Dear Rappler readers,

Will the decades-old conflict between the Philippine government and the Communist Party of the Philippines may finally end? There is reason to be optimistic. Over the weekend, negotiators representing the Philippine government and the National Democratic Front (NDF) signed a historic joint statement on the resumption of peace talks.  The Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) followed through by issuing an indefinite ceasefire order in response to a similar order previously issued by President Rodrigo Duterte to the military. In Latin America, the Colombian government also makes progress in peace talks with rebel forces as parties also issue a ceasefire on Sunday to end over half a century of fighting. Closer to home, Singapore reports more locally transmitted cases of the Zika virus while the Philippine government aims have bus terminals operational by 2018 in a bid to decongest Metro Manila traffic.

Alleged top Iloilo drug lord, wife gunned down

Barely a week after their meeting with DILG Secretary Ismael Sueno, suspected Iloilo drug lord Melvin “Boyet” Odicta Sr. and his wife Merriam Regalado Odicta were shot while walking from a 2GO ship to the passengers’ exit area at the Caticlan Jetty Port and Terminal. 

PH cinemas to run public service ads vs illegal drugs soon

Directed for free by award-winning filmmaker Brillante Mendoza, the video are part of the government’s intensified campaign against illegal drugs in the Philippines and will be run in 300 local cinemas.

What’s wrong with the Dangerous Drugs Act?

A strict law passed 14 years ago, it failed to stop the multi-billion peso illegal drug trade. Rappler examines why: read part 1 and part 2. 

It’s ceasefire season

Sunday, August 28, was a day for ceasefires. In Colombia a historic midnight ceasefire is expected to end a 52-year-old war between the Colombian state and FARC rebels. In Oslo, Norway, the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) also issued a unilateral indefinite ceasefire order to all the units of its armed wing New People’s Army (NPA), thus fulfilling its commitment in the recently concluded first round of peace talks with the Philippine government.

166 exceptions to FOI order in draft manual

After the President signed the executive order that mandates full public disclosure by all offices under the executive branch, the palace over the weekend released the draft manual containing a list of 166 exceptions to the FOI order. Some are concerned: is the list too long?

South, southwest bus terminals operational by 2018

These terminals will be the end-point for about 1,642 provincial buses currently entering Metro Manila daily and are expected to help decongest main thoroughfares.

Singapore reports 41 locally transmitted Zika cases

A day after announcing its first locally transmitted case, that of a 47-year-old Malaysian woman resident, the government reported 40 more – mostly foreign workers at a construction site.