General

Manila: The Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) and the Bureau of Immigration have deported 100 Chinese nationals who were apprehended in raids on Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) since last year. This action aligns with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s directive to clamp down on foreign nationals engaged in illegal online gaming and scamming operations, as well as to dismantle organized criminal networks. According to Philippines News Agency, the PAOCC coordinated with the Chinese Embassy in the Philippines to facilitate the deportation. The deportees were sent home on a Philippine Airlines flight bound for Shanghai, departing from Ninoy Aquino International

Manila: President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has accepted the courtesy resignations of 17 officials from the Presidential Communications Office (PCO), as announced by Malaca±ang. Palace Press Officer Claire Castro confirmed these significant changes in the PCO, highlighting the “voluntary” resignation of Senior Undersecretary Ana Puod, who stepped down for “personal” reasons. According to Philippines News Agency, Castro informed reporters that the resignations were part of an ongoing evaluation of government undersecretaries, as the Marcos administration seeks to recalibrate its efforts. Castro clarified there has been no directive from President Marcos requiring undersecretaries to submit their courtesy resignations, despite their probationary

Gingoog City: Local leaders in Misamis Oriental remembered and honored the late Gingoog City mayor Marie De Lara Guingona following her passing. According to Philippines News Agency, incoming Misamis Oriental Governor Juliette Uy stated that Guingona was a great loss and a cherished friend and colleague in public service. Uy expressed that Guingona’s contributions to Gingoog City would leave a lasting legacy in the hearts of many. Misamis Oriental 2nd District Rep. Yevgeny Vincente Emano and the Padayon Pilipino political party also extended their heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family of Guingona. Guingona’s death was announced by her family on

Antique: Antique National School (ANS), the largest secondary school in the province of Antique by student population, will continue to accept late enrollees until July. ANS Principal IV Roger Jomolo has encouraged parents to take advantage of this opportunity to provide their children with free education. According to Philippines News Agency, Jomolo emphasized the importance of enrollment in an interview on Tuesday. He stated that next week, school officials would assess the institution’s capacity to decide the final cutoff date for enrollment in July. The school currently operates with 150 classrooms and 45 workshops or laboratories, supported by a staff

Jerusalem: Seventeen Filipino local government officials, including mayors, find themselves stranded in Israel due to the closure of airspace and airports following Iran’s retaliatory air raids. Israel’s Ambassador to the Philippines, Ilan Fluss, confirmed the situation on Tuesday. According to Philippines News Agency, the stranded officials are part of a Philippine delegation on a study visit aimed at exchanging best practices in dairy farming. The 17 officials, along with five other Filipino visitors, are in Israel under the sponsorship of the Israeli government. Ambassador Fluss assured that the delegation is being well taken care of by the Israeli government, which