News

Interloper joins ‘Made in China’ mock enemy ship sinking drills

LAOAG CITY, Philippines — A surprise guest joined Wednesday’s sinking exercise here where a “made in China” ship was made the target of naval missiles and airstrikes as part of Manila and Washington’s war games. However, the marine interloper appeared to have no sinister intention, according to Lt. Col. Omad Abdullah Al Assaf, the maritime strike lead planner for this year’s Balikatan. READ: US, PH begin striking ‘Made in China’ mock target ship...

Subway project equipment movement to affect 7 NCR roads on May 10-12

MANILA, Philippines — Traffic in several Metro Manila roads from May 10 to 12 will be affected by the transportation of the Metro Manila Subway Project’s (MMSP) tunnel boring machine (TBM) the vicinity of the Camp Aguinaldo Station. The Department of Transportation, in a social media post on Wednesday, said the following roads would be affected from May 10 to May 11, 2024 (10 p.m. to 4 a.m.) and May 11 to May 12, 2024 (10 p.m. to 4 a.m.): Port/...

Arrests after gates damaged at drone factory protest

Seven people are detained after a van damages gates and protesters climb onto the factory roof.

Today's headlines: China's claims, massive gathering in BSP, Bianca Bustamante | The wRap | May 9, 2024

Here are today's headlines – the latest news in the Philippines and around the the world: - China ups ante, says it has audio recording of ‘new deal’ arrangement with PH Wescom chief - Marcos’ Partido Federal, Lakas-CMD forge alliance for 2025 elections - Finally, Supreme Court defines red-tagging as a threat - Hundreds flock to Bangko Sentral to claim ‘hidden wealth’ - Steadily improving, Bianca Bustamante earns maiden podium finish in 2024 F1 Academy https://www.rappler.com/video/daily-wrap/may-8-2024/

Jersey road opens 17 months after fatal explosion

The section of Pier Road had been closed since the blast in Jersey on 10 December 2022.

Man guilty of manslaughter over cyclist's death

Ryan Willicombe was found guilty of the manslaughter of Sheldon Lewcock, but was cleared of murder.

Armed police seen in hospital after stabbing

A man in his 30s was rushed to Royal Berkshire Hospital with stab wounds.

DOJ to brief Marcos on ICC arrest options

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Justice (DOJ) is preparing a brief on the legal options available to President Marcos on the arrest warrants that the International Criminal Court (ICC) may issue. DOJ spokesman Mico Clavano said all options will be discussed in the briefer, including the Philippines’ possibly rejoining the ICC, “with an awareness that policy frameworks may evolve.” “The briefer will be an objective analysis of the pros...

Kenya inks deal to end doctors' strike

Kenya's government has signed a deal with striking doctors, the health ministry announced Wednesday, after almost two months of industrial action that left thousands of patients struggling to find medical care. The eight weeks of industrial action threw Kenya's public hospitals into crisis, running with a skeleton crew as patients scrambled to find treatment in the absence of doctors.

'Significant arrest' after chop shop inquiry raid

West Midlands Police carried out two raids on Wednesday, in relation to suspected "car cannibalism."

Admin allies observe Trillanes’ ouster claims now sound like evidence

MANILA, Philippines — The speculations raised by former Senator Antonio Trillanes IV on a possible destabilization plot have started to appear as corroborating evidence if the actions of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s critics are considered, a lawmaker said on Wednesday. In a press briefing in Makati, 1-Rider party-list Ramon Rodrigo Gutierrez said that while Zambales 1st District Rep. Jefferson Khonghun may have tagged Trillanes as a...

Cop chief in P9.6 billion drug haul transferred

MANILA, Philippines — The police official behind the confiscation of 1.4 tons of shabu valued at P9.68 billion in Alitagtag, Batangas last month has been transferred to another post. Maj. Luis de Luna Jr., former Alitagtag police chief, was reassigned to protect him from drug syndicates involved in smuggling large quantities of shabu into the country, according to Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Rommel Francisco Marbil. “We have to...

Pennsylvania man who pointed gun at pastor during sermon now charged with cousin's murder

Bernard Junior Polite is charged with his cousin's murder after pointing at gun at a pastor during a church service in North Braddock, Pennsylvania.

Hontiveros urges release of Ayungin ‘new model’ pact evidence

MANILA, Philippines – The “evidence” allegedly proving that a Philippine army official reached an agreement with China regarding a “new model” on Ayungin Shoal should be made available to the government, Senator Risa Hontiveros said on Wednesday. “Kung meron talaga silang recording at kung meron talaga silang transcript, they should at the least make it available to the government — to the Executive, dahil seryosong claim na naman nila yan ng...

7 BuCor officers axed over NBP strip searches

MANILA, Philippines — The Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) yesterday relieved seven officers who are under investigation for conducting strip cavity searches on female visitors of inmates at the New Bilibid Prison (NBP) in Muntinlupa. The Department of Justice (DOJ), which supervises the BuCor, has ordered an investigation into the allegations of “abusive” strip searches by prison guards. Acting NBP Superintendent Ruben Formoso signed the order for...

Policy changes backed by legislature needed to transform gov’t – Marcos

MANILA, Philippines— President Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos Jr. on Wednesday said that policy changes are needed to transform the government. During the alliance signing of Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats (CMD) and Marcos’ Partido Federal ng Pilipinas (PFP) in Makati City, Marcos said that the executive branch would not be able to change everything on its own. “Kailangan palitan natin talaga ang patakbo ng pamahalaan. Kailangan natin palitan...

Putin sends assassins to eliminate Zelensky

The Ukrainian Security Service (SBU) has announced the arrest of 2 agents accused of involvement in a Russian-coordinated plot to assassinate President Volodymyr Zelensky and other senior officials. The SBU has dismantled a network of Russian FSB agents who planned to assassinate the Ukrainian president, the agency said in a statement. The Ukrainian Security Service (SBU) arrested two colonels of the State Protection Department for their alleged...

Philippine military chief accuses China of 'malign influence effort'

MANILA (Reuters) - The Philippines' military chief accused China of a "malign influence effort" on Wednesday, after a local newspaper reported a Filipino vice admiral had made a deal with Beijing to de-escalate tensions in the South China Sea. The Manila Times published what it said was a transcript of a phone conversation during which it said a Philippine admiral had agreed to China's proposal

Marcos oversees PFP, Lakas-CMD alliance

MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Wednesday oversaw the signing of an alliance between his political party, Partido Federal ng Pilipinas (PFP), and the Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats (Lakas-CMD). READ: PFP not aiming to dominate political arena, unity is still key – Marcos Lakas-CMD is the largest faction in the House of Representatives, with 100 members out of the 300-strong lower chamber. On the other hand, PFP boasts a...

Expel Chinese embassy execs over phone wiretap – Gibo

MANILA, Philippines — Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro Jr. called on the Department of Foreign Affairs yesterday to investigate how unnamed people in the Chinese embassy in Manila allegedly recorded a supposed phone conversation between a Chinese diplomat and a top Armed Forces official discussing a so-called new model agreement on rotation and resupply missions to Ayungin Shoal in the West Philippine Sea last January. He said if proven true,...

Russia slams British claims it was involved in London 'arson attack'

Russian foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said the accusation that her country was involved was part of an information war against Moscow amdi Putin's on-going war in Ukraine.

Abalos denies destabilization plot vs Marcos admin

MANILA, Philippines — “Walang (No) credible threat as of now.” Interior Secretary Benhur Abalos Jr. made the statement on Wednesday to dismiss reports of an alleged destabilization plot against President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s administration. In a radio interview, Abalos said he was surprised to learn about the alleged destabilization move, adding that the President has the Philippine National Police’s (PNP) “solid” support. READ:...

Teodoro: DFA to probe recorded phone call between Chinese diplomat, PH military official

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) will take the lead in investigating the veracity of the alleged recorded conversation between a Chinese diplomat and a Filipino military general regarding the supposed agreement on a “new model” in the conduct of resupply missions for soldiers assigned at the Ayungin Shoal, Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro said on Wednesday, May 8. READ: https://mb.com.ph/2024/5/8/teodoro-dfa-to-probe-into-recorded-phone-call-between-chinese-diplomat-ph-military-official Subscribe to the Manila Bulletin Online channel! - https://www.youtube.com/TheManilaBulletin Visit our website at http://mb.com.ph Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/manilabulletin Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/manila_bulletin Instagram: https://instagram.com/manilabulletin Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@manilabulletin #ManilaBulletinOnline #ManilaBulletin #LatestNews

Cops tagged in PNP exec’s slay positive for gunpowder

MANILA, Philippines — The two police officers tagged in the killing of a police official in Parang, Maguindanao del Norte early this month have tested positive for gunpowder, the Philippine National Police (PNP) reported yesterday. M/Sgts. Aladdin Ramalan and Shariff Balading had traces of gunpowder on their hands, PNP chief Gen. Rommel Francisco Marbil said, citing paraffin test results. Capt. Roland Moralde, an administrative officer of the...

Kagame critic Rwigara unveils election bid

Diane Rwigara, a vehement critic of Rwanda's iron-fisted President Paul Kagame, announced Wednesday she planned to run against him in this year's elections. Join me as I run for President," Rwigara posted on X, formerly Twitter.

AFP on China claim: Audio can be forged with deep fakes

The Armed Forces of the Philippines on Wednesday said it wouldn't dignify China's claims that it agreed to "a new model" for conduct in the Ayungin Shoal, saying audio recordings could be manufactured with deep fake technology. In a statement, AFP chief of staff General Romeo Brawner said China's claim of an audio recording allegedly between Vice Admiral Alberto Carlos and a Chinese diplomat did not merit significant concern "as it appears to be...

Murderer's release rejected days before death

Victor Farrant was given a whole-life sentence for the murder of Glenda Hoskins in 1996.

Cyclist, 37, dies following crash with car

The police say officers are supporting the cyclist's family and are asking witnesses to come forward.

Wife of detained foreigner nabbed for alleged extortion

The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Anti-Organized and Transnational Crime Division arrested the wife of a detained Cameroon national after allegedly extorting money from a relative of another detainee in exchange for the latter's release. According to a "24 Oras" report by John Consulta on Wednesday, the suspect was caught after receiving a bag with P1 million marked money in an entrapment operation in Parañaque. Based on the report, the...

Filipinos want military action to resolve sea row

(UPDATE) SEVEN out of 10 Filipinos favor military action and diplomacy in resolving the West Philippine Sea (WPS) issue, an OCTA Research survey said. Results of the first quarter Tugon ng Masa survey conducted from March 11–14, 2024 showed that 73 percent of respondents wanted the administration of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to expand naval patrols and troop presence in the disputed waters. Seventy-two percent said they wanted the dispute...

P60B in emergency allowances given to COVID-19 frontliners – Marcos

MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Wednesday said that his administration was able to release nearly P60 billion in health emergency allowances (HEA) to COVID-19 frontliners. In a Facebook post late Tuesday night, Marcos said the government made the move to show how it values its frontliners. READ: Frontliners in some gov’t hospitals finally get COVID-19 incentive “Alinsunod sa ating pangako, naipamahagi na ng ating...

Go calls on govt to solve drug problem

SEN. Bong Go urged the administration of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to continue the fight against illegal drugs to ensure a safer future for Filipinos."Whatever the approach or attack of the administration now, I support it as long as the important thing is to solve the problem of illegal drugs completely," said Go, vice chairman of the Senate Committee on Public Order and Dangerous Drugs, during a committee hearing on Tuesday.The Senate...

Taiwan offers STEM scholarships to PH students

MORE than 2,000 students and officials from various schools in Luzon trooped to the SMX Convention Center Manila in Pasay City recently to check on available scholarships offered by 15 Taiwanese universities. Spearheaded by the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office (TECO), the Taiwan Ministry of Education (MOE), and the International Talent Circulation (Intact) Base Taiwan-Philippines, the academic program for Filipino students and professionals...

DepEd to shorten next school year by 15 days

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Education (DepEd) will cut the prescribed minimum of 180 school days for the coming school year 2024-2025 by 15 days to ensure that students and teachers are not in classrooms during extreme summer heat by April and May 2025. DepEd Assistant Secretary Francis Bringas said the agency plans to start SY 2024-2025 on July 29 and end it on March 31, 2025, with 165 school days or 15 days short of the 180 to 220...

Men robbed after talking to woman online

Police say the two victims were confronted by a man with a baseball bat and robbed.

1,000 march to BSP to claim ‘hidden wealth’

MANILA, Philippines — Around 1,000 people trooped to the main office of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas in Manila yesterday to claim what they described as P100 trillion in “hidden wealth” supposedly kept in the BSP. Members of the Democratic and Republican Guardians Philippines – who came from Pangasinan, Antipolo City, Iloilo and other areas – marched to a gate of the BSP head office at the corner of Mabini and P. Ocampo streets at past 9...

Ukraine responds to Russia adding Zelensky to its wanted list

Bato: I’m no destabilizer, not persecuting Marcos Jr.

MANILA, Philippines — The Senate probe on the leak of purported documents from the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) is not part of destabilization efforts against President Marcos, Sen. Ronald dela Rosa said yesterday. And despite being a party-mate of former president Rodrigo Duterte, Dela Rosa maintained that he is not in favor of calls to oust Marcos from office. In an interview with “Storycon” on One News, Dela Rosa described...

Malaysia plans to introduce ‘orangutan diplomacy’–minister

KUALA LUMPUR — Malaysia intends to gift orangutans to palm oil-purchasing countries as part of an initiative similar to China’s panda diplomacy, the commodities minister said on Wednesday. Johari Abdul Ghani said the “orangutan diplomacy” strategy would gift the endangered great apes to palm oil trading nations, especially major importing territories like the EU and India. Orangutans are critically endangered, according to the WWF, with habitat...

MP Natalie Elphicke reveals why she crossed the floor to Labour

Rishi Sunak was hit with a bombshell today as another Tory defected to Labour. Dover MP Natalie Elphicke announced she was crossing the floor just moments before Mr Sunak faced a bruising PMQs session.

Britain to expel Russian spy amid new fears over Kremlin espionage

James Cleverly told MPs that an 'undeclared' Russian military intelligence officer had been posing as Moscow 's defence attaché and had been told to leave the country.

Amsterdam police break up pro-Palestinian student protest

AMSTERDAM (Reuters) -Dutch riot police broke up a pro-Palestinian protest at the University of Amsterdam (UvA) on Wednesday, battling demonstrators who had vowed to stay put until the institution severed all ties with Israel. Protesters on barricades made of desks, fences, wooden pallets and bricks used fire extinguishers to keep the police at bay, images on the local TV station AT5 showed.

Laguna solon calls for probe into local police leadership

MANILA, Philippines — San Pedro City (Laguna) 1st Dist. Rep. Ann Matibag has called for a “comprehensive Congressional inquiry” into the local police leadership in every city and municipality, particularly the San Pedro City Police Force. In a statement on Wednesday, Matibag said that she fears the “anomalous assignments and unjust actions coming from a directive given to the police force in her city.” Matibag mentioned a series of “troubling...

Spanish minister's letters to firms in Israel drive wedge in ruling coalition

MADRID (Reuters) - The Spanish government has distanced itself from letters written by a minister from the left-wing junior coalition partner urging Spanish companies in Israel to ensure they did not abet human rights violations against Palestinians. The disavowals underscored the differences between the two partners in their approach to the war in Gaza. The centre-left Socialist Party led by

Accused Canadian serial killer trial opens in Winnipeg

Jeremy Skibicki is accused of sexually assaulting and murdering four indigenous women in Winnipeg in 2022.

Russia ramps up attacks on Ukraine’s power plants

BBC Verify has been tracking Russia's attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure.

Man on bike with machete spotted by police drone

A PCSO saw the man and was able to monitor him before officers arrived, police say.

Hong Kong court bans protest song ‘Glory to Hong Kong’

HONG KONG — Hong Kong’s appeal court on Wednesday banned “Glory to Hong Kong,” a protest song that emerged during the city’s massive democracy demonstrations in 2019. Penned anonymously, its lyrics include the slogan “Liberate Hong Kong, revolution of our times”, and the song has been all but illegal to sing or play it since authorities crushed the protests and Beijing imposed a national security law quelling dissent in 2020. Wednesday’s...

48 hours waiting time? Senators seek better port access for PH Navy ships

MANILA, Philippines — Making the Philippine Navy vessels wait up to 48 hours before allowing access to the country’s seaports is “unacceptable” and “alarming” for some senators. According to Senator Robin Padilla, naval vessels need to wait four to 48 hours before being given access to ports. It also is up to the private sector, he said, to determine how long they can stay. “Ang resulta po nito: mga delays sa kanilang mga misyon dahil sa tagal...

Ombudsman suspends Cebu City mayor Rama

MANILA, Philippines — The Office of the Ombudsman has ordered a six-month preventive suspension of Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama and seven other city government officials in connection with the administrative cases they are facing for the alleged illegal reassignment and withholding of salaries of four city hall employees. In a 10-page order approved by Ombudsman Samuel Martires on Tuesday, the anti-graft agency said it found sufficient grounds...