National

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” […]

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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 […]

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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 […]

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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 […]

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DFA allays concerns of diplomats amid declaration of martial law in Mindanao

QUEZON City, Philippines – The Department of Foreign Affairs has allayed some concerns of members of the diplomatic corps amid the martial law declaration in Mindanao. Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano invited the diplomats to a closed-door meeting recently for this. “There were questions, just like the questions of the Philippine media, why the whole Mindanao, How long, what is the scope, how powerful is this group and everything. And we tried to simplify. Many of […]

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Authorities confirm presence of foreigners fighting with Maute Group in Marawi

QUEZON City, Philippines (Eagle News) — Authorities have confirmed that there were foreigners fighting alongside the Maute Group in Marawi. Senator Cynthia Villar  said that this was admitted by security officials in a briefing called by the Senate early this week. Authorities confirmed that of the 33 extremists who were killed in the clashes with the government in Marawi, eight were foreigners—two Saudi men, a Chechen, an Indian, two Malaysians, Yemeni and an Indonesian. “This is not a […]

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Congress approves proposal for free tuition in state colleges and universities

QUEZON City, Philippines (Eagle News) — The two houses of Congress have approved a measure that would pave the way for free tuition in all state colleges and universities. The Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act only needs President Rodrigo Duterte’s signature before it can become law. Congress is set to transmit the measure–authored by Senators Sherwin Gatchalian and Bam Aquino—to Malacanang for Duterte’s signature. Under the bill, a Filipino citizen who passes the college entrance […]

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MILF says it is willing to provide humanitarian assistance to civilians caught in crossfire in Marawi

QUEZON City, Philippines (Eagle News) – The Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) has welcomed President Rodrigo Duterte’s appeal for them to help government troops in their fight against Islamic State-inspired groups in Mindanao. According to MILF chairman Al Haj Murad Ebrahim, their group was willing to give humanitarian assistance to civilians who are still caught in the fire fight, particularly in Marawi City. The MILF leadership made the statement in a meeting with  Duterte, his security advisers, and Armed […]

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House approves reso expressing support for martial law declaration in Mindanao

(Eagle News) — The House of Representatives on Wednesday approved a resolution expressing support for President Rodrigo Duterte’s declaration of martial law in Mindanao. The approval of the Lower House convening as a Committee of the Whole was made after 249 congressmen attended an executive session, which saw defense officials explaining the situation in Marawi, and the basis for the President’s proclamation. The approval came a day after the Senate approved an amended resolution that […]

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Defense chief Lorenzana: Martial law proclamation in Mindanao “imperative”

(Eagle News) — Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana emphasized on Wednesday that President Rodrigo Duterte’s imposition of martial law in Mindanao was “imperative.” Lorenzana issued the statement after minority bloc senators noted the defense secretary had said in a May 29 executive session that security forces could contain the Maute group in Marawi even without the martial law proclamation. The senators made the revelation in arguing for the convening of a joint session of Congress that […]

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89 Islamist terrorists killed in Marawi City; 90 percent of city cleared of extremists by gov’t forces

91 firearms from Maute group recovered by gov’t forces (Eagle News) — At least 89 members of the Islamist terrorists, including the Maute group, had been killed and about 90 percent of Marawi City had been cleared of the extremists, according to government authorities in their latest report. In the MIndanao Hour briefing on Wednesday, May 31, presidential spokesperson Ernesto Abella said that the 89 Maute casualities were confirmed by eyewitness accounts and body count. […]

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President Duterte OKs setting up of “peace corridor” to hasten humanitarian, rescue ops in Marawi; MILF to help secure the “safe space”

(Eagle News) — President Rodrigo Duterte has approved the creation of a “peace corridor” to hasten humanitarian and rescue operations for those trapped in Marawi, where government troops continue to fight terrorists. Presidential spokesperson Ernesto Abella  said in a Mindanao Hour briefing on Wednesday that the peace corridor was a “secure space” that would allow goods to reach Marawi residents, and allow safe passage of retrieved bodies, among others. He said the Moro Islamic Liberation […]

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