MANILA — National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon Jr. on Sunday said that the government is still trying to determine if the twin explosions in Jolo, Sulu is related to the recently ratified Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL). “We have yet to establish if the two explosions are related to the all-important BOL,” Esperon told reporters in a […]
House OKs medical marijuana bill on 2nd reading
MANILA — The House of Representatives on Wednesday approved on second reading a proposed bill allowing the use of medical marijuana in the country. House Bill 6517 or the Compassionate Use of Medical Cannabis, which was principally authored by Isabela Rep. Rodolfo Albano III, has the support of President Rodrigo Duterte and House Speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. […]
3 drug peddlers nabbed in Kidapawan City
KIDAPAWAN CITY — Policemen arrested three men involved in peddling illegal drugs during pre-dawn raids in Kidapawan City Wednesday. The operations were simultaneously conducted in the villages of Sudapin, Lanao and Balindog, all in Kidapawan City. In a report to North Cotabato police office, Supt. Ramil Hojilla, Kidapawan police director, said first to be nabbed during […]
New Eastmincom chief vows to end insurgency
DAVAO CITY — The newly-installed commander of the Eastern Mindanao Command (Eastmincom) on Monday vowed to fight “battles on all fronts” to end the decades-long communist insurgency. But Maj. Gen. Felimon Santos recognized that the military would face difficulty against the New People’s Army (NPA) if it did not have the support of the “all […]
New Eastmincom chief to assume post next week
DAVAO CITY — The newly-appointed Eastern Mindanao Command (Eastmincom) commander will assume his post next week. Major Ezra Balagtey, Eastmincom spokesperson, said Friday Major Gen. Felimon Santos Jr., commander of the Philippine Army’s 7th Infantry Division based in Fort Ramon Magsaysay, Nueva Ecija, will assume his new post on Monday. Santos was appointed this week […]
NBI to probe ex-Cebu fiscal’s murder
MANILA — The Department of Justice (DOJ) has directed the National Bureau of Investigation to investigate the murder of former Cebu City Assistant City Prosecutor Mary Ann Castro. “I have immediately directed the NBI to investigate the ambush of Prosecutor Mary Ann Castro and to identify the perpetrators at the soonest possible time,” Justice Secretary […]
Close to 30K Davao business firms renew permits
DAVAO CITY (January 18)— Close to 30,000 businesses have filed permit renewal applications here generating PHP299 million in business taxes and regulatory fees during the first 12 days of this month. Business Bureau chief Marissa Torrentera and Acting City Treasurer Erwin Alparaque during the I-Speak Forum at the City Hall Thursday said te figure represents […]
P160.5-M drugs in tomato paste cans, luggage seized in Clark
MANILA — Authorities seized a total of PHP160.5 million worth of shabu, ecstasy and kush, a strain of cannabis, concealed in food items and a luggage at the Clark International Airport in Pampanga, the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) said on Thursday. In a press conference, PDEA Director General Aaron Aquino said from Dec. 28, 2018 […]
Andal not commissioned to lead backdoor talks with CPP/NDF: Go
DAVAO CITY (January 16)— President Rodrigo R. Duterte did not order former Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) head Avelino ‘Billy’ Andal to lead the backdoor talks with Communist Party of the Philippines (CCP) founding chairman Jose Maria Sison, his former aide said on Tuesday. Former Special Assistant to the President Christopher “Bong” Go made this clarification […]
Cops release images of Cotabato bombing suspects
COTABATO CITY — Police on Friday night released the images of two suspects captured on closed-circuit television (CCTV) as they placed the second improvised bomb inside the South Seas Mall minutes before an initial bomb exploded last December 31. The bombing left two people dead and injured 34 others. At a news conference, Senior Supt. […]
New year fireworks-related injuries rise to 319
MANILA — The number of fireworks-related injuries (FWRIs) has risen to 319 after the Department of Health (DOH) on Saturday reported 31 more cases recorded in various regions of the country from 6 a.m. of January 3 until 5:59 a.m. of January 5. Based on reports sent by 60 sentinel hospitals, nine cases were recorded […]
Duterte endorses 3 admin bets
MANILA — President Rodrigo R. Duterte on Thursday night endorsed three administration candidates anew after a survey for the senatorial race showed that they failed to make it to the top 12 list. The recent Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey showed that Duterte’s former Presidential Political Affairs Adviser Francis Tolentino ranked 17th on the survey. […]
Biz leader bullish on Davao City economy in 2019
DAVAO CITY — The local economy will continue to grow this year with the service industry and tourism as its main drivers. This was according to Arturo Milan, president of the Davao City Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Inc. (DCCCII), who described this city’s economic prospects for 2019 as “very positive.” Milan noted that 2018 […]