After more than a century, Spanish warship arrives in Manila
For the first time in more than a century, a Spanish warship has docked in the Philippines. The air defense frigate Méndez Núñez of the Armada Española arrived in Pier …
M G Martin
CNN names Vigan City as one of Asia’s most beautiful towns
News network CNN has named Vigan as one of the “most beautiful towns” in Asia for its heritage and Spanish colonial-era architecture. In a statement today (Wednesday, September 4) the …
‘Gun for hire’ to face court over murder of Australian Reginald Hodgens
A “gun for hire” will face court next month for the killing of Australian Reginald Hodgens outside his home in Sinait town last October. PLN has been contacted by the …
Filipino tourist chiefs hope nation’s ‘unique cuisine’ will tempt visitors
Filipino tourism chiefs want to turn a spotlight onto the country’s “unique cuisine” in order to attract more foreign visitors. Speaking today (Monday, September 2), Department of Tourism (DOT) chief …
Kiwi child abuser, American fraudsters and illegal Chinese workers nabbed
The Bureau of Immigration has announced the arrest of a New Zealand child abuser, two American fraudsters and a pair of Chinese illegal workers. In a report to Commissioner Jaime …
Jordanian to be deported for beating wife and running shawarma stall
The Bureau of Immigration is to deport a Jordanian man arrested in Davao City for beating his Filipina wife and working without a permit. In a report delivered to Commissioner …
Russian women arrested for working as bar girls at Malate club
Ten mainly Russian women working as ‘bar girls’ at a Malate nightclub have been arrested for not having work or health permits. The nine Russians and one Kazakh woman were …
Lawmaker wants age of sexual consent raised from 12 to 16
A congresswoman has filed a bill to raise the age of sexual consent from the current 12 years old to 16. Yedda Marie Romualdez, the chair of the House Committee …
Lulugayan Falls — Samar Island’s ‘mini Niagra’ — reopens to tourists
The Lulugayan Falls, a renowned beauty spot on the Island of Samar, have been reopened to visitors after several months of environmental rehabilitation. Residents living near the picturesque waterfalls near …
Three dead and 245 rescued from burning ferry in Zamboanga del Norte
Four people have died and 245 were rescued after a ferry caught fire in rough seas off Dapitan city in Zamboanga del Norte. Fishing boats and passing ships came to …
Anti-smoking campaigners push for 1,000 per cent hike in cigarette price
Anti-smoking campaigners are pushing for the Philippine government to increase the price of cigarettes by 1,000 per cent. The proposal was raised by an official of the World Health Organization …
Senator files bill to create task force for ‘helping and protecting’ tourists
A senator has filed a bill to create a multi-agency task force charged with helping and protecting tourists in the Philippines. Senator Manuel M Lapid filed Senate Bill 878, or …
Justice and immigration chiefs mull non-extendable visas upon arrival
Justice and immigration chiefs are mulling a switch to non-extendable 30-day visas upon arrival amid concerns over an influx of Chinese into the Philippines. Currently, visa under arrival (VUA) recipients …
President’s National Heroes Day message urges ‘everyday heroics’
National Heroes Day has been marked by President Duterte who urged Filipinos to become “everyday heroes” and help those in need. The president today (Monday, August 26) said Filipinos should …
American fugitive will be deported to face justice in two states
An American fugitive wanted in two states for drugs and human trafficking will be deported from the Philippines to face justice. In a statement today (Monday, August 26) Bureau of …
Filipinos making a difference overseas could win presidential awards
The Commission on Filipinos Overseas has opened nominations for the 2020 Presidential Awards for Filipino Individuals and Organizations Overseas. The awards are a biennial search to honour and recognise overseas …
Teen pregnancy still a problem despite downward trend, says health chief
Health Secretary Francisco Duque has said the government still had “a lot of work to do” in tackling teen pregnancy, despite falling numbers. “While there is a downward trend in …
Early release for ex-mayor jailed for rape and murder dismissed by palace
The Malacañang has said convicts jailed for “heinous” crimes, such as ex Calauan Mayor Antonio Sanchez, are not eligible for early release. Speaking at a press conference today (Friday, August …
‘Poverty is never an excuse for the online sexual abuse of children’
A global charity that works to protect the poor and vulnerable has stressed that poverty is never an excuse for the online abuse of children. In a statement today (Thursday, …
Two whales – one emaciated, the other entangled – wash ashore off Bicol
Two whales of different species have been found washed up off Bicol — one severally emaciated and the other with cuts to its dorsal fins. The whales were found dead …
Iligan City declares ‘state of calamity’ amid spike in dengue cases
Government chiefs in Iligan City have declared a “state of calamity” following an alarming increase of dengue cases in the area. Dengue cases have so far reached 1,138 with 14 …
Korean and Filipina arrested for selling marijuana in Angeles City
A Korean man and his Filipina girlfriend have been arrested for selling marijuana to an undercover cop in Angeles City. Suh Jun Hong, aged 44, a native of Daeju City …
Sin taxes on e-cigarettes and vapes approved by lawmakers
The cost of alcohol and electronic cigarettes looks set to rise after the House of Representatives approved a bill to increase “sin taxes”. Today (Tuesday, August 20) lawmakers were almost …
Cop opens fire at ex-girlfriend’s wedding, kills mother and wounds groom
A policeman gatecrashed the wedding reception of his former girlfriend, shot and killed her mother and wounded her new husband. The attack took place in San Jose del Monte City, …
Egyptian bar owner gunned down alongside girlfriend, 15, in Digos City
An Egyptian operator of a Digos City videoke bar has been gunned down in the street by motorcycle assassins in a late-night attack. The as-yet unidentified assailants murdered Haitian Ramadan …
Gina Lopez, political scourge of unscrupulous mining firms, dies aged 65
Former environment secretary and committed philanthropist Regina “Gina” Lopez has died aged 65 after a lengthy battle with cancer. The announcement was made today (Monday, August 19) by ABS-CBN, the …