'NPA committed 1,506 crimes, rights violations in past decade’
The New People’s Army has committed a total of 1,506 atrocities and International Humanitarian Law violations in the last 10 years beginning 2010, including the abduction of 544 children who were forced to become child warriors – 304 of them boys and 240 girls – according to the Armed Forces of the Philippines.
Manila Standard
1,506 atrocities in 10 years justify CPP-NPA terror tag
The sheer number of atrocities committed by communist terrorists from 2010 to 2020 against civilians and military personnel justifies their designation as a terror organization.
Philippine News Agency
Designation list not glorified red-tagging: NTF ELCAC exec
An official of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF ELCAC) on Monday said there is a huge difference between designation and red-tagging.
Philippine News Agency
Defense department red-tags UP, PUP in House hearing
The Department of National Defense (DND) red-tagged the University of the Philippines (UP) and the Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP) once more on Monday, May 17, during a House committee on higher education hearing that tackled the UP-DND accord.
Rappler
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3rd Infantry Division Commander cites LGUs’ support for sustained funding of NTF-ELCAC
Major General Eric C Vinoya, Commander 3rd Infantry (Spearhead) Division appreciates the support of various Local Government Officials in Western Visayas for the sustained funding of National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC).
Kalinaw News
Escalante City Task Force-ELCAC, Business Sectors convene in anti-Insurgency Campaign
The 79th Infantry (Masaligan) Battalion in partnership with the 65th Special Action Company (6SAB), PNP-SAF and the Local Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (LTF-ELCAC) of Escalante City conducted a Peace Advocacy Symposium (PAS) to the Business Sectors within the city on May 14, 2021 held at Brgy Alimango, Escalante City, Negros Occidental.
Kalinaw News
Army gets all out support from Medina, Misamis Oriental in Ending Local Communist Armed Conflict
Following the recent Inter-Local Agency Partnership Agreement (ILAPA) signing with the Local Government Unit of Medina, the 58th Infantry “Dimalulupig” Battalion (58IB) together with the Medina Municipal Police Station conducted “Hatid Serbisyo Program” in Brgy. San Jose, Medina, Misamis Oriental on May 13, 2021.
Kalinaw News
Peace talks
Incidents/Operations
Landmine blast at NPA camp in Iloilo wounds soldier
A government soldier has been wounded after a landmine exploded during an encounter at a temporary encampment of the New People’s Army (NPA) in Miag-ao town, Iloilo province over the weekend.
Manila Bulletin
5 NPA rebels surrender in Cagayan
FIVE members of the New People’s Army (NPA) surrendered to the police in Sto. Niño town, Cagayan province as a result of the PNP’s Lingkod Bayanihan Project, police regional office 2 (PRO2) said on Sunday.
Manila Times
Guihulngan cops continue to pursue 10 suspects tagged for May 14 killings
Police of Guihulngan City in Negros Oriental are intensifying their manhunt operations against the 10 identified suspects, who were allegedly responsible for the killing on Friday, May 14, of five alleged government informants in the city.
Cebu Daily News
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Terror law orals end: SC asks Te to explain tweets, skips Esperon and TRO
After nine days of sessions in the course of 4 months, petitioners are not bringing home an injunction against the anti-terror law, but instead a show cause order against one of their own.
Rappler
No more interpellation of Esperon as SC concludes anti-terrorism law oral arguments
The Supreme Court on Monday decided not to continue the interpellation of National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon during the conclusion of the oral arguments on the anti-terrorism law.
CNN Philippines
NTF-Elcac: Comparing ATC reso to red-tagging waters down gravity of terrorism
The National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-Elcac) on Monday dismissed comparisons between “red-tagging” and the Anti-Terrorists Council’s (ATC) designation of 29 individuals as “terrorists,” saying that it “waters down” the gravity of terrorism.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
2 retired magistrates present opposing views on Anti-Terror Law case
Two retired magistrates gave opposing views on the petitions questioning the legality of the Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020 (ATA).
Philippine Daily Inquirer
MARAWI
SOUTHEAST ASIA AND THE WORLD
Extremist Women and How to Counter Them
Amid images of men clad in body armor and outrageous costumes storming the Capitol on January 6, unnerving stories emerged of seemingly ordinary women participating alongside them. Rachel Powell, a mother of eight and a regular at her local farmers’ market, broke through the Capitol’s windows and directed rioters with a bullhorn. Dawn Bancroft, a CrossFit franchise owner, sent videos to her children, bragging about her involvement and exclaiming, “We were looking for Nancy to shoot her in the friggin’ brain.”
Inkstick Media
The climate crisis and violence in Africa: A deadly correlation fueling extremism and insecurity
Climate change poses serious security threats in Africa. Global organisations, regional communities and countries are increasingly recognising this fact, but that isn’t enough — urgent action is needed.
Daily Maverick
Pentagon Plans to Monitor Social Media of Military Personnel for Extremism
AS PART OF the Biden administration’s crackdown on domestic extremism, the Pentagon plans to launch a pilot program for screening social media content for extremist material, according to internal Defense Department documents reviewed by The Intercept, as well as a source with direct knowledge of the program.
The Intercept
America and its Allies Lack a Plan for Dealing with Violent Extremism
If America is to get a handle on domestic terrorism—no matter what its source—it will have to implement a comprehensive national rehabilitation and re-entry program for convicted extremists and their family members.
The National Interest
Widened ban on "extremists" exercising religious freedom
Religion Law amendments – which come into force in October – ban those the state considers – rightly or wrongly – to be extremists from participating in religious groups. They also ban commercial entities (such as bookshops) from including a religious affiliation in their name unless they were founded by a centralised religious organisation (or, for NGOs, get their approval). Olga Sibiryova of the Moscow-based SOVA Center warns that "the wording of the amendments is very imprecise and leaves room for interpretation" by police and prosecutors.
Forum 18
Switzerland’s new ‘Guantanamo-style’ terrorism law draws international criticism
From the UN to Amnesty International, fears abound that a new Swiss anti-terror law, which grants sweeping new powers to police to prevent future attacks, threatens Switzerland's heritage as a human rights leader.
The Local
DHS warns of possible uptick in domestic terrorism with easing of COVID-19-related restrictions
US Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro N. Mayorkas has issued a National Terrorism Advisory System (NTAS) Bulletin after consultation with the Intelligence Community and law enforcement partners. The NTAS Bulletin advises that the United States is facing threats that have evolved significantly and become increasingly complex and volatile.
Continuity Central
End the Nakba now
Palestine is under siege. Since Monday, Israeli airstrikes have hammered Gaza without relief, decimating homes, workplaces and media offices. As of Thursday, Israel had killed over 109 Palestinians, including 27 children, as the number of wounded soared to 580. A ground invasion is now underway.
Bulatlat
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BARMM
Duterte remains supportive of Bangsamoro transition extension
THE PALACE on Monday said President Rodrigo R. Duterte remains supportive of the peace pact between the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), and the extension of the transition body that seeks to normalize the situation in the conflict-torn region of Bangsamoro in southern Philippines.
Business World
Duterte leaves Bangsamoro transition extension to Congress
President Rodrigo Duterte will let Congress act on measures seeking for the extension of the transition period in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) until June 30, 2025, instead of 2022, Malacañang said on Monday.
Philippine News Agency
‘Congress OK needed to extend Bangsamoro transition’
Despite the recent violence in Maguindanao, President Duterte remains supportive of a bid to extend the transition period for the Bangsamoro government, Malacañang said yesterday.
Philippine Star
BTA-BARMM eyes early approval of region’s education code
Members of the Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA), the interim lawmaking body of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), are eyeing the approval of proposed Bill No. 70 or Bangsamoro Education Code (BEC) this week.
Philippine News Agency | Bangsamoro Government
MAGUINDANAO AND COTABATO CITY
Southern Philippines: Govt Troops Kill 5 Suspected Militants in Weekend Clashes
Five suspected members of Filipino militant groups with links to Islamic State extremists were killed in separate clashes with government forces in the southern Philippines over the weekend, the military said Monday.
Benar News
LANAO PROVINCES
15 traffickers nabbed in Lanao Sur belong to `Picong shabu `cartel’
The 15 drug dealers nabbed May 14 in Picong, Lanao del Sur belong to the “Picong cartel” circulating 30 kilos of shabu monthly in the province, officials said Monday.
NDBC News
World Vision Ph hands over school supply kits to Marawi learners
To promote child protection and support the education of learners in this city, the World Vision Philippines distributed supply kits to pupils in five schools. World Vision targets to hand over kits to 1,679 learners as part of its Urban Child Protection Project. Of this, 217 kits have been distributed to learners from H. Hassan Elementary School (ES) in Barangay Malimono.
Philippine Information Agency
Iligan City takes pride in homegrown talents
ILIGAN City’s homegrown talents will be showcased by the Archangels in the 2021 Chooks-to-Go Pilipinas VisMin Super Cup’s Mindanao Leg.
Business Mirror
BASILAN
Explosives recovered in Isabela
The 98th Infantry Battalion of the Philippine Army recovered 28 improvised explosive devices (IEDs) in four different locations in Sitio Divisoria, Barangay Disulap, San Mariano, Isabela on May 13.
Manila Times
3 Abu Sayyaf bandits killed in Basilan clashes
THREE Abu Sayyaf bandits were killed in two separate clashes Sunday, May 16, with government security forces in the province of Basilan, the military reported Monday, May 17.
Sunstar Zamboanga
SULU
TAWI-TAWI
Another MNLF camp ‘peacefully’ dismantled in Tawi-Tawi
Government troops and the provincial government peacefully dismantled an unregistered camp of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) in Tawi-Tawi, military officials announced Monday.
Philippine News Agency
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DRUGS
Operations/ Incidents
PNP, PDEA to craft protocols to prevent misencounters
The Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) will craft operational guidelines and protocols which will be observed by the two agencies to avoid misencounters during the conduct of anti-illegal drug operations.
Philippine News Agency
Recovery and Rehabilitation
ILLICIT FIREARMS, EXPLOSIVES, AND AMMUNITION
CROSS-BORDER TRADING/ SMUGGLING/ COUNTERFEIT GOODS
NFWM, Customs seize P17.5-M smuggled cigarettes
THE Naval Forces Western Mindanao (NFWM), in coordination with the Bureau of Customs (BOC), seized early Monday, May 17, some P17.5 million worth of smuggled cigarettes off Zamboanga City.
Sunstar Zamboanga
HUMAN TRAFFICKING
KIDNAPPING/ ABDUCTION
ILLEGAL GAMBLING
ILLICIT FINANCIAL TRANSACTIONS/ EXTORTION
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‘DAR to DOOR’ speeds up CLOA distribution in NoCot
The provincial office of the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) in North Cotabato is intensifying the distribution of more than 1,800 Certificates of Land Ownership Awards (CLOAs) to beneficiaries across the province.
Philippine News Agency
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IP kids' parents aggrieved parties in trafficking case: RTF-ELCAC
Groups that are critical of the rescue of indigenous peoples (IP) minors in Cebu by an inter-agency task group last Feb. 15 hide the truth that parents of the children were present during the anti-human trafficking operation and were in fact the private complainants and aggrieved parties in the case, the Regional Task Force to End Local Armed Conflict (RTF-ELCAC) in Western Visayas said Monday.
Philippine News Agency
Bantayog welcomes Chico River monument replica in QC
A replica of a monument in Kalinga province had been installed at the Bantayog ng mga Bayani in Quezon City on Saturday, May 17, in a bid to further introduce three of its honorees to residents of the National Capital Region.
Kodao Productons
Post Mactan: What Happened to Magellan’s Expedition?
Monday, May 17, 1521 was 63 days later after Magellan’s expedition landed on Homonhon Island. This year, as Filipinos commemorated the quincentennial arrival of the Spanish colonizers to our islands, there have been various events across the country providing the citizens with moments to look back to what took place on March 16, 1521.
Mindanews
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Press Freedom/ Freedom of expression
Martial Law
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COVID-19
Cases
Philippines records 5,979 new COVID-19 cases; total nears 1.15 M
The Philippines on Monday reported 5,979 fresh cases of COVID-19, pushing the country's total to 1,149,925. The Department of Health also reported 72 additional fatalities, the lowest in six days, bringing the death toll to 19,262. On May 11, there were 59 deaths, according to the ABS-CBN Investigative and Research Group.
ABS- CBN News
Department of Health
DOH to regions with rising COVID cases: Submit more samples for genome testing
The Department of Health (DOH) has asked health authorities in Mimaropa, Cagayan Valley, Soccsksargen, and other regions showing an increase in COVID-19 cases to submit more samples for the testing of COVID-19 variants.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
IATF/NTF COVID-19
NTF reminds LGUs to ensure safety protocols in jab sites
The National Task Force (NTF) Against Covid-19 will work closely with local government units (LGUs) to heighten health and safety protocols during the vaccine rollout.
Philippine News Agency
Regions
Luzon including NCR
91% of quarantine aid of given to beneficiaries in NCR Plus
A total of 91 percent of the social aid for residents of the National Capital Region (NCR) and four adjacent provinces has been distributed already, Interior Secretary Eduardo Año said in a statement issued on Monday.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
Visayas
Mindanao
South Cotabato taps new housing project as isolation center amid ‘critical’ COVID-19 situation
The provincial government of South Cotabato will tap a newly-completed housing project in Tupi town as temporary isolation center for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients as the area’s situation has reportedly reached the “critical stage” due to the increasing infections.
Mindanews
President Duterte’s ex-wife gets Sinovac COVID-19 jab
President Rodrigo Duterte’s former wife, Elizabeth Zimmerman, 73, received Monday her first dose of CoronaVac, the 2019 coronavirus disease (COVID-19) vaccine developed by Chinese biopharmaceutical firm Sinovac, Mayor Sara Duterte said.
Mindanews
Koronadal to give cash aid to COVID-19 positives
The city government here will provide financial assistance to workers, households and barangays that are directly affected by the continuing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.
Mindanews
Entire village in NoCot town on lockdown due to COVID-19 spike
The local Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) on novel coronavirus disease (Covid-19) will place a village in Carmen, North Cotabato under lockdown status due to rising virus infections.
NDBC News
World
Diplomatic, Development and Private Sector
Incidents and Violations
Editorial, Analysis, Opinion and Features
[Editorial] Vaccine waste and delays
Considering the government’s already painfully slow COVID-19 vaccination pace, the prospect of having 2 million doses of the precious life-saving jabs expiring and going to waste would be a staggering development.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT
Duterte says he won’t allow any intrusion in Philippine Rise
“Benham Rise is exclusively Philippine property. I have made it clear to all, to the world: I will not allow any intrusion there,” President Rodrigo Duterte said in a taped public address that aired on Monday night.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
OFFICE OF THE VICE PRESIDENT
AUDIT, GRAFT, AND CORRUPTION
BUDGET, FINANCE, and TAXATION
March dollar remittances rose for second straight month as eased travel curbs boosted OFW deployment
Expatriate Filipinos sent home more dollars in March as the deployment of workers increased with the easing of travel restrictions, according to the central bank.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
BUSINESS, ECONOMY AND INVESTMENT
Rising share of debt to shrinking economy endangers PH credit ratings, says ING
Expectations of easing inflation lowered rates across the board and allowed the Bureau of the Treasury to raise P35 billion from short-dated T-bills Monday, but an international bank flagged risks of a credit-rating downgrade amid rising debt during a prolonged recession which jacked up the share of obligations to the economy slightly higher than the manageable threshold of 60 percent.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
GMA Network profit triples in Q1 2021
Television broadcast giant GMA Network Inc. saw earnings more than triple in the first quarter of 2021 as advertising sales surged and spending was kept in check.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
BUILD, BUILD, BUILD and PUBLIC WORKS
CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS
DISASTER AND EMERGENCY RESPONSE
Duterte could tap Presidential Social Fund for fire-hit PGH
President Rodrigo Duterte could tap from the Presidential Social Fund (PSF) to help repair the damage caused by fire that hit the Philippine General Hospital (PGH), Malacañang said on Monday.
Philippine News Agency
DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
DEFENSE AND SECURITY
Armed Forces of the Philippines
AFP Chief applauds improved internal security in Northern Luzon
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief of Staff General Cirilito Sobejana congratulated the troops of Northern Luzon Command (NOLCOM) for competently addressing terrorism and insurgency problems in the country’s Northern regions.
Kalinaw News
Army’s 3rd Infantry Division takes pride in AFP Chief of Staff Recognition from Negros Oriental LGU
The Army’s 3rd Infantry (Spearhead) Division (3ID) took great pride in the recognition of the AFP Chief of Staff from the provincial government of Negros Oriental.
Kalinaw News
Philippine Army participates in a VTC on basic human rights
In order to enhance knowledge and have a deeper understanding on respect for human dignity, the 91st Infantry “Sinagtala” Battalion, Philippine Army participated in the Video Teleconference (VTC) via zoom meeting on Friday, May 14, 2021 in Barangay Calabuanan in the capital town of Aurora.
Kalinaw News
Philippine National Police
PNP vows prompt action to citizens' complaints thru 'E-Sumbong'
The Philippine National Police (PNP) aims to improve its action to citizens' concerns through the launch of its enhanced complaint referral and monitoring system dubbed as 'E-Sumbong'.
Philippine News Agency
EDUCATION
Mayor Duterte still nixes regular face-to-face classes
Mayor Sara Duterte revealed Monday that she is still not considering the resumption of regular face-to-face classes, fearing the number of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) cases in the city will further rise.
Mindanews
INFORMATION, COMMUNICATION AND TECHNOLOGY
Nearly 1M sign up online for national ID
More than 800,000 have already signed up for the Philippine Identification System (PhilSys) via digital registration, according to the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) on Monday.
Philippine News Agency
ELECTION RELATED
House panel OKs tax exemption for election servers’ honoraria
A House of Representatives’ panel on Monday approved a measure exempting election servers such as members of the Board of Election Inspectors (BEIs) from having their honoraria subjected to income and other withholding taxes.
Philippine News Agency
ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES
LABOR
Plantation workers entitled to minimum wage: CA
“Pakyaw” (wholesale) workers in plantations are entitled to the minimum wage in their areas of work, the Court of Appeals (CA) said in a decision involving seven sugarcane workers dismissed by a hacienda.
Philippine News Agency
OFWs’ evacuation within Israel underway: OWWA
The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) on Monday said it is conducting an in-country evacuation of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) amid the escalating tensions in Israel.
Philippine News Agency
LEGISLATIVE
Senate of the Philippines
Senators OK holding sessions on Thursdays —Zubiri
Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri on Monday said senators have agreed to conduct sessions on Thursdays to allow them to tackle and approve priority bills.
GMA News
Senate eyes passage of revisions to Public Service Act, Foreign Investments Act
The Senate will work on passing soon the bills aimed at reviving the Philippine economy, such as the proposed amendments to the Public Service Act and to the Foreign Investment Act, among others.
Philippine News Agency
Enrile to Duterte: Marcos also blocked from buying arms from US over rights issues
Like President Rodrigo Duterte, President Ferdinand Marcos was also blocked from buying arms from the United States over human rights issues, former Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile said Monday.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
House of Representatives
LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS (LGUs)
OFFICIAL DEVELOPMENT ASSISTANCE
FOREIGN RELATIONS
West Philippine Sea
San Beda alumni criticize Duterte’s ‘defeatist’ stance on WPS
Rodrigo Duterte’s fellow San Beda University (SBU) alumni criticized the President’s statements belittling the nation’s victory in the international arbitral tribunal on the West Philippine Sea (WPS).
Kodao Productons
Duterte, Enrile question role of Trillanes in talks with China during Scarborough standoff
President Rodrigo Duterte and former Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile questioned on Monday the role of former Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV in the negotiations between the Philippines and China during the 2012 standoff at Scarborough Shoal.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
Following Enrile’s advice, Duterte says he will ignore critics of West Philippine Sea policy
President Rodrigo Duterte said on Monday that he might follow the advice of former Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile regarding the critics of his policy on the West Philippine Sea.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
Duterte tells Cabinet: No one talks about West PH Sea row except through spox
President Rodrigo Duterte has directed his Cabinet that discussions on the West Philippine Sea (WPS) dispute with China would be done internally and that a single person would be tasked to speak about it.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
FOOD AND AGRICULTURE
Current pork prices already the ‘best deal’ for consumers – importers group
The current prices of imported pork meat in Metro Manila markets may be the best deal that consumers may ever get after President Duterte over the weekend raised the imposed tariffs on pork to 10 percent from 5 percent, according to the country’s biggest importer group.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
Lowering rice tariffs, raising import volume a ‘cruel joke’
The recent presidential directive lowering tariffs on rice imports from non-Asean countries was a cruel joke on rice farmers made right in the middle of Farmers’ Month and the feast day of Saint Isidore, the patron saint of Filipino farmers.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
HOUSING and SETTLEMENT
POVERTY
SOCIAL WELFARE AND DEVELOPMENT
TRANSPORTATION
JoyRide offers jobs to out-of-work drivers, conductors
Drivers and conductors who lost their jobs during the pandemic now have the option to work for JoyRide, a motorcycle taxi and delivery service provider, through its launch of a livelihood program.
Philippine News Agency
P322-M released to PUV drivers via service contracting program
A total of PHP322.4 million have been distributed to drivers and conductors of public utility vehicles (PUV) as part of the Department of Transportation's (DOTr) and the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board’s (LTFRB) Service Contracting Program.
Philippine News Agency
TOURISM
Cops to tighten watch on leisure, tourism spots under strict GCQ
Police officers will keep a tight watch on leisure and tourism establishments that are allowed to operate in the National Capital Region (NCR) Plus, composed of Metro Manila, Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna, and Rizal.
Philippine News Agency
WATER and ENERGY
DOE clears 8 projects for grid impact studies
THE Department of Energy (DOE) has cleared 8 power projects, with capacities reaching nearly 2,600megawatts (MW), for the conduct of grid impact studies (GIS).
Business Mirror
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