General

Manila: A total of 891 drug suspects were arrested and PHP33.8 million worth of illegal drugs seized in Quezon City since January this year, police said Sunday. In a statement, Quezon City Police District (QCPD) director Brig. Gen. Melecio Buslig Jr. said they were the results of 589 anti-drug operations as of April 6. According to Philippines News Agency, during the same period, the QCPD also arrested 913 wanted persons, 1,071 illegal gamblers, and 91 suspects involved in illegal firearms. Crimes also dropped by 14.90 percent during the past three months, from 510 cases across eight focus crimes during the

Manila: Power utility giant Manila Electric Company (Meralco) has signed a strategic cooperation agreement with France’s state-owned €š¬°lectricit© de France SA (EDF) to explore the deployment of nuclear energy in the Philippines, an initiative aimed at bolstering long-term energy security. EDF will provide Meralco with technical support and strategic guidance in conducting feasibility studies under the two-year memorandum of cooperation, according to a news release over the weekend. According to Philippines News Agency, Meralco revealed in November 2024 that it is in talks with the French government on research collaborations. The studies will focus on evaluating site readiness, grid integration,

Manila: Following the stalled loan deal with China for the Philippine National Railways South Long Haul (PNR-SLH) project, France has expressed strong interest in stepping in as key financier. According to Philippines News Agency, the French government offered support for the 561.1-kilometer railway project linking Muntinlupa City, Metro Manila and Matnog, Sorsogon during the meeting between Department of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Vince Dizon and visiting Minister Delegate for Foreign Trade and French Nationals Abroad Laurent Saint-Martin on April 11. Saint-Martin informed Dizon that the France Development Agency, along with export financing guarantees and treasury loans, have successfully mobilized funding for

Mimaropa: Persons deprived of liberty (PDL) under the custody of the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) in Mimaropa Region joined Christians nationwide in observing Palm Sunday, marking the beginning of Holy Week. According to Philippines News Agency, the BJMP ensures that PDL who wish to take part in the Lenten season are allowed to meditate, reflect, and seek spiritual renewal. Jail Officer 3 Joefrie Anglo, the regional information officer, highlighted the significance of these activities for inmates. ‘For the PDL, being in jail is already a form of sacrifice, but through these activities, they are able to participate

Manila: The Office of Civil Defense (OCD) has signed two key agreements to boost disaster resilience across Negros Island, partnering with the city government of Victorias and the Negros Association of Chief Executives (ACE). The signing comes in the wake of the April 8 eruption of Mt. Kanlaon, which displaced more than 25,000 residents. According to Philippines News Agency, the memorandum of agreement (MOA) with Victorias City focuses on enhancing the city’s disaster risk reduction and management (DRRM) capabilities, allowing access to the OCD’s technical resources, training programs, and scientific data. The second MOA, signed with the Negros ACE led