CHR to investigate killing of 3 Lumad in Surigao del Sur
The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) on Friday said it will investigate the recent killing of three members of the Lumad-Manobo tribe in Lianga, Surigao del Sur.
CNN Philippines | Philippine Daily Inquirer
Pialago's followers rally behind her decision to join NTF-ELCAC
Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Assistant Secretary Celine Pialago appears to have fully warmed up to her new role as one of the spokespersons of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC).
Manila Bulletin
ICPO warns bizmen vs ‘NPA extortionists’
The Iloilo City Police Office (ICPO) is warning businessmen against extortionists claiming to be members of the New People’s Army (NPA).
Panay News
Former rebels receive cash assistance from the provincial government of Bukidnon
In the pursuit of giving Former Communist NPA Terrorists (CNT) members a better life, the provincial government of Bukidnon gave cash assistance to four (4) Former Rebels under the 8th Infantry (Dependable) Battalion at Malaybalay City this June 18, 2021.
Kalinaw News
Peace talks
Incidents/Operations
Milisyang Bayan member surrender with firearms in Abra
Following the intensive intelligence operations and the conduct of the Community Support Program (CSP) of the 71st Infantry Battalion and 69th Infantry Battalion, Philippine Army, along with the Tubo Municipal Police Station, a 58-year old member of the Milisyang Bayan (MB) under the KLG-AMPIS surrendered to government authorities at Casamata Hill, Zone 5, Bangued, Abra on June 08, 2021
Kalinaw News
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MARAWI
SOUTHEAST ASIA AND THE WORLD
Indonesian police arrest 4 suspected terrorists from group affiliated to ISIS
The Indonesian police announced Friday that they have arrested four suspected terrorists affiliated to the Islamic State-linked terrorist group Jamaah Ansharut Daulah (JAD) in separate operations in the country's province of West Java in the past three days.
Xinhua
Cambodian environmentalists charged with terrorism
Cambodian authorities have arrested three people from the Mother Nature environmental group, charged them with terrorism and alleged their activities were “planned by foreign bosses abroad,” government-friendly media reported.
UCA News
Pentagon’s extremism definition will have to find the line between free speech and unit cohesion
U.S. intelligence agencies have for several years been telling anyone who will listen that for a long time now, the biggest terrorist threat to the country is domestic extremists, particularly of the right-wing variety. That threat came into sharp focus on Jan. 6, especially for the Pentagon, as it became clear that dozens of veterans and current service members were among the mob of President Donald Trump supporters that forced its way into the Capitol in an attempt to prevent Congress from certifying the 2020 election for President Joe Biden.
Military Times
Airman identified as a white supremacist is still in the Air Force 2 months later
A known white supremacist serving in the Air Force is still in the ranks more than two months after his extremist views were first widely reported, and at least one lawmaker is demanding answers.
Task And Purpose
Turkish, German defense chiefs discuss fight against terrorism
Turkey’s national defense minister said Thursday that he had a "constructive" meeting with his German counterpart in the capital Ankara, where the two defense chiefs discussed a wide range of issues, including the fight against terrorism.
Daily Sabah
Turkey exploits global fight against terrorism financing to target civil society: Amnesty
Turkey exploits measures prescribed by international watchdogs to combat money laundering, terrorism financing and countering the financing of the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction in a bid to target civil society organizations, Amnesty International said in a briefing published on Friday
Stokholm Center for Freedom
Who is Germany's 'New Right'?
Germany's domestic intelligence agency has started paying more attention to the "New Right." The movement that pushes racist ideologies by subtle, and slick professional means. A short sub-chapter in the domestic intelligence agency's latest annual report suggests a new sensibility is beginning to penetrate the German security forces.
Deutsche Welle
Manchester Arena inquiry: suicide bomber 'hiding in plain sight', terrorism reviewer tells LBC
The Manchester Arena bomber was 'hiding in plain sight' the UK's Independent Reviewer of Terrorism Legislation has told LBC. Jonathan Hall was appointed in May 2019 to independently scrutinise and report on terrorism legislation and he spoke to LBC’s Nick Ferrari at Breakfast after the inquiry chairman, Sir John Saunders found that security company Showsec, the arena’s operator SMG, and the British Transport Police (BTP) were "principally responsible for the missed opportunities" on the night of the attack along with individual failings.
Leading Britain Conversation
MOONSHOT TO ESTABLISH SOFTWARE DEVELOPMENT CENTRE IN DUBLIN
It was announced this week that Moonshot is establishing a Software Development Centre in Dublin creating 37 new roles over the next three years, with recruitment starting immediately.
Business World
Qatar says pandemic a reminder to everyone of world's shared destiny
HE Permanent Representative of the State of Qatar to the United Nations Ambassador Sheikha Alya Ahmed bin Saif al-Thani has said that the global health crisis is a reminder to everyone of the world's shared destiny, and an incentive to renew commitment to international co-operation and increase support for international institutions to face new challenges.
Gulf Times
UN aid chief says tackle root causes of hunger and suffering
Mark Lowcock, who steps down Friday after four years, said in an interview with The Associated Press that unfortunately the world has been dealing with symptoms, including people displaced by fighting and natural disasters or at risk of famine, which is now stalking Ethiopia’s embattled Tigray region and Yemen.
Hindustan Times
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BARMM
BTA Parliament condemns Israel for attacking civilians in Palestine
Members of the Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) Parliament on Friday passed a resolution expressing their condemnation of the violence committed by Israeli forces against civilians in Palestine, including children and women.
Manila Times | Bangsamoro Government
IP communities pledge full support to BTA extension until 2025
Indigenous peoples (IP) tribal leaders and organizations from across the Bangsamoro region expressed their strong support to the extension of Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) until 2025. In a meeting initiated by the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs (MIPA) on Wednesday, June 16, Minister Melanio Ulama said the IP tribal leaders and organizations discussed their positions and formulated constructive ideas to support the BTA extension.
Bangsamoro Government
BARMM law for welfare of Bangsamoro OFWs approved
The Bangsamoro parliament has approved the Overseas Bangsamoro Workers Act meant to ensure the welfare and protection from abusive employers of constituents working abroad.
NDBC News
Creation of Bangsamoro Irrigation Coordinating Office sought in new BTA bill
A bill seeking to create a Bangsamoro Irrigation Coordinating Office has entered its first reading in the Bangsamoro Parliament on Wednesday, June 16. BTA Bill No. 107 was authored by Minority Floor Leader Atty. Laisa Alamia, Deputy Minority Floor Leader Engr. Baintain Ampatuan, and Member of Parliament Amilbahar Mawallil.
Bangsamoro Government
Lawmakers seek acquisition of P50-M worth additional oxygen tanks for Covid patients across BARMM
Bangsamoro Parliament Deputy Speakers Ziaur-Rahman Adiong and Atty. Nabil Tan, and Parliament Member Atty. Ubaida Pacasem filed on Thursday, June 17, a bill that seeks to appropriate Php50 million for the acquisition of additional oxygen tanks to be distributed in the different provinces of the region.
Bangsamoro Government
[Opinion] Leading ladies of Madrasah education
This was another poignant week when we heard the news of their demise, one after the other: Dr. Bai Cabaybay Abubakar, President of Sharif Kabunsian College (SKC), and Dr. Ustadza Albaya Badrodin, retired Education Supervisor of Cotabato City Division. We are saddened by the news coming at a time when the BARMM is transitioning and the likes of them the ones needed in the education sector, and particularly, in the Madrasah education.
Mindanews
MAGUINDANAO AND COTABATO CITY
PNP begins probe on death of ex-mayor Sabal
The Philippine National Police (PNP) has begun its investigation on the death of Montasser Sabal, former mayor of Talitay town in Maguindanao.
UNTV
LANAO PROVINCES
Sandigan affirms ex-Lanao Norte town mayor’s conviction
The Sandiganbayan has upheld the conviction of former mayor Norlaine Limbona of Pantar, Lanao del Norte in connection with the illegal grant of cash advances to a municipal employee in 2008 amounting to P11.8 million.
Philippine Star
BASILAN
SULU
TAWI-TAWI
Road concreting project in Tawi-Tawi village completed
THE Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) announced Friday, June 18, 2021, the completion of the P28-million farm-to-market road concreting project in the province of Tawi-Tawi.
Sunstar Zamboanga
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DRUGS
Operations/ Incidents
2 drug peddlers acquitted due to erroneous arrest process
The Supreme Court (SC) emphasized the importance of law enforcement officials complying with guidelines in drug cases after the acquittal of two suspected peddlers arrested in Manila in 2016.
Philippine News Agency
Recovery and Rehabilitation
ILLICIT FIREARMS, EXPLOSIVES, AND AMMUNITION
4 killed in gun attack in Zamboanga City
FOUR persons, including a five-year-old child, were killed in a drive-by gun attack in Zamboanga City, the police reported Friday, June 18, 2021.
Sunstar Zamboanga
CROSS-BORDER TRADING/ SMUGGLING/ COUNTERFEIT GOODS
BOC destroys 21 smuggled vehicles in Manila, CDO
The Bureau of Customs (BOC) on Friday held the second simultaneous destruction of smuggled motor vehicles this year, involving 21 cars worth PHP58.55 million in Manila and Cagayan de Oro.
Philippine News Agency
HUMAN TRAFFICKING
KIDNAPPING/ ABDUCTION
5 Chinese, Filipino cohort nabbed for kidnap try in Parañaque
Five Chinese nationals and a Filipino were arrested for attempting to kidnap their compatriot in Parañaque City on Thursday.
Philippine News Agency
ILLEGAL GAMBLING
ILLICIT FINANCIAL TRANSACTIONS/ EXTORTION
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Domestic remedies in place to address human rights cases: PNP
The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Friday reiterated that the country's justice system is working and no need for international bodies to intervene.
Philippine News Agency
Press Freedom/ Freedom of expression
Martial Law
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COVID-19
Cases
PH adds 6,833 more COVID-19 cases; active cases highest in 6 weeks
The Philippines tallied 6,833 more COVID-19 infections Friday, with active cases reaching more than 61,000, the health department said. The country now has 1,346,276 total confirmed novel coronavirus cases, of which 61,776 or 4.6 percent are still active, according to the Department of Health's (DOH) 4 p.m. bulletin.
ABS- CBN News
Department of Health
DOH says more info needed on Sinovac-injected Indonesian health workers who contracted COVID-19
The Philippines' Health Department said Friday it is awaiting further developments on a report that health workers in Indonesia caught the COVID-19 virus despite being vaccinated with Sinovac.
CNN Philippines
IATF/NTF COVID-19
Sec. Nograles: “Better Christmas” for Pinoys this year with mass procurement of anti-COVID vaccines
Filipinos can expect a “better Christmas” this year with the plan of the Philippine government to procure at least 150 million doses of anti- COVID-19 vaccines this year for the country to achieve “herd immunity,” Cabinet secretary Karlo Nograles said.
Mindanews
Flight issues delay Moderna jabs arrival by four days
Logistical challenges will delay anew the arrival of some vaccine supplies next week. National Task Force (NTF) Against Covid-19 chief implementer Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr. said on Friday that the supposed arrival of 150,000 doses of private sector-procured Moderna vaccines on June 21 has been moved to June 25.
Philippine News Agency
Warning for non-use of face shield stays: PNP
Police officers will continue to warn persons who are not wearing face shields in both open and enclosed spaces, Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Guillermo Eleazar said on Friday.
Philippine News Agency
Regions
Luzon including NCR
Taguig awaits official IATF rule on face shield requirement
The Taguig City government will wait for the "final ruling" of the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) before easing the face shield requirement in open spaces.
Philippine News Agency
Visayas
Mindanao
DILG Soccsksargen director takes over the running of Cotabato town
Interior Secretary Eduardo M. Año has designated the regional director of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) in the Soccsksargen region to act as caretaker of Magpet town in Cotabato province whose elected officials were quarantined.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
Koronadal to open 300 more Covid-19 isolation beds
The city government will open next week a 300-bed isolation facility for coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) patients, increasing its capacity to over 500.
NDBC News
World
Delta variant will likely become dominant COVID-19 strain in US, CDC chief says
he Delta variant of COVID-19 is expected to become the dominant strain in this country, and it's further reason why people need to ramp up the vaccination pace, US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky said Friday.
CNN
Canada extends US COVID-19 travel restrictions
Canada has extended its COVID-19 restrictions on non-essential international and US travel until July 21. Bill Blair, Canada's minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, announced the decision Friday on Twitter.
CNN
Biden administration to invest $3 billion for COVID-19 antiviral medicines
The Biden administration on Thursday announced it would invest more than $3 billion from the American Rescue Plan to accelerate the discovery, development and manufacturing of COVID-19 antiviral medicines -- ideally like a pill someone could easily take at home early in an illness.
CNN
Diplomatic, Development and Private Sector
NCR's daily Covid-19 average down to 758: OCTA
The OCTA Research Group on Friday said the National Capital Region’s (NCR) average number of new coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) cases per day over the past seven days has declined to 758.
Philippine News Agency
Incidents and Violations
Editorial, Analysis, Opinion and Features
Filipino women still do more care work than men amid pandemic — survey
Filipino women are still spending more hours than men in doing care work, or unpaid tasks in service of others, amid the COVID-19 pandemic, according to an advocacy group.
ABS- CBN News
Government still fails in COVID-19 mass testing
Restricting mobility is meant to give government the time to build its capacities to stop the spread of the virus. But what happens when a government only resorts to a lockdown and nothing else? Under the world’s longest and strictest lockdown, the Philippine government’s own data show that it has yet to reach its ideal testing capacity which health advocates have long been pushing since the pandemic broke last year.
Bulatlat
OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT
OFFICE OF THE VICE PRESIDENT
Robredo thanks UK government for honoring Philippines health workers
Vice President Leni Robredo has expressed her gratitude to the British government for honoring Filipino health workers there and supplying COVID-19 vaccines by the United Kingdom’s drug maker AstraZeneca to the country.
Philippine Star
AUDIT, GRAFT, AND CORRUPTION
[Editorial] Landmark tale of corruption
It is, by all measures, an unprecedented legal victory. Even if, all Filipinos must be reminded, it took all of 45 years to achieve. And even then, justice has yet to be fully served since the principal accused have since passed away, putting them beyond the reach of an earthly comeuppance. (We can only pray the celestial powers had long ago rendered their verdict and imposed the proper punishments.)
Philippine Daily Inquirer
BUDGET, FINANCE, and TAXATION
BSP-led group to propose reforms to strengthen rural banks
The central bank wants to strengthen the country’s rural banking sector, which it believes has an important role to play in bringing credit to the “underbanked” and developing entrepreneurial activities in the countryside.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
Monetary tightening seen in 2022
Fitch says BSP likely to raise interest rates by 50 basis points
The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) may embark on a new monetary tightening cycle next year with interest rate hikes likely to sum up to 50 basis points as the domestic economy regains ground, UK-based think tank Fitch Solutions said.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
Outstanding T-bills, bonds hit record P7.38T in May
The government’s reliance on local borrowings further jacked up the amount of outstanding treasury bills and bonds to a new high of P7.38 trillion in May.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
Gov’t agencies told to refocus funds on national programs, leave rest to LGUs
The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) has ordered agencies to refocus their cash-based budgets for next year on programs and projects of national importance.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
BIR ‘saves’ schools with corrected tax rate
The move of the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) to correct the imposition of a 25-percent tax on proprietary educational institutions will save colleges, universities, and similar institutions affected by the Covid-19 pandemic from folding up.
Philippine News Agency
BUSINESS, ECONOMY AND INVESTMENT
Recharged economy fuels performance of car importers; sales jump 293%
Notwithstanding a tax to safeguard the interests of local manufacturers, vehicle importers saw sales volume increase by a whopping 293 percent to 4,864 units in May.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
BUILD, BUILD, BUILD and PUBLIC WORKS
Dizon: 40 of 119 ‘Build’ projects done by 2022
President Duterte’s administration will have completed 40 big-ticket infrastructures amounting to P365.2 billion of the 119 “flagship” projects in his ambitious “Build, Build, Build” program by next year and will leave the bulk to be finished by his successor, officials said on Friday.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
DOTr expects SMC’s P735-B airport project to break ground within next 60 days
The Department of Transportation (DOTr) sees conglomerate San Miguel Corp. (SMC) holding a groundbreaking event for its P735-billion aerotropolis in Bulacan within the next two months.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
Over 6M jobs generated thru 'Build, Build, Build': DPWH
The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has provided over 6 million jobs to Filipinos through the government’s ‘Build, Build, Build’ (BBB) projects in the last four years.
Philippine News Agency
CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS
DISASTER AND EMERGENCY RESPONSE
SoCot villagers cautioned on risk posed by 'artificial dam'
The Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) in Region 12 cautioned residents of possible hazards due to the reported forming of an “artificial dam” in an upland village in Banga town, South Cotabato.
Philippine News Agency
DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
9 candidates vie for associate justice post
The Judicial and Bar Council (JBC) completed its shortlist of nine candidates for the vacancy of associate justice in the Supreme Court.
Philippine News Agency
DEFENSE AND SECURITY
Armed Forces of the Philippines
Philippine National Police
EDUCATION
INFORMATION, COMMUNICATION AND TECHNOLOGY
ELECTION RELATED
ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES
LABOR
AMC, unions agree on support package for laid off workers
Alaska Milk Corp. (AMC) said it had come to an agreement with its union members on the terms of the company’s support package for around 200 employees who will lose their jobs starting next month.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
PH temporarily suspends OFWs deployment to Oman
The Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) on Friday temporarily suspended the deployment of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) to Oman.
Philippine News Agency
LEGISLATIVE
Senate of the Philippines
House of Representatives
Special session urged to extend Bayanihan 2, Covid-19 funds
The House of Representatives must conduct special sessions to enable its members to approve the extension of the Bayanihan to Recover as One (Bayanihan 2) Act, which will expire on June 30, 2021.
Philippine News Agency
Lifetime validity of PWD cards for permanent disabilities pushed
A measure that would provide for the lifetime validity of persons with disabilities (PWD) identification cards (IDs) issued to persons with permanent disabilities has hurdled committee level at the House of Representatives this week.
Philippine News Agency
LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS (LGUs)
OFFICIAL DEVELOPMENT ASSISTANCE
World Bank approves more loans, grants for climate-change resilience projects
THE World Bank (WB) has approved an additional loan and grant financing for the Philippine Rural Development Project (PRDP) to invest in climate change-resilient infrastructure.
Business Mirror
FOREIGN RELATIONS
West Philippine Sea
FOOD AND AGRICULTURE
No money, no honey for agriculture
Despite the game-changing recommendations from the May 14 National Farmer-Fisherfolk Congress and the May 18-19 National Food Security Summit, the feeling of success may be short-lived.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
DA-PhilRice experts recognized, upgraded in rank
Scientists of the Department of Agriculture-Philippine Rice Research Institute (DA-PhilRice) have received honors for their significant contributions in enriching the body of knowledge on rice science.
Philippine News Agency
HOUSING and SETTLEMENT
POVERTY
SOCIAL WELFARE AND DEVELOPMENT
TRANSPORTATION
PAL losses swelled to P71.8B in 2020
Philippine Airlines’ (PAL) publicly-listed parent company saw losses soar nearly 600 percent to a record P71.8 billion in 2020 as the air travel business was decimated by the global health crisis.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
TOURISM
WATER and ENERGY
Vivant sets P5-B budget for power projects until 2023
Cebu-based Vivant group has earmarked P5 billion in capital expenditures (capex) for power projects until 2023 in anticipation of a rise in electricity demand as the economy further reopens.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
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