Day: October 12, 2025

Manila: A Philippine Navy vessel conducting maritime patrol off the West Philippine Sea found PHP214 million worth of suspected cocaine southeast of Piedras Point, within Puerto Princesa, Palawan waters, on Saturday. According to Philippines News Agency, the Western Naval Command reported that BRP Ladislao Diwa (PS-178) retrieved the two floating sacks and transported them to Naval Station Carlito Cunanan. The contraband was later confirmed to have fallen off a local fishing boat. The illegal drugs were turned over to the Naval Intelligence and Security Group-West, then to the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency for testing and proper disposition. The recovery was

Manila: The Bureau of Customs (BOC) generated PHP106.93 million in revenues from 17 public auctions of seized and abandoned goods conducted at three major ports from July to September. In a news release Sunday, the BOC said the auctions were facilitated by the Auction and Cargo Disposal Division of the Port of Manila, Manila International Container Port, and Ninoy Aquino International Airport. According to Philippines News Agency, among the items auctioned were consumer goods, vehicles, fuel products, industrial materials, furniture, and assorted merchandise from forfeited shipments. BOC Commissioner Ariel Nepomuceno highlighted that the proceeds from these auctions contribute significantly to

Mindanao: Government relief operations are in full swing across Mindanao as residents reel from successive strong earthquakes that struck the island in recent days, including the latest magnitude 6.0 tremor that hit Surigao del Sur late Saturday. The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said Saturday’s quake, which was earlier recorded at magnitude 6.2, occurred 28 kilometers northeast of Cagwait, Surigao del Sur. It was tectonic in origin and registered strong intensities in parts of Davao and Surigao provinces. According to Philippines News Agency, authorities were still assessing structural damage in affected towns, including Tago, Surigao del Sur, where

Davao oriental: The Philippine National Police (PNP) assured on Sunday that the security situation in Davao Oriental remains manageable following the twin quakes that struck the province on Oct. 10. Acting PNP chief Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said officers on the ground are securing residents while supporting humanitarian and recovery operations. According to Philippines News Agency, Nartatez Jr. stated, “The situation is now under control and remains manageable. The quick response of our police personnel, in coordination with local authorities and government agencies, has helped prevent panic and maintain public order.” This statement highlights the coordination between police

Pyongyang: Indonesian Foreign Minister Sugiono has expressed Indonesia’s readiness to facilitate closer engagement between North Korea and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). The statement came during a bilateral meeting with North Korean Foreign Minister Choe Son-hui in Pyongyang on Saturday, as part of Sugiono’s official visit to the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea on October 10 to 11. According to Philippines News Agency, Minister Sugiono reaffirmed Indonesia’s readiness to facilitate closer engagement between the DPRK and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), including through the DPRK’s enhanced participation in ASEAN-led mechanisms such as the ASEAN Regional Forum