Peace rally sa Brgy. Bural, sa Zinundungan Valley, nilahukan ng mahigit 300 residente
Nasa mahigit 300 residente ng Barangay Bural, Zinundungan Valley, sa bayan ng Rizal, Cagayan ang nakiisa sa isinagawang peace rally kamakalawa.Layon ng aktibidad na pinangunahan ni Barangay Captain Evelyn Baloran na itaboy ang mga miyembro ng rebeldeng Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA) sa kanilang lugar.
Kalinaw News
Peace talks
Duterte grants amnesty to communist, Moro rebels
President Rodrigo Duterte has signed four proclamations granting amnesty to members of the communist movement, the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF), the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), and the Rebolusyonaryong Partido ng Mangagawa ng Pilipinas/Revolutionary Proletarian Army/Alex Boncayao Brigade (RPMP-RPA-ABB).
Philippine News Agency
Incidents/Operations
3 NPAs killed, 4 firearms seized in Agusan Sur Clash
Three (3) NPA members were killed and three (3) firearms to include assorted war materiel were seized after a five (5) minute firefight between the government troops and the CPP-NPA Terrorists (CNTs) at So Damming, Brgy Zillovia, Talacogon, Agusan del Sur at around 2:00pm, February 15, 2021. Troops of 26th Infantry (Ever Onward) Battalion under the operational control of 402nd Infantry (Stingers) Brigade clashed against more or less seven (7) CPP-NPA
Kalinaw News
NPA members Ka Eldy, Ka Redy, Ka Justin surrender in Northern Samar, say police
Three alleged members of New People’s Army (NPA), armed wing of Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP), have surrendered to police in Northern Samar province.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
Gov’t troops seize high-powered firearms in Bicol
At least four high-powered firearms were seized by government troops on Tuesday in an operation against the communist terrorist group (CTG) in Bicol.
Philippine News Agency
|
|
Peralta questions petitioners claim of 'vague offenses' under ATA
The country's top magistrate has questioned the contention of petitioners against the Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA) of 2020 claiming the vagueness of the definition of offenses covered by the law.
Philippine News Agency
Justice Caguioa questions broad powers of anti-terror council
Supreme Court Associate Justice Benjamin Caguioa questioned the broad powers of the anti-terror law in his interpellation during Day 3 of oral arguments on Tuesday, February 16. Interpellating 4 counsels during his turn, Caguioa pursued a line of thought that questioned the broad provisions of the anti-terror law, especially the anti-terror council's power to authorize arrest and detention of up to 24 days.
Rappler
MARAWI
Gov’t sets Dec. 31 target to finish Marawi rehab
A task force overseeing the reconstruction of war-torn Marawi City has expressed confidence in completing its mission by the end of this year despite delays due to the coronavirus pandemic. Housing Assistant Secretary Felix Castro Jr., field manager of Task Force Bangon Marawi (TFBM), said at least P22.393 billion had been released so far for various public works projects and P5 billion more was expected this year. Marawi was devastated more than three years ago when government troops and Islamic State (IS)-linked militants fought for five months, displacing up to 350,000 residents in 24 villages.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
SOUTHEAST ASIA AND THE WORLD
Year In Hate: New SPLC analysis shows extremists leveraging little-known and encrypted technology to spread dangerous messages, plot violence
A new SPLC analysis released today details how far-right extremist groups are migrating to lesser-known social media platforms and messaging apps like Telegram, as well as encrypted communications, bots and invite-only chat rooms to plan new attacks. The use of these encrypted spaces, where groups share hate-filled imagery and memes, makes it challenging to track their activities.
Southern Poverty Law Center
Rights groups to boycott UK anti-extremism program review
Human rights groups have committed to boycotting a UK government review into the anti-extremist Prevent program to protest the appointment of William Shawcross as its chair.
Arab News
Dutch security body concerned about Erdoğan’s role in rise of extremism in Netherlands
A secret report on Dutch national security that was leaked on Monday has revealed concerns among the authorities about the influence of what it calls a conscious Islamization strategy pursued by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan for Dutch people of Turkish descent, noting that it could compromise the security of the Netherlands by giving rise to Salafism/jihadism, Turkish Minute reported.
Stockholm Center for Freedom
French MPs approve bill to combat Islamist extremism
France's National Assembly approved Tuesday a law to fight Islamist extremism and separatism in an attempt to tackle the root causes of jihadist violence – in response to a wave of attacks that has seen more than 250 people murdered since 2015. The text would significantly expand the government's powers to close religious organisations and places of worship if they are found to air "theories or ideas" that "provoke hate or violence towards a person or people".
France 24
Extremism In The U.S. Military
A significant contingent of the rioters who stormed the Capitol on Jan. 6 included people with a military background, from active duty personnel to veterans. Defense secretary Lloyd Austin has called for a military-wide stand down to address extremism within the ranks.
WOSU Radio
How many extremists are in the military?
Why it won’t be easy to root out far-right extremism in the military. Why Indian farmers are protesting. And who pours the kibble for the first dogs?
Washington Post
Five get death penalty in Bangladesh for killing anti-religious extremism US blogger
A court in Bangladesh sentenced to death five members of an Islamist militant group on Tuesday for killing a US blogger critical of religious extremism six years ago. Avijit Roy, a US citizen of Bangladeshi origin, was hacked to death by machete-wielding assailants in February 2015 while returning home with his wife from a Dhaka book fair. His wife and fellow blogger Rafida Ahmed suffered head injuries and lost a finger.
Business Day
[Editorial] Republicans have no place for extremism
The single-word headline word “Acquitted” could have referred to only one person, former US president Donald Trump. The 57-43 vote in the Senate to convict him of incitement of deadly rioting at the US Capitol on January 6 fell short of the two-thirds majority required to remove a president. In any case he could not have been removed from an office he had already left, only prevented from running again. But it was a bipartisan repudiation of one of the most polarising and divisive leaders the United States has ever had. The seven fellow Republicans who voted with all the Democrats for impeachment risked abuse and isolation at the hands of vengeful pro-Trump lawmakers. There were others who only voted against impeachment because of doubts the proceedings against a president no longer in office were constitutional
South China Morning Post
|
|
BARMM
Solons push for the extension of BARMM transition period
Some lawmakers at the House of Representatives have expressed support for the extension of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) government’s transition period.
Philippine News Agency
PRRD creates National Amnesty Commission
President Rodrigo R. Duterte signed last Monday, February 8 the proclamation creating the National Amnesty Commission (NAC) comprising seven members such as the secretaries of defense, justice, and interior and local government and the presidential peace adviser as ex-officio members. The body will be responsible for accepting, processing and approving applications for amnesty. The proclamation needs the concurrence of congress for it to take effect.
Luwaran
MAGUINDANAO AND COTABATO CITY
P1.3-M shabu seized; 3 suspects nabbed in Maguindanao
Anti-narcotics agents arrested three suspects and seized PHP1.3-million worth of shabu in a buy-bust Tuesday morning in Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao.
Philippine News Agency
BARMM Regional Engineers start drafting multi-million infrastructure projects for 63 North Cotabato barangays
Residents of 63 barangays in North Cotabato now under the Bangsamoro region stand to benefit from multi-million 2021 infrastructure projects now on drafting tables of regional engineers, said a report by Philtar Friday, February 11. North Cotabato Gov. Nancy Catamco expressed his thanks to the commitment of the Ministry of Public Works-Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao to build road networks to interconnect the 63 barangays to domestic trading centers, to schools and to medical dispensaries.
Luwaran
31 mga miembro daw ng kulto sa Arakan, North Cotabato nailigtas ng LGU
Nasa incident management post na ng Arakan LGU ang 31 mga indibidwal na na-rescue sa isang malayong sitio ng barangay Libertad na una ng napaulat na mga miembro umano ng isang kulto.
NDBC News
LANAO PROVINCES
MOLE holds 3rd Bangsamoro Constituent Forum in Marawi
In line with its effort in keeping the public abreast of the programs, projects, and accomplishments of the Bangsamoro Government, the Ministry of Labor and Employment (MOLE) held the third Bangsamoro Constituents Forum in Marawi City on Thursday, February 11. “We are optimistic to bring transparent, accountable, dignified, and honest governance to the Bangsamoro constituents. We shall serve them by embodying the time honored principle of Moral Governance,” MOLE Minster Romeo Sema said.
Bangsamoro Government
BASILAN
SULU
Joint Task Force-Sulu holds joint training exercise
THE Joint Task Force (JTF)-Sulu is conducting a week-long Joint Training Exercise (JTX) to enhance interoperability and strengthen camaraderie of its troops as they fight against terrorism in Sulu.
Sunstar Zamboanga
TAWI-TAWI
|
|
DRUGS
PDEA sees drug resistant, self-policing communities by 2030
The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) envisions that communities in the country will be resistant to illegal drugs and capable of policing their ranks against this menace by 2030.
Philippine News Agency
Operations/ Incidents
Politics, drugs seen in Cagayan ambush
Police on Tuesday formed a special task group to solve within 72 hours the killing of two former mayors in Lasam town as investigators look into politics and drugs as possible motives in the attack.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
Recidivist, 5 others nabbed in Zambo anti-drug ops
Authorities have arrested a man previously arrested for unspecified drug charges and five others in separate anti-drug operations in this southern port city, a police official said Tuesday.
Philippine News Agency
Recovery and Rehabilitation
ILLICIT FIREARMS, EXPLOSIVES, AND AMMUNITION
CROSS-BORDER TRADING/ SMUGGLING/ COUNTERFEIT GOODS
Customs seizes P30-M smuggled cigarettes from China
The Bureau of Customs (BOC) reported on Tuesday the seizure of smuggled cigarettes worth PHP30 million at the Manila International Container Port Customs (MICP) in Manila.
Philippine News Agency
HUMAN TRAFFICKING
KIDNAPPING/ ABDUCTION
ILLEGAL GAMBLING
ILLICIT FINANCIAL TRANSACTIONS/ EXTORTION
Public warned vs. fraudulent solicitation scheme
Malacañang on Tuesday warned the public against falling for an unauthorized solicitation of unscrupulous individuals who are pretending to be officials or employees of the Office of the President (OP).
Philippine News Agency
SEC warns public vs illegal crowdfunding schemes
The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has warned the public against individuals and groups hawking illegal crowdfunding activities or investments disguised as cryptocurrency trading and franchising.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
|
|
Priests deny police story: ‘USC Lumad needed no rescuing’
Priests hosting Lumad students and elders denied the police operation inside a Catholic-run university in Cebu City Monday morning was a rescue mission. Societas Verbi Divini (SVD) Philippines Southern Province Provincial Fr. Rogelio Bag-ao, SVD and University of San Carlos (USC) President Fr. Narciso Cellan Jr, SVD said they are seriously concerned and surprised that the police alleged the incident was a rescue operation.
Kodao Productons
Arrested Lumad students, teachers denied access to lawyers
The Lumad students who were taken by the police yesterday from the retreat house in University of San Carlos-Talampas campus in Cebu City have yet to be located, a lawyer said on Tuesday, Feb. 16, in an online program of the AlterMidya Network.
Bulatlat
‘Rescue’ came as a surprise, says host of the Lumad bakwit school
There is no need to rescue the Lumad students at the University of San Carlos-Talamban in Cebu City as they are about to go back into their communities.
Bulatlat
Where are parents’ consent? Groups say docs were secured
Organizations behind the ‘bakwit school’ program held in Brgy. Talamban, Cebu City maintained they have secured the necessary permits from Lumad parents in Mindanao to allow their children to travel here to study.
Cebu Daily News
IP kids' schooling in Cebu City university illegal: DepEd-7
The Department of Education (DepEd) in Central Visayas on Tuesday said the University of San Carlos-Talamban Campus here has no permit to conduct blended learning classes for the indigenous peoples (IP) children from Mindanao.
Philippine News Agency
Prove IP parents, kids’ video calls, NCIP exec dares USC priest
An official of the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) on Tuesday challenged a priest at the University of San Carlos (USC)-Talamban Campus here to show proof that they let the IP children in their custody talk to their parents from the mountain town of Talaingod, Davao del Norte through video calls.
Philippine News Agency
|
|
Hontiveros hits 'disturbing pattern' on schools' treatment after Cebu police raid
A senator on Tuesday flagged what she described as a "disturbing pattern" of authorities' treatment on schools after Monday's incident of police claiming "rescue" of children in a Lumad bakwit school in Cebu.
Philippine Star
Press Freedom/ Freedom of expression
Martial Law
|
|
|
COVID-19
Cases
45 new Covid-19 recoveries raise total to 511K
The Department of Health (DOH) on Tuesday reported 45 new recoveries that pushed the country’s overall tally of recovered cases from the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) to 511,796.
Philippine News Agency
Department of Health
IATF/NTF COVID-19
Covid-19 vaccine vital to restore normalcy in PH
Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Salvador Panelo on Tuesday emphasized the vital role of the government’s coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) vaccination drive in restoring normalcy in the country.
Philippine News Agency
Duterte studying plan to place entire PH under MGCQ
President Rodrigo Duterte is studying the proposal to place the entire country under the most relaxed modified general community quarantine (MGCQ) starting March 1, 2021 to address the rise in hunger and poverty, Malacañang said Tuesday.
Philippine News Agency
Regions
Luzon including NCR
Samples of neighbors of OFW with UK Covid for genome sequencing
The Quezon City government has sent to the Philippine Genome Center the samples of the two neighbors of the overseas Filipino worker (OFW) who yielded positive swab test results for the coronavirus disease (Covid-19), Mayor Joy Belmonte said Tuesday.
Philippine News Agency
Manila opens hotlines for Covid-19 vaccine queries
The city government of Manila has established hotlines to answer queries on the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) vaccine.
Philippine News Agency
Visayas
Escalante City skeds arrival of LSIs from Cebu, Iloilo
The City of Escalante in Negros Occidental has set an arrival schedule for locally-stranded individuals (LSIs) from neighboring Cebu and Iloilo provinces, based on the directive issued by Mayor Melecio Yap Jr. on Tuesday.
Philippine News Agency
Mindanao
CODE team hails Davao City’s vax preparedness
Members of the Coordinated Operations to Defeat Epidemic (CODE) team lauded the city's coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) vaccination preparedness during their visit here Tuesday.
Philippine News Agency
World
Diplomatic, Development and Private Sector
Few adverse events logged among 40M vaccinated Chinese: envoy
Very few "adverse events" have been reported among the Chinese nationals who got inoculated with China-made vaccines, Philippine Ambassador to Beijing Jose Santiago Sta. Romana said Tuesday, noting the rollout in China has gone "smoothly".
Philippine News Agency
Incidents and Violations
Suspension of City Garden Grand down to 2 months
The Department of Tourism (DOT) has reduced to two months the suspension of the City Garden Grand Hotel (CGGH) following the latter's appeal on behalf of its pandemic-hit employees.
Philippine News Agency
Editorial, Analysis, Opinion and Features
COVID-19 and the limits of state power: Part I
A pandemic should be a near-perfect showcase for what a state can do. Pandemic response requires generating large amounts of information about everything from infection rates to hospital capacity. It demands collective action and widespread communication to understand and make clear the actions necessary to contain the disease. And it often takes a certain amount of coercion to ensure that people take those necessary actions. Yet, after a year, in many places around the world the COVID-19 pandemic has become a showcase of what states are unable to do, forcing people to adjust their concepts and expectations. This week and next, Critical State takes a deep dive into new research on the limits of state power to influence the pandemic and how states work to expand those limits.
Public Radio Exchange (PRX)
OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT
Palace rebuffs Leachon's call to abolish IATF-EID
Malacañang on Tuesday turned down the call of Dr. Anthony “Tony” Leachon to abolish the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID).
Philippine News Agency
Gov't on track of 170M doses of Covid-19 vaccine target
Malacañang on Tuesday assured that the national government remains on track to meet its target to acquire 170 million doses of Covid-19 vaccines from several suppliers.
Philippine News Agency
OFFICE OF THE VICE PRESIDENT
Not yet over? VP Leni tells Marcos: ‘Your interpretation is wrong’
Vice President Leni Robredo on Tuesday pointed to the clarification by the Supreme Court (SC) later in the day to disprove claims by the camp of former senator Ferdinand Marcos Jr. that it had only ruled on the second cause of action of their poll protest.
Manila Bulletin
Robredo camp fires back at Rody
VICE President Leni Robredo has already proven her leadership many times by cleaning up after the administration, her spokesman said yesterday, citing her activities to fill the gaps in the government’s COVID-19 response.
Malaya
AUDIT, GRAFT, AND CORRUPTION
Task force vs. corruption logs over 200 complaints
Justice secretary Menardo Guevarra on Tuesday said the Task Force Against Corruption (TFAC) has so far received over 200 complaints with “large number” involving local government units (LGUs).
Philippine News Agency
BUDGET, FINANCE, and TAXATION
Measure letting banks dispose of bad loans is now law
Banks can finally get rid of their pandemic-induced bad loan buildup after President Rodrigo Duterte on Tuesday (Feb. 16) signed the Financial Institutions Strategic Transfer (FIST) Act into law.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
BUSINESS, ECONOMY AND INVESTMENT
Top Indian firms to present investment plans for PH at PCCI forum
Indian companies will present on Thursday (Feb. 18) their investment interests in the Philippines, particularly in major infrastructure projects, according to the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI).
Philippine Daily Inquirer
PEZA, PNP sign IRR on industrial peace
The Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) and the Philippine National Police have signed the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of the Joint Industrial Peace and Concern Office (JIPCO) to ensure industrial peace in various economic zones in the country.
Manila Bulletin
Jollibee-Yoshinoya joint venture targets to open 50 stores in the Philippines
JOLLIBEE Foods Corp. has teamed up with Yoshinoya International Philippines, Inc. to operate and expand the Japanese restaurant chain in the country. On Tuesday, Jollibee disclosed to the exchange that the two will establish a 50/50 joint venture, which will be the Philippine franchisee of Yoshinoya.
Business World
BUILD, BUILD, BUILD and PUBLIC WORKS
P1.2-B allocated for feasibility studies of 82 infra projects
A total of PHP1.23 billion under 2021 General Appropriations Act (GAA) has been allocated for the feasibility studies of 82 infrastructure projects nationwide, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) said on Tuesday.
Philippine News Agency
NAIA inaugurates improved runway, expanded Terminal 2
The Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) inaugurated on Tuesday the improved runway 13/31 at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), as well as the expanded NAIA Terminal 2.
Philippine News Agency
Bridge to link agrarian communities in Agusan town to markets
The Department of Agrarian Reform in Agusan del Sur (DAR-ADS) led on Tuesday the opening of a newly-constructed bridge in Barangay Panagangan, La Paz town to link agrarian communities to market centers in Agusan del Sur.
Philippine News Agency
CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS
DISASTER AND EMERGENCY RESPONSE
Rise in seismic activity, hotter crater lake recorded in Taal
Seismic activity and changes in Taal Volcano's main crater lake have been observed on Monday despite the volcano under alert level 1 (abnormal), the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said.
Philippine News Agency
Preemptive evacuations conducted on Taal Volcano Island
The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) clarified that evacuations in Taal Volcano Island on Tuesday morning are preemptive measures and done for fish pen workers and families tending animals on the island.
Philippine News Agency
Possible flooding, landslide threat hound E. Visayas
Trough of a low-pressure area (LPA) east of Mindanao may prolong rising risk for flooding and landslides in Eastern Visayas. Such trough can bring to Eastern Visayas this Friday and Saturday rain showers that may trigger such events, noted Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) weather forecaster Ana Clauren.
Philippine News Agency
NCRPO disaster response gets boost with P1.1-M new equipment
The National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) on Monday turned over various search and rescue equipment worth PHP1.1 million to its Regional Mobile Force Battalion (RMFB).
Philippine News Agency
DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
DEFENSE AND SECURITY
Armed Forces of the Philippines
2 new Navy warships play 'big role' in PH naval diplomacy
The Philippine Navy's two newly-acquired guided missile frigates play a vital role in naval diplomacy and in promoting the country, apart from helping protect its vast waters, Navy chief Vice Admiral Giovanni Carlo Bacordo said Tuesday.
Philippine News Agency
Philippine National Police
PNP beefs up Covid-19 vaccine info drive among cops
The Philippine National Police (PNP) has strengthened its information campaign to convince all of its personnel to get inoculated with coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) vaccines.
Philippine News Agency
36 cops dismissed due to administrative cases
The National Police Commission (Napolcom) has dismissed from the service 36 police officers due to administrative cases.In a media statement on Tuesday, Napolcom vice chair Vitaliano Aguirre II said these police officers were among those facing cases that were tackled during the commission's first en banc meeting held on February 11.
Philippine News Agency
EDUCATION
UNICEF backs pilot face-to-face classes starting March
The UNICEF Philippines is recommending the conduct of pilot face-to-face classes in low-risk areas in the Philippines starting March as it underscored the need for a "safe and progressive" return to in-person schooling.
Philippine News Agency
INFORMATION, COMMUNICATION AND TECHNOLOGY
ELECTION RELATED
PET junks Marcos poll protest vs. Robredo
The Supreme Court (SC) sitting as the Presidential Electoral Tribunal (PET) on Tuesday announced that it has dismissed the electoral protest filed by former senator Ferdinand “Bongbong" Marcos Jr. against Vice President Ma. Leonor "Leni" Robredo, contesting the results of the vice presidential race in the 2016 national polls.
Philippine News Agency
Malacañang respects PET ruling on Marcos’ VP poll protest
Malacañang on Tuesday said it respects the decision of the Supreme Court (SC), sitting as the Presidential Electoral Tribunal (PET), to dismiss the electoral protest lodged by former senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. against Vice President Maria Leonor “Leni” Robredo.
Philippine News Agency
Prelate prods youth to register for May 2022 polls
A Catholic prelate on Tuesday urged Filipinos, particularly the youth, to register to be able to participate in the May 2022 national and local elections.
Philippine News Agency
ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES
LABOR
Myanmar repatriation testament to PH commitment to assist OFs
The repatriation of over a hundred Filipinos in Myanmar is a testament that the Philippine government is committed to its promise to assist any distressed nationals abroad.
Philippine News Agency
LEGISLATIVE
Senate of the Philippines
House of Representatives
Over 200 solons back Bayanihan 3 bill
More than 200 lawmakers from the House of Representatives have expressed support for the PHP420-billion stimulus package under the Bayanihan to Arise As One Act or the Bayanihan 3 to help the economy recover from the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) pandemic.
Philippine News Agency
Lawmaker wants long-term solution to address pork price issue
Albay Rep. Joey Salceda on Tuesday said a sustainable and long-term solution to issues of pork price and supply is better feed supply and more modern support systems.
Philippine News Agency
LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS (LGUs)
ARTA checks nat'l agencies' compliance to ease of doing biz law
The Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA) on Tuesday started a series of random on-site inspections as part of its efforts to continuously monitor the compliance of various national government agencies to the Ease of Doing Business (EODB) Law.
Philippine News Agency
OFFICIAL DEVELOPMENT ASSISTANCE
FOREIGN RELATIONS
Palace floats possibility of reviewing MDT, EDCA anew
Malacañang on Tuesday floated anew the possibility of reviewing the 1951 Mutual Defense Treaty (MDT) and the 2014 Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) between the Philippines and the United States (US), stressing that both failed to prevent the entry of Chinese forces in disputed territories in the West Philippine Sea (WPS).
Philippine News Agency
PH has 'right to expect' lethal parity measures in MDT: Locsin
Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. on Tuesday underscored that Manila has a right to "expect some measure of lethal parity" in its Mutual Defense Treaty (MDT) with the United States.
Philippine News Agency
PH envoy to China denies inaction on new coast guard law
The Philippine Embassy in Beijing on Tuesday denied that it failed to act or monitor the developments on the now enacted China law that permits its coast guard to fire on foreign vessels it deemed infringing on its sovereignty or jurisdiction.
Philippine News Agency
West Philippine Sea
[Opinion] China has taken P9.7 trillion in reefs, fish - and counting
“We asked so much of them (America) because they have taken so much from us,” President Duterte said Friday. “They have to pay. It’s a shared responsibility, but your share of responsibility does not come free.” He wants a review of the Phl-US Visiting Forces Agreement. But he was vague on what America has taken or how he will monetize the VFA. The pact is about legalities, like visas for US troops coming for joint military exercises and jurisdiction in case of criminal offenses. The US no longer has military bases in the Philippines. Yet, his spokesman compared Monday the $16-billion Pakistan received from the US in 17 years.
Philippine Star
FOOD AND AGRICULTURE
DA wants much bigger volume of pork imports: 404,210 MT
The Department of Agriculture (DA) is now pushing to further expand the minimum access volume (MAV) allocation on pork to 404,210 metric tons (MT) from the current 54,000 MT, a proposal that has already been sent to President Rodrigo Duterte for approval.
Manila Bulletin
DA selects Sarangani as Region 12 pilot area for new nationwide collaborative program called Provincial-led Agriculture and Fishery Extension System
The Department of Agriculture has chosen Sarangani province as pilot area for Soccsksargen Region in the new nationwide collaborative program called Provincial-led Agriculture and Fishery Extension System (PAFES), with a P 226 Million funding from the national government for marginalized farmers and fisherfolk.
Manila Bulletin
[Editorial] Punish the price manipulators
THE Duterte administration’s plan to hold a Food Summit is truly a positive development amid the recent chaos caused by skyrocketing meat prices, including a shameful and fortunately unsuccessful attempt by certain interest groups to manipulate the prices of pork products by withholding supplies from consumers.
Manila Times
HOUSING and SETTLEMENT
Gov’t, Alpha-3 ink Wi-Fi access in socialized housing projects
The Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) has partnered with private company, Alpha-3 Technologies Inc., to provide internet services in the government’s socialized housing and human settlement projects.
Philippine News Agency
POVERTY
NEDA: Proposal to place entire Philippines under MGCQ aimed at reducing hunger
The proposal to place the entire Philippines under modified general community quarantine (MGCQ), the loosest quarantine classification, is seen to reduce hunger in areas still under stringent lockdowns, the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) said Tuesday.
GMA News
SOCIAL WELFARE AND DEVELOPMENT
4Ps beneficiaries in Soccsksargen get P5.9-B cash grants
The national government has allotted around PHP5.9 billion in financial assistance this year for the “poorest of the poor” families in Region 12 (Soccsksargen) that are covered by the conditional cash transfer program.
Philippine News Agency
TRANSPORTATION
TOURISM
WATER and ENERGY
Solon seeks inquiry into PH energy transition plan
Senator Sherwin Gatchalian has filed a resolution seeking an inquiry into the government’s energy transition plan following the Department of Energy’s (DOE) move last year banning new coal power plants to accelerate the country’s shift to cleaner energy.
Philippine News Agency
Travel ban pushes back target commercial run of Dinginin power plant — AboitizPower chief
THE target commercial operations of the 1,336-megawatt (MW) supercritical coal-fired power plant of GNPower Dinginin Ltd. Co. have been pushed back due to construction delays caused by travel restrictions, the top official of Aboitiz Power Corp. said.
Business World
|
|
|
|
|
