Tag: Philippine

Philippine Police Say They Killed 4 Chinese Kidnap Suspects

MANILA, Philippines—Philippine police killed four suspected Chinese kidnappers in a gunbattle and rescued a Chinese man they had allegedly abducted in a central city, officials said Tuesday. Backed by a SWAT team and intelligence agents, police raided a hideout in Lapu Lapu city on Monday night after tracking down the suspects, who had received a…


7 Die in Philippine Ferry Fire; Over 120 Rescued From Water

MANILA, Philippines—A ferry carrying more than 130 people caught fire in the northeastern Philippines on Monday, killing seven passengers and forcing many survivors to jump into the sea where they were rescued by other vessels. The fire rapidly spread from the engine room to the upper passenger deck of the M/V Mercraft 2 while it…


Philippines’ Duterte Vetoes Bill That Would Criminalize Anonymous Social Media Accounts

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte vetoed a proposed law on April 15 that seeks to mandate the registration of SIM cards and social media accounts with the users’ legal identities, citing the need for a “more thorough” review of the measure. The bill, ratified by the Congress of the Philippines in February, would require anyone creating…


Tropical Storm Megi Hits Philippines, Leaving at Least 25 Dead

MANILA—Philippine authorities said on Monday at least 25 people had died in landslides and floods caused by tropical storm Megi as it hit the eastern and southern coasts of the Southeast Asian country. The storm made landfall on Sunday with sustained winds of up to 65 kilometres (40 miles) per hour and gusts of up…


Philippines: 7 Terrorists Killed, Bombs Seized in Recent Raid

MARAWI, Philippines—Philippine troops killed at least seven Muslim insurgents aligned with the ISIS terrorist group in a recent offensive in the south and recovered 45 heavy firearms and several bombs and land mines that were to be used in future attacks, military officials said Thursday. About 60 Muslim extremists were in the remote camp near…


Philippine Death Toll From Its Strongest Typhoon of Year Tops 400

MANILA—The Philippine death toll from Typhoon Rai has crossed the 400 mark, the disaster agency said on Friday, as officials in some hard-hit provinces appealed for more supplies of food, water, and shelter materials about two weeks after the storm struck. Rai was the 15th and deadliest typhoon to hit the Southeast Asian nation this…


Food Running Out, Philippine Typhoon Survivors Warn

MANILA—Philippine officials and residents of areas that bore the brunt of Typhoon Rai pleaded for food, water, and shelter on Tuesday as damaged roads, flooding, and severed power and communication lines hampered relief efforts. Rai struck last Thursday, the strongest typhoon to hit the archipelago this year, killing nearly 400 people and affecting 1.8 million,…


Philippines Resupplies Military Outpost on Disputed Shoal After Chinese Blockade

The Philippine military successfully delivered supplies to one of its outposts on a disputed shole in the South China Sea on Tuesday after Chinese coast guard vessels last week managed to block supply efforts. Philippine Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said two wooden vessels carrying navy personnel resupplied marines stationed on the Sierra Madre—a dilapidated grounded…


Philippine Supply Boats Reach Forces at China-Guarded Shoal

MANILA, Philippines—The Philippine navy successfully transported food supplies to Filipino forces guarding a disputed shoal in the South China Sea on Tuesday, a week after China’s coast guard used water cannons to force the supply boats to turn back, sparking outrage and warnings from Manila, officials said. Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said the two wooden…


Philippines Duterte Seeks Senate Seat, Avoids Battle With Daughter

MANILA—Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte backed away from political retirement on Monday to launch a late bid for a senate seat, avoiding a clash with his own daughter for the vice-presidency just hours before a 2022 election deadline. Despite last-ditch efforts by supporters to convince her to succeed her father, Sara Duterte-Carpio is set to contest…