Thursday, May 7, 2026


Your Daily News Update About CALABARZON and Beyond.
ISSN 2799-1911

Home Blog Page 148

US Navy to build boat maintenance facility in Palawan, not a military base

MANILA. The United States Navy will construct a boat maintenance facility in Palawan, the US Embassy in the Philippines confirmed Tuesday.

According to the embassy’s statement, the US Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command released a public solicitation on July 7 for the design and construction of the facility at the Philippine Navy’s Naval Detachment in Oyster Bay.

“The facility will provide repair and maintenance capabilities for several small Philippine military watercraft and will include two multi-purpose interior rooms suitable for equipment storage or conference use,” the embassy said.

The embassy clarified that the facility is not a US military base and emphasized that the project has been approved by the Philippine government in compliance with all local regulations and bilateral agreements.

“Our U.S.-Philippine alliance, with its roots in the 1951 Mutual Defense Treaty, remains a cornerstone of peace and security, promoting our common vision for a free, open, and resilient Indo-Pacific,” the embassy added. “All of our military activities in the Philippines are done in full coordination with our Philippine allies.”

The location of the planned facility is near the West Philippine Sea, where tensions continue between the Philippines and China due to overlapping territorial claims.

Beijing claims almost the entire South China Sea, a strategic waterway that sees over $3 trillion in annual shipborne trade. Parts of the area are also claimed by the Philippines, Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Brunei.

To reinforce its sovereignty, the Philippine government refers to portions of its maritime territory within the South China Sea as the West Philippine Sea. This includes the waters around Luzon, the Kalayaan Island Group, and Bajo de Masinloc.

In 2016, the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague ruled in favor of the Philippines, declaring China’s sweeping claims had “no legal basis.” China, however, has refused to recognize the ruling.

Private spaceflight ends in Pacific splashdown for Indian, Polish, and Hungarian astronauts

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. A private spaceflight carrying astronauts from India, Poland, and Hungary concluded on Tuesday with a successful splashdown in the Pacific Ocean, marking the first time in more than four decades that astronauts from these countries have traveled to space.

The SpaceX capsule, which had undocked from the International Space Station on Monday, parachuted into the waters off the coast of Southern California less than 24 hours later.

The mission, chartered by Houston-based Axiom Space, launched nearly three weeks ago. It was the company’s fourth trip to the orbiting outpost since 2022 and part of NASA’s broader initiative to expand private sector participation in space exploration.

Commanding the mission was Peggy Whitson, Axiom’s veteran astronaut and the most experienced U.S. spacefarer. She was joined by India’s Shubhanshu Shukla, Poland’s Slawosz Uznanski-Wisniewski, and Hungary’s Tibor Kapu. Each country reportedly paid over $65 million for its astronauts’ participation in the flight.

“Thanks for the great ride and safe trip,” Whitson said via radio moments after the capsule landed. Her cumulative time in space now stands at 695 days across five missions — more than any other American or woman.

During their stay aboard the ISS, the international crew conducted dozens of scientific experiments while also celebrating their respective national heritages. It was the first time astronauts from India, Poland, and Hungary had entered space since the Soviet-led missions of the 1970s and 1980s.

Footage from the recovery showed the crew smiling and waving as they exited the capsule in the pre-dawn hours.

Axiom Space is among several private companies working to develop commercial space stations as NASA prepares to retire the International Space Station in 2030, after more than three decades of continuous operation.

China and Australia discuss free trade cooperation as leaders meet in Beijing

BEIJING. Australia and China have pledged to maintain open dialogue and explore areas of cooperation, even amid ongoing strategic competition in the Indo-Pacific region, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said Tuesday following a high-level meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing.

Albanese, who is on a six-day, three-city visit to China, described the talks as part of his government’s policy to “cooperate where we can, disagree where we must,” signaling a continued shift from the strained diplomatic ties under the previous administration.

Speaking after a private lunch with Xi at the Great Hall of the People, Albanese reiterated Australia’s support for free trade and diplomacy. “Dialogue is how we advance our interests, how we manage our differences, and how we guard against misunderstanding,” he said at a press conference.

President Xi, in a statement released by Chinese state media, emphasized the importance of protecting free trade amid a “complex and turbulent” global landscape, though no direct reference was made to U.S. policies or former President Donald Trump’s sweeping trade tariffs.

While no major trade or investment agreements were signed during the visit, both sides agreed to launch a new Policy Dialogue on Steel Decarbonisation, allowing Australia further insight into China’s industrial planning. Additional agreements were signed covering tourism, customs inspections, and agriculture.

Albanese also confirmed that the two countries’ decade-old free trade agreement would undergo a review. Iron ore exports lead Australia’s trade with China and include major players like Rio Tinto, BHP, and Fortescue, whose executives joined the trip and met with Chinese steel industry officials.

A separate CEO roundtable, attended by around two dozen companies including China’s EV maker BYD, steel giant Baowu, and food group COFCO, put forward recommendations to modernize the trade agreement and promote joint research on green metals.

“First and foremost, we use fixtures such as this to send a signal that business-to-business engagement should be welcomed and encouraged,” said Bran Black, CEO of the Business Council of Australia.

Despite growing economic ties, strategic concerns persist. Albanese raised Australia’s objections to China’s naval exercises in the Tasman Sea earlier this year and the case of jailed Australian writer Yang Hengjun. He said Xi defended the exercises, stating that China conducts military drills just as Australia does.

Albanese noted that, despite ongoing strategic rivalry, both nations must continue engagement to support peace, security, and regional stability. He also acknowledged China’s criticism of Australia’s increased scrutiny of foreign investment in critical minerals and the plan to return a Chinese-leased port to Australian control.

91 buto narekober sa Taal Lake; ops maaaring umabot ng 6 buwan

MAYNILA. Umaabot sa 91 piraso ng buto ang narekober mula sa ilalim ng Taal Lake at kasalukuyang hawak ng PNP Forensic Group. Anim sa mga ito ay hinihinalang buto ng tao, ayon sa ulat ng mga awtoridad.

Ayon kay Lt. Col. Edmar dela Torre, Officer-in-Charge ng DNA Laboratory Division ng PNP Forensic Group, inaasahang aabutin ng lima hanggang pitong araw upang makabuo ng DNA profile mula sa mga buto. Dagdag pa rito, kakailanganin ng panibagong lima hanggang pitong araw para sa cross-matching sa DNA ng mga kaanak ng mga nawawalang sabungero.

Sinabi ni Dela Torre na 18 kamag-anak na ng mga nawawalang sabungero ang nakuhanan na ng DNA samples. Isasagawa ang cross-matching kapag may nabuong DNA profile mula sa mga narekober na buto.

Ipinasilip naman sa media ng PNP Forensic Group ang DNA Laboratory kung saan isinasagawa ang pagsusuri sa mga nakuhang buto mula sa lawa.

Samantala, nag-deploy na ang Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) ng remotely operated vehicle (ROV) upang suportahan ang isinasagawang paghahanap sa mga nawawalang sabungero.

Ayon kay PCG spokesperson Capt. Noemie Guirao-Cayabyab, ginagamit na ang ROV sa search and retrieval operations sa Taal Lake. May ilaw at camera ang naturang kagamitan kaya’t mas malawak ang naaabot nitong monitoring sa ilalim ng lawa.

May kakayahan din umano ang ROV na mag-angat ng bagay na may bigat na hanggang 10 kilo at maaaring manatili sa ilalim ng tubig ng hanggang apat na oras.

Matatandaang sinisid ng mga tauhan ng PCG ang Taal Lake upang hanapin ang mga nawawalang sabungero na sinasabing itinapon sa lawa. Tiniyak ng PCG na metikuloso at masusing isinasagawa ang operasyon.

Samantala, sinabi ni Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla na maaaring umabot ng anim na buwan ang retrieval operations kaugnay ng mga nawawalang sabungero.

“We’re trying to organize everything for the presentation of evidence later. Hindi natin kayang unti-untiin ang balita tungkol dito. Kung meron silang nakitang buto ng tao then everything will be marked accordingly,” pahayag ni Remulla.

Ipinaliwanag ng kalihim na maiksi pa ang anim na buwan dahil dadaan pa sa maraming proseso tulad ng retrieval, markings, identification, at DNA matching ng mga buto sa mga kamag-anak ng mga biktima.

Gayunman, nilinaw niyang hindi kailangang tapusin pa ang anim na buwan bago magsampa ng kaso, basta’t sapat na ang ebidensya at matibay ang kaso sa korte.

Hindi biro ang pagsisiyasat sa malawak na bahagi ng lawa, lalo na’t ayon sa whistleblower na si Julie Patidongan, mahigit 100 sabungero ang diumano’y itinapon sa Taal Lake.

Kasabay nito, isasailalim sa masusing pagsusuri ang mga testimonya ng mga testigo at i-evaluate ng mga piskal ang papel ng mga sangkot, kabilang ang ilang aktibo at retiradong pulis.

Noong Lunes, nagsampa ng kasong administratibo si Patidongan sa National Police Commission laban sa 12 pulis, kabilang ang isang police colonel, isang police lieutenant colonel, isang police major, isang executive master sergeant, isang master sergeant, isang senior master sergeant, isang senior staff sergeant, dalawang chief master sergeant, at isang corporal.

Trump plans over 10% tariffs on African and Caribbean nations

WASHINGTON. U.S. President Donald Trump announced Tuesday that he plans to impose tariffs of over 10% on goods from smaller countries, including those in Africa and the Caribbean.

“We’ll probably set one tariff for all of them,” Trump told reporters, adding that it could be “a little over 10%” and would affect goods from at least 100 nations.

Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick clarified that the affected countries would primarily be in Africa and the Caribbean. These regions conduct relatively modest trade with the U.S. and are not central to Trump’s broader aim of reducing trade imbalances.

Earlier this month, Trump sent letters to about two dozen countries and the European Union notifying them of tariff rates that would take effect on August 1. These rates closely match those announced on April 2, when Trump’s rollout of high import taxes triggered volatility in global financial markets. A 90-day negotiation window set by the administration expired on July 9.

Trump also said he would “probably” announce tariffs on pharmaceutical drugs by the end of the month. He added that the tariffs would start at lower rates, giving companies up to a year to establish U.S.-based manufacturing facilities before facing steeper taxes. A similar approach will be applied to computer chips, he said.

8 Filipino seafarers rescued from Houthi-hit ship arrive safely in Saudi Arabia

MANILA. Eight Filipino seafarers who were crew members of the M/V Eternity C, a vessel attacked by Houthi rebels in the Red Sea, have safely arrived in Saudi Arabia, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) announced on Tuesday.

According to the DFA, the seafarers disembarked at the port city of Jizan and are now under the joint care of the Philippine Consulate General in Jeddah, the Migrant Workers’ Office in Jeddah, and their shipping agency.

The crew members will undergo medical checkups before their scheduled repatriation to the Philippines in the coming days.

“The DFA wishes to express its deepest gratitude to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for extending visa considerations to the 8 Filipino seafarers on humanitarian grounds,” the department said in a statement.

The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) earlier confirmed the rescue of the eight Filipino crew members last Thursday.

A total of 21 Filipino seafarers were onboard the M/V Eternity C when Houthi rebels struck it.

“The DFA will update the public on significant developments on the Filipino seafarers of M/V Eternity C,” the department added.

Mas mataas na buwis sa interes ng time deposit, ipinatupad na

MAYNILA. Simula Hulyo 1, epektibo na ang mas mataas na buwis sa interes ng mga long-term savings at deposits gaya ng time deposit, ayon sa anunsyo ng ilang pangunahing bangko sa bansa.

Ito ay alinsunod sa pagpapatupad ng Republic Act 12214 o Capital Markets Efficiency Promotion Act (CMEPA), na naglalayong gawing mas simple at patas ang sistema ng pagbubuwis sa mga kita mula sa financial investments.

Kinumpirma ng Metrobank, UnionBank at Security Bank na lahat ng interes mula sa peso at dollar deposits, kabilang ang time deposits ay sakop na ng 20% final withholding tax, anuman ang haba ng termino ng deposito.

Ayon sa UnionBank, ang bagong panuntunan ay papalit sa dating sistema kung saan pababa ang buwis depende sa haba ng investment. Dati, may mga time deposit na:

  • 0% ang buwis kung mahigit 5 taon
  • 5% kung 4–5 taon
  • 12% kung 3–4 taon
  • 20% kung 3 taon pababa

Ngunit ngayon, lahat ng interes mula sa long-term peso deposits na inilagak simula Hulyo 1 ay may flat 20% buwis, kahit gaano pa ito katagal.

Para naman sa dollar time deposits at iba pang foreign currency accounts, tinaasan ang dating 15% buwis at ginawang 20%, ayon sa Security Bank.

Nilinaw ng mga bangko na hindi kasama sa bagong buwis ang mga deposito na nailagak bago ang Hulyo 1. Mananatili ang dating rate ng buwis para sa mga ito hanggang sa kanilang maturity o takdang petsa ng withdrawal.

Kung may umiiral na tax exemption mula sa Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR), mananatili rin ang tax-free status ng account.

Ayon sa Metrobank, makikinabang ang mga indibidwal at institusyon sa CMEPA dahil mas simple, malinaw at predictable na ang tax system para sa investments. Idinagdag naman ng Security Bank na ito ay hakbang tungo sa makatarungan at makabagong sistema ng pagbubuwis na naaayon sa pandaigdigang pamantayan.

Ex-NCRPO chief at 11 pulis, idinawit sa pagdukot at pagpatay sa mga nawawalang sabungero

MAYNILA. Pinangalanan ni Julie “Dondon” Patidongan, alyas “Totoy,” si retired Lt. Gen. Jonnel Estomo, dating hepe ng National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO), bilang isa sa 12 pulis na umano’y sangkot sa pagdukot at pagpatay sa mga nawawalang sabungero.

Sa kanyang pagharap sa National Police Commission (NAPOLCOM) kahapon, inilahad ni Patidongan na mula kay Charlie “Atong” Ang niya nalaman na si Estomo umano ang nag-utos na siya ay ipapatay dahil sa mga nalalaman niya hinggil sa mga iligal na gawain. Ani Patidongan, napilitan siyang magsalita matapos siyang pagbantaan na pati ang kanyang pamilya ay papatayin.

Hindi rin niya napigilang maiyak habang inaalala ang panganib na kinaharap nila mula sa mga itinuturong suspek.

Kabilang sa mga pinangalanan ni Patidongan ay sina PCol. Jacinto Malinao Jr. (Visayas), PLtCol. Ryan Jay Orapa (Highway Patrol Group), PMaj. Mark Philip Almedilla (Cavite HPG), PEMS Aaron Ezrah Cabillan (HPG), PCMS Arturo dela Cruz Jr. (Cavite HPG), PSMS Adelson Olosco Amarin, PSMS Joey Encarnacion (Cavite HPG), PSMS Mark Anthony Manrique (HPG), PSMS Reynand Fulgencio, PSgt. Alfredo Andres (Cavite HPG), at PCpl. Angel Joseph Martin (Cavite HPG).

Ayon kay Patidongan, ilan sa mga sangkot ay retirado na o natanggal na sa serbisyo. Sila umano ang kumukuha sa mga sabungero, pinapatay, at dinadala ang mga bangkay sa Taal Lake sa Batangas.

Idinawit din ni Patidongan si dating Talisay, Batangas Vice Mayor Charlie Natanauan bilang umano’y tumatanggap ng mga biktima at nagdedesisyon kung paano sila papatayin.

Bukod dito, binanggit din niya si PCSO Chairman at dating hukom Felix Reyes bilang umano’y taga-areglo ng mga kaso sa korte para sa grupo ni Atong Ang.

Ayon kay NAPOLCOM Chairperson at Executive Officer Atty. Rafael Vicente Calinisan, sasampahan ng kasong administratibo ang mga aktibong pulis, habang kasong kriminal naman ang kakaharapin ng mga retirado. Tiniyak niyang mareresolba ang reklamo ni Patidongan sa loob ng 60 araw.

Dagdag pa ni Calinisan, isasailalim sa masusing pagsusuri ang affidavit at mga pahayag ni Patidongan at susundin ang proseso ng batas.

Samantala, isang viber message ang ipinadala ng umano’y mga aktibong pulis na isinangkot sa kaso. Ayon sa kanila, nagulat sila sa umano’y walang basehang akusasyon ni alyas “Totoy.”

Photo courtesy of the National Police Commission (NAPOLCOM)

Trump warns Russia with tariffs, boosts U.S. arms flow to Ukraine

WASHINGTON. President Donald Trump on Monday threatened to impose steep tariffs on Russia and announced an expanded supply of U.S. weapons for Ukraine, signaling a tougher stance on Moscow amid growing frustration over the ongoing war.

Trump said he would implement “severe tariffs” unless a peace deal is reached within 50 days. Though details were scarce, he described the proposed measures as “secondary tariffs,” which would target Russia’s trading partners to increase economic pressure on Moscow.

Speaking in the Oval Office alongside NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte, Trump also said European allies would purchase “billions and billions” of dollars’ worth of American military equipment to support Ukraine’s defense. The weapons package includes Patriot air defense systems, a critical need for Ukraine in countering continued Russian missile and drone attacks.

This marks a shift for Trump, who had previously blamed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy for prolonging the war. Now, Trump is directing more criticism at Russian President Vladimir Putin, saying, “My conversations with him are very pleasant, and then the missiles go off at night… it just keeps going on and on.”

Zelenskyy said he spoke with Trump by phone on Monday, describing the exchange as a discussion about “better protection for people from Russian attacks” and coordination on future actions. He added that both agreed to stay in closer contact moving forward.

Rutte said countries including Germany, Finland, Canada, Norway, Sweden, the UK and Denmark would fund the weapons for Ukraine. Some deliveries, he noted, would be fast-tracked, with U.S. purchases replacing the shipped items later.

In a parallel diplomatic effort, Trump’s special envoy, retired Lt. Gen. Keith Kellogg, met with Zelenskyy in Kyiv to discuss enhanced air defenses, joint arms production and further international sanctions against Russia. Zelenskyy said, “We hope for the leadership of the United States, because it is clear that Moscow will not stop unless its ambitions are stopped by force.”

Russia has continued to bombard Ukrainian cities, including Kyiv, with a surge in civilian casualties reported. June recorded the highest monthly civilian death toll in three years, with 232 people killed and over 1,300 wounded, according to the UN human rights mission in Ukraine.

The Pentagon had previously paused U.S. weapons shipments over stockpile concerns, casting doubt on continued support. Trump’s latest announcements appear to reverse that hesitation.

In Berlin, German officials confirmed plans to fund two more Patriot systems for Ukraine, while reiterating the importance of U.S. involvement in European security. German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius traveled to Washington to meet with U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.

Trump also floated a 100% tariff on products from countries that continue buying Russian oil, potentially impacting trade with major buyers like China and India. A bipartisan Senate bill proposes 500% tariffs and expanded sanctions on Russian exports. While Trump expressed some skepticism about the bill, he said, “It could be very useful. We’ll have to see.”

Critics, including senior Russian lawmaker Konstantin Kosachev, accused Trump of benefiting the U.S. military-industrial complex. Kirill Dmitriev, a Russian envoy involved in earlier talks, downplayed the pressure, saying, “Constructive dialogue between Russia and the United States is more effective.”

Senator Lindsey Graham, a Trump ally and co-sponsor of the sanctions bill, said over the weekend that Trump is now more engaged in supporting Ukraine. “You’ll see weapons flowing at a record level,” Graham said, predicting a major diplomatic push to bring Putin to the negotiating table.

Despite the complexities, Trump defended using trade as leverage, saying, “I use trade for a lot of things… but it’s great for settling wars.”

Labi ng tao, natagpuan sa mga butong narekober sa Taal Lake — PNP

MAYNILA. Kinumpirma ng Philippine National Police (PNP) na mayroong mga labi ng tao sa mga butong narekober sa Taal Lake noong nakaraang linggo habang isinasagawa ang search operations para sa mga nawawalang sabungero.

Ayon kay PNP chief Gen. Nicolas Torre III, “We recovered mixed bones, because you know there’s a farm in that area, Taal is a place of farming, so everything [is] there,” ani Torre sa isang press briefing nitong Lunes. Kumpirmado umano na kabilang sa mga butong natagpuan ang mga human remains.

Isinasailalim na ngayon sa pagsusuri ng Forensic Group ng PNP ang mga DNA sample ng hindi bababa sa 12 kaanak ng mga nawawalang sabungero upang i-match sa mga narekober na labi.

Ayon kay PNP spokesperson Brig. Gen. Jean Fajardo, kung magtatagpo ang resulta ng DNA testing, ito ang magiging patunay na pumanaw na ang mga nawawalang sabungero.