Ending local armed conflict by 2022 'realistic,' says Sobejana
Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief Lieutenant General Cirilito Sobejana has described as "realistic" President Rodrigo Duterte's goal to end local armed conflict before his term ends in 2022. Sobejana said security forces will meet the deadline of the President if there is unity between government forces and the public in pushing for the program of the government against insurgency.
GMA News
ASVAL is Southern Tagalog bloodbath’s name
The Philippine National Police (PNP) has revealed the name of the operation in four provinces in Southern Tagalog that massacred nine and arrested several other activists Sunday, March 7. The police said it served search warrants in Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, and Rizal provinces in a Conduct of Simultaneous Implementation of Search Warrants dubbed COPLAN ASVAL.
Kodao Productons
Massacre and mass arrest as SEMPO rampages in Southern Tagalog
Five activists were killed while four others were arrested in a joint Synchronized Enhanced Management of Police Operations in Laguna, Rizal, Cavite and Batangas provinces Sunday morning, eve of International Women’s Day, March 7.
Kodao Productons
After Bloody Sunday, lawyers’ group asks SC to act on the ‘pattern of defective search warrants’
The National Union of Peoples’ Lawyers (NUPL) called on the Supreme Court to review its administrative order that allows executive and vice executive judges to issue search warrants, which leads to the arrest and even extrajudicial killings of human rights defenders and activists.
Bulatlat
PNP defends Calabarzon raids, says activists fought back
The Philippine National Police maintained on Monday the legitimacy of its operations in the Calabarzon region that led to the deaths of nine activists and the arrest of six others on Sunday.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
‘Very disturbing’: Senators slam government's 'Bloody Sunday' operations
A day after the police killed 9 activists and arrested 6 others across the Calabarzon region south of Manila, senators expressed outrage and questioned how the cops implemented the operations.
Rappler
NDF-Ilocos: The Filipino women’s place is in revolutionary armed struggle!
Duterte can rot while women and the people create a better society for all! With the rotting system becoming more and more anti-peasant and anti-people under the misogynistic tyranny of Rodrigo Duterte, he can be assured that the Filipino women is part of the revolution that will cause his downfall.
Communist Party of the Philippines
Stop ‘tokhang’ vs activists, Church leader asks court
Saying it imperils civil liberties and endangers innocents, a retired bishop of the United Church of Christ in the Philippines (UCCP) asked a Baguio court on Monday to stop the planned “tokhang” tactic against activists, government employees and even journalists linked by law enforcement forces to the communist movement.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
Peace talks
Incidents/Operations
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SC urged to halt Terror Law as petitioners become victims of slay try, fabricated charges
“We call on the SC, as the constitutionally appointed guardian of civil liberties and protector of the legal profession, to take immediate measures to stop these attacks.”
Bulatlat
Calls grow louder for SC to step in amid killings. Will justices listen?
In the wake of a bloody crackdown in Calabarzon that resulted in the killings of 9 activists, human rights lawyers again called on the Supreme Court (SC) to step in and remedy the processes that are directly or indirectly being used for alleged state abuses.
Rappler
MARAWI
SOUTHEAST ASIA AND THE WORLD
CTED and UN Women publish interview series on the impact of COVID-19 on gender and CVE
On the occasion of International Women’s Day, the Counter-Terrorism Committee Executive Directorate (CTED) and UN Women have published an interview series with members of the Regional Experts Platform on Gender and Countering and Preventing Violent Extremism (CVE/PVE) in North Africa. The interviews explore how the COVID-19 pandemic has affected the gendered dimensions of violent extremism and the work of researchers and civil society actors working on countering and preventing violent extremism across the region.
UN Security Council Counter Terrorism Committee
Gendered disinformation is a national security problem
The January 6th storming of the Capitol represented the culmination of a political movement grounded in extremism, fueled by misinformation, and cultivated over years online. Fortunately, a growing number of political institutions and regulatory agencies are now questioning the role of digital platforms in incubating the violence of January 6, and investigating how they may be held to account. But amid this reckoning, relatively little attention has been paid to the way in which misogyny also intersects with misinformation and violent extremism in the online world—and why addressing it head on is not only a priority for securing women’s rights, but also a key foreign policy and national security imperative.
Brookings Institute
[Opinion] Culture is an important weapon in the fight against hate, extremism
A few weeks ago on this page, Westchester’s new district attorney, Mimi Rocah, gave a full picture of how law enforcement can contain extremism and fight hate crimes in our county. There is another important component in the containment of extremism and hate, that must work alongside law enforcement, and that is culture, a term with many meanings, but in this case, a community’s common values, beliefs, sentiments, customs and practices.
Lohud
White supremacists 'seek affiliation' with law enforcement to further their goals, internal FBI report warns
In some cases, they wanted to join the military or police so they would be able to commit acts of violence toward members of minority groups. In others, they planned to join the military or police to learn how to wage war against members of those minority groups.
ABC News
Engagement with the youth helped reduce extremism after 9/11, panel says
The United Arab Emirates’s engagement with its youth has helped it navigate the world shaped in the two decades since the September 11 attacks, a government minister has said.
Jewish News
Sawab Centre launches 'Africa Against Extremism' campaign
As part of its efforts to combat extremist ideologies via the internet and promote positive alternatives, the Sawab Centre is launching a new campaign under the hashtag #AfricaAgainstExtremism. The messaging campaign will run from 7th - 12th March, 2021, in Arabic, English and French on Sawab’s social media platforms Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.
Emirates News Agency
Why aren’t police on the lookout for extremism?
Police and intelligence agencies should be routinely monitoring websites like 4chan for extremist activity, Marc Daalder writes On February 28, a person threatened to attack two Christchurch mosques with car bombs. The threat was posted on the internet, on a public forum routinely used for such extremist messaging.
Newsroom
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BARMM
MAGUINDANAO AND COTABATO CITY
Pistol-wielding man desecrates church in North Cotabato
A man thrice shot with a pistol the Christ the King statue in a church in Kabacan town Saturday, just two weeks after vandals destroyed religious icons in two Catholic worship sites in Basilan.
NDBC News
Fire hits Cotabato City this fire prevention month
A fire of still unknown origin destroyed residential homes along Gov. Gutierrez Avenue (ORC road), Barangay Rosary Heights 9, Cotabato City.
NDBC News
LANAO PROVINCES
APMC vaccinated doctors urge public to follow their lead
Doctors of the Amai Pakpak Medical Center (APMC) urged the public to take any of the vaccines against the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19). APMC Chief Dr. Shalimar Rakiin shared that information on vaccines plays a crucial role in encouraging the public to be inoculated.
Philippine Information Agency
Marawi nurse gets vaccine jab to protect ‘disbeliever’ parents
Despite her parents being coronavirus disease (Covid-19) skeptics, a 32-year-old nurse at Amai Pakpak Medical Center here decided to be inoculated when the Sinovac jabs were made available among medical front-liners here on Monday.
Philippine News Agency
BASILAN
SULU
DICT activates free Wi-Fi connectivity in two ‘volatile’ Mindanao provinces
THE Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) has activated new free Wi-Fi hotspots in remote islands in Mindanao. DICT Secretary Gregorio B. Honasan II said the activation of the free Wi-Fi hotspots in Sulu and Tawi-Tawi brings the government closer to its goal of providing connectivity to underserved and unserved areas.
Business Mirror
TAWI-TAWI
Another Abu Sayyaf surrenders
The total number of Abu Sayyaf bandits who surrendered to authorities has increased to 40, as another bandit surrendered in Tawi-Tawi, military officials said. Lieutenant General Corleto Vinluan Jr., Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom) chief, identified the latest Abu Sayyaf bandit who surrendered as Muharral Jamalul Kadiri, who carries the aliases of Al, Als, Ars, Arral, and Kadir.
Sunstar Zamboanga
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DRUGS
SC OKs rules on destruction, disposal of seized dangerous drugs
The Supreme Court (SC) has approved the rules on the destruction and disposal of dangerous drugs that were seized in law enforcement operations. The new rules will take effect on March 16 following publication.
GMA News
Operations/ Incidents
Police seize suspected shabu worth more than P13-M in Muntinlupa City
ore than P13.3-million worth of suspected shabu was confiscated by PDEA-NCR operatives from five suspects in a buy-bust operation conducted in Muntinlupa City late Monday evening, Rod Vega reported on Super Radyo's DZBB.
GMA News
‘Nanlaban’ in Zambales: Drug suspect slain in clash with cops during buy-bust
A drug suspect on the police list of priority targets was killed in a gunfight with policemen during a buy-bust operation here on Monday (March 8).
Philippine Daily Inquirer
2 suspects arrested in Calapan City after selling sachet of meth to undercover agent
Two drug suspects were arrested in a buy-bust operation in the city by police and anti-drug agents on Monday (March 8).
Philippine Daily Inquirer
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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CHR: Duterte’s kill order emboldens impunity
The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) said President Rodrigo Duterte’s order “to shoot and kill right away” may have encouraged the massacre and mass arrest of activists in Southern Tagalog on Sunday, March 7
CHR spokesperson Atty. Jacqueline de Guia said the national human rights institution expresses concern on Duterte’s statement on Friday, 5 March, to not only kill communists but to “ignore human rights.”
Kodao Productons
Message of solidarity for the International Working Women’s Day 2021
On this International Working Women’s Day, Kabataang Makabayan offers its revolutionary greetings to the Makabayang Kilusan ng Bagong Kababaihan (MAKIBAKA)—revolutionary organization of the militant Filipina. We also give our highest red salute to all revolutionary and patriotic women who militantly brave and resist the Duterte regime’s fascist terror.
Communist Party of the Philippines
Quality of women’s leadership
Yesterday, the world observed International Women’s Day (IWD). According to the IWD community website, it “is a global day for celebrating the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women. The day also marks a call to action for accelerating women’s equality.”
Philippine Daily Inquirer
Gender equality—Our unfinished business
In a male-dominated world, there is no doubt that the empowerment of women must be a key priority. This is fundamental to address a historic injustice, reflected in arbitrary stereotypes, in exclusionary policies and anchored sectarian ideologies. It is also about development effectiveness. A recent study found that US$12 trillion could be added to global GDP by 2025 by just advancing women’s equality.
Manila Standard
Press Freedom/ Freedom of expression
Mastermind behind radioman’s slay hunted
Police authorities have launched manhunt operations against the suspected mastermind and his cohort in the killing of a radio broadcaster two years ago in Kidapawan City, North Cotabato.
Tempo
Martial Law
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COVID-19
Cases
PH records 3,356 new COVID-19 cases as total nears 598,000
The Department of Health on Monday said another 3,356 people in the country tested positive for COVID-19, raising the nationwide case count to 597,763.
CNN Philippines
Department of Health
IATF/NTF COVID-19
Regions
Luzon including NCR
Metro Manila hospitals feel rising COVID-19 cases in increased admissions
Data from the Department of Health monitored by Rappler showed the number of hospital admissions quickly increased in the last two weeks from February 21 to March 6, after remaining steady throughout the start of the year to about late-February.
Rappler
Visayas
Mindanao
Kidapawan joins simultaneous vaccination rollout in Region 12
Three physicians here led Monday the simultaneous anti-coronavirus disease (Covid-19) vaccination rollout for health front-liners in North Cotabato and the rest of Region 12.
Philippine News Agency
World
Diplomatic, Development and Private Sector
Incidents and Violations
Editorial, Analysis, Opinion and Features
OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT
Another lockdown not good for economy – Palace
Despite the rising number of COVID-19 cases, Malacañang sees no need to place the country on a stricter quarantine level this month and says another lockdown will not be good for the economy.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
'Just maybe shut up': Duterte tells Robredo on Sinovac COVID-19 vaccine
President Rodrigo Duterte fires back again on Vice President Leni Robredo on her statements about the China-made Sinovac COVID-19 vaccine.
CNN Philippines
Duterte reminds public to observe health protocols as COVID-19 cases rise
President Rodrigo Duterte on Monday reminded the public to strictly observe minimum health protocols to curb the transmission of COVID-19 amid the recent surge of cases of the deadly respiratory disease.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
OFFICE OF THE VICE PRESIDENT
AUDIT, GRAFT, AND CORRUPTION
BUDGET, FINANCE, and TAXATION
BSP seen keeping interest rates steady amid expectations of lower inflation in second half
The central bank will likely keep its key interest rates unchanged when the policy-making Monetary Board convenes later this month to tackle the recent spike in the country’s consumer prices.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
T-bill rates continue to rise
The Bureau of the Treasury on Monday sold P20 billion in bills at rates that rose across the board as a result of the 26-month high inflation and ongoing sell-off due to higher US treasury yields.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
BUSINESS, ECONOMY AND INVESTMENT
Hit by virus and inflation worries, PSEi plunges to 6,700 level
The local stock barometer slipped to the 6,700 level on Monday as investors expressed worries over the attack on Saudi Arabia’s oil facilities and the resurgence in local COVID-19 cases.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
Economic rebound expected in Q2, Q3, says DTI chief
The Philippines may register a positive economic growth in the second or third quarter of the year after falling to its worst post-war recession in 2020 amid the COVID-19 pandemic, Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez said Monday.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
BUILD, BUILD, BUILD and PUBLIC WORKS
CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS
DISASTER AND EMERGENCY RESPONSE
DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
DEFENSE AND SECURITY
Armed Forces of the Philippines
Over 5K military medical front-liners vaccinated so far
At least 5,293 medical front-liners of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) have been inoculated so far with the Sinovac Biotech's CoronaVac vaccines as many have responded to the call, AFP public affairs office chief Navy Capt. Jonathan Zata said on Monday.
NDBC News
Philippine National Police
EDUCATION
INFORMATION, COMMUNICATION AND TECHNOLOGY
Globe looking at satellite broadband for remote areas
Telco giant Globe Telecom is looking at satellite internet services to cover remote areas in the country. Globe said in a statement it was working with US-based Curvalux, the company behind the CurvaNet satellite constellation project.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
ELECTION RELATED
ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES
LABOR
LEGISLATIVE
Senate of the Philippines
Senate salutes women’s ‘indispensable’ contributions in fight vs COVID-19
On International Women’s Day, the Senate adopted a resolution commemorating the occasion and recognizing women’s “indispensable contributions” both in the Filipino homes and the workforce, particularly in the battle against the Covid-19 pandemic.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
Probe ‘answer for sale’ – Gatchalian
REPORTS that some parents have resorted to hiring individuals to answer the learning modules of their children alarmed Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian, prompting him to prod the Department of Education (DepEd) to launch an investigation.
Manila Times
House of Representatives
Solon rejects proposed pork tariff reduction
House Ways and Means Committee chair Joey Salceda on Monday thumbed down the proposal of the Department of Agriculture (DA) to reduce tariffs on pork.
Philippine News Agency
LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS (LGUs)
Local execs can help prevent Covid-19 cases surge: PRRD
President Rodrigo R. Duterte on Monday said local government officials, particularly barangay captains, are crucial in preventing a rise in Covid-19 cases within their respective jurisdictions.
Philippine News Agency
OFFICIAL DEVELOPMENT ASSISTANCE
FOREIGN RELATIONS
West Philippine Sea
FOOD AND AGRICULTURE
Expensive food lifted inflation to 26-month high of 4.7% in February
Inflation climbed to a 26-month high of 4.7 percent year-on-year in February as food costs, especially of meat and fish, remained elevated even as pork prices eased in Metro Manila due to the ongoing price cap to the detriment of consumers elsewhere in the country who shouldered more expensive products.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
HOUSING and SETTLEMENT
POVERTY
SOCIAL WELFARE AND DEVELOPMENT
TRANSPORTATION
DOTr, LTO told to submit PMVIC program recommendations
Malacañang on Monday directed the Department of Transportation (DOTr) and its attached agency, the Land Transportation Office (LTO), to make recommendations in relation to a proposed revised Private Motor Vehicle Inspection Center (PMVIC) program to ensure roadworthiness of vehicles in the country.
Philippine News Agency
Electric minibuses soon to ply Metro Manila streets
A fully electric minibus will soon transport workers and residents of Metro Manila. Manila was given a glimpse of the vehicle, manufactured by Global Electric Transportation (GET) Philippines, on Monday.
Philippine News Agency
TOURISM
WATER and ENERGY
AC Energy to divest from Mindanao coal plant
AC ENERGY and Infrastructure Corp. is transferring its shares in Mindanao’s biggest coal-fired power plant project to its partner and affiliates, the parent firm of the Ayala-led energy platform told the stock exchange on Monday.
Business World
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