General

Para±aque city: The Philippine National Police-Anti-Kidnapping Group (PNP-AKG) operatives have arrested 12 suspects, including six Chinese nationals, in the kidnapping of a Chinese national on July 1 in Para±aque City. According to Philippines News Agency, in a press briefing on Monday, Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Nicolas Torre III explained that the foreign national was abducted under the pretense of a vehicular transaction. “Based on our investigation, it became clear the kidnapping was premeditated and carried out by a group composed of foreign and local individuals,” Torre said. The victim, who was assisting a relative with a supposed car

Manila: The Land Transportation Office (LTO) on Monday suspended the license of a bus driver who was caught playing an online gambling mobile game while driving on a video that went viral on social media. According to Philippines News Agency, LTO acting Assistant Secretary Greg Pua announced the 90-day suspension against a driver of Kersteen Joyce Transport. The suspension was communicated through a show cause order (SCO). Pua highlighted the severity of the driver’s gambling addiction, which endangered passenger safety, and emphasized that such behavior would not be tolerated. The suspension aligns with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s directive to

Manila: The Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) on Monday announced it has permanently banned self-styled activist Fides Lim, spokesperson of Kapatid, from entering all prisons and penal farms across the country. Lim is accused of repeated violations and unruly behavior, prompting the prohibition. According to Philippines News Agency, BuCor Director General Gregorio Pio Catapang Jr. detailed the ban in a letter to Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla dated July 12. The prohibition against Lim came into effect on April 29 following a thorough investigation. The investigation revealed multiple instances of defiance, arrogance, and disruptive conduct towards corrections officers, including high-ranking officials,

Manila: The Department of Agriculture (DA) is set to hold consultations with farmers and lawmakers in a bid to strengthen the government’s response to unscrupulous rice traders. The move came after Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. ordered on-the-ground consultations in preparation for the deliberations of House Bill No. 1 or the RICE Act that seeks to amend the Rice Tariffication Law and restore regulatory powers to the National Food Authority (NFA). According to Philippines News Agency, Tiu Laurel emphasized that consultations would help the government understand the challenges faced by farmers, especially amid allegations that the P20 rice program

Manila: Senators on Monday hailed the move of several government agencies in cracking down on online gambling, which they are seeking to ban due to its negative implications. Senator Sherwin Gatchalian lauded the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas for tightening payment rules for online gambling transactions, calling it a monumental step toward protecting Filipinos from addiction and financial ruin. According to Philippines News Agency, Gatchalian said the BSP’s newly announced safeguards-including daily transaction caps, time limits, and biometric verification-are aligned with the Senate’s efforts to stem the rise of digital gambling, particularly among the youth. ‘The BSP’s decisive action to tighten