A dozen members of the lawless Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF), five of them bomb-makers, surrendered to the military in Ampatuan, Maguindanao on Saturday. Maj. Gen. Juvymax Uy, the Philippine Army’s 6th Infantry Division commander and concurrent chief of Joint Task Force Central (JFTC), said the surrenderers handed over 10 assorted firearms, including a .50-caliber machine gun, to the 1st Mechanized Infantry Brigade (MBde) with the help of local officials. “The military’s campaign to win the hearts of Moro extremists and make them live normal lives is continuously gaining headway after a dozen members of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters
Qatar is seeking to strengthen its political and economic ties with the Philippine government, Qatari Ambassador to Manila Ali bin Ibrahim Al-Malki said Saturday. “This year 2021, marks the 40th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the State of Qatar and the Republic of the Philippines. The State of Qatar gives great importance to its bilateral relations with the Philippines and seeks to deepen its strategic partnership in the field of politics and economy,” he said in his message on the 143rd Qatar National Day. Al-Malki noted that Qatar was the first country to carry out reforms in
The United Kingdom, China, Canada, and the European Union (EU) have expressed their readiness to assist the country following the devastation left by Typhoon Odette in several provinces in the Visayas and Mindanao. UK Ambassador to the Philippines Laure Beaufils said Friday night their embassy is closely monitoring the situation and “stands ready to assist.” “The United Kingdom stands in solidarity with all those affected by Typhoon Odette in the Philippines and we extend our deepest condolences in particular to those who have lost loved ones,” she said. Chinese Ambassador Huang Xilian said Beijing is also willing to offer assistance
The ongoing Philippine Identification (PhilID) or national ID registration in Nabunturan, Davao de Oro is open to walk-ins and applicants five years old and above. The registration site is at the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) – Davao de Oro office and is open Mondays to Saturdays. “Our registration is open to all who have not yet registered for the national ID. It is open for those who have yet to register for Step 1 or Step 2. Just bring the needed requirements like the original birth certificate,” the municipal government post on December 11 stated. Step 1 is the demographic
Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson said on Saturday he is set to declare a state of calamity in the entire province, following the onslaught of Typhoon Odette that claimed the lives of at least eight Negrenses and displaced more than 93,000 others in the past two days. “We will be declaring a state of calamity for the whole province. This will be approved (by the Provincial Board) on Tuesday (December 21). What does this mean is, we can use the Quick Response Fund that the local government units can use to address the situation we are facing,” Lacson said
Government troops captured three New People’s Army (NPA) rebels, two of them wounded, following a clash Friday amid the onslaught of Typhoon Odette in Zamboanga del Norte. The three rebels were captured following a 10-minute firefight in Barangay Nazareth, Sergio Osmeña Sr. town, Lt. Col. Nolasco Coderos, 97th Infantry Battalion commander, said in a phone interview on Saturday. Coderos identified them as Antonia Morato, 57, a medic; Villamor Galleon, 64; and Rosalinda Saberon, 53, members of Guerilla Front Big Beautiful Country of the NPA’s Western Mindanao Regional Party Committee. They were provided with first aid while Morato and Galleon were
