Gov’t wants Makabayan bloc out of House to weaken rivals
The Duterte administration wants the Makabayan bloc removed from the House of Representatives to “disable” its machinery from campaigning in favor of the opposition in the 2022 elections, progressive lawmakers said on Sunday.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
NPA gets over P1-B in annual extortion fees in Mindanao –Lorenzana
The Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) and its armed wing, the New People’s Army (NPA), have been collecting over P1 billion in extortion fees from various businesses in Mindanao every year, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana bared Sunday.
Manila Bulletin
Año: LGUs not forced to denounce CPP-NPA
Local government executives are not being coerced by higher authorities to declare communist rebels as persona non grata in their respective localities, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) said yesterday.
Philippine Star
Ex-rebels belie claims gov’t forces torture NPA surrenderers
Former members of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People's Army (CPP-NPA) belied claims that government forces tortured and maltreated former communist rebels who went back to the fold of the law.
Philippine News Agency
LGUs not stupid to back godless, obsolete ideology, DILG to CPP
The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) on Sunday said local government units (LGUs) “enjoy local autonomy, are not stupid to support the godless and obsolete ideology of communist terrorist groups (CTGs) and are fed up with the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army-National Democratic Front’s (CPP-NPA-NDF) violence and atrocities.”
Philippine News Agency
79IB conducts Peace Advocacy Symposium and Gift-giving to Former Rebels
79th Infantry (Masaligan) Battalion conducts Peace Advocacy Symposium to the recipients of the government’s Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP) on December 11, 2020 at Masaligan Multipurpose Hall, Headquarters 79IB, Brgy Bato, Sagay City, Negros Occidental.
Kalinaw News
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
Philippines: Peace No More With Communist Bloc?
War is hell, no doubt about it. In whatever sense, armed conflict always generates misery, despair, and torment in the affected communities. It causes death and destruction and kills innocent civilians not just combatants.
The ASEAN Post
Incidents/Operations
25th Infantry Battalion encountered members of NPA, one NPA leader caught 45
December 12 2020, troops from 25th Infantry Battalion encountered a group of NPA Weakened Guerilla Front 33 at Brgy Sto Nino, New Corella, Davao Del Norte. The troops were able to capture a certain Alias Brando who was the leader of the terrorist group. They were also able recover Two (2) M16 rifle, Two (2) M14 rifle and one (1) M653
Kalinaw News
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[Opinion] Radical Islamic jihad in the Philippines
In the Southern Philippines, another Islamic State under the name of so-called Moroland, which composed of Mindanao, the second-largest island of the country and the Sulu archipelago, Palawan, Basilan, and the neighboring islands certainly was a huge threat not only to the sovereignty of the Philippines, but also to all other countries in the world. Defeating the radical Islamic jihadists in the Southern Philippines was a crucial task.
Weekly Blitz
MARAWI
From siege to wedding rites: APC serves as 'bridal tank'
Three years after the five-month siege in Marawi City in 2017, the armored personnel carrier (APC) of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) was back running, not to carry soldiers in full-battle gear, but to carry six white-clad brides to marry soldiers who were part of the war against terrorists.
Philippine News Agency
SOUTHEAST ASIA AND THE WORLD
Emmanuel Macron thrusts Muslims onto the front line of French politics
Emmanuel Macron has called Islam a religion in crisis and has moved to shut down mosques accused of spreading hatred. Last week, his government introduced a draft law to fight “separatism,” a term he’s coined for groups that don’t integrate and are susceptible to extremism.
Hindustan Times
EU steps up the fight against antisemitism
The European Council welcomed on Friday a declaration on mainstreaming the fight against antisemitism across policy areas.
Brussels Times
[Opinion] Saudi Arabia, UAE and Qatar's More Tolerant, Liberal Islam: Not What It Seems
The end of oil, the Abraham Accords and Turkey are forcing Gulf states to renegotiate the role of religion in their societies. Talking up openness and moderation, Riyadh, Abu Dhabi and Doha have different playbooks – but share a common ai
Haaretz
Egypt Trains Sinai Imams on How to Confront Extremist Ideologies
Egypt’s Ministry of Awqaf launched a training course for imams in North and South Sinai on how to confront extremist ideologies, as part of its efforts to counter the hate speech spread by extremist groups.
Asharq Al- awsat
Hundreds of pupils missing after gunmen attack Nigerian school
Hundreds of Nigerian pupils are missing, with many feared to have been abducted, after gunmen attacked a secondary school in north-western Katsina state.
The Guardian
[Editorial] The Guardian view on China’s treatment of the Uighurs: from unthinkable to irrefutable
What once seemed surely unthinkable has become, in just a few years, irrefutable. The evidence amassed by scholars, journalists and campaigners of grotesque human rights abuses in Xinjiang has begun to cut through to the wider public.
The Guardian
African youth concerned about terrorism on the continent: Survey
A majority of youth in Africa are concerned about incidences of terrorism in the continent, according to a survey commissioned by the South Africa-based Ichikowitz Family Foundation.
CTGN
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BARMM
IGRB speeds up meetings to resolve BARMM devolution issues
The Intergovernmental Relations Body (IGRB) of the national and Bangsamoro governments is fast-tracking meetings to resolve issues on devolution of powers and functions to the new autonomous region in Mindanao.
Philippine News Agency
MAGUINDANAO AND COTABATO CITY
7 OFWs returning to NoCot hurt in Davao road mishap
Seven overseas Filipino workers returning to North Cotabato were hurt when the van hired to charter them from the Davao City airport to their hometowns figured in an accident late Saturday.
NDBC News
Marines seize P15.6-million smuggled cigarettes in Cotabato
About P15.645-million worth of smuggled tobacco products were seized by members of the Philippine Marines on two separate occasions in Cotabato City last week.
Manila Bulletin
Cimatu wants tree-cutting activities in Cotabato monitored
Environment Secretary Roy A. Cimatu on Sunday called for intensified monitoring of tree-cutting activities in the same area where authorities recently discovered a small-scale illegal mining operation in Magpet town, Cotabato province.
Canadian Inquirer
LANAO PROVINCES
8 Dawlah terrorists surrender in Lanao del Sur
Eight members of the Dawlah Islamiya surrendered in Balindong town Saturday and pledged allegiance to the government.
NDBC News
BASILAN
Doc escapes slay attempt in Zamboanga
A medical doctor in Basilan province survived a gun attack in the southern Philippine port city of Zamboanga, and on Friday, the police launched an investigation into the attempted murder. Before midnight on Thursday, Dr. Chao-Tiao Yumol was driving his car with three passengers when motorcycle-riding gunmen opened fire on his vehicle, but a bulletproof curtain, hanging by his side, saved his life. “That bulletproof curtain, which I improvised, saved my life. I could have been shot in the chest,” he said.
Manila Times
SULU
AFP sustains gains vs Abu Sayyaf, other local terrorist groups
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) recorded 68 members of Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) killed and 128 members surrendered in continuous intense military operations this year.Information from the ground shows that 156 firearms and 10 Improvised Explosive Device (IEDs) were also either surrendered by or seized from the said terrorist group.
Kalinaw News
68 ASG members killed, 128 surrender in 2020: AFP
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) units have so far neutralized 68 members of terrorist Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) while 128 have surrendered during intense military operations this year.
Canadian Inquirer
TAWI-TAWI
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DRUGS
Operations/ Incidents
P680,000 worth of shabu seized from dealer
State agents seized P680,000 worth of shabu from a large-scale trafficker who fell in an entrapment operation in Datu Odin Sinsuat town Saturday.
NDBC News
P54-M shabu seized in Muntinlupa anti-drug operation
Two suspects yielded some PHP54 million worth of shabu in a buy-bust operation in Muntinlupa City, Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Debold Sinas on Sunday said.
Philippine News Agency
Recovery and Rehabilitation
ILLICIT FIREARMS, EXPLOSIVES, AND AMMUNITION
Police sergeant arrested while selling high-powered firearms
A police sergeant was arrested after he was caught engaging in gun-running activities during an entrapment in Parañaque City on Saturday night.
Manila Bulletin
QCPD violates rule on firearms during rallies
The police contingent that blocked the indignation rally at the corner of Maginhawa and Makadiyos streets leading to Camp Karingal appears to have violated Item a, Section 3, Rule 23 on Rallies and Demonstrations of the Philippine National Police’s operational procedures that prohibit civil disturbance management operatives from carrying firearms during rallies and demonstrations.
Kodao Productions
CROSS-BORDER TRADING/ SMUGGLING/ COUNTERFEIT GOODS
HUMAN TRAFFICKING
KIDNAPPING/ ABDUCTION
ILLEGAL GAMBLING
ILLICIT FINANCIAL TRANSACTIONS/ EXTORTION
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‘We are proud of her,’ cousin remembers the quiet, shy Jevilyn Cullamat
The young “lumad” (indigenous) woman killed in an encounter last month between the military and the communist New People’s Army (NPA) is remembered as wanting badly to change the injustice she saw around her.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
The Minoritization of the Indigenous Communities of Mindanaw and Sulu (16) Epilogue II
A Mindanao Historian’s Views; Quick Recalls on the Basic Issues of the GRP-MILF Peace Process
The peace process between the government and the Bangsamoro Fronts, the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) has been going on in the last 37½ years, from January 1975 to August 2012. Already between 100,000 to 120,000 lives have been lost. Billions of pesos have gone down the drain. If the problem has taken so long to discuss and has not yet been solved, maybe we do not have a common grasp of the problem. So, how about re-thinking the problem? Some military generals have said: we were second lieutenants when we starting fighting the Moro rebels in the early 70s. Now, we are generals and are still fighting. They have solid reason to think that military force is not the answer, they said.
Mindanews
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CHR urges gov’t to uphold basic human rights
The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) continues to urged the government to start fully appreciating the value and role of human rights amid a global study’s assessment of a “repressed” civic space in the Philippines.
Manila Bulletin\
CHR to PNP: Address rights concerns, translate gov’t words to actual reforms
The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) has asked the police force to address human rights concerns stemming from the recent arrests and killings of activists, stressing that the government’s commitment to human rights must transcend through actual reforms.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
[Opinion] Davao’s ‘conscience’
Last Thursday, Dec. 10, was International Human Rights Day. It also capped the 16-day United Nations-led campaign to end violence against women and girls. This year’s commemoration of the 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights has the theme: “Recover better—Stand up for Human Rights.”
Philippine Daily Inquirer
Press Freedom/ Freedom of expression
Truthtellers under siege: Worsening media repression under the Duterte administration
The Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020 has been widely criticised for curtailing press freedom and the freedom of expression. It has granted authorities the power to detain activists and journalists, and to allege them at the very least of committing terrorism as the law so vaguely defined.
Bulatlat
Lady Ann Salem: Good journalist, not a criminal
"The Icy that we grew up and spent our high school days with — a diligent student, a committed and effective leader, an articulate writer, a skillful athlete, and a loyal and loving friend — could not be further from the gun-wielding terrorist the police is trying to portray.”
Bulatlat
Who is Dennise Velasco?
Dennise is an activist, labor organizer, and human rights defender. I consider him a good friend since our days in the student movement in the late 1990s.
Bulatlat
PNP arrest of journalist has ‘valid grounds’: Go
he Philippine National Police (PNP) has valid grounds and was simply doing its job to maintain peace and order and enforce the laws when it arrested journalist and Manila Today editor Ann Salem on Dec. 10.
Philippine News Agency
Martial Law
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COVID-19
Cases
Philippines' COVID-19 tally nears 450,000 with over 1,000 new cases
The Philippines confirmed 1,085 new cases of COVID-19 on Sunday bringing the country’s total to 449,400. The Department of Health also reported 9,269 new recoveries as the DOH implemented its weekly “mass recovery” pushing the total number of Filipinos who recovered from the disease to 418,687.
ABS- CBN
DFA reports 8 more Filipinos abroad are COVID-19 patients
Eight more overseas Filipino nationals in the Americas and the Asia and the Pacific were infected with COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019), the Department of Foreign Affairs said on Sunday.
Manila Bulletin
Department of Health
Solon to DOH: Stop hiding cost of swab tests
The Department of Health (DoH) ought to stop “hiding” the cost of COVID-19 real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) tests, or swab tests.
Surigao del Sur Rep. Johnny Pimentel stressed this as he blamed lack of pricing transparency for the high cost of the particular test, which is considered the most accurate when it comes to detecting the new coronavirus.
Manila Bulletin
IATF/NTF COVID-19
PNP initiates aggressive mass testing for policemen
The Philippine National Police (PNP) will initiate aggressive mass testing on its personnel in Metro Manila and other areas with high cases of COVID-19 amid the continuous rise in the number of policemen and civilian employees being infected by the virus
Manila Bulletin
Regions
Luzon including NCR
Tuguegarao may return to MECQ if virus spike continues
The Regional Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (RIATF-EID) has given the city government here until Dec. 20 to manage the hike in coronavirus disease (Covid-19) cases.
Philippine News Agency
Visayas
Group tapped to study establishment of Bacolod City hospital
Mayor Evelio Leonardia said the city government has tapped a group to study the proposed establishment of the Bacolod City General Hospital (BCGH)
Philippine News Agency
Mindanao
3 weeks under GCQ, Davao City’s COVID-19 cases still rising
COVID-19 cases here continue to rise despite the reversion to the more restrictive general community quarantine (GCQ) since November 20.
Mindanews
Vegetable farmers hope for gov’t support as they cope with COVID-19
Leonardo Jacinto watched the hired workers plant carrot seedlings on the one-hectare land he rented in Barangay Miarayon on Thursday, not far from where a vegetable festival was held.
Mindanews
World
Concepcion: AstraZeneca approves 2nd vaccine donation from private sector
Following the success of the recent ceremonial virtual signing of the 2.6 million doses of COVID-19 vaccine from the private and public sector called “A Dose of Hope” led by Presidential Adviser on Entrepreneurship Joey Concepcion, National Task Force and Philippine Vaccine Czar Charlie Galvez, AstraZeneca Philippines Country President Lotis Ramin, and the more than 30 companies, the second part is now approved and can now be processed.
Manila Bulletin
Boris Johnson urges families to scale back festive plans and 'think hard' about seeing loved ones – but Dominic Raab says 'Christmas bubbles' rules won't be tightened
Boris Johnson has urged families to 'think hard' about seeing loved ones at Christmas after NHS bosses warned that relaxing restrictions over the festive period could lead to cases spiraling out of control yet again.
Daly Mail UK
S. Korea’s new daily COVID-19 cases top 1,000 for first time
South Korea’ daily tally of new COVID-19 cases broke the 1,000 mark on Sunday. It was the highest total since the coronavirus outbreak began here in January, with the government’s antivirus restrictions appearing to have borne little fruit.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
German tool factory urges Facebook to prevent counterfeiters from using its platform
Just as Facebook is facing twin anti-trust lawsuits in the United States, a German-based tool manufacturer with representative offices in Manila has called on the social media giant to prevent peddlers of counterfeit products from using its platform.
Manila Bulletin
Diplomatic, Development and Private Sector
Incidents and Violations
20 arrested for violating health protocols at a party inside Manila North Cemetery
At least 20 persons were arrested for attending a baptismal party inside the Manila North Cemetery Saturday night (December 12).
Manila Bulletin
Editorial, Analysis, Opinion and Features
Prioritize the poor
One tragic consequence of the economic crunch caused by the COVID-19 pandemic is that the poor and those barely above the poverty line are and will be most affected. The World Bank has estimated that the health crisis will make 2.7 million more Filipinos poor this year as a result of a record decline in the Philippines’ economic output as measured by the gross domestic product (GDP).
Philippine Daily Inquirer
OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT
Palace: De Lima’s vaccine bill redundant, superfluous
Malacañang yesterday downplayed opposition Sen. Leila de Lima’s bill seeking to provide free COVID-19 vaccines to all Filipinos.
Philippine Star
OFFICE OF THE VICE PRESIDENT
Robredo urges netizens to report fake information linking her to Reds
Vice President Leni Robredo appealed to netizens to be vigilant and at the same time report fake news posted on social media — like the recent attempts to red-tag her or link her to the communist movement.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
Robredo camp to Marcos: Answer the inserted budget bill provision on 2022 polls directly
The camp of Vice President Leni Robredo on Sunday offered unsolicited advice to Senator Imee Marcos who was tagged as being behind the insertion of a provision waiving election procurement safeguards in the 2021 national budget measure.
Manila Bulletin
VP cites Duterte’s affirmation on the importance of COVID-19 tests
Vice President Leni Robredo’s office has high hopes more tests for the new coronavirus would be conducted after President Duterte realized the importance of mass testing to contain the outbreak more effectively.
Manila Bulletin
AUDIT, GRAFT, AND CORRUPTION
‘Right-of-way’ whistleblower seeks case resolution
The self-confessed member of the Road Right of Way syndicate asked President Rodrigo Duterte to expedite the filing of criminal cases against those officials involved in the expropriation of a multibillion road right-of-way land scam at the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) in Gen. Santos City. Roberto Catapang Jr., the whistleblower, appealed to President Duterte to punish members of the organized syndicate and the DPWH officials, involved in the processing of fake documents for the payment of P8.7 billion right-of-way claims, including to private individuals.
Manila Times
PH officials, Speaker Velasco urged to lead by example in disclosing SALNs
A group has urged the country’s officials along with House of Representatives Speaker Lord Allan Velasco to lead the way in disclosing their own Statement of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth (SALN), as Congress recently conducted a probe on the release of these documents.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
BUDGET, FINANCE, and TAXATION
ADB says PH war chest vs COVID not enough
The Philippines’ war chest against COVID-19 may not be enough to bankroll the huge financial support needed to recover from the pandemic-induced recession as well as resume jobs and livelihood, according to an Asian Development Bank (ADB) report.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
Govt collects P162B from fuel marking
The government has so far collected more than P162 billion in duties and taxes through its fuel-marking program, according to the Department of Finance (DoF).
Manila Times
BUSINESS, ECONOMY AND INVESTMENT
Firms seen expanding, hiring more workers
Businesses have revived plans to pursue expansion programs and hire more workers next year in anticipation of a strong economic rebound from the pandemic-induced recession, according to the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP).
Philippine Star
Sustainable supply chain needed to rebuild businesses
Global shipping and logistics services firm United Parcel Service (UPS) Philippines saw the need for businesses to have a sustainable supply chain ecosystem in a post-coronavirus environment.
Sunstar Cebu
[Opinion] The mining industry can save the economy
Following an anticipated 9.8% economic contraction for 2020, Japanese investment bank Nomura expects the Philippines to recover at a slower pace of 6.8% next year, instead of the government’s projection of 7.5%.
Business World
BUILD, BUILD, BUILD and PUBLIC WORKS
CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS
DISASTER AND EMERGENCY RESPONSE
8 residents trapped by flash flood rescued in Apayao town
Search and rescue teams from the Bureau of Fire Protection and the local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office on Sunday rescued eight persons, including one with disability, who were trapped on the other side of a river due to a flash flood that affected low-lying villages here.
Philippine News Agency
DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
DEFENSE AND SECURITY
Armed Forces of the Philippines
Philippine National Police
EDUCATION
INFORMATION, COMMUNICATION AND TECHNOLOGY
Poe to Dito: Performance before franchise renewal
Aspiring third player Dito Telecommunity must first prove its capability to deliver satisfactory telecommunications services to Filipinos before its franchise – which expires in 2023 – is renewed by Congress, Sen. Grace Poe said yesterday.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
National ID registration hits 8.4 million
Registrations for step one of the Philippine Identification System (PhilSys) have reached 8.4 million, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) reported.
Philippine Star
Angara sees better internet service after budget hike for NBP
Senator Sonny Angara said the country should begin to experience better internet connectivity even in remote and inaccessible areas once the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) completes the first phase of its National Broadband Program (NBP).
Philippine News Agency
ELECTION RELATED
ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES
UN chief calls for worldwide ‘state of climate emergency’
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Saturday called for a worldwide “state of climate emergency” to tackle global warming.
Manila Bulletin
LABOR
Philippines: 2.4 million skilled jobs feared to remain unfilled as Covid-19 almost hits 450,000-mark
The Philippines faces a postpandemic skills and employment gap that may leave 2.4 million skilled jobs vacant and unfilled if there are no significant reforms in education and training of workers.
The Star
LEGISLATIVE
Senate of the Philippines
Senate committee opens RFID hearing on Dec. 17
The Senate Committee on Public Services will start its inquiry into the government’s decision to implement the cashless system in major tollways that has resulted in traffic gridlocks and left motorists stuck on the road for hours.
Manila Bulletin
De Lima wants free COVID-19 vaccines for Filipinos
Opposition Senator Leila de Lima has filed a bill titled “Libreng Bakuna Kontra COVID-19 Para sa Lahat ng Pilipino Act,” which seeks to provide free COVID-19 vaccines for Filipinos.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
House of Representatives
House ready for extended session
Congress is expected to approve on third and final reading before adjourning this week for Christmas two bills seeking to extend the validity of the P4.1- trillion 2020 national budget until December next year and the appropriations under the P165.5-billion Bayanihan to Recover as One Act until June 30, 2021.
Manila Standard
House set to pass coco levy trust fund bill
Before it goes on a holiday break this week, the House of Representatives will pass on third and final reading the bill creating the coconut levy trust fund as a “fitting Christmas gift for more than 3 million coconut farmers.”
Philippine Daily Inquirer
Velasco allies give conflicting views on new ABS-CBN franchise
Two deputy speaker-allies of Speaker Lord Allan Velasco have issued contradicting views regarding the possibility of former TV giant ABS-CBN obtaining a new legislative franchise in 2021 under the new House of Representatives leadership.
Philippine Star
LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS (LGUs)
OFFICIAL DEVELOPMENT ASSISTANCE
FOREIGN RELATIONS
West Philippine Sea
FOOD AND AGRICULTURE
HOUSING and SETTLEMENT
DHSUD heightens vigilance after arrest of 4 real estate scammers
Housing czar Secretary Eduardo del Rosario on Sunday reminded anew the public to be vigilant against bogus brokers engaged in illegal real estate transactions following the arrest of four suspected real estate scammers in Cavite.
Philippine News Agency
POVERTY
SOCIAL WELFARE AND DEVELOPMENT
TRANSPORTATION
Aboitiz, Davao launch 1st full electric buses in Mindanao
The Aboitiz Group, in partnership with the city government of Davao, GET Philippines, and QEV Technologies of Spain launched over the weekend the BEST Bus project―the first fully electric, free-ride shuttle service in Mindanao.
Manila Standard
TOURISM
WATER and ENERGY
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