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Declare April 27, 2021 as National Day of Armed Valor
In line with the message of the Central Committee, we declare April 27, 2021 as National Day of Armed Valor. On the morning of that day, all units of the New People’s Army (NPA) are called upon to stand in formation and raise their weapons as a way of recalling the Battle of Mactan, exactly 500 years ago, and honoring Datu Lapulapu and the thousands of native Filipinos who fought and vanquished the armed contingent of Spanish colonizers led by Ferdinand Magellan.
Communist Party of the Philippines
Top PNP, AFP officials meet to craft final blow plans vs NPA, terror groups
Top officials of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and Philippine National Police (PNP) have convened on Friday, April 16, to update and craft strategies to eliminate communist insurgency and local terrorism problems in the country.
Manila Bulletin
Peace talks
Incidents/Operations
NPA says burning of backhoes in response to plans for large-scale quarry operations
The New People’s Army (NPA) on Friday admitted it burned heavy equipment operated by Silay Mayor Mark Golez in Hacienda Vista in response to the people’s clamor to punish large-scale quarry operations which recently caused massive flooding in the area.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
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MARAWI
SOUTHEAST ASIA AND THE WORLD
Role of state government in preventing, countering violent extremism
In 2017, the Federal Government, through the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), launched the Policy Framework and National Action Plan for Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism (P/CVE).
The Guardian Nigeria
Amnesty International Decries Russian Prosecutor's Call To Label Navalny Organizations As 'Extremist'
Amnesty International has sharply criticized a request by Russian prosecutors to have the Anti-Corruption Foundation of imprisoned opposition politician Aleksei Navalny banned as an “extremist” organization.
Radio Free Europe
Al-Azhar Grand Imam says 'Religious immoderation has nothing to do with moderate Islam'
Egypt’s Grand Imam of Al-Azhar Ahmed El-Tayyeb said that religious immoderation (extremism) and irreligiosity have nothing to do with moderate Islam.
Egypt Today
From cover-up to propaganda blitz: China’s attempts to control the narrative on Xinjiang
China’s Foreign Ministry this month issued the most forceful defense of its policies in Xinjiang to date, calling allegations of “genocide” in the region the “lie of the century.”
News Channel 3
U.S. 'Counterterrorism' In Africa Has Failed. What is the Alternative?
Escalating U.S. interventions have led to more extremist violence on the continent, not less. On March 10, the United States formally designated the insurgent group in northern Mozambique as a foreign terrorist organization . Although the group is locally referred to as al-Shabaab (meaning 'the youth,' with no relationship to the organization by that name in Somalia), the U.S. State Department calls it ISIS-Mozambique.
MENA FN
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BARMM
BARMM deploys price-monitoring teams for Ramadan
Price monitoring teams from the Ministry of Trade, Investments and Tourism – Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (MTIT-BARMM) have been deployed to ensure fair consumer prices of goods, particularly food, during Ramadan.
Philippine News Agency
MAGUINDANAO AND COTABATO CITY
BIFF division commander, followers yield to the military in Maguindanao
A Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters division commander and five of his followers surrendered to the military in Ampatuan, Maguindanao on Saturday morning, April 17, 2021
Kalinaw News
LANAO PROVINCES
The watermelon, fishing capitals of 2 Bangsamoro provinces
There are two seaside southern towns now popular for monikers, or tags, that residents are so proud about. Malabang town became known lately as “watermelon capital” of Lanao del Sur for its having been the top producer of watermelon from among 39 towns in the province in recent months.
NDBC News
BASILAN
SULU
Foreign terrorist, 2 ASG members neutralized; high-powered firearms seized in Sulu clash
A foreign terrorist and two Abu Sayyaf Group members were neutralized by the troops in Sulu on Friday evening on April 16. According to Western Mindanao Commmand Commander Lt. Gen. Corleto Vinluan, Jr., the neutralized foreign terrorist was identified as a certain Yusop, one of the five remaining foreign terrorists monitored in Sulu.
Kalinaw News
TAWI-TAWI
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DRUGS
Operations/ Incidents
Cuyapo village official falls in drug sting
A village councilor is in hot water after allegedly selling illegal drugs to an undercover cop in Barangay District 6 here on Friday.
Philippine News Agency
Recovery and Rehabilitation
ILLICIT FIREARMS, EXPLOSIVES, AND AMMUNITION
Cops raid house of suspended mayor in Sultan Kudarat, seize guns
Kasalukuyan na ngayong pinaghahanap ng mga otoridad ang suspendidong alkalde sa bayan ng President Quirino, Sultan Kudarat kabilang na ang ABC president matapos ang isinagawng raid ng mga kapulisan sa kani-kanilang mga bahay.
NDBC News
CROSS-BORDER TRADING/ SMUGGLING/ COUNTERFEIT GOODS
HUMAN TRAFFICKING
3 human trafficking survivors home from Syria
Three Filipino survivors of trafficking and who stayed in the Philippine Embassy shelter in Damascus, Syria arrived Saturday afternoon at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport.
Philippine News Agency
KIDNAPPING/ ABDUCTION
ILLEGAL GAMBLING
ILLICIT FINANCIAL TRANSACTIONS/ EXTORTION
PSA cautions vs. bogus nat'l ID enumerators
The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) has cautioned the public not to transact with unauthorized enumerators in the ongoing Philippine National Identification System (PhilSys) or National ID.
Philippine News Agency
DPWH-12 exec warns vs solicitation, fund drive using his name
A ranking official of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) in the Soccsksargen region has warned the public against solicitations purportedly by DPWH ranking official.
NDBC News
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Lumad children save one hour of walk in going to school through a project launched by different government agencies
Through the collective efforts of various agencies of the government under the whole-of-nation approach, a two-classroom building was formally turned over to the Indigenous People of Sitio Malapanit, Sto. Niño in Talaingod, Davao del Norte on Friday, April 16, providing accessible education for the Lumad learners. Sitio Malapanit is considered a Geographically Isolated and Disadvantaged Area (GIDA), having to walk for an hour from Sitio Mangga of Brgy Magwawa if Sto Tomas town which is more than an hour away from Barangay Sto. Niño via four-wheel vehicle.
Kalinaw News
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Press Freedom/ Freedom of expression
Martial Law
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COVID-19
Cases
Active COVID-19 cases breach 200,000
The country's active COVID-19 case count exceeded 200,000, the highest number of sick people in a day, according to the Department of Health's Saturday bulletin.
CNN Philippines
Department of Health
DOH crafting guidelines on AstraZeneca vax use
The Department of Health (DOH) is now in talks with relevant experts to craft guidelines for the use of AstraZeneca jabs, Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said Saturday.
Philippine News Agency
As new virus variants emerge, DOH dispels doubts over ‘gold standard’ of testing
Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) tests, considered by the government as the gold standard in COVID-19 testing, remain “very effective” in detecting coronavirus infections, the Department of Health (DOH) said on Saturday, following reports of the emergence of a coronavirus variant from Brittany, France, that was said to elude detection by this type of test.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
RT-PCR test still effective in SARS-CoV-2 detection
The reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test remains the most effective to detect SARS-CoV-2, the virus causing coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19), Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said Saturday.
Philippine News Agency
IATF/NTF COVID-19
PH, 5 vaccine manufacturers ink deals
A steady supply of coronavirus vaccines this year has been secured after the government closed procurement contracts with five pharmaceutical companies.
Philippine News Agency
PH reminds nations to include vulnerable sectors in vax drives
The Philippine government is leading the clarion call for the international community to band together in the spirit of solidarity and ensure that all nations obtain equal access to life-saving anti-COVID vaccines.
Philippine News Agency
Vax ‘hoarding’ hurts global response, Galvez tells UN meet
The Philippines joined the growing number of concerns raised about the "hoarding" of the limited supply of coronavirus vaccines.
Philippine News Agency
Regions
Luzon including NCR
P4.47-B 'ayuda' distributed to 4.4 million in NCR
Local government units (LGUs) in the National Capital Region have distributed PHP4.47 billion, or 40.07 percent of the funds earmarked by the national government as financial assistance to 4,477,090 low-income individuals, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) reported on Saturday.
Philippine News Agency
Visayas
Covid-19 outbreak in Iloilo firm prompts border controls
The municipality of Lambunao will strictly enforce border restrictions starting Monday to manage the spread of the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) as a construction firm in adjacent Calinog town recorded 42 cases.
Philippine News Agency
Mindanao
Construction of 100-bed city hospital in UP Mindanao campus to start this year
The City Government of Davao plans to start the construction of a 100-bed capacity Davao City Hospital this year at the University of the Philippines-Mindanao (UPMin) campus in Tugbok district, Councilor Mary Joselle Villafuerte, a doctor, said.
MindaNews
World
Diplomatic, Development and Private Sector
Incidents and Violations
Editorial, Analysis, Opinion and Features
OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT
Community pantries exemplify Filipinos’ ‘bayanihan’ spirit
Malacañang on Saturday commended Filipinos for keeping the "bayanihan" (teamwork) spirit alive amid the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic by setting up community pantries.
Philippine News Agency
Pinoys ‘inconsistent’ in following health rules: Palace exec
Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Salvador Panelo expressed dismay on Saturday over Filipinos’ inconsistency in observing the health and quarantine protocols against the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19).
Philippine News Agency
'Ayuda’ payout may be slow but protocols must be followed: Panelo
Procedures must be followed, hence the “slow start” of the disbursement of assistance to individuals affected by the two-week enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) in the National Capital Region Plus (NCR Plus).
Philippine News Agency
OFFICE OF THE VICE PRESIDENT
VP Robredo on quarantine after exposure to close-in security with COVID-19
Vice President Leni Robredo said Saturday she is on quarantine after an exposure to a member of her security team with COVID-19. In her Facebook post, Robredo said she canceled her trip to Bicol.
CNN Philippines
AUDIT, GRAFT, AND CORRUPTION
BUDGET, FINANCE, and TAXATION
BUSINESS, ECONOMY AND INVESTMENT
BUILD, BUILD, BUILD and PUBLIC WORKS
CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS
DISASTER AND EMERGENCY RESPONSE
Farmers, fisherfolk in ‘Bising’ path warned to guard livelihood
The Department of Agriculture (DA) has warned farmers and fishermen whose areas will be in the path of the approaching Typhoon "Bising".
Philippine News Agency
‘Bising’ continues to ‘rapidly intensify’ over PH sea
Typhoon Bising has continued to strengthen and was last located at 705 km. east of Surigao City, Surigao del Norte.
Philippine News Agency
DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
DEFENSE AND SECURITY
Armed Forces of the Philippines
Philippine Army, Aurora Reservist Shooters Association Inc. provide food packs for medical frontliners
The Philippine Army’s 91st Infantry “Sinagtala” Battalion and Aurora Reservist Shooters Association Inc. (ARSAI) donated and distributed food packs for medical personnel on Saturday, April 16.
Kalinaw News
LGU Partners 48th Infantry Battalion in the Outreach Program in Rosario, Agusan del Sur
The Local Government Unit of Rosario, Agusan del Sur, in partnership with the 48th Infantry (Guardians) Battalion conducted an outreach program at Sitio Cosep and Masabong both of Brgy Bayugan 3 and Brgy Wasian in the Municipality of Rosario, Agusan del Sur on April 15.
Kalinaw News
2nd Municipal Youth Leadership Summit 2021 Culminates in Malitbog, Bukidnon
The Army’s 58th Infantry Dimalulupig Battalion, in partnership with the Malitbog Local Government Unit, held its 2nd Municipal Youth Leadership Summit 2021 (YLS) from April 9-11 at Monte Shannah’s Farm, Sitio Lake, Barangay San Luis, Malitbog, Bukidnon.
Kalinaw News
Philippine National Police
EDUCATION
INFORMATION, COMMUNICATION AND TECHNOLOGY
Cebu City eyes use of cryptocurrency
Residents of Cebu City may soon have the option of settling their City Hall transactions in cryptocurrency.
Philippine News Agency
ELECTION RELATED
ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES
LABOR
LEGISLATIVE
Senate of the Philippines
House of Representatives
LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS (LGUs)
Nat’l gov’t, LGU efforts cause ‘downward’ trend in cases: MMDA
Initiatives of the national government, through the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF), and local chief executives in the National Capital Region (NCR) have resulted in “downward trends” in coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) cases.
Philippine News Agency
OFFICIAL DEVELOPMENT ASSISTANCE
FOREIGN RELATIONS
West Philippine Sea
FOOD AND AGRICULTURE
HOUSING and SETTLEMENT
More housing projects soon to rise in Mindanao
The Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) signed deals with three local government units (LGUs) in Mindanao as part of its mandate to provide sustainable, resilient, and affordable housing units to all Filipinos.
Philippine News Agency
POVERTY
SOCIAL WELFARE AND DEVELOPMENT
TRANSPORTATION
TOURISM
WATER and ENERGY
Apo Agua project gives work to over 4.5K Dabawenyos
The Davao City Bulk Water Supply Project (DCBWSP) of the Apo Agua Infrastructura Incorporated has provided employment to over 4,500 Dabawenyos with the majority coming from its host and partner communities in Barangay Tamugan, Marilog District this city.
Manila Times
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