Sunday, May 10, 2026


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Trump wounded in ear during campaign rally after major security breakdown

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BUTLER, Pennsylvania. Former President Donald Trump was shot in the ear during a campaign rally on Saturday, raising serious questions about the security measures in place for the Republican candidate.

The incident occurred as Trump was beginning his speech. Shots rang out, and he instinctively grabbed his right ear, which was bleeding. Secret Service agents immediately surrounded him, but Trump emerged shortly after, his face streaked with blood, pumping his fist in the air and mouthing “Fight! Fight! Fight!”

Despite the severity of the situation, the Trump campaign later reported that he was “doing well,” with no major injuries other than a wound on his upper right ear.

Identifying the Suspect

Early Sunday morning, the FBI identified 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks from Bethel Park, Pennsylvania, as the “subject involved” in what they termed an attempted assassination. Crooks, a registered Republican, was shot dead by Secret Service agents after he opened fire from a rooftop about 140 meters from the stage. An AR-15-style semiautomatic rifle was found near his body.

The attack resulted in the death of one rally attendee and left two others critically wounded. Law enforcement officials have yet to determine a motive for the shooting.

Trump’s Response

Trump, 78, briefly knelt behind the podium after being shot before reemerging, his red “Make America Great Again” hat knocked off. He could be heard saying “wait, wait” before pumping his fist and being rushed to a black SUV.

“I was shot with a bullet that pierced the upper part of my right ear,” Trump later stated on his Truth Social platform. “Much bleeding took place.”

He was quickly transported under Secret Service protection to his golf club in Bedminster, New Jersey.

Implications and Reactions

This attack marks the first shooting of a U.S. president or major party candidate since the 1981 attempted assassination of President Ronald Reagan. It has sparked immediate scrutiny of the Secret Service’s security protocols, given that Trump, as a former president, receives lifetime protection.

The FBI has taken the lead in investigating the incident. The attack, which comes less than four months before the November 5 election, is expected to have significant implications for the presidential race. Current polls show Trump and Democratic President Joe Biden in a tight contest.

Market analysts predict that Trump’s defiant response to the attack might bolster his chances of reclaiming the White House. Trading on bets for his victory is expected to surge in the coming week.

Trump is set to receive the Republican Party’s formal nomination at the Republican National Convention, starting Monday in Milwaukee.

Eyewitness Accounts and Official Responses

Ron Moose, a rally attendee, reported hearing about four shots. “I saw the crowd go down and then Trump ducked, also real quick,” he said. “Then the Secret Service all jumped and protected him as soon as they could. We are talking within a second they were all protecting him.”

The BBC interviewed an eyewitness who claimed to have seen a man armed with a rifle on a rooftop near the event. This individual, who was not identified, said he and others tried to alert security to the potential threat.

FBI officials expressed surprise at the suspect’s ability to fire multiple shots, noting that the shots appeared to come from outside the secured area.

In response to the incident, the Republican-led U.S. House Oversight Committee has summoned U.S. Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle to testify at a hearing scheduled for July 22. “Americans demand answers about the assassination attempt of President Trump,” the panel stated on social media.

The attack has prompted widespread criticism of the Secret Service. Conservative activist Jack Posobiec questioned how a sniper with a full rifle kit could get so close to the event, stating on social media site X: “How was a sniper with a full rifle kit allowed to bear crawl onto the closest roof to a presidential nominee?”

Tanod na may death threat, itinumba sa Rizal

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ANTIPOLO, Rizal. Natagpuang patay ang isang barangay tanod matapos barilin ng hindi pa nakikilalang salarin habang natutulog sa loob ng kanilang Barangay Mobile Patrol sa Antipolo City kamakalawa. Ang biktima, si Jomel Aguanta, ay dati nang nakatanggap ng death threat, ayon sa mga ulat.

Ayon sa mga saksi, ang insidente ay naganap dakong 4:30 ng madaling araw sa tapat ng isang kilalang bakeshop sa Brgy. Sta. Cruz. Naisugod pa si Aguanta sa Antipolo City District Hospital ngunit idineklara ring patay dahil sa mga tama ng bala.

Batay sa ulat ng Antipolo City Police, bago mangyari ang krimen, nagsagawa pa umano ang biktima at ang kanyang mga kasamahang barangay tanod ng clearing operation sa Olalia Road, Brgy. Sta. Cruz dakong alas-3:30 ng madaling araw. Dahil sa pagod at puyat, nagpasya umano si Aguanta na magpahinga sa loob ng Barangay Mobile Patrol.

Sinamantala ng suspek ang pagkakataon nang mahimbing ang biktima, nilapitan ito at malapitang binaril bago naglakad lamang na tumakas. Inilarawan ang suspek na maitim, may kaliitan, nakasuot ng itim na jacket, at may dalang itim na sling bag.

Sa pagsisiyasat ng mga awtoridad, natukoy na dalawang linggo na ang nakakaraan ay nakatanggap umano ng death threat si Aguanta at inireport niya ito sa Brgy. Sta. Cruz. Patuloy ang imbestigasyon upang matukoy kung sino ang nasa likod ng banta at pagpaslang.

Ayon kay Police Lt. Col. Rhoderick Arcinue ng Antipolo City Police, “Ginagawa namin ang lahat ng paraan para matukoy ang salarin at mabigyan ng hustisya ang pagkamatay ng biktima.”

Israeli strike targets Hamas commander, kills 90 in southern Gaza

KHAN YOUNIS, Gaza Strip. Israel claimed to have targeted Hamas’ elusive military commander, resulting in at least 90 fatalities, including children, according to local health officials in a massive strike on Saturday. The strike occurred in the densely populated southern Gaza Strip, an area designated as a safe zone by Israel for hundreds of thousands of Palestinians.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated, “there still isn’t absolute certainty” that Mohammed Deif, Hamas’ military commander, and another commander, Rafa Salama, were among the dead. Hamas dismissed the claims, stating, “these false claims are merely a cover-up for the scale of the horrific massacre.”

The Gaza Health Ministry reported 90 deaths and over 300 injuries. Journalists from the Associated Press counted more than 40 bodies at the overwhelmed Nasser Hospital. Witnesses described multiple strikes in the attack.

“A number of victims are still under the rubble and on the roads, and ambulance and civil defense crews are unable to reach them,” the Health Ministry reported.

Israel’s military asserted that “additional terrorists hid among civilians,” and an Israeli official described the strike as precise, targeting a fenced area in Khan Younis run by Hamas. The location was said to be surrounded by trees and several buildings, with the compound belonging to Salama.

Footage of the aftermath showed a massive crater, charred tents, and burnt-out cars. Victims were transported on the hoods and hatchbacks of cars, on donkey carts, and on carpets. At the hospital, scenes of chaos unfolded, with a baby in a pink shirt crying while receiving first aid, and a small boy lying motionless with one shoe gone.

Louise Wateridge, a spokesperson with the U.N. agency for Palestinian refugees, described “the overwhelming stench of blood” and noted the hospital had no cleaning products left. She recounted that a 2-year-old child was thrown into the air by the blast, with the mother missing. Another boy lost his feet, and an 8-year-old boy was killed. “They told me to go there to be safe,” the grieving mother of the area struck told her.

Neighboring Egypt, mediating cease-fire talks, condemned the strike. “These ongoing violations against Palestinian citizens add serious complications to the ability of the efforts currently being made to reach calm and a cease-fire,” its Foreign Ministry said in a statement, criticizing the “shameful silence and lack of action from the international community.”

Egyptian, Qatari, and U.S. mediators are working to narrow gaps between Israel and Hamas over a proposed cease-fire and hostage release plan. The U.S.-backed proposal includes an initial cease-fire with a limited hostage release, followed by negotiations for a full hostage release and permanent cease-fire.

Netanyahu reiterated Israel’s conditions for any cease-fire, including the continuation of military operations until its goals are achieved, the return of hostages in the deal’s first stage, no return of Hamas fighters to northern Gaza, and the prevention of arms smuggling.

Israel’s campaign in Gaza began after Hamas’ October 7 attack, in which militants stormed into southern Israel, killing about 1,200 people and abducting approximately 250. Since then, Israeli ground offensives and bombardments have resulted in over 38,400 deaths and 88,000 injuries in Gaza, according to the territory’s Health Ministry.

Ex-Zamboanga Del Norte governor and officials face charges over P900 million donations scandal

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DAVAO CITY. Former Zamboanga Del Norte Governor Roberto Uy and several elected officials are now facing serious legal repercussions following allegations of graft and corruption. This comes after a complaint was filed with the Office of the Ombudsman detailing the illegal donation of government properties, equipment, and supplies amounting to approximately Php 900 million back in June 2022.

The complaint, filed by Alex Barrera, Aurelio Monteclaro, Leoncio Orilloza, Eng. Manuel Reinante, Eng. Arman Alpeche, and Dr. Eduardo Luayon, include accusations against not only Governor Uy but also Zamboanga del Norte Vice Governor Julius Napigquit, Dipolog City Vice Mayor Senen Angeles, and eight others from the 2019-2022 18th Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Zamboanga del Norte.

According to the 41-page complaint lodged on June 18, 2024, with the Office of the Deputy Ombudsman for Mindanao in Sta. Ana, Davao City, the former governor, and the Sangguniang Panlalawigan allegedly orchestrated the transfer of provincial government properties, equipment, and supplies to other LGUs and agencies just before Governor-elect Rosalina Jalosjos assumed office in June 2022.

“We’ve seen a lot of patients suffering because of the absence of medical equipment like dialysis machines, which have been taken away from our provincial hospital. Aping-api ang mga tao [The people are severely disadvantaged],” lamented Monteclaro, the provincial assistant administrator of Zamboanga del Norte.

Monteclaro revealed that despite 103 patients awaiting dialysis treatment at Zamboanga Del Norte Medical Center, the dialysis machine was donated to Corazon Aquino Hospital in Dipolog City, where it remains unused due to lacking accreditation.

The complaint further highlighted severe disruptions in essential services under the current administration, citing delays in projects due to the absence of service vehicles and heavy equipment.

“The people of Zamboanga del Norte are very upset because almost all of these donations went to one city, Dipolog, where the mayor is his son,” Monteclaro added.

Barrera criticized the Sangguniang Panlalawigan board members for rushing through numerous resolutions approving the transfer of properties, supplies, and equipment in the weeks leading up to their term expiration after the May 9 election.

“Within just four weeks, the Sangguniang approved a staggering 68 resolutions between May and June 2022, with 34 resolutions passed in a single day on June 7,” Barrera alleged. “This included the questionable donation of 32 brand-new heavy equipment to Dipolog City.”

The total value of the donated properties is estimated at Php 925 million, some of which were acquired through loans that are yet to be fully settled by the provincial government.

Orilloza highlighted a critical Audit Observation Memorandum from the Commission on Audit (COA), dated January 19, 2023, which stated that COA was not informed nor did they approve the transfer of real property to any government agency.

“As elected officials, they should have respected the COA’s oversight, but in this case, they did not,” Orilloza remarked.

The complainants emphasized that a significant portion of the donations favored Dipolog City, led by Mayor Darel Dexter Uy, son of the former governor.

The case underscores mounting allegations of misuse of public resources and breaches of procedural norms, prompting a thorough investigation by the Office of the Ombudsman.

The year’s most extravagant wedding as son of Asia’s richest man ties the knot

MUMBAI, India. Anant Ambani, the youngest son of Asia’s richest man, Mukesh Ambani, married his longtime girlfriend, Radhika Merchant, early Saturday in what is being hailed as the wedding of the year. The event, marked by grandeur and opulence, drew global celebrities, business tycoons, and politicians, showcasing the Ambani family’s immense wealth and influence.

The wedding rituals, including the exchange of garlands and the traditional walk around the sacred fire, began on Friday and concluded past midnight. The celebrations took place at the Ambani-owned Jio World Convention Centre in Mumbai and the family’s luxurious home. The marriage culminated months of extravagant events featuring performances by pop stars such as Rihanna and Justin Bieber.

The four-day wedding festivities commenced with the traditional Hindu ceremony and will be followed by a grand reception throughout the weekend. The guest list, according to local media, includes former British Prime Ministers Tony Blair and Boris Johnson, Saudi Aramco CEO Amin H. Nasser, and celebrities like Adele, Lana Del Rey, Drake, and David Beckham. The Ambani family, however, has not confirmed these details.

Among the international guests, the Kardashian sisters, Kim and Khloé, took a motorized rickshaw ride through Mumbai’s bustling streets before joining the wedding ceremonies. Attendees wore traditional attire by major Indian fashion designers. WWE star John Cena appeared in a sky-blue sherwani, while Nick Jonas donned a pink sherwani and white pants.

Bollywood icons such as Amitabh Bachchan, Shah Rukh Khan, Salman Khan, and Ranbir Kapoor attended the wedding, dancing to popular Hindi movie songs. Indian cricket legends, including Sachin Tendulkar, Mahendra Singh Dhoni, and Jasprit Bumrah, were also present.

Due to the influx of high-profile guests and ongoing heavy monsoon rains causing flooding and flight disruptions, police imposed traffic diversions around the wedding venue from Friday to Monday. The event’s extravagant display of wealth has sparked discussions about rising inequality in India, where the gap between the rich and poor is widening. Mumbai residents have expressed frustration over the traffic snarls caused by the celebrations.

“It affects our earnings. I don’t care much about the wedding,” said Vikram, a local taxi driver.

Mukesh Ambani, the father of the groom, is the world’s ninth-richest man with a net worth of $116 billion, according to Forbes. His conglomerate, Reliance Industries, reports over $100 billion in annual revenue, with interests in petrochemicals, oil and gas, telecoms, and retail. The Ambani family’s assets include a 27-story family compound in Mumbai valued at $1 billion, featuring three helipads, a 160-car garage, and a private movie theater.

Anant Ambani, 29, oversees Reliance’s renewable and green energy expansion and runs a 3,000-acre animal rescue center in Jamnagar, Gujarat. The bride, Radhika Merchant, also 29, is the daughter of pharmaceutical tycoon Viren Merchant and serves as the marketing director for Encore Healthcare.

The Ambani family’s pre-wedding celebrations have been lavish and star-studded. In March, they hosted a three-day prenuptial bash for Anant, attended by 1,200 guests, including tech billionaires Mark Zuckerberg and Bill Gates, with performances by Rihanna and Akon. In May, the family organized a three-day cruise from Italy to France featuring performances by Katy Perry and Pitbull. Additionally, the family arranged a mass wedding for over 50 underprivileged couples as part of the celebrations.

Justin Bieber performed for hundreds of guests at a pre-wedding concert last week, which also featured Bollywood stars Alia Bhatt, Ranveer Singh, and Salman Khan. The Ambani family previously made headlines in 2018 when Beyoncé performed at pre-wedding festivities for Mukesh Ambani’s daughter, attended by former U.S. Secretaries of State Hillary Clinton and John Kerry in Udaipur.

Billionaire tycoon and Chairman of Reliance Industries Mukesh Ambani with his family members.

A Taiwan-based Buddhist charity strives to spread the founding nun’s message of compassion worldwide

HUALIEN, Taiwan. When a 7.4-magnitude earthquake shook Taiwan in April, it took just 30 minutes for Tzu Chi, one of the region’s most prominent charities, to establish an emergency response center. Founded and led by 87-year-old nun Venerable Cheng Yen, Tzu Chi immediately provided hot meals and essential supplies, including drinking water, energy drinks, blankets, beds, and tents, to survivors and rescue teams.

The Jing Si Abode in Hualien, the quake’s epicenter, is the spiritual home of Tzu Chi. This international Buddhist organization boasts millions of members across 67 countries, including the United States. Venerable Cheng Yen founded Tzu Chi in 1966 after witnessing the lack of basic healthcare in the economically underdeveloped region. She invited local housewives to save 50 Taiwanese cents each month, a modest beginning for what would become a global humanitarian powerhouse.

Tzu Chi’s scope of work includes running hospitals, a medical school, and its own cable television channel in Taiwan. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Tzu Chi utilized its influence to procure 5 million vaccines for Taiwan’s population of 23 million. Known for its earthquake relief efforts, Tzu Chi’s global network spans disaster relief, construction of schools, houses of worship, homes, and hospitals, as well as refugee resettlement and hunger alleviation. Since its U.S. establishment in 1989, Tzu Chi has operated in 80 locations with both paid staff and volunteers.

Stephen Huang, executive director of Tzu Chi’s global volunteers, became a disciple of Venerable Cheng Yen 35 years ago. He praised her as “an ordinary person who does extraordinary things,” attributing her success to compassion. The foundation relies on its commissioners, trained members who fundraise monthly, without a minimum amount required but aiming to collect from at least 40 people.

Tzu Chi raised 5.6 billion New Taiwan Dollars ($175 million) in 2022, funding its extensive humanitarian efforts. Despite facing scrutiny over transparency, Tzu Chi publishes annual reports and financials online. Its history includes controversies, such as the failed attempt to rezone conservation land in Taipei’s Neihu district.

CEO Po-wen Yen, who joined Tzu Chi after the Neihu scandal, emphasized the organization’s commitment to disaster relief and global chapters. While supported by wealthy benefactors, most Tzu Chi members belong to the middle class. Julia Huang, a professor of anthropology, highlighted Tzu Chi’s unique blend of humanitarian aid and Buddhist teachings, noting its emphasis on compassion and engagement with the world.

Tzu Chi’s work transcends religious boundaries, involving volunteers from various faiths. The organization has built churches in Haiti, Ecuador, and Mexico, and mosques in Indonesia. “Although we start from Buddhism, that doesn’t limit who we help,” CEO Yen stated.

The foundation’s projects include constructing schools and homes in Mozambique, aiding Syrian refugees in Turkey, building Indonesia’s largest university, training Ukrainian refugees in Poland, and constructing homes in Bodhgaya, India. Stephen Huang described the global support following the Hualien earthquake, even from displaced Syrian refugees, as a testament to the interconnectedness of compassion.

“We are all connected by compassion,” Huang said. “That’s the power of love.”

SpaceX rocket failure leaves Starlink satellites in the wrong orbit

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CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. In a rare mishap, A SpaceX rocket failed for the first time in nearly a decade, leaving its batch of internet satellites in an orbit too low to sustain. The Falcon 9 rocket, which launched from California on Thursday night, was carrying 20 Starlink satellites when an upper-stage engine malfunction occurred. SpaceX attributed the failure to a liquid oxygen leak.

Despite efforts to correct the issue, SpaceX reported on Friday that only half of the satellites managed to establish contact with flight controllers. Attempts were made to boost these satellites to a higher orbit using onboard ion thrusters. However, with the low end of their orbit only 84 miles (135 kilometers) above Earth—less than half the intended altitude—SpaceX admitted, “our maximum available thrust is unlikely to be enough to successfully raise the satellites,” via a statement on X (formerly Twitter).

As a result, the satellites are expected to reenter the atmosphere and burn up, though no timeline was given for when this might occur. Currently, over 6,000 Starlink satellites orbit the Earth, providing internet service to some of the world’s most remote areas.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) stated that the issue must be resolved before Falcon rockets can fly again. The impact of this accident on SpaceX’s upcoming crew flights remains uncertain. A private spaceflight led by tech entrepreneur Jared Isaacman is scheduled for July 31 from Florida, which includes plans for the first private spacewalk. This will be followed by a mid-August astronaut flight to the International Space Station for NASA.

Isaacman, who will command the private mission, expressed confidence in the Falcon 9’s reliability, stating it has “an incredible track record” and also features an emergency escape system.

The last time SpaceX experienced a launch failure was in 2015 during a cargo run to the space station, followed by a ground testing explosion the subsequent year. Elon Musk, the CEO of SpaceX, emphasized that the high frequency of flights will aid in quickly identifying and resolving the problem.

Alice Gou at pamilya, pinadadampot na ng Senado

MAYNILA. Pinaaresto ng Senado si Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo at pito pang kasamahan dahil sa diumano ay pagkakasangkot nila sa ilegal na aktibidad.

Nilagdaan nina Senate President Francis Escudero at Senador Risa Hontiveros, chairman ng Senate Committee on Women, Children, Family Relations, and Gender Equality, ang arrest order nitong Hulyo 11 dahil sa kabiguan ni Guo na dumalo sa imbestigasyon ng Senado ukol sa reklamo ng kriminal na aktibidades sa Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGO).

Kasama sa mga pinaaaresto sina Dennis Lacson Cunanan, Nancy Jimenez Gamo, gayundin ang mga magulang ni Guo na sina Jian Zhong Guo at Wen Yi Lin, at mga kapatid na sina Seimen, Sheila, at Wesley.

Nakasaad sa arrest order ang pag-aresto at pagkulong kina Guo at kanyang mga kasamahan sa Office of the Sergeant at Arms hanggang dumalo sila at humarap sa komite. “The Sergeant-At-Arms is hereby directed to carry out and implement this Order and make a return hereof within twenty-four (24) hours from its enforcement,” nakasaad sa kautusan.

Ito ay bunga ng hindi pagdalo ni Guo sa mga ginanap na hearing noong Hunyo 26 at Hulyo 10. Matatandaan na pina-cite in contempt ni Hontiveros sina Guo noong Hulyo 10 dahil sa magkahiwalay na mosyon nina Senate President Pro Tempore Jinggoy Estrada at Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian.

Si Guo ay inakusahan ng pag-antala, paghadlang, at pagharang sa pagdinig ng Senado kaugnay ng ilegal na operasyon ng POGO. Lumiham si Guo sa Senado at sinabing hindi siya “physically and mentally fit” para dumalo sa pagdinig noong Hulyo 10, ngunit hindi ito tinanggap na dahilan ng mga senador.

British police have arrested a 34-year-old man linked to human remains found in suitcases

BRISTOL, England. British police have arrested a 34-year-old man in connection with the gruesome discovery of human remains found in suitcases at the Clifton Suspension Bridge in Bristol earlier this week.

The suspect was apprehended in Bristol during the early hours of Saturday as part of a coordinated effort between the London Metropolitan Police and local authorities. He will be transferred to London for further questioning later today, according to a statement from the Metropolitan Police.

The arrest follows the earlier detention of a 36-year-old man in London on Friday. This individual has since been released without charge, with police confirming that they are not currently seeking any other suspects in connection with the case.

Deputy Assistant Commissioner Andy Valentine described the arrest as a “significant development” in the ongoing investigation. The discovery of the suitcases containing human remains on Wednesday at the iconic Clifton Suspension Bridge, located about 100 miles (160 kilometers) west of London, has shocked the local community and the nation.

Police believe they have identified the two male victims but are awaiting formal identification. Efforts are underway to locate and inform the victims’ next of kin.

In a related discovery, human remains were also found in a west London apartment, which authorities believe are connected to the body parts found in Bristol.

Valentine has assured the public that officers will be stationed in the Clifton and Shepherd’s Bush areas in the coming days to address any concerns and provide reassurance to those affected by this tragic incident.

The investigation continues as police work to uncover the full details surrounding this disturbing case.

Nakagapos na bangkay ng babae na nakasako, natagpuan sa Laguna

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BAY, Laguna. Natagpuan ng mga awtoridad sa isang lugar sa bayang ito sa Laguna ang naaagnas na bangkay ng babae na nakagapos at nakasako, noong Biyernes ng gabi.

Ayon sa pulisya, patuloy pang inaalam ang pagkakakilanlan ng biktima na nakatali gamit ang duct tape at isinilid sa sako. Isinailalim na sa DNA testing ang bangkay, at na-cremate na rin ito.

Ipinatawag ng mga awtoridad ang isang pamilya na unang lumapit sa kanila upang iulat ang pagkawala ng kanilang kaanak na babae. Tumanggi muna ang pamilya na magbigay ng pahayag habang hinihintay pa ang resulta ng DNA test.

Sa kasalukuyan, hawak ng pulisya ang dalawang “persons of interest” habang pinaghahanap pa ang iba pang posibleng kasabwat sa krimen. Patuloy pa rin ang imbestigasyon ng mga awtoridad sa kaso.

Kaugnay nito, pinaghahanap ng mga awtoridad ang isang babaeng accountant na dinukot umano ng lalaking nakilala niya sa isang dating app sa Quezon City.

Hiniling ng pulisya ang kooperasyon ng publiko sa pagbibigay ng anumang impormasyon na makakatulong sa kanilang imbestigasyon.