National

Angat Dam nears minimum operating level

MANILA, Philippines — The water level in Angat Dam is only around two meters above its minimum operating level. As of 8 a.m. yesterday, the water level in the dam was at 181.85 meters compared to its previous level of 182.15 meters. The dam’s minimum operating level is 180 meters. Patrick Dizon, Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System water and sewerage management manager, said the National Water Resources Board (NWRB) did not grant MWSS’...

PNP releases P7.62 million mid-year bonuses

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine National Police (PNP) has released P7.62 billion in mid-year bonuses to its personnel. PNP chief Gen. Rommel Francisco Marbil announced on Wednesday night that the cash benefits, allocated under the 2024 General Appropriations Act, have been credited to the individual payroll accounts of 228,893 officers and personnel. Marbil said the bonuses, equivalent to one month’s basic pay, were granted to police...

PH, Australia sign 2nd accord on understanding of legal frameworks

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine and Australian governments have signed a judicial partnership anew for a stronger relations between them and to forge a deeper understanding of their legal frameworks. During the memorandum of understanding (MOU) signing ceremony held at the Session Hall of the Supreme Court (SC) of the Philippines last May 15, Chief Justice Alexander Gesmundo said the agreement has formalized a new phase in the decades-old...

NBP probe may be whitewashed – group

MANILA, Philippines — Rights group Karapatan has warned of a possible whitewash in the investigation of strip searches on female visitors of inmates at the New Bilibid Prison (NBP) in Muntinlupa City. Karapatan secretary general Cristina Palabay said a cover-up of the case is possible after the Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) relieved low-ranking corrections officers instead of their supervisors who gave the orders on the routine strip searches...

Height of immorality to use civilians as cannon fodder, sacrificial lambs

IT is the height of immorality for President Marcos Jr.'s Navy and Coast Guard to use civilians — in this case poor fishermen — as cannon fodder, even sacrificial lambs, in the maritime-area dispute with China in the South China Sea. For planning and undertaking such a profoundly depraved scheme, those involved in it, and their bosses, especially Philippine Coast Guard spokesman Jay Tarriela, who sources say planned it, should be fired and...

Day 1 of colorum PUJ crackdown generally peaceful

MANILA, Philippines — The jeepney protest against the public utility vehicle modernization program (PUVMP) was peaceful and quiet, the National Capital Region Police Office said, despite unconsolidated transport groups vowing to continue to ply their routes. NCRPO spokesperson Lt. Col. Eunice Salas said there were no reported significant incidents and the situation was normal, even as the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board...

Hearing for double killer to take place in public

The parole hearing for Colin Pitchfork, who murdered two girls in the 1980s, is in July.

Comelec reports over 4.2 million deactivated voters

MANILA, Philippines—As of Thursday, over 4.2 million voter registrations had been deactivated for various reasons, according to data from the Commission on Elections (Comelec). READ: Comelec to ensure security measures for 2025 overseas voting In a message sent to reporters, Comelec chairman George Erwin Garcia said that 4,239,483 registrations were deactivated because of the following: Failure to vote in two successive preceding regular...

Marcos says Bamban Mayor Guo must be investigated: ‘Nobody knows her’

MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Thursday questioned how Bamban Mayor Alice Guo was elected, saying she must be investigated. Marcos said that she was not known among local leaders. “Kilala ko lahat ng mga taga-Tarlac na politiko. Walang may kilala sa kanya,” the president said in an ambush interview in Cagayan de Oro. (I know all of the politicians from Tarlac. Nobody knows her.) “Kaya nagtataka kami kung saan nanggaling...

Chinese vessels seen near Pagasa during PH Navy barracks groundbreaking

PAGASA ISLAND, West Philippine Sea — Twenty two Chinese vessels were seen loitering three to four nautical miles from Pagasa Island during the groundbreaking ceremony of a Philippine Navy barracks and a Super Rural Health Unit here, a Philippine Coast Guard official said Thursday. “There are 22 Chinese militia vessels [including] Chinese Coast Guard ships,” Coast Guard Commandant Admiral Ronnie Gavan said when he was briefing Senate President...

Scarborough convoy concludes mission, now heading back to Subic port

MANILA, Philippine — Volunteers of the civilian-led convoy that reached about 50 nautical miles from Scarborough (Panatag) Shoal have concluded their mission and will now return to Subic port, according to Atin Ito (This is Ours) Coalition. In a Facebook post on Thursday, the coalition said they had already concluded the mission after accomplishing their three earlier objectives of its voyage’s first phase. “Mission Accomplished! Volunteers for...

Spain denies port call for ship carrying arms to Israel

MADRID (Reuters) -Spain has refused permission for an Israel-bound ship carrying arms to call at the southeastern port of Cartagena, Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares said on Thursday. Albares confirmed reports that the Marianne Danica was carrying a cargo of arms to Israel and had requested permission to call at Cartagena on May 21. He said refusing permission to dock in Spanish ports was

Diplomats in PH who speak vs gov’t should be expelled, solon says

MANILA, Philippines — Members of the Chinese Embassy to the Philippines who only speak against the Philippine government should be expelled, said Manila 6th District Rep. Bienvenido Abante Jr., who believes diplomats should be mediators between countries. In a press briefing on Thursday, Abante said that diplomats often say good things about their host countries, but this has not been the way for those in the Chinese Embassy. “To be honest in my...

3 cops sacked over illegal gambling

BACOLOD CITY, Philippines — Two policemen in Negros Occidental and another in Aklan have been relieved from their posts for allegedly receiving protection money from financiers of illegal gambling. Police officials said the three, who were not identified, have been transferred to the Regional Personnel Holding Accounting Unit at Camp Martin Delgado in Iloilo while investigations are ongoing. Brig. Gen. Jack Wanky, Western Visayas police...

Int’l People’s Tribunal to conduct hearing on alleged war crimes of Marcos, Duterte admins

An international court will conduct hearings on the crimes against international humanitarian law (IHL) allegedly committed by the administrations of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and former president Rodrigo Duterte from May 17 to May 18, 2024. The International People’s Tribunal (IPT) on Thursday said several war crimes such as indiscriminate bombardment, massacres, fake surrenders, extrajudicial killings, and red-tagging will be filed...

Chinese ships block convoy’s mother boat from reaching Scarborough

ABOARD FBCA BING BING — The mother boat of a civilian convoy aiming to bring supplies to Filipino fishermen could not reach Scarborough Shoal due to shadowing by China Coast Guard (CCG) vessels. “It is not advisable to proceed because it is already risky,” Ariel Bustillos, the captain of Fbca Bing Bing, told INQUIRER.net here in the West Philippine Sea. According to Bustillos, the Atin Ito coalition’s mother boat was about 50 nautical miles away...

Marcos says no plan or reason to abolish NTF-Elcac

MANILA, Philippines – President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Thursday said there is no plan to abolish the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-Elcac). Marcos said there was no reason to. READ: Supreme Court: Red-tagging threatens one’s right to life, security “Bakit lagi niyong tinatanong sa akin yan? Wala namang dahilan kung bakit natin tatanggalin ‘yan. Ang sinasabi, dahil mayroon raw red-tagging na ginagawa,” said Marcos...

Australian national linked to Mexican drug cartel nabbed in Cebu

An Australian national allegedly linked to the Mexican drug cartel was apprehended by authorities in San Remigio town in Cebu. According to John Consulta’s “24 Oras” report Thursday, the Bureau of Immigration-Fugitive Search Unit (BI-FSU) said the high-profile fugitive was also under the “red notice” list of the international police. “Nag-umpisa sa pakikipag-ugnayan natin sa US DEA o Drug Enforcement Agency it at Indonesian police kaugnay sa...

Powerball numbers revealed

Half of the Australia's adult population were expected to buy a ticket for Thursday night's $100million jackpot in the hope of snaring a lifechanging windfall. Here are the winning numnbers.

Man caught selling submachine gun

MANILA, Philippines — A suspected gunrunner was arrested for allegedly selling a submachine gun in Quezon City on Wednesday night. Alvin Castillo, 35, was apprehended by police in a sting in Barangay Greater Fairview at around 8:10 p.m., Quezon City Police District (QCPD) director Brig. Gen. Redrico Maranan said. Maranan said Castillo met with undercover officers of the QCPD’s criminal investigation and detection unit in front of a school for...

Man dies after being hit with metal cutter by wife's ex-partner

A man in Bacolod City died after being struck by a metal cutter in the head by his wife's former lover. According to a report by Jun Veneracion in State of the Nation on Thursday, authorities are eyeing a love triangle as a possible motive behind the incident. The police said the suspect went to the victim's house where the two men figured into a heated argument. The suspect later surrendered to authorities and is facing a homicide charge.—Vince...

More than 100 arrested in suspected gang operation

Police say they received reports "12 people had been queuing in the street" to buy drugs.

Man who hailed mass killer guilty of terror offences

Edward Griffiths sent videos of the Christchurch shootings and said he would "love" to do the same.

Man arrested after attempt to stab responding cops in Lipa City

A man was arrested in Lipa City, Batangas for threatening to stab cops after he ran amok. According to a report by Jessica Calinog of GMA Regional TV Balitang Bicolandia in "Saksi," three policemen responded following complaints on the disturbance caused by the suspect. "Doon siya nahuli at ipinaalam ang kanyang mga karapatan. Lasing po siya kaya siguro naga-amok," said Police Lt. Clint Adora of the Lipa City Component Police Station. (He was...

Fugitive in Vhong Navarro case surrenders

MANILA, Philippines — Fugitive businessman Ferdinand Guerrero, who was convicted of illegally detaining actor-host Vhong Navarro, surrendered to the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) yesterday afternoon. NBI Director Medardo de Lemos personally received Guerrero at a building in Makati, the bureau reported. Guerrero, along with business partner Cedric Lee, model Deniece Cornejo and mixed martial arts practitioner Simeon Raz were found...

Marcos: We won’t allow ‘agents within the country’ to destabilize gov’t

MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Thursday said his administration would not let “agents within the country to destabilize our government.” Speaking with Army troops at Camp Edilberto Evangelista in Cagayan de Oro City, Marcos stressed the importance of loyalty to the country. “We will also not allow agents within the country to destabilize our government and create division within our nation,” he said. “So, I urge all of...

Macalintal lauds Comelec for putting order to candidate substitution

MANILA, Philippines — The ban on substitution of candidates after the last day of filing of certificates of candidacies (COC) puts an end to the “nefarious political strategy” of some politicians aiming to gain an advantage for their personal interests, an election lawyer said. In a statement on Thursday, Atty. Romulo Macalintal also lauded the Commission on Elections (Comelec) for its move to end the “unscrupulous practice of some political...

Zubiri expresses disgust over China’s radio challenge

PAGASA ISLAND, West Philippine Sea — “Ito po ay teritoryo ng Republika ng Pilipinas! Kaya kung pwede, lumayas na kayo.” (This is Philippine territory! So please, leave.) Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri exclaimed these words on Thursday after the helicopter he boarded en route to Pagasa Island received a radio challenge from China. “Hindi natin alam baka meron po silang sensitive listening device galing dyan sa mga barko nila. Pero kanina...

E-bike rider dead after getting hit by truck in Ilocos Sur

An e-bike rider in San Juan, Ilocos Sur died after being hit by an oncoming truck on the road. According to a 24 Oras report on Thursday, CCTV footage showed the e-bike crossing the road when it was hit by the truck. The rider was thrown to the ground and was later declared dead due to a severe head injury. The victim’s family has already lodged a complaint against the truck driver, who said that he wasn’t able to press the brakes because the...

Ethics case vs Alvarez junked; House panel to still hear 2 other complaints

MANILA, Philippines — The ethics complaint filed against the former Speaker and now Davao del Norte 1st District Rep. Pantaleon Alvarez regarding his supposed habitual absence was dismissed on Thursday due to lack of evidence. In a briefing after the hearing of the House committee on ethics and privileges, committee chair and COOP NATCCO party-list Rep. Felimon Espares said that the only evidence presented by complainants was based on a...

Paraguay leader to attend Taiwan inauguration

Paraguay's President Santiago Pena will attend the inauguration of Taiwan's new leader, a high-ranking government official said Thursday, making him the first head of state to confirm his presence at the ceremony. Pena is on an official trip to Washington this week, and will leave for Taipei on Saturday, the official, speaking on condition of anonymity, told AFP. Lai Ching-te will be sworn-in as Taiwan's new president on Monday, against a...

Defense chief wants to assure safety of civilians in Pagasa Island

PAGASA ISLAND, West Philippine Sea — Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. on Thursday vouched for the safety of civilians in Pagasa Island in view of China’s presence in the waters surrounding the area. “Sa tingin ko safe sila (I think they are safe) because no right-thinking nation will attack civilians,” said Teodoro in an ambush interview when he was prodded about the situation of Pagasa Islands’ residents. “Kailangan po natin ng civilian...

Man who died after alleged pub attack named

Carl James, 42, suffered serious injuries at the Jack and Jill pub on Saturday and died in hospital.

Marcos vows to fend off efforts to destabilize govt

(UPDATE) PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on May 16 vowed to fend off any attempts to destabilize the government amid talk of an ouster plot involving active police and retired military officials against his administration. "We will ... not allow agents within the country to destabilize our government and create division within our nation," Marcos said during his "Talk to Troops" at Camp Edilberto Evangelista in Cagayan de Oro City on Thursday....

Navotas’ most wanted fugitive falls

MANILA, Philippines — A man considered to be Navotas’ most wanted fugitive was arrested by police in Sta. Maria, Bulacan on Wednesday night. Michael Argonillo, 43, who works as a water refiller in Bulacan, is the subject of an arrest warrant for frustrated murder issued by Judge Rhoda Magdalene Mapile-Osinada of Malabon City Regional Trial Court Branch 170 on May 2, police said. The judge set bail at P200,000 for Argonillo.

Putin ally warns of global war and 'tragedy for all of humanity'

His comments come as Russian troops continue to seize territory in eastern Ukraine, forcing thousands in Kharkiv to flee their homes after Moscow launched another ground invasion in the region

Russians capture 110 square miles

According to AFP news agency estimates, Russian forces have captured 110 square miles in their offensive in Ukraine's north-eastern Kharkiv region and in the southern region. This represents the biggest gain for Russia in a year and a half of sustained warfare. According to analysis of data from the Institute for the Study of War (ISW), Russian forces have taken about 300 square miles of Ukrainian territory since the beginning of 2024. By...

CHR alarmed over disappearance of Bukidnon labor leader

MANILA, Philippines — The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) expressed alarm yesterday over the disappearance of a labor leader in Bukidnon last month. Suspected military agents reportedly arrested William Lariosa, a member of the Kilusang Mayo Uno in Southern Mindanao, in Barangay Butong in Quezon town on April 10. “The commission is committed to conduct an independent investigation on the case and both regional offices (in Davao and Northern...

Is Ukraine losing the war?

American held for attack on sex workers in hotel

MANILA, Philippines — An American man, who allegedly physically assaulted two sex workers who asked for a downpayment for their services, was arrested in Quezon City on Wednesday night. Mario Christopher Burke, 28, a native of Homestead, Florida, was apprehended by police in response to the complaint of the women, who are in their 20s. The incident occurred in a hotel along EDSA in Barangay Phil-Am, police investigators said. Burke met the women...

Chad's constitutional council rejects challenges to presidential vote provisional result

N'DJAMENA (Reuters) - Chad's constitutional council on Thursday rejected requests by two losing presidential candidates to cancel, or partially cancel, the country's May 6 presidential election, saying the candidates did not show proof to back their claims alleging fraud. The state-run national election management body last week declared interim President Mahamat Idriss Deby winner of the

Marcos: No 'stricter' visa rules for Chinese tourists, just stricter implementation

President Marcos clarified that there are no stricter visa rules for Chinese tourists entering the country but the government will strictly enforce the existing rules to ensure that there would be no fraudulent applications. READ MORE: https://mb.com.ph/2024/5/16/marcos-no-stricter-visa-rules-for-chinese-tourists-just-stricter-implementation

46 Chinese ships in vicinity, as civilian convoy tries to reach Panatag Shoal

The Philippine Coast Guard monitors at least 46 Chinese vessels in the ‘vicinity area’ of Panatag Shoal or Bajo de Masinloc on Thursday, May 16. This, as the civilian mission of coalition Atin Ito sails closer to the shoal. Full story: https://www.rappler.com/philippines/chinese-ship-vicinity-civilian-convoy-tries-reach-scarborough-panatag-shoal-may-16-2024/

Canada sanctions four Israelis over West Bank violence

By Ismail Shakil OTTAWA (Reuters) -Canada on Thursday imposed its first-ever sanctions on what the foreign ministry called "extremist" Israeli settlers in the West Bank, and said Ottawa was weighing additional measures to deter settler violence against Palestinians. Canada's sanctions, which follow similar measures by allies including the United States and Britain, target four individuals

Man in his 60s killed in road crash

The crash happened on the Springmount Road in Clough at about 10:15 BST on Thursday

Tagum mayor wants Alvarez expelled from House of Representatives

MANILA, Philippines — Tagum Mayor Rey Uy believes Davao del Norte 1st District Rep. Pantaleon Alvarez should be expelled from the House of Representatives over his anti-government remarks. In an ambush interview on Thursday, on the sidelines of the House committee on ethics and privileges hearing, Uy said Alvarez’s call for the police and military to withdraw their support from President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s administration was “too much” and...

Chad junta leader Deby declared winner of May 6 presidential election

N'DJAMENA (Reuters) - Chad's constitutional council on Thursday declared interim President Mahamat Idriss Deby winner of the central African nation's disputed May 6 presidential election with 61% of the vote, after earlier rejecting appeals to cancel or partially cancel the election. (Reporting by Mahamat Ramadane; Writing by Bate Felix; Editing by Alex Richardson)

'Malaking garapalan na ito': Mayor Guo should go through quo warranto, says solons

Ranking congressmen have expressed support for the Office of the Solicitor General's (OSG) plan to file a quo warranto case against controversial Mayor Alice Guo of Bamban, Tarlac. Manila 6th district Rep. Bienvenido "Benny" Abante Jr. and Lanao del Sur 1st district Rep. Zia Alonto Adiong are of the opinion that a quo warranto case must be pursued in order to set the record straight. READ MORE: https://mb.com.ph/2024/5/16/malaking-garapalan-na-ito-mayor-guo-should-go-through-quo-warranto-says-solons

Atin Ito: Mission accomplished

MANILA, Philippines — “Diskarteng Pinoy” – the Filipino way – made the day for the Atin Ito Coalition’s “peace and solidarity regatta” as it managed to elude a Chinese blockade of Panatag (Scarborough) Shoal to accomplish its mission of delivering 1,000 liters of fuel and 200 food packs to Filipino fishermen in the area. “This stands as a testament to the ingenuity, resourcefulness and bravery of the Filipino spirit amid formidable challenges....

Putin and Xi reaffirm Russia-China friendship in a Beijing state visit