Day: October 30, 2024

ZAMBOANGA CITY – Authorities have in custody three suspects in the recent abduction of an American citizen in Zamboanga del Norte, police confirmed Wednesday. Lt. Col. Helen Galvez, spokesperson of the Police Regional Office (PRO) 9 (Zamboanga Peninsula), said one suspect was apprehended during an operation, while two others surrendered voluntarily. Their identities were withheld pending further investigation. Police filed charges of kidnapping and serious illegal detention based on an extrajudicial confession from the two who surrendered, claiming that Elliot Eastman, 26, would be released in exchange for a ransom. Police said the suspects did not disclose the ransom amount.

Manila: Foreign legislators and policymakers are exploring ways to strengthen cooperation and advance the women, peace, and security (WPS) agenda on a national and regional level. At a roundtable on the sidelines of the International Conference on WPS on Oct. 29, former and incumbent officials from Europe, South Asia, and Southeast Asia discussed opportunities for possible partnership, and the proactive roles that parliamentarians should take in advancing the agenda. The officials highlighted the need to increase financing to advance WPS, including by making it a “men’s issue” and a ‘cross-cutting concern for all’. In an interview, Foreign Affairs Assistant Secretary

Manila: Lawmakers lauded on Wednesday the Marcos administration’s shift in anti-drug policy, with focus on apprehending and rehabilitating drug suspects rather than ‘neutralizing’ them. In a news release, House quad committee lead chair Robert Ace Barbers and co-chair Dan Fernandez said the current administration’s campaign against illegal drugs is “bloodless,” a deviation from former president Rodrigo Duterte’s bloody war on drugs. Barbers said President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s anti-drug campaign shifted its focus to respect human rights and high-impact operations. ‘The present national leadership values and respects the sanctity of life,’ he said. Barbers particularly cited recent Philippine National Police

Manila: The Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) has placed all its ports nationwide under ‘full alert’ to cater to the over 1.6 million passengers expected during Undas (All Saints’ Day) and to monitor Super Typhoon Leon (international name Kong-rey). PPA spokesperson Eunice Samonte on Friday said around 200,000 passengers are expected to flock to PPA ports within the day alone for the yearly Undas exodus. Some of the busiest ports, she said, will be the ports of Panay, Batangas, Mindoro, Negros Oriental, and Bohol. To date, she said there are no stranded passengers in any PPA ports, but some domestic sea

Manila: The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) said it is ready to provide emergency employment to workers affected by Severe Tropical Storm Kristine (international name Trami). Labor Undersecretary Benjo Benavidez said about 251,000 workers were displaced in areas affected by torrential rains and massive flooding. “Based on our coordination with our regional offices, we have more than 251,000 workers severely affected by Kristine across the country, more particularly in the Bicol Region and Calabarzon. This emergency employment or 10 days of work has a corresponding pay for displaced workers,” Benavidez added. He noted that they are also prepared to