General

Vatican City: Massive crowds and world leaders filled Saint Peter’s Square on Saturday to bid farewell to Pope Francis, who passed away on Monday at the age of 88, ending a 12-year papacy that shaped the global Catholic Church. According to Philippines News Agency, 160 official delegations are attending the funeral, including about 50 heads of state and 10 reigning monarchs. Among them are US President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. An estimated 250,000 people visited St. Peter’s Basilica between Wednesday and Friday to pay their respects as the Pope lay in state. A similar number is expected

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.

Bataan: The Philippine Navy (PN) announced a significant achievement as one of its newly acquired missile boats successfully tested the Spike Non-Line of Sight (NLOS) missile system off the coast of Mariveles, Bataan. The test marks a crucial step in the Navy’s ongoing modernization efforts. According to Philippines News Agency, PN spokesperson Capt. John Percie Alcos confirmed the successful live-fire demonstration of the Spike NLOS missile system aboard the BRP Albert Majini (PG-909). The missiles were launched and successfully struck a target located approximately 24 kilometers away, showcasing the system’s capability and precision. This event is part of the PN’s