Mission in peril: ‘Red-tagging’ the religious sector in the Philippines — a photo essay
Several church workers involved in the social justice and human rights ministries in the Philippines have been subjected to vilification and “red-tagging” under the Duterte government. The World Council of Churches has called on the United Nations Human Rights Council and the Philippine government to end human rights violations against church workers.
Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism
‘Genuine revolutionary, loving father and patient husband,’ Concha says of slain husband
National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) peace consultant Concha Araneta-Bocala called her late husband Reynaldo a genuine revolutionary who gave five decades of his life serving the masses of Panay Island.
Kodao Productons
NDFP calls on military to release 4-year-old son of political prisoner
“The soldiers forcibly grabbed MJ who was crying and resisting all the while. His foster parents were held at gunpoint while they were wrestling with the soldiers to get the child back. The soldiers forced the boy into the SUV, and the foster parents were almost run over by the SUV as it sped away with the boy.”
Bulatlat
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Housing program offered to ex-rebels
After having endured beds made of woven leaves and other materials, former Communist Party of the Philippines-New People's Army (CPP-NPA) rebels can now own homes under the Housing Assistance Packages for Former Rebels (HAPFR) program of the government.
Manila Times
AFP chief joins ground-breaking ceremony of housing Projects for former rebels, IPs in Zamboanga Del Norte
The Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) General Cirilito Sobejana graced the ground-breaking ceremony of 200 housing units for former rebels and indigenous people in Godod, Zamboanga del Norte on May 31, 2021. “This activity is a big step towards liberating our constituents from the grips of deception, treachery and violence of CPP-NPA.
Kalinaw News | Mindanews
NPA desperate to recover influence: DavOr guv
Davao Oriental Governor Nelson Dayanghirang said Tuesday the ambush perpetrated by the communist New People’s Army (NPA) in Mati City on Sunday was a desperate move aimed at recovering its influence over its lost mass base and supporters.
Philippine News Agency
Close to 18K ex-NPA rebels, backers yield since 2016
A military official said July 2016 to May 2021 saw the return of close to 18,000 communist rebels and supporters to the government fold.
Philippine News Agency
Peace talks
Incidents/Operations
CPP-NPA bomb expert surrenders in Iloilo
A bomb expert of the Communist Party of the Philippines -New People’s Army (CPP-NPA) has severed his ties with the terror group seeing the government is serious in its peace efforts.
Philippine News Agency
Former Rebels turn over firearms to Police in Bukidnon
A total of 18 Former Rebels (FRs) who surrendered to the 8th Infantry “Dependable” Battalion (8IB), 4th Infantry Division, PA turn over their firearms to Bukidnon Police Provincial Office (Buk PPO) earlier this day June 1, 2021 at Camp Cpt Ramon M Onahon, Provincial Headquaters, Malaybalay City, Bukidnon.
Kalinaw News
21 NPA fighters Surrender in Lebak, Sultan Kudarat
21 former fighters of the New People’s Army (NPA) surrendered to the government after a successful negotiation with the 6th Infantry Division and Lebak Municipal Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (Lebak MTF-ELCAC) today, June 1, 2021, at the Municipal Hall of Lebak, Sultan Kudarat.
Kalinaw News
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MARAWI
Solon wants to revive House subpanel on Marawi rehab
A party-list lawmaker from Mindanao on Tuesday emphasized the need to revive the House sub-committee on Marawi Recovery, Reconstruction and Rehabilitation to help oversee the necessary actions that will hasten the post-disaster recovery and normalization of the most affected communities in Marawi City, four years after it was laid to siege.
Philippine News Agency
Civic leader says gov't 'lying' about Marawi rehab being 65% done
A civic leader from Marawi disputed Tuesday the government’s claim that 65% of the rehabilitation of the city once besieged by Islamist militants is complete. Drieza Lininding, chairperson of the Moro Consensus Group, told a press briefing that the progress of the rebuilding of the city from the damage brought by the months-long fighting between government forces and Islamic State-inspired terrorists is far from what the government is claiming as basic facilities have yet to be restored in the most affected area.
Philippine Star
Marawi military camp eyed for CARP coverage
A portion of Camp Keithley, a military reservation in Marawi, Lanao del Sur, will be distributed to farmers as part of the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program.
Philippine Star
SOUTHEAST ASIA AND THE WORLD
Ten years after attacks in Norway, survivors seek to confront far-right extremism
early 10 years after Anders Behring Breivik tried to kill her on the Norwegian island of Utoeya, Astrid Hoem is back there to explain to a group of teenagers how she ran for her life and hid in a beach cove while Breivik murdered others around her.
CTV News
At least 16 members of UK armed forces investigated over extremism concerns
More than a dozen members of the armed forces have been referred to the UK’s counter-terrorism programme, according to new figures.
The Independent
Climate Change, Extremism Among Military Threats Targeted in DoD Budget Request
The Biden administration is addressing extremism in the ranks, as well as climate change, in its first proposed Defense Department budget. The budget would set aside $30.8 million to help the Pentagon improve tools to identify and address extremism among troops, and enhance training at all levels.
Military dot Com
Russian Jehovah's Witness Found Guilty Of 'Extremism'
A Jehovah’s Witness in the western Russian republic of Mari El has been found guilty of extremism and given a suspended 6 1/2 year prison sentence.
Radio Free Europe
Daesh extremists arrested in Morocco for planning attacks against military targets
Two Daesh militants were caught in Morocco after planning to carry out attacks on various military facilities, the country’s counter-extremism office said.
Arab News
Global initiative to tackle extremism through sport
The European Union is financing a new project with the participation of the International Centre for Sport Security (ICSS) and the International Olympic Truce Centre (IOTC). The two year projects aims to introduce 'fundamental changes' to tackle extremism through sport, in partnership with a number of international partners, including the University of the Balearic Islands in Spain and the European Multisport Club Association.
Gulf times
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BARMM
Don't blame COVID-19 for push to postpone Bangsamoro polls – Lacson
Senator Panfilo "Ping" Lacson on Tuesday warned of the danger of citing the COVID-19 pandemic as a major reason in the need to postpone the 2022 Bangsamoro regional elections.
CNN Philippines
[Photo] For Bangsamoro Bill
Fuslim women gathered outside the Senate building in Pasay City on Monday to push the approval of the Bangsamoro transition bill.
Manila Times
PDEA-BARMM forms task force to block drug entry through ports
The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency - Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (PDEA-BARMM) has formed a Seaport Interdiction Task Force (SITF) to curb the shipment, delivery, and transportation of illegal drugs at ports in the region.
Philippine News Agency
MAGUINDANAO AND COTABATO CITY
LANAO PROVINCES
Digital technology to boost security in Lanao del Sur
Modern technology will now boost connectivity to improve local capability in community security and transparency in public offices in two Lanao del Sur towns. Chief Minister Murad Ebrahim said the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) chose the vulnerable Butig and Piagapo towns in Lanao del Sur for the installation of VSAT (very small aperture terminal) facilities.
Manila Standard
Lanao farmers and fisherfolk receive 0% interest cash loan from MAFAR
Eighty (80) marginalized small farmers and fisherfolk (MSFF) from Lanao del Sur province each received Php25,000 non-interest bearing cash loan from the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Agrarian Reform (MAFAR). A delegation from the MAFAR regional office led by Senior Agriculturist Ramil Timpolok and Agriculture Credit Policy Council Provincial (ACPC) Focal Person Nassem Sarangani officiated May 28 the third batch of loan distribution in Marawi City.
Bangsamoro Government
BASILAN
22-year-old Abu Sayyaf member surrenders
A 22-year-old member of the Abu Sayyaf Group turned over his firearms and explosives to the military during his surrender in Basilan last Sunday. "The 22-year-old identified only as 'Ajid' and a resident of Lamitan City submitted himself to the military troops," said Western Mindanao Command chief Lt. Gen. Corleto Vinluan Jr.
Manila Times
SULU
Fire razes 4 classrooms, 2 houses, madrasah in Jolo, Sulu
A fire razed four classrooms, a madrasah and two residential houses in Jolo, Sulu on Monday night (May 31). Brigadier General Michael Bawayan, Sulu police director, said the fire started at around 11:50 p.m. inside the Laud Lambayong Elementary School in Busbus village and spread to nearby structures. It was put off more than an hour later.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
TAWI-TAWI
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DRUGS
Operations/ Incidents
Suspected drug pusher nabbed in Oriental Mindoro buy-bust
A suspected drug pusher was arrested by police in a buy-bust on Tuesday night in Naujan town in Oriental Mindoro province
Philippine Daily Inquirer
Recovery and Rehabilitation
ILLICIT FIREARMS, EXPLOSIVES, AND AMMUNITION
Ex-congressman Andaya survives ambush in Camarines Sur
Former Camarines Sur 1st District representative Rolando Andaya survived an ambush by unidentified assailants in Pili, Camarines Sur on Tuesday, June 1, police said.
Rappler
CROSS-BORDER TRADING/ SMUGGLING/ COUNTERFEIT GOODS
2 firms face raps over illegal importation of hazardous materials
Two importers are facing criminal complaints before the Department of Justice (DOJ), the Bureau of Customs (BOC) said on Tuesday.
Philippine News Agency
HUMAN TRAFFICKING
KIDNAPPING/ ABDUCTION
ILLEGAL GAMBLING
ILLICIT FINANCIAL TRANSACTIONS/ EXTORTION
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‘Kill-kill-kill mindset’ caused police officer to kill grandmother, rights groups say
Human rights groups expressed alarm at the spate of killings of civilians by police officers, with Karapatan calling for a system change within State security forces.
Bulatlat
Duterte opposes full disclosure of deadly drug raid details
The Philippine president has rejected full public disclosure of details of his administration’s deadly anti-drug crackdown, citing national security.
The Independent
Press Freedom/ Freedom of expression
CHR: Democracy needs a free press
The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) underscored the role of a free press in a democracy, even as it noted the Philippines’ steady decline in the World Press Freedom Index in the last four years
Kodao Productons
Martial Law
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COVID-19
Cases
COVID-19 deaths in PH top 21,000 as 5,177 more cases recorded
Deaths due to COVID-19 in the Philippines surpassed 21,000 on Tuesday with 46 additional fatalities, as the health department confirmed more than 5,000 fresh infections. The country's death toll due to the virus stood at 21,012, comprising 1.70 percent of the total recorded cases.
ABS- CBN News
Department of Health
IATF/NTF COVID-19
Blackouts won't endanger vaccines, says pandemic task force
Officials of the country's national task force on the COVID-19 pandemic gave assurances that the rotational power outages in different parts of Luzon will not endanger COVID-19 vaccines requiring storage at specific temperatures.
Rappler
Adult population protection by August achievable: NTF
As vaccine supply starts to stabilize, the government has entertained the possibility of the entire adult population already vaccinated against Covid-19 by August. National Task Force (NTF) Against Covid-19 Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr. said the scenario is not a mere "wishful thinking".
Philippine News Agency
Regions
Luzon including NCR
Long lines at jab sites ‘good problem’ for Manila mayor
Based on queues at inoculation sites, residents of Manila have little or no vaccine hesitancy. Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso said in an interview Tuesday with a news channel that he welcomes the “good problem” of long lines at jabs centers.
Philippine News Agency
Visayas
NegOcc marks 1st year of pioneering Covid-19 lab
The Negros Occidental provincial government commemorated the first year of the establishment of the Teresita L. Jalandoni Provincial Hospital Molecular Laboratory in Silay City on Tuesday.
Philippine News Agency
PRRD wants IATF to ‘study’ Cebu Covid-19 protocols
Cebu will comply with national policies while it awaits the National Inter-Agency Task Force’s (IATF) study on the province’s Covid-19 situation.
Philippine News Agency
Mindanao
MECQ declared in 3 Mindanao cities, 4 provinces
The cities of Cagayan de Oro, Zamboanga and Butuan, as well as four provinces in Mindanao, have been placed under the stricter Modified Enhanced Community Quarantine (MECQ) due to the surge of COVID-19 infections in these areas.
MindaNews
Davao City targets to complete vaccination of 1.2M residents by November
The City Government of Davao hopes to complete the vaccination of at least 1.2 million of its residents against coronavirus disease (COVID-19) by November this year, Mayor Sara Duterte said.
MindaNews
World
Diplomatic, Development and Private Sector
Incidents and Violations
Editorial, Analysis, Opinion and Features
[Editorial] No dose must be wasted
The blistering tropical heat has increased the use of coolers such as electric fans and air conditioners. And the power grid is feeling the surge in demand. For the past few days, several areas including in Metro Manila have experienced electricity outages as power suppliers try to prevent any widespread blackout.
Philippine Star
OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT
Duterte allows continued grant of Covid-19 special risk allowance
Healthcare workers directly in contact with Covid-19 patients will continue to receive their Covid-19 special risk allowance (SRA) under a new administrative order (AO) signed by President Rodrigo Duterte.
Philippine News Agency
OFFICE OF THE VICE PRESIDENT
'Manhid na yung iba': VP Robredo pins hope on young Filipinos in upcoming polls, urges them to vote
Vice President Leni Robredo on Tuesday said she is hoping more young Filipinos would register to vote for the upcoming national elections, stressing the importance of their voices to spark change in the country.
ABS-CBN News
Leni urges voters: Don't leave Eleksyon 2022 to chance
Vice President Leni Robredo on Tuesday called on voters to go out and register so that the 2022 elections would not be left to "chance." In an episode of former Commission on Elections (Comelec) Commissioner Gregorio "Goyo" Larrazabal's Youtube channel, Robredo lamented that some voters, particularly students, are eligible to vote but did not register for the polls.
GMA News
AUDIT, GRAFT, AND CORRUPTION
BUDGET, FINANCE, and TAXATION
Auction for 20-year reissued bonds raises P 35B
The Bureau of the Treasury on Tuesday raised P35 billion from reissued 20-year bonds amid high demand from domestic investors leaning toward securities with longer tenors.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
BUSINESS, ECONOMY AND INVESTMENT
Deutsche Bank cuts PH growth forecast to 5%
The research arm of financial giant Deutsche Bank has slashed its 2021 growth forecast for the Philippines to 5 percent, no thanks to the reimposition of stricter COVID-19 quarantine in areas accounting for half of the economy and the slow nationwide vaccination.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
DTI eases capacity limits on businesses
The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) has increased the allowable capacity for dine-in services, personal care businesses and others, although data showed that the pandemic was still far from being under control.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
[Opinion] Mining is not ‘recovery’
In the name of “recovery” from the pandemic, the Philippine government has opened up mining opportunities in the country, with the President recently lifting the ban on new mining agreements. On the heels of his order — EO 130 — came two announcements for the renewal of two agreements with large mining corporations: OceanaGold in Didipio, Nueva Viscaya, and Sagittarius Mining Inc. (SMI) in Tampakan, South Cotabato.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
BUILD, BUILD, BUILD and PUBLIC WORKS
CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS
House OKs proposed economic amendments to Charter
The House of Representatives on Tuesday night approved on third and final reading the proposal to amend the restrictive economic provisions in the 1987 Constitution.
Philippine News Agency
DISASTER AND EMERGENCY RESPONSE
Army troops rescue families from Sultan Kudarat floods
Hundreds of families were rescued and brought to safer grounds by soldiers of the Army’s 7th Infantry Battalion (7IB) as flash floods inundated low-lying areas of Isulan, Sultan Kudarat due to Tropical Storm Dante on Tuesday.
Philippine News Agency
DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
DEFENSE AND SECURITY
Armed Forces of the Philippines
Philippine National Police
EDUCATION
INFORMATION, COMMUNICATION AND TECHNOLOGY
UNDP returns P284-M to DICT after dismissing free WIFI contractor
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has so far returned PHP283.99 million to the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) after it terminated its contract with Speedcast, the contractor for its free WIFI project with the DICT.
Philippine News Agency
ELECTION RELATED
Roque says Duterte's VP run iffy
President Rodrigo Duterte will think about whether he would run for vice president in the May 2022 national elections, Malacanang said Tuesday. Presidential spokesman Harry Roque issued this statement after the ruling PDP-Laban, chaired by Duterte, adopted a resolution urging him to run for vice president in 2022.
Manila Standard
Life after the presidency of Duterte predecessors: VP run not included
Aides and party colleagues of President Rodrigo Duterte have started to nudge him into taking the plunge into the vice presidential race in 2022. Barred by the Constitution from seeking a second term as president, Duterte’s possible foray into the vice presidential campaign appeared to have no legal obstacles.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
Ruling party’s Pacquiao camp still ready to support Duterte
THE RULING party’s executive director on Tuesday asserted that the national council meeting on Monday violated their charter, but said the entire PDP-Laban remains prepared to support President Rodrigo R. Duterte in 2022 should he run as vice president.
Business World
ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES
Commission okays solid waste plans of 22 local gov’t units
THE National Solid Waste Management Commission (NSWMC) approved the solid waste management plans (SWMPs) of 22 local government units (LGUs) in May, bringing up its nationwide total of approved plans to 1,082 or 63% of the target, according to a statement from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR)
Business World
LABOR
LEGISLATIVE
Senate of the Philippines
SONA 2021 guests still limited due to COVID-19 – Sotto
The number of guests who will be physically attending the President's sixth and final State of the Nation Address next month will still be limited due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Senate President Vicente Sotto III told reporters.
CNN Philippines
Senate approves 13 hospital bills
THE Senate on Monday passed on third and final reading 13 local hospital bills seeking to improve the delivery of health care services by increasing the bed capacity of several hospitals.
Manila Times
House of Representatives
Bill on ‘roll-over’ Internet data gets House nod
All internet service providers (ISPs) may soon be required to implement a roll-over data allocation system for their subscribers wherein unused data for the month is carried over to the next month after a bill was approved on final reading at the House of Representatives on Tuesday.
Philippine News Agency
LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS (LGUs)
[Editorial] LGUs doing the heavy lifting
Local government units are bearing the brunt of the difficult task of convincing more Filipinos to get jabbed against COVID-19. With the education campaign on the benefits of vaccination hardly seen and heard — a problem compounded by the anti-Dengvaxia drive orchestrated by an administration ally, and a perceived state bias for China-made jabs that offer opaque trial results and other pertinent data — many Filipinos have had to rely on conflicting information and mixed signals from Malacañang to help them decide.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
OFFICIAL DEVELOPMENT ASSISTANCE
FOREIGN RELATIONS
West Philippine Sea
FOOD AND AGRICULTURE
LGUs urged to give post-harvest aid amid solon's ruling
Several agricultural groups have urged local government units (LGUs) to prioritize production support and post-harvest investments for agriculture and fisheries in 2022.
Philippine News Agency
HOUSING and SETTLEMENT
POVERTY
SOCIAL WELFARE AND DEVELOPMENT
Groups decry ‘shameless, stomach-churning’ politicking while poor still get no aid
With the proposed aid for displaced workers and poor families still far from getting the presidential nod, allies of the administration in the Lower House have been pushing to open up the country’s resources to the plunder of big, foreign powers and to perpetuate Duterte’s rule.
Bulatlat
TRANSPORTATION
TOURISM
Boracay now open to NCR Plus tourists
The world-renowned white sand beach of Boracay is now open to tourists from the so-called NCR Plus bubble, the local government of Malay in Aklan province announced Tuesday.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
WATER and ENERGY
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