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DA asking for 19% of DBM’s Tier-2 budget

THE Department of Agriculture (DA) said it will ask for P69 billion in Tier-2 budget funding for 2019, after the Budget department called on government agencies last month to make proposals to tap the P362.3-billion Tier-2 budget for new projects in 2019.
Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel F. Piñol, who will meet with the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) to defend his proposal, expressed confidence that the DA’s improved utilization of funds will help it achieve its budget goals, even though its proposal, if granted, will take up more than a sixth of the available money.
Budget Secretary Benjamin E. Diokno has said “funding pressures” from military pension reform, among others, will need to be addressed in 2019, and also suggested that the DBM will be selective in approving Tier-2 as a result of those pressures.
“The first thing that we will have to justify when we meet with DBM [is] our capability to absorb [a large budget]. I’m happy to report that the Department of Agriculture was able to [absorb] 94.6% of its budget allocation,” he added, referring to the department’s utilization rate for 2017.
Mr. Piñol, in a social media post, said the failure to use 100% of its P45.9-billion budget in 2017 was due to failed bids and the non-implementation of some foreign-funded projects.
“[The higher utilization rate in 2018] was mainly because of our quarterly review of our budget utilization and cash utilization,” he added.
“So, the first-quarter budget utilization seems to indicate that we are capable of absorbing a huge budget because our budget utilization almost hit 100% in the first quarter.”
Under its Tier-2 proposal, Mr. Piñol said that P10 billion will be allotted to an easy-access credit program to help wean farmers away from outright subsidies.
Other Tier-2 funding proposals are P4.88 billion for the rice program and P1.7 billion for corn, with fisheries to be allocated P16 billion to support procurement by the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources. — Anna Gabriela A. Mogato

Philippines moves to attract research and technology expertise

New legislation approved by Congress in March aims to incentivize scientists and researchers based overseas to return home to deepen the research and development (R&D) talent pool.
The Balik Scientist Act, approved by the Senate in early March, is expected to be ratified by President Rodrigo R. Duterte and come into force by the end of the first half of 2018, according to Senator Paolo Benigno A. Aquino IV, one of the bill’s sponsors.
The act expands upon the Balik Scientist Program, introduced in the mid-1970s to encourage researchers to repatriate their skills through economic incentives and assistance programmes administered by the Department of Science and Technology (DoST).
According to Representative Jose Maria C. Salceda, one of the legislation’s principal authors, the act aims to, “strengthen the scientific and technological human resources of the academe, public institutions and domestic corporations to promote knowledge sharing and accelerate the flow of new technologies into the country.”
The reforms should help address the current shortfall of scientific personnel: the country has 189 scientists per million people, according to data filed with Congress, far behind other economies in the region like South Korea and Malaysia, which have 5,300 and 2,000 per million, respectively.
PRIORITIZING RESEARCH AND INCENTIVIZING PERSONNEL
Within the range of changes to be implemented following the act’s ratification, approved researchers returning to the Philippines for a short period of time will be allowed tax and duty exemptions on imported professional equipment and materials, free medical and accident insurance while in-country, and reimbursement of baggage expenses related to scientific projects.
For those making a long-term or permanent move, benefits include support in securing job opportunities for the scientist’s spouse, schooling allowances for children, a relocation subsidy, a monthly housing or accommodation stipend, and funding for the establishment and development of a facility or laboratory.
The legislation specifically targets industries that are priorities for the government, including artificial intelligence, biomedical engineering, energy, agriculture and food technology, ICT, pharmaceuticals, electronics, genomics, health, nanotechnology and cybersecurity.
CONNECTING HIGHER EDUCATION AND INDUSTRY
If the scheme succeeds, it is likely to both serve as a template for universities to develop new education and research programs in the fields prioritized by the government, as well as attract the teaching expertise necessary to deliver them.
While the Commission on Higher Education currently provides funding for the retraining of teachers in fields prioritized by the government, the approach has not been enough, according to Fr. Dionisio M. Miranda, president of the University of San Carlos, a private research university based in Cebu.
“They poured in money for research and the development of faculties, but the process has dragged on for a long time without many results,” Mr. Miranda told Oxford Business Group (OBG). “San Carlos and other universities are working hard to create new partnerships, but we find ourselves overstretched.”
INNOVATION AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP
In addition to the Balik Scientist Act, another initiative funded by the DoST is under way to enhance collaboration between academia and businesses.
Launched in mid-February, the Filipinnovation Entrepreneurship Corps embeds researchers in teams of private sector entrepreneurs and experts in a month-long training exercise.
Principally taught by experts from George Washington University and Johns Hopkins University, the program aims to enable researchers to rapidly define the commercial and societal value of their research, and equip researchers and members of the business community with the skills to attract funding and strategic partners to implement their ideas.
Collaborating with the business sector in R&D is increasingly a priority for private higher education providers in particular, as they shift their focus to industry-oriented programs to offset falls in enrolment stemming from the recent introduction of free tuition at state universities, according to Wilfred U. Tiu, president of Trinity University of Asia.
“Private universities are losing a lot of students. Some private universities are reacting by becoming more niche-focused and rebranding themselves as specialists in specific fields,” Mr. Tiu told OBG, adding that universities like Trinity are becoming “feeder” institutes to relevant industries with shortages of graduates.
 
This Philippines economic update was produced by Oxford Business Group

Diplomat flags ‘caution’ on PHL among US firms

By Camille A. Aguinaldo
UNITED STATES Ambassador Sung Y. Kim said strong competition between the Philippines and its Southeast Asian neighbors and the country’s security perception were among the many factors why American companies remained “cautious” on bringing new investments or expanding its operations in the country.
“I would like to see more US companies either expand existing operations or bring new investments and I think at the moment we’re not seeing that. I think there’s still some caution, for a variety of reasons,” he said during a media forum at the US Embassy in Manila on Thursday.
Mr. Kim noted that the Philippines’ Southeast Asian neighbors were also competitive and eager as well to attract foreign investments, citing Vietnam as being “accommodating” in its requirements to draw investments.
He also took into consideration the security situation in the country, highlighting the siege last year in Marawi City in Mindanao where government forces clashed with the Islamic State-inspired Maute group.
“I think when something like the Marawi siege happens, corporate headquarters become a bit more cautious about new investments in the Philippines or expanding existing operations,” he said.
Mr. Kim also identified US President Donald J. Trump’s “America First” trade policy of bringing back jobs overseas to the Western country.
Despite these concerns, Mr. Kim said the Philippines was still a “very attractive destination for US investments,” especially with the upgrade of the country’s credit outlook to “positive” by S&P Global Ratings.
“The largest exporter from the Philippines is a US company, Texas Instruments. The largest private employer in the Philippines is a US company, Convergy’s, in the BPO industry. Two of the largest, highest taxpayers in the Philippines are US companies, Philip Morris and Chevron,” he said.
“That gives you an indication of the depth of the economic partnership between two countries. And I remain quite positive about the economic prospects here in the Philippines,” he added.
Mr. Kim said further the overall atmosphere and tone in Philippines-US relations has improved. He also described his meetings with President Rodrigo R. Duterte as “frank, honest, direct but always cordial and professional.”
“(The Philippines and US) work together on so many fronts,… making concrete progress in so many areas…. I think it’s more important to pay more attention to what’s actually happening on the ground with actions and policies and substance rather than occasions of political rhetoric,” said the US diplomat.

Cayetano to ‘go happily’ if asked to resign over Kuwait

FOREIGN AFFAIRS Secretary Alan Peter S. Cayetano said he would step down if President Rodrigo R. Duterte asks him to and if personnel under his agency lose faith in him.
Mr. Cayetano also disclosed that some embassy personnel in Kuwait were facing kidnapping charges over their rescue efforts in behalf of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) there. But he maintained that no crime was committed on their part.
“If the President wants me to go, I will go happily and I will continue to support him. If a majority in the Department of Foreign Affairs says, ‘We cannot follow you,’ I have no business being here,” he told reporters at the airport in Pasay City after the arrival of expelled Philippine Ambassador to Kuwait Renato O. Villa Wednesday evening.
Mr. Cayetano was responding to news reports that DFA career diplomats allegedly sent a letter to Malacañang calling for his resignation and that of his appointees over the diplomatic conflict with Kuwait. He confirmed that there were resignation calls but said this did not come from career officials as reported.
“Now, if there are people making calls, it’s their privilege and I respect that. But don’t use the name of the Department, of the career officials unless they really made the calls. There was a senator, an ex-congressman who did call for my resignation. But if you’re going to use the career officials, let them speak for themselves,” Mr. Cayetano said.
In his meetings with the DFA personnel, Mr. Cayetano said they understood his decisions over the developments with Kuwait, even if they disagreed with his direction on the matter.
He also welcomed Mr. Villa who arrived in Manila Wednesday evening after being expelled by the Kuwaiti government due to the rescue efforts of the Philippine Embassy in the Persian Gulf state.
“I feel with pride and honor that I have been given the opportunity to serve our country, and most especially our kababayan (countrymen), fellow Filipinos, in Kuwait for almost three years,” Mr. Villa said.
IMMUNITY
On the kidnapping charges against Filipino embassy personnel in Kuwait, Mr. Cayetano said, “In layman’s terms, they were charged with kidnapping. (Kuwait) is saying that it’s like they kidnapped the OFW who was inside the house. We are explaining that we don’t respond unless, first, we coordinate with them.”
“They’re covered by diplomatic immunity, and even if they’re not, there was no crime. But they said, we have to sort it out, they have to investigate. We’re getting near to understanding each other,” he added.
Mr. Cayetano noted that 35 of 38 rescue efforts were coordinated with Kuwaiti authorities.
He reiterated the Philippines’ appreciation of Kuwait’s desire to “move forward” from the diplomatic row between the two countries.
“The positive response we have received from Kuwait now provides us with an excellent opportunity to write a new chapter that should allow us to overcome any and all future challenges between our two countries,” he said.
Mr. Cayetano also appealed to the public to remain calm as recent developments on this issue were “part of the misunderstanding.”
For his part, Presidential Spokesperson Harry L. Roque, Jr. said Mr. Cayetano has “no reason” to resign.
“I think he still has the full trust and confidence of the President, and I think what we have in Kuwait is something that can be overcome eventually, sooner or later,” Mr. Roque said in his press briefing on Thursday.
On whether Mr. Duterte intends to hold anyone accountable for the current diplomatic crisis, Mr. Roque said: “We are deferring to Secretary Cayetano for the time being. It is his subordinates.”
Regarding a planned meeting between the Philippines and Kuwait, Mr. Roque said, “Nothing is etched in stone. We [do] not [have] tickets…. We are hoping, not sure yet.”
He added that Malacañang is “hoping to normalize” the country’s relation with Kuwait “soon.”
In his forum on Thursday, US Ambassador Sung Y. Kim said when asked about a suggestion for the United States to act as third-party mediator: “We extend our best wishes to both countries to resolve this difficult situation and if we can be helpful, I’m sure my colleagues in Washington would consider any such requests seriously.”
Mr. Kim also emphasized it was hard for him to comment further since the US was not yet approached on the matter. — Camille A. Aguinaldo with Arjay L. Balinbin

Senate leaders clarify change of leadership claimed by colleague

SENATOR Panfilo M. Lacson on Thursday disclosed a possible change of leadership at the Senate within the year with Senate Majority Leader Vicente C. Sotto III assuming the post of Senate President Aquilino L. Pimentel III, with the latter focusing on his reelection bid in next year’s midterm polls.
“I understand there’s already an understanding between Senator Sotto and Senator Pimentel. But as to when it will be executed or implemented, we do not know. Knowing Senate President Pimentel, he won’t change his mind with that kind of discussion,” he said at the Kapihan sa Senado media forum.
But when sought for comment, both Senate leaders denied having such discussions on who would be Senate president in the coming months.
“No agreement. But will talk to Senator Sotto immediately upon arrival. Then (we will) hold major caucus,” said Mr. Pimentel, who is currently in Vienna, Austria, in a mobile phone message to reporters.
“There is no direct agreement between Koko and I. No two senators can merely (agree) on any position of leadership. It is a consensus of majority of all the members if a leadership position is vested,” Mr. Sotto said in his text message to reporters.
In the same forum last week, Mr. Sotto said he was open to the Senate president post if it was given to him.
Mr. Lacson said the change in leadership would likely happen either in June or July when Congress resumes session after the sine die adjournment or around October at the latest as Mr. Pimentel files his certificate of candidacy.
He added that senators from the majority bloc would support the leadership change, especially if there was already an agreement between the two Senate leaders.
“We will all respect the agreement and vote according to what has been agreed upon,” Mr. Lacson said.
Mr. Lacson later issued an apology on Twitter after the Senate leaders denied having an agreement. “An apology is in order and is therefore offered to SP Pimentel. It was my understanding that a leadership change in the Senate between him and Sen. Sotto does exist,” he said in his tweet. — Camille A. Aguinaldo

DoJ chief: Witness protection for Napoles to end May 26

By Dane Angelo M. Enerio
JUSTICE Secretary Menardo I. Guevarra on Thursday said alleged pork barrel-scam mastermind Janet L. Napoles’s provisional coverage under the Department of Justice’s (DoJ) Witness Protection Program (WPP) will end “around May 26,” three months after she was accepted into the program on Feb. 27 by Mr. Guevarra’s predecessor, Vitaliano N. Aguirre II.
“She will lose her security protection for witness duty, which was the only thing granted her under her provisional coverage,” Mr. Guevarra said.
He also told reporters: “After that, we will re-evaluate whether her admission in the WPP should be extended or terminated.”
When asked if Ms. Napoles has applied for an extension, Mr. Guevarra said “no she has not.”
Ms. Napoles, who surrendered to former president Benigno S.C. Aquino III in 2013 over graft and plunder charges for the alleged misappropriation of government funds amounting to P10 billion, was placed under provision admission of the WPP after she submitted an affidavit, the contents of which the DoJ classified as confidential.
The Sandiganbayan in a resolution on April 5 denied for lack of merit Ms. Napoles’s motion to be transferred to the custody of the DoJ’s WPP.
She is currently under the custody of the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) after her request to be transferred to a housing facility maintained under the WPP was denied by the anti-graft court.

ConCom introduces presidential power to declare war

By Charmaine A. Tadalan
A Sub-panel of the Consultative Committee (ConCom) on Charter Change has introduced a provision allowing Congress to grant the president of the proposed federal government the power to declare war.
The provision to be added in the Article on the Legislative Branch states that “in the event Congress is unable to convene, the President, as Commander-in-chief, has the power to declare the existence of the state of war, and shall exercise all powers necessary.”
This power, however, is still subject to limits as prescribed by Congress. It was also noted there are no provisions specifying this situation in the 1987 Constitution.
Retired associate justice Antonio Eduardo B. Nachura explained that if circumstances render Congress unable to pass measures necessary to cope in a state of war, the president will have to take over. “If Congress can no longer do that because they cannot meet because precisely of (the war) then the president will have to come in, and declare the state of war and perform such functions as (it) will be performed by Congress,” Mr. Nachura, who chairs the Subcommittee on the Structure of the Federal Government, said in a press briefing on Thursday.
Mr. Nachura clarified the existence of state of war means there is rebellion, invasion or any kind of hostilities of “such magnitude (that) threatens the very existence of our country, (and) the safety of our people.”
He added: “The annotation here precisely will speak of war within the context of international law.”
The Subcommittee arrived at the proposal on grounds that the president as commander-in-chief has access to information with regards to military activities and war reports. Mr. Nachura assured that Congress can safeguard the country from abuse of power.
“If Congress can meet at any time after that (declaration of a state of war), they can of course (decide) to undo what the President has done,” he said.
On another matter, the Subcommittee also revised the ruling that vests in the Senate and House Electoral Tribunals the authority to judge electoral contests of congressional members.
The provision instead proposed to create a five-member special division under the Court of Appeals (CA) to function as “sole judge of all contests relating to the election, returns and qualifications of Senators and Members of the House of Representatives.” The special division will be constituted by a majority vote of all members of the CA.
The Subcommittee also opted to require those vying for a congressional post to be registered and “domiciled,” which means the candidate is an “actual permanent resident.” This is in addition to the new educational requirement, absent in the present Constitution.
According to ConCom spokesperson Ding I. Generoso, most of these provisions have been approved in principle in the subcommittee level. Under deliberation, however, is the provision on the composition of the House of Representatives as the panel is still discussing the mechanism to use in the system of proportional party representation.
The Subcommittee proposed that the House be composed of not more than 400 members, with 60% elected from the districts and the remaining 40% coming from political parties.

Dela Rosa to BuCor, Guerrero to MARINA

Malacañang announced on Thursday, May 3, President Rodrigo R. Duterte’s formal appointments of retired Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Ronald M. Dela Rosa as director-general of the Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) and retired Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief-of-staff Rey Leonardo B. Guerrero as administrator of the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA).
Mr. Dela Rosa is taking over the position of Valfrie G. Tabian who has been appointed the agency’s deputy director.
Mr. Guerrero replaces Marcial Quirico C. Amaro III whom Mr. Duterte fired last January due to what he claimed to be Mr. Amaro’s “excessive travels abroad.”
The President signed their appointment papers on Monday, April 30.
Mr. Duterte also signed the appointment papers of the following new prosecutors:
Roderick R. Aquino, Prosecutor I, Office of the City Prosecutor, San Fernando City, La Union.
Wallad Abdani J. Padate, Prosecutor II, Office of the Regional Prosecutor, SOCCSKSARGEN.
Jennifer Angeles B. Cahig, Prosecutor III, Office of the City Prosecutor, Baybay City.
Nikki Rose D. Esperanza, Prosecutor III, Office of the City Prosecutor, Bacoor City.
Edgar A. Ambagan, Prosecutor IV, Office of the City Prosecutor, Tagaytay City.
Ma. Victoria D. Cabrera, Prosecutor IV, Office of the City Prosecutor, Dagupan City. — Arjay L. Balinbin

PCIJ flags media killings, harassment under Duterte

By Charmaine A. Tadalan
THE Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism has recorded 85 cases of attacks and threats against the media since President Rodrigo R. Duterte assumed office on June 30, 2016.
“These cases project the force of presidential power dominating the political sphere, with zealous support from Duterte allies and appointees, and their sponsored misinformation army online and off. They have hurled at members of the press insults and unfair labels, and allegations of corruption and misconduct without firm basis in fact or in law,” The PCIJ said in a report released on Thursday, in observance of World Press Freedom Day.
The report noted “the number far exceeds those recorded under four presidents before him,” but did not specify figures from previous administrations.
Sought for comment, Penzer R. Baterna of the Center for Media Freedom and Responsibility (CMFR) said, “As far as I remember, we recorded about 59 cases under (former president Benigno S.C.) Aquino (III).”
Among the cases considered as attacks and threats to journalists are murder, death threats, slay attempts, libel, online harassment, Web site attacks, revoked registration or denied franchise renewal, verbal abuse, strafing, and police surveillance of journalists and media agencies.
Majority of the cases occurred in Luzon with 40 counts recorded in Metro Manila alone, nearly half of the total number; and 17 in balance Luzon. Visayas had 10 instances of threats and attacks, while Mindanao had 17.
It was reported as well that no cases were recorded in Cagayan Valley (Region II), the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, MIMAROPA (Region IV-B, Southwestern Tagalog) and Northern Mindanao (Region X).
Out of the recorded cases, 16 were libel cases filed by state officials or agencies, 14 were online harassment by supporters of the administration, 11 death threats that came after delivering reports critical of public officials, and nine killings of journalists.
Further, journalist killings in the Duterte administration tied with those under Mr. Aquino, but this number was higher than the recorded five killings at the time of former presidents Gloria M. Arroyo and Fidel V. Ramos in their first 22 months.
But the report also noted that the number of murders during the entire term of Ms. Arroyo was higher than the rest due to the Maguindanao massacre of 2009 which claimed the lives of 32 journalists and media workers.
The report was the result of a joint monitoring by the CMFR, National Union of Journalists of the Philippines, Philippine Press Institute, and PCIJ from June 30, 2016 to May 1, 2018.
The PCIJ said, to date, only 17 cases among 156 media killings since 1986 were resolved, but led only to the conviction of the gunmen, not the masterminds.
“A strongman president could go far, if he chooses, to improve the capacity of police for forensic investigation as well as strengthen the prosecutorial skills of lawyers working in the Department of Justice. Such efforts would redound to the benefit of all Filipinos, especially those without the means to hire their own lawyers, and not just the besieged workers of media,” the PCIJ said.

Malacañang vows to look into recent killings

MALACAÑANG SAID on Thursday that it will look into the recent killings in the country, including those of Catholic priest Mark Anthony Ventura and radio broadcaster Edmund Sestoso.
“We condemn all the killings. I can assure you that the government is doing its part in fulfilling its responsibilities. These will be investigated, and the murderers will be punished,” Presidential Spokesperson Harry L. Roque, Jr., speaking in Filipino, told reporters in press briefing at the Palace.
He added: “To the members of the press [killed], we have the Presidential Task Force on Media Security (PTFoMS) headed by [Executive Director Joel Sy] Egco. Such cases will be given priority.”
Mr. Ventura was shot dead on April 29 in Gattaran town, Cagayan after holding Mass. The following day, Mr. Sestoso was murdered by men riding-in-tandem in Dumaguete City.
HRW ON AMO
Meanwhile, Human Rights Watch (HRW) has criticized Netflix’s latest miniseries “Amo” as propaganda for the drug war in the Philippines.
HRW Asia Division Director Phelim Kline, in an opinion piece, accused the show of presenting “a sinister revisionist take on an ongoing human-rights calamity.”
The Duterte administration’s campaign against illegal drugs has been repeatedly criticized by HRW, along with other local and international groups.
A related case against President Rodrigo R. Duterte has been filed before the International Criminal Court.
Critics claim that deaths related to the drug war have reached as much as 12,000 since the start of the campaign in July 2016.
The Duterte administration has denied such number.
Mr. Kline said the series “Amo,” directed by Brillante Mendoza — who has won international film awards and a known Duterte supporter — failed to elaborate on the police executions done mostly to the marginalized sector. — Arjay L. Balinbin and Gillian M. Cortez

Duque faces new Dengvaxia complaint

HEALTH SECRETARY Francisco T. Duque III on Thursday was slapped with another criminal complaint over the alleged Dengvaxia-related death of 13-year-old Jan Syn Bataan, in addition to a similar complaint filed on April 19.
The victim’s parents, Darwin and Merlyn Bataan, charged Mr. Duque, former Health secretary Janette L. Garin, several government officials, and officials of Sanofi Pasteur, Inc. and Zuellig Pharma Corp. with reckless imprudence resulting in homicide and for violation of the Anti-Torture Act of 2009 for their involvement in the previous administration’s mass Dengue vaccination program.
They claim Mr. Duque is liable as he was the incumbent head of the Department of Health head when the young Bataan was vaccinated on Nov. 29, last year.
Mr. Duque had previously described these complaints, submitted with the help of Public Attorney’s Office (PAO) chief Persida V. Rueda-Acosta, as “full of malice” and “harassment.”
ACOSTA ON COA REPORT
In another development, Ms. Rueda-Acosta has denied alleged anomalies in PAO disbursements as flagged by the Commission on Audit (CoA).
“Hindi po iyan red flag (That is not a red flag),” she told reporters Thursday, reacting to the CoA report released on April 30 tagging as anomalous PAO’s release of funds for the design and construction of a new office building without all the necessary documents.
According to the report, the complete documentary requirements to support the Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) between PAO, the National Housing Authority, and the Department of Public Works and Highways “were not submitted inconsistent with the provisions of the MoA.”
PAO released two separate checks for the project worth P1.8 million and P3 million.
Ms. Rueda-Acosta explained that the payments were “progressive billing,” where they release funds “pag may natapos na na phase dun sa design (once a phase is completed in the design).” —Dane Angelo M. Enerio

Iloilo barangays in election watch list down to 28

THE PROVINCIAL Joint Security Command Center (PJSCC) has trimmed down to 28 from 88 the list of barangays in Iloilo under the election watch list areas (EWAs). In a meeting on May 2 in Iloilo City, the PJSCC recommended the declaration of 15 barangays under Category 1, 10 for Category 2, and three in Category 3. Category 1 are areas with election-related violence and incidence while Category 2 are those with the presence of the New People’s Army (CPP-NPA). Barangays with both factors belong to Category 3. Iloilo Provincial Election Supervisor Elizabeth D. Doronila said the EWAs are mostly in the first to third districts, only one from the fifth district and none from the fourth district. Ms. Doronila said the number of barangays in the watch list was reduced due to the strengthened security of the police and the military. “The members of the CPP (Communist Party of the Philippine)-NPA have already dispersed, that is why we recorded a reduction of categories 1 and 2. Their purpose in staying in those barangays is to recruit members,” she said. The list will be submitted for verification and approval by the Regional Joint Security Command Center. — Louine Hope U. Conserva

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