Geopolitical concerns between the United States and Russia over Ukraine continued to worry investors, resulting in the negative close of the Philippine Stock Exchange index (PSEi) on Monday but the peso remained firm against the US dollar. The main equities index fell by 0.63 percent, or 46.54 points, to 7,372.25 points. All Shares shed 0.18 percent, or 7.03 points, to 3,916.66 points. Half of the sectoral gauges tracked the main index – Holding Firms, 2.38 percent; Services, 1.07 percent; and Industrial, 0.97 percent. On the other hand, Property rose by 2.14 percent, Mining and Oil by 1.25 percent, and Financials

Dr. Maria Natividad Castro, alias Dok, is an active member, recruiter, trainer and fundraiser of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army-National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF). This was confirmed by former CPP-NPA-NDF member Gleceria Balangiao, liaison officer of the Rural Missionary of the Philippines-Northern Mindanao Region, during a virtual press briefing of the National Task Force to End Local Communists Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) on Monday. Balangiao, alias Ka Inday, told the press that she personally met Castro several times between 2006 and 2009 during meetings and trainings of NPA fighters on “first aid” treatment for wounded terrorists. She said she

_:The BRP Antonio Luna (FF-151), one of the Philippine Navy (PN)’s two guided missile frigates, conducted “man overboard” (MOB) drill during a recent patrol at the West Philippine Sea (WPS). “In order to evaluate the confidence and skills of FF-151 OOWs (officers on watch) in performing maneuvers for MOB, FF-151 conducts MOB drills during her patrol at WPS,” a Facebook post on Sunday night. Among those evaluated are the initial actions of the bridge team, the constant monitoring of the location of the MOB, and the actions taken to ensure that there is no delay in saving the life of

United States Army Pacific (USARPAC) commander Gen. Charles Flynn met with Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief Gen. Andres Centino to discuss matters of mutual concern between the two services. The meeting took place at AFP headquarters in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City on Monday. “The two military leaders discussed cooperation on capability development, joint training, and security matters of mutual concern,” AFP public affairs office chief, Col. Jerry Baclor said in a statement. The USARPAC is set to conduct the “Salaknib” exercises with the Philippine Army (PA) on March 5 to 24 in various areas in Central Luzon. “Salaknib”

The Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) wants a speedy resolution of the case of the slain Batangas lawyer who was also seeking a local position. Reginald Michael Manito 42, was shot to death by still unidentified men inside his office along Gov. Malvar Ave. in Barangay Poblacion 1, Sto. Tomas town on February 17. The father of three and a still unborn child was running for councilor. He was declared dead at Saint Frances Cabrini Medical Center. According to the police, two suspects barged into Manito’s office at about 11 a.m.. The incident was also witnessed by his secretary,

Ilocos Norte Governor Matthew Joseph Manotoc has finally allowed the operation of licensed cockpits in the province subject to minimum public health standards. Executive Order No. 175-22 signed by Manotoc on February 20 states that cockfighting shall only be allowed in a licensed cockpit per municipality at 50-percent venue capacity, but it shall be exclusive for fully vaccinated Ilocos Norte residents only who are 18 years old and above. He said “cashless betting and use of technology-based platforms shall also be in place and there shall be no drinking of intoxicating beverages and live streaming” while inside the ring. Cockpits