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Metro Manila, Philippines — The Senate website was unavailable for the entire Thursday, June 11, following the defacement claimed by a hacktivist group. The group, Nullsec Philippines, claimed responsibility for the defacement of the Senate website at around midnight. On its social media page, the group posted a screenshot of a black screen stating that the Senate website had been “hacked” and included a message addressed to the chamber. “We are watching. The Filipino people entrusted you with power, responsibility, and the duty to serve the nation – not personal interests, political dynasties, or corrupt networks,” the message read.  “Transparency is not optional. Accountability is not negotiable. Public office is not a shield from scrutiny,” it added.  The Senate Electronic Data Processing and Management Information System Bureau confirmed the defacement at around 10 a.m. on Thursday, but assured the public that no confidential or sensitive information had been compromised based…

Metro Manila, Philippines – Ateneo de Manila University men’s basketball team head coach Tab Baldwin and team manager Epok Quimpo have gone on leave pending inquiries on the deaths of cagers Rene Baterbonia and Divine Adili, the university announced on Thursday, June 11. The school management said it is cooperating fully with all government bodies and their respective investigations into the incident. The school has launched an internal probe. “The inquiry will exhaustively examine the circumstances surrounding the incident, reconstruct a transparent timeline, review all athletic protocols, and interview every individual present,” Ateneo said in a statement. The school also shared a brief recollection of what happened before the deaths of Baterbonia and Adili.  “Based on what we have gathered from those present, on Monday, 8 June 2026, the team was engaged in a conditioning exercise in knee-deep water near the shoreline when they were suddenly engulfed by massive waves…

Metro Manila, Philippines – The death of two Ateneo de Manila University basketball players during a team-building activity requires a thorough and impartial investigation, Malacañang said  Thursday, June 11. Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro said President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. wants authorities to ensure a full probe.  Rene Clert Baterbonia, 19, and Divine Adili, 21, members of the Ateneo Blue Eagles men’s basketball team, drowned in a team building activity in Dipaculao, Aurora on June 8. Baterbonia, an incoming rookie from Agusan del Sur, was the Most Valuable Player of the 2025 Palarong Pambansa boys’ basketball tournament, while Adili, a Nigerian student-athlete, played for Ateneo in UAAP Season 88. The two participated in a water activity when they were reportedly swept away by strong current. “Unang-una po, of course, ay nakikiramay tayo sa pangyayaring ito,” Castro said in a press briefing.[Translation: First of all, we extend our condolences over this incident.] Castro…

Metro Manila, Philippines – The Philippines will not lose control over Scarborough Shoal despite the presence of Chinese structures in the area, Malacañang said Thursday, June 11.  In a press briefing, Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro said President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. “will not allow” the country to lose control of the shoal and will affirm the country’s sovereignty over the area.  This was in response to a floating platform and other structures within the shoal, prompting concerns over violations of Philippine sovereignty and international law. “Hindi po hahayaan ng pangulo na mangyari po iyan,” Castro said.[Translation: The president will not allow that to happen.] Castro said the administration remains firm in asserting the country’s rights while pursuing diplomatic and legal remedies. “Alam po natin ano ang totoong stance ng pangulo pagdating sa interes ng mga Pilipino at interes din natin dito sa ating West Philippine Sea,” she added. [Translation: We know…

Metro Manila, Philippines – A number of government agencies have launched probes on the drowning of Ateneo de Manila University student athletes Rene Baterbonia and Divine Awili. Labor Secretary Francis Tolentino on Thursday, June 11, told the media that his agency filed a show cause order against men’s basketball team head coach Tab Baldwin, ordering him to explain his alien employment permit (AEP).  US-born Baldwin has coached teams in Malaysia, China, Turkey, New Zealand, Lebanon, and Jordan.  “He has to show documents at kasasabi ko lang kanina, yung bagong rules namin sa AEP ay pinirmahan ko lang one day after this incident, nangyari itong incident ng June 8. Yung bagong rules namin sa AEP pinirmahan ko ng June 9,” Labor Sec. Francis Tolentino said on Thursday, June 11, referring to the drowning case during a team building in Aurora province. [Translation: I only signed our new rules on the AEP…