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 …
Kitten found in Manila with eyes, ears and nose sewn up makes recovery
A one-month-old kitten has recovered after being found wandering the streets of Manila with her eyes, ears and nose stitched together. The cruelly tortured creature, now named July, was found …
Peasant food in the provinces: Pressure cooker beef shank bourguignon
As any foreigner who lives outside of the major cities knows, things can be pretty basic in the provinces. For those accustomed to a diet with red meat and green leafy …
Only in Asia: 21 utterly baffling slogans printed on clothes
When you travel in Southeast Asia, all sorts of things can leave you scratching your head. But for me, one of the biggest mysteries is the amount of utterly weird slogans that …
Singapore man to be jailed and caned for molesting his Filipina maid
Singapore’s public court sentenced a senior security specialist to 11 months in jail and three strokes of the cane for repeatedly molesting his Filipina domestic helper. Singapore permanent resident Jacob …
Given up for Lent? No way! Packed calendar of festivals for March 2017
We may now be in the season of Lent, but that doesn’t mean all the fun and games are put on hold. Throughout the month of March the Philippines will …
Man born without legs helps keep streets safe for schoolchildren
A man born without legs has not let his disability stop him working as a traffic controller in Cebu City. For five years Magdalino Borces has been a familiar sight …
Battle of Manila: At least 100,000 perish as Pearl of the Orient is liberated
The Battle of Manila — one of the greatest tragedies of World War Two — finally ended on as the city was liberated on March 3, 1945. To give some …
Philhealth gouges foreigners – premiums to rise steeply
As I’m sure many expats have heard by now, those of us who are taking advantage of local rates for Philhealth are about to have our premiums go up. Rather …