Day: May 5, 2025

Manila: The Philippine Navy (PN) reported that the decommissioned BRP Miguel Malvar, intended as a target vessel for the Balikatan exercises’ maritime strike, sank due to rough sea conditions. This incident occurred hours before the scheduled live-fire exercise off the coast of Zambales. According to Philippines News Agency, the World War II corvette was set to be targeted by Philippine and US military forces using advanced weapon systems, including anti-ship missiles, bombs, and automatic cannons. The vessel took on water while being positioned approximately 30 nautical miles west of San Antonio, Zambales, and sank at 7:20 a.m., just four nautical

Manila: The crime rate in Metro Manila plummeted by 26.08 percent from January to April, the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) said on Monday. In a statement, NCRPO Director Maj. Gen. Anthony Aberin said the 1,627 crimes are lower compared to 2,201 logged during the same period last year. According to Philippines News Agency, Aberin attributed the decrease to the implementation of crime prevention measures that include continuous training and adequate resources, active crime deterrence, swift law enforcement response, and alliance with communities and stakeholders to foster public safety. ‘There is no substitute to a police force that is

Manila: Consunji-led Semirara Mining and Power Corp. (SMPC) announced that it anticipates receiving the environmental compliance certificate (ECC) from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) for its coal mine expansion project in Antique by the second half of 2025. “We expect to receive the ECC for the Acacia mine from the DENR within the second half of 2025,” stated SMPC president, chief operating officer, and chief sustainability officer Maria Cristina Gotianun during the company’s virtual annual stockholders meeting on Monday. According to Philippines News Agency, data from SMPC indicates that the Acacia site contains approximately 80 million metric

Manila: Every year, May 5 arrives without fanfare. It is not a birthday or a public holiday but just a date on the calendar. But for those who understand the weight of memory, today marks something deeper: the death anniversary of Jose M. Maceda, National Artist for Music, who died in 2004. According to Philippines News Agency, to remember Maceda is to listen not only to his compositions but also to the spaces between them. Maceda urged listeners to pause. He invited Filipinos to hear their own country again, not through imported scales or European notation but through the rustle

Manila: The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has announced that the automated election system (AES) slated for use in the upcoming May 12 national and local elections has received official certification. This certification confirms that the AES can function “properly, securely, and accurately.” According to Philippines News Agency, the certification was granted by the Technical Evaluation Committee (TEC), marking the final step required for the complete implementation of automated elections. The TEC’s approval encompasses the Full Automation System with Transparency Audit/Count, Secure Electronic Transmission Services, and the Online Voting and Counting System. The Comelec explained that the certification of the modernized