Day: April 28, 2025

Negros Island Region: Despite recent armed clashes, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) in Negros Island Region (NIR) has assured the public that there are no indications that the New People’s Army (NPA) has the capability to disrupt the May 12 elections in Negros. Comelec-NIR Director Lionel Marco Castillano made the assurance following an encounter between government troops and suspected NPA members in Kabankalan City, Negros Occidental, where seven suspected ranking NPA members were killed by forces from the 11th, 15th, and 47th Infantry Battalions of the Philippine Army. According to Philippines News Agency, Castillano stated that assurances have been received

Manila: In a move to deepen ASEAN cooperation, the National Commission on Muslim Filipinos (NCMF) will undergo its first formal mosque management training through a partnership with Singapore’s Islamic Religious Council, or Majlis Ugama Islam Singapura (MUIS). According to Philippines News Agency, NCMF Secretary Sabuddin Abdurahim stated that the initiative highlights the spirit of unity among founding ASEAN members and reflects a commitment to enhancing community governance and religious management. “This partnership demonstrates the oneness of the ASEAN community, especially with the Philippines and Singapore being among the five founding member countries,” Abdurahim said. Under the agreement, the Department of

Cagayan de Oro: The Police Regional Office in Northern Mindanao (PRO-10) will deploy additional officers to serve as special electoral board (SEB) members in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM). During a briefing on Monday, PRO-10 Director Brig. Gen. Jaysen de Guzman announced that 400 officers will be deployed as SEB members, supporting the Commission on Elections (Comelec) in ensuring a smooth and secure electoral process. According to Philippines News Agency, the deployment addresses the updated list of election hotspots released by the Comelec on March 19, which includes 30 towns in BARMM and approximately 20 of those

Manila: The Police Regional Office in the Caraga Region (PRO-13) has reported the arrest of 45 individuals for violating the ongoing gun ban, which is implemented to ensure the safety and security of the midterm elections next month. According to Philippines News Agency, these arrests occurred between Jan. 12, the commencement date of the gun ban, and the last week of April 2025. ‘As Election Day approaches, we are committed to intensifying our campaign against criminality and the proliferation of loose firearms,’ PRO-13 Director Brig. Gen. Christopher Abrahano said in a press release on Monday. Abrahano also appealed to residents

Manila: The Department of Health (DOH) and San Miguel Corporation (SMC) have inaugurated a second Bagong Urgent Care and Ambulatory Services (BUCAS) Center, aimed at closing healthcare accessibility gaps for impoverished communities. According to Philippines News Agency, the newly established BUCAS center is situated at the San Miguel Foundation’s Better World Smokey Mountain facility in Manila City. It operates in collaboration with the Tondo Medical Center. This development follows the opening of the first BUCAS center in Cubao, Quezon City, which began operations last year in partnership with the Quirino Memorial Medical Center. Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa highlighted that the