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Communist Rebellion
Families must be protected vs. Reds' threat at all costs: Catura
Families must be protected against radicalization by communist terrorist groups (CTGs) at all costs as they play a major role in achieving just and lasting peace. 
Philippine News Agency 

More CTG supporters yield as gov't continues aid
Wanting to clear their names and have a better future, more New People’s Army (NPA) supporters are yielding to the government and now receiving aid that they can use to start a new life.
Philippine News Agency 

High ranking NPA leader tired of useless cause yields in NoCot
A high-ranking leader of the Communist Party of the Philippines - New People’s Army (CPP-NPA) surrendered to the Army’s 1002nd Brigade in Magpet, North Cotabato through Rep. Rudy Caoagdan in Barangay Sto. Nino in Arakan, North Cotabato on June 22.
Philippine News Agency 

Rody welcomes ex-rebels to fold ‘warmly’ — Go
President Rodrigo Duterte will warmly welcome members of rebel groups such as the New People’s Army to return to the fold of the law and support them to start their new lives as reintegrated members of society, said Senator Christopher “Bong” Go on Wednesday.
Manila Standard

Peace talks

Incidents/Operations

24 face murder raps over Masbate land mine blast
The Philippine National Police on Tuesday night announced the filing of double murder and frustrated murder charges against 24 suspected communist rebels for the deaths of university athlete Kieth Absalon and his cousin, Nolven, who died in a land mine blast in Masbate City on June 6.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Suspect in Absalons' killing nabbed, charged
Police arrested on Tuesday afternoon one of the suspects in the anti-personnel mine (APM) explosion that killed Keith Absalon, former Far Eastern University varsity football player, and his cousin Nolven, according to a report reaching Camp General Simeon Ola here.
Philippine News Agency 

NPA hitman killed, 2 guns seized in NegOcc clash
A clash between government troops and communist-terrorists led to the death of a member of a New People’s Army (NPA) hit squad Special Partisan Unit (SPARU) in Barangay Minapasuk, Calatrava, Negros Occidental on Tuesday.
Philippine News Agency  |  Manila Bulletin

Army discovers abandoned NPA lair, war materiel in Aurora
The 91st Infantry “Sinagtala” Battalion (91IB), Philippine Army discovered on Wednesday an abandoned hideout and war materiel believed to be owned by the Platoon North of the Aurora Provincial Committee of the New People’s Army (NPA).
Philippine News Agency 

12 communist rebels surrender in Abra
Twelve members of the New People's Army (NPA) surrendered to military and police authorities as a result of the intensified campaign of the government's National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict.
Manila Times
Extremism
MARAWI 

We are Filipinos too
Congressional leaders praised their own “outstanding performance” during the 18th Congress after passing 72 bills that mostly paved the way out of a pandemic. Yet one crucial law was not on the list — the compensation bill for the victims of war in Marawi.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

IDPs in Marawi to get 170 more permanent shelters
Task Force Bangon Marawi (TFBM) Chairperson, Secretary Eduardo del Rosario, on Wednesday said 170 more permanent shelters will be awarded to internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Marawi City.
Philippine News Agency 

MOH, Human Settlements turn over BHS, medical equipment in Rorogagus East, Marawi
Officials from the National and Bangsamoro government turned over Wednesday, June 23, the Rorogagus East Barangay Health Station (BHS) in this city as part of the region’s commitment to putting health “a priority.” Minister for Health (MOH) Dr. Bashary Latiph said the construction of Rorogagus BHS is one of the “small testaments” to the realizations of “achieving a more reliable, more efficient, more effective, and more accessible health services for our people.”
Bangsamoro Government 

SOUTHEAST ASIA AND THE WORLD

External terrorism threats to region include Islamist and far-right extremists: ISD

The Internal Security Department (ISD) released its third Singapore Terrorism Threat Assessment Report on Wednesday (June 23), which alerts Singaporeans to the security environment here and in the region.
The Straits Times

At committee: Violent extremism, immigrant retention
With the House of Commons set to rise for the summer later today, just two committees are scheduled to meet this afternoon:
iPolitics

Pentagon leaders testily defend efforts on racism, extremism
Top Pentagon leaders on Wednesday passionately defended the military's approach to addressing racism and extremism, pushing back against accusations by Republican lawmakers that the effort is creating division and hurting morale.
El Paso Inc
 
Bangsamoro
BARMM 

Shaping up a historic model in bilateral peace process
Opening the Third Regular Session of the Bangsamoro Transition Authority on June 15, we look back two years ago when we first started organizing the Parliament along with the Interim Regional Government. Addressing the Parliament then, I presented issues that face our constituencies and conveyed our priorities as we continue to fulfil our mandate during this complex transition period.
Manila Standard

Civil society groups begin caravan for BTA extension in BARMM
Various civil society organizations (CSOs) kicked off here Wednesday a daylong peace caravan aimed at urging members of Congress to extend the term of the Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) from 2022 to 2025.
Philippine News Agency  |  Philippine Daily Inquirer | Mindanews

BTA extension caravan participants in Cagayan de Oro surprised at hospitality
As thousands of vehicles rolled out of Cotabato City Wednesday morning for the “unity caravan” calling for an extension of the Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA), their counterparts in the much smaller Cagayan de Oro-bound convoy of 40 vehicles were at first apprehensive because of restrictions imposed due to the spike of COVID-19 cases in the city.
Mindanews

n last 4 years, 80 Moros become ‘EJK victims’ in South Cotabato, groups say
At least 80 Moros in South Cotabato province have become victims of alleged extra-judicial killings (EJK) purportedly perpetrated by police and unidentified vigilantes in the last four years, it was gathered Tuesday from various sources.
Mindanews

[Opinion]  Merit-based selection: Can it be done?
Recruitment and selection is one key personnel function currently undertaken in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM). This is consistent with the new Administrative Code. 
Mindanao Times

MAGUINDANAO AND COTABATO CITY 
 
Pregnant mom slain in Maguindanao mortar blast; 2 kids hurt
The military and police in Maguindanao have started investigating Wednesday an explosion in an upland village of Datu Hoffer town that left a pregnant woman dead and two children injured
Philippine News Agency 

Cops feted for arrest of culprit behind Cotabato bus attacks
Philippine National Police (PNP) chief, Gen. Guillermo Eleazar on Wednesday lauded police officers who arrested the alleged mastermind behind the Yellow Bus Line attacks in Cotabato last month.
Philippine News Agency 

Expansion of Buluan hospital pushed
Nine lawmakers in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) have filed a bill Wednesday seeking to upgrade the Buluan District Hospital (BDH) in Maguindanao province into a Level II facility with a 200-bed capacity to accommodate more patients. 
Philippine News Agency 

LANAO PROVINCES

Bills seeking to upgrade two public hospitals in Lanao del Sur reach BTA plenary
Member of the Parliament Dr. Saffrullah Dipatuan on Tuesday, June 23, introduced two bills that calls for the upgrade of the Tamparan District Hospital and Balindong Municipal Hospital both located in Lanao del Sur. BTA Bill No. 99 seeks to convert Tamparan District Hospital (TDH) into a provincial hospital and upgrade its level, bed capacity, personnel and facilities.
Bangsamoro Government 

Special Report of MSU System President Dr. Habib Macaayong 2016-2020
On September 1, 1961, Mindanao State University (MSU) was established by virtue of Republic Act 1387 with a special mandate to educate the youth of Mindanao, Sulu and Palawan and integrate the Muslims and other cultural minorities into the mainstream of national life.
Manila Times

BASILAN

SULU 

TAWI-TAWI 

JTF-Tawi-Tawi drive vs unlicensed guns gains headway
THE number of unlicensed guns the Joint Task Force (JTF)-Tawi-Tawi have recovered increased to 42, as the government's campaign against the proliferation of loose firearms continue to gain headway, a top military official said Wednesday, June 23.
Sunstar Zamboanga 
Shadow economies
DRUGS

Operations/ Incidents

Cops who killed drug suspects in Laguna 'identified'
The police officers who opened fire and killed two drug suspects in an operation in Biñan City, Laguna last June 16 have been identified, Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Guillermo Eleazar said on Wednesday.
Philippine News Agency 

Disposal of 1.6 tons of shabu in PNP custody awaiting court nod
The Philippine National Police (PNP) will continue to coordinate with local courts for the expeditious prosecution and disposition of drug cases, which resulted in the quick destruction of illegal drugs that are no longer needed as pieces of evidence.
Philippine News Agency 

P1.2-B illegal drugs destroyed in Cavite
The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) on Wednesday destroyed PHP1,295,050,354 worth of dangerous drugs at the Integrated Waste Management Inc. (IWMI) in Barangay Aguado, Trece Martires City, Cavite.
Philippine News Agency 

5 nabbed, P175-K shabu seized in Zambo ops
Authorities have arrested five suspects and seized some PHP175,500 worth of illegal drugs in recent anti-drug operations in the region, the police announced Wednesday.
Philippine News Agency

Recovery and Rehabilitation

ILLICIT FIREARMS, EXPLOSIVES, AND AMMUNITION

CROSS-BORDER TRADING/ SMUGGLING/ COUNTERFEIT GOODS  

DTI-12 destroys P80-K seized uncertified products
The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) in Region 12 (Soccsksargen) destroyed some PHP80,313 worth of uncertified products that were seized in a series of enforcement operations here early this year.
Philippine News Agency 

HUMAN TRAFFICKING

KIDNAPPING/ ABDUCTION

ILLEGAL GAMBLING

ILLICIT FINANCIAL TRANSACTIONS/ EXTORTION

ARTA, LTO tie up to boost anti-fixers drive
The Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA) and the Land Transportation Office (LTO) vowed to work together to bolster the campaign against “fixers” offering services for application or renewal of driver’s license.
Philippine News Agency 

ARTA, LTO clear reports on fixer entrapment operation
The Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA) and the Land Transportation Office (LTO) have clarified “erroneous reports” on the former’s entrapment operation of a fixer near LTO headquarters in Quezon City.
Philippine News Agency 
Land issues
Indigenous People's
Human Rights
Press Freedom/ Freedom of expression

Group reveals attacks on media and human rights websites
Digital platforms linked to the Rodrigo Duterte government launched attacks on the websites of alternative media outfits and a human rights organization, a Sweden-based digital forensics group revealed.
Kodao Productons 

Cyberattacks on red-tagged news sites traced to DOST, Army
A recent series of cyberattacks to temporarily block access to the websites of two alternative news organizations and the human rights group Karapatan were traced to computer networks of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) and the Philippine Army, according to a Swedish digital forensic group.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Martial Law 
Governance

COVID-19

Cases

Department of Health

NCR now under 'low-risk' category for COVID-19 — DOH official
The National Capital Region (NCR) is now under the “low-risk” category for COVID-19 as cases of the viral illness continue to decline, an official of the Department of Health (DOH) said.
Manila Bulletin

IATF/NTF COVID-19

Delivery of 50K Sputnik V doses deferred: NTF
The delivery of the 50,000 doses of Russian-made Sputnik V vaccines, supposed to be this month, is moved to a later date, National Task Force (NTF) Against Covid-19 chief implementer and vaccine czar Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr. announced Wednesday.
Philippine News Agency 

Delaying 2nd Sputnik V dose could increase efficacy: Roque
Malacañang on Wednesday allayed concerns over the delayed delivery of additional Sputnik V Covid-19 vaccines to the Philippines, noting that delaying its second dose could actually increase efficacy.
Philippine News Agency 

Regions

Luzon including NCR

C. Luzon logs 714 new Covid-19 recoveries; active cases now 4,702
The number of recoveries from the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) in Central Luzon has reached 115,582 after 714 new recoveries were recorded as of Tuesday night.
Philippine News Agency

Visayas

Cebu, IATF protocols for OFWs, ROFs can go hand in hand: Dino
The Department of Health (DOH) in Central Visayas can continue the swab testing upon arrival of returning Filipinos at the Mactan-Cebu International Airport (MCIA) and place them under 10-day hotel quarantine based on the national protocols, a Cabinet official said.
Philippine News Agency

Mindanao

Nearly half of Davao City’s active COVID-19 cases waiting to be picked up from their homes
As the number coronavirus disease (COVID-19) cases here surged to 4,701 as of June 22, nearly half of them can no longer be accommodated to the local government’s already “overwhelmed” temporary treatment and monitoring facilities (TTMFs) with a total bed capacity of only around 2,500, a local health official said.
Mindanews

Samples from 3 COVID labs sent to PGC Mindanao for variant detection
A total of 23 sample specimens from three coronavirus disease (COVID-19) laboratories in Mindanao have been submitted to the Philippine Genome Center (PGC) Mindanao as its on-site sequencing facility that can detect new variants of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes the infection, begins operations.
Mindanews

Zambo Peninsula gets 35K Sinovac doses
Another batch of vaccine shipment arrived here Wednesday as the government vaccination program continues, the Department of Health-Zamboanga Peninsula (DOH-9) announced.
Philippine News Agency 

World 

Diplomatic, Development and Private Sector 

Incidents and Violations

Davao City nets 73K health protocol violators
The city's Public Safety and Security Command Center (PSSCC) said it has apprehended a total of 73,440 persons for violations of health protocols.
Philippine News Agency

Editorial, Analysis, Opinion and Features

Pandemic increases trust in news among Filipinos—Digital News Report 2021
The COVID-19 health crisis has spurred an increased overall trust in news among Filipinos but has led to waning interest in news products.
Mindanews

OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT

Sinovac ‘effective’ despite issues on efficacy rate: Panelo
Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Salvador Panelo on Wednesday vouched for the effectiveness of China's Sinovac vaccines in protecting people against the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19).
Philippine News Agency 

OFFICE OF THE VICE PRESIDENT

AUDIT, GRAFT, AND CORRUPTION

3 DSWD officers get 8 years for anomalous meds deal
The Sandiganbayan has found three officials of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) liable for corruption in connection with anomalies in the awarding of a government contract for medicines worth over PHP5 million in Cotabato City in 2001.
Philippine News Agency 

House leader seeks probe into DepEd's procurement of 39K laptops
House Deputy Speaker Bernadette Herrera on Wednesday sought a congressional investigation into the questionable bidding process on the procurement of 39,000 laptop computers for the Department of Education (DepEd).
Philippine News Agency 

SC reinstates bounced check raps vs. Ozamiz lawyer
The Supreme Court (SC) has granted a petition filed by the Philippine National Bank (PNB) questioning the decision of the Court of Appeals (CA) which had nullified criminal proceedings against a lawyer accused of issuing six unfunded checks.
Philippine News Agency 

BUDGET, FINANCE, and TAXATION

More dollars flowed out of PH in May as gov’t repaid maturing foreign debt
More dollars flowed out of the Philippine economy than entered it in May as the government repaid some of its maturing loans from overseas, reversing the net inflows recorded during the same period last year, according to the central bank.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Balance of payments swung to deficit in May
More dollars flowed out of the Philippine economy than entered it in May as the government repaid some of its maturing loans from overseas, reversing the net inflows recorded in the same period last year, according to the central bank.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

BSP seen to keep rates unchanged in today’s meet
The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) is seen to keep its key interest rates unchanged at today’s monetary policy setting as recent consumer price pressures are expected to decelerate in the months ahead.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

BUSINESS, ECONOMY AND INVESTMENT

Neda chief Chua sees ‘opening’ for MGCQ in NCR
The country’s chief economist on Wednesday said the declining number of COVID-19 cases alongside increasing mass vaccination would allow a less restrictive quarantine level in Metro Manila.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

BUILD, BUILD, BUILD and PUBLIC WORKS

Mindanao's first planetarium project to finish in August
The first planetarium facility in Mindanao that costs PHP50 million will be finished by August, according to the provincial government of Misamis Oriental on Wednesday.
Philippine News Agency

CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS

DISASTER AND EMERGENCY RESPONSE

DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE

DEFENSE AND SECURITY

Armed Forces of the Philippines

Sobejana says latest US military aid to boost AFP capabilities
The Armed Forces of the Philippines' (AFP) capability to neutralize terrorist groups and maritime security capabilities got a much-needed boost with the latest military assistance coming from the United States.
Philippine News Agency 

Philippine National Police

6 policemen dismissed in Negros
The National Police Commission (Napolcom) ordered the dismissal of six police officers in Negros Occidental.\
Manila Times

PNP-IAS recommends dismissal of QC killer cop
The Philippine National Police-Internal Affairs Service (PNP-IAS) has recommended the dismissal of Master Sgt. Hensie Zinampan from the service over the fatal shooting of a 52-year-old woman in Quezon City last month.
Philippine News Agency 

EDUCATION
 
Holding of F2F classes in Covid low-risk areas deferred

The holding of in-person classes in areas where coronavirus risks are low has been postponed, the Department of Education (DepEd) said Wednesday.
Philippine News Agency 

DepEd TV History Channel to reinforce historical awareness
The Department of Education (DepEd) is planning to create a DepEd TV History Channel that will air films and documentaries featuring Philippine and World History to nurture the historical awareness of Filipino learners, teachers, parents, and the public.
Philippine News Agency 

INFORMATION, COMMUNICATION AND TECHNOLOGY  
 
3.7M PhilSys registrants now have bank accounts
Some 3.7 million bank accounts have been opened so far since the registration for the Philippine Identification System (PhilSys) started, the country’s chief economist said Wednesday.
Philippine News Agency 

ELECTION RELATED

Comelec, 2 firms ink pact on overseas internet voting test runs
The Commission on Elections (Comelec) signed a memorandum of agreement (MOA) with two internet voting solutions providers in preparation for the conduct of live test runs of their internet voting systems.
Philippine News Agency 

Lakas-CMD renews alliance with Sara Duterte's HNP
The Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats (CMD) has renewed its alliance agreement with the regional party Hugpong ng Pagbabago (HNP) of Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte ahead of next year's elections, House Majority Leader Martin Romualdez said on Wednesday.
Philippine News Agency 

The election circus and political warlords
Political warlords will also be kings in next year’s elections and they are ready to roll the red carpet as the election circus visits their respective kingdoms.
Philippine Star 

ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES

Another 1M trees eyed to be planted this year
Elated over the success of growing four million new trees in the past four years, stakeholders of the Annual Million Trees Challenge (AMTC) have pledged to plant another one million trees this year to meet the target of planting five million trees.
Philippine News Agency 

LABOR

Agricultural workers file complaint vs Philippine government before ILO
Agricultural workers have filed a formal complaint at the International Labor Organization (ILO) headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland against labor rights violations allegedly committed by the Duterte administration since 2016.
Philippine Star 

POEA crafting guidelines on giving 'preferred’ vax to OFWs
The government is crafting guidelines for giving priority to overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) to be inoculated with vaccines preferred by host countries.
Philippine News Agency 

Saudi Arabia praises Pinoy healthcare workers’ professionalism
Saudi Arabia is all praises for Filipino healthcare workers in the country for their “excellence” and “professionalism”.
Philippine News Agency 

LEGISLATIVE

Senate of the Philippines

Gordon wants faster Covid-19 testing as Red Cross hits 3.3M tests
The Philippine Red Cross (PRC) has already done about 3,307,946 tests in its 13 molecular laboratories nationwide as the Subic Molecular Laboratory turns one on Wednesday.
Philippine News Agency 

House of Representatives

House panel retains MUP pension scheme, adds 'salary caps'
A House of Representatives panel on Wednesday approved the proposal retaining the current scheme for the military and uniformed personnel (MUP) pension system with an added condition that puts a cap on salary increases.
Philippine News Agency 

LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS (LGUs)

OFFICIAL DEVELOPMENT ASSISTANCE

FOREIGN RELATIONS  

₱183-M US-supplied weapons boosts Duterte’s tyranny, attacks against civilians
The Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) denounces the US government for continuing to prop up the murderous Duterte regime by delivering last Monday a new round of weapons worth ₱183 million to the Philippine military, including heavy machine guns, mortar tubes and others.
Communist Party of the Philippines 

FFCCCII fortifies PHL-China ties
THE Federation of Filipino-Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry Inc. (FFCCCII) recently celebrated its 46th anniversary with a star-studded list of guests, which included government leaders past and present, as well as cabinet members.
Business MIrror

West Philippine Sea

Arbitral award on South China Sea 'final': Locsin

Celebrating the fifth year of the arbitral tribunal's ruling on the South China Sea, overwhelmingly won by the Philippines, Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. said the Award is "final" and Manila "firmly rejects attempts to undermine it".
Philippine News Agency 

FOOD AND AGRICULTURE

Infra, modernization to help rebuild better economy: Dar
Infrastructure development and modernization, including agriculture, are among the achievements of the administration that would help rebuild the economy, Agriculture Secretary William Dar said at the agency's 123rd founding anniversary celebration on Wednesday.
Philippine News Agency 

HOUSING and SETTLEMENT

POVERTY

SOCIAL WELFARE AND DEVELOPMENT

4Ps beneficiaries in Antique urged to save portion of grant
An official of a multi-purpose cooperative in Hamtic, Antique is advising beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) to save a portion of their cash grant for emergency use.
Philippine News Agency

4.3K 4Ps beneficiaries to graduate in Zambo Peninsula
At least 4,333 household beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) in the region are set to graduate from the program this year, the Department of Social Welfare and Development-9 (DSWD-9) said Wednesday.
Philippine News Agency

TRANSPORTATION

TOURISM

WATER and ENERGY

[Editorial] Recurring power problem
Some 339,000 households, 90 barangays, and 16 municipalities and cities across Luzon were hit by unexpected three-hour brownouts last June 1, and it is highly likely that residential, commercial, and industrial electricity users will have to endure even more expensive and inconvenient power interruptions in the weeks or months ahead.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Solar power project to energize 7 off-grid schools in SoCot
Seven off-grid public schools in South Cotabato province will finally have access to electricity through a PHP3.5 million solar energization project of the One Meralco Foundation Inc. (OMF) in partnership with the Department of Education (DepEd).
Philippine News Agency

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