Day: September 17, 2025

Manila: The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) on Wednesday placed its Operations Center on “blue alert” in preparation for the possible effects of Tropical Depression (TD) Mirasol. In a Facebook post, the NDRRMC said it raised the blue alert at 8 a.m. “to closely monitor, consolidate and to ensure prompt coordination with concerned agencies and offices” in case of any weather-related eventuality. According to Philippines News Agency, primary or lead personnel from the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) complemented by detailed duty officers (DDOs) shall render duty at the Operations Center. In a separate statement, the OCD

Batangas city: Authorities arrested a 30-year-old suspect at the Port of Batangas who was caught carrying 40 kg. of suspected shabu with an estimated street value of PHP272 million, the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) said on Wednesday. According to Philippines News Agency, PDEA Director General Isagani Nerez stated that the suspect, known by the alias ‘Datubon’ from Cotabato City, was arrested during an interdiction operation. This operation was conducted with the cooperation of the Philippine National Police (PNP), the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), and the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) at the Port of Batangas in Barangay Sta. Clara, Batangas

Manila: Approximately 2,600 employees of a mining firm in Claver, Surigao del Norte, will directly benefit from the Philippine Health Insurance Corp.’s (PhilHealth) Yaman ng Kalusugan Program (YAKAP), the Department of Labor and Employment in the Caraga Region (DOLE-13) said Wednesday. The DOLE-13, through its provincial office, and PhilHealth formally launched the program in Claver on Tuesday. The event was led by DOLE-13 Regional Director Jason Balais, PhilHealth Caraga Field Operations Chief Joselyn Canete, and Claver Mayor Georgia Gokiangkee. According to Philippines News Agency, of the total number of beneficiaries, 600 are regular and 2,000 are contractual employees of Taganito

Masbate city: A 40-year-old male, listed as a high-value individual (HVI), was arrested in a joint police operation in Barangay Pating, Masbate City on Tuesday afternoon. According to Philippines News Agency, Police Regional Office in Bicol (PRO-5) Director Brig. Gen. Nestor Babagay Jr. reported that the suspect, identified only as ‘Alex’, is a resident of Masbate City who has long been under police monitoring due to his alleged involvement in the illegal drug trade. During the search, the operating team confiscated six large heat-sealed transparent plastic sachets containing suspected shabu weighing approximately 222 grams, with an estimated standard drug price

Manila: The Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) has urged lawmakers to enact a law allowing medical parole for inmates who are elderly, terminally ill, or severely incapacitated. BuCor Director General Gregorio Pio Catapang Jr. emphasized this proposal during the deliberations on the proposed 2026 budget of the Department of Justice and its attached agencies by the Appropriations Committee of the House of Representatives. According to Philippines News Agency, Catapang highlighted the need for a bill that would create a system based on humanitarian considerations and global best practices. This system aims to ensure that elderly or terminally ill persons deprived of