News Update
As of December 19, 2017 (Tuesday)
1. Manila Bulletin
34 buried in landslide feared dead
1As of Monday afternoon, at least 40 people have been reported dead – most of them in Biliran, which suffered the worst of the landslides, with many homes buried. Rescuers used bulldozers to dig through mountains of mud in Biliran and other parts of the Visayas to search for at least 34 people missing but rescuers searching for survivors were not optimistic.
Urduja, which weakened into a tropical depression, is finally on its way out of the country after making a total of six landfalls in the Visayas and Palawan over the last three days.
https://news.mb.com.ph/2017/12/19/34-buried-in-landslide-feared-dead/
2. Philippine Star
No reason for nationwide martial law — Bato dela Rosa
Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Director General Ronald dela Rosa believes there is no reason yet to place the entire country under martial rule. However, he said that would assess the situation and confer with his 17 regional directors before making his recommendations to President Duterte. “
When my subordinates, my regional directors, recommend „sir, it‟s best to have martial law,‟ it is my obligation to recommend it to the President,” he said. He further said that as Chief Executive, it is Duterte‟s prerogative to expand martial law.
http://www.philstar.com/headlines/2017/12/19/1769788/no-reason-nationwide-martial-law-bato-dela-rosa
3. Daily Inquirer
BI installs biometrics-based computer system at airports
The Bureau of Immigration (BI) is now implementing a new biometrics-based computer system in airports in a bid to detect and thwart the entry of undesirable aliens. Called the border control information system, the biometrics-based technology is being used in processing all passengers entering and exiting the country‟s international airports.
BI Commissioner Jaime Morente said the new software had been in place for the past two weeks at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport. “Aside from speeding up passenger processing time, the system can detect attempts by fugitives and terrorists to enter the country, even if they if they are in disguise,” he said.
http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/953517/bi-installs-biometrics-based-computer-system-at-airports
4. Manila Times
Police, military shift focus to NPA rebels
The Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Armed Forces of the Philippines will shift their focus to the New People‟s Army (NPA) ahead of the upcoming anniversary of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP).
The police force expects the communist armed group to launch its own offensives just before the 49th anniversary of CPP on December 26. The NPA is the armed wing of the CPP.
http://www.manilatimes.net/police-military-shift-focus-npa-rebels/369520/
