Day: December 4, 2024

ZAMBOANGA CITY: Authorities seized smuggled cigarettes worth PHP15.3 million and arrested a 25-year-old laborer during an anti-smuggling operation Tuesday in Siay, Zamboanga Sibugay. Brig. Gen. Bowenn Joey Masauding, director of Police Regional Office-9 (PRO-9), said Wednesday the operation took place around 3:40 a.m. in Purok 4, Barangay Laih, and was conducted in coordination with the Bureau of Customs. According to Philippines News Agency, confiscated during the operation were 261 master cases, 314 reams, and 33 packs of assorted smuggled cigarettes. “The PRO-9 remains committed to continuing its efforts against illegal smuggling and other criminal activities in the region,” Masauding said

BUTUAN CITY: Police in Surigao del Sur arrested two high-value targets and seized more than PHP1 million worth of shabu during a buy-bust operation Tuesday in Purok 5, Barangay Ganayon, Lianga town. Col. Harry Domingo, chief of the Surigao del Sur Police Provincial Office (SDSPPO), reported Wednesday that authorities confiscated approximately 150 grams of shabu, two .45 caliber pistols, three magazines, and 19 rounds of live ammunition during the operation. According to Philippines News Agency, the suspects were identified as Archie Boquecosa Alpuerto, 44, a resident of Purok Kalipayan, Barangay Bungtod, Tandag City, and Juvan Suarez Duero, 38, a carpenter

Manila: Senate Deputy Minority Leader Risa Hontiveros has urged the Bureau of Immigration (BI) and other law enforcement agencies to identify individuals who assisted former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque in leaving the Philippines without detection. According to Philippines News Agency, the call from the senator follows the Department of Justice’s (DOJ) revelation on Tuesday that Roque had his counter-affidavit for a qualified trafficking case notarized in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. In a press conference, Roque explained that his visit to Abu Dhabi was solely for the purpose of notarizing his document at the Philippine Consulate, and he confirmed that

Manila: The National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) announced on Wednesday that the Joint Agreement on Safety and Immunity Guarantees (JASIG) is no longer valid, countering claims by the communist movement that the agreement is still in effect. This statement comes in response to accusations that the recent arrest of three high-ranking officials from the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA) breached the JASIG. According to Philippines News Agency, the Legal Cooperation Cluster of NTF-ELCAC clarified that the Philippine government officially terminated the JASIG on February 7, 2017. This termination was enacted through a

Manila: Some 10,821 foreign workers employed by Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) have recently left the country, as confirmed by the Bureau of Immigration (BI) on Wednesday. During a Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon briefing, BI spokesperson Dana Sandoval revealed that these individuals are part of a larger group of over 21,757 foreigners involved in POGOs who have had their visas downgraded as of November 7. According to Philippines News Agency, the remaining foreign workers associated with POGOs are anticipated to exit the Philippines within this month. This development follows an order mandating foreign POGO employees to downgrade their working visas, as