"NPA Brings No Future But Death” Former Rebels Say Laak, Davao De Oro
“During the peace talks, armed NPA members went to our home and asked my father to organize a meeting to reorganize the people, my father cannot refuse their request because they were armed and he was also afraid because the NPA also killed his parents,” an emotional former rebel sharing her testimony during the culmination of the 4-day Peace Building Seminar in Laak, Davao De Oro, on December 5, 2020.
Kalinaw News
Peace talks
Incidents/Operations
2 ranking NPA members arrested in QC, Laguna
Police intelligence agents on Saturday arrested two ranking members of the communist New People’s Army (NPA) in separate locations in Quezon City and Laguna, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said.
Philippine News Agency
Troops recover NPA firearms in Zamboanga del Sur
Government forces have recovered high-powered firearms and other war materiel hidden by the communist New People’s Army (NPA) terrorists in the province of Zamboanga del Sur, officials announced Sunday, December 6, 2020.
Sunstar Zamboanga
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MARAWI
SOUTHEAST ASIA AND THE WORLD
Ohio, NY attorneys general tackle hate crimes in AJC webinar
Hate crimes in the United States are at their highest level in over a decade, and although Jews make up less than 2% of the population, they were targeted in more than 60% of 2019’s religious-based hate crimes.
Cleveland Jewish News
Britain sends 300 soldiers to support UN peacekeepers in Mali
Three hundred British soldiers have arrived in Mali to strengthen the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA), a statement from the UN mission said on Friday.
The News Nigeria
The biggest threat faced by the world today is poverty, not terrorism
At the recent 12th BRICS Summit on November 17 this year, India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi pointed that in his view and that of his populous country, the biggest threat faced by the world today is terrorism.
IOL
Morocco Helps Spain Arrest Moroccan Man With Alleged ISIS Ties
National police in Spain announced the arrest of a Moroccan national for his alleged links with ISIS in collaboration with the security services of Morocco.
Morocco World News
Security Official: Some Moroccans Exploit Democracy for Personal Gain
Central director of Morocco’s Judicial Police Mohamed Dkhissi accused some Moroccans of exploiting the widening margins of freedom and democracy to serve their personal interests.
Morocco World News
Egypt: Prominent businessman arrested for financing outlawed Muslim Brotherhood
Egyptian police have arrested a well-known businessman on suspicion of financing terrorism, security sources said Sunday.
Sayyed Rajab Al Sewarky, the owner of the famous department store chain Al Tawhid Wal Nour had been arrested from his house in Giza near Cairo on suspicion of bankrolling a “terrorist group”, the sources added.
Gulf News
Libya and UK discuss training, combatting terrorism and organized crime
In a meeting between Fathi Bashagha, Interior Minister of Libya’s internationally recognized government in Tripoli, and Britain’s ambassador to Libya, Nicolas Hopton, joint security cooperation was discussed.
Libya Herald
Missing Brit teen from London found in camp for ISIS brides with son aged 3 six years later
A missing Brit who left London aged 18 has been found six years later in a camp for ISIS brides in Syria.
Nasra Abukar, who now has a three-year-old son, prompted a widespread search when she disappeared from her family home in Lewisham in 2014.
The Sun UK
Airstrike kills 6 Daesh terrorists in Kirkuk, Iraq
At least six terrorists from the Daesh/ISIS terror group were killed on Sunday in an airstrike in Kirkuk province, northern Iraq, according to the Iraqi army.
Anadolu Agency
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BARMM
Bangsamoro gov't continues decommissioning process
$1.5B budget for 2021 undergoing parliament reading, expected to be approved before year's end, says chief minister
Anadolu Agency
MAGUINDANAO AND COTABATO CITY
More security personnel deployed to Datu Piang after BIFF attack
Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Debold Sinas said additional security personnel have been deployed in Datu Piang town, Maguindanao to prevent a repeat of Thursday's attack of suspected Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) terrorists.
Philippine News Agency
CHR condemns Maguindanao attack, says it ‘insults efforts to pursue peace’
The Commission of Human Rights (CHR) on Sunday “strongly” condemned the attack by members of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) in a town in Maguindanao.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
LANAO PROVINCES
Murder suspect in Lanao del Norte killed after 18-hour hostage drama
A murder suspect who resisted arrest by taking his wife hostage, was killed on Sunday, Dec. 6, after an 18-hour drama that gripped their small community in Tagoloan town, Lanao del Norte.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
Man resists arrest, takes wife hostage in Lanao del Norte
A man took his wife as hostage inside their residence Saturday night to prevent law enforcers from serving an arrest warrant against him, a military official said.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
BASILAN
SULU
TAWI-TAWI
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DRUGS
Operations/ Incidents
Parañaque buy-bust nets 2 couriers, P54.4-M shabu
Authorities arrested two suspected drug couriers and confiscated over PHP54 million worth of shabu in a buy-bust operation in Parañaque City, the Philippine National Police-Drug Enforcement Group (PNP-DEG) said on Sunday.
Philippine News Agency
5 nabbed as PDEA agents dismantle Pampanga drug den
Agents of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency PDEA-Region 3 (PDEA-3) dismantled a drug den and arrested five drug suspects in an operation in Madapdap Resettlement, Barangay Dapdap, this city on Saturday.
Philippine News Agency
Top drug personality in Central Luzon, companion slain in Nueva Ecija
Two drug suspects were killed after they reportedly resisted arrest and fired shots at policemen during a buy-bust operation here on Sunday.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
Drug bust nets fisherman in Zamboanga City
Lawmen have arrested a fisherman and seized illegal drugs in an anti-drug operation in Zamboanga City, the police reported Sunday, December 6, 2020.
Sunstar Zamboanga
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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DENR urges public to apply for agricultural free patent
Filipino farmers who want to avail of the government’s agricultural free patent program have until the end of the month to file their application at all Community Environment and Natural Resources Offices (CENROs) nationwide.
Philippine News Agency
School that closed seminary loses land to Pampanga archdiocese
The Missionaries of the Sacred Heart (MSC) has announced the closure of its Chevalier School in Angeles City in 2021 after it failed to get a new land lease contract with the Archdiocese of San Fernando (ASF) in Pampanga.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
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Meggie Nolasco: Teaching and learning from the Lumad, protecting the environment
Meggie Nolasco has faced many challenges as administrator of Salugpongan Community Learning Center. On Novermber 28 2018, seventeen Lumad advocates – including Meggie, ACT Teachers Partylist Representative Frances Castro and former Bayan Muna Representative Satur Ocampo – were arrested on trumped-up charges of human trafficking, released only after posting a bail of P80,000 for each of those detained. They were responding to the urgent call for help of students and teachers following a string of harassment by paramilitary forces.
Bulatlat
IP leaders unite with Army to end insurgency in Agusan del Norte, Misamis Oriental
The Indigenous Peoples Mandatory Representatives of the Higaonon and Manobo tribes in the provinces of Agusan del Norte and Misamis Oriental, backed by more or less eighty tribal leaders of the said provinces met with the top officers of 23rd IB, led by Lt. Col. Julius Cesar C. Paulo on Friday, December 4, at the unit’s headquarters in Barangay Alubijid, Buenavista town and forged a partnership with the Army’s 23rd Infantry “Masigasig” Battalion to launch a series of campaigns against insurgency in their respective communities.
Kalinaw News
Cultural identity in Baguio mural
As the only woman and the youngest artist at 23 to interact with veteran artists Ben Cabrera, Leonard Aguinaldo, Roland Bay-an, Kawayan de Guia and John Frank Sabado in painting the Cordillera mural that now adorns the lobby of Baguio Convention Center, Venazir Martinez was “literally in tears” when she was chosen.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
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Amanda Echanis was arrested to silence the people
The Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) and all revolutionary forces are one with the rest of the democratic sectors in condemning the unlawful arrest of peasant activist Amanda Echanis with her month-old child Randall Emmanuel.
Communist Party of the Philippines
Arrested activist Amanda Echanis ‘always stands for what is right’
“She is very sharp. She is understanding of what her colleagues are going through. And on hard times, she would always say, ‘You can do it. I believe in you.’”
Bulatlat
Echanis counsel reminds CIDG: Stop harassing activist mother in detention
Elements of the Cagayan office of the national police's Criminal Investigation and Detection Group were reminded Sunday to refrain from interrogating detained peasant organizer Amanda Echanis in detention while investigative proceedings were still ongoing.
Philippine Star
Press Freedom/ Freedom of expression
Martial Law
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COVID-19
Cases
PH logs 1,768 more COVID-19 cases; over 9,000 recoveries
The Department of Health (DOH) on Sunday reported 1,768 additional cases of COVID-19, pushing the country’s caseload to 439,834.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
Department of Health
IATF/NTF COVID-19
NTF cautions public from believing unverified info about ‘holiday lockdown’
The National Task Force (NTF) Against COVID-19 advised the public Sunday not to believe unverified information being peddled in social media about the possible imposition of a holiday lockdown this Yuletide season supposedly to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.
Manila Bulletin
Regions
Luzon including NCR
Laoag City mayor extends public market lockdown
Mayor Michael Keon here has extended the lockdown of the Laoag City Public Market and Commercial Complex effective Dec. 5 until further notice.
Philippine News Agency
18 construction workers in Zambales positive for COVID-19 after getting job in Rizal
Eighteen more construction workers who returned home from Antipolo, Rizal have tested positive for the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) on Saturday, raising the total cases to 679 in the province since the pandemic began.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
Visayas
Mindanao
Soccsksargen logs 36 new Covid-19 recoveries
Thirty-six patients have recovered from coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) as of Saturday night, the Department of Health–Region 12 (Soccsksargen) reported.
Philippine News Agency
Misa de Gallo schedules in parishes released; livestreamed masses urged
The Archdiocese of Davao has released its schedule of masses for the traditional Misa de Gallo on December 16 to 24.
Mindanews
Pagadian village officials, workers cautioned vs. Covid-19
Officials and workers of the city’s 54 barangays have been advised to take precautionary measures in attending to their respective constituents amid the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic.
Philippine News Agency
World
US sets another record for COVID-19 cases in one day
For the third day in a row, the United States on Saturday notched a record number of coronavirus cases in 24 hours, reaching nearly 230,00 new infections, according to a tally by Johns Hopkins University.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
Most of California to be under stay-at-home orders as COVID-19 surges
California’s two most densely inhabited regions and its agricultural breadbasket will be under stay-at-home orders by Sunday night as the COVID-19 pandemic strains hospitals in the most populous U.S. state, officials said.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
Britain’s Queen Elizabeth to get COVID-19 vaccine ‘in weeks’: reports
Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II will receive the Pfizer-BioNTech coronavirus vaccine within weeks, after UK regulators granted emergency approval and the world’s first roll-out begins next week, reports late Saturday said.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
WHO: Keep guard up even with COVID-19 vaccine nearing rollout
World Health Organization (WHO) officials on Friday warned governments and citizens not to drop their guard against the COVID-19 pandemic even with vaccines nearing rollout, saying health-care systems could still buckle under pressure.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
Veggie prices plunge in Japan as restaurant industry slumps amid COVID-19 pandemic
Vegetable prices have dropped significantly, making consumers happy but vexing farmers and retailers.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
Dozens quarantined after coronavirus found in frozen food in China
A total of 43 people have been placed under quarantine after a frozen-food sample in Northeast China’s Heilongjiang province tested positive for novel coronavirus, local authorities said Saturday.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
Diplomatic, Development and Private Sector
Incidents and Violations
Editorial, Analysis, Opinion and Features
The safest bet
Minors, stay out of malls and stay home.
This order was made by the Metro Manila Council, composed of the heads of 17 local governments in the National Capital Region, who unanimously agreed with the recommendation of pediatricians that the risk of acquiring COVID-19 “far [outweighs] the benefits” of allowing those 17 years old and below inside shopping malls this holiday season in a bid to boost economic activity. Aside from trips to the malls, minors are also banned from the traditional “Simbang Gabi” — the novena of Masses celebrated at dawn from Dec. 16 to 24 in preparation for Christmas, said Metropolitan Manila Development Authority general manager Jose Arturo Garcia Jr.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT
Palace says supposed lockdown from Dec. 23 to Jan. 3 fake news
Malacañang on Sunday tagged as “fake news” the rumors that the government would impose a nationwide lockdown from Dec. 23, 2020 to Jan. 3, 2021.
Philippine News Agency
OFFICE OF THE VICE PRESIDENT
Robredo laments ‘brazen’ killing of Los Baños mayor
Vice President Leni Robredo on Sunday lamented the “brazen” killing of Los Baños, Laguna mayor Caesar Perez, saying that his death, along with the cases of other public officials, should be a cause for concern.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
AUDIT, GRAFT, AND CORRUPTION
Legislators among those linked to corruption, says DOJ chief
The anticorruption task force that President Duterte created has received complaints about the supposed involvement of some lawmakers in allegedly irregular government transactions, Justice Menardo Guevarra said on Saturday.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
BUDGET, FINANCE, and TAXATION
BIR Central Luzon upgrades system, bats for ISO certification
The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) in Central Luzon said it passed the first stage of an external audit by an independent certification body as it adopted “Quality Management System (QMS)” to simplify its procedures and unburden taxpayers.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
Bangko Sentral receives positive assessment on 27 out of 29 Basel core principles
The bank secrecy laws and the lack of power of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas to supervise parent companies and their affiliate banks continue to present a hindrance to its effective supervision of financial institutions, according to a report by the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank.
Manila Standard
BUSINESS, ECONOMY AND INVESTMENT
App to help women entrepreneurs expand business in new markets launched
Filipino women entrepreneurs can build strong networks and strike business deals as they expand globally through the SheTrades Philippines hub, the first in Asia.
Yahoo News
Business mobility in the new normal
The new normal has created multi-layered and complex conditions for businesses. At the onset of the pandemic, organizations were forced to implement remote working procedures; and now, businesses are considering appropriate strategies to enable their people to safely return to work. There have also been challenges around business travel and mobility, with domestic and international travel limitations severely affecting many companies. Based on the EY article, Transforming the Mobility Function in the Wake of COVID-19, 98% of companies have suspended or outright cancelled international business travel, and travel industry forecasts indicate a two- to three-year timeline before recovery and a return to pre-COVID-19 level operations.
Business Mirror
BUILD, BUILD, BUILD and PUBLIC WORKS
CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS
DISASTER AND EMERGENCY RESPONSE
Pagasa: Rains expected in parts of Visayas, Mindanao; new LPA spotted
Rain showers are expected in parts of the Visayas and Mindanao on Sunday due to the easterlies, or winds blowing from the Pacific Ocean, the state weather bureau said.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
[Editorial] Filth and human neglect
As if ruin and devastation following torrential rains, floods, and mudslides were not grievous enough postscripts to a disaster, in this country the aftermath is made even worse by the onset of diseases among the population.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
DEFENSE AND SECURITY
Armed Forces of the Philippines
Philippine National Police
Quezon police going all out to solve killing of former Pagbilao mayor
The Quezon provincial police force is continuing its investigation and pursuit of the suspects and perpetrators behind the fatal shooting of former Pagbilao mayor Romeo Portes, who died more than a week after he was shot.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
EDUCATION
INFORMATION, COMMUNICATION AND TECHNOLOGY
Go lauds PCOO; proposes another media hub in Visayas
Senator Christopher “Bong” Go congratulated the Presidential Communications Operations Office led by Secretary Martin Andanar for the first television broadcast of the People’s Television Network from the newly inaugurated Mindanao Media Hub (MMH) in Davao City on Saturday.
Philippine News Agency
Create more jobs, curb brain drain to improve internet connectivity, Poe tells telcos
Senator Grace Poe on Sunday urged local telecommunication companies to create more jobs for Filipinos as “brain drain” may be one of the reasons the public is still facing internet connection problems.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
ELECTION RELATED
Senate has deleted provision on relaxed safeguard rules on automated polls –Gatchalian
Senator Sherwin Gatchalian has said a provision in the Senate version of the 2021 national budget which allows the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to waive safeguards in the procurement of equipment and materials to be used for automated elections has already been removed.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES
Mindanao bus firm joins LTFRB-initiated tree-planting in CDO
One of the biggest bus companies in the country is among the first public transport operators to join the tree-planting activity mandated by the Department of Transportation (DOTr) and the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board-10 (LTFRB-10) in Malasag, Barangay Cugman, this city on Saturday.
Philippine News Agency
Residents rescue injured red-backed sea eagle in Ilocos Norte
A wounded brahminy kite (Haliastur indus) or red-backed sea eagle that was rescued on Saturday near the Padsan River in Barangay San Antonio, Sarrat, Ilocos Norte is now under the custody of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) office here for safekeeping.
Philippine News Agency
LABOR
Nearly P38M disbursed to aid 7,477 tourism workers displaced by COVID-19
Over 7,000 of the 600,000 displaced workers in the tourism sector have so far received financial assistance under the Bayanihan to Recover as One Act, data from the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) showed.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
83 percent of domestic helpers do not have SSS, Philhealth and Pag-IBIG benefits — DOLE
More than 80 percent of the 1.4 million domestic workers in the country have no benefits from Social Security System (SSS), Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth), and Home Development Mutual Fund (Pag-IBIG).
Manila Bulletin
LEGISLATIVE
Senate of the Philippines
‘Stuck with band-aid solutions’: Gov’t urged to craft nat’l policy for job recovery
Senator Imee Marcos on Sunday warned that millions of Filipinos would remain jobless if the government fails to create a national policy that would spur job recovery.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
House of Representatives
Solon backs senior, PWD-friendly infra projects
The elderly and differently abled sectors of society must not be left behind as far as infrastructure projects next year are concerned, Deputy Majority Leader and Bagong Henerasyon Party-List Rep. Bernadette Herrera said Sunday.
Manila Bulletin
LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS (LGUs)
OFFICIAL DEVELOPMENT ASSISTANCE
FOREIGN RELATIONS
PHL, Hungary sign deals to pursue water management, food projects
The Philippines and Hungary have zeroed in on water management and food as areas for potential cooperation, the Trade department said following a meeting between the two countries’ trade representatives.
Business Mirror
West Philippine Sea
FOOD AND AGRICULTURE
Agusan Norte farmers see hope in cassava production
Upland farmers in Las Nieves, Agusan del Norte are now starting to reap the fruits of their labor in venturing into another agricultural endeavor to earn additional income.
Philippine News Agency
Zamboanga del Norte farmers get rice-duck production project
A farmers’ association in the province of Zamboanga del Norte likened the rice-duck production project given to them as an early Christmas gift from the Department of Agriculture-Special Agricultural Area for Development (DA-SAAD).
Philippine News Agency
HOUSING and SETTLEMENT
POVERTY
Zero Hunger task force concludes consultations with stakeholders
The Inter-Agency Task Force on Zero Hunger has concluded a series of consultations from Nov. 26 to Dec. 4 with stakeholders in government and the private sector on the National Food Policy (NFP) which aims to address the priority concerns of hunger and poverty.
Philippine News Agency
SOCIAL WELFARE AND DEVELOPMENT
TRANSPORTATION
Suspend cashless toll collection, Valenzuela lawmaker asks DOTr
Valenzuela Rep. Wes Gatchalian wants the Department of Transportation (DOTr) to stop the implementation of the cashless toll collection system until operators resolve the glitches in their radio frequency identification (RFID) systems, which have caused heavy traffic in the past few days.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
Gov’t, toll operators urged to review concession agreement amid RFID fiasco
Senator Sherwin Gatchalian on Sunday warned toll road companies that their concessions can be revoked as he called for the review of the concession agreement between the government and toll operators over issues and other possible violations committed in the implementation of the Radio-Frequency Identification (RFID) cashless payment system.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
Free antigen test for Gensan-bound PAL passengers
Passengers of flag carrier Philippine Airlines (PAL) bound for General Santos City may avail of free antigen testing beginning Monday (Dec. 7) until Dec. 17.
Philippine News Agency
TOURISM
WATER and ENERGY
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