Day: April 14, 2025

Manila: The Bureau of Immigration (BI) has deported 84 Chinese nationals as part of the Philippine government’s efforts to dismantle illegal Philippine offshore gaming operators (POGOs) in the country. According to Philippines News Agency, Immigration Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado announced in a news release that the foreigners were flown to Beijing on a Philippine Airlines flight on April 11. The deportation was coordinated with the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC), the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), and the Chinese Embassy in Manila. Viado emphasized the operation’s alignment with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s directive to shut down illegal POGOs and

Manila: President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has vetoed a legislative bill aiming to amend specific sections of the Revised Charter of Baguio City due to its inconsistencies with current law and jurisprudence, and its potential negative impact on the authority of the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA). According to Philippines News Agency, in a press briefing held at Malaca±ang, Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro elaborated on the President’s decision, which was officially communicated to Congress through a veto message. Castro cited the President’s concerns about the bill’s potential to conflict with established legal frameworks

Bicol: Operatives seized over PHP8.1 million worth of suspected illegal drugs during weeklong operations from April 7 to 13, leading to the arrest of 29 suspects across the Bicol Region. PRO-5 Director Brig. Gen. Andre Dizon reported that 22 operations yielded over 1.1 kilograms of shabu, with Camarines Norte recording the highest haul at PHP7.4 million, followed by Masbate, Camarines Sur, Naga City, Albay, Catanduanes, and Sorsogon. According to Philippines News Agency, Dizon reaffirmed PRO-5’s commitment to dismantling drug networks, stressing the importance of collaboration with local governments, barangays, and communities. He encouraged public cooperation, especially in protecting youth from

Washington: US President Donald Trump denied reports that his administration had granted a tariff exception for electronics like smartphones and chips, contrary to suggestions late last week that consumer tech products would be spared from sweeping reciprocal tariffs. ‘NOBODY is getting ‘off the hook’ for the unfair Trade Balances, and Non Monetary Tariff Barriers, that other Countries have used against us, especially not China which, by far, treats us the worst!’ Trump said Sunday on his Truth Social account. According to Philippines News Agency, ‘These products are subject to the existing 20 percent fentanyl tariffs – they are just moving

Mt. Kanlaon: Mt. Kanlaon erupted again on Monday and the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said “a highly explosive eruption” is likely due to the shorter intervals between the recent episodes. According to Philippines News Agency, Mariton Bornas, head of Phivolcs’ Volcano Monitoring and Eruption Prediction Division, reported that based on current monitoring parameters and in the absence of significant changes, there is a possibility of a lava eruption or a highly explosive eruption. Bornas explained that the recent eruptions are just a precursor and that major eruptions are occurring at shorter intervals. Bornas mentioned that Mt. Kanlaon