General

Pasay: Three suspected human traffickers were charged following an inquest filed by the National Bureau of Investigation-International Airport Investigation Division, the Bureau of Immigration (BI) reported Saturday. According to Philippines News Agency, the case, which stemmed from the sworn complaints of seven overseas Filipino victims, was filed before the Office of the City Prosecutor of Pasay on April 24, BI Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado said in a news release Saturday. The BI, which assisted in the investigation, said the victims were promised jobs but were instead forced to work in cyberscam operations under severe physical abuse and coercion. The victims

North Cotabato: The Integrated Provincial Health Office (IPHO) in North Cotabato confirmed a case of monkeypox (mpox) infection, with the patient currently stable but still in isolation. According to Philippines News Agency, the IPHO-North Cotabato, under the leadership of Dr. Eva Rabaya, identified the mpox case as a 30-year-old man from Tulunan town. The agency confirmed that the patient was informed of the infection upon detection and is currently in a stable condition. The mpox variant, identified as Clade II, poses a low risk. The man sought early medical consultation after experiencing symptoms and has been cooperating with the local

Rome: United States President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania visited Pope Francis’ coffin at St. Peter’s Basilica on Saturday, offering a moment of silent prayer before the funeral. According to Philippines News Agency, Italian President Sergio Mattarella, joined by his daughter Laura, along with several other world leaders, also paid their respects ahead of the late pontiff’s final rites. Meanwhile, Trump also met with Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky before the funeral service, Sky News quoted Vatican sources as saying. The two leaders agreed to meet later on Saturday after the funeral, according to the report.

Manila: The soon-to-be-issued digital nomad visas (DNVs) for remote workers is expected to drive spending by international visitors who will be allowed to stay longer in the Philippines, as well as help boost tourism activities during off-peak seasons. President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. signed on April 24 Executive Order No. 86, authorizing the Department of Foreign Affairs to issue DNVs to non-immigrant foreigners planning to visit and work remotely in the Philippines. According to Philippines News Agency, Tourism Secretary Christina Frasco described the move as a ‘progressive policy’ that reflects the Marcos administration’s strong commitment to elevating the Philippine tourism

Tacloban: House of Representatives Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez on Saturday afternoon led public officials and Waraynons in attending a solemn Mass with church leaders and the people of Eastern Visayas to honor the legacy of Pope Francis’ historic visit to Tacloban City at the tarmac of the New Daniel Z. Romualdez Airport. According to Philippines News Agency, the Holy Mass-held in the same area where Pope Francis stood in the wind and rain on Jan. 17, 2015, to offer comfort to a grieving nation-was officiated by Msgr. Ramon Stephen Aguilos as the main celebrant, and Rev. Fr. Mark Ivo Velasquez,