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Metro Manila, Philippines – Education Secretary Sonny Angara  assured immediate assistance to victims of the deadly school shooting in Tacloban City, saying the Department of Education (DepEd) is responding to reports that at least one victim initially faced difficulties being admitted to a hospital due to a lack of deposit. In an interview on NewsWatch Plus, Angara said senior DepEd officials were dispatched to Tacloban and instructed to prioritize the needs of affected families. “Nagdadala sila ng konting assistance doon sa mga na-hospital kasi nabalitaan namin ayaw daw tanggapin ‘yung isang biktima dahil walang ma-deposit,” he said on Monday, June 22. [Translation: They are bringing assistance to those hospitalized because we received reports that one victim was allegedly not admitted because there was no deposit.] The education chief said DepEd would shoulder the expenses to treat the victims. “Sabi namin, advance na muna ‘yung pera, kami na bahala. Huwag na…

Trigger warning: Violence Metro Manila, Philippines –  Education Secretary Sonny Angara said bullying is among the possible motives behind the deadly shooting at a public high school in Tacloban City, as authorities continue to piece together what led to the attack. In an interview on The Newsmaker, Angara said initial information reaching the Department of Education indicated that one of the student suspects may have experienced bullying, although he stressed that the report remains unverified. “Yung isang student baka na-bully daw yung sa Grade 9 but we’re still verifying this,” he said. [Translation: One of the students may have been bullied, but we are still verifying that information.] Angara also disclosed that the shooting involved two separate incidents inside San Jose National High School. According to information relayed to the department, one student allegedly opened fire on learners in a Grade 9 classroom, while another shooting occurred in a Grade…

Metro Manila, Philippines – President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. assured the public that the government will continue rehabilitating damaged infrastructure and implementing long-term flood mitigation projects, with funding already earmarked under the proposed 2027 national budget. Speaking after inspecting the rehabilitation of the Mananga River in Barangay San Isidro, Talisay City, Cebu, Marcos said the government remains committed to rebuilding infrastructure damaged by typhoons, flooding and other natural disasters. “So, patuloy lang ang ginagawa natin para hindi na maulit ‘yung napakalaking perwisyo ng pagdaan ng bagyo, ng ilog, at saka nung pagdaan nung baha dito at ang daming nasira,” Marcos said on Monday, June 22. [Translation: We will continue these efforts so that the massive damage caused by typhoons, overflowing rivers and flooding will not happen again.] The president said rehabilitation and construction projects will continue in the coming years, including long-term interventions to prevent floodwaters from reaching heavily populated communities.…

Metro Manila, Philippines –  The International Criminal Court (ICC) Trial Chamber III will hold its second status conference in the crimes against humanity case of former President Rodrigo Duterte on Tuesday, June 23, with the former leader again choosing to skip the proceedings. In a notice to journalists, the ICC confirmed that Duterte waived his right to be present at the hearing and that the Trial Chamber III granted the request. The defense is expected to formally file Duterte’s signed waiver before the beginning of the hearing. The former president also waived his appearance during an earlier status conference in May. According to an order issued by Trial Chamber III on June 18, the conference will take place from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. in The Hague, or 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Manila time. The proceedings will be public, although the chamber may shift to private session if discussions…

Metro Manila, Philippines – The Department of Education will review and strengthen security measures in schools in light of the deadly shooting in a public high school in Tacloban City, Education Secretary Sonny Angara said Monday, June 22. In an interview on The Newsmaker, Angara said the incident exposed security gaps that must be addressed to prevent similar attacks from happening again. “I think definitely mayroon talaga. Kasi may security guard na doon sa school na iyon and yet nangyari ito.” [Translation: I think there definitely is a need. That school already had a security guard, yet the incident still happened.] “Definitely magkakaroon tayo ng recommendation and action kung paano mapapaganda yung security.” [Translation: We will definitely come up with recommendations and actions on how to improve security.] The education chief said the department would coordinate with local governments, the Philippine National Police and other agencies to enhance campus safety.…