National

Family of murdered Filipino transgender demand to see accused at detention facility

Family members and the boyfriend of a murdered transgender Filipino gathered outside the detention facility where the U.S. serviceman accused of killing him is allegedly being held on Wednesday (October 22) demanding to see proof he is on Philippine soil. Earlier on Wednesday, the United States had transferred U.S. Private First ClassJoseph Scott Pemberton to a detention facility under U.S. guard at the main headquarters of the Philippines’ Armed Forces. Pemberton is accused of murdering Jeffrey Laude, who also went […]

Aquino defends military agreement with the US despite murder inquiry

Philippine President Benigno Aquino on Wednesday (October 22) defended the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) with the United States amid calls to scrap the treaty after an American serviceman was charged with the murder of a Filipino transgender. U.S. Private First Class Joseph Scott Pemberton is accused of murdering Jeffrey Laude, who also went by the name Jennifer, in Olongapo City, about 50 km (30 miles) north of Manila. Speaking at an annual forum of the Foreign Correspondents Association of thePhilippines, Aquino said the case will […]

DOH declares RITM ready for Ebola, sets training for healthcare professionals

MANILA, Philippines (Eagle News Service) — The Department of Health (DOH) has declared that the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM), the country’s National Reference Center for Emerging and Re-emerging Infectious Diseases, is now more prepared to respond to the threat of Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) but still needed upgrading to better handle a possible Ebola entry in the country. Health Secretary Enrique Ona said that the existing facilities of RITM still need to be upgraded […]