Author: Jericho Zafra

MANILA, Philippines — A total of 162 foreign nationals from an illegal Philippine offshore gaming operator hub in Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu have been rescued over the weekend, the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) said. Authorities reported that they have rescued 162 foreign nationals who were found working at a scam farm, including 83 Chinese, 70 Indonesians, two Taiwanese, six Burmese, and oneMalaysian.  Authorities also reported that 10 of the rescued foreigners were minors. In July, the Police Regional Office in Central Visayas (PRO-7) reported that there were no active POGOs in Cebu. PRO-7 spokesperson Lt. Col. Gerard Pelare said that…

MANILA, Philippines — A total of 16 out of the 23 Filipino seafarers have arrived in the Philippines, the Departmentof Migrant Workers said. In a report, Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac said that the 16 seafarers of MT Sounion have arrived on August 31 while the other seven are also set for repatriation in coordination with their manning agencies. “Each of them received immediate financial assistance worth P75,000  from the DMW AKSYON Fund and additional cash aid from the DSWD and OWWA. They will also receive necessary medical assessment and psycho-social counseling,” the DMW official said. The MT Sounion…

MANILA, Philippines — The House Committee on Transportation is set to file a resolution recommending to abolish or delay the implementation of the memorandum punishing motorists entering expressways with insufficient or zero load balance on radio frequency identification devices (RFID) The joint memorandum circular signed by the Toll Regulatory Board, Land Transportation Office, and the Department of Transportation is set to begin by August 31 but moved to October 1. “Nagiging arbitrary ang paglagay ninyo ng penalty dito kung hindi ninyo kinonduct yang study na yan. Di naman lahat ng tao kaya magbayad dyan sa gusto ninyo. Sino ba talaga…

MANILA, Philippines — The Supreme Court ruled on Thursday that a husband’s absence from his marital home may be considered clear evidence of psychological incapacity that can be used to revoke marriage. In a decision by Senior Associate Justice Marvic Leonen, the Court nullified the marriage of Leonora Dela Cruz—Lanuza and Alfredo Lanuza Jr. on the ground of “psychological incapacity.” “Decades-long unjustified absence from the marital home may be considered evidence of psychological incapacity to comply with marital obligations,” the high Court said in its report. Leonora and Alfredo got married in June 1984. Over time, Alfredo’s behavior changed. He…

MANILA, Philippines — Should China gain complete control over the West Philippine Sea, it would affect global trade, not just the Philippines, as the disputed maritime region is a crucial strategic location, Sen. Win Gatchalian said. “Hindi lang tayo maapektuhan dyan. Very strategic ang West Philippine Sea, not only for the Philippines but for the entire world,” Gatchalian said in a Senate interview Thursday. The interview was a response after China Coast Guard rammed the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources vessel transporting supplies to Filipino sailors stationed in Escoda Shoal but was hindered after China’s “dangerous maneuvers” en route…

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines will continue to adhere to the 2016 Hague ruling even if Chinese authorities are harassing and doing “dangerous maneuvers” in disputed waters. This was after he met the Permanent Court of Arbitration Secretary General Martin Czepelac who is currently on a state visit from August 26 to 30 and paid a courtesy call in Malacanang Thursday. “The Permanent Court of Arbitration is an important part of our foreign policy considering all the challenges that we are facing right now. And our continuing adherence to international law,” President Marcos said. The visit came in the wake…

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Coast Guard said Friday that over 903,000 liters of industrial fuel oil have now been removed from the sunken Terranova tanker in Bataan after 11 days. In its situation report, the PCG said Harbor Star, the contracted salvor for the oil recovery operations, reported that a total of 903,265.58 industrial fuel oil has been recovered in the sunken tanker as of August 29. Authorities said that the siphoning operations have been temporarily suspended due to the changing of tanks. The breakdown of oil recovered: August 19 – 2,350 liters August 20 – 36,100 liters August…

MANILA, Philippines — World’s No. 3 pole vaulter EJ Obiena will be ending his 2024 season after being diagnosed with a fractured spine. This also means he won’t be joining the Philippines Pole Vault competition scheduled for September 20. “I am sorry to announce that I must call a premature close to my 2024 season,” Obiena said in a Facebook post Wednesday night. “To avoid worsening the fracture, I shall prudently cancel my season, including the Philippines Pole Vault competition scheduled for September 20,” he said. Despite cutting his season short due to the injury, Obiena said that he would…

MANILA, Philippines — The Supreme Court said Wednesday that no evidence of a breach was found following an investigation into the alleged exposure of over 13,000 records of the high court. This came after a post went viral online claiming that the court experienced a security breach on Tuesday allegedly exposing over 13,000 records including names, case details, and payment information from the Judicial Electronic Payment System. “The Supreme Court and its service providers launched an immediate investigation and, as of this afternoon, found no evidence of a breach or indication that sensitive data was compromised,” the High Court said…

MANILA, Philippines — Amid the increasing tensions in the West Philippine Sea, it’s about time the Philippines review the Mutual Defense Treaty with the United States, the National Maritime Council (NMC) said Wednesday. “For me, the Mutual Defense Treaty was established way back in 1951. Since then, the strategic landscape has changed significantly. So, maybe it’s about time to review it,” NMC spokesman Undersecretary Alexander Lopez said during a Malacañang press briefing. The Mutual Defense Treaty was a pact signed on August 30, 1951, between the Philippines and the US that required the two states to support each other should…