Parlade and the Southern Luzon Command: Killings, humanitarian law violations, arrests and displacement
Last Sunday’s bloodbath in the four provinces of the Southern Tagalog that resulted in the killing of nine activists and arrests of three has brought to fore how this region has been one of the targets of the government’s counterinsurgency program.
Bulatlat
Mass killing of civilians in the Philippines appalls United Nations
A few weeks after the Rodrigo Duterte government assured the international community of its commitment to uphold human rights, the United Nations (UN) said it is appalled by the series of mass killing of activists throughout the Philippines.
Bulatlat
Calabarzon ops legitimate: PH Mission to UN
The Philippine Mission to the United Nations in Geneva defended as "legitimate" the law enforcement operations in Calabarzon that resulted in the deaths of nine activists and the arrest of six others on March 7.
Philippine News Agency
Red tagging report: Senate wants Parlade out as NTF-ELCAC spox
The Senate on Wednesday recommended the immediate removal of Lt. Gen. Antonio Parlade Jr. as spokesperson of the country's anti-insurgency task force, citing violations in the 1987 Constitution.
ABS- CBN News
Batangas now 'insurgency-free': Army
The Philippine Army's 2nd Infantry Division (2ID) has declared the province of Batangas as now free from communist insurgency.
Philippine News Agency
Peace talks
Incidents/Operations
4 more NPAs surrender to Army in Sultan Kudarat province
Four more members of the New People’s Army in Sultan Kudarat province surrendered to the military Tuesday. The four NPAs also turned in their firearms before pledging allegiance to the government during a simple rite at the headquarters of the Army’s 7th Infantry Battalion in Isulan, capital town of Sultan Kudarat.
NDBC News
Naga City police deny militants' claims of 'bullying'
The Naga City Police Office on Tuesday denied allegations by militant activists of bullying and disrupting their rally commemorating International Women’s Day on Monday.
Philippine News Agency
3 NPA rebels yield to policemen in Leyte
Three members of the New People’s Army (NPA) surrendered to policemen in Leyte on Tuesday, turning over firearms and ammunition.
Philippine News Agency
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CHR urged to look into the case of 2 women charged with violation of Anti-Terror Act
Human rights group Karapatan urged the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) to look into the cases of two women political prisoners charged with violation of the Anti-Terror Act.
Bulatlat
MARAWI
SOUTHEAST ASIA AND THE WORLD
Facebook and Twitter algorithms incentivize 'people to get enraged': Walter Isaacson
The CEOs of Facebook (FB), Google (GOOG, GOOGL), and Twitter (TWTR) will appear later this month before a U.S. House subcommittee to face questions over the spread of misinformation tied to the 2020 election and COVID-19.
Yahoo News
Beware of online influence as danger of extremism not limited to any age: Shanmugam
While the number of young people radicalised by extremist material on the Internet has increased, Law and Home Affairs Minister K. Shanmugam cautioned against thinking it is a problem affecting only the young.
The Straits Times
Jewish and Muslim community leaders in S'pore say close, harmonious ties won't be affected by thwarted attack
The Jewish and Muslim communities in Singapore enjoy a harmonious and mutually respectful relationship that has been and remains strong, leaders from both faith groups said on Wednesday (March 10).
The Straits Times
Extreme Right-Wing Ideology Arrives in Singapore
In January, Singapore’s Ministry of Home Affairs announced the arrest of a 16-year-old boy under the nation’s Internal Security Act (ISA). The Secondary 4 student was the first detainee to be inspired by extreme right-wing ideologies and the youngest person to be handled under ISA on terrorism-related charges. The unprecedented arrest highlighted the need for Singapore’s approach to violent extremism to find ways of dealing with extremist ideologies beyond militant Islamism.
The Diplomat
Extremist organisations to be banned to prevent future attacks such as the Easter strikes
Sri Lanka will ban 11 extremist organisations which allegedly contributed directly and indirectly to create the background that led to the Easter Sunday attacks, Minister of Public Security Sarath Weerasekara told Parliament this morning.
Economy Next
Germany's intelligence agencies have failed to tackle rightwing violence for too long
Since the anniversary of the killings in Hanau, which took place a little over a year ago, my Berlin neighbourhood has been plastered with posters featuring simple but compelling line drawings of Ferhat Unvar, Gökhan Gültekin, Hamza Kurtović, Said Nesar Hashemi, Mercedes Kierpacz, Sedat Gürbüz, Kalojan Velkov, Vili Viorel Păun and Fatih Saraçoğlu, the nine victims of the far-right terrorist attack that continues to shape German discussions of rightwing extremism. The posters have been part of a broader campaign committed to drawing attention to and naming the victims of these crimes.
The Guardian
Norway wealth fund to probe firms that could be using forced labor from Xinjiang
Norway's $1.3-trillion wealth fund will probe whether companies it is invested in may be using the labor of ethnic Uighurs and other Muslims linked to China's internment camp system in the country's Xinjiang region, the head of the fund's ethics watchdog told Reuters.
Rappler
Russia says disrupting Twitter over 'illegal' content
Moscow has restricted the use of Twitter by slowing down its speed for users in the country over what it said was the social media platform's failure to remove "illegal" content.
World Is One News (WION)
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BARMM
Region 12, BARMM receive AstraZeneca vaccines
The first batch of anti-coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) AstraZeneca vaccines intended for medical front-liners of Region 12 (Soccsksargen) and the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao arrived here Wednesday via a Philippine Airlines flight from Manila.
Philippine News Agency
Court favors MBHTE, Contracts offered to provisional teachers
To finally put an end to the issue on the dismissal of provisional teachers in the region, Minister Mohagher Iqbal announced that the Regional Trial Court 12th Judicial Region Branch XIII in the city has ruled in favor of the Ministry of Basic, Higher and Technical Education (MBHTE).
Bangsamoro Government
[Photo] Bangsamoro Transition Extension
Supporters of the extension of the Bangsamoro transition period for another three years stage a rally outside the Philippine Senate in Pasay City where the Committee on Local Government was holding its first hearing on Senate Bills 2019 and 2025, which propose the rescheduling of the first election of the 80 members of the Bangsamoro Parliament from May 2022 to May 2025.
Mindanews
MAGUINDANAO AND COTABATO CITY
Maguindanao solon lauds Senate OK for bill dividing province
Maguindanao 1st District Rep. Esmael Mangudadatu on Wednesday lauded the Senate for approving on third and final reading a bill that would divide the province into two.
Philippine News Agency
Datu Blah Sinsuat district hospital workers get anti-Covid jabs
More than a 100 medical frontliners of Datu Blah District Hospital in Upi, Maguindanao and Datu Odin District Hospital in Dalican have received anti-Covid 19 vaccines during rollout vaccination by the Maguindnao provincial health office.
NDBC News
UNYPAD Gensan Chapter conducts orientation, oath-taking ceremony
The United Youth for Peace and Development (UNYPAD) General Santos (Gensan) City Chapter conducted orientation and oath-taking ceremony of its newly-installed officers and members held at the Raadz Place, Barangay Lagao in this town on Saturday (Feb 27).
Abdul Rashid Midzapak, Regional Coordinator for Western Mindanao, officiated the oath-taking and presented the mission, vision, goal and objectives of the organization.
Luwaran
LGU Gensan announces Thursday, Laylatul Isra wal Miraj, as Muslim holiday
The Local Government Unit of General Santos City announces Thursday (March 11) as Muslim holiday in observance of Laylatul Isra wal Miraj or the Night Journey and Ascension of Prophet Mohamad.
Luwaran
LANAO PROVINCES
BASILAN
SULU
TAWI-TAWI
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DRUGS
Operations/ Incidents
Zamboanga City anti-drug stings net 6, P453,000 shabu
A YOUTH council leader, a militiaman and four others were arrested, while some P453,760 worth of illegal drugs were seized in separate anti-drug operations in Zamboanga City recently.
Sunstar Zamboanga
Over P13,000 shabu seized in Barangay Vista Alegre, Bacolod
AN ESTIMATED P13,600 worth of shabu or methamphetamine hydrochloride was seized in a drug bust by operatives of Police Station 7 at Abada Escay, Barangay Vista Alegre, Bacolod City Tuesday evening, March 9, 2021.
Sunstar Bacolod
Village chief of Cagayan town nabbed in drug buy-bust
A 45-year-old village captain in Baggao town, Cagayan province was arrested after he yielded “shabu” (crystal meth) worth P6,800 in a buy-bust operation on Tuesday.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
PDEA ‘cremates’ over P150-M seized drugs in Cebu
At least PHP152.6 million worth of illegal drugs were destroyed on Wednesday using the crematorium of a funeral parlor in the downtown area here, the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA)-Central Visayas said.
Philippine News Agency
PDEA declares another barangay in Pangasinan drug-cleared
The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) has declared Barangay Calombuyan in this town as drug-cleared.
Philippine News Agency
Recovery and Rehabilitation
ILLICIT FIREARMS, EXPLOSIVES, AND AMMUNITION
CROSS-BORDER TRADING/ SMUGGLING/ COUNTERFEIT GOODS
HUMAN TRAFFICKING
KIDNAPPING/ ABDUCTION
ILLEGAL GAMBLING
ILLICIT FINANCIAL TRANSACTIONS/ EXTORTION
DFA warns public vs. entry exemption scams
The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said it received reports that some foreign nationals have attempted to enter the Philippines with fake entry exemption documents.
Philippine News Agency
Cebu-based extortion suspect nabbed in Cotabato City
Mayor Cynthia Guiani-Sayadi on Wednesday warned extortion groups preying on local traders to stop their activities or face legal consequences.
Philippine News Agency
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Over 2K land titles distributed in northern Negros amid pandemic
The Department of Agrarian Reform Negros Occidental-I awarded and distributed certificates of land ownership award (CLOAs) to 2,022 agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs) in the northern part of the province during the calendar year 2020.
Philippine News Agency
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Press Freedom/ Freedom of expression
CA affirms dismissal of Tolentino libel complaint vs. Ted Failon
The Court of Appeals (CA) has denied an appeal by former Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) chairman and now Senator Francis Tolentino questioning the dismissal of a libel complaint he filed against broadcaster Ted Failon in 2017.
Philippine News Agency
Martial Law
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COVID-19
Cases
PH logs highest number of active COVID-19 cases since Oct. as total infections hit 603,308
The Philippines on Wednesday recorded its highest number of active COVID-19 cases since October 24 last year at 44,470, which is 7.4 percent of the country's cumulative total cases, data from the Department of Health (DOH) showed.
ABS- CBN News
221 new Covid-19 recoveries push PH’s total to 546,293
The Department of Health (DOH) on Wednesday reported 221 new recoveries from the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19), with the country’s recovery tally now at 546,293 or 90.5 percent of all Covid-19 infections.
Philippine News Agency
Department of Health
IATF/NTF COVID-19
Gov’t eyes to start inoculation of general population by mid-2021
The government aims to start the vaccination of the general public as soon as the inoculation program for healthcare workers and senior citizens will be finished by the middle of this year, a National Task Force Against Covid-19 (NTF) official said.
Philippine News Agency
More vax choices boost inoculations among health workers
More and more health workers are getting vaccinated with the CoronaVac and AstraZeneca vaccines, with a health expert noting that the availability of the second brand of a vaccine for the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) has encouraged more vaccinations.
Philippine News Agency
Vaccine passports not guarantee vs. transmissibility of Covid-19
Health experts on Wednesday clarified that getting a vaccine passport after having been inoculated is not a guarantee that an individual will not spread or get infected with the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) anymore.
Philippine News Agency
FDA to inspect Sputnik V factory in Russia next week
A team from the Philippine Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is visiting Gamaleya Institute's manufacturing facility in Russia next week for the anticipated emergency use authorization (EUA) of Sputnik V vaccine in the country.
Philippine News Agency
Public reminded to exercise ‘diligence’ in Covid-19 testing
Philippine Red Cross (PRC) chairman and chief executive officer (CEO) Richard Gordon, along with government officials and health experts, reminded the public to exercise “extraordinary diligence” in getting tested for Covid-19.
Philippine News Agency
117K doses of Pfizer vaccine to arrive in PH by April
National Task Force Against Covid-19 (NTF) deputy chief implementer Vivencio Dizon said some 117,000 doses of coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) vaccine from Pfizer-BioNTech will arrive in the country next month.
Philippine News Agency
Regions
Luzon including NCR
QC reports 18 cases of UK, South African Covid -19 variants
The Quezon City government has recorded 18 coronavirus disease (Covid-19) cases of different variants that may have been contributing to the increasing number of new infections in the city.
Philippine News Agency
QC locks down 14 areas, village halls amid rising Covid-19 cases
The Quezon City government has placed 14 areas under a special concern lockdown due to an increase in the number of coronavirus disease (Covid-19) infections.
Philippine News Agency
Visayas
Cebu dad bats for PhilHealth Covid-19 isolation benefit package
A member of the Cebu Provincial Board (PB) on Tuesday urged the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) to stop its alleged massive and indiscriminate releases of subsidies to prevent depleting funds from the state insurance firm.
Philippine News Agency
Mindanao
Surigao Sur town logs zero Covid-19 cases
The local government of Hinatuan in Surigao del Sur reported zero cases of coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) cases recorded in the town since Tuesday (March 9).
Philippine News Agency
World
Taiwan confirms one new imported COVID-19 case from Philippines
Taiwan on Wednesday reported one new imported case of COVID-19 involving a migrant worker from the Philippines, bringing the number of cases in the country to 978, according to the Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC).
Focus Taiwan
Diplomatic, Development and Private Sector
Aboitiz to vaccinate over 30,000 employees, subcontractors
THE Aboitiz Group announced that it will cover the inoculation of all its team members and subcontractors to help protect them from the dreaded coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19).
Sunstar Manila
Incidents and Violations
PNP says public display of affection ‘no-no’ for now
Police officers will now call out people practicing public display of affection (PDA) to help curb the continued rise of coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) cases.
Philippine News Agency
Editorial, Analysis, Opinion and Features
OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT
Roque: Duterte holding office in Manila, Davao no burden on gov’t funds
President Rodrigo Duterte's frequent travels to Davao City to hold office there are not a burden on government resources, presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said.
ABS- CBN News
OFFICE OF THE VICE PRESIDENT
AUDIT, GRAFT, AND CORRUPTION
Trade regulatory offices told to get on board with TradeNet
All trade regulatory government agencies (TRGAs) are now mandated to get on board with the TradeNet, an interoperable online platform to reduce processing time and harmonize the permitting procedures involved in import and export, per the memorandum circular recently issued by Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA).
Philippine News Agency
BUDGET, FINANCE, and TAXATION
Ilocos Norte eyes higher tobacco excise tax share
The province of Ilocos Norte is eyeing to increase its share in tobacco excise tax with strengthened monitoring this trading season.
Philippine News Agency
BUSINESS, ECONOMY AND INVESTMENT
Foreign direct investments down 24.6% in 2020 due to pandemic
Foreign direct investments (FDI) contracted by 24.6% to $6.5 billion in 2020 from $8.7-billion net inflows in 2019, mainly due to the economic impact of the coronavirus pandemic. "The disruptive impact of the pandemic on global supply chains and the weak business outlook adversely affected investor decisions in 2020," the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) said on Wednesday, March 10.
Rappler
Supply side interventions, not BSP action, key to slaying high PH inflation
The country’s rising inflation rate will normalize once policymakers address supply bottlenecks that have pushed the consumer price index to its highest level in two years, according to economists and market watchers.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
Hong Kong toymakers eye PH investments
A group of toy manufacturers based in Hong Kong plans to explore investment opportunities in the Philippines after learning the country’s growth potential despite the pandemic.
Manila Standard
BUILD, BUILD, BUILD and PUBLIC WORKS
Duterte to inaugurate 'Build, Build, Build' projects in NegOr
President Rodrigo Duterte will lead the inauguration of two multimillion “Build, Build, Build” projects in Negros Oriental on Thursday.
Philippine News Agency
Antique capital town seeks upgrading of fish port
The local government unit (LGU) of San Jose de Buenavista is seeking to upgrade its fish port to be used not only by fishing boats but by sea vessels transporting other commodities.
Philippine News Agency
P2-B road project to help Tarlac-Zambales recover from crisis
A 36.925-kilometer access road that will connect the towns of San Jose in Tarlac and Palauig in Zambales is expected to boost the two provinces’ eco-tourism industry and help them recover from the economic effects of the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic.
Philippine News Agency
CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS
DISASTER AND EMERGENCY RESPONSE
Lipa diocese ready to open churches as evacuation hubs
The Archdiocese of Lipa is ready to open its doors to people who might be affected by the continued unrest of Taal Volcano.
Philippine News Agency
No volcanic quake detected in Mt. Kanlaon for 2 days
For two consecutive days since Tuesday, there were no tremors recorded in Mt. Kanlaon, an active volcano in Negros Island, based on the series of updates issued by the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs).
Philippine News Agency
DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
DOJ eyes skills training program for fiscals in HR, EJK cases
Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra on Wednesday said the government is finalizing a training program to improve the investigative skills of prosecutors assigned to handle alleged cases of extra judicial killings and human rights violations.
Philippine News Agency
2020 Shari'ah Bar exam posts 10.8% passing rate: SC
Only 71 out of a total of 654 examinees passed the 2020 Special Bar Examinations for the Shari’ah Courts, the Supreme Court (SC) announced on Wednesday.
Philippine News Agency
DEFENSE AND SECURITY
Armed Forces of the Philippines
9 female nurses, 28 other AFP officers get promotion
A total of nine female nurses are among the 37 senior military officers who were promoted to higher ranks on Wednesday. Navy Capt. Jonathan Zata, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) public affairs office chief, said all newly-promoted officers are regular and reserve senior officers from the military's Technical and Administrative Service (TAS).
Philippine News Agency
BrahMos ideal weapon for Navy missile project
The medium-range ramjet supersonic BrahMos cruise missile system is the ideal weapon for the planned shore-based anti-ship missile project of the Philippine Navy (PN), its chief said Tuesday night.
Philippine News Agency
Philippine National Police
Sinas on Calbayog mayor’s death: It’s not an ambush
PHILIPPINE National Police chief Gen. Debold Sinas on Wednesday ruled out that Calbayog City mayor Ronaldo Aquino was ambushed and killed by police as the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) became the latest government agency to investigate the incident last March 7.
Manila Times
PNP to acquire 10 deployable CCTVs with 'AI' capability
The Philippine National Police (PNP) will use the funds it saved from its body camera project to buy 10 rapidly deployable closed-circuit television (CCTVs) systems with "artificial intelligence" (AI) features to help it track criminals and terrorists.
Philippine News Agency
EDUCATION
2 GenSan schools eyed for pilot face-to-face classes
The Department of Education's (DepEd) local division is seeking endorsement from the local government to include two local schools in the proposed pilot implementation of the limited face-to-face classes.
Philippine News Agency
INFORMATION, COMMUNICATION AND TECHNOLOGY
Facebook launches Blood Donations feature with DOH, PRC
Social media giant Facebook announced Wednesday that its Blood Donations feature is now available in the Philippines.
Philippine News Agency
ELECTION RELATED
Go-Duterte tandem dominates Pulse Asia poll
Filipino voters prefer Senator Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go and President Rodrigo Duterte to be the respective president and vice president of the country in 2022, according to the pre-election survey conducted by private polling firm Pulse Asia.
Philippine News Agency
PDP-Laban urges Duterte to run for VP in 2022
SOME Metro Manila mayors allied with PDP-Laban passed a resolution urging President Rodrigo Duterte to run for vice president in the 2022 elections, said Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi, vice chairman of PDP-Laban.
Sunstar Cebu
ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES
RAFI inks partnership with RCM for biodiversity conservation initiatives
As the impact of climate change continues to intensify, civil society organizations have come together to implement advocacies and initiatives to address pressing issues concerning environmental enhancement and biodiversity conservation in the country.
Cebu Daily News
Sarangani fast-tracking Pyroclave waste treatment operation to help fight COVID-19
The provincial government of Sarangani is gearing up to employ the innovative non-incineration Pyroclave technology to treat medical waste generated in the province and neighboring areas to help prevent the spread of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and other diseases from untreated medical wastes, an official said Wednesday.
MindaNews
LABOR
[Editorial] All in the family?
The dismissed ambassador to Brazil has threatened to take legal action against what she called the “mishandling” of her case involving her abuse of a maid in the diplomatic residence. Marichu Mauro was caught on security camera inflicting physical violence on the 51-year-old maid, and the footage was shown on Brazilian TV.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
Gov’t strategies to boost job production amid pandemic: Panelo
Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Salvador Panelo on Wednesday expressed confidence that the “three-pronged strategy” crafted by the country’s economic team would generate more job opportunities in the country.
Philippine News Agency
LEGISLATIVE
Senate of the Philippines
House of Representatives
House panel OKs resolution declaring housing crisis in PH
A House of Representatives panel on Wednesday adopted a resolution seeking to declare a housing crisis in the country.
Philippine News Agency
Solon pushes for SK kagawads’ salaries
A leader of the House of Representatives is pushing for a monthly honorarium for Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) kagawads (councilors) to tap their potential as instruments of governance.
Philippine News Agency
LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS (LGUs)
Adopt uniform curfew hours, DILG to mayors
The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) called on Metro Manila’s mayors to adopt uniform curfew hours across the 16 cities and one municipality of the region.
Philippine News Agency
OFFICIAL DEVELOPMENT ASSISTANCE
FOREIGN RELATIONS
Philippines: Reject American Aid Or Else
President Duterte’s policies are popular at home but a source of criticism and disappointment overseas. Duterte has tried to negotiate settlement deals with China, which claims large areas of Filipino EEZ (Exclusive Economic Zone) waters in the South China Sea. Duterte points out that the Philippines lacks the military power to effectively oppose Chinese territorial claims. One reason for the Filipino military vulnerability is Duterte’s reaction to American and Western criticism of his most popular domestic programs that have dramatically reduced the crime rate and illegal drug use. He has also eliminated most of the Islamic terrorist, Moslem separatist and leftist rebel violence.
Strategy Page
West Philippine Sea
FOOD AND AGRICULTURE
Gov't readies P25-M aid for ASF-hit hog raisers in CDO, MisOr
At least PHP24.8 million in indemnity fund will be provided to hog raisers in this city and the province of Misamis Oriental whose livestock were affected by the African swine fever (ASF).
Philippine News Agency
‘Multiplier farm’ to boost native pig, goat breeder stocks
The Iloilo Science and Technology University (ISAT-U) will establish a multiplier farm for native pigs and goats on its campus in Leon town this year.
Philippine News Agency
HOUSING and SETTLEMENT
18 informal settlers receive financial aid
A total of 18 informal settlers have each received PHP10,000 in financial assistance from the provincial government to be used for their relocation.
Philippine News Agency
POVERTY
SOCIAL WELFARE AND DEVELOPMENT
TRANSPORTATION
Aboitiz to roll out electric buses in Manila
The Aboitiz Group said Wednesday it would deploy electric buses to ferry essential workers in the city of Manila for free, and that the service would soon be available for public transport.
ABS- CBN News
TOURISM
WATER and ENERGY
Petron to restart Philippine refinery by 2H 2021
Philippine private-sector firm Petron plans to resume refining activity at its 180,000 b/d Bataan refinery by the second half this year on expectations of a significant recovery in demand.
Argus Media
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