National

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 […]

PAGASA confirms onset of rainy season

(Eagle News) — The country’s weather bureau has confirmed the onset of the rainy season after recording the “occurrence of widespread rainfall” in most of its stations in the last five days. The Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said that there had been “intermittent to continuous rains and thunderstorms” that it had monitored in the past few days. “The occurrence of widespread rainfall recorded in most PAGASA stations monitored in the last […]

Several congressmen urge support for President Duterte, as House holds session on martial law declaration in Mindanao

(Eagle News) — Several congressmen took up the cudgels for President Rodrigo Duterte on Wednesday, as the Lower House held a session that is expected to determine the fate of his martial law proclamation in Mindanao. House Majority Leader Rodolfo Fariñas said Duterte was “correct” in saying he would listen to the military and the police in connection with the declaration of martial law in Mindanao. According to Fariñas, it was “not the duty” of the […]

Voting 12-9, senators junk resolution for joint session on martial law

(Eagle News) — Voting 12-9, the Senate on Tuesday night junked the resolution of the minority bloc requesting a joint session to review and revoke the martial declaration in Mindanao. The 12 senators who voted to junk the minority bloc’s resolution are the following: 1. Sonny Angara 2. Nancy Binay 3. JV Ejercito 4. Richard Gordon 5. Gringo Honasan 6. Panfilo Lacson 7. Loren Legarda 8. Manny Pacquiao 9. Vicente “Tito” Sotto III 10. Cynthia […]

Senate: No revocation of martial law in Mindanao at this time

(Eagle News) — The Senate adopted on Tuesday night an amended resolution that emphasized there would be no revocation of President Rodrigo Duterte’s declaration of martial law in Mindanao at the moment. Seventeen senators–all from the majority bloc— adopted Senate Resolution no. 388, which incorporated amendments introduced by Senator Francis Escudero. Of the Senate majority bloc, only Escudero and Senator Grace Poe did not sign the earlier version of the resolution. Those who did not vote […]

President Duterte cannot ignore Congress and Supreme Court on implementation of martial law – Sen. Escudero

QUEZON City, Philippines (Eagle News) — Senator Francis Escudero said that President Rodrigo Duterte cannot set aside the decision of Congress and the Supreme Court on the implementation of martial law. Escudero reiterated that the constitutional provisions about martial law were put in place in order to safeguard against possible abuses. “Sa ilalim kasi ng Saligang Batas, sa totoo lang wala naman na ngipin ‘yung martial law. Mas psychological ‘yun more than anything else,” Escudero […]

Malacañang will respect Congress and Supreme Court on implementation of martial law in Mindanao – Abella

QUEZON City, Philippines (Eagle News) – Presidential Spokesperson Ernesto Abella has clarified a recent statement by President Rodrigo Duterte that he would follow the assessment of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine National Police in connection with the declaration of martial law in Mindanao. “The President meant that those who really, are truly aware of the situation, are the military and the police. This is not meant to bypass the Supreme Court or the legislative,” […]

Authorities urge terrorists fighting gov’t troops in Marawi to surrender

Authorities on Tuesday urged the terrorists fighting government troops in Marawi to surrender. “We are giving those inside an opportunity to surrender. There is still a chance to lay down your arms,” military spokesperson Brigadier-General Restituto Padilla said over dzbb radio. “If you do that, it will be better so no one else will be dragged into this, no more buildings will be destroyed.” According to Ernesto Abella, presidential spokesperson, the call for the terrorists to surrender was made “to […]

Classes in Marawi City may not resume yet, says ARMM assemblyman; temporary ceasefire urged to rescue remaining civilians in city

  QUEZON City, Philippines (Eagle News) — Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) Assemblyman Zia Alonto Adiong said that it was impossible for classes to open in Marawi City as scheduled on June 5, because there are schools that have been burned down by the Maute Group and the teachers have already fled. The Department of Education has earlier set June 5 as the date for the opening of public schools. Adiong is also calling […]

Minority bloc senators reiterate call for joint session of Congress to deliberate on martial law declaration in Mindanao

(Eagle News) — Members of the minority bloc in the Senate on Tuesday reiterated their call for a joint session  of Congress to deliberate on the basis of the declaration of martial law in Mindanao. Senator Antonio Trillanes IV said that while they expressed “unanimous support” for government forces fighting in Marawi, and “recognize the gravity of the situation there,” there was still a need to discuss whether the declaration of martial law  was “the right response of […]

Maute Group, sangkot sa iligal na droga ayon sa PNP

(Eagle News) – Kinumpirma ng Philippine National Police na may kinalaman sa iligal na droga ang Maute Group. Ayon kay PNP Chief Director Gen. Ronald dela Rosa, bago pa man siya maupo sa kaniyang pwesto, nakatanggap na sila ng impormasyon na nagtipun-tipon ang karamihan sa mga drug lord sa Metro Manila, Luzon at Visayas sa Marawi City. Ayon  sa heneral, protektado ng Maute Group at mga narco-politician ang mga nasabing drug lord. Ibinunyag ito ni Dela […]

Seguridad sa mga paliparan sa bansa, mas hinigpitan

(Eagle News) – Mas hinigpitan na ng Philippine National Police-Aviation Security Group ang seguridad sa lahat ng mga paliparan sa bansa. Inilatag na ni PNP-AVSEGroup Director Chief Supt. Sheldon Jacaban ang isang nationwide security plan na magpapaigting sa pagpapatrolya sa mga paliparan at checkpoint sa lahat ng pasukan at labasan ng mga terminal. Nakasaad sa naturang security plan, na ang mga road safety marshal ay itatalaga sa airport terminals kung saan magsasagawa ng random paneling ang mga Special Operations […]