Philippines

Basilan Trains 100 Provincial Workers as Tourism Push Gains Momentum

LAMITAN CITY, Basilan — Basilan is stepping up efforts to strengthen its tourism industry, with 100 provincial government personnel undergoing training designed to raise service standards and improve the visitor experience. The training was conducted on August 20, 2026, at the Basilan Government Center in Sta. Clara, Lamitan City, according to the Ministry of Trade, Investments and Tourism (MTIT)-Basilan. The participants were introduced to the Department of Tourism's 7Ms of the Filipino Brand

August 25, 2026

Philippines

Ganarul Brigade Tops 11ID With 98.04% Rating—What the Result Says About Army Readiness in Sulu

ZAMBOANGA/SULU — The Philippine Army’s 1102nd Infantry “Ganarul” Brigade has emerged as the top-performing unit among those evaluated under the 11th Infantry Division (11ID), posting an 98.04% rating in the 2026 Annual General Inspection (AGI). The result earned the Sulu-based brigade an “Excellent” rating, placing it ahead of the other 11ID units evaluated during the inspection cycle. The recognition was formally presented on August 24 during the 11ID’s flag-raising and awarding ceremony at t

August 25, 2026

Philippines

ZAMBOANGA TIGHTENS SCHOOL SECURITY: Metal Detectors, Police Visibility and Threat Monitoring Rolled Out — What Happens Next?

ZAMBOANGA CITY — Schools across Zamboanga City are stepping up security measures following the fatal shooting at Ateneo de Zamboanga University, with the Department of Education (DepEd) calling for stronger coordination among school officials, parents, local authorities and law enforcement. The intensified security push came after Education Secretary Sonny Angara visited Ateneo de Zamboanga University to assess safety concerns and extend support following the August 18 campus shooting. DepEd Z

August 25, 2026

Philippines

Philippines Moves to Expand Military Drone Capabilities as South China Sea Tensions Rise

The Philippines is preparing to expand its military drone capabilities as Manila accelerates efforts to modernize the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and strengthen the country's ability to defend its territory and maritime interests. Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. told lawmakers on August 25 that the Philippines plans to develop and acquire additional unmanned systems as part of a broader military modernization program. The move comes as the Philippines faces increasingly comple

August 25, 2026

Philippines

OVP OFFICIAL LEMUEL ORTONIO DECLARED HOSTILE WITNESS IN SARA DUTERTE IMPEACHMENT TRIAL — CASH TRAIL NOW UNDER SCRUTINY

MANILA, Philippines — The impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte took another dramatic turn on Tuesday after the Senate Impeachment Court declared Office of the Vice President (OVP) Assistant Secretary and Assistant Chief of Staff Lemuel Ortonio a hostile witness, giving House prosecutors greater latitude to question him about the handling of the office’s confidential funds. The ruling came during the 18th day of Duterte’s impeachment trial, as prosecutors pursued allegations involvin

August 25, 2026

Philippines

Kidapawan Is Giving Away Free Fruits and Ice Cream at Kalivungan — But There’s One Date Visitors Shouldn’t Miss

KIDAPAWAN CITY, Philippines — Visitors heading to North Cotabato’s Kalivungan Festival may want to make an extra stop at Kidapawan City’s booth, where hundreds of kilos of locally grown tropical fruits — plus fruit-flavored ice cream — are set to be given away for free. Kidapawan City is bringing a smaller version of its hugely popular Fruit-Eat-All-You-Can attraction to the provincial capitol grounds in Barangay Amas as North Cotabato celebrates its 112th founding anniversary through the Kaliv

August 25, 2026

Philippines

72% of Filipinos Say They Feel Safe in Their Communities—But the PNP Says the Fight Isn’t Over

MANILA, Philippines — Public confidence in community safety is showing signs of improvement, with a majority of Filipinos saying they feel safe where they live, according to the latest OCTA Research survey cited by the Philippine National Police (PNP). The second-quarter 2026 OCTA Research survey, conducted among 1,200 adult respondents nationwide, found that 72% said they felt safe in their neighborhoods. The survey also found that 68% said they were not afraid to walk alone at night, while 5

August 25, 2026

Philippines

PNP Trust Rating Climbs to 65% — But a Huge Metro Manila Gap Shows the Real Test Is Far From Over

MANILA, Philippines — Public trust in the Philippine National Police has improved again, giving the country’s national police force fresh momentum — and an equally important warning that confidence remains far from uniform across the Philippines. The PNP secured a 65% nationwide trust rating and a 63% satisfaction or performance rating in OCTA Research’s second-quarter 2026 Tugon ng Masa survey, according to results released this week. Both figures improved by two percentage points from the pr

August 25, 2026

Business

P1,200 Minimum Wage Push Gains Momentum in Cebu as Piston Backs Workers’ Demand

CEBU, Philippines — The campaign for a ₱1,200 daily minimum wage across Central Visayas is gaining momentum after transport group Pagkakaisa ng mga Samahan ng Tsuper at Opereytor Nationwide (Piston) Cebu threw its support behind the proposal during the region’s ongoing wage review. Piston Cebu joined labor groups in a picket outside the Department of Education Ecotech Center in Cebu City on August 24, where the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board 7 (RTWPB 7) conducted its first pub

August 25, 2026

Philippines

NBI Uncovers Online ‘Groomers’ Targeting Minors for Violence—But Are They Behind the School Shootings?

MANILA, Philippines — Philippine authorities are investigating an alarming online network allegedly targeting minors and gradually pushing them toward violent behavior, as the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) works to determine whether the group is connected to a string of school-related attacks. NBI Director Melvin Matibag said investigators have identified a group of alleged “groomers” operating through online group chats and targeting young people, including minors as young as 12. The

August 25, 2026