National

DICT’s cybercrime unit coordinating with Japanese gov’t; aim is to identify person behind hoax bomb threats sent to PHL gov’t offices from Japan

(Eagle News)–The Department of Information and Communications Technology’s Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center is coordinating with the Japanese government to identify the sender of the hoax bomb threats received by several Philippine government offices. This was after the CCIC found, based on its initial investigation, that the email that contained the bomb threats recently sent to at least six government agencies and local government units, including the Department of Education division office in Bataan, the […]

Doria-Velarde appointed acting member of Pag-Ibig Board of Trustees

(Eagle News)–President Bongbong Marcos has appointed Maria Lourdes D. Doria-Velarde as acting member of the Board of Trustees of the Home Development Fund (Pag-Ibig). The Presidential Communications Office said she will represent the private sector. She replaced Mylah Roque, the wife of former Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque, the PCO said. According to the PCO, Doria-Velarde served as deputy general manager for administration of Duty Free Philippines. She was also a member of the Board of […]

MSU bombing ‘mastermind’ killed in Lanao del Sur military ops: AFP

(Eagle News)–The “mastermind” of the deadly Mindanao State University blast in Marawi last year has been killed in recent military operations, the Armed Forces of the Philippines announced on Monday, Feb. 12. In a statement, the AFP said Khadafi Mimbesa alias ‘Engineer’, was among those “neutralized” in operations led by the Philippine Army 103rd Brigade led by commander, Brig. Gen. Yegor Rey Barroquillo Jr. in Lanao del Sur province from Jan. 25 to 26. The […]

ARTA says eight convictions secured in 2024 alone

(Eagle News)–The Anti-Red Tape Authority has said it has successfully prosecuted eight cases this year alone. According to ARTA Secretary Ernesto Perez, of the eight cases, five were from the Land Transportation Office (LTO), one from an undisclosed local government unit, one from the Bureau of Fire Protection, and another from the Philippine Statistics Office. After its probe, ARTA files cases before the Civil Service Commission or the Office of the Ombudsman. Perez urged the […]

Philippine Coast Guard accuses Chinese vessels of ‘dangerous’ maneuvers

    MANILA, Feb 11, 2024 (AFP) – The Philippine Coast Guard on Sunday accused Chinese vessels of “dangerous” manoeuvres during a nine-day patrol near a reef off the coast of the Southeast Asian country. The Philippine vessel BRP Teresa Magbanua was deployed in early February to patrol the waters around Scarborough Shoal, a rich fishing ground in the South China Sea, and “ensure the safety of Filipino fishermen in the area”. The reef has […]

Northeast monsoon affecting Luzon

(Eagle News)–The northeast monsoon is affecting Luzon. According to the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration, Eastern Visayas, Caraga, Davao Region will have cloudy skies with scattered rain showers and thunderstorms. Flashfloods or landslides due to moderate to at times heavy rains are possible. Cagayan Valley, Bicol Region, Kalinga, Apayao, Aurora and Quezon will have cloudy skies with light rains. Metro Manila and the rest of the country, meanwhile, will have partly cloudy to […]

Quake halts search at Philippines landslide disaster site

MANILA, Feb 10, 2024 (AFP) – A strong earthquake in the southern Philipppines on Saturday halted a search for scores of people believed buried in a deadly landslide, forcing rescuers to vacate the area, officials said. There were no immediate reports of injuries or damage from the magnitude 5.8 quake that shook the Mindanao region at 11:22 am (0322 GMT), but rescuers were ordered to stop their search in the remote gold-mining village of Masara. […]

ICC has no jurisdiction over the Philippines: DOJ

(Eagle News)–Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla has reiterated the International Criminal Court holds no jurisdiction over the Philippines. According to Remulla, the nation, as a “sovereign entity,” possesses the “inherent right to determine our own legal framework and address internal matters without any interference from external bodies.” In fact, he said “we have consistently demonstrated our preparedness, willingness, and capability to thoroughly investigate and prosecute crimes within our jurisdiction, ensuring that justice prevails for all […]

DICT: China reached out to PHL amid reports of cyber attacks on PHL gov’t email addresses, others

(Eagle News)–China has reached out and asked for the Philippines’ cooperation following reports of cyber attacks on Philippine government email addresses and others. Information and Communications Technology Secretary Ivan John Uy said China also asked if the Philippines could share information with them. “We are open to working with everybody,” Uy said, adding that an investigation into the cyber attacks should be a mutual activity undertaken by both the Philippine government and China. As to […]

Cloudy skies, rains expected in parts of PHL due to northeast monsoon, easterlies

(Eagle News)–The northeast monsoon is affecting Northern Luzon. According to the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration, the easterlies are also affecting the rest of the country. As a result, Batanes and Cagayan will have cloudy skies and light rains. Ilocos Region, Cordillera Administrative Region, Central Luzon and the rest of Cagayan Valley, meanwhile, will have partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated light rains. Metro Manila and the rest of the country, meanwhile, […]

PHL hopes for King Charles’ “swift, full recovery” following cancer diagnosis

(Eagle News)–The Philippines on Friday, Feb. 9, expressed solidarity with the United Kingdom following the cancer diagnosis of King Charles III. “Sending my heartfelt best wishes to King Charles and Queen Camilla. The Philippines is with the United Kingdom in praying for the King’s swift and full recovery,” President Bongbong Marcos said. Earlier this week, the Buckingham Palace announced the 75-year-old’s cancer diagnosis, without revealing the type of cancer. The Buckingham Palace has clarified, however, […]

Child rescued after almost 60 hours in Philippine landslide

MANILA, Feb 9, 2024 (AFP) – The rescue of a child on Friday nearly 60 hours after a landslide hit a gold-mining village in the southern Philippines has been hailed as a “miracle” after searchers had given up hope of finding anyone alive. The girl, whose age has not been disclosed, had been among the more than 100 people missing after the rain-induced landslide hit the village, killing at least 15 people. She was found […]