Family traumatised by Belgian man’s ‘wrongful’ child trafficking arrest
A relative of the children a Belgian man was accused of trafficking in Cebu has claimed her family has been traumatised by his wrongful arrest. As we reported last week, …
News
Questions over Jesse Phinney jail cell ‘suicide’ make global news
The alleged suicide of US cameraman Jesse Phinney while imprisoned in Cebu on suspicion of child trafficking is making international headlines. As we exclusively reported last month, an expat friend …
Bottle of Champagne sold for seven million pesos in Manila
A New Year’s Eve reveller at a top Manila club spent an eye-watering seven million pesos on a bottle of Champagne. Cove Manila, a recently opened ‘indoor beach club’ announced …
Despite everything, Philippines is world’s third happiest country
Despite receiving more than its share of disaster, poverty and conflict, the Philippines remains the third happiest country in the world. According to Gallup International’s 41st annual Happiness, Hope, Economic …
Two dead as tropical depression Agaton lashes Cebu
Two were killed and thousands fled as another tropical depression, Agaton, lashed the central Philippines today (Tuesday, January 2). The arrival of Agaton follows back-to-back storms 0ver the Christmas season. …
Funny money: After ‘faceless’ 100-peso bills, new printing error goes viral
After a number of ‘faceless’ 100-peso bills were discovered before Christmas, another printing error has has gone viral on social media. Yesterday (New Year’s Day) Facebook user Emmanuel Claudio Constantino …
Man arrested for grisly murder of two Japanese tourists in Palawan
A man wanted for the murder of two Japanese tourists in Palawan has been arrested in Tarlac after a six-month manhunt. As we reported in June, the two victims were …
The My Way curse strikes again as singer gunned down in Tondo, Manila
Singing My Way has again proved a dangerous choice in the Philippines with a fatal shooting in Manila. A barangay chairman was gunned down after making the fateful decision to …
Michigan man gets 17.5 years for asking Filipina, 17, to send nude photos
A Michigan man has been sentenced to nearly two decades in prison for asking a 17-year-old Filipino teenager to send him nude photos. As we previously reported, Nathan J Bowling …
Earthquakes and exorcists: Our most-read stories of 2017
2017 has been a remarkable year for news in and around the Philippines. There have been storms and earthquakes, no-holds-barred political brawling and more than a little bloodshed, of one …
US thanks Philippines for ‘strong leadership’ amid North Korea missile threat
The US has thanked the Philippines for its “strong leadership” in opposing North Korea’s nuclear and missile programmes. A statement issued by the US State Department on Thursday (December 28) …
Safety failings identified at fire ravaged Davao City mall
Fire investigators have identified safety failings that might have contributed to the deaths of 38 people in the recent Davao mall blaze. A task force set up to investigate the …
Filipina actress named as having the world’s most beautiful face
A Filipino-American actress — best known for playing super-heroine Darna — has been voted as having the world’s most beautiful face. Liza Soberano topped the list of 100 beauties compiled …
Bali declares ‘garbage emergency’ as trash piles up on beaches
Bali has declared a ‘garbage emergency’ as it battles mountains of trash that appear daily on its world-renowned beaches. Often named as one of the world’s top tourist destinations, the …
Malacañang dismisses claim that Facebook team handed victory to Duterte
The Malacañang has dismissed allegations that Facebook played a hidden role in helping President Duterte win office. It has been claimed that in 2016 the social media giant sent a …
Probe after motorcycle gang spread fake news of incoming tsunami
Investigations are underway after a group of motorcyclists sparked a tsunami panic in two Zamboanga del Norte towns. Thousands of residents of Siocon and Baliguian abandoned their homes and ran …
Reds vow to overthrow ‘fascist US-Duterte regime’ to mark 50th anniversary
Filipino communists have vowed to overthrow “the US-Duterte regime and its rule of fascist terror” to mark its 50th anniversary. The Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Central Committee released …
Mandaluyong City police open fire on shooting victims, killing two
Investigations are underway after two innocent people were apparently shot dead by bungling cops in Mandaluyong City. Officers open fired on a vehicle yesterday evening, believing it to contain a …
Hero security guard confirmed as 38th victim of Davao mall fire
A hero security guard who rushed back into the Davao City mall fire to rescue others has been confirmed as the 38th victim of the tragedy. When the fire broke …
Bataan Death March survivor and resistance hero dies aged 100
A Filipino-American war veteran who survived the infamous Bataan Death March and continued to fight the Japanese with resistance forces has died aged 100. Ramon Regalado fought in the desperate …
Jeepney modernisation programme ‘not anti-poor’ says palace
The Malacañang has denied reports that the jeepney modernisation programme is “anti-poor”. The claim was made by various transport groups after the Department of Transportation (DOTr) announced that the phasing-out …
Mystery as Swedish man found slumped dead outside Coron hotel
Mystery surrounds the death of a Swedish man who was discovered lifeless outside a hotel in Coron. Police on Palawan have identified the man as 61-year-old Stefan Pengchon. He was …
Beware: It’s Holy Innocents’ Day — the Filipino April Fools
Watch out: Today (December 28) is Holy Innocents’ Day — the Filipino answer to April Fools’ Day. Among the popular traditional pranks is to borrow money — with no intention …
Philippine diplomats deny plan to move Israel embassy to Jerusalem
The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) has denied reports that discussions were held to move the Philippine Embassy in Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. “There has been no recent discussion, whether …
Probe into 2011 murder of Italian priest to be reopened
The Department of Justice is set to reopen the murder case of Reverend Fausto Tentorio, an Italian priest killed in in North Cotabato province in 2011. The case involved 12 …
Belgian man taking family on day trip accused of child trafficking
A Belgian man taking a Filipino family on a post-Christmas outing has been arrested on suspicion of child trafficking. Koen Van Den Broek, aged 60, was spotted at Cebu South …