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PNP reshuffle, dahilan ng pagtanggal kay Torre ayon sa DILG

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MAYNILA. Itinuturing na pangunahing dahilan ng pagkakasibak kay Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Nicolas Torre III ang inilunsad niyang reshuffle sa hanay ng mga matataas na opisyal, ayon kay Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Jonvic Remulla.

Sa isang press conference kahapon sa Camp Crame, sinabi ni Remulla na binale-wala umano ni Torre ang kautusan ng National Police Commission (NAPOLCOM) na ibalik sa dating puwesto ang mga inilipat na opisyal, kabilang si Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez.

Si Nartatez, na dating Deputy Director for Administration (DCA) ng PNP, ay inilipat ni Torre bilang Area Police Commander sa Western Mindanao. Ipinalit naman sa kanyang puwesto si Lt. Gen. Bernard Banac. Ngunit naglabas ng resolusyon ang NAPOLCOM na binabaligtad ang mga appointment ni Torre at iniutos na ibalik si Nartatez bilang DCA at si Banac sa Western Mindanao.

Gayunman, muling ipinakita ni Torre ang kanyang posisyon nang ipakilala pa rin niya si Banac bilang DCA sa flag-raising ceremony.

Marami ang nagulat sa ginawang reshuffle, na ayon sa ilang eksperto ay nilabag ni Torre. Nilinaw naman ni Remulla na walang kinalaman ang DILG sa relieved order at tanging prayoridad ng Pangulo ang pambansang seguridad.

“Si Gen. Torre ay presidential appointee kaya nasa Pangulo ang pasya kung sino ang kanyang gustong ipuwesto,” ani Remulla. Idinagdag niyang mahirap ngunit kinakailangan ang desisyon para sa pambansang interes, at nilinaw na walang kaso o paglabag si Torre na naging dahilan ng pagtanggal.

Samantala, sinabi ni Remulla na ipagpapatuloy ni Nartatez ang mga programang nasimulan ni Torre, kabilang ang 5-minute response at pagpapatibay ng seguridad sa mga vital installations at malalaking kaganapan gaya ng SONA at Quiapo fiesta.

Israeli military denies targeting Reuters and AP journalists in Gaza hospital strike

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DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip. Israeli forces said on Tuesday that two journalists working for Reuters and the Associated Press who were killed in an airstrike on a Gaza hospital were not the intended targets of the attack.

The strike on Nasser hospital in southern Gaza on Monday killed at least 20 people, including journalists from Reuters, AP, Al Jazeera, and other outlets.

“We can confirm that the Reuters and AP journalists were not a target of the strike,” Israeli military spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Nadav Shoshani told Reuters. He added that Israel’s Chief of the General Staff had ordered an inquiry into how the decision to carry out the strike was made.

Five journalists were killed in the attack, among them Reuters cameraman Hussam al-Masri, who was operating a live feed from the hospital when the strike hit. Also killed were Mariam Abu Dagga, a freelancer for the Associated Press, Mohammed Salama of Al Jazeera, Moaz Abu Taha, a freelancer who occasionally contributed to Reuters, and Ahmed Abu Aziz of Middle East Eye. Reuters photographer Hatem Khaled was wounded.

The Israeli military later released a statement identifying six alleged militants from Hamas and Islamic Jihad killed in the strike, but none of the journalists were listed. The statement also acknowledged “several gaps” in the authorization process, including the type of ammunition used and the timing of the decision, which are now under review.

The military said its troops had identified a camera “positioned by Hamas” near the hospital, allegedly used to monitor Israeli forces, and struck the site to “dismantle the threat.”

Hamas disputed Israel’s account, saying that some of the individuals named by the military were killed elsewhere and not at the hospital. The group denied that any of those killed at Nasser hospital were militants.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office called the incident a “tragic mishap.”

In a letter to Israeli officials, Reuters and AP demanded accountability. “These journalists were present in their professional capacity, doing critical work bearing witness,” the letter read. “We hope this probe will be quick, thorough and provide clear answers. These deaths demand urgent and transparent accountability.”

Reuters has frequently broadcast live footage from Nasser hospital throughout the war, providing daily feeds from the site in recent weeks.

India’s supreme court orders probe into Ambani wildlife centre

NEW DELHI. India’s Supreme Court has ordered an independent investigation into Vantara, a wildlife rescue and rehabilitation centre run by the philanthropic arm of billionaire Mukesh Ambani’s group and led by his son, Anant Ambani.

The court’s directive came after public interest litigations filed by non-profit and wildlife groups alleged animal mistreatment, irregularities in acquisitions, and regulatory lapses by the Central Zoo Authority. While the court noted there was no evidence to substantiate claims of unlawful practices, it ruled that an independent appraisal was necessary because the petitions questioned the willingness of authorities to act.

“We consider it appropriate in the ends of justice to call for an independent factual appraisal,” the court said in its order on Monday.

A panel led by a former Supreme Court judge will investigate the acquisition of animals, including elephants, review allegations of creating a vanity or private collection of wildlife, and check compliance with India’s Wild Life Protection Act. The panel is expected to submit its report by September 12.

Vantara, located in Jamnagar, Gujarat, houses more than 150,000 animals across 2,000 species and includes a 998-acre elephant welfare trust, described as the world’s largest care facility for rescued elephants. It was also one of the venues for Anant Ambani’s high-profile pre-wedding celebrations last year, attended by international celebrities.

In a statement, a Vantara spokesperson said the centre “remains committed to transparency and legal compliance” and will cooperate fully with the investigation. “Our mission and focus continues to be the rescue, rehabilitation and care of animals,” the spokesperson added.

The Supreme Court’s order follows protests in Maharashtra earlier this month against the relocation of a 36-year-old elephant to Vantara, with local communities citing the animal’s deep cultural and spiritual significance. Reliance has said the transfer complied with a court directive.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who toured Vantara in March, praised the facility for providing “a safe haven for animals while promoting ecological sustainability and wildlife welfare.”

Anant Ambani, also an executive director at Reliance Industries and involved with Jio Platforms, has previously showcased Vantara’s unique facilities, including large kitchens where elephants are served dishes ranging from juices and sweets to popcorn as treats.

Parusa sa fake news, 12 taon kulong at P2 milyon multa

MAYNILA. Maaaring makulong ng hanggang 12 taon at pagmultahin ng P500,000 hanggang P2 milyon ang sinumang mapapatunayang nagpapakalat ng fake news online, sakaling maging ganap na batas ang House Bill (HB) No. 3799.

Muling inihain nina Cagayan de Oro City Rep. Rufus Rodriguez at ABAMIN Partylist Rep. Maximo Rodriguez Jr. ang panukala na tinawag na “Anti-Fake News and Disinformation Act” upang tugunan ang lumalalang problema ng disinformation at fake news sa bansa.

Ayon sa panukala, ang fake news ay tumutukoy sa maling o mapanlinlang na impormasyon na iniharap bilang katotohanan o balita, sadyang ipinalaganap upang linlangin ang publiko, magdulot ng kalituhan, mag-udyok ng poot o karahasan, o makagambala sa kaayusan ng lipunan.

Itinuturing namang disinformation ang maling impormasyon na sinadyang ipakalat upang manipulahin o impluwensyahan ang pananaw, pag-uugali o mga polisiya ng publiko.

Nakasaad din na pinakamabigat na parusa ang ipapataw kung ang maling impormasyon ay naglalayong pahinain ang national security o diplomatic relations ng bansa, manggulo sa eleksyon o disaster response, o kung ito ay ginawa ng isang opisyal ng gobyerno, mamamahayag, o social media influencer na may mahigit 50,000 followers.

Taylor Swift engaged to NFL star Travis Kelce after two years together

Pop superstar Taylor Swift and NFL player Travis Kelce are officially engaged after two years of dating.

Swift confirmed the news on Tuesday on Instagram, sharing photos of Kelce down on one knee while she cupped his face during the proposal. “Your English teacher and your gym teacher are getting married,” she wrote in the caption.

The “Love Story” singer began dating Kelce in the summer of 2023. Though Swift was first seen publicly supporting him at a Kansas City Chiefs game on September 24, 2023, she revealed in a TIME magazine interview that their relationship had already been underway long before that appearance.

“This all started when Travis very adorably put me on blast on his podcast, which I thought was metal as hell,” Swift said. “We started hanging out right after that. So, we actually had a significant amount of time that no one knew, which I’m grateful for, because we got to get to know each other.” She added, “By the time I went to that first game, we were a couple.”

Their connection began with a lighthearted moment when Kelce joked on his “New Heights” podcast in July 2023 that he regretted not giving Swift a friendship bracelet with his number on it during her Eras Tour stop in Kansas City. The moment became the start of what would turn into a public romance.

Swift later appeared with Kelce on his podcast on August 13, where she quipped, “This podcast got me a boyfriend ever since Travis decided to use it as his personal dating app.”

Kelce admitted that attending Swift’s concerts helped him understand how to win her heart. “I was sitting there at the Eras Tour listening to every single one of those songs, being like, ‘I know exactly what she wants me to do,’” he said.

For Swift, the bold gesture matched the love story she had always envisioned. “I was like, ‘If this guy’s not crazy, this is sort of what I’ve been writing songs about wanting to happen to me since I was a teenager,’” she said.

Occidental Mindoro Governor nadadawit sa flood control projects

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MAYNILA. Nadadawit sa kontrobersiya kaugnay ng umano’y maanomalyang flood control projects ng Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) si Occidental Mindoro Governor Eduardo Gadiano.

Matatandaang lantaran niyang binunyag kamakailan ang umano’y substandard na mga istruktura sa kanyang lalawigan at hinikayat ang Senado na magsagawa ng imbestigasyon. Giit ni Gadiano, mahina ang pagkakagawa ng ilan sa mga proyekto dahil kulang sa materyales at plano.

Ngunit batay sa dokumentong nakalap ng Pilipino Star Ngayon, lumitaw na mismong si Gadiano ang nagpanukala ng pondo para sa mahigit 70 flood control at road projects sa Occidental Mindoro.

Sa isang liham na may petsang Enero 27, 2025 na ipinadala kay dating DPWH Undersecretary Roberto R. Bernardo sa pamamagitan ni Engr. Gerald A. Pacanan, Regional Director ng DPWH MIMAROPA, humiling si Gadiano ng pondo para sa mga proyektong ito.

Kabilang sa listahan ang ilang flood control structures sa bayan ng Sablayan at Rizal na kalaunan ay kinondena mismo ng gobernador matapos niyang inspeksyunin at tawaging depektibo ang disenyo at pagkakagawa.

Bagama’t itinanggi ni Gadiano ang pagkakasangkot at iginiit na hindi nakipag-ugnayan ang DPWH sa lokal na pamahalaan, taliwas dito ang nakasaad sa mga opisyal na dokumentong nakuha ng media.

Spain marks 80 years of La Tomatina tomato festival

BUÑOL, Spain. Thousands of revelers flooded the streets of Buñol on Wednesday for the 80th anniversary of Spain’s world-famous “La Tomatina” festival, hurling 120 tons of overripe tomatoes in a one-hour battle that turned the town red with pulp.

Up to 22,000 participants joined the spectacle, paying €15 ($17.50) each for tickets that drew both local residents and tourists from across the globe. “When it’s going on, it’s just a blur of tomatoes,” recalled Adrian Columb of Ireland, who attended in 1999. “It was a blast.”

The origins of the festival trace back to 1945, when a food fight between local children sparked what would become an annual event. Although briefly banned in the 1950s under Spanish dictator Francisco Franco, La Tomatina grew in popularity through the 1980s with the help of media coverage, eventually gaining international recognition. In 2002, Spain declared it an official international tourism attraction.

The festival has only been suspended twice in recent years, during the coronavirus pandemic in 2020 and 2021. The tomatoes used are not for consumption but are grown specifically for the event, said Buñol Deputy Mayor Sergio Galarza. “If La Tomatina didn’t exist, these tomatoes wouldn’t be cultivated because there wouldn’t be a need for them,” he explained. This year’s supply came from Don Benito, more than five hours away.

Although the event has no teams, scores or referees, guidelines encourage participants to squash the tomatoes before throwing to minimize injuries. Many wear goggles and earplugs for protection, but mishaps still occur. “A friend of mine finished with two black eyes,” Columb said, noting his friend’s height may have made him an easy target.

The tomato fight ends with the firing of a cannon, after which participants head to communal showers while the town’s streets are cleaned with hoses. Remarkably, the citric acid from the tomatoes often leaves the pavement cleaner than before.

Over the years, La Tomatina has inspired similar events in Florida, London, Amsterdam, Colombia, and India. Still, for Buñol locals like Galarza, the festival remains deeply tied to its origins. “The truth is that it’s exciting because year after year, you can see how La Tomatina grows and evolves,” he said. “You can enjoy a festival that is super wholesome.”

The tomatoes used are not for consumption but are grown specifically for the event, said Buñol Deputy Mayor Sergio Galarza.

Sibakan sa DPWH, sinimulan na

MAYNILA. Sinimulan na ng Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) ang malawakang “internal cleansing” sa gitna ng mga alegasyon ng maanomalyang flood control projects.

Kabilang sa mga unang tinanggal sa puwesto nitong Biyernes ay si Bulacan First District Engineer Henry Alcantara at ilang opisyal ng kanilang district engineering office. Kasabay nito, naglabas din si DPWH Secretary Manuel Bonoan ng show-cause order laban sa kanila upang ipaliwanag ang umano’y ghost projects.

Pinalitan din sa puwesto si Isabelo Baleros, hepe ng Las Piñas Muntinlupa District Engineering Office, na inilipat sa DPWH Metro Manila 3rd District Engineering Office. Ayon sa memorandum na inilabas ni Bonoan, si Engineer Ruel Umali ang ipinalit kay Baleros. Lumalabas na si Baleros umano ay humiling na mailipat ang pondo para sa ilang proyekto ng Las Piñas sa regional office ng DPWH NCR nang hindi kinokonsulta ang lokal na pamahalaan at iba pang kaukulang tanggapan.

Kabilang sa sentro ng kontrobersiya ang P140-milyong C5 Diversion Road project sa Barangay Manuyo Dos, ang pinakamalaking alokasyon mula sa P450.5-milyong pondo ng Las Piñas ngayong taon.

Binigyang-diin ni Bonoan na pananagutin ang mga opisyal at kawani ng DPWH na mapapatunayang responsable sa substandard o ghost projects at tiniyak niyang kakasuhan ang mga sangkot.

Batay sa imbestigasyon, ilang opisyal ng gobyerno umano ang konektado sa mga kontratista. Lumabas na ang campaign donor ni Senate President Chiz Escudero na si Lawrence Lubiano ay nakakuha umano ng P5.16 bilyon sa mga flood control projects, habang ang pamilya ni Congressman Edwin Gardiola ay nakinabang umano ng P16 bilyon sa mga proyektong pang-imprastraktura mula 2023.

“I think we have to cleanse the organization if needed,” pahayag ni Bonoan sa panayam.

Kasabay ng eskandalo, ilang senador at grupo ang nananawagan ng pagbibitiw sa kalihim matapos nitong aminin na mayroong ghost projects sa panahon ng kanyang panunungkulan. Ayon kay Bonoan, maaaring may panlabas na puwersa at panggigipit na nakaapekto sa sitwasyon.

Sinabi rin ni Bonoan na suportado niya ang direktiba ni Pangulong Ferdinand Marcos Jr. na imbestigahan ang isyu, tukuyin ang mga sangkot, magsampa ng kaso at magpatupad ng mga reporma sa bidding process upang maiwasan ang katiwalian.

Typhoon Kajiki kills three in Vietnam, floods streets in Hanoi

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HANOI. Typhoon Kajiki left at least three people dead and 10 others injured in Vietnam, authorities said on Tuesday, as heavy rains triggered widespread flooding and raised fears of landslides.

The storm damaged nearly 7,000 houses, inundated 28,800 hectares of rice fields, and uprooted 18,000 trees, according to a government statement. It also toppled 331 electricity poles, resulting in power outages across Thanh Hoa, Nghe An, Ha Tinh, Thai Nguyen, and Phu Tho provinces.

State media photos showed several streets in Hanoi submerged after torrential rains swept the capital on Tuesday morning.

Kajiki made landfall on Vietnam’s north-central coast on Monday afternoon before weakening to a tropical depression as it crossed into Laos on Tuesday morning, the national weather agency said.

The agency warned that rains will persist in northern Vietnam, with some areas expected to receive up to 150 millimeters of rainfall within six hours, raising the risk of flash floods and landslides.

Before reaching Vietnam, Kajiki brushed past the southern coast of China’s Hainan Island on Sunday, prompting the temporary shutdown of businesses and public transport in Sanya City.

PNP chief Torre, sinibak sa puwesto, Nartatez itinalagang kapalit

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MAYNILA. Kumpirmado na inalis sa puwesto si Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Police General Nicolas Torre III, ayon kay Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin nitong Martes.

Batay sa memo mula Malacañang, epektibo agad ang kautusan. Wala pang pahayag si Torre at ang PNP hinggil sa desisyon.

Samantala, kinumpirma ni Interior and Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla na si Police Lieutenant General Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. ang hahalili bilang bagong hepe ng PNP.

Itinalaga si Torre bilang ika-31 PNP chief noong Hunyo 2, 2024, at siya ang kauna-unahang nagtapos sa Philippine National Police Academy (PNPA) na umupo sa pinakamataas na posisyon sa pulisya. Dapat sana ay aabot pa sa isa’t kalahating taon ang kanyang termino bago umabot sa retirement age sa Marso 11, 2027.

Bago naging hepe ng PNP, pinamunuan ni Torre ang Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) kung saan siya ang nanguna sa pag-aresto at pag-eskorta kay dating Pangulong Rodrigo Duterte patungong International Criminal Court (ICC) sa The Hague, Netherlands nitong Marso 11 kaugnay ng kasong crimes against humanity sa war on drugs.

Bilang hepe ng Police Regional Office 11, pinangunahan din ni Torre ang pagkakaaresto kay Kingdom of Jesus Christ founder Apollo Quiboloy sa Davao City noong Setyembre 8, 2024 dahil sa mga kasong human trafficking at sexual exploitation of minors.

Ang biglaang relief kay Torre ay kasunod ng resolusyon ng National Police Commission (NAPOLCOM) na nagbaligtad at nagbago sa ilang appointment ng mga opisyal ng PNP.

Sa Resolution 2025-0531 na inilabas noong Agosto 14, inatasan ng NAPOLCOM ang pagbabalik ni Nartatez bilang Deputy Chief for Administration at ni Police Lieutenant General Bernard Banac bilang commander ng Area Police Command Western Mindanao. Inatasan din nito ang PNP na agad magpalabas ng kaukulang order para sa galaw ng 11 pang opisyal.

Nauna nang sinabi ni Torre na naresolba na ng PNP at NAPOLCOM ang isyu sa reshuffling, ngunit tumanggi siyang ibunyag ang detalye ng kasunduan.

  • PNP chief Nicolas Torre III
  • Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr.
  • NAPOLCOM resolution