Category: News
Medical teams handle 1,495 health cases during Lanao del Sur elections
COTABATO CITY — Medical teams promptly addressed a total of 1,495 medical concerns during the May 12 elections in Lanao del Sur, the largest province in the Bangsamoro region. Lanao del Sur has 39 towns and more than 90 barangays in its capital, Marawi City. Dr. Allen Minalang, chief of the Integrated Provincial Health Office
End of an Era: Jalosjos Clan Loses Grip on Zamboanga del Norte
ZAMBOANGA DEL NORTE, Philippines – The decades-long political reign of the Jalosjos family in this province appears to be crumbling, with initial results from the 2025 elections showing the clan losing key strongholds to allies of the Uy political family. As of Monday, May 13, with 83% of precincts reporting, Dapitan City Mayor Bullet Jalosjos
4 killed in election-eve clash in Basilan village
IPIL, Philippines – Four people, including two village officials, were killed in an armed clash in Hadji Mohammad Ajul town in Basilan on Sunday, May 12, just a day before the 2025 midterm elections. The skirmish broke out around 9 a.m. near the primary school in Barangay Langil, an island village designated as a polling
Lanao del Sur opens first dialysis center, offers free treatment to kidney patients
COTABATO CITY, Philippines – For the first time, kidney patients in Lanao del Sur no longer have to travel far or spend thousands for treatment. A newly opened dialysis center in Malabang town now provides life-saving services—for free. The facility, located inside the Dr. Serapio Montañer, Jr. Memorial Hospital, is the first of its kind
PDEA seizes P6.8 million worth of shabu in Basilan drug bust
COTABATO CITY, Philippines – Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) operatives arrested a suspected drug dealer during a Sunday morning sting operation in Isabela City, Basilan, seizing over P6.8 million worth of crystal meth or shabu. PDEA-Zamboanga Peninsula (PDEA-9) identified the suspect as Ibnoraba Asamli Saddalani, a resident of Barangay Lawe-Lawe in Lantawan town. The anti-narcotics
Robert Prevost is Pope Leo XIV: A Return to Tradition, A Nod to Social Justice
VATICAN CITY – American-born Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, in a historic first for the Roman Catholic Church, emerged on the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica on Wednesday evening, May 8, as Pope Leo XIV, succeeding Pope Francis after his decade-long papacy. The 69-year-old prelate, born in Chicago and long immersed in pastoral work across Latin
Bill Gates sets 2045 sunset for foundation, eyes final $200B push for global health
MANILA, Philippines – Bill Gates marked the 25th anniversary of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation with a sweeping announcement: the philanthropic giant will close its doors on December 31, 2045. In the next two decades, the foundation aims to disburse more than $200 billion to advance global health and human development — a final
US cardinal Robert Francis Prevost elected as Pope Leo XIV, first American to lead Roman Catholic Church
VATICAN CITY – In a historic decision that reflects the Roman Catholic Church’s evolving global identity, Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost of the United States was elected as the new pope on Wednesday, May 8 (Thursday, May 9, Manila time), becoming the first American to ascend to the papacy. Prevost, 69, emerged as the new leader
5 BIFF bomb makers surrender in Maguindanao del Sur ahead of elections
COTABATO CITY, Philippines – Five alleged bomb makers from the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) surrendered to the Philippine Army in Datu Salibo, Maguindanao del Sur, pledging to leave behind years of violence and reintegrate into civilian life. The former combatants, all reportedly skilled in assembling improvised explosive devices (IEDs), turned themselves in to the
Groups launch independent watchdog to monitor May 12 polls in Moro areas
COTABATO CITY, Philippines – Seven major organizations have joined forces to launch an independent election monitoring body aimed at safeguarding the polls from violence and irregularities as the May 12 elections draw near in southern Moro communities. The Independent Election Monitoring Center (IEMC) was formally launched on Monday, May 5, inside the Notre Dame University
2 soldiers found dead after Army boat capsizes
COTABATO CITY – Two soldiers were found dead nearly a day after their scout boat capsized during a river patrol in Maguindanao del Sur on Friday, May 2. The bodies of Private First Class Manuel Bermudez and Corporal Dennis Abrea were retrieved on Saturday, May 3, around 20 hours after the incident in Barangay Butalo,
Crocodile Incident in Siay Sparks Renewed Interest in Ecotourism Spot
ZAMBOANGA SIBUGAY, Philippines – What was supposed to be a terrifying encounter with a captive crocodile in Siay town may ironically revive dwindling interest in the area’s ecotourism. The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) in the Zamboanga Peninsula has ordered the temporary closure of the crocodile enclosure in Barangay Laih after the reptile,
