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Communist Rebellion

NPA rebels ‘execute’ Army's dev't program leader in Capiz town
New People's Army rebels on Wednesday afternoon snatched and killed a leader of the Philippine Army's (PA) Community Support Program (CSP) Sustainment Team in Barangay Lahug in the municipality of Tapaz in Capiz while on his way to follow up on development projects for the village.
Philippine News Agency

IHL implementation ‘more precarious’ in pandemic, says Locsin
The enforcement of International Humanitarian Law (IHL) has become more precarious amid the COVID-19 pandemic, Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. said Thursday
GMA News

Local terrorism, plague that worsens pandemic: Medialdea
A Palace official on Thursday lamented that the government’s ongoing efforts to confront the unseen coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) are greatly burdened by local communist terrorist groups.
Philippine News Agency

Peace talks

Incidents/Operations
Extremism

Cops arrest Dawlah Islamiyah subleader in Maguindanao
Government forces arrested Thursday afternoon a wanted man who turned out to be a subleader of terrorist group Dawlah Islamiya operating in Sultan Kudarat province.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

9 Abus in Sulu surrender to Army; 1 tagged in Sipadan abductions
After 20 years of hiding, one of the suspects in the April 23, 2000 kidnapping of over 40 tourists and resort workers in Sipadan in Malaysia surrendered to authorities.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Sayyaf releases guidelines for recruitment of jihadists
The SITE Intelligence Group on Thursday said an Abu Sayyaf-linked account has called for new fighters and provided guidelines for aspiring jihadists (holy warriors) and promoting the pursuit of "martyrdom."
Manila Times

MARAWI 

SOUTHEAST ASIA AND THE WORLD

Afghan ‘security vacuum’ could see global terrorism return – UK military chief
A dangerous “security vacuum” risks opening up in Afghanistan, potentially enabling international terrorism to take a grip once again, the head of the British armed forces has warned.
UK News

Indian independence anniversary overshadowed by extremism
Concern is growing over religious persecution in India as the 74th anniversary of independence approaches on Sunday.
The Tablet

Bangsamoro
BARMM 

Canada donates P757 million for education, health, good governance projects in Bangsamoro region
The Government of Canada has donated approximately P757 million (Can$18.9 million) to fund seven new development assistance projects in the areas of education, health and good governance in the Philippines, specifically in the Bangsamoro region.
Manila Bulletin | Manila Times

MAGUINDANAO AND COTABATO CITY 

Over 60K now fully vaccinated in Maguindanao
The vaccination rollout in Maguindanao has been doing well, with over 60,000 persons now fully protected against Covid-19, a health official said Thursday.
Philippine News Agency

LANAO PROVINCES

BASILAN

SULU 

TAWI-TAWI 
Shadow economies
DRUGS

Operations/ Incidents

P600K marijuana seized in Bulacan buy-bust
Police seized P600,000 worth of marijuana leaves from four arrested suspects following a buy-bust operation in the City of San Jose del Monte on Wednesday (Aug. 11).
Philippine Daily Inquirer

P340,000 worth of drugs seized in San Fernando
MORE than P300,000 worth of illegal drugs were seized during a recent buy-bust operation launched in the City of San Fernando.
Sun Star

Over P53,000 shabu seized in Bacolod
AN ESTIMATED P53,720 worth of shabu or methamphetamine hydrochloride was seized in separate drug bust operations of Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO) in Bacolod City on Wednesday, August 12, 2021.
Sun Star

‘Drug trader’ from Tarlac nabbed in Nueva Ecija
An alleged drug trader from Tarlac province was arrested here during a buy-bust operation on Wednesday (Aug. 11), police said.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Recovery and Rehabilitation

ILLICIT FIREARMS, EXPLOSIVES, AND AMMUNITION

3 arrested for possession of gun, meth in Zamboanga City
Police arrested three persons here on Wednesday night (Aug. 11) for possession of a gun and several sachets of crystal meth or shabu, but only after a chase in the sea.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

CROSS-BORDER TRADING/ SMUGGLING/ COUNTERFEIT GOODS  

HUMAN TRAFFICKING

KIDNAPPING/ ABDUCTION

ILLEGAL GAMBLING

ILLICIT FINANCIAL TRANSACTIONS/ EXTORTION

Eleazar orders relief of police unit over alleged extortion, dismissal of 2 rogue cops
Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Police General Guillermo Eleazar on Thursday assured the swift dismissal of two rogue cops and ordered the relief of an entire police unit over separate incidents.
GMA Network

Land issues
Indigenous People's
Human Rights

Press Freedom/ Freedom of expression

Davao journalist 'mistakenly' arrested in 2019 vows to take legal fight to Supreme Court
Davao-based journalist Margarita Valle, who was arrested and locked away for hours based on mistaken identity, vowed to continue to seek accountability from the police and military, in a fight that goes beyond just her case and extends to other journalists.
Philippine Star | Bulatlat

Martial Law 

Governance

COVID-19

Cases

New COVID-19 cases surpass 12,000 for 2nd consecutive day
For the second straight day, new coronavirus cases yesterday breached 12,000, according to the Department of Health (DOH).
Philippine Star

PH detects 177 more COVID-19 Delta variant cases raising tally to 627
Health authorities have detected an additional 177 cases of the COVID-19 Delta variant, increasing the total to 627.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Department of Health

Pregnant women now part of jab priority group
Pregnant women are now part of the priority group for vaccination against COVID-19, the Department of Health (DOH) announced yesterday as it opted to expand the immunization coverage upon the recommendation of experts.
Philippine Star

FDA sees no shortage of medical oxygen supply amid pandemic
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is confident that the country will not have a problem with the supply of medical oxygen amid the COVID-19 pandemic with the current 81 licensed medical oxygen manufacturers and 30 hospitals that produce their own requirements.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

IATF/NTF COVID-19

IATF advisor traces Mindanao outbreak to OFWs who entered through Cebu
Infectious disease expert Edsel Salvana, an advisor for the national government’s COVID-19 task force, said outbreaks in parts of Mindanao could be traced to returning overseas Filipinos workers (OFWs) who entered through Cebu.
Rappler

Regions

Luzon including NCR

On first day of distribution, over 233K Makati residents receive ECQ ‘ayuda’

Makati City has already released cash assistance to over 233,000 residents during the first day of distribution alone, Mayor Abby Binay said Thursday.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Active COVID-19 cases among Central Luzon cops hit 100
The number of active COVID-19 cases among the workforce of the Philippine National Police (PNP) in Central Luzon climbed to 100 on Thursday (Aug. 12), records showed.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Visayas

95% of Covid-19 deaths in C. Visayas 'unvaxxed': DOH exec
About 95 percent of the mortalities due to the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) were unvaccinated, Department of Health Central Visayas (DOH-7) official said on Thursday.
Philippine News Agency

Cebu administers 1 million COVID-19 vaccines
More than one million COVID vaccines were administered in Cebu as of Wednesday, the Department of Health (DOH)-Central Visayas office announced yesterday.
Philippine Star

Mindanao

Davao Region receives 102,960 additional doses of Pfizer vaccines
The Davao Region received additional 102,960 doses of Pfizer-BioNTech vaccines against the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) on Thursday, bringing the total doses of all vaccines combined delivered to the region to 1,927,480 as of August 12.
MindaNews

World 

US FDA set to authorize COVID-19 vaccine boosters for immunocompromised patients

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is expected to authorize a third booster dose of COVID-19 vaccines by Pfizer Inc and Moderna Inc for people with weakened immune systems, NBC News reported on Wednesday.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Canada planning COVID-19 vaccine passport for international travel
Canada is working to create a digital vaccine passport that would allow citizens to travel abroad and it should be available in the next few months, government officials said on Wednesday.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Diplomatic, Development and Private Sector 

Incidents and Violations

80 charged for pandemic-related offenses, including 52 for spreading ‘fake news’
The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Thursday said they have charged a total of 80 persons in court for pandemic-related offenses, including 52 for “spreading fake news” about COVID-19 on the internet.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Nearly 2,000 quarantine violators arrested in Pampanga
Authorities in Pampanga province have arrested nearly 2,000 people for violating quarantine protocols.
Philippines Lifestyle

Editorial, Analysis, Opinion and Features

OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT

Duterte 'withholding judgment' on COA findings until DOH responds
Malacañang said President Rodrigo Duterte will not yet comment on the Commission on Audit's findings of deficiencies in the Department of Health's spending until the agency responds to the accusations.
Rappler

Palace: ‘No criticism towards Isko Moreno heard from Duterte’s mouth’
No criticism towards Manila City Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso was heard from President Rodrigo Duterte’s mouth, Malacañang said Thursday as it kept mum about the mayor whom the Chief Executive was pertaining to in his recent tirades.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

OFFICE OF THE VICE PRESIDENT

Robredo, Quezon City launch COVID Vax Express service for 5,000 tricycle drivers
The Office of the Vice President and the Quezon City government formally launched another Vaccine Express drive-through site, this time to cater to jeepney and tricycle drivers and operators, as well as to delivery riders in Quezon City. 
Philippine Star

AUDIT, GRAFT, AND CORRUPTION

Ombudsman holds off until COA audit of DOH fully done
Ombudsman Samuel Martires will wait for the full audit reports on the Department of Health’s (DOH) COVID-19 fund spending as the Commission on Audit (COA) recommendations can be settled by the beleaguered agency.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

BUDGET, FINANCE, and TAXATION

DOF sees REITs as catalyst for strong economic rebound
The growing roster of real estate investment trust (REIT) offerings is serving as a catalyst for a quick and strong economic rebound, according to the Department of Finance.
Philippine Star

BUSINESS, ECONOMY AND INVESTMENT

‘Road to Philippine economic rebound gets more bumpy’
The path toward economic recovery continues to dim as the new wave of COVID-19 cases from a more transmissible variant is now being felt, with vaccine rollout still lacking pace than needed.
Philippine Star

BUILD, BUILD, BUILD and PUBLIC WORKS

[OPINION] 10 ‘Build, Build, Build’ projects in CARAGA

In the second quarter of 2021, Philippines’ Gross Domestic Product (GDP) grew by 11.8 percent, the highest since the fourth quarter of 1988. The biggest contributor to the increase was the construction sector, which is pegged at 25.7 percent. It was followed by manufacturing at 22.3 percent and industry and services at 20.8 percent. In other words, Philippines has ended its recession with the fastest year-on-year growth in 32 years.
Manila Bulletin

CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS

DISASTER AND EMERGENCY RESPONSE

Strong quake strikes Philippines, no major damage reported
A powerful magnitude 7.1 earthquake struck off the Philippines on Thursday, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) said, as initial warnings about the risk of tsunamis were lifted and with no immediate reports of casualties or major damage.
Reuters

DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE

DEFENSE AND SECURITY

DND verifying presence of Chinese research vessel in WPS
The Department of National Defense (DND) on Thursday said it is now verifying reports about the alleged presence of a Chinese research vessel off Panatag (Scarborough) Shoal in the West Philippine Sea.
Philippine News Agency

Armed Forces of the Philippines

AFP renews commitment to uphold int'l humanitarian law
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) reaffirmed its commitment towards a strengthened implementation of the International Humanitarian Law (IHL), as the country commemorates IHL Day on Thursday.
Philippine News Agency

Philippine National Police

146 more PNP personnel test positive for COVID-19

The number of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases within the Philippine National Police (PNP) rose to 31,933 on Thursday after 146 more personnel tested positive for the illness.
GMA News

EDUCATION

DepEd eyes ‘modified enrollment process’ to start on Aug. 16

The Department of Education (DepEd) is eyeing the implementation of a “modified enrollment process” when the enrollment period for the basic education level starts next week
Manila Bulletin

INFORMATION, COMMUNICATION AND TECHNOLOGY  
 
ELECTION RELATED

Gordon on talks with Robredo: 'May sinabi siyang napakaganda'
Will a "partnership" between Vice President Leni Robredo and Sen. Richard Gordon soon come to fruition?
CNN Philippines

ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES

DENR to keep nationwide ban on open-pit mining
The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) opted to keep the nationwide ban on open-pit mines amid the clamor of environmental groups. This was after the government agency attempted to insert a provision in the implementing rules and regulations (IRR) of Executive Order 130 that would also lift the moratorium on the controversial mining method.
Manila Bulletin

LABOR

DOLE probes firms with ‘no vaccine, no work’ policy
Some companies allegedly preventing their unvaccinated workers from reporting to the workplace are now under investigation by the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE).
Philippine Star

LEGISLATIVE

Senate of the Philippines

Senate to probe DOH over audit report on ₱67-B pandemic funds
The Senate is gearing up for an inquiry into the Department of Health's management of its over ₱67-billion pandemic response funds.
CNN Philippines | Philippine Daily Inquirer

Lacson: Duque only cares for his boss, President Duterte
Senator Panfilo M. Lacson said Department of Health (DOH) Secretary Francisco Duque III only cares for his boss, President Duterte, but ‘’mismanages’’ the DOH’s strategy in containing COVID-19 pandemic.
Manila Bulletin

House of Representatives

House panel approves bill on nationwide hospital referral system
During its virtual hearing, the panel, chaired by Quezon Rep. Angelina Tan, approved House Bill 9633, which would institutionalize and broaden the scope of the One Hospital Command System, which currently conducts health facility referrals in Metro Manila. 
Canadian Inquirer

LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS (LGUs)

OFFICIAL DEVELOPMENT ASSISTANCE

FOREIGN RELATIONS  

‘Biggest ever repatriation in PH history’ is ongoing
Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. was not exaggerating when he described the ongoing repatriation of Filipinos from various countries as the biggest in Philippine history.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

West Philippine Sea

FOOD AND AGRICULTURE

HOUSING and SETTLEMENT

POVERTY

SOCIAL WELFARE AND DEVELOPMENT

TRANSPORTATION

TOURISM

WATER and ENERGY

BDO ramps up sustainability initiatives
Top lender BDO Unibank Inc. continues to ramp up its efforts in sustainable finance to help achieve the private and public sectors’ impactful global activities that cushion the destructive effects of climate change.
Philippine Star

EDC turns over PHP29 million to LGUs
Energy Development Corp. (EDC) has turned over P29.1 million to the communities and local government units (LGUs) hosting its 130-megawatt (MW) geothermal power plant in the Bicol region.
Business Mirror

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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