General Gapay wants all NPA “guerrilla fronts” dismantled in 2021
Armed Forces of the Philippines’ Chief of Staff General Gilbert Gapay ordered military commanders to work together in dismantling all remaining communist guerrilla fronts by end of 2021.
PTV News
Usec Badoy visits halfway house for former rebels in Davao del Norte
Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Undersecretary Lorraine T. Badoy and also the NTF-ELCAC Spokesperson visited the Halfway House (Balay Panaghiusa) for former rebels and the participants of the 3rd Batch of De-radicalicalization Program from the dismantled WGF 33 in Dona Asuncion, Davao Del Norte and subsequently followed a visit to other members of WGF 33 that is currently undergoing TESDA AUTOMOTIVE NC II skills training at BALAY PAG ASA, 1001st Brigade,10ID,PA.
Kalinaw News
SALAKNIB Startroopers welcome new Battalion Commander
A new Salaknib Battalion Commander is set to lead the fight against insurgency in the Area of Operation of 95th Infantry Battalion as Salaknib Startroopers welcome their newly installed Commanding Officer on January 16, 2020, at 95IB Headquarters, San Mariano, Isabela.
Kalinaw News
Peace talks
Incidents/Operations
Solcom officials call off “surrender” ceremony after NPA fire shots at helicopter
Senior officers of the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ Southern Luzon Command (AFP-Solcom) were forced to call off a “surrender” ceremony and kick-off of its bogus socio-economic projects in San Jose, Occidental Mindoro last January 9. This was after NPA fighters fired shots at a helicopter that was supposed to fetch the said officers from Sitio Mantay, Barangay Monte Claro. The helicopter took off to avoid damage.
Communist Party of the Philippines
Joint AFP-PNP arrests alleged SPARU coddler, IP leaders send warning
Joint elements of the Surigao Del Sur Provincial Police Office (SDS-PPO) and 3rd Special Forces “Arrowhead” Battalion (3SFBn) arrested Ernest Abenio Valdez, alias, ISTONG, 48 Y/O, male, married at his residence in Purok Camansi, Brgy Bayan, Marihatag, SDS today at around 2:40am. Said personality is a member of depensa/Milisyang Bayan (MB), liaison officer of SRC Southland and its Special Partisan Unit (SPARU) and the brother of Felizardo A Valdez, alias, ADU/PADUK, Secretary of Communist NPA Terrorists’ Sub-Regional Command (SRC) Southland.
Kalinaw News
1 dead, 70 arrested as PNP steps up campaign vs criminals, NPA members in CARAGA
One person was killed while at least 70 where arrested in CARAGA region as police forces stepped up their campaign against criminal elements and suspected members of the New People’s Army through the implementation of search warrants.
Manila Bulletin
8 rebels surrender in N. Ecija
Eight members of the communist terrorist groups (CTGs) voluntarily surrendered to authorities following localized peace negotiations in Nueva Ecija on Friday.
Philippine News Agency
6 NPAs surrender to military in Sultan Kudarat
Six members of the New People’s Army (NPA), including a supply officer and a female medic, surrendered to the military in Lebak, Sultan Kudarat on Wednesday, January 13.
Manila Bulletin
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Resetting of oral arguments on Anti-Terrorism Law to give parties more time to prepare — Guevara
Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra on Saturday, Jan. 16, expressed belief that the decision of the Supreme Court (SC) to push back the date of the oral arguments on the petitions questioning the constitutionality of the Anti-Terrorism Law will give the parties more time to prepare.
Manila Bulletin
MARAWI
SOUTHEAST ASIA AND THE WORLD
When White Extremism Seeps Into The Mainstream
During the chaos of the Capitol on January 6, it was impossible to miss the flags and symbols. Taken together, they allowed for a kind of brisk vexillology of the American right. There were the Trump 2020 flags, of course — and, as has been widely noted, one rioter brandished a Confederate flag in the Capitol building, a historical first. Some people waved "thin blue line" flags, meant to express support for the police and people who worked in law enforcement, even as they squared off with police officers.
NPR
Solo Extremists Might Pose Higher Risk Than Organized Groups
Far-right leaders urge followers to stay away from capitals where law-enforcement presence will be high through the presidential inauguration
Wall Street Journal
Banning Parler isn't going to quash right-wing extremism. YouTube, Twitter, and Facebook are all sources of radicalization.
The tech world has responded with unusual speed and unrecognizable clarity in response to the attacks on the US Capitol last week. Big tech, which has long been a cut-throat, copycat world full of businesses trying to one-up each other in order to gain a competitive advantage, spoke as one to cut off the far-right fuel that fed flames of hatred in the violent insurrection against democracy.
Business Insider
Domestic terrorism has superseded the threat of international terrorism, warns ex-NYC police commissioner
For the last 20 years our biggest concern was international terrorism -- ISIS, Al Qaeda,” said Bill Bratton. “Now it’s here and it’s us, and it’s the citizens of the United States.”
CNBC
What's fueling the growth of far right-wing terrorism?
The assault on the US Capitol was a glaring example of the right-wing extremist movement, which now rivals the threat posed by international terrorism, according to former and current counterterror officials.
CNN
Ally of poisoned Kremlin critic Navalny jailed in Moscow for extremism
Pavel Zelensky, a member of the Anti-Corruption Foundation team of Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny, was jailed by a Moscow court on Saturday until Feb. 28 on charges of inciting extremism on the internet, according to a court statement.
Reuters
France Closes 9 Places Of Worship Under Campaign Against Islamic Extremism: Report
France has closed nine places of worship under the nationwide campaign against Islamic extremism, the country's Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin said.
BW Business World
Brexit will disrupt hunt for UK’s most wanted fugitives, terrorism expert warns
The hunt for some of the UK’s most wanted terrorists will be disrupted by Brexit, a former counter terrorism chief has warned. Sir Ivor Roberts, former Head of Counter Terrorism at the Foreign Office, says ‘White Widow’ Samantha Lewthwaite is among the fugitives who could go further off the radar after the end of mutual security arrangements with the EU.
Metro UK
British citizens condemn Cuba's inclusion in US terrorist list
The Campaign of Solidarity with Cuba (CSC) in the United Kingdom on Saturday condemned the decision by the outgoing US Government to include the Caribbean island in the list of countries that sponsor terrorism.
Prensa Latina
‘Extremist’ Sydney man accused of breaching anti-terrorism control order over online material
A Sydney man has been arrested after he allegedly failed to comply with a condition of a control order by accessing online material that supported executions, beheadings and torture.
Weekend Australian
Greek police arrest terrorism suspect at request of the Netherlands
The Greek police arrested a 33-year-old man from Sliedrecht in Zuid-Holland at the request of the Dutch Public Prosecution Service (OM). The man is suspected of participating in a terrorist organization.
NL Times
German police target network supporting terrorism in Syria via Turkey
German police have made a further arrest as part of an investigation into a European network that sought to finance terrorism in Syria through Turkey, Deutsche Welle reported on Friday.
Ahval News
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BARMM
MAGUINDANAO AND COTABATO CITY
CSO, cooperative officers hold information drive on BTA extension, BARMM moral Governance
A Bangsamoro Civil Society Organization (CSO) in partnership with different livelihood cooperatives conducted information drive campaign, Tuesday, January 12 2021 for the extension of Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) to 2025 activity held at Barangay Dapantis, Rajah Buayan Maguindanao. The 106th Base Command of the Bangsamoro Islamic Armed Forces (MILF-BIAF) along with different cooperative officers, and Committee on Da’wah of Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) organized the activity participated in by BIAF combatants, women sector, and residents who came all the way from adjacent barangays.
Luwaran
Former Maguindanao Vice Gov takes oath as new NCMF Commissioner
Former Maguindanao Vice-Governor Ismael “Dustin” Veloso Mastura has been appointed as commissioner in the National Commission on Muslim Filipinos (NCMF).
Mindanews
LANAO PROVINCES
Emotional necrological rites for 3 soldiers ambushed in Lanao del Norte
The commanding officer of three soldiers, who were ambushed on January 14 at a river in Lanao del Norte, became emotional at the necrological service for his men on Friday, January 15, at the Second Mechanized Brigade Chapel.
Manila Bulletin
Lanao Sur inmates learn production of iconic `baor'
The Lanao del Sur provincial government is training detainees how to fabricate the iconic Maranao “baor” for them to earn while incarcerated.
NDBC News
[Opinion] This pandemic has brought back the old Meranaws in us
Being a “plantita” or the more “sosyal” name “plaunty” is a new concept. It’s a trend brought about by the pandemic. This trend is aptly known as plantdemic as well.
Mindanews
BASILAN
SULU
AFP welcomes arrest warrants vs 9 cops in Sulu shooting
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) has welcomed the issuance of arrest warrants against the nine policemen accused of killing four Philippine Army (PA) intelligence personnel in Jolo, Sulu last June.
Manila Bulletin
TAWI-TAWI
Tawi-Tawi mine stopped operation before Duterte’s suspension order
The mining operations on Tumbagaan Island off Languyan town in Tawi-Tawi province that President Duterte has ordered suspended this week have ceased five years ago, an environment official in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) revealed on Friday.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
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DRUGS
Operations/ Incidents
'High-value' drug suspect yields P1.1-M shabu in Zambo City
Anti-narcotics agents arrested a high-value individual (HVI) and seized some PHP1.1 million worth of shabu in an anti-drug operation here, an official said Saturday.
Philippine News Agency
Recovery and Rehabilitation
ILLICIT FIREARMS, EXPLOSIVES, AND AMMUNITION
Caraga cops seize 107 loose firearms in single-day ops
The Philippine National Police (PNP) ordered an intensified crackdown against illegal firearms after police officers in the Caraga Region confiscated a total of 107 loose firearms in simultaneous operations on Friday.
Philippine News Agency
CROSS-BORDER TRADING/ SMUGGLING/ COUNTERFEIT GOODS
P1.5-M smuggled Chinese meds seized in Pasay
Authorities seized smuggled Chinese medicines worth PHP1.5 million in Pasay City earlier this week, the Bureau of Customs (BOC) reported on Saturday.
Philippine News Agency
HUMAN TRAFFICKING
KIDNAPPING/ ABDUCTION
ILLEGAL GAMBLING
ILLICIT FINANCIAL TRANSACTIONS/ EXTORTION
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Police destroys Cordillera heroes monument
“It is part of the government’s acts of historical revisionism or distorting and erasing the true history of the people’s resistance and heroism which remain relevant until today.”
Bulatlat
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CHR to gov’t: Ensure equal distribution, access to COVID-19 vaccine
The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) on Saturday urged the national government to ensure equal distribution and access to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) vaccine.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
CHR to probe string of shootings that left nine dead this week
The Commission on Human Rights will launch independent investigations into the spate of killings across the country this week, including the fatal shooting of a lawyer in Bukidnon.
CNN Philippines
Press Freedom/ Freedom of expression
Groups condemn harassment, surveillance vs Cordilleran activist
Human rights organizations branded as harassment and political persecution the ongoing intense police surveillance against a prominent Cordilleran activist.
Kodao Productons
Martial Law
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COVID-19
Cases
PH Covid-19 total caseload nears 500K mark; active cases at 28,674
The coronavirus disease (Covid-19) has infected 2,058 more people in the Philippines, increasing the total caseload to 498,691.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
Department of Health
406 more Covid-19 recoveries: DOH
A total of 406 patients have recovered from the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19), the Department of Health (DOH) reported on Saturday.
Philippine News Agency
Covid-19 infected health workers get P5.1-M cash aid
The Department of Health-9 (DOH-9) has released some PHP5.1 million cash assistance to health care workers who contracted the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19).
Philippine News Agency
IATF/NTF COVID-19
Gov't assures transparency, accountability in vaccine procurement
National Task Force Against Covid-19 chief implementer and vaccine czar, Secretary Carlito Galvez, Jr., said the government will implement stringent regulatory procedures to ensure transparency and accountability in the selection, procurement, and administration of coronavirus jabs.
Philippine News Agency
Vaccine prices under PH nego at par with Indonesia, others
The vaccine prices that the Philippine government is currently negotiating with the vaccine manufacturers are lower than the prevailing market price, Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr. assured following the queries during Friday’s Senate hearing.
Philippine News Agency
Finding ‘3rd generation’ crucial in contact tracing, says Magalong
Following the entry of the UK variant of the coronavirus in the country, local governments must step up their own contact tracing without relying on the national government, according to Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong, who is in charge of the national contact tracing effort.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
Regions
Luzon including NCR
QC still tracing 1 co-passenger of PH's 1st UK variant case
Contact tracing is underway for one co-passenger of the first case of the B.1.1.7 SARS-CoV-2 variant (United Kingdom variant) who was reported to be a resident of Quezon City, the city's chief executive said on Saturday.
Philippine News Agency
Practice faith with discipline, Isko urges Sto. Niño devotees
Manila Mayor Francisco 'Isko Moreno’ Domagoso has called on residents of Pandacan and Tondo to observe self-discipline during the celebration of the feast of the Sto. Niño on Sunday, January 17.
Philippine News Agency
Manila to open drive-thru Covid-19 swab test facility Jan. 18
The city government of Manila would launch its free drive-through coronavirus disease (Covid-19) swab test facility at the Quirino Grandstand on January 18.
Philippine News Agency
Taguig inks deal with cold chain firm for vaccines storage
The Taguig local government unit has partnered with ORCA Cold Chain Solutions to ensure that it can safely store and transport its coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) vaccines to its constituents once the life-saving jabs are delivered.
Philippine News Agency
Visayas
Northern Samar to hire displaced gov't nurses
The provincial government of Northern Samar will absorb nurses in the province who will not be rehired under the Nurses Deployment Program of the Department of Health (DOH) this year.
Philippine News Agency
Mindanao
26 new infections, 12 recoveries in Region12
Twenty six person have been tested positive of Covid-19 as of Saturday, Jan. 16, 2021, the Department of Health today said.
NDBC News
Butuan City to allot P61-M for Covid-19 jabs
The city government will allocate PHP61 million to buy coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) vaccines.
Philippine News Agency
Zamboanga City secures 410,000 doses of COVID-19 vaccine
Zamboanga City has signed a multilateral agreement with AstraZeneca to procure 410,000 doses of COVID-19 vaccines, Mayor Ma. Isabelle Climaco announced earlier this week.
Mindanews
World
North Brazil risks new ‘catastrophic’ Covid wave: WHO
Brazil’s Amazonas state could soon see surging Covid-19 case numbers surpass the “catastrophic” wave it suffered near the start of the pandemic last April, the WHO warned on Friday.
Manila Bulletin
Diplomatic, Development and Private Sector
CBCP lauds gov't move to prioritize poor Pinoys in vaccination
The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP)-Episcopal Commission for Bioethics lauded the government for considering the less fortunate Filipinos to be prioritized in the national coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) vaccination program.
Philippine News Agency
PH secures 500M RMB grant from China
THE Philippines has secured 500 million renminbi or about P3.72 billion grant from China that will be used to implement infrastructure projects and other development initiatives of the government.
Manila Times
Biz sector in Davao City to donate cash for vaccines vs COVID-19
Some businessmen here have approached the local government to express their intention to donate cash for the purchase of COVID-19 vaccines, Mayor Sara Duterte said.
Mindanews
Incidents and Violations
Editorial, Analysis, Opinion and Features
OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT
OFFICE OF THE VICE PRESIDENT
AUDIT, GRAFT, AND CORRUPTION
BUDGET, FINANCE, and TAXATION
BOC-Davao tops 2020 collection in PH
The Bureau of Customs (BOC) Port of Davao reported Saturday that it has exceeded its 2020 annual target of PHP24.6 billion by 23.6 percent, the highest among all collection districts in the country.
Philippine News Agency
BUSINESS, ECONOMY AND INVESTMENT
BUILD, BUILD, BUILD and PUBLIC WORKS
DPWH opens rehabilitated Cagayan-Ilocos Norte boundary
The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) completed the construction works on the widening of roads in Sta. Praxedes, Cagayan Valley.
Manila Bulletin
CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS
Lacson twits Garbin on Cha-cha claims
Sen. Panfilo Lacson on Saturday again twitted the chair of the House committee on constitutional amendments for twisting the idea behind a Charter change (Cha-cha) measure the senator filed in 2018 suggesting that a mere committee of the bicameral legislature could declare itself a “constituent assembly.”
Philippine Daily Inquirer
‘Cha-Cha’, anyone? Philippine Congress squares off with Duterte on constitutional changes
A proposed constitutional revamp is dominating discussions in the Philippine Congress once again as allies of President Rodrigo Duterte make another attempt to barrel through charter changes – the so-called Cha-Cha the country regularly finds itself embroiled in – amid a worsening Covid-19 pandemic.
South China Morning Post
DISASTER AND EMERGENCY RESPONSE
DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
DEFENSE AND SECURITY
Armed Forces of the Philippines
At least 6 dead in Bukidnon Air Force helicopter crash
Three Air Force personnel and three Army servicemen perished in a helicopter crash at Impasugong town in Bukidnon at past 2:00 p.m. Saturday, key military sources said. Some reports said seven have perished.
NDBC News
Philippine National Police
1.8K Metro Manila cops get higher ranks
A total of 1,834 police officers in Metro Manila have been promoted to higher ranks.
Philippine News Agency
EDUCATION
INFORMATION, COMMUNICATION AND TECHNOLOGY
ELECTION RELATED
ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES
Threatened PH native trees get a lifeline
What started in 2008 with the planting of a single seedling from the Tindalo mother tree that Commonwealth President Manuel L. Quezon planted in 1938 in Bacolod City has grown 12 years later into a multi award-winning program that seeks to rescue Philippine native trees from extinction.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
LABOR
OFWs’ employment certificate renewal available at airports
Newly hired and returning overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) with expired Overseas Employment Certificates (OECs) need not worry as they can have these certificates revalidated before leaving the country, the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) said on Saturday.
Philippine News Agency
LEGISLATIVE
Senate of the Philippines
Gordon proposes training more Pinoys in vaccination
As the Senate resumed deliberation on the national government’s coronavirus disease (Covid-19) vaccination program on Friday, Senator Richard Gordon proposed to train more Filipinos to administer vaccines as the Philippines looks to start rolling out its immunization plan in February.
Philippine News Agency
Go alarmed by public apprehension on Covid-19 vaccines
Senator Christopher Lawrence Go on Friday expressed alarm by the public's apprehension about getting inoculated with the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) vaccine.
Philippine News Agency
House of Representatives
LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS (LGUs)
DILG to rehire 15,000 contact tracers for six months
To ensure the continuity of the country’s contact tracing efforts, the Department of the Interior Local Government (DILG) will re-hire some 15,000 contact tracers (CTs) nationwide for at least six months, following the approval by the Department of Budget and Management of a total of P1.9-billion for the hiring of CTs in 2021.
PTV News
OFFICIAL DEVELOPMENT ASSISTANCE
FOREIGN RELATIONS
China offers free Covid-19 vaccines, loans to Philippines as Wang Yi wraps up Southeast Asia tour
China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi came to Manila bearing gifts, promising half a million doses of Covid-19 vaccines, US$1.34 billion in loan pledges for infrastructure projects and US$77 million (500 million yuan) in grants, underlining Beijing’s support for its “closest neighbour” in the twilight of President Rodrigo Duterte’s administration and before Joe Biden becomes US president next week.
South China Morning Post
China to fund $940m Philippine railway linking former US bases
The Philippines and China have sealed a deal for a $940 million freight railway project that will link two former U.S. military bases in the Philippines, the Chinese Embassy in Manila said on Saturday.
Nikkei Asia
West Philippine Sea
FOOD AND AGRICULTURE
Meat processed products without label seized in South Cotabato
hirty packs of pork chorizo were confiscated by the Provincial Veterinary Office in Tampakan, South Cotabato Friday.
NDBC News
Raising rabbits for food
A couple living on a secluded hill in the village of Lamlahak here have been enjoying their retirement years in the company of rabbits. Their goal though is to make these hopping mammals a meat staple to be served on the table of average Filipinos.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
HOUSING and SETTLEMENT
POVERTY
SOCIAL WELFARE AND DEVELOPMENT
TRANSPORTATION
TOURISM
WATER and ENERGY
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