The Baguio City Jail’s male dormitory has been declared drug-free for more than two years after canine dogs searched the whole facility. Col. Mary Ann Olaguing Tresmanio, warden of the male jail facility, said the jail’s latest inspection was “part of the anti-illegal drugs campaign of the jail management, especially with the male dorm having been declared as a drug-free facility.” She said the mandatory inspection aimed to look for contraband, especially illegal drugs being snuck into the facility. “Lighter, sharp objects, metal, utensils, and even cellular phones are prohibited,” she said. The activity done with the Philippine Drug Enforcement

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) proposed to President Rodrigo Duterte to declare May 9 as a special non-working holiday nationwide. In Comelec Resolution No. 10784, the Comelec en banc said declaring election day a holiday will give Filipinos, especially the voters the chance to participate in the national and local polls. “Now, therefore, the Commission on Elections, by virtue of the powers vested in it by the Constitution, the Omnibus Election Code, and other election laws, resolved, as it hereby resolves, to request His Excellency President Rodrigo Roa Duterte to declare May 9, 2022, as a special non-working holiday all

A group of former New People’s Army (NPA) rebels launched a book Thursday that seeks to expose the inner workings of the rebel group and its front organizations. The authors said the book, “Unmasking: The Myth of Communism in the Philippines,” is their way of redeeming themselves for their involvement with the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP), whose ideology espouses the violent overthrow of the government. Launched at the Sunny Point Hotel here, the book is a compendium of firsthand accounts and analysis of their experience as former cadres of the rebel organization. The book is free. Joy James

The World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) confirmed here on Wednesday that Russia had announced its intention to withdraw from the organization. “Russia has announced its intention to withdraw from UNWTO,” explained the UNWTO in a tweet, adding that nevertheless, Russia must “follow due process – and this will take a year to complete upon the receipt of the official communications through the appropriate channels.” The extraordinary meeting of the General Assembly of UNWTO is taking place on Wednesday and Thursday in Madrid, the Spanish capital. Its objective is to decide whether or not Russia has to be suspended due to the

Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra on Thursday said parties have agreed to a PHP6-million compensation to the owner and fishermen of a Filipino fishing vessel rammed by a Chinese trawler near the Recto Bank three years ago. “I understand that the owner of F/B Gem-Ver will receive the amount on behalf of the fishermen and himself,” Guevarra told reporters. Twenty-two Filipino fishermen were abandoned in open seas after their vessel was rammed by steel-hulled Yuemaobinyu 42212 in the early morning of June 9, 2019, causing it to sink. The boat left San Jose, Occidental Mindoro on May 29, or 11 days

President Rodrigo R. Duterte is hopeful that Muslims and Christians would set aside animosities and work together for peace. In a speech during the 501st anniversary of the Victory of Mactan in Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu on Wednesday night, Duterte called of Muslims to be less resentful of Christians who tried to steal glances at them. “Kayong mga Muslim kasi ‘pag tinitignan kayo para ka na ‘yung iniinsulto ka o masama kaagad ang reaction ninyo (You Muslims seem insulted or react negatively when people look at you),” he said. He, however, acknowledged that they let down their guards after people greeted