Day: April 7, 2025

Perth: The Philippines claimed victory in two key categories at the esteemed Routes Asia Awards 2025 held in Perth, Australia on March 26. In a news release Monday, the Department of Tourism (DOT) said the Philippines was declared Destination of the Year while Cebu Pacific secured the Best Airline title for the second consecutive year. According to Philippines News Agency, the recognition resulted from the country’s aggressive efforts on the expansion of domestic and international routes. As of February 28, 46 new domestic and 47 international routes are in operation, improving access to destinations such as Siargao, Batanes, Panglao, and

Manila: The Philippine National Police-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG) announced on Monday that it arrested 1,629 individuals in 1,060 anti-crime operations conducted in March. According to Philippines News Agency, the CIDG news release detailed that of the arrested suspects, 1,371 are wanted persons and criminals, including seven national most wanted persons with rewards and 131 regional most wanted persons. Additionally, law enforcers apprehended 231 suspects accused of various crimes such as rape, sexual abuse, incest rape, parricide, acts of lasciviousness, trafficking in person, sexual harassment, concubinage, child abuse, violence against women and children, online sexual exploitation, and cyber-related offenses.

Manila: The government is taking immediate action to provide assistance to three Filipinos arrested in China for alleged espionage. In a press briefing in Malaca±ang Monday, Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. is committed to assisting Filipinos facing legal issues abroad. According to Philippines News Agency, the three Filipinos were apprehended by Chinese authorities and accused of working for a certain ‘Philippine intelligence agency’ to gather classified military information. Chinese authorities claimed the individuals had confessed to the crime. The National Security Council (NSC) disputed Beijing’s accusations, saying the three were former recipients of a

Tarlac City: A lone bettor from Tarlac province became a multimillionaire after winning the PHP223-million Ultra Lotto 6/58 jackpot on Sunday night’s draw. In a statement on Monday, the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) announced that the winner placed the bet at Maliwalo, Tarlac City, and successfully picked the winning numbers 09-11-02-23-26-07. According to Philippines News Agency, the winner has one year to claim the PHP223,728,165.20 jackpot at the PCSO main office in Mandaluyong City by presenting the winning ticket and two identification cards. Lotto winnings exceeding PHP10,000 are subject to a 20 percent tax, as mandated by regulations. Should

Pampanga: The Philippine Air Force (PAF) and the United States’ Pacific Air Forces (PACAF) initiated the Cope Thunder Philippines (CT PH 25-1) drills at Clark Air Base in Mabalacat City, Pampanga. The opening ceremony was led by PAF chief Lt. Gen. Arthur Cordura and PACAF Air National Guard mobilization assistant Maj. Gen. Christopher Sheppard. According to Philippines News Agency, the CT PH 25-1 exercises will take place across key training locations in Northern Luzon, such as Basa Air Base and Clark Air Base in Pampanga, as well as Colonel Ernesto Ravina Air Base in Tarlac, and will continue until April