Duterte Youth seeks revival of Anti-Subversion Law
A bill was filed in the House of Representatives seeking to revive the Anti-Subversion Law and officially declare as illegal the Communist Party of the Philippines, its armed wing, the New People's Army, and its political arm, the National Democratic Front.
CNN Philippines
918 villagers of Agnor town decry CPP-NPA-NDF; pledge loyalty to government
A total of nine hundred eighteen (918) villagers from Barangay Durian, Las Nieves, Agusan del Norte simultaneously denounced the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP), its armed wing, the New People’s Army (NPA) and its political arm, the National Democratic Front (NDF) during the mass surrender and oath of allegiance to the government activity conducted last December 11, 2020 in the said barangay.
Kalinaw News
Peace talks
Peace talks important, but OVP is not part of it – Robredo spokesman
The Office of the Vice President (OVP) on Tuesday acknowledged the importance of returning to the peace negotiating table to find lasting resolutions to the decades-long communist insurgency in the country.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
Incidents/Operations
Soldiers Clash with NPAs Leaves Terrorist Dead, High-Powered Rifles Recovered in Mindoro
The Army’s 2nd Infantry Division welcomes another breakthrough after its troops encountered more or less 20 NPA terrorists in Rizal, Occidental Mindoro on Monday, December 14.
Kalinaw News
Red-tagged doctor, husband killed in Negros Oriental
A doctor who had been mistakenly labeled as New People’s Army spokesperson and her husband were gunned down by men riding in tandem this evening.
Bulatlat | Philippine Daily Inquirer
4 NPA killed in Mindoro clash
Four New People’s Army (NPA) rebels were killed in a 30-minute fierce firefight with government troops in Rizal, Occidental Mindoro on Monday.
Tempo
|
|
MARAWI
[Opinion] First Duterte crushed Marawi, now he is ignoring it
Failure to aid rehabilitation effort has set Mindanao back decades
Nikkie Asia
Presence of Islamic State in the Philippines poses gravest threat to national security
Ever since the fall of the Islamic State (ISIS) in Syria, this dangerous radical Islamic terror outfit has been eyeing a number of countries as its next destination. Since then, ISIS fighters, with the help of its followers amongst the Filipino Muslim community have been gradually expanding its existence, thus posing the gravest threat to the national security of the Philippines. The most alarming fact is – ISIS has received pledges of support from certain local militant entities, none represents a viable vehicle for furthering sustained attacks outside of Mindanao. Arguably a more relevant threat relates to the large Filipino expatriate community in the Middle East that could either be co-opted as recruits or targeted in attacks.
Weekly Blitz
SOUTHEAST ASIA AND THE WORLD
|
|
BARMM
TPMT: Bangsamoro peace pact implementation “fundamentally on track” but some elements “require more time to complete”
An independent body monitoring the implementation of the peace agreement between the Philippine government (GPH) and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) said the peace process is “fundamentally on track” with the establishment of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) as a “very big achievement” but noted that some elements “will require more time to complete.”
Mindanews
Cotabato City now officially part of Bangsamoro region
Nearly two years after its residents voted for inclusion through a plebiscite on Jan. 21, 2019, Cotabato City is now officially part of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) following a ceremonial turnover held Tuesday, Dec. 15, in the city.
GMA News | Anadolu Agency
Mayor Sayadi official statement on turnover of supervision of Cotabato City to BARMM
Sa mga kapwa ko Cotabateno, mula pa nung nakaraang linggo, marami na akong natanggap na mensahe mula sa mga mamamayan at nagtatanong tungkol sa pagdami ng mga taong pumapasok dito sa ating siyudad. Kahapon lang, maraming larawan na nagkalat sa social media sa pagpasok nila dito sa ating lungsod.
NDBC News
Barmm releases P2.8-M SKP financial assistance
The Ministry of Social Services and Development in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (MSSD-Barmm) has released P2.8-million financial assistance through the Sagip Kabuhayan Program (SKP).
Sunstar Zamboanga
DOE creates team on APHC privatization
The Department of Energy (DOE) has formed a team to recommend policies on the privatization of the Agus-Pulangi Hydropower Complex (APHC) and other related energy issues in the Bangsamoro region.
Philippine Star
BARMM Covid-19 recovery rate now 92%
Health authorities in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) said more patients are recovering from the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) in the area, citing the 92 percent recovery rate recorded as of Monday evening.
Philippine News Agency
MAGUINDANAO AND COTABATO CITY
Soldier wounded, enemy war materials seized in Maguindanao
An encounter between the military and the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters resulted in the wounding of one soldier and the recovery of enemy war materials on the morning of December 14, 2020, the WestMinCom Commander said.
Kalinaw News | Philippine Star
Six Datu Salibo residents hurt in mortar explosion
Six villagers, three of them minors, were hurt in a mortar blast that ripped through a village in Datu Salibo town Sunday night, the police said.
NDBC News
4 BIFF gunmen, soldier wounded in North Cotabato clash
Four members of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters and a soldier were wounded in a brief encounter Sunday in Northern Kabuntalan town in Maguindanao.
NDBC News
LANAO PROVINCES
Communist Terrorist Group member surrender in Iligan
A member of Communist Terrorist Group (CTG) surrendered to 4th Mechanized Battalion in Brgy. Rogongon, Iligan City, Monday, December 14,2020 around 6:00 in the morning.
Kalinaw News
BASILAN
SULU
TAWI-TAWI
|
|
DRUGS
ICC finds ‘reasonable basis’ to probe drug-related killings in PH
The International Criminal Court released its report on preliminary examination on the Philippines. The Office of Prosecutor is “satisfied that information available provides a reasonable basis to believe that crimes against humanity of murder, torture and the infliction of serious physical injury and mental harm as other inhumane Acts were committed” in connection to the government’s so-called war on drugs between July 1, 2016 and March 16, 2019.
Bulatlat
De Lima got P1.5-M drug money in shoebox, inmate tells court
A former policeman serving his prison sentence at the New Bilibid Prison (NBP) testified on the drug case against detained Senator Leila de Lima before the Muntinlupa Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 256 on Tuesday.
Philippine News Agency
'Real Numbers' on PH anti-drug campaign accurate: PDEA
The "Real Numbers" data being released by the Philippine government is the most accurate source of information on the campaign against illegal drugs in the country, the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) said on Tuesday.
Philippine News Agency
Operations/ Incidents
Recovery and Rehabilitation
ILLICIT FIREARMS, EXPLOSIVES, AND AMMUNITION
CROSS-BORDER TRADING/ SMUGGLING/ COUNTERFEIT GOODS
HUMAN TRAFFICKING
KIDNAPPING/ ABDUCTION
ILLEGAL GAMBLING
House OKs imposition of taxes on online betting for cockfights
The House of Representatives on Tuesday approved on final reading a measure imposing taxes on offsite betting activities on locally licensed cockfights and derbies.
Philippine News Agency
ILLICIT FINANCIAL TRANSACTIONS/ EXTORTION
4 members of group linked to piracy, extortion arrested in Zamboanga Sibugay
Authorities on Tuesday arrested four members of a group allegedly involved in criminal activities in the Zamboanga Peninsula.
ABS- CBN
|
|
Duterte gov’t fails to meet its human rights obligations amid the pandemic
The Philippine government is a signatory to the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR). The covenant obliges the government to take measures to prevent or at least mitigate the impact of the pandemic. Its gross failure to do so is leading to unprecedented but preventable suffering for millions of Filipinos.
Kodao Productions
Bayan Muna: ICC prosecutor finding basis for crimes vs humanity under Duterte a ‘vindication’
The findings of the International Criminal Court (ICC) prosecutor that there is a basis to believe that crimes against humanity were committed under the term of President Rodrigo Duterte is a vindication for groups seeking accountability, Bayan Muna said.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
[Editorial] ‘Repressed’ nation
How ironic—or maybe not—that the Philippines marked Dec. 10, International Human Rights Day, with cops taking in six union organizers and a journalist for the nonbailable crime of illegal possession of firearms and explosives. Coming on the heels of President Duterte’s blow-hot-blow-cold pronouncements on human rights, the arrests followed a disturbing pattern of state operations against activists, labor leaders, even elderly people retired from serving as consultants in the aborted peace talks between the government and communist insurgents.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
[Editorial] Silence the guns during this season of hope
THE PHILIPPINE Ecumenical Peace Platform raises its alarm and concern over the deteriorating prospects for peace in our land. The Advent Season is upon us, yet un-peace reigns. Respect for human rights, which is a primary requisite for peace, is ignored, or worse, demonized as a barrier to “peace and order”. This is evident in the arrests of a journalist and six union organizers on the day when the whole world was commemorating the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Several activists have also been arrested or killed in the past few months while numerous lives continue to be claimed under the campaign against illegal drugs.
Panay News
Nasino asks SC to review her case for the sake of other mothers and babies in prison
“This heartbreaking predicament of having babies separated from their detained mothers, and of being denied of their basic human right to their mother’s breastmilk, that is justified by rules issued by jail authorities, is what Reina Mae brings before the Supreme Court for its review and resolution.”
Bulatlat
CHR probes security guard slay in Zamboanga office
The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) has launched an independent investigation following the killing of its security guard on Dec. 13.
Philippine News Agency
Press Freedom/ Freedom of expression
Philippine Journalist Maria Ressa Says New Libel Case ‘Ludicrous’
Maria Ressa, who heads a Philippine news website known for its tough scrutiny of President Rodrigo Duterte, refused to enter a plea on Tuesday in a second cyber libel case she faces, saying the charges against her were ludicrous.
Voice of America
Media watchdogs, UP community press for journalist’s freedom
International media organizations and the University of the Philippines College of Mass Communication joined the call for the immediate release of journalist Lady Ann Salem from detention.
Bulatlat
Martial Law
|
|
|
COVID-19
Cases
1,135 new cases push Philippines’ COVID-19 tally to over 451,839
The Department of Health recorded 1,135 new coronavirus infections Tuesday, taking the country’s caseload to 451,839.
Philippine Star
Department of Health
IATF/NTF COVID-19
DOT, UP-PGH sign memo on RT-PCR test subsidy
To ease the financial burden of would-be travelers in the new normal, the Department of Tourism (DOT), through its marketing arm Tourism Promotions Board (TPB), formally signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the University of the Philippines- Philippine General Hospital (UP-PGH) to subsidize 50 percent of the P1,800 real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) testing cost administered by the hospital to support the gradual reopening of tourism.
Manila Bulletin
Cold Christmas? Solon says no to ‘holiday lockdown’ to keep single Pinoys sane
For the sake of single Filipinos, Kabayan Party-List Rep. Ron Salo hopes that no form of “holiday lockdown” would be enforced this month.
Manila Bulletin
Regions
Luzon including NCR
Local researchers see increase in COVID-19 reproduction rate in NCR
Medical researchers observed a slight increase in coronavirus infections in Metro Manila. They said they expected the number to spike, as Filipinos gather for holiday celebrations.
ABS- CBN
Visayas
Another molecular lab for Covid-19 testing opens in Iloilo City
A molecular diagnostic laboratory for coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) testing was inaugurated in this city’s West Visayas State University Medical Center (WVSUMC) on Tuesday.
Philippine News Agency
Contact tracing on as Dumaguete doctor tests Covid-19 positive
Contact tracing for a doctor here is underway after the front-liner tested positive for coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19).
Philippine News Agency
Mindanao
No city-wide lockdown during holidays, Mayor Sara assures
Mayor Sara Duterte has advised Dabawenyos to ignore the rumor that Davao City will revert back to Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ) this holiday season as the local government does not plan to enforce a city-wide lockdown to control the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) situation.
Mindanews
World
Italy reports 846 more COVID-19 deaths, 14,844 new cases
Italy reported 846 coronavirus-related deaths on Tuesday against 491 the day before, the health ministry said, while the daily tally of new infections rose to 14,844 from 12,030.
ABS- CBN
FDA: AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine no need for trials in PH if tests abroad include Asians
The Food and Drug Administration on Tuesday said it shouldn’t be a problem that AstraZeneca is no longer holding COVID-19 vaccine clinical trials in the Philippines as long as its tests abroad involve Asians.
ABS- CBN
Diplomatic, Development and Private Sector
Incidents and Violations
Editorial, Analysis, Opinion and Features
OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT
Planned ICC probe on Duterte’s drug war just a waste of time and money –Palace
The International Criminal Court (ICC) will only waste its time and funds if it pursues an inquiry into the drug war since it has no jurisdiction over President Duterte, Malacañang asserted Tuesday.
Manila Bulletin
PRRD okays API system to enhance border control
President Rodrigo Duterte has ordered the implementation of the Advance Passenger Information (API) System to strengthen border control through the strict and intensified enforcement of Philippine immigration laws.
Philippine News Agency
Duterte orders PhilHealth to simplify payment claims process
President Rodrigo Duterte has ordered the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. to simplify the payment claims process in the wake of reports about delayed payments in hospitals.
Philippine Star
Duterte to sign 2021 budget bill before Christmas
President Duterte is ready to sign the P4.5-trillion budget for next year, rejecting the possibility that the government will be working on a reenacted budget in 2021 amid the coronavirus pandemic, a Palace official said yesterday.
Philippine Star
OFFICE OF THE VICE PRESIDENT
Robredo to critics of OVP's housing project: 'Tumulong na lang'
Vice President Leni Robredo on Tuesday urged critics of her office's housing project "to just help" instead of bad-mouthing their post-typhoon rehabilitation efforts.
ABS- CBN
Robredo camp denies 'peace talks' with Reds; tells Bong Go to check news
Vice President Leni Robredo's office denied on Tuesday that it was holding peace talks with the communist National Democratic Front, contrary to reports spreading on a social media.
ABS- CBN
AUDIT, GRAFT, AND CORRUPTION
BUDGET, FINANCE, and TAXATION
CTA junks Mandaluyong bid to tax MRT-3 real property
The Court of Tax Appeals (CTA) has ruled that the real property of the Metro Rail Transit (MRT-3) along the Epifanio de los Santos Avenue (Edsa) is owned by the government and cannot be subject to real property tax (RPT) by a local government unit.
Philippine News Agency
BUSINESS, ECONOMY AND INVESTMENT
OFWs carry pandemic economic load, raise remittances in October
Dollars sent home by Filipinos abroad grew slightly in October as land-based contract workers sent more money to their local beneficiaries, narrowing the year-to-date annual decline caused by pandemic-related job losses.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
Foreign reserves climb to $104.5 billion in November
Foreign reserves continued to balloon in November hitting a new all-time high, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) reported on Tuesday.
Philippine Star
CPGI to raise P3 billion from retail bonds offering
Century Properties Group Inc. is planning to raise up to P3 billion from a public offering of unsecured fixed-rate peso denominated retail bonds.
Manila Bulletin
BUILD, BUILD, BUILD and PUBLIC WORKS
Megawide’s original proponent status revoked as some sectors don’t want Naia renovated — Source
The revocation of the original proponent status given to Megawide Construction Corp. and its partner for the rehabilitation of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (Naia) may have been triggered by sectors who stand to lose with the airport’s modernization.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS
DISASTER AND EMERGENCY RESPONSE
Large portions of PH face rain, thunderstorms
Rain-bearing weather systems, including a possible low pressure area (LPA), may bring rainy condition over a huge portion of the country towards the weekend, according to a weather forecaster.
Manila Bulletin
DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
DEFENSE AND SECURITY
AFP, PNP boost joint efforts vs. insurgency, criminality
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) have bolstered cooperation to address the insurgency problem and maintain peace and order in the communities.
Philippine News Agency
Armed Forces of the Philippines
Army’s 15IB participates Mangrove Planting in Kabankalan City
The 15th Infantry (Molave Warrior) Battalion participated in the Mangrove Planting Activity, on Saturday, December 12, 2020 at Sitio Bagacay, Barangay Daan Banua, Kabankalan City.
Kalinaw News
Philippine National Police
EDUCATION
Board exams pushed in campuses within MGCQ areas
Iligan City Rep. Frederick Siao is batting for the gradual opening of school campuses amid the COVID-19 pandemic as venues for licensure examinations.
Manila Bulletin
Duterte finds blended learning ’far from ideal’
Malacañang said Tuesday President Rodrigo Duterte approved a test run of face-to-face classes next month despite the threat of COVID-19 because the current blended learning, which started in October after several postponement of school opening, "is far from ideal."
Manila Standard
DepEd hails PRRD's approval on pilot face-to-face classes
The Department of Education (DepEd) on Tuesday welcomed the approval of President Rodrigo Duterte and his Cabinet to pilot face-to-face classes in areas with low Covid-19 risk in January 2021.
Philippine News Agency
Binay backs dry run of face-to-face classes
Senator Nancy Binay Tuesday said she shares the position of the Department of Education (DepEd) to conduct a dry run of face-to-face classes in select schools in areas with low-risk or zero-incidence of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) as long as strict health and safety protocols are implemented.
Manila Bulletin
INFORMATION, COMMUNICATION AND TECHNOLOGY
Globe touts network upgrades, better services to 32 million users
Globe Telecom (Globe) said its “aggressive” builds and network upgrades in 2020 is now benefitting the call, text, and data services of about 32 million of its 89.3 million users.
Philippine News Agency
ELECTION RELATED
ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES
LABOR
LEGISLATIVE
Senate of the Philippines
Senate approves House bills on disbursing funds from 2 appropriation laws
The Senate approved on third and final reading Tuesday, December 15, the House bills that would extend the availability of funds under the 2020 national budget and the “Bayanihan to Recover as One” Act.
Manila Bulletin
House of Representatives
Bill protecting OFWs' remittances gets final House nod
The House of Representatives on Tuesday overwhelmingly approved on third reading a bill seeking to limit charges and provide discounts on remittance fees shouldered by overseas Filipino workers (OFWs).
Philippine News Agency
House honors South Korean Ambassador Han Dong-man
The House of Representatives on Tuesday honored outgoing South Korean Ambassador Han Dong-man with a resolution of commendation, praising his efforts in strengthening bilateral relations and cooperation between the Philippines and South Korea.
Manila Bulletin
2 Caloocan solons fight over bill dividing city’s district
A bill proposing the creation of a new Caloocan City sparked a heated debate between two lawmakers, prompting the House leadership to temporarily stop plenary consideration measure.
Manila Bulletin
LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS (LGUs)
DILG commends 15 LGUs for their digital governance solutions
The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) has commended 15 local government units (LGUs) for adapting digital measures in a bid to improve the delivery of basic public services in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Manila Bulletin
OFFICIAL DEVELOPMENT ASSISTANCE
FOREIGN RELATIONS
Duterte, Japan's Suga talk about S. China Sea, aid, pandemic
President Rodrigo Duterte and Prime Minister Suga Yoshihide this week discussed various issues including the South China Sea, diplomatic aid, and the COVID-19 in a telephone conversation, the Filipino leader's office said on Tuesday.
ABS- CBN
West Philippine Sea
FOOD AND AGRICULTURE
Sugar industry performing well amid pandemic: SRA exec
An official of the Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) is optimistic that the industry’s good performance amid the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) pandemic will be sustained.
Philippine News Agency
HOUSING and SETTLEMENT
POVERTY
SOCIAL WELFARE AND DEVELOPMENT
TRANSPORTATION
7 e-buses offer free rides to Davao passengers
During her live interview over Davao City Disaster Radio (DCDR 87.5), Mayor Sara Duterte said that the e-buses have started servicing local passengers since last Monday after she and Davao Light and Power Company (DLPC) president and chief operating officer Rodger S. Velasco signed a memorandum of agreement for the BEST Bus Project
Mindanews
In Koronadal, a biker, in obviously glaring shirt, was hit by a speeding passenger van
An unidentified biker was sideswiped by a speeding passenger van along the national highway here fell on a pavement face first as shown in the images shared to Radyo Bida Koronadal by Kimberly Lachica on Monday morning.
NDBC News
TOURISM
WATER and ENERGY
|
|
|
|
|
