Duterte’s forces have a new target: University students
The posters that appeared on campus were chilling. They warned that the University of the Philippines had become a breeding ground for communist sympathizers and that students and professors needed to be on high alert for anti-government insurgents. Some students were even named as possible offenders.
World Is One News (WION)
Groups denounce use of child combatants
Three cause-oriented groups on Sunday marked the International Day against the Use of Child Soldiers by denouncing communist and Islamist terrorist groups that continue to recruit the youth as combatants in the Philippines.
Manila Standard
[Opinion] Seeing red
It pains me to hear that two campuses of the Mindanao State University (MSU) system have been included in the list of 18 institutions of higher learning that have been red-tagged. These are the campuses of MSU-Iligan and MSU-General Santos City.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
[Opinion] Magsaysay and the Huks
Kasen Aboitiz is finishing his thesis in political science at Brown University in Rhode Island, USA. The title of his thesis is “An investigation of the consequences and nature of the United States involvement in the Huk conflict in 1949-1953.”
Philippine Star
Peace talks
Incidents/Operations
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Fellow tribesmen vouch for 2 Aeta farmers charged with terrorism
The two Aeta farmers charged with terrorism are “law-abiding” community members in Zambales province, according to fellow tribesmen.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
Suspicious reports surged after updated terror law — AMLC
SUSPICIOUS transaction reports related to terrorist financing surged in the past quarter after an updated Philippine law against terror took effect, according to the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC).
Business World
MARAWI
COVID-19 protocols help military in fight vs IS-inspired groups
Strict enforcement of security protocols due to the COVID-19 pandemic has helped the military in its fight against the Islamic State-inspired militants in war-torn Marawi and neighboring areas, the commander of the Army brigade there said.
MindaNews
Marawi CSO leader says curfew measure vs COVID-19 akin to martial law
A civil society leader in Marawi City appealed to authorities to consider conducting a public consultation to discuss the possible easing of the 8 pm. to 4:30 a.m. curfew which was imposed to prevent the spread of COVID-19 but is causing problems for Meranaws, including traffic jams.
MindaNews
Coca-Cola creates opportunities for Marawi women
TO help reignite the spark of the “Ilaw ng Tahanan,” Coca-Cola Philippines rolled out the Sari-sari Store Training and Access to Resources (STAR) Program in Marawi City, empowering and investing in the capabilities of Maranao women to help rebuild their own communities.
Manila Times
SOUTHEAST ASIA AND THE WORLD
Germany and US eye each other's extremist movements, look for lessons
In the heart of the capital, the crowd was amped up and angry, shouting hoarsely that the people had been betrayed. Brandishing smartphones and waving flags emblazoned with far-right symbols, a breakaway faction from a larger protest shoved aside barriers and scrambled up stone steps leading to the country’s best-known symbol of its democracy, the seat of government.
Herald Media
'Violence and extremism has no place in America', says Joe Biden after Trump acquittal
Hours after Donald Trump was acquitted of inciting rioters to storm the US Capitol which led to the deaths of five people, President Joe Biden proclaimed that "violence and extremism" had no place in America.
New Zealand Herald
Agency founded because of 9/11 shifts to face threat of domestic terrorism
On a Saturday morning in August 2019, a 21-year-old White man with ear protectors, safety glasses and an AK-47-style rifle walked into a crowded Walmart in El Paso, Texas, his pockets bulging with ammunition. He had driven hundreds of miles across the state, prosecutors say, because he wanted to kill Latinos.
The Seattle Times
Protesters say French anti-radicalism law is anti-Muslim
Activists rallied in Paris to demand that the French government abandon a bill aimed at rooting out Islamist extremism that the protesters say would trample on religious freedom and make all Muslims into potential suspects
ABC News
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BARMM
No to BARMM extension – sultans
The sultans of Sulu are protesting a proposed extension of the interim Bangsamoro government for another three years and called on Muslims in the country and on President Rodrigo Duterte and Congress to disallow all attempts and maneuvers to extend the tenure of those trying to hold on power.
Manila Times
MAGUINDANAO AND COTABATO CITY
LANAO PROVINCES
CIDG-BAR starts probe on murder of Malabang market administrator
Personnel of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group-Bangsamoro Autonomous Region (CIDG-BAR) started probing Sunday on the fatal ambush last week in Malabang, Lanao del Sur of Rauf Malawani, market administrator in the municipality.
NDBC News
Peace at last in Lanao del Norte conflict zone
Former camps of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) are now under the development radar of Lanao del Norte’s provincial government after the Dimaporo political clan mended fences with once rebel leader Commander Bravo, 20 years after their conflict started.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
3-hour fire hits commercial building in Lanao del Norte town
A three-hour fire that started dawn on Sunday, Feb. 14, razed a commercial building on the national highway in Barangay Maranding in Lala town, Lanao del Norte.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
BASILAN
[Opinion] Southern islands
"The seas that separate our archipelago connect us all." My entire weekend was spent visiting JCI chapters in the country’s southernmost islands – Basilan and Sulu. It was my first time to visit this part of the Philippines, and this trip taught me a lot, not only about the region’s storied past and rich culture, but also about the everyday life of its people – including their cares and concerns.
Manila Standard
SULU
TAWI-TAWI
Tawi-Tawi residents surrender loose firearms
Eight more unlicensed firearms were turned over to the military in Sitangkai Island, Tawi-Tawi over the weekend. The firearms, which included three pistols and five rifles, were surrendered to the Army’s 12th Marine Battalion and local officials by the residents of Barangay Sipangkot.
Philippine Star
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DRUGS
Operations/ Incidents
7 nabbed, P360,000 shabu seized in Manila buy-bust
Seven alleged drug personalities were arrested while suspected shabu worth over P360,000 were seized in a buy-bust operation in Sta. Cruz, Manila Saturday.
Manila Bulletin
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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IP groups hit Cullamat for contributing to system of exploitation
Indigenous peoples (IP) groups lambasted Bayan Muna Rep. Eufemia Cullamat and individuals whom they said are “pretending to be human rights defenders that had contributed in a system of exploitation.”
Philippine News Agency
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International court urged to try Duterte for mass murders
THE FAMILIES of suspected pushers killed in the government’s war on drugs have asked the International Criminal Court (ICC) to admit more evidence about President Rodrigo R. Duterte’s alleged crimes against humanity.
Business World
Press Freedom/ Freedom of expression
‘Stereotypical, discriminating’: CHR slams ‘Tililing’ movie poster
The Commission of Human Rights (CHR) has censured the portrayal of mental health illness in the controversial “Tililing” movie poster as being “stereotypical and discriminating.”
Philippine Daily Inquirer
Martial Law
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COVID-19
Cases
Philippines' COVID-19 tally nears 550,000 with over 1,900 new cases
The Philippines confirmed 1,928 new cases of COVID-19 on Sunday bringing the country’s total to 549,176. The Department of Health also reported 10,967 new recoveries pushing the total number of Filipinos who recovered from the disease to 511,743.
ABS- CBN News
PH logs close to 11K new Covid-19 recoveries
An additional 10,967 patients have recovered from the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19), pushing the country's overall tally of recovered cases to 511,743 on Sunday.
Philippine News Agency
Department of Health
PGH ramps up vaccine rollout preps as inoculation drive nears
The Philippine General Hospital (PGH) has ramped up all necessary preparations and requirements for the upcoming vaccine rollout as the country expects the arrival of the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) vaccines.
Philippine News Agency
IATF/NTF COVID-19
46 sites recommended as COVID-19 vaccination centers — AFP
The Armed Forces of the Philippines said 46 sites nationwide have been identified as vaccination centers in support of the government's vaccine program.
CNN Philippines
Reopening movie houses puts more people at risk, say health experts
Health experts also have reservations about reopening enclosed leisure establishments and want more specific measures from the government on how to go about easing the restriction.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
Regions
Luzon including NCR
Metro Manila mayors still wary of reopening cinemas, arcades as Philippines' Covid-19 total tops 549,000
The mayors in the National Capital Region (NCR) are opposing the decision of the Covid-19 response task force to allow the reopening of some indoor leisure establishments, including cinemas and arcades, according to Metro Manila Council (MMC) chair Edwin Olivarez.
The Star
Central Luzon Covid-19 recovery tally hits 23.8K
Central Luzon logged 12 new recoveries, bringing the total number of recovered cases to 23,813.
Philippine News Agency
Covid-19 community transmission alert up in Puerto Princesa
There is a community transmission of the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) here, city health officials said Saturday night.
Philippine News Agency
Visayas
Duterte’s Presidential Assistant for the Visayas positive for COVID-19
Presidential Assistant for the Visayas Secretary Michael Lloyd Dino confirmed past midnight on Monday, February 15 that he tested positive for COVID-19.
Rappler
Mindanao
DavOro boosts contact tracing for UK variant patients
The province of Davao de Oro has strengthened its contact tracing efforts after the Department of Health in Region 11 (DOH-11) reported that two out of the three patients who turned out positive for the B.1.1.7 (UK) coronavirus variant came from the said province.
Philippine News Agency
World
US, WHO demand more data on origins of pandemic
The United States and a World Health Organization (WHO) expert demanded more data from Beijing on Saturday about the origins of the coronavirus pandemic, after a WHO mission to China struggled to make headway.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
CDC chief warns it’s too soon in U.S. to lift COVID-19 mask mandates
The head of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said on Sunday it is “absolutely” too soon to lift mask mandates, citing daily COVID-19 case numbers that despite recent declines remain more than double the levels seen last summer.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
Israeli study finds 94% drop in symptomatic COVID-19 cases with Pfizer vaccine
Israel’s largest healthcare provider on Sunday reported a 94% drop in symptomatic COVID-19 infections among 600,000 people who received two doses of the Pfizer’s vaccine in the country’s biggest study to date.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
Diplomatic, Development and Private Sector
Incidents and Violations
Editorial, Analysis, Opinion and Features
OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT
Duterte will never be a lame duck leader: Panelo
President Rodrigo Duterte can never be a lame duck because majority of Filipinos continue to trust and approve his performance as the country’s top official, a Palace official said Sunday.
Philippine News Agency
Focus on boosting vaccine confidence, critics told
Instead of criticizing the Duterte administration’s Covid-19 response, critics should “concentrate” on boosting vaccine confidence among Filipinos, Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Salvador Panelo said Sunday.
Philippine News Agency
OFFICE OF THE VICE PRESIDENT
Robredo: Money shouldn't be main consideration in keeping, scrapping VFA
President Rodrigo Duterte's recent demand for Washington to pay the Philippines if it wants the Visiting Forces Agreement to remain is in bad taste, Vice President Leni Robredo said, adding money should not be the reason to stay in or leave the deal.
Philippine Star
Duterte blocked renewal of ABS-CBN franchise – Leni
IT is now clear that President Duterte is behind the move to deny ABS-CBN Broadcasting Corp. a legislative franchise, Vice President Leni Robredo said yesterday as she noted the Chief Executive announcement last week that he would not allow the media giant to resume operations even if Congress eventually decides to renew the franchise.
Malaya
Robredo: What ‘science’ backs reopening of cinemas?
The reopening of cinemas and other tourist attractions in Metro Manila and other areas where COVID-19 cases remain high was opposed yesterday by Vice President Leni Robredo, who asked whether the decision was “backed by science.”
Philippine Star
AUDIT, GRAFT, AND CORRUPTION
BUDGET, FINANCE, and TAXATION
BSP tells consumers to brace for higher prices
Filipino consumers should expect prices of basic goods and services to rise at a faster rate for this year due to continued tightness in the supply of key food items and the expected uptick in international oil prices as the global economy recovers from the pandemic, according to the central bank.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
BUSINESS, ECONOMY AND INVESTMENT
Capital Economics: PH to become world’s 18th biggest economy in 2050
The Philippines is poised to become the world’s 18th biggest economy by 2050 as long as it addresses its infrastructure lack, long-term projections by London-based macroeconomic research organization Capital Economics showed.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
BUILD, BUILD, BUILD and PUBLIC WORKS
CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS
House plenary debates on Cha-cha to begin on Feb. 22
The push for economic amendments in the Constitution remains in the House of Representatives, with plenary debates on the issue beginning on February 22.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
DISASTER AND EMERGENCY RESPONSE
'TF Build Back Better' begins Marikina River dredging on Feb. 17
In the wake of the devastating floods that plunged Marikina City and several other cities of Metro Manila underwater in November last year, the Task Force Build Back Better (TF BBB) announced that it will begin dredging activities in Marikina River on Feb. 17.
Philippine News Agency
Eruption alert raised as Kanlaon Volcano grows restive
The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) has advised people living near Mt. Kanlaon in Negros Island to be vigilant due to the increased volcanic activity in Mt. Kanlaon.
Philippine News Agency
DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
DEFENSE AND SECURITY
Armed Forces of the Philippines
Philippine National Police
EDUCATION
INFORMATION, COMMUNICATION AND TECHNOLOGY
Nat’l ID pre-registration in Davao Region continues
The pre-registration for the Philippine Identification System (PhilSys) or National ID in the Davao Region continues, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) in Region 11 said.
Philippine News Agency
ELECTION RELATED
Davao motorcade prods Sara to run for president
About 50 vehicles participated in the ‘Sara Para sa Bayan 2022’ motorcade on Sunday here to prod Mayor Sara Z. Duterte to run for president in the 2022 national elections.
Philippine News Agency
Panelo: People want Leni to retire, not run in 2022
ONLINE petitions discouraging Vice President Leni Robredo from running for president in the 2022 national elections have been gaining ground, Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Salvador Panelo has said.
Malaya
ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES
DENR alarmed as pandemic forces farmers in S.Kudarat town to sell wild birds
The COVID-19 pandemic has forced farmers in Esperanza town in Sultan Kudarat to sell birds to motorists along the national highway to augment their incomes and allow them to buy rice and other food commodities.
GMA News
LABOR
LEGISLATIVE
Senate of the Philippines
Angara wants donated Covid-19 vaccines exempted from donor’s tax
To help increase the supply of vaccines and other critical and essential supplies needed by the country in the fight against Covid-19, Senator Sonny Angara has filed a bill seeking to exempt donations of these goods from the donor’s tax.
Philippine News Agency
Senate to resume discussion on Department of Overseas Filipinos creation
The Senate is set to resume its discussion on the creation of a new government department handling exclusively the issues of overseas Filipinos.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
House of Representatives
Economic Cha-cha ‘not a free pass’ for all foreign investments — solon
The proposed economic amendments to the 1987 Constitution will not serve as a “free pass” to all foreign investments in the country, Marikina 2nd District Rep. Stella Luz Quimbo said.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
House to look into financial condition of SSS
The House of Representatives is set to conduct an inquiry into the financial condition of the Social Security System (SSS) amid the push to suspend the hike in member contributions.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS (LGUs)
OFFICIAL DEVELOPMENT ASSISTANCE
FOREIGN RELATIONS
Philippines’ Duterte slammed for demanding Washington pay for US troop deal
Philippine politicians on both sides of the aisle have slammed President Rodrigo Duterte’s latest tirade against the country’s Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) with the US.
Arab News
US takes alliances ‘very seriously’ – Pentagon
The United States takes its responsibilities to its treaty alliances including that with the Philippines “very seriously,” a Pentagon official said over the weekend.
Philippine Star
West Philippine Sea
FOOD AND AGRICULTURE
Pilmico Foods plans further investment in hog raising
PILMICO FOODS Corp. said it will continue investing in its hog raising business to participate in the restoration of the hog population, which has been decimated by African Swine Fever. The Aboitiz-controlled company said in a statement that its initiatives will include increasing sow capacity, improving biosecurity, farm zoning, and refining the pork supply chain.
Business World
[Editorial] Spiking prices and food security
Inflation spiked last January to its highest in two years, catching government and private sector economists by surprise. Not only was the rate of increase in prices of basic commodities the highest since January 2019’s 4.4 percent, it also breached the government’s target range of 2-4 percent for 2021. The sad part is that the impact of high prices is terrible on poor households, as inflation for the bottom 30-percent income households climbed to 4.9 percent, also the highest in two years.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
HOUSING and SETTLEMENT
POVERTY
SOCIAL WELFARE AND DEVELOPMENT
TRANSPORTATION
TOURISM
WATER and ENERGY
Basic Energy unit eyes service contract with DOE
Basic Energy Corp. (BSC) has accepted a subsidiary’s plan to enter into a service contract with the Department of Energy (DOE) for the development of a 50-megawatt wind farm in Batangas.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
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