulletin

Lacson pins Duque anew amid gov’t contract controversy
Beleaguered Health Secretary  Francisco Duque III has called for meetings with allies of former president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo amid the controversy sparked by deals and contracts bagged by Duque family-owned firms with the government, Sen. Panfilo Lacson said Thursday, citing information from some members of the House of  Representatives.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Lacson: Duque deals probe tests Duterte’s resolve
Senator Panfilo “Ping” Lacson on Thursday said that the Senate’s impending investigation into Health Secretary Francisco Duque III’s alleged impropriety would also test President Rodrigo Duterte’s resolve to weed the government of corruption.
Manila Bulletin

DOH assures drug companies of ‘reasonable’ price cap on medicines
The Department of Health (DOH) assured the pharmaceutical companies that it will be “reasonable” as it pushes for the imposition of a maximum retail price on certain medicines.
Manila Bulletin

FOOD AND AGRICULTURE

PhilMech shifts to 'needs-based' strategy in farm mechanization
The Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization (PHilMech) is shifting its strategy to "needs-based" approach to make rice farms more productive.
Philippine News Agency

EDUCATION

Gatchalian wants DepEd’s Last Mile Schools program included in ‘Build, Build, Build’
Senator Sherwin Gatchalian on Thursday urged that the Department of Education’s (DepEd) Last Mile Schools program should be included in the Duterte administration’s “Build, Build, Build” infrastructure program.
Manila Bulletin

DepEd open to Dengvaxia immunization for school kids
Education Secretary Leonor Briones on Thursday said the Department of Education (DepEd) remains open to the idea of reintroducing the use of Dengvaxia among learners in the wake of the declaration of dengue outbreak in certain areas nationwide.
Manila Bulletin, Philippine Daily Inquirer

DepEd’s Briones raises the need to look into the effects of displacement, migration on education
Education Secretary Leonor Briones on Thursday underscored the need to “take into consideration” the education aspect and the impact to learners amid accelerating displacement and other issues on migration.
Manila Bulletin

CHED opens loan window for tertiary education students
The Commission on Higher Education (CHED) officially announced the call for the first batch applicants of student loan program for tertiary education (SLPTE).
Manila Bulletin

ENERGY

POVERTY

IBON: Unliquidated, unused Pantawid funds prove program ineffective
The billions worth of combined unliquidated funds, double payments and unused budget of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) prove that the government’s flagship anti-poverty program is not working, think thank Ibon Foundation said Thursday.
GMA News

Exec calls for creation of Nat’l Commission for the Urban Poor
As the government envisions inclusive growth for Filipinos, an official called for the creation of a National Commission for the Urban Poor, which would act as focal facilitator in providing socialized housing for the less fortunate.
Philippine News Agency

HOUSING

TOURISM

What the DOT says on 'visa on arrival' policy for Chinese tourists
The Department of Tourism (DOT) on Thursday said not all Chinese nationals are issued visas upon their arrival in the Philippines. This, amid the proposal to end the practice of issuing visas to Chinese nationals upon their arrival in the country.
ABS-CBN News

El Nido to remain open during rehab
Popular holiday destination El Nido, Palawan will not be closed to tourism activities while the island resort is undergoing rehabilitation.
Manila Bulletin

ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES 

Water crisis

INFORMATION, COMMUNICATION AND TECHNOLOGY

DEVELOPMENT SECTOR