News

Metro Manila, Philippines – The Department of Justice (DOJ) on Thursday, July 2, said it is studying the possibility of applying anti-terrorism laws to nihilistic violent extremism (NVE) groups, following reports that one such network may have groomed the Tacloban school shooters.   During a Wednesday, July 1, hearing on rising school violence, Senator Risa Hontiveros shared investigators’ findings that an NVE group named “764” could have influenced the two Tacloban suspects. The younger suspect, Nash, interacted with social media users supposedly linked to 764.  The US Department of Justice considered 764 a terrorist network and a national security threat, while Canada and New Zealand designated them as a terrorist group.  The DOJ said the country does not have a legal framework to address NVE groups. “Yung terrorism, pag aralan natin kung maaaring masakop ‘don itong NVE lalo na kung magkaroon ng mass casualty event. Kasi nga yung mga ibang bansa…

Vancouver, Canada –  The Philippines is looking to deepen ties with Canada as President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. began a four-day official visit Wednesday, July 1, focused on expanding cooperation in trade, defense, maritime security and investment. Marcos arrived at Vancouver International Airport at 4:46 p.m. local time (7:46 a.m. Thursday in Manila), marking the first official visit by a Philippine president to Canada in more than a decade. The president is scheduled to meet Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney to discuss a plan of action that will guide the next phase of bilateral relations, with talks expected to center on trade, defense and maritime cooperation, people-to-people ties and expanded air connectivity. Before departing Manila, Marcos said the visit would build on the “very positive trajectory” of Philippines-Canada relations by pursuing new areas of collaboration, including mining, critical minerals and renewable energy. Marcos is also set to meet Canadian business leaders…

Vancouver, Canada –  President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said the Philippines’ ascension to upper-middle-income country status will attract more investments, create better-paying jobs and expand opportunities for Filipino families. In a video statement, Marcos said the country’s reclassification by the World Bank—after nearly four decades as a lower-middle-income economy—validates his administration’s economic policies. He cited steady economic growth, a broadly stable currency and long-term reforms that strengthened the economy despite global uncertainties. Marcos described the upgrade as a vote of confidence in the country’s future, saying increased investor confidence would encourage more businesses to expand in the Philippines, creating jobs and opening more opportunities for Filipinos. The president added that economic progress should translate into tangible benefits for ordinary Filipinos, saying the government would continue working until every family feels the gains of the country’s growth. Executive Secretary Ralph Recto also welcomed the country’s new classification, saying it reflects stronger economic…

Metro Manila, Philippines – The Philippines has achieved upper-middle income status this year, the World Bank (WB) said on Wednesday, July 1. The global development lender said the country’s gross national income (GNI) per capita of $4,850 exceeded the $4,636 threshold to break through to the upper-middle income category. The WB Development Data Group updates country classifications annually on July 1.  GNI is a metric used by the bank to classify economies into income brackets based on a country’s final income divided by its midyear population. “The Philippines achieved its reclassification through broad-based expansion. GDP [gross domestic product] grew at an average of 5.8% per year over five years, reflecting gains across all major industries, not a single sector boom, but an economy-wide shift,” the bank said in its latest blog. The group said these updates reflect which countries can get access to concessional loans and development assistance, and provide…

Metro Manila, Philippines – The Philippine National Police Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG) recommended the filing of two counts of homicide and two counts of reckless imprudence resulting in homicide against ex-Ateneo coach Tab Baldwin and eight others over the drowning of student athletes Rene Baterbonia and Divine Adili in Aurora on June 8. Also named were:  +strength and conditioning coach Grant Hearns +assistant coach Dean Caesar Castaño  +strength and conditioning coach Ceasar Vincent Elumba  +assistant coach Sandro Nicholas Soriano  +assistant coach Reynaldo Jacinto Jr. +athletic director Emmanuel Fernandez  +physical therapist John Eric Rueca  +sports facility officer Vincent Raphael Mangulabnan  The Department of Justice (DOJ) confirmed that it received the recommendations on Tuesday, July 1. Police investigators said the coaching staff and team officials failed to provide enough safety measures such as flotation devices, lifeguards, rescue equipment, proper swimmer assessment, and sufficient emergency preparations. They also allegedly pushed through…