Category: General

Caraga: Seven New People’s Army (NPA) members surrendered to the Police Regional Office in Caraga (PRO-13) on Oct. 30 following negotiations led by police units across the region, the office reported Friday. Among those who surrendered was a 27-year-old rebel, identified only as Alias Dems, a member of the Sandatahang Yunit Pampropaganda (SYP) Sikop of the NPA’s North Central Mindanao Regional Committee (NCMRC). According to Philippines News Agency, Dems surrendered to the Agusan del Norte Provincial Police Office (ADNPPO), turning over a .22-caliber Smith and Wesson revolver, 20 rounds of ammunition, and an improvised explosive device (IED). Also surrendered on

Manila: President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has pledged to enhance disaster risk reduction (DRR) strategies at both local and national levels following the devastating floods caused by recent typhoons that have impacted the Philippines. According to Philippines News Agency, in a social media vlog posted on Friday, Marcos highlighted the severe impact on millions of Filipinos and the extensive damage to infrastructure and agriculture sectors due to the recent typhoons, aggravated by climate change. Severe Tropical Storm Kristine (international name Trami) resulted in massive flooding in the Bicol region, leading to the suspension of classes and government work in Luzon.

Bulusan: Dee Jai, an artist hailing from Bicol, is using the power of art to help heal the trauma of survivors in the wake of Severe Tropical Storm Kristine, which devastated the region on October 22. The artist observed children engaging with their artworks, seemingly unaffected by the muddy conditions surrounding their makeshift art station in Bulusan, Libon town in Albay. According to Philippines News Agency, Jai’s attention was drawn to a child’s drawing of a colorful flower, a stark contrast to the prevalent themes of water and storm clouds in other artworks. The child explained that she drew the

MANILA: Two Indonesian military helicopters have arrived in the Philippines to support the Philippine Air Force’s (PAF) humanitarian assistance and disaster relief missions in areas severely affected by recent weather disturbances. The Indonesian National Armed Forces’ Mi-17V5 and H-225M helicopters landed at the Villamor Air Base, Pasay City, enhancing the PAF’s capacity to deliver essential relief supplies to remote and inaccessible areas. According to Philippines News Agency, PAF spokesperson Col. Ma. Consuelo Castillo emphasized that the addition of these helicopters significantly strengthens the PAF’s aerial relief capabilities, ensuring more efficient delivery of aid. The PAF has been actively involved in

Davao: The Court of Tax Appeals reversed a 2019 ruling by the Digos, Davao del Sur Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 19 that allowed the provincial government’s PHP2.5 million franchise tax assessment on the National Transmission Corp. (TransCo). According to Philippines News Agency, in a decision dated Oct. 31, the CTA Second Division declared that “respondent’s (Davao del Sur) local franchise tax assessments (on TransCo) for the years 2002 to 2008 have no legal bases and as such, are void.” The court also noted that the RTC had effectively nullified the local franchise tax assessments issued by the province against