Ex-rebels slam Makabayan bloc's lies to conceal ties with Reds
Former cadres and members of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People's Army (CPP-NPA) slammed on Friday lawmakers from the Makabayan bloc for their continuous lies and deceptions to cover up their links with the communist rebels.
Philippine News Agency
Lorenzana slams leftist solons for assailing judge who ordered arrests of activists, journalist
Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana on Friday (Dec. 18) expressed full support for the judge who is now under fire from the leftwing Makabayan bloc in Congress for issuing warrants that led to the arrests of activists who had been accused of having links with communist rebels.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
PNP condemns NPA attack vs gov’t troops in Iloilo
The Police Regional Office 6 (PRO6) has condemned the “landmine attack” of the Communist Party of the Philippines–New People’s Army (CPP-NPA) against the team of the Tubungan Municipal Police Station (MPS) at Barangay Balicua in Tubungan, Iloilo on Thursday.
Philippine News Agency
Rebel group to launch more attacks vs gov’t troops
The communist insurgents based in Central Negros have vowed more offensives against government troops and their allies in response to the killings of “innocent” persons on the island.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
PLGU Mis Or unveils new project to conflict-affected community
In coordination with 58th Infantry “Dimalulupig” Battalion, the Provincial Local Government Unit of Misamis Oriental (PLGU Mis Or) conducted Groundbreaking ceremony of water system at Sitio Kamansi, Brgy Banglay, Lagonglong, Misamis Oriental on December 16, 2020.
Kalinaw News
Lawyer urges Trillanes to apologize for ‘recklessly’ linking people to CPP
A lawyer on Friday called on former Senator Antonio Trillanes IV to apologize to people whose lives he “recklessly endangered” due to his recent statement allegedly linking individuals with the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP).
Philippine Daily Inquirer
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Residents in far flung village of Agnor get gifts from LGU, Army
Thousands of residents from the different villages in the town of Nasipit in Agusan del Norte will receive gifts from the local government unit (LGU) in the area and the Army’s 23rd Infantry “Masigasig” Battalion.
Kalinaw News
3ID, stakeholders share blessings to Roxas City indigent folks
A total of 50 indigent residents of Sitio Pagutok, Barangay Dayao, Roxas City benefited from a gift-giving activity organized by the 3rd Infantry (Spearhead) Division on Wednesday, December 16, 2020 together with the support of stakeholders.
Kalinaw News
24 Former Rebels receive Pamaskong Handog in Bukidnon
A total of 24 former rebels and their families received “Pamaskong Handog” from Local Government Unit (LGU) of Impasugong on December 16, 2020, at Headquarters, 8th Infantry Battalion (8IB), Impasugong, Bukidnon.
Kalinaw News
32 former members of ALMANA pledge to support the government in Gabaldon, Nueva Ecija
The area considered as “strongholds” of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army-National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF) in the town of Gabaldon, Nueva Ecija continues to plunge due to the surrender of its members and supporters.
Kalinaw News
Army Commander Awards Troops, Highlights Heroism
The Army’s 402nd Infantry Brigade Commander marked the another year ending campaign with the awarding of several soldiers under its command during a simple yet meaningful Flag Raising Ceremony held yesterday morning, December 14, 2020 at its Headquarters in Brgy Bancasi, Butuan City.
Kalinaw News
6ID Holds Year-End KAMPILAN Shoot Fest
Personnel from the Joint Task Force Central and 6th Infantry (KAMPILAN) Division together with various Gun Club and shooting enthusiasts within the area of operation of Joint Task Force Central continually forge their camaraderie and friendship through the recently concluded Year-End Kampilan Shoot Fest held at 6ID Firing Range in Camp Siongco, Awang, Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao on December 12-13, 2020.
Kalinaw News
Peace talks
Incidents/Operations
PNP welcomes surrender of Red fighter in Leyte
The Philippine National Police (PNP) has welcomed the decision of a member of the New People's Amy (NPA) in Capoocan, Leyte to abandon the armed struggle against the government.
Philippine News Agency
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MARAWI
SOUTHEAST ASIA AND THE WORLD
Unilever to resume advertising on Facebook and Twitter
One of the world's biggest advertisers is ending its boycott of Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
Unilever paused advertising on all three platforms in June, citing hate speech and the polarized atmosphere in the United States. On Thursday, the household goods giant said it would end the pause in January because of progress it said the platforms had made in cleaning up their act.
CNN
ISS: Time to consider talks with Boko Haram?
Military interventions have failed to end a violent insurgency and humanitarian crisis in the Lake Chad Basin. The recent brutal murder of over 100 rice farmers by extremists in Nigeria’s Borno State is one of the region’s deadliest attacks in years, an indication that security responses aren’t working.
Defence Web
Alibaba 'dismayed' by Uighur facial-recognition software
Chinese tech giant Alibaba has sought to distance itself from a face-recognition software feature devised by its cloud computing unit that could help users to identify members of the country's Muslim Uighur minority.
Bangkok Post
QAnon is still spreading on Facebook, despite a ban.
QAnon “superspreaders” have continued to be active on Facebook, even after the company banned the conspiracy movement from its platform two months ago, according to a report released on Friday.
New York Times
US Muslim groups accuse OIC of abetting China’s Uighur ‘genocide’
Coalition of US Muslim groups, including Council on American-Islamic Relations, says OIC members are being cowed by China’s power.
Aljazeera
Faith groups have a key role to play in reducing climate-linked violence
By now it's well understood that climate change leads to rising seas and rising temperatures. It is also increasingly linked to rising conflicts.
NCR
Australian couple's death treated as terrorism by police
Raghe Abdi, who was known to detectives, was shot by police after brandishing a knife at officers on the highway .
News Sky
Terrorism in Mozambique needs African solutions
On 14 December, Mozambican President Filipe Nyusi convened a meeting of the Southern African Development Community’s (SADC) Troika of the Organ on Politics, Defence and Security to discuss the situation in Cabo Delgado.
ISS Africa
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BARMM
BARMM education exec explains delays in teachers’ salaries
Bangsamoro Region in Muslim Mindanao's (BARMM) chief education official has clarified that delays in the salaries of teachers in Maguindanao were “unintentional”.
Philippine News Agency
MAGUINDANAO AND COTABATO CITY
Encounter with Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters Resulted to Recovery of High Powered Firearms in Maguindanao
Various war materials were recovered in a clash between military troops and Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) at Sitio Macabenban, Barangay Indatuan, Kabuntalan, Maguindanao on December 14, 2020.
Kalinaw News
LANAO PROVINCES
BASILAN
SULU
5 Scout Rangers wounded in clash with Abu Sayyaf in Sulu
Five Scout Rangers were wounded in a 30-minute firefight with members of the homegrown terror group Abu Sayyaf in Sulu province on Thursday (Dec. 17).
Philippine Daily Inquirer
TAWI-TAWI
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DRUGS
436 NoCot villages declared ‘drug-cleared’
A total of 436 out of 543 villages in North Cotabato have been declared “drug cleared” by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) in Region 12, officials said Friday.
Manila Bulletin
NICA-7 expresses concern on growing online drug trafficking
The National Intelligence Coordinating Agency in Central Visayas (NICA-7) said online drug trafficking is a growing concern.
Philippine News Agency
PNP Cordillera disbands anti-drug team after members suspected of murder
The Philippine National Police (PNP) Cordillera regional police disbanded its Regional Drug Enforcement Unit (RDEU) after two of its members were implicated in the abduction and beheading of a Baguio City resident – a case that is seen to erode the police's credibility once more amid an unrelenting anti-drug campaign.
Rappler
Operations/ Incidents
Drug suspect dead in attempt to escape police escorts on way to jail
A drug suspect died in his attempt to escape while he was being brought to jail on Thursday (Dec. 17).
Philippine Daily Inquirer
Over P48,000 shabu seized in Bacolod
An estimated P48,600 worth of shabu or methamphetamine hydrochloride was seized in a drug bust by operatives of Police Station 8 in Purok Paloma, Barangay 16, Bacolod City Thursday afternoon, December 17.
Sunstar Bacolod
South Cotabato jail guards discover illegal drugs inside facility
Natuklasan ng mga jail guard ang apat na mga malalaking sachet ng umano’y shabu habang sila ay nag-iikot sa South Cotabato Rehabilitation and Detention Center na mas kilalang provincial jail dakong alas nuebe ng umaga kanina.
NDBC News
Recovery and Rehabilitation
ILLICIT FIREARMS, EXPLOSIVES, AND AMMUNITION
Bataan town hall exec gunned down
The head of the management information system (MIS) of the municipal government was gunned down in front of his house on Thursday night, police said.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
CROSS-BORDER TRADING/ SMUGGLING/ COUNTERFEIT GOODS
BOC seizes P15-M fake goods in Bulacan warehouse
The Bureau of Customs (BOC) on Friday reported the seizure of counterfeit products worth PHP15 million in a private warehouse in Meycauayan, Bulacan.
Philippine News Agency
HUMAN TRAFFICKING
KIDNAPPING/ ABDUCTION
Alleged member of ASG-linked crime group killed in an encounter in Zamboanga
An alleged member of a crime group linked to the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASF) has been killed in an encounter with the military in Zamboanga Sibugay.
UNTV
PROCOR chief dissolves RDEU for alleged involvement in abduction
The leadership of the Police Regional Office Cordillera (PROCOR) has dissolved the Regional Drug Enforcement Unit (RDEU) after two of its personnel were found to be allegedly involved in the abduction of a civilian, whose beheaded remains was later found in a town in Benguet.
Philippine News Agency
ILLEGAL GAMBLING
ILLICIT FINANCIAL TRANSACTIONS/ EXTORTION
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Lot owners must prove right to real property before registration
Lot owners need to prove their right to real property that they bought before it can be registered under their name, the Supreme Court (SC) said in a ruling.
Philippine News Agency
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NUPL seeks writ of habeas corpus for arrested union leader
The National Union of People’s Lawyers (NUPL) on Friday filed a petition before the Supreme Court seeking a writ of habeas corpus for one of the union organizers arrested on International Human Rights Day.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
It's Duterte admin's fault: Lawyer hits back over claims ICC report 'one-sided'
Bayan Muna chairperson Neri Colmenares on Friday refuted claims that the recent International Criminal Court (ICC) report over alleged crimes against humanity in the Philippines linked to the administration's drug war was one-sided.
ABS- CBN
Cebu City mayor wants cops to stop arestoaguinaldo
Mayor Edgar Labella told the Cebu City Police Office (CCPO) to stop its gift-giving ‘arestoaguinaldo’ program because of possible harmful effects on its beneficiaries.
Rappler
After Cebu murders, advocates encourage fellow lawyers to ‘close ranks and push back’
Human rights organizations say more needs to be done to protect the legal profession after two lawyers are killed in Cebu in less than a month
Rappler
Anakpawis, Pamalakaya raise alarm over ‘surveillance’ on headquarters
Anakpawis party-list and fisherfolk group Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya (Pamalakaya) alleged that a series of surveillance operations had been done on their shared headquarters in Quezon City in the days following the arrests of six trade unionists and one journalist on firearms and explosives charges.
Philippine Star
Press Freedom/ Freedom of expression
Media orgs file raps vs anti-communist body over of red tagging
Alternative media groups on Friday filed before the Office of the Ombudsman criminal and administrative complaints against the government's controversial anti-communist task force accused of endangering lives of activists by red tagging.
ABS- CBN
Martial Law
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COVID-19
Cases
2,122 new COVID-19 cases push PH’s total tally to 456,562
The Philippines recorded on Friday 2,122 additional coronavirus infections, the highest single-day increase in nearly three weeks.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
Department of Health
DOH cautions on use of face shields for people with difficulty in breathing
As the government requires wearing the face shield in public, the Department of Health (DOH) warned that it is not recommended if a person has respiratory issues.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
Just like karaoke, church choir is not yet allowed — DOH
Just like karaoke sessions, singing publicly at church is banned as it would cause possible viral transmission, the Department of Health (DOH) on Friday said.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
DOH insists no talks of COVID vaccine shipment, supply with Pfizer
The Department of Health (DOH) on Friday disclosed that there were no discussions regarding shipment and supply of COVID-19 vaccine when officials were tackling a Confidential Disclosure Agreement (CDA) with the American pharmaceutical firm Pfizer.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
PH may consider possible new vaccine from AstraZeneca, Gamaleya
Despite AstraZeneca’s pullout from the country’s clinical trials, the Philippines may consider negotiating for the possible COVID-19 vaccine made by the British drugmaker and Russia’s Gamaleya Institute, an official of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) said Friday.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
IATF/NTF COVID-19
IATF: No more expansion of accessory activities in golf clubs
The government on Friday prohibited the expansion of accessory activities in golf clubs while health authorities review protocols to ensure protection from coronavirus disease.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
Dizon says PH can achieve 10M COVID-19 tests by 2021
Deputy Chief Implementer of the government’s response against COVID-19 Vince Dizon on Friday asserted that the country can reach 10 million COVID-19 tests by next year.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
Missed delivery of Pfizer vaccines by January ‘tragic, criminal’ — Poe
Senator Grace Poe on Friday aired her frustration over the government’s “missed” opportunity to secure the delivery of 10 million doses of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine as early as January next year.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
COVID-19 temporarily shuts down 81 recruitment agency branches — POEA
The COVID-19 pandemic has so far forced the temporary closure of 81 recruitment agencies in the country, according to the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA).
Philippine Daily Inquirer
Regions
Luzon including NCR
COVID-19 bed capacity: 6 of 139 NCR hospitals under critical level
Six out of 139 hospitals in Metro Manila were placed under critical level in terms of bed capacity solely for COVID-19 patients, based on data from Department of Health (DOH) as of December 10.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
12 Quezon towns now coronavirus-free as province sees decline in cases
At least 12 of the 41 municipalities in Quezon province have been rid of COVID-19 cases as infection numbers continued to decline, according to authorities on Friday (Dec. 18).
Philippine Daily Inquirer
DepEd Bicol office on lockdown after employee contracts COVID-19
The Department of Education (DepEd) Bicol office here would go on lockdown beginning Friday after one of its employees contracted the coronavirus disease (COVID-19).
Philippine Daily Inquirer
Baguio identified as pilot area for Covid-19 vaccination
The Department of Health (DOH) in the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) said they are ready to implement the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) vaccination here after it was identified as among the pilot areas in the country.
Philippine News Agency
Visayas
Over P100-M assistance to Iloilo City residents amid pandemic
Over PHP 100 million worth of assistance was granted to various sectors in this city as they struggle financially amid this global health pandemic through the help of the office of Iloilo City lone district Rep. Julienne Baronda.
Philippine News Agency
Mindanao
World
US deaths from COVID top 3,000 for third straight day
U.S. deaths from COVID-19 topped 3,000 for a third straight day, with a record number of new infections on Thursday, just as the United States prepared to ship out nearly six million doses of a new vaccine upon its expected authorization on Friday.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
Lovesick Scot jailed for breaching COVID-19 rules on jet-ski odyssey
A lovesick Scottish man who bought a jet-ski so he could evade lockdown measures to visit his girlfriend in the Isle of Man has been jailed for breaching coronavirus restrictions, reports said.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
Diplomatic, Development and Private Sector
Incidents and Violations
Panelo says health protocols followed in viral singing video
Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Salvador Panelo on Friday said health protocols against COVID-19 were followed when he was recently seen singing in a restaurant.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
Editorial, Analysis, Opinion and Features
OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT
OFFICE OF THE VICE PRESIDENT
#NasaanAngBisePresidente? Robredo responds: ‘Andito po ako’
Vice President Leni Robredo on Friday responded to #NasaanAngBisePresidente (Where is the Vice President), which trended on social media as rains spawned by Tropical Depression Vicky submerged several areas in Mindanao.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
AUDIT, GRAFT, AND CORRUPTION
'Virtuous Impatience' is what PH needs, says Ex-NEDA chief Pernia in new book
The Philippines' lack of sense of urgency is the main reason for the government's perennial problems of inefficiency and corruption, according to a former socioeconomic official.
ABS- CBN
BUDGET, FINANCE, and TAXATION
BSP bills continue to be oversubscribed
The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas’ (BSP) 28-day securities was oversubscribed by 1.59 times during its Friday auction, its last for 2020.
Manila Bulletin
‘Premyo’ bonds raise P6.56B with strong push from overseas Filipinos
The Bureau of the Treasury raised a bigger amount of P6.56 billion from its premyo bonds this year despite a lower yield and a pandemic-induced recession, as more Filipinos overseas invested in the one-year IOUs.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
BUSINESS, ECONOMY AND INVESTMENT
NEDA eyes 14% poverty rate before 2022
The National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) is optimistic that the Philippines will reach the 14% poverty rate target before the end of President Rodrigo R. Duterte’s term.
PTV News
BSP reforms keep PH rank high in financial inclusion
The Philippines remains to be among global leaders in efforts to improve financial inclusion, according to the Global Microscope 2020 of the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU), the research arm of The Economist Group.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
BUILD, BUILD, BUILD and PUBLIC WORKS
CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS
DISASTER AND EMERGENCY RESPONSE
Vicky brings heavy rains, flooding to Agusan Sur areas
At least four towns and a city in Agusan del Sur province were flooded due to relentless rains brought by Tropical Depression Vicky on Friday (Dec. 18).
Philippine Daily Inquirer
2 fishing in Cagayan river rescued from stalled boat
Two persons were rescued after the engine of their boat stalled while they were fishing in a river in Pamplona, Cagayan province on Thursday (Dec. 17).
Philippine Daily Inquirer
Northern Samar municipal disaster officers appeal for hazard pay
The municipal disaster risk reduction and management officers (MDRRMOs) of Northern Samar province have appealed to President Duterte to provide them with hazard pay and other “compensatory benefits” as they continue to grapple with the coronavirus pandemic.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
DEFENSE AND SECURITY
Armed Forces of the Philippines
Army turns over 23 firearms to Zambo Norte police
The Army’s 97th Infantry Battalion (IB) has turned over 23 assorted high-powered firearms to the Zamboanga del Norte Provincial Police Office (ZNPPO) for the conduct of Technical Inspection Report (TIP) and Cost of Evaluation Report (CER).
Philippine News Agency
Philippine National Police
Sinas wants more bulletproof vests for cops
Philippine National Police (PNP) chief, Gen. Debold Sinas, has announced the acquisition of more bulletproof vests for police officers in the conduct of anti-crime operations.
Philippine News Agency
EDUCATION
DepEd sees 14 schools in Eastern Visayas as pilot schools for face-to-face classes
At least 14 schools in Eastern Visayas were identified by the Department of Education (DepEd) as pilot schools for face-to-face classes.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
INFORMATION, COMMUNICATION AND TECHNOLOGY
ELECTION RELATED
ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES
6 held for killing 2 migratory birds in Candaba Swamp
Six men were arrested in Candaba town in Pampanga on Wednesday for allegedly killing two Great egrets, a kind of migratory bird taking winter refuge at the Candaba Swamp.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
Illegal logging area na tinaniman ng saging, pag-aari ng mayor ng Magpet
Hindi kumbinsido si Magpet Vice- Mayor Rogelio “Bebot” Marañon sa pahayag ng ilang mga Barangay Official ng Don Panaca na umano’y wala silang alam hinggil sa illegal mining at logging sa kanilang barangay.
NDBC News
LABOR
Over 373K OFWs brought home thru ‘Hatid Tulong’
A total of 373,293 overseas Filipino workers (OFW) who were stranded in Metro Manila have so far been brought home through the concerted efforts of the government under the “Hatid-Tulong” program
Philippine News Agency
LEGISLATIVE
Senate of the Philippines
Several senators seek probe into spate of unlawful killings in PH
Several senators are pushing for a Senate investigation into the spate of unlawful killings in the country, following the slaying of a doctor and her husband in Negros Oriental.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
House of Representatives
Atienza chides Defensor for attacking Velasco over ouster
Deputy Speaker Buhay partylist Rep. Lito Atienza chided Anakalusugan partylist Rep. Michael Defensor Friday for his attacks against Speaker Lord Allan Velasco over his ouster as committee chairman, saying that Defensor has only himself to blame for it.
Manila Bulletin
LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS (LGUs)
Iligan town’s barangay hall designed after Pinoy Big Brother house
If this barangay hall in San Miguel, Iligan City looks familiar, that’s because it is similar to the design of the popular Quezon City-based Pinoy Big Brother (PBB) house.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
OFFICIAL DEVELOPMENT ASSISTANCE
FOREIGN RELATIONS
Revisiting U.S.-Philippine Relations: President-elect Biden confronts Duterte’s bloody rampage
An Interview with Bill Fletcher by E. San Juan, Jr.
Amid the horrendous pandemic ravaging of the globalized political-economy of Europe and North America, particularly the imperial U.S. heartland with close to half-a-million deaths, peripheral nations remain negligible. The neoliberal consensus has collapsed, inaugurating a new era of trade wars and ecological disasters. Such “shithole” countries like the Philippines, to use President Trump’s rubric, rarely enter public attention.
Bulatlat
West Philippine Sea
FOOD AND AGRICULTURE
Good news for the agricultural sector
A legislative proposal that seeks to further improve the situation of agricultural land owners is on its way to becoming a law.
Philippine Star
HOUSING and SETTLEMENT
POVERTY
SOCIAL WELFARE AND DEVELOPMENT
TRANSPORTATION
TOURISM
Over 600 hotels, resorts in W. Visayas now authorized to operate
Some 638 accommodation establishments (AEs) in Western Visayas can now receive bookings after securing certificates of authority to operate (CAOs) and provisional certificates of authority to operate (PCAOs) from the Department of Tourism (DOT) as of December 15.
Philippine News Agency
BI to issue guidelines on re-entry of foreigners in PH starting Dec. 17–Palace
The government on Friday directed the Bureau of Immigration to issue guidelines regarding the re-entry of foreigners in the country amid the continued threat of the coronavirus disease.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
WATER and ENERGY
NGCP project in Davao to stabilize Mindanao power transmission
The Toril-Bunawan 230kV transmission line--the final component of the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) Mindanao backbone project--is seen to secure the reliability of power transmission services in the entire island.
Philippine News Agency
After 70 years, upland village in South Cotabato now has electricity, thanks to TESDA-12
Christmas will be different for this year for residents of in a remote village in South Cotabato after they received solar panels from the government through the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA-12).
NDBC News
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