Philippine News Agency (PNA) – Page 6

Malacañang declares May 12 (Election Day) a holiday

May 7, 2025May 6, 2025carlocarrasco

To allow voters nationwide to be participate in the 2025 National and Local Elections, Malacañang declared May 12 a holiday, according to a news article by the Philippine News Agency (PNA).

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the news article of the PNA Some parts in boldface…

Malacañang declared Monday, May 12, as a special non-working holiday throughout the country for the 2025 national and local elections.

Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin, on the authority of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., signed Proclamation 878 on Tuesday declaring a nationwide holiday to “enable the people to properly exercise their right to vote.”

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) recently urged Marcos to declare May 12 as a holiday to allow registered voters to cast their ballots.

Let me end this post by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? Is there a great majority of your local community members who will actually go out and vote on May 12?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below, share this article to others and also please consider making a donation to support my publishing. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at @HavenorFantasy as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/ and on Instagram athttps://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco

Chinese national caught with high-tech eavesdropping equipment charged by NBI

May 6, 2025May 1, 2025carlocarrasco

The Chinese national who was arrested near the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) building in Manila with high-tech equipment with him has been formally charged by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), according to a news story by the Philippine New Agency (PNA). GMA Network had its own reporter on location when the arrest happened.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the news article of the PNA. Some parts in boldface…

The National Bureau of Investigation on Wednesday filed criminal charges against a Chinese national arrested for possession of electronic eavesdropping equipment near the Commission on Elections (Comelec) building in Intramuros, Manila on Tuesday.

Tak Hail Lao, 47, was charged by the NBI before the Department of Justice (DOJ) with misuse of device and illegal interception and system interference under Republic Act No. 10175 or the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012, and espionage under Commonwealth Act No. 616 or the Espionage Act of 1941.

Speaking to reporters, Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla said while the charges are bailable, “it will be up to the Bureau of Immigration (BI) to decide whether temporary liberty should be granted while the case is pending since the suspect is a foreign national.”

Records from the BI showed that Tak Hail Lao, who uses a passport issued by the Chinese special administrative region of Macau, arrived last April 2 and had no derogatory record.

He was caught in possession of an international mobile subscriber identity device, or IMSI catcher, which can be used to intercept mobile communications, including text messages.

Let me end this post by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? Do you think there could be a lot more Chinese nationals using high-tech equipment in the Philippines doing secret acts of espionage? Do you consider Chinese spies a threat to national security?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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DICT tackling election troll armies and fake news online

May 3, 2025April 27, 2025carlocarrasco

In relation with the 2025 National and Local Elections scheduled for May 12, the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) recently launched a campaign versus troll armies and fake news online with protecting election integrity in mind, according to a Philippine News Agency (PNA) news article.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the news article of the PNA. Some parts in boldface…

The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) has started a crackdown against fake news and organized ‘troll armies’ on social media to safeguard the integrity of the electoral process.

In a news release on Wednesday, DICT Secretary Henry Aguda announced the agency’s collaboration with the Commission on Elections (Comelec) on several key initiatives to enhance the technological infrastructure of the elections.

“These initiatives include the establishment of Configuration Hubs, where DICT personnel will assist in managing the hubs during the election process, as well as the development of online services such as the Precinct Results Finder, Registration Status Verifier, and Election Results Website, all aimed at ensuring transparency and providing real-time access to election data,” Aguda said.

The DICT’s Cybersecurity Bureau is also rolling out critical initiatives such as vulnerability assessment and penetration testing (VAPT) to identify and mitigate security risks, and ensure the security for digital infrastructures throughout the election process.

“A key technological advancement in securing the election is the deployment of (Philippine National) Public Key Infrastructure (PNPKI) digital certificates, which will be used by teachers serving as electoral board members. These certificates will ensure the integrity, confidentiality, and authentication of election data,” he said.

Aguda also recognized the growing the influence of social media platforms in the elections and welcomed the stance of technology giants — Tiktok, Google, and Meta — who pledged to ban paid political ads on their platforms.

“We must be proactive, not reactive. The threats are evolving. From fake news to deepfakes and organized troll armies –our election system must be ready to face them head-on,” he said.

Google, in particular, has implemented the ban on election advertisements since the start of the official campaign period.

“[It is] a move that supports the shared goal of a clean, fair, and credible election,” he said.

On Tuesday, Aguda convened the Comelec Advisory Council (CAC) in Taguig City as part of its mission to safeguard the integrity of the electoral process ahead of the 2025 polls.

Let me end this post by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? Do you think the DICT will succeed in its campaign versus fake news and online trolls?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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Wanted foreigner arrested in Las Piñas City

April 29, 2025April 24, 2025carlocarrasco

Recently in the City of Las Piñas, local law enforcers apprehended a 23-year-old Japanese national who has been wanted for a series of criminal acts that happened in Japan, according to a Philippine News Agency (PNA) news article. The suspect was described to be a member of a notorious gang and has overstayed in the Philippines for some time now.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the news article of the PNA. Some parts in boldface…

Another member of the infamous “Luffy” gang, which is being linked to theft, fraud, extortion, and violent crimes in Japan, has been arrested in the Philippines.

Takuya Hoshino, 23, was arrested inside his residence in a subdivision in Las Piñas City on Tuesday, the Bureau of Immigration (BI) said in a news release on Wednesday.

Hoshino was the latest member of the notorious criminal gang arrested by the BI since last year, after their presence in the country was reported by the Japanese government.

“Like his colleagues in the syndicate whom we have earlier arrested, he, too, will be deported, blacklisted, and banned from re-entering the Philippines,” Immigration Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado said.

Hoshino was detained at the BI warden facility in Camp Bagong Diwa, Taguig City, pending implementation of the deportation order that the bureau’s Board of Commissioners issued against him for being an undesirable alien.

According to BI Fugitive Search Unit (FSU) chief Rendel Ryan Sy, Hoshino is subject of an outstanding arrest warrant issued by the Tokyo Summary Court on Sept. 15, 2022 after he was charged with theft in violation of the Japanese penal code.

The suspect and his cohorts allegedly stole ATM cards from unsuspecting elderly victims by impersonating law enforcement officers.

They were also accused of staging fake police investigations to dupe their victims into surrendering their bank cards.

Over 20 million yen, or more than USD141,000, in cash were reportedly siphoned off by the suspects through unauthorized withdrawals from the stolen cards.

A check on his travel record showed that Hoshino overstayed in the country for more than five years, as his last arrival was recorded on Oct. 30, 2019.

Viado said the arrest forms part of the government’s broader effort to protect national security and public safety, in line with the directive of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to strengthen border control and crack down on transnational crimes.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: If you are a resident of Las Piñas City, what is your reaction to this development? Are you concerned that there could be a lot more foreign gang members or fugitives who could be living in your local community?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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For more South Metro Manila community news and developments, come back here soon. Also say NO to fake news, NO to irresponsible journalism, NO to misinformation, NO to plagiarists, NO to reckless publishers and NO to sinister propaganda when it comes to news and developments. For South Metro Manila community developments, member engagement, commerce and other relevant updates, join the growing South Metro Manila Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/342183059992673

Passenger service fees in CAAP airports hiked

April 26, 2025April 23, 2025carlocarrasco

If you are traveling through an airport operated by the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP), prepare yourself as the passenger service charge has officially been raised since April 21, according to a Philippine News Agency (PNA) news article.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the report of the PNA news article. Some parts in boldface…

A higher passenger service charge (PSC) has been imposed in all airports operated by the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) starting April 21.

“The increase, primarily adjusted based solely on inflation from 2015 to present, underwent the required public hearing with various stakeholders, as well as the necessary publication,” the aviation authority said in a news release late Monday.

It added that the adjustment supports CAAP’s efforts to enhance passenger experience and improve airport facilities and operations.

In Memorandum Circular 019-2025 signed on April 4, the PSC for international flights rose to PHP900 from PHP550.

From the PHP200 PSC for domestic flights, the rate will be PHP350 for international airports; PHP300 for principal class 1 airports; PHP200 for principal class 2 airports; and PHP100 for community airports. CAAP operates 44 commercial airports.

Let me end this post by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? Do you think the hike of the passenger service charge at CAAP airports has been justified? How much did you pay recently at a CAAP-operated airport?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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Immigration officials arrest Chinese fugitive in Parañaque City

April 21, 2025April 17, 2025carlocarrasco

Recently in Parañaque City, elements of the Bureau of Immigration’s (BI) fugitive search unit apprehended a China national over drug trafficking charges, according to a Philippine News Agency (PNA) news article.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the PNA news article. Some parts in boldface…

A Chinese national wanted in his country for drug trafficking charges has been arrested in Parañaque City, Bureau of Immigration (BI) said on Wednesday.

In a news release, BI Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado identified the fugitive as Ouyang Shixing, 40, who was arrested inside his condominium unit by elements from the BI’s Fugitive Search Unit (FSU).

“Ouyang is the subject of a red notice from the Interpol (International Criminal Police Organization) which was issued last year after he was indicted for drug trafficking in violation of China’s criminal laws,” Viado said.

He said the suspect is also the subject of an arrest warrant issued in November 2023 by the public security bureau in Fuzhou City, Jiangxi, China.

Based on the information received by the BI, Ouyang conspired with another suspect on May 12, 2023 in purchasing methamphetamine from a drug supplier, and later sold the substance to a buyer who paid them 70,000 yuan or nearly USD10,000.

Ouyang then took a train to Hong Kong on Aug. 2 of the same year and absconded with the money by fleeing to the Philippines.

Let me end this post by asking you readers: What do you think about this recent development? If you are a resident of Parañaque, are you concerned there could be more foreign fugitives hiding in your local community right now? What do you think makes Parañaque an attractive city for fugitives to hide in?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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Eight EPD cops charged over illegal operation in Las Piñas City

April 16, 2025April 11, 2025carlocarrasco

Recently in the City of Las Piñas, eight members of the Eastern Police District (EPD) got charged over a rogue police operation in which P85 million was stolen from a Chinese businessman, according to a Philippine News Agency (PNA) news article.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the news article of the PNA. Some parts in boldface…

State prosecutors found probable cause to charge eight members of the Eastern Police District (EPD) who allegedly stole PHP85 million from a Chinese trader in an unauthorized police operation in Las Piñas City.

In a statement on Friday, National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) Director, Maj. Gen. Anthony Aberin, said the Office of the City Prosecutor filed before the court on Thursday a complaint of kidnapping and two counts of robbery against the eight suspects, who are members of the EPD’s District Special Operations Unit (DSOU).

These cases stemmed from an operation where the eight officers served a bogus arrest warrant against the victim on April 2.

The victim and the relatives claimed that the cops shut down their closed-circuit television (CCTV) camera, forcibly opened their vaults, and took away the money in pesos, US dollars, and Malaysian ringgit; jewelry; gadgets, and other personal belongings worth PHP85 million.

“Let me be clear – the NCRPO does not shield any wrongdoing. I will not condone any misdeed perpetrated by any member of NCRPO and I will ensure the filing of airtight cases against police scalawags,” Aberin said.

“We will closely monitor the progress of these criminal cases and we shall ensure that the administrative investigation will result in their dismissal from the service, based on evidence and due process of law.”

Philippine National Police spokesperson Brig. Gen. Jean Fajardo earlier said the sacked DSOU commander, Maj. Emerson Coballes, was tagged as AWOL (absent without official leave) after he did not comply with a return to work order from the NCRPO.

Coballes did not report for duty after the NCRPO found out that the raid on the house of the Chinese businessman was intended to rob him, as the foreigner did not fit the description of the man in the arrest warrant.

Aberin said the complaint against Coballes is set for preliminary investigation on April 22 and 29.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: If you are a resident of Las Piñas City, what is your reaction to this development? Are you concerned that there could be other crooked cops out there who might organize a rogue operation against your household soon?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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P28.5 million in illegal drugs seized and one suspect killed in Parañaque City

April 15, 2025April 10, 2025carlocarrasco

Recently in Parañaque City, a buy-bust operation organized by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) resulted in the seizure of illegal substances worth more than P28 million, three suspects apprehended and one suspect killed, according to a Philippine News Agency (PNA) news article. The operation turned out violent as a few PDEA agents got harmed.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the PNA news article. Some parts in boldface…

Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) operatives seized suspected shabu with an estimated street value of PHP28.5 million during a buy-bust operation in Parañaque City on Wednesday, which resulted in the death of one suspect and the arrest of three others.

In a statement Thursday, the anti-narcotics body said the suspects, with aliases Lala, Allan, and Binny, were nabbed during the operation in Barangay San Antonio at about 5 p.m.

Another suspect, alias Sady, was killed while four PDEA agents were wounded in the ensuing gunfight.

Seized from the operation were 4.2 kg. of suspected shabu, a vehicle, mobile phones, buy-bust money, identification cards, drug paraphernalia, a firearm, ammunition, and several documents.

The arrested suspects will face charges for violation of Sections 5 and 11 of Article II of Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.

Let me end this post by asking you readers: What do you think about this recent development? If you are a resident of Parañaque, are you concerned that criminals involved with illegal drugs are infiltrating your local community?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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Philippines unemployment rate down in February 2025

April 14, 2025April 9, 2025carlocarrasco

The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) revealed recently that the unemployment rate of the Philippines fell down to 3.8% this past February from 4.3% the previous month, according to a Philippine News Agency (PNA) news article.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the report of the PNA news article. Some parts in boldface…

The country’s unemployment rate fell to its lowest level in three months, data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) showed.

In a briefing on Tuesday, National Statistician Dennis Mapa said preliminary results of the latest Labor Force Survey showed that the unemployment rate further declined to 3.8 percent in February this year from 4.3 percent the previous month. It was the lowest rate since the 3.1 percent recorded in December last year.

Mapa said the number of unemployed Filipinos declined to 1.94 million from 2.16 million in January this year.

Employment rate on the other hand, rose to 96.2 percent in February this year from 95.7 percent the previous month.

Mapa said the number of employed Filipinos went up to 49.15 million, higher than the 48.49 million and 48.95 million recorded in January this year and in February 2024, respectively.

Industries which recorded the largest increase in employment include accommodation and food service (+377,000), fishing and aquaculture (+365,000), public administration and defense (+330,000), construction (+258,000), and other service activities (+232,000).

Mapa said preparations for the midterm elections and summer holidays helped increase employment in accommodation and food service and other service activities.

Let me end this post by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? Do you think there will be more than enough job opportunities for the unemployed throughout the year? Do you think the Philippine economy will grow strongly to sustain new job creation until the end of 2025?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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Philippines inflation rate lands at 1.8% in March 2025

April 10, 2025April 4, 2025carlocarrasco

The inflation rate of the Philippines settled at 1.8% for the month of March this year based on the latest details released by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), according to the news article by the Philippine News Agency (PNA). The confirmed inflation rate was the lowest since June 2020.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the report of the PNA news article. Some parts in boldface…

Inflation rate in March 2025 settled at 1.8 percent, marking a nearly five-year low, mainly due to slower price increase in food and non-alcoholic beverages, particularly lower prices of rice.

Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) Undersecretary Claire Dennis Mapa said in a press briefing Friday that last month’s inflation was lower than the rate in February 2025 at 2.1 percent and the 3.7 percent in March 2024. PSA data showed that the inflation last month was the lowest since June 2020.

The PSA attributed the slower pace of price increases in March 2025 to the easing of food and non-alcoholic beverages inflation at 2.2 percent from 2.6 percent a month ago. Mapa said this commodity group shared 50.2 percent to the downtrend in inflation.

In particular, cereals and cereal products recorded a deflation, or decrease in prices, of 5.2 percent last month from a deflation of 3 percent in February 2025.

This commodity group includes rice, which recorded negative inflation for the past three months: -2.3 percent in January, -8.4 percent in February, and -7.7 percent in March.

Mapa said that since the Executive Order 62 took effect in July 2024, which reduced the tariff on imported rice, prices of the staple have substantially declined.

“Kung i-compare natin noong—say, base natin noong July 2024, kung saan nagsimula ‘yong reduction sa tariff, bumaba na rin substantially ‘yong presyo ng bigas per kilo [If we compare it to—(let’s) say, based on July 2024, when the tariff reduction started, the price of rice per kilogram has substantially decreased],” he said.

Citing PSA data, Mapa said comparing the prices from July 2024 to March 2025, average price reduction for regular milled rice was at PHP4.90, or from PHP51.11 per kilo to PHP46.09 per kilo.

Well milled rice also declined in the same period by PHP4.19 per kg., or from PHP56.44 per kg. to PHP52.25 per kg., and by PHP2.60 per kg. for special rice, or from PHP64.75 per kg. to PHP62.15 per kg., the national statistician added.

Aside from food and non-food beverages, inflation in transport group recorded -1.1 percent in March 2025 from -0.2 percent in February 2025.

Let me end this post by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? Were you surprised that the inflation rate of the country settled at less than 2% for the month of March 2025? Do you think inflation will remain stable for the next six months?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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