NPA eyes partisan units in cities
The Communist Party of the Philippines said its armed wing New People’s Army is working on the deployment of partisan units to carry out attacks against government forces in urban areas.
CNN Philippines
23 former rebels get E-CLIP benefits in Aurora
Twenty-three (23) former rebels (FRs) who recently surrendered to the government were given financial aid in this capital town of Aurora at the Sangguniang Panlalawigan Session hall, Barangay Suklayin, here on Tuesday (December 29, 2020).
Kalinaw News
Peace talks
Incidents/Operations
Troops capture wounded NPA combatant
Government troops have provided medical assistance to a wounded communist New People’s Army (NPA) terrorist they captured in the province of Sultan Kudarat, military officials announced Saturday, January 2, 2021.
Sunstar Zamboanga
NPA owns roadside blast in Tubungan
The New People’s Army (NPA) took responsibility on the landmine explosion targeting a police patrol car in Barangay Balicua, Tubungan, Iloilo.
Panay News
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MARAWI
Rebuilding Marawi almost 4 years after the war
Almost 4 years after the Marawi siege, a resident helps rebuild the city that he once knew, in the hopes that things will return to what they used to be before their lives – and homes – were shattered by war
Rappler
SOUTHEAST ASIA AND THE WORLD
Twenty years ago 9/11 changed everything for the West and now China's rise and COVID-19 are part of the story
"Our youths love death as you love life".That was the chilling message Osama Bin Laden sent to the West when he "declared war" in 1996.
ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)
Austria calls for European register of Muslim imams
Since the start of 2021, Austria has required the registration of all imams in the country. The mandate was one of several new measures Chancellor Sebastian Kurz’s government adopted after a November 2 terror attack in Vienna. Four civilians were killed and 23 injured after a 20-year-old gunman opened fire in the center of the Austrian capital.
Egypt Independent
Rights v. Security: Europe's Inner Battle Against Terrorism
The Schengen Area is not a "sieve" that lets migrants in but, as recent events have shown, it is not a fortress either. The fundamental rights of individuals will always prevail over security requirements.
World Crunch
Jihadi Teenager UK’s Youngest Ever Terrorist Due For Early Release
A teenage Jidahi, known simply as RXG, was jailed at age 14, for life in 2015, with a minimum sentence of five years, charged with plotting to behead police officers in Australia, and is now, aged 20, barely six years later, reportedly about to be released from prison, after his five-year minimum date has been reached, as reported by The Mirror, and will go before the parole board where it is claimed he will most likely comply with the release conditions of his sentence, and possibly also walk free with a new anonymous identity.
Euro Weekly News
Car Bomb Explodes in Syrian Border Town: State News Agency
A car bomb exploded in a vegetable market in the northeastern Syrian town of Ras al Ain close to the border with Turkey, with reports of several killed and wounded, the Syrian state news agency SANA reported on Saturday.
Voice of America News
Pakistan Arrests Alleged Militant Group Leader on Terrorism Financing Charge
Pakistan on Saturday arrested a man accused of being a leader of an Islamist militant group blamed by the United States and India for the 2008 Mumbai attacks, a counter-terrorism official said.
Voice of America News
'Police officers or terrorists?': Twitter up in arms over Osama Satti's death
The death of a 22-year-old student in Islamabad after police opened fire on his vehicle on the pretext of him not pulling over snowballed into a Twitter storm with calls for justice to be served.
The Express Tribune
Indian national arrested for terrorism in the Maldives
An Indian national has been arrested in the Maldives for terrorism. The 28 year old male named Raj Prashanth was arrested on December 30th under a court order. According to Maldives Police Service, the man was arrested for speaking about a bomb while awaiting departure from Velana International Airport.
AVAS
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BARMM
[Opinion] Democracy’s U-turn in the Bangsamoro
In the face of a pandemic and a spike in violence in the second half of 2020, the Moro Islamic Liberation Front-led Bangsamoro Transitional Authority is making a bid for no-el (no elections) and extended rule, claiming an inability to accomplish what they were tasked to do, in the time frame they agreed to, with the larger resources given to them, and with the threat that if their demands were not met, the region would likely slide back into war.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
BARMM keeps economy ‘afloat’ amid pandemic
The Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) remains optimistic that better economic opportunities are at hand for the coming year, even amid the coronavirus pandemic.
Philippine News Agency
MAGUINDANAO AND COTABATO CITY
Cotabato City records no firecracker-related injuries
For nine straight years, this city has registered zero firecracker-related injuries, the city government said Saturday.
Philippine News Agency
LANAO PROVINCES
Stray bullet death: Person of interest in custody
Police have in their custody a person of interest in the death of a 12-year-old girl from Lanao del Norte who was hit by a stray bullet during New Year festivities on Thursday.
Philippine Star
BASILAN
Mayor seeks help in ending ‘rido’ in Basilan town that led to slay of 2 fish vendors on New Year’s eve
The mayor of Mohammad Ajul town, Basilan has sought help from the police and military as well as the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) to end a two-decade-long “rido” or clan feud that led to the slaying of two fish vendors on New Year’s Eve.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
Beachgoer drowns in Isabela City, Basilan on New Year’s Day
A 19-year-old beachgoer drowned in Isabela City, Basilan on New Year’s Day, local authorities said.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
SULU
Westmincom backs Sulu decision to close borders
Amid the threats by the new strain of coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19), the Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom) has deployed troops to guard the borders in the southernmost part of the country.
Philippine News Agency
PNP dismisses 9 policemen over death of soldiers in Jolo
The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Saturday announced the dismissal of the nine police officers involved in the killing of four Army officers in Jolo, Sulu in June 2020.
Manila Times
DND lauds dismissal of 9 cops in Jolo shooting
Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Delfin Lorenzana on Saturday lauded the decision of the Philippine National Police (PNP) to dismiss from service the nine Jolo police officers involved in a shooting incident in Sulu that led to the death of four Philippine Army (PA) intelligence operatives in June last year.
Philippine News Agency
TAWI-TAWI
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DRUGS
Operations/ Incidents
Cops bust ambulance driver linked to Cebu drug ring
An ambulance driver reportedly linked to an already detained big-time drug personality was arrested in a bust in Cebu province on New Year’s Eve.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
Recovery and Rehabilitation
ILLICIT FIREARMS, EXPLOSIVES, AND AMMUNITION
CROSS-BORDER TRADING/ SMUGGLING/ COUNTERFEIT GOODS
HUMAN TRAFFICKING
KIDNAPPING/ ABDUCTION
ILLEGAL GAMBLING
ILLICIT FINANCIAL TRANSACTIONS/ EXTORTION
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CPP calls on NPA to avenge the Tumandok 9
The Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) called on the New People’s Army (NPA) to avenge the nine Tumandok massacred by the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Philippine Army last December 30.
Kodao Productons
De Lima calls for probe on killing of 9 red-tagged IPs in Capiz
Detained Senator Leila de Lima on Saturday called for an immediate investigation on the killing of nine members of an indigenous group (IP) in Tapaz, Capiz; and the arrest of 17 others in Calinog, Iloilo by police units.
GMA News
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How conservatives share the same bed with fascists
On October 21, Pope Francis declared in no uncertain terms his support for civil unions for same-sex couples. It was a landmark declaration for the Roman Catholic Church, which has traditionally viewed homosexuality as sinful.
Bulatlat
Press Freedom/ Freedom of expression
At Web Summit, Ressa urges social media to rethink business model, take responsibility
On December 2, 2020, Rappler CEO Maria Ressa says social media companies need to take responsibility for what's published on their sites. Ressa made the remarks at the Web Summit, the largest tech conference in the world with 100,000 attendees
Rappler
Martial Law
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COVID-19
Cases
COVID-19 cases among Filipinos abroad near 12,900 with 15 new infections
The total number of COVID-19 cases among overseas Filipinos neared the 12,900-mark after the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) reported 15 new infections on Saturday.
Philippine News Agency
PH Covid-19 recoveries climb to almost 440K: DOH
The number of coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) recoveries in the country has reached 439,942, with 47 new recoveries reported on Saturday.
Philippine News Agency
Filipino Covid-19 recoveries abroad reach 8.3K: DFA
The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Saturday said a total of 8,387 Filipinos have so far recovered from the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19).
Philippine News Agency
Department of Health
None yet in PH: DOH to check COVID-19 specimens from places with new UK variant
The health department on Saturday reiterated that the supposedly more infectious COVID-19 variant that first spread in the United Kingdom has not been detected in the country, saying that specimens from passengers from countries where the new strain has been found will still undergo validation.
ABS- CBN News
IATF/NTF COVID-19
No entry for foreign passengers from US starting Jan. 3: BI
Foreign passengers coming from the United States would not be allowed entry into the country starting Sunday, the Bureau of Immigration (BI) has announced.
Philippine News Agency
Regions
Luzon including NCR
32 catch COVID-19 in Isabela town during holidays
Thirty-two persons, eight of them local government employees, tested positive for coronavirus disease 2019 or COVID-19 in Tumauini, Isabela during the holidays.
Philippine Star
Manila requires swab test for residents returning from vacation
Returning residents who spent their holiday vacation outside the city of Manila would be required to undergo a swab test for coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) before they are allowed entry in their respective barangays (villages) starting Saturday.
Philippine News Agency
Visayas
Eastern Visayas logs 124 new Covid-19 recoveries
Eastern Visayas has 124 new coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) recoveries, bringing the region's cumulative total to 10,641 as of Saturday.
Philippine News Agency
Mindanao
1 death, 21 new cases, 17 recover in Region12
One reported death from General Santos City, the 4694th reported confirmed case, 72 years old female. Cause of death is Cardiopulmonary arrest secondary to community acquired pneumonia high risk COVID-19 confirmed, hypertension, Diabetes Mellitus type II uncontrolled.
NDBC News
DOH lists 14 firecracker related injuries in Region 12
Sa buong Soccsksargen region, labing apat katao, ang nasugatan dahil sa paputok, ayon sa Dept of health 12.
NDBC News
9 cadavers of COVID patients await cremation; kin urged to process papers if family is in quarantine
At least nine cadavers of COVID-19 patients are awaiting cremation as of Saturday, January 2, and the officer-in-charge of the Southern Philippines Medical Center (SPMC) is urging families of the deceased to let their relatives process the documents if they are in quarantine or have tested positive, so the cadavers won’t pile up at its morgue.
Mindanews
World
New Year arrives with US hitting 20 million Covid cases
The United States marked the New Year on Friday by passing the extraordinary milestone of 20 million Covid-19 cases, after global celebrations welcoming in 2021 were largely muted by the pandemic.
Manila Bulletin
India holds vaccine drills ahead of mass inoculation drive
India on Saturday staged nationwide drills to start one of the world’s biggest coronavirus vaccination programs as the drug regulator prepared to approve the first vaccine.
Manila Bulletin
Diplomatic, Development and Private Sector
Incidents and Violations
Man in trouble for lying to Dagupan police
A 39-year-old man here could be facing more hurt than just the bullet wound he sustained in his left leg during the New Year’s Eve revelry.
Manila Bulletin
Editorial, Analysis, Opinion and Features
OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT
OFFICE OF THE VICE PRESIDENT
AUDIT, GRAFT, AND CORRUPTION
Anti-Red Tape Authority urges all LGUs to ‘fully’ implement BOSS
The Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA) called on all local government units (LGUs) to “fully implement” their respective Business One Stop Shops (BOSS) for this year’s business registration and business license renewals.
Philippine News Agency
House majority seeks fair probe on congressmen in PACC list
The House majority is supporting President Duterte’s campaign against corruption, including the investigation of several congressmen allegedly involved in anomalous public works projects.
Philippine Star
PhilHealth owes Red Cross P800 million again – Gordon
The Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) once again owes the Philippine Red Cross (PRC) over P800 million for COVID-19 testing services, Sen. Richard Gordon said yesterday.
Philippine Star
BUDGET, FINANCE, and TAXATION
Cebu Customs rakes in P30.87-B in 2020
The Bureau of Customs Port of Cebu (BOC-Cebu) saw its tax collection in 2020 rise by 12.10 percent to PHP30.870 billion, surpassing its annual target of PHP27.539 billion.
Philippine News Agency
BUSINESS, ECONOMY AND INVESTMENT
BUILD, BUILD, BUILD and PUBLIC WORKS
More Edsa decongestion projects to be completed soon: DPWH
More big-ticket projects of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) particularly the Epifanio de los Santos Avenue (Edsa) decongestion program are expected to be finished in the first month of the year.
Philippine News Agency
CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS
DISASTER AND EMERGENCY RESPONSE
Living with natural hazards
Filipinos have been through a lot the past year, having suffered the earthquake-volcanic eruption-typhoon disaster triad within what everyone wanted to be a perfect 2020.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
PAGASA warns of flooding in large swaths of Mindanao due to LPA
A low-pressure area located east of Guian town, Eastern Samar and the tail end of a frontal system could cause flooding over large areas of Mindanao, the state weather bureau said on Saturday.
ABS- CBN News
Army in Panay, Partners, extend assistance to typhoon hit areas in Luzon
The Army’s 3rd Infantry (Spearhead) Division assisted the Provincial Government of Capiz and partner stakeholders in Aklan Province during the hauling of relief assistance intended for the typhoon victims in Luzon on December 20 and December 25, 2020, respectively.
Kalinaw News
DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
DEFENSE AND SECURITY
Armed Forces of the Philippines
Philippine Army participated in Baler PNP BPATs Skills Enhancement training
The Philippine Army’s 91st Infantry “Sinagtala” Battalion participated in Baler Municipal Police Station’ Barangay Peacekeeping Action Teams (BPATs) Skills Enhancement Training led by Police Captain Ferdinand B. Usita at the AV Mijares Elementary School covered court, Barangay Buhahttps://mb.com.ph/2021/01/03/telcos-prospered-even-with-covid-19-pandemic/ngin, here on Tuesday, December 29, 2020.
Kalinaw News
Philippine National Police
EDUCATION
Distance learning becomes new norm for Philippines education
Traditional education systems around the world became one of the early casualties of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.
Philippine Star
INFORMATION, COMMUNICATION AND TECHNOLOGY
Telcos prospered even with COVID-19 pandemic
The pandemic did not wreak as much devastation in the telecom sector as it did in transportation, property and trade. In a locked down world, the mantra of businesses became: digitalize or die.
Manila Bulletin
PSA warns public vs. PhilSys sign up scam
The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) has cautioned the public to be vigilant against scammers posing as employees who facilitate registration for the Philippine Identification System (PhilSys).
Philippine News Agency
ELECTION RELATED
Panelo floating Duterte-Duterte tandem in 2022
Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Sec Salvador Panelo is floating (this early) the idea of a possible Duterte-Dueterte tandem for the 2022 presidential elections.
Negros Chronicle
Cayetano says political surveys should not distract public focus on the vaccine
Instead of setting their sights on the 2022 national elections, politicians eyeing posts in the polls should help both government and citizens not to lose focus on the COVID 19 pandemic and lend their hand in helping address the public health crisis.
Manila Bulletin
ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES
New Year’s Eve air pollution levels down — DENR
The air pollution levels on New Year’s Eve were lower compared to that of 2020.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
LABOR
234 Filipinos repatriated from UAE, Bahrain on New Year’s Day
The Department of Foreign Affairs ushered in the new year by repatriating 234 Filipinos from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Bahrain via a chartered Philippine Airlines flight that arrived at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport from Manama on early Friday morning.
Philippine News Agency
LEGISLATIVE
Senate of the Philippines
Senate committee prepares for first hearing on COVID-19 vaccine issues
The Senate Committee of the Whole is preparing for its initial public hearing on January 11 on the reported delays in the purchase and in the preparation for distribution of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) vaccines.
Manila Bulletin
Death penalty, DOFil among Senate priorities
The reimposition of the death penalty and the creation of a Department of Overseas Filipino Workers (DOFil) will be among the proposed measures to be tackled by the Senate when it resumes session this month, Senate President Vicente Sotto III said yesterday.
Philippine Star
House of Representatives
House continues legislative churn amid pandemic
The House of Representatives has ensured that the legislative mill is always churning amid a whirlwind of events ranging from the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic, the tug-of-war for the speakership, and multiple disasters that all occurred in one year.
Philippine News Agency
An-Waray party-list solon asks business sector to have employees tested for COVID-19
As the number of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) cases continued to surge, An Waray Party-list Rep. Florencio Noel urged the business sector to have their employees tested for the virus.
Manila Bulletin
LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS (LGUs)
OFFICIAL DEVELOPMENT ASSISTANCE
FOREIGN RELATIONS
West Philippine Sea
FOOD AND AGRICULTURE
HOUSING and SETTLEMENT
Federal Land draws bead on socialized housing
Land developer Federal Land, Inc., vows to make bigger strides with its socialized housing thrust in 2021.
Manila Standard
POVERTY
Pandemic erases gains in poverty reduction — PIDS
The prevailing pandemic can potentially reverse gains in poverty reduction over the past five years and push poverty incidence higher than 2015 levels, according to the Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PIDS).
Philippine Star
SOCIAL WELFARE AND DEVELOPMENT
TRANSPORTATION
Passenger Forum launches online poll asking Filipinos to decide on NAIA’s future
Decrying attempts to derail the rehabilitation and transformation of Manila’s decades-old Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), The Passenger Forum, a respected organization advocating for the Filipino passenger rights and welfare, called on the public to decide on the future of NAIA.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
TOURISM
DOT, TPB expand RT-PCR support for 11,600 tourists through PCMC
In a bid to further expand access to affordable RT-PCR test in time for New Year domestic travels, the Department of Tourism (DOT) through the Tourism Promotions Board (TPB), has inked a memorandum of agreement (MOA) with the Philippine Children’s Medical Center (PCMC) on Dec. 28.
Manila Times
WATER and ENERGY
Aboitiz Power on track to double capacity
Aboitiz Power Corp. said it remains on track to more than double its capacity by 2030 despite the negative impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the power sector.
Philippine Star
Disrupted by COVID-19, power sector resets
The COVID-19 pandemic may have negatively impacted the energy sector but it has opened up a window of opportunity to reset and realign the sector.
Philippine Star
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