Day: October 21, 2024

Manila: The Chinese national who was kidnapped while fishing in Bulacan province is linked to Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) hubs, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said on Monday. “He was identified as connected to POGOs. We are trying to verify if his companions are associated or at least involved in POGO operations,” PNP spokesperson Brig. Gen. Jean Fajardo said in a press briefing at Camp Crame in Quezon City. Fajardo said the case of the 33-year-old male victim has been turned over to the PNP Anti-Kidnapping Group (AKG). She said a ransom of PHP5 million was paid by the

LEGAZPI CITY – The Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (RDRRMC) in Bicol has placed all disaster response offices on red alert in preparation for the effects of Tropical Depression (TD) Kristine. In a memorandum issued on Monday, Claudio Yucot, Office of Civil Defense (OCD)-5 director and Bicol RDRRMC chairperson, said the red alert status of the emergency preparedness and response protocols in the region is now under “Charlie”, which means “high-risk”. Yucot said response clusters are activated with various national government agencies as lead agencies. These are the Department of Health, Department of Social Welfare and Development for

Manila: The Philippine government has so far repatriated a total of 636 overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) and 32 dependents from Lebanon amid continued intense air and ground attacks by Israel against Hezbollah. In a Facebook post on Monday, the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) said the latest arrival of 76 OFWs safely landed at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3 in Pasay City via Emirates EK 332 on Sunday evening. ‘Each OFW returnee received immediate financial assistance worth PHP75,000 from the DMW AKSYON Fund, PHP75,000 from OWWA (Overseas Workers Welfare Administration), and PHP20,000 from the DSWD (Department of Social

Manila: The House Quad Committee (Quadcom) on Monday handed over critical documents to the Office of the Solicitor General (OSG), calling for immediate legal action against Chinese nationals accused of acquiring fraudulent Filipino citizenship to illegally acquire real properties and operate businesses in the Philippines. The panel’s chairpersons urged the OSG to expedite its review and initiate civil forfeiture proceedings, in coordination with other government agencies to safeguard national security and halt foreign exploitation. The QuadCom comprises the House Committees on Dangerous Drugs, Public Order and Safety, Human Rights and Public Accounts, chaired by Rep. Robert Ace Barbers (Surigao, 2nd

Manila: Detained Kingdom of Jesus Christ leader and suspected sex trafficker Apollo Quiboloy will run as an independent candidate for senator in the May 2025 midterm elections. In a letter addressed to Commission on Elections (Comelec) chairperson George Erwin Garcia, Quiboloy canceled his Certificate of Nomination issued by the Workers’ and Peasants’ Party (WPP), signed by his lawyer and party president Mark Tolentino. Garcia’s office received Quiboloy’s letter on Monday afternoon. The religious leader filed his Certificate of Candidacy (COC) for the May 2025 polls through Tolentino at The Manila Hotel Tent City on Oct. 8. “To avoid any problems,