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Metro Manila, Philippines – The Philippine government has told France that fugitive former lawmaker Zaldy Co is not a victim of political persecution, as Manila pushes for his return amid his reported bid for asylum. Philippine Ambassador to France Eduardo De Vega  told NewsWatch Plus that authorities have relayed Co’s legal situation to French officials, stressing that the charges he faces stem from corruption allegations tied to the flood control scandal. De Vega said the Philippines recognizes France’s sovereignty and legal processes, including its handling of asylum applications — a process that limits what Philippine authorities can do on the ground. “Dahil sa soberanya ng France, hindi puwedeng basta-basta mahuli ng mga opisyal ng Pilipinas doon,” De Vega said. [Translation: Because of France’s sovereignty, Philippine officials cannot simply arrest him there.] He added that even with an arrest warrant issued by the Sandiganbayan, enforcement cannot extend beyond Philippine jurisdiction. “The…

Metro Manila, Philippines – The United States Embassy in Manila has issued a security alert for its citizens in the country after reports that two Americans were among the 19 that died in the recent reported clash in Toboso, Negros Occidental. In the security alert released on Friday, May 1, the US embassy flagged parts of Leyte, Mindoro, Negros, and Samar as “areas of heightened concern.”  The embassy warned of “recent intensified operations by the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) against the New People’s Army (NPA),” identifying them as “designated foreign terrorist organization by the US and Philippine governments.” “We advise Americans in the Philippines and around the world to abide by local laws and to avoid situations with elevated security risk,” its alert read. “Anyone in proximity of NPA elements is at grave risk of arrest, injury, or death. Foreign terrorist organizations actively recruit Americans to participate directly…

Metro Manila, Philippines – The Philippine National Police (PNP) implements full alert status on Friday, May 1, in line with the nation’s observance of Labor Day. “The PNP will remain on full alert throughout the day. Patuloy kaming nakaantabay (we will continue being on guard)—not just to ensure security, but to support the safe and peaceful expression of our people’s concerns,” PNP chief Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said in a statement.  Under full alert, authorities will implement suspension of leaves, maximum deployment, enhanced police visibility, active support forces and coordination with involved agencies.  Early PNP reports show that at least nine rallies were held in different parts of the country, drawing an estimated 3,410 participants.  Activities largely centered on labor-related concerns, including wage adjustments, fuel prices, and worker protection The PNP previously said more than 106,000 personnel were deployed nationwide, supported by force multipliers and partner agencies.  “Police presence has…

Metro Manila, Philippines – The lack of employment opportunities and low wages are the top issues Filipinos want the government to address, a nationwide independent survey by WR Numero found. The results of the study conducted with a sample of 1,455 Filipinos in March was released by the poll body on Friday, May 1. When asked to cite policy issues they want the government to prioritize, creating jobs and livelihood (63%) and increasing workers wages (49%) emerged as top concerns for Filipinos. The percentage of answers for these policies went up by 41 and 15 percentage points, respectively from November 2025.  Meanwhile, other participants said they want the government to prioritize fighting illegal drugs (40%), combat corruption and other wrongdoings in government (32%), and lower the prices of goods and other basic goods (26%). Survey participants also stressed the importance of fighting crime (14%), combating poverty and assisting the poor…

Metro Manila, Philippines – President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said the government is stepping up efforts to create more jobs as workers grapple with rising prices of fuel, electricity and basic goods. Speaking at the Labor Day celebration in General Santos City, Marcos said the administration is trying to ease the impact of higher costs while expanding employment opportunities. “We are not stopping in finding ways to create more jobs and opportunities,” he said. He pointed to nearly P2 trillion in approved investments last year, which are expected to generate about 150,000 jobs. The government has also continued holding job fairs nationwide, with more than 250,000 applicants hired on the spot since 2022, according to official data. More than 150,000 vacancies are being offered in Labor Day job fairs across 94 locations, he added. Still, Marcos acknowledged the strain on workers from rising fuel and power costs, saying the government has…