General

Manila: An earthquake, with a preliminary magnitude of 6.4, hit waters off south-eastern Philippines this morning, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology said. According to Nam News Network, the quake occurred at 09:58 a.m. local time (0158 GMT), striking at a depth of 10 kilometers, approximately 359 kilometers north-east of Baganga town in Davao Oriental province. The institute reported that the tectonic quake will not cause damage, providing reassurance to the residents in the surrounding areas.

The Hague: Prosecutors have formally urged the International Criminal Court (ICC) to reject former president Rodrigo Duterte’s request for interim release. In an official 15-page filing dated June 23, Deputy Prosecutor Mame Mandiaye Niang addressed the ICC chamber, arguing against the release of Duterte to any country willing to accept him. According to Philippines News Agency, the prosecution emphasized the necessity of Duterte’s continued detention to ensure his appearance at trial. The prosecution’s position is also anchored in preventing Duterte from obstructing or endangering the investigation or court proceedings and in preventing any further crimes under the Court’s jurisdiction. The

Iloilo: The Department of Agriculture in Western Visayas (DA-6), through its Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Division (AMAD), has opened a Kadiwa Display Center (KDC) to serve as a venue to showcase regional products. DA-6 AMAD officer-in-charge May Ann Grajo emphasized the center’s role in providing entrepreneurs with a platform to display their products, enhancing their potential for local and export markets. According to Philippines News Agency, Grajo highlighted that the Kadiwa Display Center is designed to demonstrate the competitiveness of local products in terms of price and quality. The initiative aims to support farmers in transitioning to agribusiness by assisting

La Castellana: The Regional Task Force (RTF) Kanlaon has indefinitely suspended entry within the six-kilometer extended danger zone of Kanlaon Volcano during certain periods of the day starting Tuesday. This decision comes as a precautionary measure to safeguard residents and workers from the heightened volcanic activity. According to Philippines News Agency, the Office of Civil Defense-led RTF Kanlaon issued an advisory on Monday indicating that the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) has recorded 67 volcanic earthquakes. The sulfur dioxide flux was measured at 755 tonnes per day, and a plume 950 meters tall was observed, continuously degassing and

Manila: Canada has expressed concern over another unprovoked incident involving Chinese vessels firing water cannons against civilian boats from the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) in the South China Sea. The targeted BFAR vessels were on a routine mission to support traditional Filipino fishing communities operating in the area. According to Philippines News Agency, the Embassy of Canada in the Philippines issued a statement emphasizing that “coercion and intimidation have no place in a stable, peaceful, and prosperous Indo-Pacific region.” The incident involved the Chinese Coast Guard vessel 4203, which reportedly used water cannons on the BRP Datu