Bramovich: Expat all-sorts, and the decapitation of the Virgin Mary
Over the past few years in the Philippines, I’ve come across a truly staggering array of foreigners who call the country home. There is more than enough material for a very …
Ex-teacher who filmed himself having sex with children jailed for 190 years
A former schoolteacher from California’s Orange County who molested girls in the Philippines has been jailed for 190 years. Robert Ruben Ornelas, aged 66, was found guilty of filming himself …
Police called back to drug war amid calls to target Abu Sayyaf terrorists
President Duterte has relaunched his war on drugs, despite calls for extra manpower to be deployed against Abu Sayyaf and other terror groups. Less than a month after the Philippine …
Factsheet: The Abu Sayyaf terror group – who they are and what they do
Although the armed forces continue to make inroads against their strongholds, Abu Sayyaf remain a force to be reckoned with. For years, the militants have maintained a reign of terror …
Senator: Duterte’s hit man plotted to assassinate me in “an accident”
Opposition senator Antonio Trillanes IV has claimed that President Duterte made plans to have him killed. Sen. Trillanes quoted self-confessed leader of the Davao Death Squad, Arturo Lascañas, who claims …
Self-confessed “Duterte hitman” denied claims because he feared for his life
The self-confessed leader of Davao Death Squad has explained why he originally denied his role in the group when he appeared before a Senate hearing last year. In a 12-page …
‘Now he kills me’… Last words of German beheaded by Abu Sayyaf
German hostage Jurgen Kantner has been beheaded by Abu Sayyaf terrorists after the deadline for a $600,000 ransom demand passed on Saturday. The brief video was circulated on Monday by …
Duterte tightens grip on power with purge of jailed De Lima’s senate allies
President Duterte has tightened his grip on power by stripping allies of jailed senator Leila de Lima of senior roles in the government. In a motion led by boxer-turned-senator Manny Pacquiao, …
Drugs back on the streets since Duterte’s war on drugs paused
Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte’s war on drugs had until three weeks ago driven the trade in crystal methamphetamine underground, according to residents and drug users in some of the slum …
Bramovich: A raucous romp through the global news
I was going on one of my trips down memory lane this morning. Once a month or so I engage in an unfettered gluttonous indulgence in the news from some …
Pacquiao announces “super fight” against Britain’s Amir Khan
Manny Pacquiao has agreed to fight Britain’s Olympic silver medallist Amir Khan on April 23, in what has already been billed as a “super fight”. The 38-year-old Pacquiao, who currently sits …
Could Duterte’s federal constitution pave way for return of Marcos dynasty?
A veteran journalist and historian has expressed fears that President Duterte’s plan for a federal constitution could see the return of the Marcos dynasty to power. Raissa Robles believes that …
Water cannons used to stop angry protesters breaking into US Embassy
Police used water cannons to prevent protesters breaking into the American Embassy in Manila today (Saturday, February 25). The clash broke out after protesters marched from Kalaw Avenue to the …
Cigar box given to JFK by President Marcos fetches thousands at auction
One of the four cigarette boxes given by President Ferdinand Marcos to President John F Kennedy (JFK) has sold at auction for $8,250. The empty wooden box — engraved with …
Defiant De Lima issues ferocious broadside against Duterte from behind bars
Jailed senator Leila de Lima has issued a defiant broadside against President Duterte and his allies. De Lima, who was arrested for drugs charges dating back to her tenure as …
It came from the deep: ‘Hairy monster’ appears on beach
A monstrous carcass, seemingly covered with long white hair, has caused confusion and alarm after washing ashore in the Philippines. The remains of the creature measured 15ft from end to …
Korean’s head wrapped in tape before police strangled him with wheel lock
Grisly details of the murder by strangulation of kidnapped Korean Ji Ick Joo at national police headquarters have been heard at a senate hearing. Rogue cops suspected of carrying out …
Two women injured as magnitude 4.6 earthquake rocks Davao City (video)
Two women were injured when a waiting shed collapsed during a magnitude 4.6 earthquake in Southern Mindanao yesterday (Thursday, February 23). The tremor occurred at 9.50am with an epicentre about six miles …
Senator de Lima – Duterte’s most vocal critic – arrested on drug charges
Senator Leila de Lima, President Duterte’s most outspoken critic, has been arrested today (Thursday, February 23) on drug charges dating back to her time as justice secretary. Also included in …
Fury as justice secretary blames “Korean mafia” for murder inside police headquarters
A suggestion by the Filipino justice secretary that a “Korean mafia” might have been involved in the police murder of Ji Ick Joo has provoked a furious response. Vilatiano Aguirre …
A diamond in the rough: Yangshuo, China, has it all for travellers and expats
Avid traveller and tour guide Benjamin Johnson sings the praises of the rural Chinese town of Yangshuo, a lively centre of expat life surrounded by some of the most stunning …
Long-range missile silos on China’s artificial islands are ‘early test’ for Trump
China, in an early test of US President Donald Trump, has nearly finished building almost two dozen structures on artificial islands in the South China Sea that appear designed to …
Murder missing from list of 21 crimes to carry death penalty
Filipino lawmakers have agreed to move forward with plans to reintroduce the death penalty for 21 crimes — but murder is not on the list. After weeks of debate, the …
Bramovich: Caveat emptor, gentlemen
After waking up this morning, sitting down at my computer with a cup of coffee and seeing yet another accusatory expatriate stoush occurring in one of the myriad Facebook groups …
Making a living in the Philippines: Getting technical with Mautic
The way that I earn my living is through a combination of marketing and technology consulting as well as a bit of bespoke coding. I also do a fair amount …
Cheers! A guide to the craft beer microbreweries of the Philippines
Over the past few years, craft beer has exploded in popularity across the world, with microbreweries popping up on every continent (yes, even in Antarctica). Although joining the global party …