Manila ‘drug queen’ Guia Gomez Castro identified, left Philippines
The Philippine National Police (PNP) has named Guia Gomez Castro as the “drug queen” who allegedly worked with 16 “ninja cops” to sell “recycled” illegal drugs, but the suspect has …
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Duterte proclaims 4 new PH tourist destinations
President Rodrigo Duterte signs new laws declaring 4 new PH tourist destinations, Thursday, Manila, Philippines. The four new tourist spots are Mount Bulaylay in Cuyapo Nueva Ecija (Republic Act No. …
Bramovich: How to eat a fish eye
A few years ago there was an extremely poorly behaved Icelandic volcano (Eyjafjallajökull, since you ask) which resulted in the shut down of all air traffic over Europe. At the time I …
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 …
Operation Timbang Plus: On the frontline of efforts to protect young lives
Anna Simms joined her daughter-in-law and grand-daughter at a local health-check for young children, part of a national campaign to prevent malnutrition. Here she recounts her experience of the grassroots …
Philippines falls further down global league of corruption
The Philippines has fallen yet further down the world league of corruption, according to an annual study. The Corruption Perceptions Index 2016 places the country at 101st out of 176 …
Having a child in the Philippines. Part 1, the birth
As so often happens when two people of the opposite sex get together, the missus ended up pregnant. Suddenly, I was on a journey of discovery about what it means …
Drug cops strangled kidnap victim outside office of national police chief
The South Korean murdered by rogue anti-drug police was driven to Manila before being strangled inside Camp Crame, the nation’s police headquarters. It has been reported that the businessman was …
World’s most popular adult sites blocked in Philippines due to child porn fears
Some of the world’s most popular porn sites have been blocked in the Philippines in an apparent crackdown on child pornography. It comes only 10 days after a survey showed …
Shooting too good for them? Duterte threatens to “poison” crooked governors
Days after threatening to kill “narco mayors” by unspecified means, Duterte has upped his game by warning crooked provincial governors that he will poison them. The bizarre threat came as …
Duterte: “No one can stop me declaring martial law if I want to”
President Duterte has again raised the spectre of martial law, saying he could declare it “if I want to” and that “no one can stop me.” Speaking in Davao city …
Bramovich: In a game of tug of war, nobody cares about the rope
As yet another Asian neighbour steps into the Philippines infrastructure ring, there are some questions that the people of the republic really need to be asking themselves. With both Japan …
Bramovich: Round up the Indian loan sharks, and send them home!
I was pleased to read that the government has announced that Indian nationals operating exorbitant “5-6” lending schemes can now be arrested without warrants for running illegal businesses. All around …
Hey, American conservatives: Why do you love this socialist, who hates your guts?
Whenever we publish a news article that mentions President Duterte (in good faith, without any attempt at bias) we expect to be attacked. (For clarity: This is an “opinion” column, …
Russian Navy to hold war games with new Filipino friends
TWO Russian warships docked in Manila today (Tuesday, January 3) in anticipation of conducting war games with the Philippines Navy. Meanwhile, Beijing yesterday confirmed that its aircraft carrier had conducted drills …
Bramovich: “Only” 350 firework-related injuries this New Year’s Eve
The Philippine Department of Health has announced this morning (at 6am on New Year’s Day) that firework-related injuries are down by 60% on last year. While this is obviously good news, …
Bramovich: Mr Duterte, please stop threatening people with horrible deaths
The National Union of Journalists of the Philippines took aim at President Rodrigo Duterte for saying that he likes “joking” and “playing around” with members of the Press Corps. (As …
The Friday Briefing: Could Christmas have been any worse for Filipinos?
Any journalists hoping for a relaxing Christmas break would have been sorely disappointed this past week. As if typhoon Nina wasn’t enough, there were bombs, shootings, rumours of nefarious American …
Bramovich: What on earth is going on at the palace? Is anyone talking to anyone?
PRESIDENTIAL SPOKESPERSON Ernesto Abella quoted Social Welfare Secretary Judy Taguiwalo as saying that 10 people were reported dead and 20 wounded after an IED ripped through a crowd in Hilongos, …
Bramovich: Merry Christmas Mr Duterte, you bloody hypocrite
In a very brief Christmas message to his country, “The Punisher” president shared his hopes for peace and progress as the Philippines moves into 2017. The entire “greeting” – delivered in …
Duterte should be investigated over murder confession, says UN
The United Nations human rights commission has urged the Philippines to launch a murder investigation after President Duterte claimed he killed suspects while mayor of Davao. Since his presidency began …
Bramovich: Excuse me, Teddyboy? What did you just say?
In a backflip worthy of the nation’s president, the incoming ambassador to the United Nations has condemned both the death penalty and the war on drugs. Step forward Teddy “Teddyboy” …
Foreign aid: Be careful what you wish for
The Millennium Challenge Corp, a US-led agency that has previously awarded substantial grants for infrastructure projects to the Philippines has deferred a vote on giving more money to the country, …
The Punisher: Duterte says he personally killed suspected criminals
President Duterte has claimed that he personally killed suspected criminals when he was mayor of Davao. Duterte made the comments as he discussed his campaign to stamp out drug use, which …
Boom! Fireworks or firearms? Why I’m staying indoors this New Year’s Eve
Traditionally, officers of the Philippine National Police (PNP) have had the muzzles on their guns taped over for New Year’s Eve to discourage the indiscriminate discharge of their firearms. This year, …
The Mindoro Mojito: A delicious cocktail with sari-sari store ingredients
“Mojitos,” said the great Ernest Hemingway, “are like women’s breasts. One Mojito just can’t be enough, and three is positively ridiculous”. At least, I think it was Hemingway who said it. …