General

Maguindanao del Sur: Police authorities in Maguindanao del Sur, supported by soldiers, have initiated a manhunt for two suspects involved in the fatal shooting of reelected town councilor Thong Mamasalanao Asim in Datu Piang. The attack took place on Wednesday, as confirmed by an official on Thursday. According to Philippines News Agency, the Police Regional Office-Bangsamoro Autonomous Region (PRO-BAR) reported that Councilor-elect Asim, aged 56 and an agriculture businessman, succumbed to multiple gunshot wounds. He was pronounced dead upon arrival at the hospital following the 3:45 p.m. incident. The shooting occurred directly outside Asim’s copra buy-and-sell business in Barangay Poblacion,

Caraga: Strategies focused on preparedness, prevention, and swift response have significantly contributed to the decline of index crimes in the Caraga Region, a police official said on Thursday. According to Philippines News Agency, this comprehensive strategy is fully incorporated into the core program thrust of the Police Regional Office in Caraga (PRO-13), as stated by Maj. Jennifer Omiter, the unit’s information chief, in a phone interview. Data from PRO-13 indicated a notable 21.4 percent decrease in index crimes when comparing the period of May 19-25 with the preceding week of May 12-18. Only 11 incidents were recorded in the region

Manila: Senate President Francis Escudero has rescheduled the presentation of the Articles of Impeachment against Vice President Sara Duterte to June 11 from the initially planned date of June 2. This change aims to provide Congress with the necessary time to address urgent priority measures before its sine die adjournment. According to Philippines News Agency, the presentation of the impeachment articles is essential for convening the Senate as an impeachment court. The transmission of these articles is now set for June 11 at 4 p.m. Escudero communicated this decision to House of Representatives Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez through a letter,

Manila: The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Thursday rebuked and rejected anew China’s claims over the Spratlys, including the Sandy Cay or Pag-asa Cay 2 in the nearby Pag-asa Island. According to Philippines News Agency, the statement comes after the Chinese Embassy in Manila on May 26 justified the recent water cannoning of two Filipino civilian vessels near the Sandy Cay, saying the feature ‘has always been China’s territory.’ Foreign Affairs Spokesperson Ma. Teresita Daza urged China to respect the country’s sovereignty and jurisdiction, stating that Pag-asa Island and the surrounding cays are part of the Philippines. She emphasized

Tokyo: The safety and security of all Japanese nationals in the country is a top priority for the Philippine government, Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo told his Japanese counterpart Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya. Manalo made the assurance during a bilateral meeting with Iwaya in Tokyo on Wednesday. According to Philippines News Agency, in a readout on Thursday, the Japanese Foreign Ministry said Iwaya emphasized that the ‘safety of Japanese nationals residing in the Philippines is essential for promoting investment’ as he conveyed ‘hopes for improvements in the security situation in the Philippines.’ Quoting Manalo as saying, the ministry said the