Day: September 18, 2025

Makati city: Chinese maritime forces are “under pressure” to prevent Philippine vessels from entering Bajo de Masinloc (BdM) following the collision of two Chinese ships in the area last month, National Security Adviser (NSA) Eduardo A±o said Thursday. The incident, which reportedly resulted in the death of two Chinese personnel, has brought significant scrutiny to the People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) and the Chinese Coast Guard (CCG). According to Philippines News Agency, A±o, during an interview in Makati City, explained that the collision has caused embarrassment for the Chinese military forces, leading to increased pressure to restrict Philippine access to

Surigao city: Three suspects were arrested while PHP3.4 million worth of ‘shabu’ was seized during a pre-dawn police buy-bust operation in Purok 1, Barangay Canlanipa, Surigao City. According to Philippines News Agency, the arrested suspects, considered high-value individuals (HVIs), were only identified in the report as alias ‘Kabaw,’ 37, a tricycle driver, and two other cohorts aged 47 and 35, all residents of Surigao City. Seized from the suspects during the 2:50 a.m. operation were 11 plastic sachets containing 500 grams of shabu. The report noted the 47-year-old suspect was arrested by authorities in 2014, while alias Kabaw was detained

Manila: The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) has officially lodged a diplomatic protest against China following a water cannon attack on a Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) vessel. The incident resulted in injuries to a Filipino crew member near Bajo de Masinloc, also known as Scarborough Shoal, on September 16. According to Philippines News Agency, the protest was filed on Thursday and has garnered international attention, with several countries expressing their solidarity with Manila. The incident has raised concerns about escalating tensions in the region. The United States, through its Ambassador to the Philippines, MaryKay Carlson, condemned China’s

Budapest: The Philippines and Hungary have solidified their strong bilateral relations following a courtesy visit by Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) Administrator Patricia Yvonne Caunan to Budapest. The visit on Wednesday was aimed at boosting cooperation in migrant worker support. According to Philippines News Agency, Caunan’s meeting with Hungarian State Secretary Ill©s Bogl¡rka focused on strengthening migrant worker support and bilateral cooperation. In a social media post Thursday, OWWA highlighted the discussions, while Bogl¡rka emphasized the significance of the Central European Regional Center, established in Budapest in 2024. She noted that the center, operational since last year, is a testament

Manila: Flag carrier Philippine Airlines (PAL) announced on Thursday additional flights to key domestic routes starting October, in anticipation of peak travel season. Service between Manila and Butuan will rise from 14 to 21 flights weekly, while Manila-Cagayan de Oro will grow from 35 to 42 flights weekly. According to Philippines News Agency, flights to Cotabato will increase from 11 to 14 weekly, while services to Legazpi (Daraga) will climb from 21 to 28 weekly. Flights between Manila and Dumaguete will expand from 14 to 18 weekly, and Manila-Tacloban service will increase from 21 to 25 flights weekly. PAL stated