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Communist Rebellion


P.5 million reward up for local IATF head killers’ arrest
The city government of Guihulngan in Negros Oriental has offered a reward of P500,000 for information leading to the arrest of the perpetrators of the killing of the head of its Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases or IATF, Mary Rose Sancelan, and her husband Edwin.
Philippine Star 

[Editorial] Tagged and murdered
With health frontliners suffering a high number of casualties in the coronavirus pandemic, the country has lost another doctor. Mary Rose Sancelan, however, did not lose her life to COVID-19. The doctor, who headed the Inter-Agency Task Force Against Emerging Infectious Diseases in Guihulngan City, Negros Oriental was killed together with her husband Edwin as they were driving home on their motorcycle on Dec. 15.
Philippine Star 

5ID and Cagayan sign MOA for the activation of SCAA in the Province
A memorandum of agreement for the activation of Special CAFGU Active Auxiliary (SCAA) Company was signed between the 5th Infantry Division, Philippine Army represented by MGen Laurence E Mina PA, Commander and Cagayan Provincial Government represented by Governor Manuel M. Mamba at Cagayan Sports Complex, Tuguegarao City, Cagayan on December 18, 2020.
Kalinaw News

Realtime Rescue Operations by ever onward troopers
The 26th Infantry (Ever Onward) Battalion deployed its Disaster Risk Operations (DRO) unit in various municipalities of Agusan del Sur affected by the massive flooding due to Typhoon Vicky, yesterday.
Kalinaw News

E-CLIP team inaugurates halfway house for former rebels in Misamis Oriental
The Province of Misamis Oriental inaugurated the new Halfway house for Former Rebels (FRs) during a simple ceremony held at Provincial Police Office (PPO), San Martin, Villanueva yesterday, December 18, 2020.
Kalinaw News

Peace talks

[Editorial] The real war, the bigger enemy
It’s an old story that has been retold so often it’s become something of a cliché.
As The History Channel tells it, “at the first light of dawn on Christmas Day (in 1914), some German soldiers emerged from their trenches and approached the Allied lines across no-man’s-land, calling out ‘Merry Christmas’ in their enemies’ native tongues.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Mindanao, no Christmas truce between government and rebels. Christians speak out
Rodrigo Duterte says there will be no more ceasefires as long as he is president. The NPA "forced" to resume fighting against the army and police. The Ecumenical Platform for Peace in the Philippines is concerned "about the deterioration of the prospects for peace in our land". Criticisms of Duterte's “rhetoric”.
Asia News 

PNP assures rebel returnees of safe passage
Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Debold Sinas has given assurance of safe passage to communist rebels who want to surrender.
Philippine Star 

Incidents/Operations

Total Surrender: Guerilla Front 33 Yields to Whole-of-Nation Effort in Davao Region

Following a major encounter in New Corella, Davao del Norte between troops of 25th Infantry Battalion and CPP-NPA’s Weakened Guerilla Front 33 on December 12, one amazon was killed and a total of 26 NPA regulars surrendered to the authorities.
Kalinaw News

 
Extremism

MARAWI 

SOUTHEAST ASIA AND THE WORLD

Violent Extremism in 2020 and Beyond
The year 2020 has ushered in rapid and significant shifts in existing threats to global security. From the COVID-19 pandemic to climate change and longstanding violent conflict, the pressures facing our current global system are increasingly complex and all-encompassing. Among these, violent extremism remains a significant challenge—shifting as actors adapt and take advantage of ongoing and emerging global shocks and sources of instability. 
United States Institute of Peace

Victims of racist attacks fear reoccurrence as Australia launches inquiry into right-wing extremism
Anam Javed was shopping for vegetables at her local supermarket when a man ripped her hijab off her head. In shock, she told herself it must have just flown off by accident, but she soon realised she was being verbally abused.
ABC News

U.S. intelligence agencies are increasingly focused on domestic extremism. Their latest target: Satanists.
In recent years, the U.S. law enforcement and intelligence communities have identified domestic threats linked to a variety of ideologies and movements, ranging from the “boogaloo bois” to conspiracy theorists. But a recent internal government report obtained by Yahoo News adds what may be the most surprising addition to the list of threats: an obscure satanic cult.
Yahoo News

EU parliament needs return to common sense on China
At a time when the European coronavirus death toll exceeded 500,000, the European Parliament adopted a resolution on Xinjiang, demanding EU countries impose sanctions on Xinjiang officials and ban imports, including cotton, which are allegedly linked to so-called "forced labor."
Global Times 

Edmonton police charge suspect in 3rd attack in 10 days described as 'hate-motivated'
A 38-year-old man has been charged with uttering death threats and assault causing bodily harm after a Black man was assaulted in central Edmonton Wednesday in what police called a 'hate-motivated' attack.
Yahoo News

Anti-terrorism forces kill 206 IS militants in 2020 in Iraq: statement
The Iraqi Counter-Terrorism Service (CTS) said Saturday that its commando forces killed a total of 206 militants of the extremist Islamic State (IS) group and captured 292 others across the country so far during 2020.
Xinhua 

UN chief commends ‘swift action’ by Nigerian authorities as more than 300 boys are reunited with their families
After the release of the boys kidnapped by armed men from Government Science Secondary School in Kankara, on 11 December, Secretary-General António Guterres called for the “immediate and unconditional release of those who remain abducted”.  
UN News

'New York Times' Retracts Core Of Hit Podcast Series 'Caliphate' On ISIS
The New York Times has retracted the core of its hit 2018 podcast series Caliphate after an internal review found the paper failed to heed red flags indicating that the man it relied upon for its narrative about the allure of terrorism could not be trusted to tell the truth.
NPR

Donald Trump takes major action against China, bans 59 companies having links with PLA
Before his departure, US President Donald Trump has given another blow to China. The US Ministry of Commerce has announced a ban on 59 Chinese scientific and industrial manufacturing units, including Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corporation (SMIC). The US has called these companies a threat to national security and contrary to foreign policy. Earlier as well, the Donald Trump administration has taken many big steps against China.
DNA India 

Changing tactics on terrorism
Nigeria has been hit by a series of abductions of schoolchildren by jihadis. Treating them as military opponents hasn’t succeeded. A new program offers amnesty and a way back into society.
Christian Scuence Monitor 

‘Need for collective action against terrorism’
American political scientist Dr C Christine Fair on Friday said the world must work together to stop terrorism, while emphasising on the collective strategy against terrorism.
Hindustan Times

Why does India blames Pakistan for `terror’ incidents without due investigation?
On the occasion of the anniversary of attack on the Indian parliament, Indian prime minister vowed, `we would never forget the attack on the parliament’. India accused Pakistan not only of the Parliament attack (2001),  but also the attacks in Mumbai (2008), Pathankot and Uri (2016) and  Pulwama (2019). India  used these attacks to create difficulties for Pakistan at the Financial Action Task Force.
Modern Diplomacy
 
Bangsamoro
BARMM 

Dimaporo bill: extend Bangsamoro transition period until 2028 to ensure success of normalization process
Lanao del Norte Rep. Khalid Dimaporo has filed the fourth bill proposing an extension of the transition period in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) but unlike the first three bills that proposed the resetting of the date of the first regular election of the BARMM from May 2022 to May 2025, House Bill 8222 is proposing May 2028 instead.
Mindanews

MAGUINDANAO AND COTABATO CITY 
 
Explosive device recovered in Maguindanao
The Joint Task Force Central was able to recover an unexploded ordnance (UXO) in Barangay Buayan, Datu Piang, Manguindanaoon on Thursday afternoon.
Manila Times

LANAO PROVINCES

BASILAN

Food Security Program embraced by constituents in formerly abandoned community
The Office of the Provincial Agriculturist-Basilan (OPAg-Basilan), in partnership with the 16th Special Forces Company, continually promotes food security program through agriculture here in the formerly abandoned community of Barangay Calugusan where they initiated an agri-livelihood training last Friday, 18 December 2020.
Kalinaw News


SULU 

TAWI-TAWI 
 
Shadow economies
DRUGS

Operations/ Incidents

2 fall in anti-drug operations in Zamboanga Peninsula
TWO persons, including a street-level pusher, were arrested in separate anti-drug operations in Zamboanga Peninsula, the police reported Saturday, December 19, 2020.
Sunstar Zamboanga 

Suspected drug pusher dies in shootout, another falls in CamSur stings
An alleged notorious shabu (crystal meth) peddler died in a shootout with policemen and another was arrested in separate drug stings on Friday and Saturday in Camarines Sur, police report.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Metro Manila’s 3rd top drug suspect caught in sting
The third most wanted drug trafficking suspect in Metro Manila was arrested during a sting in Quezon City on Friday night.
Philippine Star 

Recovery and Rehabilitation

ILLICIT FIREARMS, EXPLOSIVES, AND AMMUNITION

CROSS-BORDER TRADING/ SMUGGLING/ COUNTERFEIT GOODS  

HUMAN TRAFFICKING

KIDNAPPING/ ABDUCTION

Crime group leader killed in Bulacan shootout
 A leader of a newly-identified robbery hold-up group was killed in a shootout with the police in Barangay Calumpang, San Miguel town on Friday.
Philippine News Agency 

ILLEGAL GAMBLING

ILLICIT FINANCIAL TRANSACTIONS/ EXTORTION

NBI-10 files raps vs. 'networking' firm
A networking company has been charged after being flagged by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for allegedly engaging in an illegal financial scheme, the National Bureau of Investigation-10 (NBI-10) said Saturday.
Philippine News Agency 
Land issues
Indigenous People's
Human Rights
Senators seek probe of spate of killings
Two senators on the opposite sides of the political fence each called on the government to restore law and order as they sought a legislative inquiry into the series of extrajudicial killings and disappearances in the country, including that of a red-tagged health officer and her spouse who were slain in Negros Oriental province, and recent cases involving judges and lawyers.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Amnesty to gov’t: Drop 'fabricated charges' vs red-tagged 'Human Rights Day 7'
Amnesty International on Saturday called for the release of a journalist and six trade unionists who were all arrested earlier this month for supposed possession of firearms and explosives — a charge which their families, lawyers and other rights groups have called into question.
Philippine Star 

Christmas food delivery to political prisoners sought
In the spirit of Christmas, families of political prisoners have appealed to the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) to allow the delivery of food packs for their loved ones detained at the Manila City Jail.
Manila Bulletin

Press Freedom/ Freedom of expression

International groups worried about the arrest of woman journalist, urge PH government to stop red-tagging
“While there has been no offered evidence of any such links, Philippine officials’ increasing penchant for such “red-tagging” is reckless, irresponsible, and dangerous. When amplified by no less than the highest ranking enforcers of government and the law  they inevitably compromise any guarantees of due process.”
Bulatlat 

Martial Law 
 
Governance

COVID-19

Cases

COVID-19 cases in PH now at 458,044 with 1,491 new infections
The Philippines’ COVID-19 caseload reached 458,044 as 1,491 new cases were logged, the Department of Health (DOH) said Saturday.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Department of Health

IATF/NTF COVID-19

No bus missed, ball dropped in gov’t talks for vaccines: Galvez
National Policy Against Covid-19 chief implementer and vaccine czar Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr. on Friday said “no bus was missed nor ball was dropped” in the government’s negotiations with Washington-based pharmaceutical firm Pfizer for the planned purchase of the potential coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) vaccines.
Canadian Inquirer

Año says MECQ enforcement in NCR this December is fake news
There is no government directive regarding the enforcement of modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ) in Metro Manila this December amid the threat of coronavirus disease, Interior Secretary Eduardo Año said Saturday.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

BI implementing IATF resolution allowing re-entry of foreigners
Bureau of Immigration (BI) Commissioner Jaime Morente announced that they will implement the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) Resolution No. 89 allowing the re-entry of certain foreign nationals to the country.
Manila Bulletin

Regions

Luzon including NCR

Learning from Cordillera’s ways of battling diseases
When villagers in Bontoc town, Mountain Province, encounter an ailing visitor at their borders, he or she is quickly escorted to a shelter far outside their homes where the person can recuperate without contaminating anyone else.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Taguig threatens new lockdown over secret parties, other violations
Taguig City Mayor Lino Cayetano threatened to place the city under a stricter lockdown after some residents and businesses were reported to have disregarded health and safety protocols.
Philippine Star 

Bikers exempted from wearing face shields in Pasig City
Bikers will not be required to wear face shields in Pasig City.
In a social media post Saturday (December 19), the Pasig City Transport Development and Management Office said, “evidence shows and consultation among bikers reveal that biking while wearing a face shield is dangerous.”
Manila Bulletin

Visayas

Cebu City releases salaries of contact tracers
The city government of Cebu has started releasing the salaries of its Covid-19 contact tracers covering August, September, and October.
Philippine News Agency 

Mindanao

World 

India’s coronavirus cases pass 10 million
India surged past 10 million coronavirus cases on Saturday, official data showed, the second highest in the world although new infection rates appear to have fallen sharply in recent weeks.
Manila Bulletin

As FDA authorizes a second COVID-19 vaccine, US reports highest number of daily cases
A second COVID-19 vaccine will soon be shipped out across the US — a "remarkable scientific achievement," according to one expert, that brings the country one step closer to the end of a brutal pandemic.
CNN

In California, wealthy patients are offering top dollar to cut the line for a COVID-19 vaccine
While the nation continues to see record levels of new Covid-19 cases, hospitalizations and deaths, wealthy patients in Southern California — the epicenter of the state's Covid-19 crisis — are offering to pay top dollar to cut the line and be among the first to receive a vaccine.
CNN

Parts of Sydney locked down as Australia battles growing cluster
Parts of Sydney were heading into a fresh lockdown on Saturday as officials in Australia’s most populous city said they hoped the restrictions would be enough to control a growing outbreak in time for Christmas.
Manila Bulletin

Diplomatic, Development and Private Sector 
Incidents and Violations
Editorial, Analysis, Opinion and Features

Philippine pandemic recovery steps await Duterte’s approval; as Covid-19 total surges past 458,000
The Philippines has lined up key measures to support economic recovery for President Rodrigo Duterte’s approval, as it aims for a strong rebound in 2021 after plunging into recession this year amid the pandemic.
The Star 

Who gave lead role to Chinese vaccine?
Why do government officials who know the facts seem to be afraid to tell the people who chose Sinovac Biotech of China to be given a lead role in the COVID-19 mass vaccination starting next year despite its comparatively higher price?
Philippine Star 

OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT

Duterte to sign P4.5-T budget bill on Christmas Day – Sotto
SENATE President Vicente Sotto 3rd expects President Rodrigo Duterte to sign the 2021 national budget on Christmas Day, December 25, after the printed “book form” of the General Appropriations Act, which he and Speaker Lord Allan Velasco signed, was transmitted to Malacañang on Friday.
Manila Times

OFFICE OF THE VICE PRESIDENT

AUDIT, GRAFT, AND CORRUPTION

BUDGET, FINANCE, and TAXATION

Bayanihan 2 expires but DBM not worried
The Bayanihan to Recover as One Act (Bayanihan 2) expired on Saturday, but the Department of Budget and Management (DBM)was not worried about funds that remained unspent for COVID-19 mitigation measures for which they were allocated.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

BUSINESS, ECONOMY AND INVESTMENT

[Editorial]  Economic recovery plans should be more audacious
Days before the outbreak of the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) earlier this year, the government reported that the Philippines was on track to eradicate extreme poverty and hunger by 2040. Naturally, the pandemic disrupted everything and likely pushed even more Filipinos to living on $1.90 (about P91) or less per day. Because of that, the focus of our economic recovery program should be more than getting the economy back on track. We should also aim to eradicate extreme poverty by the original deadline or earlier.
Manila Times

BUILD, BUILD, BUILD and PUBLIC WORKS

CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS

DISASTER AND EMERGENCY RESPONSE

Friday’s flooding in Agusan del Sur: rainfall in 10 hours from 129 mm to 490 mm
Ten hours of heavy rains brought about by Tropical Depression ‘Vicky’ caused massive flooding in the entire province of Agusan del Sur on Friday, the worst since 2014.
Mindanews

‘Vicky’ causes heavy flooding in several Agusan del Sur towns
Vehicular traffic in Agusan del Sur ground to a halt Friday after portions of the Maharlika highway was inundated by two days non-stop rains brought about by Tropical Depression “Vicky.”
Mindanews

Tropical depression “Vicky” heads for Davao Oriental
Tropical depression “Vicky” and the tail end of a frontal system will bring moderate to heavy with at times intense rains over Caraga and areas of Davao Region and Northern Mindanao, the Philippines Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said in an advisory at 2 p.m. Friday.
Mindanews

Davao City to demolish riverside houses
Residential structures built along the city’s five major rivers will be demolished, Mayor Sara Duterte said.
Mindanews

DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE

DEFENSE AND SECURITY

BOC receives procured firearms via PITC
The Bureau of Customs (BOC) on Friday received 65 firearms from the Philippine International Trading Corporation (PITC).
Philippine News Agency 

Armed Forces of the Philippines

Philippine National Police

Sinas: PNP to acquire more bulletproof vests for police officers
Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Debold Sinas said the police force planned to acquire more bulletproof vests to help officers in their conduct of anti-crime operations.
ABS- CBN 

EDUCATION
 
DepEd-Zambo to join face-to-face pilot program
The Department of Education (DepEd) here is willing to join the national government's face-to-face pilot program.
Philippine News Agency 

INFORMATION, COMMUNICATION AND TECHNOLOGY  
 
ELECTION RELATED

Robredo, Go, Ramon Ang among names Filipinos eyeing to run as president for 2022 — research firm
Vice President Leni Robredo, Senator Christopher “Bong” Go and businessman Ramon Ang are some of the big names Filipinos are eyeing to run as President Rodrigo Duterte’s successor in the 2022 national polls, according to a study released by a research firm.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES

LABOR

P6K salary for household workers
Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello 3rd is pushing for a standard P6,000 minimum salary for kasambahay or household service workers (HSWs) nationwide.
Manila Times

DOLE fully behind creating OFW department, says Owwa head
The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) on Saturday, December 19, 2020, expressed full support to the creation of the Department of Overseas Filipinos, saying overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) are fully behind it as well.
Sunstar Manila

LEGISLATIVE

Senate of the Philippines

Go: Gov’t service constrained by bureaucracy
Sen. Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go  lamented Saturday that the government continues to be constrained in fully discharging its responsibilities to safeguard the rights and promote the welfare and interests of overseas Filipinos because of the current set up of the bureaucracy. 
Manila Bulletin

Sotto, after further study, inclined to support creation of department for OFWs
Senate President Vicente Sotto III said Saturday, Dec. 19, that he is now inclined to support proposals for the creation of the Department of Overseas Filipinos after finding that it will support his push for the rightsizing of the government. 
Manila Bulletin

House of Representatives

House pushes for alternative to handshake
A measure institutionalizing a new Filipino gesture of goodwill, praise, and respect as an alternative to the traditional mano (placing elder's hand to the forehead) and handshake to reduce the chances of transferring communicable diseases has hurdled second reading at the House of Representatives.
Philippine News Agency 

LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS (LGUs)

51 LGUs, 4 civil groups in C. Luzon cited for anti-drug efforts
A total of 51 local government units (LGUs) and four civil society organizations (CSOs) in Central Luzon have been recognized for their efforts in supporting the government in its fight against illegal drugs.
Philippine News Agency 

4 Mindanao LGUs cited as among the most competitive
Four local government units (LGUs) in Mindanao emerged as among the most competitive in the country, according to the Cities and Municipalities Competitiveness Index (CMCI) 2020.
Mindanews

Valenzuela mayor’s suspension of NLEX Corp. lauded
VALENZUELA City Mayor Rex Gatchalian on Saturday expressed gratitude to President Rodrigo Duterte for recognizing his move in suspending the business permit of the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) Corp. on December 7 over the “messy” radio frequency identification (RFID) installation.
Manila Times

OFFICIAL DEVELOPMENT ASSISTANCE

FOREIGN RELATIONS  

PH, ASEAN, China, as 3rd decade begins
There were tense moments in recent years in the relations between the Philippines and China, putting the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in a quandary, but now, at the end of the second decade of the 21st century, a regime of peace and cooperation has developed, ensuring long-term development and progress for the country and the region.
Manila Bulletin

West Philippine Sea


FOOD AND AGRICULTURE
 
HOUSING and SETTLEMENT

POVERTY

SOCIAL WELFARE AND DEVELOPMENT

TRANSPORTATION

Advanced passenger info system hailed
The Bureau of Immigration (BI) welcomed President Rodrigo Duterte's executive order (EO) mandating the implementation of an advanced passenger information (API) system to strengthen border control and thwart the entry of terrorists and undesirable aliens in the country.
Sunstar Pampanga 

TOURISM

WATER and ENERGY

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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