Military human rights office sends to UN list of NPA attacks on civilians, private property
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) has submitted to the United Nations a list of 532 “violent incidents” attributed to New People’s Army (NPA) and targeting civilians and their property in the past 10 years
Philippine Daily Inquirer
Reds tell AFP: Make public data on NPA attacks on civilians, private property
The Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) on Tuesday (Jan. 12) challenged the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) to make public the list of attacks on civilians and private property being attributed to New People’s Army (NPA), the CPP armed wing, in the last 10 years.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
Military disputes CPP claim it paid for civilian property damage
The chief of the Armed Forces of the Philippines' Human Rights Office on Tuesday disputed the Communist Party of the Philippines' (CPP's) claim that it remunerated the civilians whose property was damaged by insurgents.
GMA News
Watchdog: Weak case filed vs rebels’ ‘coddler’
“Weak” was how a group described a case filed against a board member of Quezon province for allegedly sheltering two members of the communist New People’s Army (NPA) .
Manila Times
1,023 guerillas lay down arms in 2020 in CL
Some 1,023 suspected communist guerillas, mostly supporters and some holding sensitive positions in the underground movement, have returned to the fold of the law in separate occasions in Central Luzon from January to December last year, the Police Regional Office 3 announced Tuesday.
Manila Standard
AFP junks Reds' claims on CHR jurisdiction
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Tuesday dismissed the claims of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People's Army (CPP-NPA) that the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) does not have any jurisdiction over them and that it cannot act on the submitted reports on destructive incidents committed by the communist terrorist group against civilians.
Philippine News Agency
Army’s 2ID Slams Karapatan Southern Tagalog for Spreading Fake News
The Army’s 2nd Infantry Division slammed the false claims of Karapatan – Southern Tagalog after the security forces have successfully ensured that all legal and available means to give due respect to NPA casualties by handing over their remains only to their legitimate families.
Kalinaw News
Lumon Community Strategizes to Help Sustain Peace
The quest for sustainable peace continues as the Lumon Community starts a new chapter for this year 2021 with reformation and vigor. Its Roadmap Strategic Planning and ELCAC Capacity Building was held last January 9-10, 2021 at 701st Infantry Brigade, Sitio Magay, Brgy. Don Martin Marandan, City of Mati, Davao Oriental to create a template and guide to sustain its peace initiatives.
Kalinaw News
Peace talks
Philippine bishops urged to become brokers of peace
wo Filipino labor groups have urged the Catholic bishops’ conference and other faith-based organizations to intervene in unofficial peace talks with communist rebels and encourage President Rodrigo Duterte back to the negotiation table.
Ucanews
Incidents/Operations
Army retrieves abandoned NPA cadaver in Butuan City
The troopers of 23rd Infantry (Masigasig) Battalion retrieved and formally handed over to the barangay council of Tungao, Butuan City the cadaver of a New People’s Army (NPA) member on Sunday evening, January 10, 2021.
Kalinaw News
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MARAWI
SOUTHEAST ASIA AND THE WORLD
Statement to United Nations Security Council debate: Threats to international peace and security caused by terrorist acts: International cooperation in combating terrorism 20 years after the adoption of resolution 1373 (2001)
This year marks the twentieth anniversary of the attacks of September 11, 2001, the adoption of Security Council Resolution 1373, and the establishment of UN Security Council's Counter-Terrorism Committee.
ICRC
UN counter-terrorism chief urges continued vigilance against ‘real’ ongoing threat
Despite important strikes against terrorism over the past two decades, including in bringing perpetrators to justice and disrupting additional attacks, countries cannot afford to let down their guard, the UN’s counter-terrorism chief told a virtual meeting of the Security Council on Tuesday.
UN News
U.S. imposes counter terrorism sanctions on 5 people: Treasury website
The United States on Tuesday imposed counter terrorism sanctions on five people it tied to Iran, designating them each as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT), according to the U.S. Treasury Department’s website.
Reuters
Extremists move to secret online channels to plan for Inauguration Day in D.C.
Some pro-Trump extremists have used the platforms to suggest skipping local rallies to focus instead on a big turnout in D.C. at Biden's inauguration.
NBC News
Insurrection merch shows just how mainstream extremism has become
It was spelled out right there on the sweatshirts: “MAGA Civil War January 6, 2021,” the font a kitschy tribute to a Marvel blockbuster. The three men wore their commemorative merch with Trump hats and self-satisfied grins, the violent insurrection for which they’d dressed coming to fruition nearby as a pro-Trump mob stormed the US Capitol.
Vox
Insurrection, extremism and social media
Most Americans were shocked watching the violence and rage unleashed by the pro-Trump mob that stormed the Capitol attempting to overturn the election results last week. But for JOAN DONOVAN, who monitors online extremist and white supremacist groups, it wasn’t a surprise. This hour, we talk with Donovan, research director of the Shorenstein Center on Media, Politics and Public Policy at Harvard University, about the spread of these far-right messages, racist rhetoric, conspiracy theories, and the dangers they pose. We’ll also discuss if there are certain people are more vulnerable to radicalization as well as how to fight the spread of these hateful and paranoid beliefs.
Radio Times
Young Russians’ Extremism Sentences Reduced for ‘Plot to Overthrow Putin’
A Moscow court has reduced by three months the prison sentences of two activists jailed last year for plotting to overthrow President Vladimir Putin, news outlets reported Tuesday.
Moscow Times
Moscow court eases sentences for defendants in controversial extremism case
On Tuesday, January 12, the Moscow City Court reduced the sentences of some of the defendants in the controversial “Novoe Velichie” (New Greatness) extremism case, RIA Novosti reported.
Real Russia Today
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BARMM
MOST-BARMM grants P40k worth scholarship to 126 students
A total of 126 students from across the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region were granted with scholarships initially worth P40,000.00 from the Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST).
Bangsamoro Government
MAGUINDANAO AND COTABATO CITY
South Upi IDPs to receive aid from MSSD
Hundreds of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) from Barangay Itaw in South Upi, Maguindanao, who were affected by armed conflict, will receive non-food items from Bangsamoro Government’s Ministry of Social Services and Development (MSSD).
Bangsamoro Government
Another man on Duterte narcolist gunned down
Mayor Christopher ‘Amping’ Cuan of Libungan town in Cotabato shot dead in second slay try
Cebu Daily News
No NBI probe of North Cotabato mayor’s slay
Saying the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) is swamped with investigative work, Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra said yesterday he is leaving it up to the Philippine National Police (PNP) to look into the killing of Libungan Mayor Christopher Cuan and his driver Edwin Ihao.
Philippine Star
LANAO PROVINCES
BASILAN
2 men of slain IS ‘emir’ in PH yield in Basilan
Two followers of the slain self-declared "emir" of the Islamic State (IS) in the Philippines have surrendered to military authorities in Basilan province, officials said Tuesday.
Philippine News Agency
SULU
DOJ to secure hold departure order vs. 9 dismissed Sulu cops
The Department of Justice (DOJ) on Tuesday said it would ask a Sulu court for a travel ban against the nine dismissed police officers involved in the fatal shooting of four Army intelligence officers in the province in June last year.
Philippine News Agency
TAWI-TAWI
Duterte stops mining on 'devastated' Tawi-Tawi island
President Rodrigo Duterte has ordered a halt to all mining on an island in a southern province that is home to some of the country's nickel projects, a Cabinet official said on Tuesday, January 12.
Rappler
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DRUGS
Operations/ Incidents
Another Nigerian killed, P13-M shabu seized in Pasig drug sting
Another Nigerian national was killed in a buy-bust operation that netted PHP13.6 million worth of shabu in Pasig City, the Philippine National Police Drug Enforcement Group (PNP-DEG) said on Tuesday.
Philippine News Agency
Zamboanga anti-drug stings net 3, P410,000 shabu
THREE drug personalities were arrested, while some P410,000 worth of illegal drugs were seized in separate anti-drug operations in Zamboanga City, the police announced Tuesday, January 12.
Sunstar Zamboanga
Recovery and Rehabilitation
ILLICIT FIREARMS, EXPLOSIVES, AND AMMUNITION
Housewife unscathed in grenade attack
A HOUSEWIFE escaped unscathed in a grenade attack in the province of Zamboanga Sibugay, the police reported Monday, January 11.
Sunstar Zamboanga
3 dead, 1 unscathed in 2 drive-by gun attacks
THREE persons, including a businessman and a former policeman, were killed, while another was unscathed in two separate drive-by gun attacks in Zamboanga del Sur and Zamboanga City, the police reported Tuesday, January 12.
Sunstar Zamboanga
CROSS-BORDER TRADING/ SMUGGLING/ COUNTERFEIT GOODS
HUMAN TRAFFICKING
KIDNAPPING/ ABDUCTION
POGO-linked kidnap cases rise amid pandemic
The number of kidnapping cases involving Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) almost doubled last year amid the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic, the Philippine National Police Anti-Kidnapping Group (PNP-AKG) said on Tuesday.
Philippine News Agency
ILLEGAL GAMBLING
ILLICIT FINANCIAL TRANSACTIONS/ EXTORTION
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Nolcom creates IP desk led by Army tribesman from Benguet
The military’s Northern Luzon Command (Nolcom) has created its Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs Desk (IPAD) with the National Commission on Indigenous People (NCIP), acknowledging the vulnerability of indigenous groups in Northern and Central Luzon from possible exploitation of the New People’s Army.
Business Mirror
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Press Freedom/ Freedom of expression
Sr. Pat Fox condemns Duterte admin’s year-end rights abuses
The Australian nun deported by the Rodrigo Duterte government condemned the string of assassinations and massacres of indigenous peoples, farmers, and critics during the holiday season.
Kodao Productons
Martial Law
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COVID-19
Cases
Research team marks ‘clear upward trend’ of Covid-19 cases in NCR
A “clear upward trend” of Covid-19 cases has been observed in Metro Manila following increased public activity during the holiday season, the Octa Research team said.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
Department of Health
IATF/NTF COVID-19
PH gov’t allots P75-B for Covid-19 vaccines
The national government has allotted PHP75 billion for the procurement of coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) vaccines for 57 million Filipinos, Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles said on Tuesday.
Philippine News Agency
China, 4 other countries included on PH travel restriction list
China and four other countries have been included on the Philippines’ list of countries/jurisdictions covered by a temporary travel restriction to prevent the spread of a new variant of coronavirus, Malacañang said on Tuesday.
Philippine News Agency
Regions
Luzon including NCR
Public school teachers included in Manila’s vaccine priority list
The city government of Manila on Tuesday announced that aside from the front-liners, Manila public school teachers are included in the priority list of those set to receive Covid-19 vaccines once they become available.
Philippine News Agency
Vico Sotto urges public to trust experts on vaccine acquisition
Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto on Tuesday urged the public to trust medical experts on the country's acquisition of coronavirus vaccines.
Philippine News Agency
Street parties, stage shows, parades banned for feast of Sto. Niño de Tondo, Pandacan
Street parties, stage shows, parades, street games, and other similar activities are now banned during the celebration of the feast of Sto. Niño de Tondo and Pandacan on January 16 and 17.
Manila Bulletin
Visayas
Number of coronavirus-infected DOH employees in Western Visayas rises to 19
The number of employees infected by coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in the Western Visayas regional office of the Department of Health (DOH) has risen to 19.
Manila Bulletin
Mindanao
Mindanao to slowly recover from economic lag, says biz leader
A prominent business leader here expressed optimism that Mindanao will slowly recover in 2021 from the economic lag it suffered last year due to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic.
Mindanews
GenSan starts negotiations with vaccine suppliers
The city government has started negotiations with possible suppliers of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccines in preparation for the rollout of its own vaccination program.
Mindanews
Davao City eyes online registration platform for COVID-19 vaccination program
The City Government of Davao plans to establish an online platform for Dabawenyos who are willing to sign up for the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) vaccination program of the city, Mayor Sara Duterte said.
Mindanews
World
Ireland has the world's highest Covid-19 rate. How did it go so wrong?
When Ireland came out of a strict six-week lockdown in December it had one of the lowest levels of Covid-19 cases in Europe. Since then, the situation has dramatically unraveled.
CNN
For many, COVID-19 has changed the world of work for good
The upheaval in global labour markets triggered by the coronavirus pandemic will transform the working lives of millions of employees for good, policymakers and business leaders told a Reuters virtual forum on Tuesday.
Reuters
Diplomatic, Development and Private Sector
WHO: Rise in COVID-19 cases in PH inevitable
The increase in COVID-19 cases in the country is “inevitable” given the gatherings of people during the holiday season and the recent Feast of the Black Nazarene, the World Health Organization said Tuesday.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
Incidents and Violations
Editorial, Analysis, Opinion and Features
[Opinion] Vaccine and the rule of law
The reported vaccination in the Presidential Security Group (PSG), of Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) workers and high officials, without prior known authority for the vaccine used, shocks the public. It is even more so when we were told to accept that, without need of belaboring on the legality or prior authorization for the vaccines used.
Mindanews
OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT
Pfizer vaccine can't be rolled out in all provinces due to lack of facilities – Roque
Filipinos living in certain provinces in the Philippines will likely miss out on the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine because of the lack of ultracold-storage facilities, Malacañang said on Tuesday, January 12.
Rappler
Duterte appoints ex-police general as Clark body head
President Rodrigo Duterte has appointed a retired police general, Manuel Gaerlan, as new president and chief executive director of the Clark Development Corp. (CDC), a state company.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
OFFICE OF THE VICE PRESIDENT
AUDIT, GRAFT, AND CORRUPTION
Government intel spending up P2.03 billion in 2019 – COA
The Duterte administration’s confidential, intelligence and extraordinary fund (CIF) spending went up to P13.466 billion in 2019 or an increase of P2.03 billion compared with that of 2018, according to the Commission on Audit (COA)’s 2019 Annual Financial Report (AFR).
Philippine Star
DOJ endorses PhilHealth regional office fraud raps to Ombudsman
The Task Force PhilHealth has officially endorsed to the Office of the Ombudsman the report of the Presidential Anti-Corruption Commission (PACC) on its investigation on alleged fraudulent membership enrolment activities and benefit claims made at the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) Regional Office 1 (Northern Luzon), an official said on Tuesday.
Philippine News Agency
BUDGET, FINANCE, and TAXATION
NCR firms given until Jan. 15 to file 13th month pay report
Private companies in Metro Manila have until the end of this week to submit a compliance report on the grant of 13th-month pay to their employees.
Philippine News Agency
BUSINESS, ECONOMY AND INVESTMENT
PH ‘vulnerable’ to another surge in COVID-19 cases, says Fitch Solutions
The Philippines is at risk of further COVID-19 outbreaks this 2021, that will expose the limited funding allocation toward the pandemic response and lead to a wider budget deficit, think tank Fitch Solutions said.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
30 business groups to petition for CREATE Bill passage
At least 30 business organizations are signing a Joint Statement of Support calling for the immediate passage of the long delayed Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enterprises (CREATE) Bill with all the critical features to boost businesses and attract more investors into the country.
Manila Bulletin
Fitch keeps country’s ‘BBB’ rating with ‘stable’ outlook
International debt watcher Fitch Ratings has kept the Philippines’ investment grade credit rating of “BBB” with a “stable” outlook, citing the manageable fiscal situation despite the COVID-19 crisis and favorable growth prospects amid a declining number of daily confirmed COVID-19 cases.
Philippine Information Agency
BUILD, BUILD, BUILD and PUBLIC WORKS
CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS
What you need to know about the pre-2022 push for charter change
Political analysts are wary of legislators' true intentions in pursuing Cha-Cha amid a pandemic and just a year before the 2022 presidential polls
Rappler
Dominguez backs charter change for economy, but distances from politics
Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III on Tuesday, January 12, threw his support behind amending the strict economic provisions of the Constitution.
Rappler
DISASTER AND EMERGENCY RESPONSE
Heavy rains cause flood in Camiguin
Heavy rains flooded parts of the Mambajao town poblacion in Camiguin on Tuesday.
Mindanews
DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
DEFENSE AND SECURITY
Armed Forces of the Philippines
PH Navy promotes 3 senior officers
Three senior officers of the Philippine Navy (PN) have been promoted to the next higher rank.
Philippine News Agency
Philippine National Police
PNP, PGH ink pact on medical care for wounded cops
The Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Philippine General Hospital (PGH) signed a memorandum of agreement (MOA) for the grant of medical aid and treatment of wounded police personnel.
Philippine News Agency
NBI recovers bodily fluids from Dacera's remains in 2nd autopsy
Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra on Tuesday said forensics experts are hopeful that the recovered urine from the second autopsy conducted on the remains of flight attendant Christine Angelica Dacera would help uncover the circumstances behind her death.
Philippine News Agency
EDUCATION
INFORMATION, COMMUNICATION AND TECHNOLOGY
Duterte, Cabinet want telcos sanctioned for child pornography
President Rodrigo Duterte and his Cabinet have ordered sanctions against internet service providers that have failed to stop online child pornography, reports of which nearly doubled during the COVID-19 pandemic, an official said on Tuesday.
ABS- CBN News
NTC ordered to penalize ISPs enabling online child sexual abuse
Malacañang has directed the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) to immediately impose sanctions on internet service providers (ISPs) that allow their platforms to be used for online child exploitation.
Philippine News Agency
ELECTION RELATED
Bongbong, Isko strong bets for 2022—surveys
Former Senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. will be a strong contender for the next presidential election in 2022 based on the latest survey conducted by Octa Research.
Manila Standard
ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES
Sea turtle nest with egg clutch found anew at Aboitiz’s Cleanergy Park in Davao City
Another nest of the endangered marine turtles was discovered at the Aboitiz Cleanery Park in Davao City, officials said, capping the company’s environmental sustainability program.
Business Mirror
Duterte orders halt to mining ops in Tumbagaan island
President Rodrigo Duterte has ordered a stop to all mining operations in Tumbagaan Island in Languyan, Tawi-Tawi, and directed the massive rehabilitation of the area.
Philippine News Agency
LABOR
LEGISLATIVE
Senate of the Philippines
House of Representatives
LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS (LGUs)
City mayors want say on vaccine selection
Local government units (LGUs) should have the authority to choose their own COVID vaccine brands based on their constituents’ preference and financial capabilities, according to the League of Cities of the Philippines (LCP).
Philippine Star
OFFICIAL DEVELOPMENT ASSISTANCE
FOREIGN RELATIONS
West Philippine Sea
FOOD AND AGRICULTURE
Lake Sebu fish kill destroys P20M worth of tilapia
The latest fish kill in Lake Sebu, South Cotabato destroyed tilapia worth at least P20 million, officials confirmed Tuesday.
Mindanews
DA to give P14.9-M cash aid to ASF-affected NoCot hog raisers
The Department of Agriculture (DA) is set to release some PHP 14.9-million cash assistance to hog raisers affected by the African swine fever (ASF) infestation in North Cotabato.
Philippine News Agency
P1.2M-worth SAAD’s COVID-19 mitigation projects help MisOcc farmers have stable income
Two farmers in the province testified that they now have stable income after being included as recipients of the P11.2 million worth of COVID-19 mitigation projects funded by the Special Area for Agricultural Development (SAAD) Program in 2019.
Philippine Information Agency
HOUSING and SETTLEMENT
POVERTY
SOCIAL WELFARE AND DEVELOPMENT
Nograles resumes press briefings to tackle matters taken up in Cabinet meetings
Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles has been given the presidential green light to support the government’s communication team.
Manila Bulletin
TRANSPORTATION
TOURISM
[Opinion] Biyaheng Pinoy – A Mindanao Travelogue
Increasingly, more writers are now writing about Mindanao. Both those who are Mindanao-born or residing elsewhere but have become fascinated with the various aspects of southern Philippines. One book that came out in 2020 which projects itself as a Mindanao travelogue is written by a writer born in Mindoro but eventually settled in Tacloban City. This is Edilberto N. Alegre’s “Biyaheng Pinoy – A Mindanao Travelogue.”
Mindanews
WATER and ENERGY
Nine power projects get SIS endorsement
NINE power projects, including a coal-fired power plant in Mindanao, has secured the Department of Energy’s (DoE) approval to conduct a system impact study (SIS) on their respective power facilities. GNPower Kauswagan Ltd. Co. was endorsed to the National Grid Corp. of the Philippines for clearance to conduct an SIS for its coal-fired power plant in Kauswagan town, Lanao del Norte province. Based on the agency’s data, GN Power Kauswagan’s coal facility — a partnership of AC Energy Inc. and the Philippine Investment Alliance for Infrastructure Fund and Power Partners — has an installed capacity of 605.2 megawatts (MW). But AC Energy, the power arm of Ayala Corp., earlier announced it was divesting the company’s coal assets, including those coal facilities ahead of its original schedule of 2030. AC Energy already transferred its indirect ownership interest in GNPower Kauswagan to its developer-partner, Power Partners Ltd. Co.
Manila Times
SN Aboitiz-Benguet raises P18b from two banks to refinance debt
SN Aboitiz Power-Benguet Inc. said Tuesday it raised P18 billion from BDO Unibank Inc. and Bank of the Philippine Islands to refinance debt and support other corporate requirements.
Aboitiz Power Corp., the parent firm, said in a disclosure to the stock exchange SNAP-Benguet used the proceeds from the unsecured notes to prepay in full US dollar- and peso-denominated senior project loans to International Finance Corp., Nordic Investment Bank, BDO and BPI.
Manila Standard
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