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Iran death toll rises as Revolutionary Guard warns U.S. over Mideast Tensions

Venus L Peñaflor
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Iran death toll rises as Revolutionary Guard warns U.S. over Mideast Tensions

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — The scale of Iran’s bloodiest crackdown on dissent since the 1979 Islamic Revolution is coming into sharper focus, even as the country remains largely cut off from the internet and the outside world, while its powerful Revolutionary Guard has issued a stark warning to the United States and Israel as American warships move toward the Middle East.

Demonstrations that began on December 28 at Tehran’s historic Grand Bazaar over the collapse of Iran’s currency, the rial, quickly spread nationwide. By January 8, protests intensified following calls from Iran’s exiled crown prince, Reza Pahlavi, with witnesses reporting tens of thousands in the streets before authorities imposed sweeping communication blackouts.

Cities and towns across Iran have since borne the marks of unrest and repression. Fire-damaged mosques and government buildings line streets, banks have been torched, and ATMs smashed. State-run IRNA news agency reports from more than 20 cities estimate at least $125 million in damage, including 750 banks, 414 government buildings, 600 ATMs, and hundreds of vehicles, according to Deputy Interior Minister Ali Akbar Pourjamshidian.

Human rights groups and activists say security forces employed tactics rarely seen at such scale, including firing from rooftops, shooting birdshot into crowds, and deploying motorcycle-riding paramilitary units to chase and detain protesters.

“The vast majority of protesters were peaceful,” said Raha Bahreini of Amnesty International, citing video footage showing families and children chanting and marching. “The authorities have opened fire unlawfully.”

Footage circulating online shows Basij volunteers, the Revolutionary Guard’s volunteer arm, alongside anti-riot police equipped with assault rifles, pellet guns, helmets, and body armor. Iran’s semiofficial ILNA news agency reported that Tehran’s Farabi Eye Hospital called in all current and retired doctors to treat a surge of eye injuries, many believed to be caused by metal birdshot, a pattern also seen during the 2022 protests following the death of Mahsa Amini.

After nearly two weeks without releasing any official figures, Iran’s government on Wednesday acknowledged 3,117 deaths, saying 2,427 were civilians and security forces, while labeling the remaining 690 as “terrorists.”

This contrasts sharply with the U.S.-based Human Rights Activists News Agency, which reported 5,137 deaths as of Saturday, including 4,834 demonstrators, 208 government-affiliated personnel, 54 children, and 41 civilians not participating in protests. The group also said more than 27,700 people have been arrested nationwide.

Despite the absence of large-scale demonstrations in recent days, uncertainty looms over potential renewed unrest. Traditionally, Iranians hold memorial services 40 days after a death, placing a possible flashpoint around February 17. Satellite images analyzed by The Associated Press show heavy daily traffic at Behesht-e Zahra cemetery in southern Tehran, where many of those killed are being buried. Online videos from the site capture mourners chanting, “Death to Khamenei!”

Journalist Elaheh Mohammadi of the pro-reform newspaper Ham Mihan, recently shuttered by authorities, wrote online: “The city smells of death. A whole country is in mourning.”

As internal tensions persist, the regional and international stakes have escalated. On Saturday, Revolutionary Guard commander Gen. Mohammad Pakpour warned the United States and Israel to “avoid any miscalculation,” saying his forces were “more ready than ever, finger on the trigger,” according to Nournews, a media outlet close to Iran’s Supreme National Security Council.

The warning comes as U.S. President Donald Trump ordered American naval assets, including the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln, into the region. Trump has repeatedly said the killing of peaceful protesters and the threat of mass executions are red lines for U.S. military action.

“We have a massive fleet heading in that direction and maybe we won’t have to use it,” Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One, while also referencing past U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran’s nuclear sites and warning that future action would make earlier attacks “look like peanuts.”

Iran’s top prosecutor, Mohammad Movahedi, denied Trump’s claim that Tehran halted the execution of hundreds of detainees, calling it false in comments carried by the judiciary’s Mizan news agency.

The rising tensions have begun to ripple through global travel. Air France and Luxair suspended or delayed flights to Dubai over the weekend, citing security concerns. Arrival boards at Dubai International Airport also showed cancellations by Dutch carriers KLM and Transavia, while some KLM flights to Tel Aviv were grounded.

With Iran still under its most comprehensive internet blackout to date and mass arrests continuing, the full human toll remains difficult to verify. What is clear, analysts say, is that the unrest and the government’s response have pushed the country and the wider region into one of its most volatile moments in decades.

2 marinong Pinoy patay, 4 nawawala sa tumaob na Singapore cargo ship

Carlo Juancho Funtanilla
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2 marinong Pinoy patay, 4 nawawala sa tumaob na Singapore cargo ship

MAYNILA —Patay ang dalawang Pilipinong marino at apat pa ang nawawala matapos tumaob at lumubog ang isang Singapore-flagged cargo vessel na may sakay na mga Pilipinong tripulante sa South China Sea nitong Biyernes, kinumpirma ng mga awtoridad at international maritime agencies.

Ang barkong M/V Devon Bay, ay may kargang iron ore at may 21 Pilipinong tripulante nang magsimulang tumagilid at tuluyang tumaob sa katubigan na sakop ng Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) ng Pilipinas, bagaman nasa labas ng territorial waters ng bansa.

Ayon sa Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA), nagpadala ng distress signal ang M/V Devon Bay noong madaling-araw ng Enero 23 habang patungo mula Gutalac, Zamboanga del Sur patungong Yangjiang, Guangdong Province, China.

Ang China Coast Guard (CCG) at mga yunit ng People’s Liberation Army Southern Theater Command ang ilan sa mga unang rumesponde matapos maalerto ng Maritime Search and Rescue Center sa Sansha City, Hainan. Kasabay nito, naglunsad ng hiwalay na operasyon ang Philippine Coast Guard (PCG).

Nag-deploy ang PCG ng mga barkong BRP Teresa Magbanua (MRRV-9701) at BRP Cape San Agustin (MRRV-4408), gayundin ng dalawang aircraft, upang palakasin ang paghahanap at pagsagip sa mga tripulante.

Hanggang tanghali ng Biyernes, 17 crew members na ang nailigtas. Labing-apat sa kanila ang nasa maayos na kalagayan, isa ang patuloy na binibigyan ng emergency medical treatment, habang dalawa ang nasawi. Patuloy pa ring hinahanap ang apat na nawawalang marino sa kabila ng pinalawak na search and rescue operations sa lugar.

Ayon sa PCG, ang huling naitalang lokasyon ng M/V Devon Bay ay humigit-kumulang 141 nautical miles sa kanluran ng Sabangan Point, Agno Bay, Pangasinan. Iniulat na ang barko ay nakahilig na ng halos 25 degrees bago tuluyang mawalan ng komunikasyon noong gabi ng Huwebes.

Samantala, inilalarawan ng mga ulat ng Chinese authorities ang lugar ng insidente na malapit sa Bajo de Masinloc (Scarborough Shoal) — isang bahagi ng South China Sea na may magkakapatong na maritime claims ng Pilipinas at China.

Ang Bajo de Masinloc, na kilala rin bilang Panatag Shoal, ay isang sensitibong lugar sa rehiyon dahil sa matagal nang alitan sa soberanya at kontrol. Bagama’t ang lugar ng insidente ay nasa loob ng EEZ ng Pilipinas, pinahihintulutan ng United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) ang kalayaan sa paglalayag at pagdaan ng mga dayuhang sasakyang-dagat sa ganitong katubigan, habang nananatiling saklaw ng flag state ang imbestigasyon sa insidente.

Sinabi ng MPA na makikipag-ugnayan ito sa may-ari ng barko at mga international maritime authorities upang imbestigahan ang sanhi ng paglubog ng M/V Devon Bay.

Nagpapatuloy ang paghahanap sa apat na nawawala sa kabila ng hamon sa kondisyon ng panahon at lawak ng operasyon. Kapwa binigyang-diin ng mga awtoridad ng Pilipinas at China ang kahalagahan ng humanitarian cooperation sa gitna ng patuloy na tensyon sa rehiyon.

Patuloy na nagbabantay ang mga pamilya ng mga tripulante sa mga opisyal na anunsiyo, habang nananawagan ang pamahalaan ng patuloy na panalangin at suporta para sa ligtas na pagkakakita sa mga nawawala at agarang tulong sa mga nailigtas.

Stars, public, bid farewell to fashion icon Valentino at Rome funeral

Paraluman P. Funtanilla
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Stars, public, bid farewell to fashion icon Valentino at Rome funeral

ROME — Global fashion leaders, Hollywood stars, and members of the public gathered Friday at the Basilica di Santa Maria degli Angeli e dei Martiri in Rome to pay their final respects to legendary designer Valentino Garavani, marking the close of a two-day public viewing and a final tribute to one of Italy’s most influential fashion figures.

The funeral service followed public commemorations held Wednesday and Thursday at the Valentino Foundation’s headquarters in the Italian capital, where hundreds of admirers lined up to honor the designer known worldwide for his elegance and signature red gowns.

Among those attending were prominent fashion figures Tom Ford and Donatella Versace, Vogue editor-in-chief Anna Wintour, and actress Anne Hathaway. Outside the church, fans and supporters gathered, many wearing red or carrying red accessories in a symbolic nod to Valentino’s iconic color.

Valentino, who died Monday at his Rome residence at the age of 93, was celebrated across generations of royalty, first ladies, and celebrities, including Jackie Kennedy Onassis, Jordan’s Queen Rania, and Julia Roberts. He maintained his atelier in Rome throughout his career, while often presenting his collections in Paris, cementing his reputation as a global force in haute couture.

His designs became staples on the world’s most prestigious red carpets, including the Academy Awards. In 2001, Roberts wore a vintage black-and-white Valentino gown when she accepted her Oscar for best actress. Cate Blanchett later chose a butter-yellow, one-shouldered Valentino silk dress for her 2005 best supporting actress win.

In an emotional remembrance, Valentino’s longtime personal and professional partner, Giancarlo Giammetti, reflected on their decades-long collaboration and friendship.

“I want to thank Valentino for teaching me beauty,” Giammetti said, his voice breaking. “It was a beauty that followed us throughout our lives. We met when we were kids, we dreamed of the same things, and we achieved many of them. Our journey will always continue.”

As mourners departed the historic basilica, the ceremony underscored Valentino’s enduring legacy as a designer whose vision shaped modern fashion and whose work continues to define elegance on the world stage.

Trump criticizes NATO allies’ role in Afghanistan, angering European partners

Venus L Peñaflor
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Trump criticizes NATO allies’ role in Afghanistan, angering European partners

DAVOS, Switzerland — U.S. President Donald Trump has once again raised questions about NATO allies’ commitment to collective defense, claiming in a Fox News interview Thursday that troops from allied countries “stayed a little back” from frontlines in Afghanistan. His remarks drew sharp criticism from European leaders and lawmakers who defended the sacrifices made by NATO forces.

“I’ve always said, ‘Will they be there, if we ever needed them?’ And that’s really the ultimate test. And I’m not sure of that. I know that we would have been there, or we would be there, but will they be there?” Trump said during the interview at the World Economic Forum in Davos.

Trump’s comments echo previous public statements, including a Truth Social post on January 7, where he questioned NATO’s reliability: “I DOUBT NATO WOULD BE THERE FOR US IF WE REALLY NEEDED THEM. We will always be there for NATO, even if they won’t be there for us.”

The remarks come amid rising tensions within the alliance following Trump’s repeated threats to take control of Greenland, an autonomous territory of Denmark and a NATO member. Allies argue that such statements undermine decades of cooperation.

NATO’s Response

NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte, speaking earlier in Davos, pushed back against Trump’s claims, emphasizing the alliance’s commitment during the Afghanistan conflict. “Let me tell you, they will [come to the rescue]. And they did in Afghanistan, as you know,” Rutte said, noting that for every two Americans who died in the conflict, one soldier from another NATO country also lost their life.

European and British Leaders Speak Out

Trump’s comments have sparked outrage in the U.K., where lawmakers stressed the sacrifices of British troops. Defense Secretary John Healey said, “NATO’s Article 5 has only been triggered once. The UK and NATO allies answered the US call. And more than 450 British personnel lost their lives in Afghanistan. Those British troops should be remembered as heroes who gave their lives in service of our nation.”

Emily Thornberry, chair of the Foreign Affairs Select Committee, called Trump’s remarks “an absolute insult,” while Kemi Badenoch, Conservative Party leader in opposition, described them as “flat-out nonsense,” urging respect for allied contributions.

Historical Context

Since the U.S. invoked NATO’s Article 5 after the 9/11 attacks, allied forces have fought alongside American troops in Afghanistan for nearly 20 years. About 3,500 NATO and partner troops died in the conflict, including 2,456 Americans, 457 Britons, and over 40 Danes from a country with a population of roughly five million at the time.

Some members of the Trump administration have previously downplayed NATO allies’ sacrifices. In June, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth claimed that ISAF, the International Security Assistance Force, “was not a lot of on the ground capability,” sparking criticism from military and diplomatic officials.

Trump’s latest remarks have reinforced perceptions among European partners that the U.S. president questions the reliability of longstanding alliances, further straining transatlantic relations as NATO faces ongoing global security challenges.

Ukraine, Russia, and U.S. set talks as territorial disputes dominate peace efforts

Venus L Peñaflor
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Ukraine, Russia, and U.S. set talks as territorial disputes dominate peace efforts

ABU DHABI — Negotiators from Ukraine, Russia, and the United States are scheduled to meet in Abu Dhabi on Friday for high-stakes talks aimed at ending Russia’s nearly four-year full-scale invasion of Ukraine, with the future of the eastern Donbas region expected to take center stage.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said the status of territory in eastern Ukraine currently occupied by Russian forces will be a key focus of the discussions, which follow marathon overnight talks in Moscow between Russian President Vladimir Putin and envoys of U.S. President Donald Trump.

The Kremlin has reiterated that any peace settlement would require Kyiv to withdraw its troops from areas in the east that Russia claims to have annexed, despite not fully controlling those territories. Kremlin foreign affairs adviser Yuri Ushakov said that during the overnight talks, “it was reaffirmed that reaching a long-term settlement can’t be expected without solving the territorial issue.”

Zelenskyy, meanwhile, signaled openness to economic proposals for the region. He said he discussed with Trump the idea of establishing a free trade zone under Ukrainian control in the east during a meeting in Davos, Switzerland, on Thursday. “I think it will be positive for our business,” Zelenskyy told reporters.

Friday’s session marks the first known instance of officials from the Trump administration meeting simultaneously with negotiators from both Ukraine and Russia. While the format and potential outcomes remain uncertain, some diplomats view the talks as a sign of tentative progress toward narrowing differences.

“The peace proposals are nearly ready,” Zelenskyy said after his meeting with Trump in Davos, even as he acknowledged that the future status of occupied land remains unresolved.

The Kremlin described the Abu Dhabi meeting only as a “working group on security issues.” Zelenskyy said Europe would be briefed afterward. “Today’s meeting will be in the format of Ukraine, Russia and the United States, and afterward the Europeans will certainly receive feedback from us,” he said in a WhatsApp audio message to journalists.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Russia’s delegation is led by Adm. Kostyukov and consists of military officials, adding that the talks could extend into Saturday “if necessary.” Separately, Putin’s envoy Kirill Dmitriev is expected to hold talks with Trump’s envoy Steve Witkoff on economic issues.

Ushakov said the Moscow meeting with Witkoff and Jared Kushner began shortly before midnight and lasted nearly four hours past 3 a.m. Friday. He described the discussions as “frank, constructive” and “fruitful,” noting that U.S. envoys briefed Putin on Trump’s earlier meeting with Zelenskyy and on consultations with Ukrainian and European officials.

Witkoff and Kushner were joined by Josh Gruenbaum, head of the U.S. Federal Acquisition Service and a senior adviser on Trump’s Board of Peace, which Russia has been invited to join. Putin reiterated an offer to contribute $1 billion from Russian assets frozen in the United States to help fund reconstruction in Gaza, according to Ushakov.

Asked about the proposal, Trump said he had no objection. “If he’s using his money, that’s great,” the U.S. president said.

Zelenskyy met Trump behind closed doors for about an hour at the World Economic Forum, later describing the meeting as “productive and meaningful.”

Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One on his return to Washington, Trump said both Putin and Zelenskyy were seeking a deal and that “everyone’s making concessions” to end the war. He added that the main sticking point remains territorial boundaries. “The main hold-up is the same things that’s been holding it up for the last year,” he said.

Battlefield and Economic Pressures

Russia has captured about 20% of Ukrainian territory since hostilities began in 2014 and escalated with the full-scale invasion in 2022. Advances along the roughly 1,000-kilometer front line have come at a high cost, with Moscow facing mounting economic strain from the war and international sanctions.

Ukraine, for its part, continues to rely heavily on Western military and financial support despite increasing its domestic arms production. Defense officials last week reported about 200,000 troop desertions and an estimated 2 million draft-dodgers, underscoring manpower challenges on the front line.

In a speech at the World Economic Forum following his meeting with Trump, Zelenskyy sharply criticized European allies for what he described as a slow and fragmented response to the war.

“Europe looks lost,” he said, urging the continent to become a stronger global force. He compared Europe’s actions unfavorably with what he called Washington’s more decisive steps in Venezuela and Iran.

Referring to the film “Groundhog Day,” Zelenskyy said he felt Europe was repeating past inaction. “Just last year, here in Davos, I ended my speech with the words: Europe needs to know how to defend itself. A year has passed. And nothing has changed. We are still in a situation where I must say the same words again,” he said.

He also faulted European governments for what he described as insufficient defense spending, delays in countering Russia’s “shadow fleet” of oil tankers used to evade sanctions, and reluctance to use frozen Russian assets in Europe to help finance Ukraine.

As the Abu Dhabi talks begin, diplomats say the challenge will be to bridge deep divisions over territory, security guarantees, and economic reconstructionthat continue to define the prospects for any lasting settlement.

Ipinatawag ng China ang Philippine ambassador kaugnay ng pahayag ng PCG spokesperson

Carlo Juancho Funtanilla
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Ipinatawag ng China ang Philippine ambassador kaugnay ng pahayag ng PCG spokesperson

MAYNILA — Kinumpirma ng Chinese Embassy sa Maynila nitong Biyernes na ipinatawag ng China’s Foreign Ministry ang Philippine ambassador sa Beijing kaugnay ng mga pahayag ni Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) spokesperson para sa West Philippine Sea na si Commodore Jay Tarriela, na inakusahan ng Beijing na nagsasagawa umano ng “smear campaign” laban sa China.

Sa isang pahayag, sinabi ng embahada na naghain ang Chinese Foreign Ministry ng “solemn representations and strong protest” kaugnay ng mga naging pahayag ni Tarriela.

“Earlier this week, we’ve stated China’s serious position on the remarks by this ‘spokesperson’ of the Philippine Coast Guard,” pahayag ni China’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun sa isang press conference.

Dagdag pa niya, “Head of Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ Department of Asian Affairs summoned Philippine Ambassador to China this morning to once again lodge serious protest.”

Wala pang opisyal na pahayag mula kay Tarriela at sa Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) hanggang sa oras na isinusulat ang balitang ito.

Sa naunang pahayag naman ni Tarriela, iginiit niyang ang kanyang mga inilalabas na impormasyon ay hindi “smears” o “slanders” kundi mga factual na ulat na sinusuportahan ng video evidence, mga larawan, opisyal na PCG reports, at obserbasyon ng mga third party.

“My role as Spokesperson for the WPS is to transparently communicate these realities to the Filipino people and the world, in full alignment with our government’s commitment to rules-based order and international law,” ani Tarriela.

Dagdag pa niya, “If the Chinese Embassy objects to images or expressions that highlight these violations often through legitimate public discourse or even satire, it only underscores discomfort with the truth being exposed.”

Nauna ring nagpahayag ang DFA ng buong suporta sa “publicly elected officials and government institutions” na nagtatanggol sa soberanya, sovereign rights, at jurisdiction ng Pilipinas.

“Differences between States are best addressed through established diplomatic channels rather than public exchanges,” ayon sa pahayag ng DFA.

Denmark says sovereignty “not negotiable” after Trump reverses tariff threats over Greenland

Venus L Peñaflor
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Denmark says sovereignty “not negotiable” after Trump reverses tariff threats over Greenland

COPENHAGEN, Denmark — Denmark’s prime minister on Thursday reaffirmed that the country’s sovereignty is “not negotiable” following U.S. President Donald Trump’s abrupt reversal of threatened tariffs against several European nations linked to his push for greater U.S. involvement in Greenland’s security.

Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said Denmark is open to dialogue on Arctic security, investment, and economic cooperation, but stressed that decisions regarding Greenland — a semiautonomous territory within the Kingdom of Denmark — rest solely with Denmark and Greenland.

“NATO is fully aware of the kingdom of Denmark’s position that anything political can be negotiated on, including security, investment, and economic issues, but we cannot negotiate on our sovereignty,” Frederiksen said in a statement.

Trump on Wednesday announced he had agreed to a “framework of a future deal” on Arctic security with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, and simultaneously scrapped proposed tariffs on eight European countries that had been part of his pressure campaign over U.S. interests in Greenland. The move marked a sharp shift from earlier remarks in which Trump said he wanted to obtain the island “including right, title and ownership,” though he also said he would not use force.

Trump said further discussions were under way related to the U.S. “Golden Dome” missile defense program, a proposed multilayered system estimated to cost $175 billion that would, for the first time, place U.S. weapons in space. He did not provide details on how the program would relate to Greenland or broader Arctic security arrangements.

NATO clarified that no compromise on Danish sovereignty had been proposed. Alliance spokesperson Allison Hart said Rutte “did not propose any compromise to sovereignty during his meeting with President Trump,” adding that future talks among Denmark, Greenland, and the United States would focus on preventing Russia and China from gaining an economic or military foothold in Greenland.

Rutte, speaking in an interview with Fox News, said the question of Greenland’s status did not arise in his discussions with Trump. “He’s very much focused on what do we need to do to make sure that huge Arctic region… where the Chinese and Russians are more and more active, how we can protect it,” Rutte said.

Frederiksen confirmed she had been in regular contact with Rutte before and after his meeting with Trump and said Denmark would continue engaging allies on strengthening Arctic security, including discussions related to the Golden Dome program, “provided that this is done with respect for our territorial integrity.”

Christian Friis Bach, chair of the Danish parliament’s foreign policy committee, said Denmark supports establishing a “consolidated and permanent” NATO surveillance and security mission in the Arctic, similar to the Baltic Sentry operation launched in the Baltic Sea last year.

Public reaction in Copenhagen reflected skepticism over Trump’s policy shift. “It’s for Greenlanders to decide what happens with their land — not Donald Trump,” said Louise Pedersen, 22, a startup employee. Poul Bjoern Strand, 70, said he did not believe Danes would support any move to cede territory.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, whose country had been among those facing potential U.S. tariffs, underscored the importance of European NATO allies increasing their role in Arctic security.

“We will protect Denmark, Greenland, the north from the threat posed by Russia,” Merz said at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. “We will uphold the principles on which the trans-Atlantic partnership is founded, namely sovereignty and territorial integrity.”

Merz said he welcomed Trump’s latest remarks and supported continued talks between Denmark, Greenland, and the United States aimed at strengthening cooperation based on those principles.

Tinukoy ng DOE ang mga posibleng lugar para sa pagtatayo ng nuclear power plants

Venus L Peñaflor
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Tinukoy ng DOE ang mga posibleng lugar para sa pagtatayo ng nuclear power plants

MAYNILA — Ilang lugar sa bansa ang tinukoy ng Department of Energy (DOE) bilang mga posibleng pagtayuan ng mga nuclear power plants, kasunod ng pisikal na inspeksyon at teknikal na pagsusuri na isinagawa ng Nuclear Energy Program–Inter-Agency Committee (NEP-IAC), na pinamumunuan ng ahensya.

Sa pagdinig ng Senate Committee on Science and Technology nitong Huwebes, Enero 22, sinabi ni DOE Director IV Patrick Aquino na kabilang sa mga nananatiling angkop na lokasyon ang ilang bahagi ng Bataan, kabilang ang kasalukuyang kinaroroonan ng Bataan Nuclear Power Plant (BNPP).

Binanggit din ni Aquino ang mga posibleng site sa Labrador, Pangasinan, ilang lugar sa Camarines Norte, pati sa Puerto Princesa, Palawan, at sa lalawigan ng Masbate.

Ayon sa DOE, target ng pamahalaan na magkaroon ng commercially operational nuclear power plants pagsapit ng 2032, na may paunang 1,200 megawatts na maidagdag sa power mix ng bansa. Layunin itong palawakin sa 4,800 megawatts pagdating ng 2050.

Ibinahagi rin ni Aquino na may ilang power generation companies na nagpahayag na ng interes sa nuclear energy, bagama’t wala pa umanong naisusumiteng pormal na aplikasyon. Aniya, hinihintay pa ng mga kumpanyang ito ang pag-usad ng PhilATOM bill at ang resulta ng ilang pag-aaral bago tuluyang magpatuloy.

Ayon pa sa kanya, nakikita ng mga investor ang nuclear power bilang isang low-carbon energy source na maaaring makatulong sa pagpapalawak ng renewable energy sa bansa.

Kasabay nito, patuloy na tinatalakay ng Senate Committee on Science and Technology, sa pamumuno ni Senador Bam Aquino, ang Senate Bill No. 1206 o ang panukalang Philippine Nuclear Liability Act.

Samantala, iginiit ni Dr. Carlo Arcilla, direktor ng DOST–Philippine Nuclear Research Institute (PNRI), na ang pinakamabilis na paraan para makapasok ang bansa sa nuclear energy ay ang muling pagbuhay sa BNPP, bagama’t aniya, naging biktima ito ng pulitika sa mga nagdaang taon.

Binigyang-diin din ni Arcilla ang mga salik na dapat isaalang-alang sa pagtatayo ng mga nuclear plant, kabilang ang pag-iwas sa mga lugar na malapit sa mga aktibong bulkan tulad ng Taal at Mayon, sa mga aktibong fault line, at sa mga flood-prone na komunidad.

Dagdag pa niya, mahalaga ang pahintulot ng lokal na komunidad, kabilang ang pagkuha ng Environmental Compliance Certificate (ECC), na kinakailangang dumaan sa public consultation.

Noong Setyembre 2025, nilagdaan ni Pangulong Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. ang batas na lumikha sa Philippine Atomic Energy Regulatory Authority (PhilATOM), isang independent at quasi-judicial body na mangangasiwa sa ligtas na paggamit ng nuclear energy at radiation sources sa bansa.

SMS scams plunge 86.6% in 2025 as fraudsters shift to call-based schemes — Whoscall Report

Carlo Juancho Funtanilla
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SMS scams plunge 86.6% in 2025 as fraudsters shift to call-based schemes — Whoscall Report

Quezon City — Text message scams in the Philippines dropped sharply by 86.6% in 2025 as fraudsters increasingly shifted to call-based schemes, particularly by impersonating banks and credit card issuers, according to a report released by caller ID and anti-fraud application Whoscall.

Speaking at a press conference held at the Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center (CICC) on Thursday, Whoscall Philippines country head Mel Migriño said the total number of scam SMS messages recorded in 2025 fell to 822,634, down from 6,157,517 in 2024.

Whoscall attributed the significant decline to the shutdown of scam hubs, stronger blocking measures by telecommunications companies, and heightened public awareness.

“Scammers have shifted to call-based scams, operating like telemarketing firms while impersonating banks and credit card issuers,” the report stated.

Despite the shift, reported scam calls also declined by 21.84%, dropping from 610,688 in 2024 to 477,302 in 2025. Data showed a notable decrease in reported scam calls from the third quarter, which logged 62,390 incidents, to the fourth quarter, which recorded 28,294.

Meanwhile, SMS scam activity saw a spike in the latter part of the year, with reported cases rising from 37,609 in the third quarter to 71,751 in the fourth quarter. Whoscall attributed this increase to the use of international mobile subscriber identity (IMSI) catchers, which can impersonate brands or send link-based messages without displaying sender numbers.

Overall, however, SMS scams maintained a downward trend across the first three quarters of 2025.

Risky URLs on the Rise

The report also highlighted a steady increase in “risky URLs,” or suspicious links embedded in scam messages that redirect users to fraudulent websites. These rose from 13,602 in the first quarter to 49,431 in the fourth quarter of 2025.

“This trend indicates that phishing will dominate the scam landscape in 2026, becoming more aggressive and widespread across all digital channels, including SMS, messaging apps, email, and other online platforms,” Whoscall said.

In the fourth quarter, “loans and rewards” links accounted for the majority of risky URLs, making up 63% or 31,142 reported cases. These were followed by:

  • Collections/harassment scams: 9,936 cases (20.1%)
  • Travel scams: 3,954 cases (8%)
  • Others, including telemarketing delivery scams: 4,103 cases (8.3%)
  • Gaming-related scams: 297 cases (0.6%)

Migriño also presented data from Scam Vault PH, a community-driven reporting platform, which recorded 155 SMS or instant messaging scam reports, 188 social media scam reports, and 28 malicious URL or phishing link reports from June to December 2025.

Scam Vault PH is operated by Scam Watch Pilipinas in partnership with Gogolook Philippines, the CICC, and the Philippine National Police Anti-Cybercrime Group.

Authorities urged the public to remain vigilant, avoid clicking on suspicious links, and report suspected scams through official platforms as cybercriminals continue to adapt their tactics.

Trump unveils Board of Peace at Davos as key U.S. allies decline to participate

EDGARDO HERNAL
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Trump unveils Board of Peace at Davos as key U.S. allies decline to participate

DAVOS, Switzerland — U.S. President Donald Trump on Thursday inaugurated his Board of Peace, a new international body aimed at overseeing and maintaining a ceasefire in Gaza, despite the absence of many top U.S. allies. Speaking at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Trump framed the initiative as a global effort, suggesting it could one day rival the United Nations in scope.

“This isn’t the United States, this is for the world,” Trump said, adding that the board’s mandate could expand to other conflicts as successes in Gaza are achieved.

The Board of Peace, initially envisioned as a small group of world leaders, has grown into a more ambitious body, raising questions about its membership and legitimacy. While Trump claimed that 59 countries had signed on, only 19 countries’ representatives, plus the U.S., were present at Thursday’s event.

Ali Shaath, head of a new technocratic administration in Gaza, announced that the Rafah border crossing with Egypt will reopen next week, under the oversight of the Palestinian committee managing the territory in coordination with the U.S.

Trump has suggested that the Board of Peace could eventually replace some functions of the U.N., but emphasized collaboration with the organization during side remarks. Secretary of State Marco Rubio noted that several countries are still consulting their parliaments before committing to membership, while others have expressed interest despite not being formally invited.

Key nations, including France, Norway, Sweden, Canada, China, Ukraine, and the European Union’s executive arm, have declined or deferred participation, citing concerns about the board undermining the U.N. or the inclusion of authoritarian leaders. Russian President Vladimir Putin has indicated he is consulting with strategic partners and plans to discuss a $1 billion humanitarian contribution to the board with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed Israel’s participation after earlier questioning the composition of the overseeing committee. The initiative comes months after Gaza’s ceasefire, as the region’s 2 million residents continue to face humanitarian challenges. Central to sustaining the truce is Hamas’s disarmament, which the militant group has refused, and which Israel regards as non-negotiable. Trump reiterated that Hamas must comply or face severe consequences.

Trump also highlighted his broader foreign policy efforts, including recent pressure on Iran to halt planned executions of protesters and his continued attempts to mediate the nearly four-year conflict between Russia and Ukraine. During Davos, he held a closed-door meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, describing the discussion as “very good” but noting no major breakthroughs.

Despite limited attendance and lingering skepticism from some allies, Trump positioned the Board of Peace as a bold, U.S.-led initiative intended to stabilize Gaza and potentially set a precedent for global conflict resolution.

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