Day: November 4, 2025

Manila: President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Tuesday directed government agencies to sustain emergency operations and speed up recovery efforts for communities devastated by Typhoon Tino (international name Kalmaegi). The President’s statement, read by Palace Press Officer Claire Castro during a Malaca±ang briefing on Tuesday, outlined ongoing government actions to ensure immediate relief and restoration of basic services in the hardest-hit areas in Mindanao and Visayas. According to Philippines News Agency, Marcos emphasized the government’s focus on monitoring the effects of Typhoon Tino, which has affected more than 340,000 people across 1,397 barangays in regions including Mimaropa, Bicol, Western and

Caraga: Typhoon Tino has forced nearly 80,000 individuals from their homes in the Caraga Region, with thousands taking shelter in evacuation centers ahead of its landfall Monday evening. According to Philippines News Agency, the Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council reported that 43,662 families, or 159,925 individuals from 330 barangays, were affected by the storm. Of the total, 23,508 families, or 79,720 individuals, were displaced. A total of 17,273 families are staying in 583 evacuation centers, while 6,235 families opted to stay elsewhere. The Department of Social Welfare and Development and local government units have provided 1,899 family food

Maguindanao del sur: Civilians surrendered eight high-powered firearms, including a 60 mm mortar tube, to military authorities in Maguindanao del Sur on Monday. Lt. Col. Robert F. Betita, commander of the Army’s 1st Mechanized Infantry Battalion (IB), presented the weapons to Brig. Gen. Edgar Catu, commander of the 601st Infantry Brigade, during a turnover ceremony in Guindulungan. According to Philippines News Agency, the 60IB stated on Tuesday that the surrender is part of the government’s Small Arms and Light Weapons Management Program, which aims to curb loose firearms and foster peace. The cache, aside from the mortar tube, included seven

Manila: Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. has met with former Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) chief David Petraeus to discuss potential collaboration and the evolving nature of modern warfare. According to Philippines News Agency, the meeting focused on possible partnerships in defense technology and industry, aiming to strengthen the country’s defense capabilities and modernize the Armed Forces of the Philippines. Petraeus, who is now chair of the investment firm Kohlberg Kravis Roberts and Co. (KKR), has about USD2 billion invested in the Philippines. He expressed KKR’s interest in aligning with the Philippines’ defense goals through the firm’s

Manila: Local and military officials successfully facilitated the resolution of a longstanding ‘rido’ (clan feud) between two families in Maguindanao del Sur. Governor Ali Midtimbang and Brig. Gen. Edgar Catu, commander of the 601st Infantry Brigade, played pivotal roles in mediating the peace settlement between the families of Saya Taya Said and Suharto Talintam, the barangay chair of Tugal, Sultan sa Barongis. According to Philippines News Agency, the feud originated from a territorial dispute, with Said having relatives in the Moro Islamic Liberation Front in the area. The intervention by Midtimbang and Catu was crucial in persuading the families to

Manila: Malaca±ang has emphasized the need for careful consideration of the proposal to enact a law that would institutionalize the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI), cautioning against potential redundancy with existing government agencies. According to Philippines News Agency, Palace Press Officer Claire Castro supported former Solicitor General Florin Hilbay’s stance that there is no necessity to legislate a stronger ICI, as current bodies like the Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Office of the Ombudsman already possess the mandate to investigate and prosecute public officials involved in irregular activities. Castro, a lawyer, articulated these views in a Palace press briefing,