NTF-ELCAC double budgeting for 62 barangays can amount to ₱768 million
Under the 2021 General Appropriations Act, the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) got ₱16.4 billion for its so-called Barangay Development Program (BDP). In its BDP, the NTF-ELCAC lists 822 barangays “cleared of NPA presence” which will supposedly get ₱20 million each, with ₱12 million specified for road projects, and the rest for school buildings and other programs.
Communist Party of the Philippines
Who is to blame if search warrants are not properly served?
It is the law enforcers that implement the search warrants, an act that is different from what the courts do, the Office of the Court Administrator said in a memorandum to Chief Justice Diosdado Peralta issued days after nine activists were killed in a simultaneous implementation of search warrants last March 7.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
Mandaluyong judge gets red-tagged after dismissing case vs 2 activists
Judge Monique Quisumbing-Ignacio of the Mandaluyong Regional Trial Court has been red-tagged herself after dismissing the case filed against red-tagged journalist Lady Ann Salem and trade unionist Rodrigo Esparago.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
Peace talks
Incidents/Operations
Suspected NPA rebel killed, weapons seized in NegOr town clash
Government troops have recovered weapons and the body of an unidentified suspected member of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA) believed killed in an encounter in Barangay Bagtic, La Libertad in northern Negros Oriental on Monday.
Philippine News Agency
5 more NPA fighters yield to cops in Leyte
Five members of the New People’s Army (NPA) in Leyte province yielded to the local police, adding to the increasing number of communist terrorist group fighters heeding the call to surrender.
Philippine News Agency
NPA leader killed in Kalinga clash
A New People’s Army (NPA) leader was killed in an encounter with government troopers in Kalinga on Monday.
Philippine Star
‘Amazona’ captured in Janiuay encounter
A 66-year-old suspected New People’s Army (NPA) “amazona” was captured in an encounter between rebels and the Philippine Army’s 12th Infantry Battalion in Barangay Dabong, Janiuay, Iloilo .
Panay News
2 top NPA officers nabbed in Bukidnon
Two ranking officers of the New People’s Army (NPA) were collared by government forces in Bukidnon on Monday.
Manila Times
NPA 'dirty moves' seek to discredit PNP in Caraga
The communist New People’s Army (NPA) and its leadership are employing "desperate dirty moves" to discredit the members of the Police Regional Office-Caraga (PRO-13).
Philippine News Agency
Gov’t troops capture NPA rebel in Iloilo town
Soldiers of the 12th Infantry Battalion (12IB) of the Philippine Army captured a 66-year-old female member of the New People's Army (NPA) after a brief gun battle with rebels in Barangay Dabong, Janiuay, iloilo at 1:20 a.m. on Tuesday.
Philippine News Agency
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[Statement] Rural Missionaries of PH: Donations are used to help the poor, not to fund terrorists
We, the Rural Missionaries of the Philippines (RMP), has been at the forefront of serving rural poor communities in the country for 51 years. We have been living out our mission to collectively witness and act as Christ’s disciples with the rural poor, specifically with poor farmers, agricultural workers, indigenous peoples, and fisherfolk.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
MARAWI
SOUTHEAST ASIA AND THE WORLD
Across The Internet, A Game Of Whac-A-Mole Is Underway To Root Out Extremism
As big tech companies "deplatform" domestic extremists, the far-right is innovating around this clampdown by embracing and in some instances creating novel technologies, experts say.
National Public Radio (NPR)
Inside efforts to save your child from violent extremism
According to the National Crime Research centre report 2016, Kenya witnessed heightened unrest among learners leading to arson attacks in about 100 schools.
The Star kenya
Child safety and security against violent extremism
A number of people have shown displeasure with efforts about exposure of children and the youth to harmful media content including radicalization.
The Star kenya
Curbing Violent Extremism Fuelled By COVID-19 Pandemic
In a proactive move to curb the ever-existing threat of violent extremism in Kenya, the agency mandated to coordinate and strengthen counter-terrorism activities, the National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC) is engaging key stakeholders to play active roles.
Capital FM Radio
Sri Lanka to take time to consider proposed ban on burqa
Sri Lanka’s government said Tuesday it would take time to consider a proposed ban on the wearing of burqas, which a top security official called a sign of religious extremism.
Associated Press
UK plans new counter-terrorism centre, says chemical or nuclear attack likely
Britain said on Tuesday it would create a new homeland security headquarters as part of plans to improve its response to the "major threat" from terrorism, saying a successful chemical, biological or nuclear was likely by the end of the decade.
Yahoo News
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BARMM
Support snowballs for peace transition in Muslim Mindanao
More voices and actions have emerged in support of efforts to extend the transition deadline of the newly-created Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) from 2022 to 2025, buoying hopes of an orderly segue into peace and prosperity in a land rent with over six decades of hostilities.
Philippine News Agency
MAGUINDANAO AND COTABATO CITY
‘Manisan ka Palimbang’: S. Kudarat town moves on from a terrifying past
After six decades, this coastal town is having its first government-owned “high-rise” concrete building, a two-story edifice facing the Celebes Sea.
MindaNews
LANAO PROVINCES
P10-M solar irrigation project starts in Lanao Sur
Four months from now, farmers in Butig, Lanao del Sur are expected to benefit from a PHP10-million solar-powered irrigation system (SPIS).
Philippine News Agency
BASILAN
Health Ministry starts Covid-19 vaccination in Basilan
Frontline health care workers in the province of Basilan begin to receive their first shot of vaccine against Covid-19 as the Ministry of Health of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (MOH-BARMM) started the vaccination rollout on Monday, March 15, in this city.
Bangsamoro Government
SULU
COVID-19 vaccination of military medical personnel in Sulu begins
The COVID-19 vaccination drive was rolled out for military medical personnel in Sulu Monday. In a statement, the Joint Task Force Sulu said healthcare workers from Camp Teodulfo Bautista Station Hospital will be the first to receive the vaccines, which arrived last Sunday.
ABS- CBN News
TAWI-TAWI
Boat skipper dies while traversing Sibutu passage
OPERATIVES of the Philippine Navy's Littoral Monitoring Station (LMS) responded to a distress call by way of sending medical team to a Liberian-flagged bulk carrier traversing the southern part of the Sibutu passage in Tawi-Tawi.
Sunstar Zamboanga
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DRUGS
It’s time for ICC to stop interfering: Panelo
The International Criminal Court (ICC) should now refrain from meddling in the Philippines’ affairs following the Supreme Court’s (SC) move to junk petitions challenging the country’s withdrawal from the international tribunal body, Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Salvador Panelo said Tuesday.
Philippine News Agency
Operations/ Incidents
Drug den dismantled, six suspects nabbed in Zambales
The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) dismantled on Monday a suspected drug den here that led to the arrest of six suspects.
Philippine News Agency
More Soccsksargen barangays up for drug-clearing assessment
More barangays in Region 12 (Soccsksargen) are due for assessment in the next two months for possible declaration as drug-cleared areas, an official of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) said.
Philippine News Agency
Recovery and Rehabilitation
ILLICIT FIREARMS, EXPLOSIVES, AND AMMUNITION
CROSS-BORDER TRADING/ SMUGGLING/ COUNTERFEIT GOODS
HUMAN TRAFFICKING
BI to cooperate with Senate probe on trafficking of women
The Bureau of Immigration (BI) on Tuesday vowed to cooperate with the Senate investigation headed by Senator Risa Hontiveros on the alleged involvement of immigration personnel in the trafficking of Filipino women.
Philippine News Agency
KIDNAPPING/ ABDUCTION
ILLEGAL GAMBLING
ILLICIT FINANCIAL TRANSACTIONS/ EXTORTION
DOJ warns of bogus services for a fee
The Department of Justice (DOJ) on Tuesday cautioned the public against a scam that illegally uses an email address of the government agency to offer bogus services for a fee.
Philippine News Agency
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NCIP's three-volume book project on IP cultures and homelands lauded
The government has just published three books on cultures, history and ancestral domains of indigenous communities that stakeholders want in digital copies too for faster circulation.
NDBC News
Sinas accused of scolding Lumad student for invoking Miranda rights
Philippine National Police (PNP) chief General Debold Sinas allegedly scolded a Lumad student for invoking her Miranda rights, said the student's father in a court petition, as the Duterte government intensifies its crackdown on dissent.
Rappler
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Relief volunteers, advocates say junking of charges ‘a vindication’
“Time and again, we have reminded authorities that neither the pandemic nor their grave ignorance of the law or dumb over-zealousness is an excuse to trample upon basic rights and curtail freedoms.” — NUPL
Bulatlat
Chai Lemita-Evangelista, youth leader and community organizer
Early on in her life, she was already exposed to the struggle of her own community against encroachment by big companies. Having an activist father and growing up in a household that would often host meetings for community leaders, it was not an entirely new world for her. She witnessed how people suffered from human rights violations and harassment, as well as how countless individuals sought the help of her father.
Bulatlat
Press Freedom/ Freedom of expression
[Editorial] End to impunity?
Malacañang has declared an end to impunity in assaults on media workers in the country. The statement was issued by the Presidential Task Force on Media Security following the release of a global report on journalists’ safety by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization.
Philippine Star
Martial Law
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COVID-19
Cases
PH Covid-19 recoveries rise to 560.7K
The country's total number of recoveries from the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) is now 560,736, as 166 more patients beat the disease, the Department of Health (DOH) said on Tuesday.
Philippine News Agency
Department of Health
IATF/NTF COVID-19
PH secures 30M doses of Novavax jabs
The Philippines has signed a supply agreement with the Serum Institute of India for the acquisition of 30 million doses of Novavax vaccine, National Task Force (NTF) Against Covid-19 chief implementer Carlito Galvez Jr. announced on Tuesday.
Philippine News Agency
Senior citizens best candidates for Covid-19 vaccination: expert
A health expert on Tuesday said senior citizens are the “best candidates” for coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) vaccination because they are at risk of severe infection or death from the disease considering their age and comorbidities.
Philippine News Agency
Gov’t services unhampered after some officials catch Covid-19
Malacañang on Tuesday assured that government services will continue as usual despite some ranking officials and workers having tested positive for Covid-19.
Philippine News Agency
Regions
Luzon including NCR
Taguig readies vax portfolio vs. new coronavirus variants
Taguig City Mayor Lino Cayetano on Tuesday said the local government is preparing a comprehensive list of vaccines that will it acquire to complement those coming from the national government to be able to respond to the threat of other coronavirus variants.
Philippine News Agency
Visayas
No lockdown for Cebu City, only strict rules for Lent
There is no plan of placing this city under lockdown before the Holy Week despite the surge in coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) cases, an official of the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-MEID) said Tuesday.
Philippine News Agency
Mindanao
Zamboanga del Sur records 1st case of COVID-19 ‘UK variant’
Health authorities in Zamboanga del Sur have said that a resident in Labangan town was confirmed to have the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) variant that was first detected in the United Kingdom.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
Zambo City flattens Covid-19 curve: health exec
With the decreasing trend in coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) infections and hospitalization rate, the City Health Office (CHO) chief here said they have already “flattened the curve”.
Philippine News Agency
Curfew, liquor ban will not be lifted yet in Davao City
Curfew and liquor ban will not be lifted soon even after the city government of Davao eased the implementation of some coronavirus disease (COVID-19) quarantine protocols.
MindaNews
World
China eases entry for foreigners vaccinated with Chinese vax
The Chinese government is facilitating an "easy entry" arrangement for foreigners who will get inoculated with Covid-19 vaccines made in China.
Philippine News Agency
Diplomatic, Development and Private Sector
Incidents and Violations
Almost 1.5K curfew violators apprehended in Metro Manila
A total of 1,449 violators were arrested on the first day of the re-implementation of curfew hours in Metro Manila, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said on Tuesday.
Philippine News Agency
Pasay City collars nearly 500 curfew violators
The Pasay City government and the local police intensified the enforcement of health protocols amid the continuing spike of coronavirus disease (Covid-19) cases, resulting in the arrest of 448 curfew violators as of Tuesday.
Philippine News Agency
Editorial, Analysis, Opinion and Features
Duterte’s Inferno: a cycle of agony under a fascist lockdown
The country now surpasses the one-year mark since Duterte’s imposition of the community quarantine. Only a daily basis since, striking were the number of people apprehended, subjected to illegal forms of detention and punishment, and forced to pay exorbitant fees and penalties for even the smallest of quarantine violations.
Communist Party of the Philippines
OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT
PRRD avoiding places with high Covid-19 cases
President Rodrigo Duterte is avoiding areas that have high cases of coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) to keep him coronavirus-free, Malacañang said on Tuesday.
Philippine News Agency
Malacañang assures Covid-19 vaccine access for informal settlers
Malacañang on Tuesday said informal settlers will have easy access to coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) inoculation as vaccination centers would be set up near populated areas.
Philippine News Agency
‘We’re not back to square one’: Roque
Malacañang debunked Tuesday the claim that the Philippines is starting all over again when it comes to the way of handling the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19).
Philippine News Agency
Dar enjoys Duterte’s trust, confidence: Palace
Department of Agriculture (DA) Secretary William Dar continues to enjoy President Rodrigo Duterte’s trust and confidence, Malacañang said on Tuesday.
Philippine News Agency
OFFICE OF THE VICE PRESIDENT
Robredo parries questions on political plans: It’s a ‘sin’ to think of 2022 amid crisis
Vice President Leni Robredo has again parried questions on her future political plans, insisting that talking and thinking about the 2022 National Elections at a time of a crisis is a “sin.”
Philippine Daily Inquirer
AUDIT, GRAFT, AND CORRUPTION
BUDGET, FINANCE, and TAXATION
New BAP leadership pushes reforms to hasten PH economic recovery
The Bankers Association of the Philippines (BAP) will push for key reforms to strengthen the financial system and hasten the economy’s recovery from the crippling effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
Gov’t says funds sufficient for vaccination program
Now with sufficient funds mostly coming from loans extended by development banks, the Philippines can buy enough COVID-19 vaccines en route to further reopening the economy toward recovery, Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III said on Tuesday.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
BUSINESS, ECONOMY AND INVESTMENT
Strong PH recovery to start in 4th quarter
Unable to contain COVID-19 and given the slow mass vaccination, the Philippines’ economic recovery is expected to drag and only see a semblance of the strong prepandemic growth pace toward year’s end, Moody’s Analytics said on Tuesday.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
BUILD, BUILD, BUILD and PUBLIC WORKS
CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS
DISASTER AND EMERGENCY RESPONSE
DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
SC mulls use of body cameras when serving warrants
The Supreme Court on Tuesday said it is considering requiring the mandatory use of body cameras for law enforcers serving court warrants.
Philippine News Agency
SC junks petitions vs. ICC withdrawal
The Supreme Court on Tuesday dismissed the petitions questioning the Philippine government's withdrawal from the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (ICC).
Philippine News Agency
DEFENSE AND SECURITY
Armed Forces of the Philippines
Philippine National Police
PNP coronavirus death toll rises to 34
The Philippine National Police (PNP) lost another police officer to the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19), bringing its death toll from the disease to 34.
Philippine News Agency
EDUCATION
INFORMATION, COMMUNICATION AND TECHNOLOGY
PCOO partners with DAP for FOI officers’ certification course
The Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) and the Development Academy of the Philippines (DAP) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to formalize the creation of a Certification Course for Information Officers.
Philippine News Agency
ELECTION RELATED
Palawan remains one province after ‘No’ votes prevail
Palawan will remain as one province after more than 172,000 residents voted to reject the proposal to divide it into three different provinces.
Philippine News Agency
Kalayaan votes' arrival delayed; 'No' votes leading: Comelec
The canvass report from Kalayaan Island for the Palawan plebiscite is not expected to arrive at the provincial capitol on Tuesday.
Philippine News Agency
Grand ‘Run, Sara, Run’ caravan set in Manila March 21
Local organizers for the "Run, Sara, Run" campaign are set to spearhead a "grand caravan" at the Quirino Grandstand in Manila next week.
Philippine News Agency
[Opinion] A poll’s deadly toll
"Because of his popularity, President Duterte must have thought he was doing just fine." On October 5, 2020, Pulse Asia released the results of its Sept.14-20, 2020 survey indicating that amid the pandemic, 91 percent of Filipinos approved of President Duterte’s performance; only 5 percent disapproved. More than nine out of every 10 Filipinos trusted the Philippine leader.
Manila Standard
ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES
LABOR
LEGISLATIVE
Senate of the Philippines
House of Representatives
Open access in data transmission bill hurdles 2nd reading
The House of Representatives on Tuesday approved on second reading a measure promoting open access in data transmission through a speedy and efficient process and promotion of fair and open competition.
Philippine News Agency
House OKs bill allowing language accessibility of disaster info
A proposal requiring disaster-related information to be stated in accessible language to ensure public understanding hurdled second reading at the House of Representatives.
Philippine News Agency
Congress can fund youth agri training: DA
The Department of Agriculture (DA) is encouraging the youth to learn more about farming or fisheries and upgrade their knowledge by requesting their congressmen for related trainings.
Philippine News Agency
House OKs bill regulating off-campus educational activities
The House of Representatives has approved on third and final reading a measure seeking to regulate the conduct of off-campus educational activities by both public and private schools.
Philippine News Agency
LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS (LGUs)
PSA to start business, industry surveys in Caraga
The Philippine Statistics Authority in Caraga Region (PSA-13) is set to conduct the 2020 Annual Survey of Philippine Business and Industry (ASPBI) and the 2020 Survey on Tourism Establishment of the Philippines (STEP) as a rider survey next month.
Philippine News Agency
OFFICIAL DEVELOPMENT ASSISTANCE
PNP-Maritime Group gets P3.65-M equipment from US
The United States government has turned over PHP3.65 million worth of equipment to strengthen the country's maritime law enforcement capability, the US Embassy in Manila said Tuesday.
Philippine News Agency
FOREIGN RELATIONS
French Navy vows to help PH develop submarine force
The French Navy (Marine Nationale) has committed to helping the Philippine Navy (PN) in developing its submarine arm.
Philippine News Agency
West Philippine Sea
FOOD AND AGRICULTURE
Dar orders probe into alleged P6-B ‘tongpats’ scheme
Department of Agriculture (DA) Secretary William Dar has ordered a probe into a syndicate that is allegedly involved in a money-making scheme within the department.
Philippine News Agency
BFAR temporarily allows sale, transport of mangrove crabs
The Department of Agriculture’s Bureau of Aquatic Resources (DA-BFAR) temporarily suspended an order that prohibits catching, possessing, transporting, trading, and selling of mangrove crabs.
Philippine News Agency
HOUSING and SETTLEMENT
A year since lockdown, the poor struggles against homelessness
Instead of addressing homelessness, the Philippine government has recently lifted its earlier memorandum, ordering the postponement of demolition and eviction of poor communities.
Bulatlat
POVERTY
SOCIAL WELFARE AND DEVELOPMENT
TRANSPORTATION
Pasig barangay installs first free bike repair station in Ortigas
Barangay San Antonio in Pasig has installed the very first bike repair station in the city to provide cyclists accessible and free basic repair of their bicycles.
Philippine News Agency
CAB limits inbound int'l pax at NAIA to 1.5K
The Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB) has issued a directive to airlines, limiting the number of inbound international passengers at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) to 1,500 daily from March 18 to April 18.
Philippine News Agency
MRT-3 suspends ops March 30-April 4 for maintenance works
The operations of the Metro Rail Transit Line 3 (MRT-3) will be suspended from March 30 (Holy Tuesday) to April 4 (Easter Sunday), as part of the rail service’s annual intensified maintenance and rehabilitation works.
Philippine News Agency
TOURISM
WATER and ENERGY
NIA Region 8 builds solar-powered irrigation
The National Irrigation Administration (NIA) is currently building four solar-powered irrigation systems (SPIS) in Leyte and Samar provinces in the bid to ensure sufficient water supply in rain-fed rice farm areas.
Philippine News Agency
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