General

Zamboanga City: Authorities nabbed a former member of the extremist Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) wanted for kidnapping in Zamboanga City on Monday after 15 years in hiding. In a statement Tuesday, Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) chief Maj. Gen. Nicolas Torre III said Abu Raba, 52, was arrested by CIDG Basulta (Basilan, Sulu, Tawi-Tawi) operatives at Barangay Dita, Zamboanga City. According to Philippines News Agency, Raba has a standing arrest warrant for kidnapping and serious illegal detention issued by a court in Isabela City, Basilan in July 2009. Torre said Raba belonged to the command of the late ASG

Negros Oriental: Security forces in Negros Oriental have significantly bolstered election-related checkpoints as the local campaign period intensifies ahead of the May 12 midterm polls, police officials said Tuesday. According to Philippines News Agency, the Negros Oriental Police Provincial Office (NOPPO) has expanded its daily checkpoint operations from an initial nine to a comprehensive network covering all major thoroughfares. Lieutenant Stephen Polinar, NOPPO spokesperson, attributed this escalation to both the creation of the new Negros Island Region Police Regional Office and the heightened mobility of candidates crisscrossing municipal boundaries. The 24-hour checkpoint system operates in three shifts, combining joint Comelec-PNP-AFP

Manila: Some 32 senior officers of the Philippine National Police (PNP) would be promoted to the next higher rank. The official donning of ranks and oathtaking rites for four major generals and 28 brigadier generals would take place on Wednesday, the PNP said in a news release Tuesday. According to Philippines News Agency, the Department of the Interior and Local Government assured that there would be no delay in the processing of promotions of third-level police officers. The National Police Commission earlier passed a resolution mandating the completion of the processing of promotions for third-level police officers within 30 days

Manila: Defending champion Adamson University downed University of the Philippines, 6-3, Tuesday to take a 1-0 lead in the UAAP Season 87 women’s softball best-of-three title series at the Rizal Memorial Baseball Stadium in Malate. The Lady Falcons, eyeing their 12th straight crown, will try to close out the series on Saturday at 9 a.m. According to Philippines News Agency, the game was tied 3-all before Mary Jane Libaton, Madaelene Domaug, and Roma Mae Cruz scored for Adamson. “I’m proud of them because some players stepped up when it was most needed since we had a rough start earlier. This

Manila: The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) and the Hong Kong Monetary Authority recently convened for a high-level bilateral meeting to exchange views and bolster cooperation on central banking matters. According to Philippines News Agency, the meeting, held on March 28, was spearheaded by BSP Governor Eli Remolona Jr. and Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) Chief Executive Eddie Yue. Hosted by the BSP, the meeting served as a platform for officials from both institutions to discuss and share insights on several key areas, including capital market development, digital payments and connectivity, digital banking, and sustainable finance. Discussions during the meeting