With elections nearing, NTF-ELCAC is hungry for funds
With the 2022 elections just a year away, Duterte’s favorite generals in the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) are determined to keep the anomalous funds of the Barangay Development Program in their aim to impose the military’s political influence in several hundred barangays.
Communist Party of the Philippines
Anti-NTF-ELCAC solons lack grasp of anti-insurgency drive: guv
Agusan del Norte Governor Dale Corvera said Thursday that senators calling to defund the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF ELCAC) seem to lack knowledge and experience in the government's anti-insurgency drive, especially in the countryside.
Philippine News Agency
Central Luzon leaders junk calls to defund NTF-ELCAC
Some local leaders in Central Luzon have opposed calls to defund the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF ELCAC) which has programs that provide aid to insurgency-affected areas in this province and Nueva Ecija.
Philippine News Agency
[Opinion] Reckless endangerment
For more than two years, lawyers and lawmakers couldn't quite put a finger on it. It was clearly a crime, except that it was done in the name of national security and counter-terrorism. But how can the noblest of intentions ever justify what amounts to a virtual death warrant for those who hold contrary opinions and are demanding social change?
Manila Standard
Peace talks
Incidents/Operations
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MARAWI
Henchman of Maute founders killed in Lanao clash
Soldiers killed a henchman of the slain founders of the Maute terror group and wounded three others in an encounter in Piagapo, Lanao del Sur Wednesday. Brig. Gen. Jose Ma. Cuerpo, commander of the Army’s 103rd Brigade, said Thursday the slain terrorist was among more than 20 gunmen who attacked soldiers patrolling in a secluded area in Barangay Kalungan in Piagapo, sparking a two-hour gunfight.
NDBC News
SOUTHEAST ASIA AND THE WORLD
Twenty Years After 9/11, the US Needs a Better Strategy to Prevent and Counter Violent Extremism
With his announcement to withdraw all U.S. troops from Afghanistan by the 20th anniversary of 9/11, President Joe Biden is delivering on his promise to bring an end to the “forever wars” that were the defining features of what began as the “Global War on Terrorism” two decades ago. Among other things, this much-anticipated decision reflects one of the lessons learned during this period: that terrorism is inherently a political phenomenon for which there is no military solution. While much of the reaction has focused on the implications for Afghanistan, the decision could and should serve as the initial step of a long-overdue effort to rebalance U.S. counterterrorism policy, in Afghanistan and beyond, toward too often overlooked diplomatic and development tools that can not only help counter existing threats, but prevent violent extremism from taking root in the first place in communities around the globe.
Just Security
Veterans address extremism in the military debate
In the aftermath of the violence at the U.S. Capitol this past January, there’s a discussion taking place about rooting out extremism in the military. Several of the rioters arrested or facing potential charges are veterans. While some veterans are speaking out about concerns within their own ranks, others say such fears are overblown.
Black Hills Fox
We Can’t Combat Extremism Without Also Combating Misogyny
As all eyes have shifted – at least in Western security communities – towards the growing threat of radical right extremism and terrorism. It is becoming increasingly apparent how the different defining lines of community in this context and the highly gendered nature of their members’ identities and ideologies challenge current conceptions of preventing and countering violent extremism (P/CVE) programming.
Rant Media
'Facebook seeks to avoid its responsibilities': Tech giant is criticised by its OWN oversight body for algorithms and technical features which promote extremist content
Facebook's own oversight board has called out the social media giant, saying that 'Facebook seeks to avoid its responsibilities' over extremist content promotion. The board, which some have dubbed Facebook's 'supreme court', rules on whether some individual pieces of content should be displayed on the site.
Daily Mail UK
Attacks against Asians rise in US: Panel
Attacks against people of Asian descent aren't new in the history of the US, but recent spike in anti-Asian incidents post-Covid, panelists at a recent online seminar organised by top American think tank East-West Centre argued.
MENA FN
German man extradited from Senegal to face terrorism charges
A German man has been extradited from Senegal to face allegations of membership in an al-Qaida linked extremist group, federal prosecutors said Thursday.
The Washington Post
New operation launched in eastern Turkey to root out terrorism
Turkish officials on Thursday announced the start of a new anti-terrorist operation in eastern Turkey. Operation Eren-15 Mt. Agri-Cemce Madur – named after Eren Bulbul, a 15-year-old martyred by the terrorist PKK in 2017 – was launched to eliminate the terrorist PKK from the country and "neutralize" terrorists in the region, Turkey’s Interior Ministry said in a statement.
Anadolu Agency
France worries about how to handle released terrorists
“Being locked up is a piece of piss if the guy was ready to die,” said Youssef, who had been jailed for jihadism. “Ten years in prison? It’s fi sabilillah (in the cause of Allah). I’m going to learn the Koran, and leave even stronger.” Youssef (not his real name) was speaking to Hugo Micheron, a researcher conducting a study on jihadism in France. By the time the book was published last year, Youssef had served his term and been set free.
The Economist
Myths and realities about undocumented foreigners in France
French politicians have been debating whether there is a link between terrorism and immigration, after a policewoman was killed by a Tunisian man in Paris on April 23. InfoMigrants reviews the current laws on immigration and legalizing undocumented foreigners in France.
Info Migrants
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BARMM
BARMM extends Ramadan aid to 12K Cotabato City residents
At least 12,895 families from seven villages here received the Ramadan humanitarian aid extended by the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).
Philippine News Agency
MAGUINDANAO AND COTABATO CITY
Cotabato to revive “No Movement Sunday” after spike in virus cases
The Cotabato City Inter-Agency Task Force on COVID-19 is set to re-implement the “No Movement Sunday” policy beginning May 9, due to a rise in infections in the city. In March, the city recorded 63 COVID-19 cases and 115 in April.
Mindanews
LANAO PROVINCES
MAFAR takes charge in distributing gov’t farmlands in Marawi and Lanao del Sur
The Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) has passed on to its counterpart in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) the responsibilities and obligations of distributing idle government-owned lands in Marawi City and Lanao del Sur to qualified beneficiaries of the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP) as provided for under Executive Order No. 75 of 2019.
Philippine Information Agency
BASILAN
SULU
TAWI-TAWI
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DRUGS
Operations/ Incidents
Gunman rescues drug suspects, wounds 2 cops in Zamboanga
The Zamboanga City Police Office (ZCPO) is investigating the identity of a gunman who rescued two drug suspects from police custody here and wounded two police officers in the process around 4:47 a.m. Thursday.
Philippine News Agency
Anti-drug ops net 313 suspects in Caraga
Police arrested 313 suspects in its illegal drug campaign from September 2020 until May 5 this year, the Police Regional Office (PRO) 13 (Caraga) reported Thursday.
Philippine News Agency
P1-M shabu, gun seized in surprise raid at Cebu City jail
The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency-Region 7 (Central Visayas) confiscated illegal drugs, a gun and ammunition during a surprise inspection at the male dormitory of the Cebu City Jail on Thursday.
Philippine News Agency
3 drug peddlers yield P17.5-M 'shabu' in Caloocan buy-bust
Police and anti-narcotics agents have arrested three suspected drug pushers and seized some PHP17.5 million worth of shabu in a buy-bust operation in Caloocan City on Wednesday night.
Philippine News Agency
Recovery and Rehabilitation
ILLICIT FIREARMS, EXPLOSIVES, AND AMMUNITION
CROSS-BORDER TRADING/ SMUGGLING/ COUNTERFEIT GOODS
BOC NAIA intercepts 20,000 tablets of undeclared ivermectin
As the government regulators prepare to conduct clinical trials for the use of ivermectin to treat Covid-19, the Bureau of Customs (BOC) intercepted 20,000 underdeclared capsules of ivermectin and other regulated drugs at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) in Pasay City.
Philippine News Agency
HUMAN TRAFFICKING
5 Shocking Details From the Testimony of Young Filipino Women Trafficked to Syria
From some of the poorest provinces in the Philippines, they wanted better jobs as domestic workers abroad. But instead of working in oil-rich Middle Eastern countries like the United Arab Emirates, several young women—including three teenagers—were sent to war-torn Syria, where they faced physical, psychological and in at least one case sexual abuse.
Vice
KIDNAPPING/ ABDUCTION
Soldier, 2 others nabbed in Sibugay botched robbery hold-up
A businessman escaped unscathed in a botched robbery hold-up while the three suspects, including a soldier, were arrested in pursuit operations in Zamboanga Sibugay province, a top police official said Thursday.
Philippine News Agency
ILLEGAL GAMBLING
ILLICIT FINANCIAL TRANSACTIONS/ EXTORTION
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Dismissed cop, 3 others face raps for NegOr village chief’s slay
A dismissed Philippine National Police (PNP) personnel and three others who were arrested Wednesday at a checkpoint in Vallehermoso, Negros Oriental are facing murder raps in relation to the daytime gun-slay of a village chief in Dauin, a town about 30 minutes south of this capital.
Philippine News Agency
'End quiet diplomacy': Groups urge Canada to act vs abuse under Duterte
Human rights groups on Wednesday, May 5, urged the Canadian government to take necessary action against the "epidemic of rights violations" under Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte. Speaking before a Canadian parliamentary hearing, Karapatan secretary-general Cristina Palabay emphasized that the Duterte government's anti-terrorism framework is damaging democracy in the country.
Rappler
Press Freedom/ Freedom of expression
Cinco de Mayo: ABS-CBN workers recall shutdown
Journalists and media workers of television giant ABS-CBN held an online solidarity night on May 5, a year after the network was denied its franchise to air on free television.
Bulatlat
Martial Law
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COVID-19
Cases
PH logs 6,637 new COVID-19 cases; recoveries inch closer to 1M
The country logged 6,637 new COVID-19 cases on Thursday, the Department of Health's latest bulletin showed. Of the 1,080,172 total infections, 63,170 are active cases or patients who are still stick. The DOH added that 94.3% are experiencing mild symptoms, 1.9% are asymptomatic, 1.2% are critical, 1.6% are in severe condition, and 1.03% only have moderate symptoms.
CNN Philippines
Department of Health
IATF/NTF COVID-19
World-class facilities assure no vax spoilage: Galvez
All vaccines for coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) are regularly monitored to prevent spoilage and wastage, National Task Force (NTF) Against Covid-19 Chief Implementer Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr. reported during the Cabinet meeting Wednesday night.
Philippine News Agency
PH to get up to 7M doses of Covid-19 vax in May: Galvez
The Philippines will start receiving the bulk of coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) vaccines of up to 7 million doses this month, said vaccine czar Sec. Carlito Galvez Jr., also chief implementer of the National Task Force (NTF) Against Covid-19.
Philippine News Agency
Herd immunity in high-risk areas will usher in economic revival
The government will strategically allocate coronavirus vaccines to urban centers with high infection rates to contain the further spread of the virus.
Philippine News Agency
Regions
Luzon including NCR
Manila vaccine rollout reaches more than 100K so far
The city government of Manila has already inoculated 105,212 individuals with the first dose of the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) vaccines as of Wednesday.
Philippine News Agency
Ship with suspected Covid-19 infected crew to dock in Manila
A ship suspected to be carrying a crew infected with the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) has been allowed to dock in Manila for emergency medical aid. In a statement on Thursday, the Department of Health (DOH) said two crew members of the MV Athens Bridge, which flies the flag of Panama and is carrying a crew of 21 Filipinos, are in critical condition.
Philippine News Agency
Visayas
PRRD lauds creation of Visayas vax operations center
President Rodrigo R. Duterte has lauded the Office of the Presidential Assistant for the Visayas (OPAV) for streamlining local government efforts in the vaccination rollout through the Visayas Covid-19 Vaccination Operations Center (VVOC).
Philippine News Agency
Mindanao
Sara cites Dabawenyos’ discipline for low Covid-19 cases
Mayor Sara Z. Duterte said the discipline and sacrifices of the Dabawenyos during the pandemic are getting results as coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) cases in the city are currently on a downtrend.
Philippine News Agency
World
Diplomatic, Development and Private Sector
Russia authorizes one-dose Sputnik Light vs. Covid-19
Russia has authorized a single-dose vaccine against the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) called Sputnik Light, a potential way to increase the global vaccine supply as several countries face massive outbreaks.
Philippine News Agency
Incidents and Violations
Editorial, Analysis, Opinion and Features
OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT
Duterte open to formal debate with Carpio
President Rodrigo Duterte is willing to hold a formal debate with former Supreme Court justice Antonio Carpio on the West Philippine Sea (WPS) issue, Malacañang said on Thursday.
Philippine News Agency
Palace renews call for world leaders to act on climate change
Amid the hot and humid weather being experienced in most parts of the country, Malacañang on Thursday renewed its call for world leaders to act on reducing emissions in the fight against climate change.
Philippine News Agency
Palace: Duterte to get second Sinopharm COVID-19 shot
President Rodrigo Duterte will take a second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine developed by Chinese state firm Sinopharm, even after he told Beijing to take back the doses that it donated, Malacañang said on Thursday.
ABS- CBN News
OFFICE OF THE VICE PRESIDENT
AUDIT, GRAFT, AND CORRUPTION
ARTA calls for review of WB’s Doing Business report
THE Philippines’ red tape watchdog is urging the World Bank (WB) to review the methodology of its flagship Doing Business report, raising concerns about the data collection method.
Business World
BUDGET, FINANCE, and TAXATION
BSP issues new rules to protect banks, financial system from rogues
Tighter checks on hiring by banks and regular monitoring of current employees for behavioral “red flags” would help weed out “unprincipled personnel” with the potential of damaging the financial system through rogue activities.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
Metrobank aims to raise P10B via bond offering
Ty family-led Metropolitan Bank & Trust Co. (Metrobank) ventured into the local bond market on Thursday with the goal of raising at least P10 billion for fresh working capital.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
BUSINESS, ECONOMY AND INVESTMENT
IIF: PH a laggard in ‘uneven’ Asean-5
In what it described as an “uneven” recovery among emerging economies belonging to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean)-5, the Washington-based Institute of International Finance (IIF) saw the Philippines among the laggards in the region due to its inability to contain COVID-19, slow mass vaccination and prevailing high consumer prices.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
BSP says digitalization drive to boost PH economic efficiency, lower costs
The policy framework of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) continues to evolve as the regulator recognizes the “wide-ranging implications of digitalization” on central banking functions in a more interconnected world, its chief said on Thursday (May 6).
Philippine Daily Inquirer
Economists see PH’s longest post-Marcos recession extending to 1st quarter of 2021
Two economists on Thursday (May 6) said they expected not only a bigger year-on-year contraction in gross domestic product (GDP) in the first quarter of 2021 but also output that is smaller than the fourth quarter of 2020, which would extend the Philippines’ longest recession since the fall of the Marcos dictatorship.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
BUILD, BUILD, BUILD and PUBLIC WORKS
BGC-Ortigas bridge opening eyed on Independence Day
The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) will open the Bonifacio Global City (BGC)-Ortigas Bridge on June 12.
Philippine News Agency
CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS
DISASTER AND EMERGENCY RESPONSE
Magnitude 5.1 quake jolts Davao del Sur
A magnitude 5.1 earthquake jolted Davao del Sur on Thursday afternoon, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) reported. The tectonic quake's epicenter was recorded around 2:21 p.m. some 7 kilometers northwest of the municipality of Magsaysay. It had a depth of 20 km.
Philippine News Agency
DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
Wear mask or face arrest: DOJ
The Palace order for law enforcers to arrest individuals not wearing face masks, a violation of public health protocols, is immediately executory.
Philippine News Agency
DEFENSE AND SECURITY
Armed Forces of the Philippines
AFP Bares New Defense Plan Amid Incursions
The military is shoring up the country’s internal and territorial defense with the implementation of a Philippine Marines (PM)-borne operational and fighting concept dubbed as archipelagic coastal defense (ACD) seen as the first line of action and strategy in defending the country’s territory in case of war and armed conflict.
Business MIrror
Philippine National Police
Eleazar's appointment as new PNP chief 'best choice': Romualdez
House Majority Leader Martin Romualdez on Thursday hailed the appointment of Lt. Gen. Guillermo Eleazar as the new Philippine National Police (PNP) chief, saying President Rodrigo Duterte has made the “best choice”.
Philippine News Agency
Police widens search for 8 missing persons in GenSan
The city police has created a special tracker team to expand the investigation and continuing search for eight persons, including four minors, who have been reported missing since last month.
MindaNews
EDUCATION
INFORMATION, COMMUNICATION AND TECHNOLOGY
Gov’t seeks refund from ‘terminated’ free Wi-Fi project
The foreign contractor of the government's free Wi-Fi program has until Friday to turn over the project to the Department of Information and Communication Technology (DICT) officials and return the funds earmarked for it, Malacañang said on Thursday.
Philippine News Agency
Fiber internet connection complements free gadgets in San Juan
The San Juan city government has expanded its blended learning capacity by establishing a Fiber Optic Internet and Learning Management System for public school students.
Philippine News Agency
ELECTION RELATED
Duterte urged to run for VP
Civic, social and nongovernment organizations and the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao have joined the call for President Rodrigo Duterte to run for vice president (VP) when his term ends next year.
Manila Times
ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES
P190-K hot logs seized in Agusan Sur
The Agusan del Sur Police Provincial Office (ADSPPO) and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) have arrested two suspects and seized PHP190,498 worth of illegally gathered lumber and forest products in separate operations conducted Wednesday afternoon.
Philippine News Agency
LABOR
DOLE rejects one of Debold’s last schemes; KMU hails stoppage of ‘evil attempt’
General Debold Sinas may not get everything he wants after all as the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) rejected the implementation of one of his last projects as outgoing chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP). In a letter, DOLE secretary Silvestre Bello III dismissed as additional red tape Sinas’ proposal for the imposition of the National Police Clearance System (NPCS) on everyone who wishes to transact with the department.
Kodao Productons
LEGISLATIVE
Senate of the Philippines
Probe OSG data breach—De Lima
Senator Leila De Lima on Thursday sought an investigation into the serious data breach of court documents from the Office of the Solicitor General.
Manila Standard
House of Representatives
House to draft bill creating offices for energy consumers
The House Committee on Energy on Thursday tasked a technical working group (TWG) to consolidate proposals that provide for the national energy policy and framework for electric power advocacy.
Philippine News Agency
Solon backs proposal to tap 'underboard' nurses as health workers
A leader of the House of Representatives on Thursday backed the proposal of Speaker Lord Allan Velasco to tap unregistered nurses as additional health workers to supplement the current health workforce in the country amid the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) pandemic.
Philippine News Agency
LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS (LGUs)
DOLE to provide contact tracers to LGUs outside 'NCR Plus'
The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) is ready to assist local government units (LGUs) outside the National Capital Region (NCR) Plus that require contact tracers.
Philippine News Agency
OFFICIAL DEVELOPMENT ASSISTANCE
FOREIGN RELATIONS
Duterte, Saudi Crown Prince discuss Kafala system, pandemic
President Rodrigo Duterte on Wednesday night received a phone call from Saudi Arabia Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to discuss recent efforts to reform the Kafala system and ramp up cooperation to address the Covid-19 pandemic, Malacañang said on Thursday.
Philippine News Agency
West Philippine Sea
PH to defend territory even without PCA ruling: DND
The Philippines is committed to protecting its rightful territories even without the 2016 Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) ruling which invalidated Chinese claims over the West Philippine Sea, the Department of National Defense (DND) said on Thursday.
Philippine News Agency
PCG to hold 2nd leg of maritime exercise in WPS next week
The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) on Thursday said it is set to hold the second leg of its maritime exercise in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) next week.
Philippine News Agency
Senators laud PCG stand on West PH Sea
Recent developments in the contentious West Philippine Sea, where Chinese militia vessels dispersed after being challenged by the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), are the latest testament to the consistent policy of Malacañang to assert claims on its waters.
Philippine News Agency
Locsin seeks clarification on 2012 pullout from Scarborough Shoal
Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin, Jr. on Thursday said it is "time to come clean" on who ordered and why the country pulled out its ships during the Scarborough Shoal standoff with China in 2012.
Philippine News Agency
FOOD AND AGRICULTURE
DA exec urges LGUs to thwart pork price manipulators
A ranking official of the Department of Agriculture (DA) on Wednesday said local government units, including this city, must already start activating their respective local price monitoring councils over a noted rise in the prices of pork.
MindaNews
High meat, fuel prices kept PH inflation elevated in April
The Philippines’ inflation rate remained at 4.5 percent year-on-year in April even as meat, especially pork, remained expensive while transport and fuel costs climbed amid normalizing global oil prices, the government reported on Wednesday.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
HOUSING and SETTLEMENT
POVERTY
SOCIAL WELFARE AND DEVELOPMENT
Completion of DSWD ‘Listahanan’ beneficiaries seen before yearend
The Department of Social Welfare and Development’s (DSWD) third version of the National Household Targeting System for Poverty Reduction (NHTS-PR), otherwise known as Listahanan 3, is now on its validation and finalization phase after it received the go signal to resume operations.
Philippine News Agency
TRANSPORTATION
TOURISM
Sarangani bans non-residents from its top tourist destinations
Sarangani province’s top tourist destinations will be off-limits to non-residents starting Saturday, May 8, as it closes down its borders anew to non-essential travel until the end of the month due to the increasing COVID-19 cases.
Mindanews
WATER and ENERGY
Water sector left high and dry, say gov’t experts
After decades on the table and two years after a jarring wake-up call that was the supply crisis which hit Metro Manila and adjacent provinces, there is still no central authority that would regulate the Philippine water resources industry.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
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