Day: April 14, 2025

Caraga: A weeklong series of anti-drug operations in the Caraga Region resulted in the seizure of over PHP1 million worth of suspected shabu and the arrest of 15 individuals, police reported Monday. According to Philippines News Agency, the Police Regional Office-13 (PRO-13) conducted 14 operations across different provinces in the region. These efforts led to the confiscation of 173.21 grams of shabu and 0.45 grams of marijuana. The seized drugs have an estimated street value of PHP1,177,882. The largest drug haul took place on April 7 in Barangay Cubi-Cubi, Nasipit, Agusan del Norte. A buy-bust operation resulted in the arrest

Abra: The political group Asenso, spearheaded by Governor Dominic Valera and Vice Governor Joy Valera-Bernos, has formally requested the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to place the province of Abra under its control for the upcoming elections on May 12. According to Philippines News Agency, Vice Governor Valera-Bernos expressed that Comelec control would ensure a more secure environment for supporters, allowing them to move freely without fear in a stable political climate. In a statement submitted to Comelec, she emphasized that such measures would involve deploying additional personnel, establishing monitoring systems, and enforcing strict regulations to prevent electoral fraud and violence.

Iloilo City: Around 1,680 police officers will be deployed across Western Visayas to ensure the safety of pilgrims and tourists during the Holy Week, according to the Police Regional Office-6 (PRO-6). According to Philippines News Agency, PRO-6 spokesperson Lt. Col. Arnel Solis announced in an interview that the full deployment of officers would begin early morning on Holy Thursday. The focus will be on securing churches, religious sites, and activities such as processions on Thursday and Friday. By Black Saturday, police efforts will concentrate on tourist destinations and recreational areas due to an anticipated increase in public movement. Officers will

Manila: The delivery of free higher education in the Philippines remains on track through the Unified Financial Assistance System for Tertiary Education Act (UniFAST), the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) said Monday. This assurance comes after President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. approved the recommendations of the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) to augment CHED’s funding, facilitating the continuous provision of free higher education in local colleges and universities (LUCs) under the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act. According to Philippines News Agency, CHED Chairperson J. Prospero de Vera III expressed confidence in the administration’s commitment to the Free

Davao: The Davao City Overland Transport Terminal (DCOTT) anticipates an influx of some 85,000 bus and van passengers this Holy Week, according to terminal manager Aisa Usop. According to Philippines News Agency, Usop, speaking at a press briefing on Monday, stated that they are projecting approximately 1,000 to 1,500 bus and van trips daily to accommodate the surge. Security measures at the terminal have been heightened to manage the increased passenger traffic. Usop assured the public that the terminal’s 32 closed-circuit television cameras, three baggage X-ray machines, and walkthrough scanners are fully operational. These measures are intended to enhance security