3 Iloilo barangays declared NPA-free
Three barangays in Iloilo City have been declared insurgency-free. Capt. Hazel Joy Durotan, civil military operations officer of the 301st Brigade, said the 33rd Civil-Military Operations Company (CMO) led the implementation of community support programs in Barangays Bitoon, Balabago and Tabuc Suba in Jaro district in the past nine months.
Philippine Star
Government gives ‘new life’ to 3 former rebels
The government has started to give assistance to three former communist terrorists (CTs) from Abra who voluntarily returned to the fold of the law.
Philippine News Agency
224 Kadamay, Bayan Muna members yield
Unfulfilled promises have prompted many members of Bayan Muna and the Kalipunan ng Damayang Panlipunan (Kadamay) from Central Luzon to return to the fold of the law, it was disclosed during a mass surrender ceremony here Friday.
Manila Bulletin
NTF-ELCAC funded projects aid anti-insurgency efforts in Region 1
The Regional Development Council in the Ilocos Region (RDC-1) has attested that the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) funded projects and programs boosted the anti-insurgency efforts in the region.
Philippine News Agency
Peace talks
Statement of Support to the NDFP
On the occasion of this year’s anniversaries, we greet our comrades in the CPP, NPA and NDFP and express our continued support for the goals of national liberation and the people’s democratic revolution.
National Democratic Front of the Philippines
NPA’s armed struggle honors, lives up to Battle of Mactan’s nationalist legac
The Regional Operations Command of the New People’s Army in Southern Mindanao is one with the Filipino people in celebrating April 27 as National Day Of Armed Valor to memorialize the valiant heroism of Datu Lapulapu and thousands more in the Battle of Mactan five centuries ago. Red commanders and fighters take pride that the revolutionary armed struggle of the NPA genuinely honors the quincentenary event, upholding its nationalist, anti-colonial and anti-reactionary spirit and tradition.
Communist Party of the Philippines
Incidents/Operations
Farmer snatched, killed by suspected NPA rebels in Surigao Sur
A farmer was forcibly taken and killed by armed men believed to be communist New People’s Army (NPA) rebels n Lanuza, Surigao del Sur on Thursday night.
Philippine News Agency
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MARAWI
SOUTHEAST ASIA AND THE WORLD
Extremism and clear terminology
In April, South Australia Police and the Australian Federal Police arrested two men for possession of an improvised explosive device and extremist material. In her statement on the arrests, Acting South Australia Police Commissioner Linda Williams confirmed that police had in fact conducted multiple raids across metropolitan Adelaide as part of an ongoing investigation, which ultimately led to these arrests relating to “violent extremism”
The Saturday paper
From memes to race war: How extremists use popular culture to lure recruits
The first images of “The Last Battle” seem designed to rile people on the conservative side of the culture wars: public nudity, strippers, children dressed in drag — symbols of a society supposedly in a moral free fall.
Seattle Times
Commentary on extremism was a Trojan horse for ideology
I read the commentary, “Enough about ‘not picking sides.’ The only right position is against white supremacy and extremism,” by Esteban Castellanos, U.S. Air Force Academy Class of 2003. He and his co-signers use terms such as “insurrection,” “white supremacy,” and “extremism.” They represent a view that whites, especially our nation’s Founders, inspired by a Judeo-Christian tradition, are oppressors.
Air Force Times
Google, Facebook back ‘blunt force’ crackdown on extremism, but Twitter warns it could backfire
Google and Facebook have backed calls to ban certain extremist content and insignias online, but Twitter warned that it won’t be enough to deal with a rise in online extremism, and could even make it worse.
The New Daily
'Far-left', not far-right extremism the 'biggest threat' to Australia today
Liberal Senator Alex Antic says media outlets, like the ABC, do not address the issue of "far-left" extremism in their reports - but constantly plug the narrative that far-right extremism is the "biggest threat" to Australia and the world today.
Sky News Australia
‘Extreme right wing’ terrorism on the rise as the Home Office focuses on Muslims
Over the course of 2020, we can see from Home Office statistics that ‘Islamist extremism’ and ‘extreme right-wing’ are types of terrorism which feature prominently. However, extreme right-wing terrorism hasn’t taken up the same space in government policy that ‘Islamist extremism’ has.
The Canary
Burkina Faso: European countries vow to fight extremism
Germany, France, Italy and Spain say they will continue to fight terrorism in Africa's troubled Sahel region following the jihadi killing of three Europeans in Burkina Faso.
Deutsche Welle
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BARMM
BARMM joins DOST-NAST’s Mindanao regional scientific meeting
As part of its commitment of bringing science and technology closer to the people, Bangsamoro Government’s Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST) participated in the National Academy of Science and Technology Philippines’ (NAST PHL) Mindanao Regional Scientific Meeting (RSM) on April 27-28 via Zoom.
Bangsamoro Government
P146-M BARMM education programs to benefit ex-MILF members
As part of the normalization process, former Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) members stand to benefit from PHP146.8-million worth of educational projects to be implemented by the government.
Philippine News Agency
MAGUINDANAO AND COTABATO CITY
Southern Philippines: 3 Injured in Fresh Bombings
Pro-Islamic State Filipino militants carried out more attacks in Maguindanao province in the southern Philippines, injuring two pro-government militia members and a civilian, the military said Friday.
Benar News
PAG leader-mayor, 2 men yield to BARMM police
As PRO BAR adheres to the directives of the National Task Force on the Disbandment of Private Armed Groups (NTF-DPAGs) and the program under the security aspect of the normalization track of the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro that focuses on the disbandment of armed groups in BARMM, it managed to once again facilitate the surrender of one of the Private Armed Groups operating in the province of Maguindanao.
NDBC News
Eastern Mindanao Command Commander visits North Cotabato
Major General Greg T Almerol Philippine Army, the newly installed Commander of the Eastern Mindanao Command, paid a courtesy call to Hon Nancy A Catamco, Governor, Province of North Cotabato in her residence at Kidapawan City, earlier today, April 29, 2021.
Kalinaw News
LANAO PROVINCES
Army’s Campaign on the Proliferation of Loose Firearms in Lanao del Sur Province Prevails
Local Leaders of three (3) towns in Lanao del Sur, showed full support to the campaign of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte on the proliferation of loose firearms April 29,2021.
Kalinaw News | Philippine News Agency
Lanao Sur towns, hospital receive new ambulance
THE Ministry of Health in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (MOH-BARMM) turned over on Friday, April 30, eight ambulance units to seven towns in Lanao del Sur and one to the provincial health office.
Sunstar Zamboanga
BASILAN
SULU
TAWI-TAWI
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DRUGS
Operations/ Incidents
Drug peddler killed, 18 others fall in Bulacan sting ops
A drug suspect was killed while authorities arrested 18 others in separate operations in this province.
Philippine News Agency
Recovery and Rehabilitation
DSWD, LGUs partner in leading reformed drug users back to society
The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) on Friday announced its partnership with 38 local government units (LGUs) for the institutionalization of the Yakap Bayan Program (YBP).
Philippine News Agency
ILLICIT FIREARMS, EXPLOSIVES, AND AMMUNITION
CROSS-BORDER TRADING/ SMUGGLING/ COUNTERFEIT GOODS
P7.3 million worth of smuggled cigarettes seized in waters off Zamboanga City
State security forces have intercepted a watercraft carrying P7.3 million worth of smuggled cigarettes in waters off Barangay Recodo in Zamboanga City, the Philippine Naval Forces Western Mindanao (NFWM) said.
UNTV
HUMAN TRAFFICKING
KIDNAPPING/ ABDUCTION
ILLEGAL GAMBLING
ILLICIT FINANCIAL TRANSACTIONS/ EXTORTION
DOJ needs public’s help in catching ‘cyber harassers’
The Department of Justice (DOJ) is currently dealing with more than a dozen complaints involving unfair debt collection practices and cyber harassment committed by online lending companies (OLCs).
Philippine News Agency
SEC warns investors against Infinity PAYB
The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has warned the public against dealing with Infinity PAYB/PAYB Bills Payment and Remittance Center, an unregistered entity that has been illegally soliciting investments and promising extraordinary returns.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
Cagayan cop nabbed for extortion
A police officer was nabbed for alleged extortion in an entrapment operation in Cagayan province on Friday. Brig. Gen. Thomas Frias, chief of the Philippine National Police-Integrity Monitoring and Enforcement Group (PNP-IMEG, identified the suspect as Staff Sgt. Arphie Bryan Tuliao.
Philippine News Agency
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Bishop, 5 others face child abuse charges for providing sanctuary to Lumad children
The Davao Regional Trial Court issued a warrant of arrest against six administrators of United Church of Christ in the Philippines (UCCP) in Haran, Davao del Norte for charges of child abuse.
Bulatlat
5 rights activists sued for child abuse post bail in Davao
Five of the six human rights activists who were ordered arrested last April 21 by the Regional Trial Court-Branch 12 in Davao City posted bail on Thursday.
Mindanews
Inveigled with economic aid, 30 Dumagats arrested and kept in Rizal military camp
Hoodwinked by the 80th IB and Philippine National Police-Rizal, thirty (30) Dumagats were arrested in Barangay Calawis, Antipolo City on April 13. The Dumagats were summoned to their barangay hall to supposedly receive government aid but were arrested by the 80th IB and PNP-Rizal on the basis of “association” with the revolutionary movement in the province. To this date, they are being kept inside the 80th IB’s headquarters in Barangay Pinugay, Baras.
Communist Party of the Philippines
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Press Freedom/ Freedom of expression
Martial Law
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COVID-19
Cases
PH logs 8,748 more COVID-19 cases, new recoveries lowest in nearly 2 weeks
The Philippines on Friday recorded 8,748 new COVID-19 cases, raising the country's overall tally to 1,037,460 million. This is the 12th straight day that fresh infections were less than 10,000, data showed. New cases in early April went to as high as 15,000— a record high since the pandemic hit the Philippines in 2020.
ABS- CBN News
Department of Health
Duque admits Philippines may miss goal of herd immunity vs COVID-19 this year
The Philippines' health chief admits it's possible that the country may miss its goal to achieve herd immunity against COVID-19 this year due to the slow pace of the vaccine rollout. But the country's vaccine czar believes that the target is still within reach with more jabs expected to arrive in the coming days. Vivienne Gulla reports.
ABS- CBN News
IATF/NTF COVID-19
PH ‘world class’ cold storage ready for vax arrival: Galvez
National Task Force against Covid-19 chief implementer, Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr. has emphasized that the country’s “world-class” cold storage facilities are well prepared for the influx of different coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) vaccines that require various storage temperatures in the coming days and weeks.
Philippine News Agency
Lopez: New IATF rules to bring 300K people back to work
If business establishments will decide to reopen despite the odds and limitations, about 300,000 workers will be able to return to work this month, following the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) decision to allow dine-in restaurants and other businesses to reopen on limited scale.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
Regions
Luzon including NCR
QC cops, traffic enforcers to keep Labor Day safe
The Quezon City Police District (QCPD) will deploy 1,758 personnel to keep Labor Day activities on Saturday safe and orderly, as the local government urged its constituents to just stay home.
Philippine News Agency
Visayas
23.5K doses of Sinovac vax arrive in Bacolod, NegOcc
A total of 23,500 vials of the Sinovac-manufactured CoronaVac vaccines arrived at the Bacolod-Silay Aiport on Friday, representing the third batch of the China-made vaccines to arrive in Negros Occidental and this capital city this month.
Philippine News Agency
Mindanao
Zambo City starts A2, A3 priority groups vaccination
The City Health Office pushed forward started Thursday the inoculation of senior citizens and people with comorbidities here.
Philippine News Agency
World
Diplomatic, Development and Private Sector
PH a priority once vax transfer is allowed: Israel envoy
The Philippines can expect to be among the priority countries of Israel once the latter is able to transfer its excess vaccines for coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19), Israel Ambassador to Manila Rafael Harpaz said Friday.
Philippine News Agency
Incidents and Violations
Editorial, Analysis, Opinion and Features
‘When will you admit accountability?’ Gov’t asked after Indian exec took responsibility for COVID-19 crisis
Filipino online users juxtaposed the command responsibility of the governments of India and the Philippines during the COVID-19 pandemic after the former’s ruling party leader took responsibility for the outbreak in their country.
Interaksyon
OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT
PH to allow entry of more foreigners starting May 1 — Palace
The Philippines, on May 1, will lift its ban on the entry of some foreign nationals except for those coming from India or those with travel history to the said country, Malacañang said Friday.
UNTV
Gov’t doing everything to address hunger: Palace
The government is exhausting all efforts to address hunger incidence in the country amid the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic, Malacañang said on Friday.
Philippine News Agency
OFFICE OF THE VICE PRESIDENT
Robredo office organizes Labor Day online concert for health workers
Vice President Leni Robredo's office said on Friday it organized with its partners a virtual concert on Labor Day dedicated to health workers in the frontlines of the COVID-19 fight. The May 1 concert "Harana: Musical Tribute to Filipino Frontliners" aims "to offer a breather" to medical professionals, the Office of the Vice President said in a statement.
ABS- CBN News
AUDIT, GRAFT, AND CORRUPTION
DOTr, PACC reaffirm commitment vs. corruption via FOI
The Department of Transportation (DOTr) and the Presidential Anti-Corruption Commission (PACC) signed a reaffirmation of Integrity and Pledge of Cooperation and Oath of Honesty in a virtual ceremony last April 28.
Philippine News Agency
BUDGET, FINANCE, and TAXATION
Foreign loans to fund Philippines’ COVID-19 response hit $18.4 billion
The Philippines has secured $18.4 billion in foreign loans so far to fund its fight against the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, the Finance department said.
Business World
Lower fuel prices saved the day from spike in pork costs, says BSP
Prices of goods and services likely rose by the same magnitude in April as it did in March as lower fuel prices helped prevent higher food costs from blowing inflation up, according to the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), the Philippine central bank.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
Non-bank lending to private sector growing
The Philippine financial system saw an increase in debt issuances in the fourth quarter of 2020, with the private sector borrowing more from nonbank funders during the coronavirus pandemic, according to the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP).
Philippine Daily Inquirer
BUSINESS, ECONOMY AND INVESTMENT
Philippines sets new round of mining audit, expands coverage
The Philippines will review operations of its more than 50 mines in a new round of an industry-wide audit, the government has announced, with coverage expanded to include some nickel projects in a southern province.
The Star
PHL Renews Bid For Wider Access Of Agri Exports To Australia
The Philippines reiterated its request for Australia to provide market access on several agricultural products, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) said on Tuesday.
Business Mirror
ANI inks deal to bring fintech to farmers, fisherfolk
Antonio Tiu-led AgriNurture Inc. (ANI) is taking on an ambitious project to integrate financial technology into agriculture.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
Property sector seen to stay in a slump in 2021
Metro Manila’s office, residential and shopping mall landlords must brace for further rise in vacancy rates and declining rental rates this year as the prolonged coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic continues to limit economic activities.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
BUILD, BUILD, BUILD and PUBLIC WORKS
ADB: Private landowners to benefit from more rail projects in PH
Building more railways in the Philippines would benefit private landowners and spur economic activity in the National Capital Region and its suburbs as shown by the bustling Metro Rail Transit (MRT) 3 along Edsa, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) said.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS
DISASTER AND EMERGENCY RESPONSE
‘Bising’ costs DSWD P4.2-M in relief aid
The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) distributed more than PHP4 million worth of assistance to families affected by Typhoon Bising last week.
Philippine News Agency
DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
DEFENSE AND SECURITY
Armed Forces of the Philippines
AFP Mobile Kitchen feeds families in Quezon City
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) through its Mobile Kitchen project provided hot meals for lunch and dinner to individuals and families in need at Barangay Socorro, Quezon City on Thursday, April 29.
Kalinaw News
Philippine National Police
EDUCATION
Crisis-resilient education strategy enables donation of portable classrooms
To complement Smart Communications Inc.’s donation of portable digital classrooms to learning communities, the PLDT wireless unit trained School-in-a-Bag beneficiaries on the Central Visayan Institute Foundation - Dynamic Learning Program education strategy.
Manila Standard
Duterte has final say on school year opening: DepEd
The Department of Education (DepEd) on Friday clarified that the opening of the school year 2021–2022 will be decided upon by President Rodrigo Roa Duterte.
Philippine News Agency
KWF eyes teachers as partners in spreading reading culture
The Komisyon sa Wikang Filipino (KWF) is offering to help teachers nationwide promote the culture of reading the writings of Philippine heroes.
Philippine News Agency
INFORMATION, COMMUNICATION AND TECHNOLOGY
PH’s pioneering data science program welcomes record-breaking number of enrollees
The Asian Institute of Management (AIM) Aboitiz School of Innovation, Technology and Entrepreneurship (ASITE) – the first graduate data science degree program in the Philippines – officially welcomed the 84 incoming students of its Master of Data Science (MSDS) Class of 2022.
Manila Bulletin
ELECTION RELATED
[Opinion] Will it take another street fighter to defeat Duterte?
The Spanish word sanggano, imported into the Filipino lexicon, describes the type of bully that is often alluded to as the archetype for President Rodrigo Duterte and that was so important in getting him elected in the first place
Nikkei Asia
ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES
SNAP pushes tree planting on Earth Day 2021
A CLEAN-UP drive undertaken with a tree-planting surrounding their hydroelectric power plants in Isabela and Benguet were among the SN Aboitiz Power (SNSAP) group activities in celebrating Earth Day 2021 with the theme “Restore Our Earth.”
Manila Times
LABOR
Pandemic worsens poor workplace health and safety
Even before the pandemic struck, workers had long been subjected to poor and unsafe working conditions. According to the International Labor Organization, there are more than 2.78 million work-related deaths and 374 million non-fatal injuries every year.
Bulatlat
[Editorial] Labor Day in a pandemic
Since it was first observed in 1886, Labor Day, celebrated around the world on May 1, has been marked as a Day of Protest, of workers’ solidarity, and by clashes between the laboring class and the authorities.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
Public school teachers work longer without enough support – survey
Public school teachers are working longer hours while lacking support from the government in implementing distance learning for school year 2020-2021, a recent survey by the Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT) showed.
Bulatlat
Attacks vs. Laguna workers heighten days away from Labor Day
Labor unions in the Southern Tagalog region’s industrial zones are being threatened by state forces, according to reports from progressive labor centers.
Bulatlat
More than 545K OFWs home via ‘Hatid-Tulong’
A total of 545,449 returning overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) have been sent home to their provinces through the national government’s “Hatid-Tulong” program since last year.
Philippine News Agency
Upliftment of workers' conditions vital to progress: Lorenzana
Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana on Friday called for the improvement and upliftment of the labor sector towards a more developed and progressive nation.
Philippine News Agency
LEGISLATIVE
Senate of the Philippines
House of Representatives
PRRD urged to certify bill boosting 'Balik Probinsya' as urgent
On the eve of Labor Day, a lawmaker on Friday appealed to President Rodrigo Duterte to certify as urgent the measure that would provide incentives to boost the Balik Probinsya, Bagong Pagasa (BP2) program as a way to generate more investments and jobs in the countryside.
Philippine News Agency
House leader seeks to reopen PH to vaccinated travelers
To boost economic recovery amid the coronavirus pandemic, House Deputy Speaker Michael Romero on Friday proposed to partially reopen the country to foreign travelers and returning Filipinos from overseas who have been fully vaccinated against the coronavirus disease (Covid-19).
Philippine News Agency
Bill eyes to avert collapse of uniformed personnel pension system
A bill creating a sustainable fiscal framework for the separation, retirement, and pension benefits of the military and uniformed personnel (MUP) was filed at the House of Representatives on Thursday.
Philippine News Agency
House panel to consolidate bill on dev’t of sustainable cities
The House of Representatives Committee on Housing and Urban Development has tasked a technical working group (TWG) to harmonize bills that seek to provide for the development of sustainable cities and communities in the country.
Philippine News Agency
LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS (LGUs)
OFFICIAL DEVELOPMENT ASSISTANCE
FOREIGN RELATIONS
West Philippine Sea
#DuterteTraydor trends on Twitter amid continuing tension in West PH Sea
#DuterteTraydor (which means Duterte treacherous) trended on Twitter after President Duterte expressed that he is avoiding war with China amid the presence of Chinese vessels in the Philippine territory.
Bulatlat
Duterte confirms further his role as puppet to China and traitor to the Filipino people
Based on his April 28, 2021 public address, Duterte is evidently a die-hard puppet of Chinese imperialism and a traitor to the Filipino people.
Communist Party of the Philippines
Duterte refuses to condemn Chinese incursions for own interests
Rodrigo Duterte blabbers about the West Philippine Sea (WPS) like the issue of Philippine territory and sovereignty is a personal one. Last Wednesday’s presidential drivel actually betrayed not just his ambivalence but also his lack of concern for the fisher folk whose livelihood and lives are put at risk because of his subservience to China. Vague statements of ‘Atin talaga yan,’ ‘Mayroon tayong utang na loob (sa China),’ ‘I have the interest of my country to protect,’ and ‘Tignan natin,’ did nothing to shine any light on what he actually intends to do. At the end of it all, he makes excuses for China and calls it ‘a good friend.’
Communist Party of the Philippines
FOOD AND AGRICULTURE
HOUSING and SETTLEMENT
POVERTY
SOCIAL WELFARE AND DEVELOPMENT
TRANSPORTATION
TOURISM
WATER and ENERGY
The Power ‘Blame Game’
THE Department of Energy (DOE) has flagged power generation companies for their prolonged power plant outages, and the system grid operator for not securing enough firm-contracted ancillary reserves (AS).
Business Mirror
Agus-Pulangi hydro plant rehabilitation gets WB push
The long-planned rehabilitation of the decades-old Agus-Pulangi hydroelectric power plants in Mindanao came a step closer to reality after the World Bank approved a $700,000 in financing to jumpstart project preparation.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
DOE endorses 16 new major projects to NGCP
The Department of Energy (DOE) endorsed 16 new power projects to the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) for system impact study in the first quarter. The Mariveles natural gas plant of Mariveles Power, Inc. is the largest of the 16 projects that received a certificate of endorsement from the DOE. Located in Bgy. Biaan in Mariveles, Bataan, the facility would have a capacity of 1,200 megawatts (MW).
Power Philippines
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