NTF-Elcac to seek P47B for bgay devt, Phase 2
THE government’s anti-insurgency task force will be requesting for P47 billion for the second round of its controversial barangay development program (BDP) next year.
Business Mirror
PNP adopts NPA tactic to form ‘force multipliers’
Col. Manuel Lukban Jr., head of the Philippine National Police Directorate for Police Community Relations (DPCR) plans and programs, came up with the idea of turning a strategy of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA) against it.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
S. Kudarat IP farmers, ex-rebels get P700-K gov't livelihood aid
Farmers including surrendered rebels from an indigenous peoples (IPs) community in an upland town in this province are expected to have increased productivity and income after receiving coffee production post-harvest facilities from the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) in Region 12 (Soccsksargen).
Philippine News Agency
Peace talks
Incidents/Operations
17 rebels surrender with firearms in Masbate
A total of 17 more New People's Army (NPA) rebels operating in Masbate province have surrendered to the Philippine National Police (PNP) and Philippine Army (PA) in Aroroy, Masbate.
Philippine News Agency
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End Duterte’s state terrorism, junk the ATL
State terrorism under the Duterte tyranny continues to intensify under the wrongly named Anti-Terrorism Law, enacted exactly a year ago today. Duterte’s police and military forces have carried out heightened systematic attacks against civilians as part of his desperate war to suppress the people’s democratic resistance and his scheme to perpetuate himself in power.
Communist Party of the Philippines
Militarization in Philippines has 'damaging effects' on civic space, democratic freedoms — think tank
Academics cast fear over what they said was the blow to human rights caused by the "explosive cocktail" of the global drive to counter-terrorism coupled with the Philippine government's "autocratic instincts and violent tendencies."
Philippine Star
An explosive cocktail – Counter-terrorism, militarisation and authoritarianism in the Philippines
In June 2020, the Philippines government signed into law the highly contested Anti-Terrorism Act. This law is seen by many as the latest move by Filipino authorities to use countering 'terrorism' as the pretext to limit dissent and undermine democracy.
Safer World
[Editorial] Tighten dirty money rules
The Philippines is back in the so-called “grey list” of countries under increased international monitoring, because of insufficient policies and laws on—and action against—money laundering and terrorist financing. It joins countries such as Pakistan, Haiti, Malta, and South Sudan in the disreputable list.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
MARAWI
SOUTHEAST ASIA AND THE WORLD
Full Frame: Countering Extremism
The Global Terrorism Index tracks the latest trends in terrorism around the world. The latest report, from 2020, found terrorism has decreased since its peak in 2014. But, far-right terrorism in the West is up 250 percent over the past five years. Early data suggests the pandemic is actually increasing terrorism in some parts of the world.
CTGN
Religious Extremism: Roots, Contexts and Solutions
Undoubtedly, the Islamic world including Afghanistan have are facing so many challenges. One of the most prominent challenges is the growth of terrorism and religious extremism. Some believe that religious extremism has roots and origin in our own perspective due to the intellectual distortion of some Islamic sects.
MENA FN
"There was no terrorism in Afghanistan" before US invasion
"My view is that there was no terrorism in Afghanistan, and no extremism in Afghanistan," Hamid Karzai told the Hindu.
Mehr News Agency
Hate speech proposals should have started with Te Tiriti
Violence is like God’s wine. Its memories sing with age, as we smugly reflect on our survival, fortitude, courage. A few seconds back into danger, however, and reality returns with all those bitter tannins: chest-crushing fear, heavy breathing, stale sweat, like it never really ended.
Stuff NZ
Hong Kong is staring into the abyss of domestic terrorism
In the early hours of July 1, several cans of petrol and a fuel canister were thrown in an apparent arson attack near Government House, the official residence of Hong Kong’s leader. Later in the day, at least six people were detained for carrying weapons that included knives, cutters and modified model guns.
South China Morning Post
Leveraging the consensus around fighting terrorism
There is great symbolism in the Ministers of the Global Coalition to Defeat Daesh meeting in Rome this week, reconvening in person after two years. Refocussing on fighting terrorism shifts back priorities and puts aside political disputes, providing the opportunity to reshape political coalitions as well.
The Jordan Times
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BARMM
BARMM: Plane that crashed brought COVID-19 medicines, equipment to island provinces
The Bangsamoro government on Sunday expressed its condolences and sympathy to the families of those killed in the C-130 military cargo plane crash earlier in the day, and said that the aircraft had been crucial in delivering COVID-19 medicines, supplies and equipment to the region.
GMA News
MAGUINDANAO AND COTABATO CITY
Cong.Toto shares lesson of near-death in struggle vs. COVID-19
STRAIGHT from his two-week quarantine isolation, Maguindanao Representative Esmael “Toto” Mangudandatu tells his lesson from a near-death experience in Corona Virus Disease 2019 (CoVid19) on Independence Day.
NDBC News | Manila Standard
LANAO PROVINCES
Solar-powered irrigation to increase Lanao farmers’ yield
Rice farmers of Taraka, Lanao del Sur, an old town beside the 34,000-hectare Lake Lanao, will be able to plant a second crop in one year with the opening of the first-ever local government-funded Solar Powered Irrigation System (SPIS) on July 29.
Philippine News Agency
BASILAN
Basilan Community Support Program operations team lauded
MAJOR General William Gonzales, commander of the 11th Infantry Division, lauded the Community Support Program (CSP) operations team of the Joint Task Force (JTF)-Basilan for their exemplary performance in assisting the troops in Sulu.
Sunstar Zamboanga
SULU
Sulu plane crash: 92 passengers and crew on board; at least 30 confirmed dead
The ill-fated C-130 aircraft that crashed in Patikul, Sulu on Sunday morning had 92 persons on board: three pilots, five crew members and 84 personnel. Of this number, at least 30 have been confirmed to have died, their bodies retrieved from the crash site in Sitio Dan Putih in Barangay Bangkal in Patikul, Sulu.
MindaNews | Mindanews
TAWI-TAWI
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DRUGS
Operations/ Incidents
Over P81,000 shabu seized in Bacolod
AN ESTIMATED P81,600 worth of shabu or methamphetamine hydrochloride was seized in a drug bust by operatives of Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO) Drug Enforcement Unit in Purok Mars, Barangay Singcang-Airport, Bacolod City over the weekend.
Sunstar Bacolod
PDEA-7 to file raps against 5 persons nabbed in Carreta drug den raid
llegal drug charges will be filed on Monday, July 5, against a man, who claimed to be a former Cebu City government employee, and four others, who were arrested during a raid on a suspected drug den in Sitio Ponce 1, Barangay Carreta, Cebu City.
Cebu Daily News
Recovery and Rehabilitation
ILLICIT FIREARMS, EXPLOSIVES, AND AMMUNITION
CROSS-BORDER TRADING/ SMUGGLING/ COUNTERFEIT GOODS
HUMAN TRAFFICKING
KIDNAPPING/ ABDUCTION
ILLEGAL GAMBLING
ILLICIT FINANCIAL TRANSACTIONS/ EXTORTION
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44 families receive land titles in Legazpi City
A total of 44 families here have received the titles of the land they have been occupying for more than 50 years, under the government’s “Handog Titulo” program.
Philippine News Agency
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[Opinion] How a school for the Lumads was built from a letter written on yellow paper wrapped in ice candy plastic
I worked in Kulaman Valley, Sultan Kudarat. I covered the news of your loss there in the May 2010 Presidential elections, for MindaNews. Even before the votes were cast and counted, I already knew your fate and was just waiting for counting to be over for confirmation.
MindaNews
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Church group decries attacks on worker, lay leaders
“Stop persecuting our prophets!” This is the call of the United Church of Christ in the Philippines (UCCP) after the arrest Pastor Nathaniel “Dodo” Vallente and Carmilo Tabada, Farmers Development Center’s (FARDEC) program coordinator for Bohol last week.
Bulatlat
[Opinion] Ave Atque Vale, President PNoy
When Typhoon Sendong struck Cagayan de Oro in December 2011, among the first to come and offer aid was the sister of President Aquino, Viel, with a companion from Assisi Development Foundation. Then, Secretary of Social Welfare and Development, Dinky Soliman, also visited the city to help oversee relief operations. These visits represented the extension of President Aquino’s concern for calamity victims.
Mindanews
Press Freedom/ Freedom of expression
Martial Law
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COVID-19
Cases
Philippines confirms almost 6,000 new COVID-19 cases
The Philippines confirmed 5,966 new cases of the COVID-19 on Sunday bringing the country’s total to 1,436,369. The Department of Health also reported 6,987 new recoveries, pushing the total number of Filipinos who recovered from the disease to 1,358,512.
ABS- CBN News
Department of Health
IATF/NTF COVID-19
IATF releases ‘protocols’ for fully vaccinated individuals
Fully vaccinated individuals need not present swab test results if they want to travel within the Philippines, the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) said on Sunday.
Philippine News Agency
Regions
Luzon including NCR
Manila launches graveyard shift vaccination site on Recto Avenue
Manila launched on Sunday a COVID-19 vaccination site operating during graveyard hours on Recto Avenue.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
Visayas
Mindanao
Only 1.6% of Davao region’s 4.9 M population are fully vaccinated
Only 75,853 persons or 1.6% of the Davao region’s 4.9 million population are fully vaccinated as of June 29, half of them residents of Davao City, according to data from the Department of Health (DOH) regional office.
MindaNews
World
Israel negotiating Pfizer surplus with other countries, official says
Israel is in talks with other countries about a deal to unload its surplus of Pfizer/BioNtech COVID-19 vaccines, doses of which are due to expire by the end of the month, a health ministry official said on Sunday.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
Indonesia ramps up oxygen output after dozens die amid scarcity
Indonesia has ordered oxygen makers to prioritize medical needs amid growing demand from COVID-19 patients, the government said on Sunday, following more than 60 deaths in a hospital where supply of the life-saving gas was almost exhausted.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
Diplomatic, Development and Private Sector
Philippine COVID-19 infection rate flat; ICU overload risk in Davao, Iloilo –OCTA
The COVID-19 infection rate in the Philippines is on a generally flat trend but intensive care units in Davao and Iloilo are currently at risk of being overloaded, the OCTA Research Group warned over the weekend.
GMA News
Incidents and Violations
Editorial, Analysis, Opinion and Features
OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT
Palace, nation pray for victims of Sulu military plane crash
Malacañang is one with the nation in praying for the victims of a Philippine Air Force (PAF) C-130 crash in Patikul, Sulu on Sunday.
Philippine News Agency
OFFICE OF THE VICE PRESIDENT
President keeps saying there’s no money, but some funds were unused – Robredo
Vice President Leni Robredo regrets that the Bayanihan 2 law lapsed last Wednesday with P18.4 billion still unspent that will only be returned to the national treasury.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
Robredo: Access to jabs would be ‘big deal’ to ‘Vaccine Express’ program
Vice President Leni Robredo on Sunday expressed hopes that her office would be given access to the vaccine supply for smoother rollout of its “Vaccine Express” program.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
VP Robredo sends condolences to kin of those killed in Jolo C-130 crash
Vice President Leni Robredo on Sunday extended her condolences to the families of those who were killed in the crash of a Philippine Air Force C-130 transport plane in Sulu.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
AUDIT, GRAFT, AND CORRUPTION
DSWD refutes Pacman allegations: No missing funds
The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) is willing to face any investigating body and present the necessary evidence as well as other relevant documents to belie the allegations of Senator Manny Pacquiao that there are missing funds from the Social Amelioration Program (SAP).
Philippine News Agency
BUDGET, FINANCE, and TAXATION
Banks’ real estate exposure rises 21.55% in 2020
The exposure of Philippine banks in the real estate sector rose to a record high of 21.55 percent last year from 19.84 percent in 2019 and stayed within the higher end of the limit set by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP).
Philippine Star
BUSINESS, ECONOMY AND INVESTMENT
Govt measures vs Covid may help PHL meet SDGs
GOVERNMENT efforts to stem the Covid-19 pandemic may serve a double purpose as it can also help the Philippines meet the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030.
Business Mirror
Philippine economy seen growing at least 5%
The Philippine economy is expected to grow at least five percent this year, still below government targets, as the pace of vaccination rollout and possibility of lockdown measures may dampen the much-needed recovery.
Philippine Star
BUILD, BUILD, BUILD and PUBLIC WORKS
CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS
DISASTER AND EMERGENCY RESPONSE
TD ‘Emong’ slightly intensifies
Tropical Depression Emong slightly intensified while moving north-northwestward over the Philippine Sea east of Southern Luzon, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) reported on Sunday.
Philippine News Agency
Taal Volcano sulfur emission highest on Sunday: Phivolcs
Taal Volcano recorded “anomalously high” volcanic SO2 (sulfur oxide) gas emission on Sunday, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said in its 4:15 p.m. bulletin.
Philippine News Agency
[Editorial] Will help ever come?
The Philippines is prone to tropical storms due to its geographical location. The country hosts an average of 10 typhoons a year. Destructive typhoons are usually seen from August to October, although storms now appear as late as January. In light of climate change, strong typhoons can now occur any time of the year.
Business Mirror
DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
DEFENSE AND SECURITY
Armed Forces of the Philippines
LIST: Military aircraft accidents in past 10 years
A C-130 Hercules military plane carrying 96 people crashed in Patikul, Sulu, on Sunday, July 4, killing at least 42 military personnel and three civilians, according to latest reports as of 9:30 pm Sunday.
Rappler
Philippine National Police
EDUCATION
CHED eyes prioritization of students in COVID-19 vaccination
The Commission on Higher Education (CHED) is eyeing the inclusion of students in the government’s vaccination priority list against coronavirus disease (COVID-19).
Manila Bulletin
‘Proper sex education to curb teen pregnancy’
Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian called on the Department of Education (DepEd) and other concerned agencies to fill the gaps in the sexuality education of the youth to help stem the rise in teenage pregnancies in the country.
Philippine Star
INFORMATION, COMMUNICATION AND TECHNOLOGY
ELECTION RELATED
Election lawyer urges VP Robredo to join 2022 presidential race
An election lawyer on Sunday urged Vice President Leni Robredo to run for president in the 2022 polls, saying she embodies “good leadership” which the country needs right now.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
Pacquiao is hindrance to Duterte’s staying in power beyond June 2022
Boxing champ and Sen. Manny Pacquiao and President Rodrigo Duterte used to be allies. Despite his being a born-again Christian, Pacquiao did not condemn the extra-judicial killings that became a daily occurrence as Duterte waged his war on drugs. He supported Duterte’s initiative to re-impose death penalty. He voted for the abhorrent anti-terror law.
Vera Files
Pacquiao takes a gamble on political future with graft allegations vs Duterte government
SENATOR Emmanuel “Manny” D. Pacquiao would have a fighting chance at next year’s elections if his corruption allegations against the administration of President Rodrigo R. Duterte are proven true, according to analysts.
Business World
No legal obstacle to Duterte VP run, but will his 16M voters back him again? – lawyer
There is no law prohibiting President Rodrigo Duterte from running for vice president, and taking up the matter before the Supreme Court can be a long and tedious affair, a former president of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) said on Sunday.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
[Opinion] Power-mad or servant leaders by 2022?
This question is looming larger less than a year before the national elections, and as we continue to mourn the death of a servant leader, former president Benigno Simeon Cojuangco Aquino III, better known as P-Noy.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
[Opinion] To run or not to run: Catch me if you can
Naay pay panultihon sa mga Bisaya “Padili-dili pero gadali.” (There’s this saying among the Bisayan folk “Not interested but is in a hurry.”) This yes-no flip-flop tactic together with his other controversy-driven stratagems enabled the unorthodox mayor of Davao City to grab the presidency of the land.
MindaNews
ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES
DENR crafting policy to protect watershed areas
The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) is crafting an executive order to prioritize watershed rescue to counter effects of climate-linked calamities and ensure replenishment of irrigation and hydro-electric or geothermal energy sources.
Manila Times
LABOR
PH assumes chairsmanship of ILO gov’t group
The Philippines has assumed chairmanship of the government group of the International Labor Organization (ILO) in an appointment that marks a significant shift in the policy-making of the body.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
Jobs crisis continues, informal work worsens
Despite economic managers’ claims, the country’s jobs situation is bleak and far from returning to pre-pandemic levels, said research group IBON. Millions of Filipinos are still struggling to find work or turning more and more to informal jobs and self-employment to survive. The group said that substantial ayuda is urgently needed and that Congress should hold a special session to ensure the immediate allocation and distribution of funds for emergency aid.
Kodao Productons
LEGISLATIVE
Senate of the Philippines
Include LGUs in Covid task force – Tolentino
SEN. Francis Tolentino batted for the inclusion of local government units (LGUs) and private sector representatives in the national task force addressing the Covid-19 pandemic.
Manila Times
Gordon perplexed by Pacquiao absence during corruption probe he initiated
Senator Richard “Dick” Gordon on Sunday was perplexed by Senator Emmanuel “Manny” Pacquiao's call for a probe on alleged corruption in the government when he would not be present for the investigation.
GMA News
Go vows better access to health services in far-flung areas
Sen. Christopher “Bong” Go repeated his promise to make health services more accessible to residents of far-flung areas as he opened on Saturday the country’s 125th Malasakit Center at the Siargao District Hospital in Dapa town on Siargao Island, Surigao del Norte.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
House of Representatives
Solons want probe into unspent Bayanihan 2 funds, 2nd extension
Representatives of the Citizens Battle Against Corruption over the weekend called for an inquiry over the billions of unused funds under the Bayanihan to Recover as One Act, which expired in June.
GMA News
LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS (LGUs)
OFFICIAL DEVELOPMENT ASSISTANCE
FOREIGN RELATIONS
‘Philippines-US ties remain vibrant’
Despite pressing issues on the West Philippine Sea and the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA), the relationship between the Philippines and the United States remains vibrant and vital today, according to a top official of the US embassy in Manila.
Philippine Star
West Philippine Sea
FOOD AND AGRICULTURE
Farmers start free training on coffee production
THE first two batches of coffee farmers from Bukidnon have started their training on Coffee Production Level 2 under the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (Tesda), in partnership with Nestlè Philippines. A total of 50 farmers from the towns of Maramag and Lantapan are taking part in the virtual training.
Manila Times
HOUSING and SETTLEMENT
POVERTY
SOCIAL WELFARE AND DEVELOPMENT
TRANSPORTATION
TOURISM
WATER and ENERGY
Senate energy panel to DOE: Be transparent in Malampaya review
THE Senate Committee on Energy pressed the Department of Energy (DOE) to ensure full transparency in its review of the $380-million sale of Shell Philippines’s stake to Udenna subsidiary Malampaya Energy XP.
Business Mirror
PHL hydro capacity additions seen topping 1 gigawatt by 2030
THE PHILIPPINES is projected to increase its hydropower capacity by 1.1 gigawatts (GW) by 2030, with pumped storage plants accounting for more than half of the forecast total, the International Energy Agency (IEA) said in a special market report issued last week.
Business World
DOE allows Albay’s power firm to buy cheaper electricity
Albay consumers can expect lower electric bills in the coming months after the Department of Energy (DOE) allowed Albay Power Energy Corp. (Apec) to source its energy requirement outside of the Wholesale Electricity Spot Market (WESM).
Philippine Daily Inquirer
[Editorial] Ramp up construction of more power plants
THE authorities need to accelerate construction of new power plants to arrest and reverse the slide of the country's energy security. That is a key takeaway from the recent business forum on renewable energy, organized by this newspaper.
Manila Times
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