General

Manila: As the Lenten week unfolds, leaders across Northern Mindanao have joined the Christian community in calls for peace, reflection, and spiritual clarity. In a statement issued on Thursday, Iligan City Mayor Frederick Siao said Holy Week provides a significant opportunity for each individual to reflect on their spiritual journey. According to Philippines News Agency, Malaybalay City, Bukidnon Mayor Jay Warren Pabillaran echoed this sentiment, stating that the Christian community, particularly the Catholic majority in the city and the nation, should consistently strive to emulate the life of service and sacrifice exemplified by Jesus Christ. Valencia City, Bukidnon Mayor Azucena

Quezon: Government troops from the 80th Infantry (STEADFAST) Battalion clashed with remnants of the dismantled Komiteng Larangang Guerilla (KLG) Narciso in Barangay Tanauan, Real, Quezon. The confrontation occurred on Wednesday as the troops intercepted a rebel group allegedly planning to extort money from local election candidates. According to Philippines News Agency, Lieutenant Colonel Mark Antony U. Ruby, commanding officer of the 80th Infantry Battalion (IB) Philippine Army (PA), stated that the rebel group, believed to have originated from the Sierra Madre mountain range, attempted to re-establish a presence in Northern Quezon. Their objective was reportedly to collect ‘Campaign Access Fees’

Manila: The Philippine government has signaled its ‘strong intent’ for a strategic economic alignment with the United States amid global challenges during the visit of a bipartisan US Congressional Delegation to Manila. In a meeting with US Senator Pete Ricketts (R-Nebraska), Senator Chris Coons (D-Delaware), and Senator Ted Budd (R-North Carolina) on Tuesday, Trade Secretary Cristina Roque expressed Manila’s openness to forge ‘deeper engagement’ with the US as a ‘strategic economic partner’ in an increasingly complex global environment. According to Philippines News Agency, the meeting was more than a diplomatic courtesy; it served as a strong signal of intent that

Romblon: In a significant milestone for rehabilitation and education, five persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) from the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) Romblon District Jail have earned their Senior High School diplomas through the Department of Education’s (DepEd) Alternative Learning System (ALS) program. The graduates donned light blue togas and caps as they received their diplomas during a ceremony held on Wednesday. The event was attended by family members, underscoring the importance of education in the reintegration process. According to Philippines News Agency, BJMP Mimaropa information officer, Jail Officer 3 Joefrie Anglo, stated that this accomplishment reflects the

Bangkok: Filipino FIDE Master Christian Gian Karlo Arca stunned British Grandmaster Stephen Gordon late Wednesday to remain unbeaten in the 22nd Bangkok Chess Club Open at the Royal Orchid Sheraton Riverside Hotel in Thailand. According to Philippines News Agency, using the black pieces, Arca conquered Gordon in 40 moves of the Chebanenko Slav, a variation of the Slav defense, to gain 4.0 points and share the lead with GM Babu MR Lalith of India and International Master Arif Abdul Hafiz of Indonesia. Lalith defeated FM Alexander Chernyavsky of Russia while Hafiz downed GM Vitaliy Bernadskiy of Ukraine. “The game was