Duterte threatens martial law if violence in Mindanao gets worse
President Duterte warned today (Thursday, March 9) that he would be “forced” to declare martial law in Mindanao if violence in the region got any worse. Speaking to an audience …
Day after anti-drug death penalty vote, House agrees to medical marijuana
A day after a vote to bring back the death penalty for drug offences, the House Committee on Health has endorsed legalising medical marijuana. House Bill 180 seeks to set …
Defence minister “very concerned” at Chinese incursion into territorial waters
Chinese survey ships entering Philippine territorial waters is “very concerning” the country’s defence minister said today (Thursday, March 9). Delfin Lorenzana said the ships were seen last year near Benham …
Five most tolerant Southeast Asian countries for gay travellers
Many gay people assume that South East Asia isn’t a friendly destination for travellers of their sexuality, but they couldn’t be more wrong. While some countries, such as Malaysia, Brunei …
Police probe “love triangle” as motive for shooting of Canadian “womaniser”
Police investigators are examining a love triangle as a possible motive in the shooting of a Canadian in Pasay City on Monday. Nanthakumaran Kumarasamy, aged 55, a businessman, was shot …
Crucifixion? It’s a doddle… the utterly weird spectacle of the Cutud Lenten Rites
The world is full of all sorts of odd things — and religion is often source for some of the most weird and wonderful. Perhaps the pinnacle of peculiarity can …
British man on mission for justice after lawyer wife gunned down
Stuart Green’s wife Mia was killed in a barrage of bullets that narrowly missed his children in a hit he blames on gangsters linked to one of her cases. Here …
Shades of grey: Does the case against Senator De Lima really stack up?
Jailed senator Leila de Lima is a divisive figure — opinions about her are rarely in any shade of grey. Supporters of Duterte’s administration tend to paint her as the black …
Scully can rest easy: None of his vile crimes included in death penalty bill
Despite a vote to restore the death penalty in the Philippines, alleged child abuser and murderer Peter Scully can rest easy — as none of his vile crimes are included in …
Philippine government angered by TV show’s portrayal of fictional president
The Philippine Embassy in Washington has denounced what it called a “highly negative portrayal” of President Duterte in the American television series Madam Secretary. In the CBS political drama’s upcoming …
Bramovich: Duterte’s war on everything
I was thinking this morning about all the things Duterte hates and I’ve realised he’s “gone to war” on an impressive list of ills since he came to power. He’s …
Ex-cop claims he murdered about 200 people on Duterte’s orders
Former policeman Arturo Lascañas has told a Senate hearing he was a hit-man who killed some 200 people on the orders of then city mayor Rodrigo Duterte. His evidence was a …
Nationwide smoking ban could be signed into law any day now
President Duterte has signalled today (Monday, March 6) that he’s ready to sign an executive order to bring in a nationwide smoking ban. Following a cabinet meeting, it was revealed …
Bataan death march survivor who fought for a Japanese apology dies aged 96
Lester Tenney, an Army tank commander who survived the Bataan Death March and spent his life campaigning for a Japanese apology, has died aged 96. When his ordeal as a prisoner …
Police swoop on van carrying sacks full of dead dogs
Police arrested the driver of a van after he was found to be carrying two sacks filled with dead dogs. The vehicle was intercepted in Barangay San Francisco, Agoo, La …
Troops recover body of beheaded German as noose closes on Abu Sayyaf
Philippine troops have found the remains of Jurgen Kantner as the army presses ahead with its bid to free 30 other captives of the Islamic State-affiliated terror group. Marines dug up the head …
Woman killed as powerful aftershock rocks earthquake-hit city
One person died and several injured today (Sunday, March 5) when a magnitude 5.9 earthquake hit Surigao City, which is still recovering from a more powerful quake last month. The quake at 8.08am caused some …
I’m not suicidal! Senator De Lima hits back at fake news that’s making her feel unsafe
Senator Leila De Lima has felt moved to confirm that she is alive and well in custody, despite reports alleging that she had attempted suicide. “To paraphrase Mark Twain, fake news about …
Korean sex tourists face up to 12 years prison for sleeping with women
Nine Korean sex tourists have been arrested in Cebu under anti human trafficking laws for sleeping with women provided by an escort firm. The group was detained by National Bureau …
British Muslim convert who plotted to join Abu Sayyaf blames Brexit
A British Muslim convert who attempted to join Abu Sayyaf in the Philippines blamed Brexit for his actions as he was jailed for eight years. Muslim convert Ryan Counsell, aged …
Ten Abu Sayyaf terrorists killed as Army closes net on group
A clash between the Army and Abu Sayyaf today (Friday, March 3) resulted in the death of 10 terrorists, including two grandsons of the group’s leader Radulan Sahiron. On the …
Nun injured after masked man punches her in the face at her convent
An elderly Irish nun has been attacked and injured by a masked man at her convent in Zamboanga del Sur. Local police director Sofronio Ecaldre said that 70-year-old Kathleen Anne Melia was closing up …
Bramovich: OFWs, ice cream and the generosity of the Philippine spirit
As a child growing up in Hong Kong and Singapore we always had a Filipina domestic helper. I spent more time with those women in my formative years than I did …
What’s in a name? Latest addition to the Duterte clan is called ‘Stonefish’
President Duterte’s daughter, Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte, has given birth to a baby boy — and has announced his name as ‘Stonefish’. The president said he was “exceedingly excited” …
Banged up and butt naked: Prisoners forced to strip off during cell search
Photos showing hundreds of prisoners stripped naked while their cells are searched for contraband have prompted fresh criticism from a human rights watchdog. On the day that New York-based Human …
Duterte hits back at human rights report: “They have no humanity, goddamn it!”
President Duterte responded to a human rights watchdog’s hard-hitting investigation into extra-judicial killings, by declaring that criminals have no humanity. “When you kill criminals, it is not a crime against …