National

Individuals with “Maute” surnames surrender to authorities to clear their names

QUEZON City, Philippines (Eagle News) — Individuals with the surname of “Maute” voluntarily surrendered to the National Bureau of Investigation in order to clear their names and to prove that they were not affiliated with the Maute Group. All in all, authorities said 10 who bore the “Maute” surname surfaced. They were apart from the 17 who surrendered without the same surname.   ”I tasked the NBI to conduct the investigation on the surrenderers pursuant to […]

Opening of classes postponed in some barangays in Lanao del Sur, Iligan City

(Eagle News)– Several barangays in Lanao del Sur and Iligan City will not observe the nationwide opening of classes for school year 2017-2018 on Monday (June 5). Education Secretary Leonor Briones said on Thursday this was upon the recommendation of authorities in Mindanao. Briones refused to name the selected barangays, but said the postponement of the opening of classes would apply to four barangays in Lanao del Sur, and another four in Iligan. The Department of […]

Federalism will help solve problems in Mindanao, says DILG Undersecretary

QUEZON City, Philippines (Eagle News) — Interior and Local Government Undersecretary John Castriciones said that federalism will greatly help solve the problems of Mindanao. In an interview with Net 25’s Sa Ganang Mamamayan,  Castriciones said that federalism will give local governments the ability to handle peace and order situations. “Sa aking pananaw, malaki ang maitutulong ng federalismo tungkol po dito sa problema natin sa insurgency. Pero kung titingnan po natin eh, kung ang kapangyarihan po ay […]

Acts of kindness in times of “war”

By Ellaine Fuentes Eagle News Service (Eagle News) — In the midst of confusion and violence in Marawi City, many residents decided to seek refuge in the neighboring city of Iligan. Government troops are still hunting down the remaining Maute group and their supporters in Marawi City. Fear is heavy in the air. Many have already decided to leave their homes for fear that violence may soon come knocking at their doors. Many are poor with no concrete […]

8 foreigners fighting with terrorists in Marawi killed, says Defense Chief Lorenzana

(Eagle News)– Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana on Thursday (June 1) confirmed that eight foreign militants fighting with Maute group were already killed by government troops in Marawi City. Two each were from Saudi Arabia, Malaysia and Indonesia, while one was from Yemen and another from Chechnya, a federal subject of Russia. The foreigners are suspected to be members of the Islamic State (IS). Lorenzana added that the foreigners might have entered the country via sea travel coming […]

AFP to investigate gov’t airstrike that killed 11 soldiers

QUEZON City, Philippines (Eagle News) — The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) will conduct an investigation into the bungled government airstrike in Marawi City that resulted in the death of 11 soldiers and injured several others. Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana ordered the investigation, which will be headed by AFP Chief of Staff General Eduardo Año. The AFP has already recovered the bodies of the dead soldiers. The government’s failed airstrike was part of the […]

More than 100 members of Maute Group, Abu Sayyaf ordered arrested for rebellion, other charges

QUEZON City, Philippines (Eagle News) — Defense Secretary and Martial Law Administrator Delfin Lorenzana has ordered the arrest of more than 100 members of the terrorist groups Maute and Abu Sayyaf. National Bureau of Investigation Deputy Director Ferdinand Lavin said the arrest order against 129 individuals was issued by Lorenzana and was based on the charge of rebellion against them. Of the 129 members in the charge sheet, the authorities have confirmed the identities of 95 members. […]

US Senator Cory Gardner of Colorado pays courtesy call to President Duterte in Villamor Airbase

President Rodrigo Duterte and other Cabinet members received United States of America (USA) Senator Cory Gardner of the State of Colorado at Villamor Air Base in Pasay City on Wednesday, May 31. Senator Gardner is also the chair of the Sub-committee on East Asia, the Pacific, and International Cyber Crime Policy of the USA Senate. This is the first official visit to the Philippines of the senator, who was received in a courtesy call and working […]

11 soldiers killed, 7 others wounded after gov’t aircraft misses airstrike target

(Eagle News) –Eleven soldiers were killed and seven others were wounded in a government airstrike in Marawi, prompting authorities to decide to limit the use of airstrikes to avoid government casualties. Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said authorities were investigating the “accident” that took place on Wednesday, as government troops fought to claim the Maute group’s remaining stronghold. Lorenzana, who earlier said 10 soldiers had been killed, said there were “50 to 100” terrorists “holed up in reinforced buildings” […]

PHL moves up global competitiveness rankings

(Eagle News) — The Philippines moved up the World Competitiveness Rankings this year, besting its Asian neighbors Indonesia and India, and European countries such as Russia and Italy. From 42nd place in 2016, the Philippines is now in 41st place in the list made by the International Institute for Management Development based in Switzerland. This year’s report included the results of 63 countries from Europe, the Middle East, Africa, the Asia-Pacific, and the Americas. Indonesia climbed […]

President Duterte says terrorism activities in the country are “fueled” by drug money

(Eagle News) — President Rodrigo Duterte on Wednesday made the link between terrorism and drugs in the country, saying that terrorism activities were actually “fueled” by the former. Speaking during the Philippine Navy anniversary celebration in Davao, Duterte said drug lords have sought “protection” from terrorists to “ensure the success of their business.” “So much so even Manila was already flooded (with drugs) and we had to put an apparatus to stop it,” he said. In Marawi, he said the government has “suffered […]

Gov’t should be careful when asking for help from rebel groups, says former AFP chief Biazon

QUEZON City, Philippines (Eagle News) — Former Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines Rodolfo Biazon asked President Rodrigo Duterte to be careful when asking for help from rebel groups. Biazon made the statement after Duterte urged members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, the Moro National Liberation Front and the Communist Party of the Philippines to help the government in its fight against Maute. Biazon said that there would be legal confusion if […]