Tuesday, June 23, 2026


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Handa na ang bansa sa testing at monitoring ng Nipah virus matapos ang outbreak sa India

Venus L Peñaflor
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Handa na ang bansa sa testing at monitoring ng Nipah virus matapos ang outbreak sa India

Maynila — Inihayag ng Department of Health (DOH) na handa ang Pilipinas sa pagsasagawa ng pagsusuri at pagmamanman ng posibleng mga kaso ng Nipah virus kasunod ng mga iniulat na outbreak sa India at Bangladesh, bagama’t wala pang naidokumento o nakumpirmang kaso sa bansa.

Sa isang pahayag nitong Martes, sinabi ni Health Assistant Secretary Albert Domingo na hindi bago sa Pilipinas ang virus dahil noong 2014, naitala ang 17 na kaso ng Nipah virus sa Sultan Kudarat, na under monitoring ng DOH. Ayon sa kanya, ang mga sintomas ng Nipah virus ay maaaring magsimula tulad ng trangkaso, subalit maaaring humantong sa encephalitis o pamamaga ng utak at meningitis sa mga mas malalang kaso.

Ang Nipah virus ay isang zoonotic disease na karaniwang nanggagaling sa mga hayop, lalo na sa mga paniki, bagaman maaari ring maapektuhan ang mga baboy at kabayo, at bihirang maipasa sa tao. Walang tiyak na lunas o bakuna para sa virus kaya’t ang mga hakbang ng DOH ay nakatuon sa maagang pagtuklas at pagsubaybay.

Kasabay ng pagtaas ng alerto sa rehiyon dahil sa outbreak sa West Bengal, India, kung saan dalawang kumpirmadong kaso ng Nipah virus ang iniulat at mahigit 190 na kontak na na‑trace at minomonitor. Nanawagan ang mga health authorities sa publiko na manatiling kalmado at sumunod lamang sa mga opisyal na impormasyon.

Nagpapatuloy ang enhanced surveillance at laboratory testing sa Pilipinas sa ilalim ng programa ng DOH at ng Epidemiology Bureau upang masiguro ang agarang pagtugon sakaling may mga suspek na kaso. Hinihikayat din ang publiko na iwasan ang direktang pakikihalubilo sa mga ligaw na hayop, lalo na sa mga paniki, at siguraduhing maayos na nailuluto ang mga pagkain.

Ang DOH ay kabilang sa International Health Regulations (IHR) network ng World Health Organization (WHO), na nagbibigay daan sa mabilis na palitan ng impormasyon at koordinasyon sa mga internasyonal na health agencies.

Scientists uncover 430,000-year-old wooden tools in Greece

EDGARDO HERNAL
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Scientists uncover 430,000-year-old wooden tools in Greece

NEW YORK — Researchers in Greece have unearthed two of the oldest wooden tools ever discovered, dating back approximately 430,000 years, shedding light on early humans’ technology.

One artifact is a slender stick about 2 1/2 feet (80 centimeters) long, likely used for digging in mud, while the other is a smaller handheld piece of willow or poplar wood, which may have helped shape stone tools, according to a study published Monday in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

While stone and bone tools are common in the archaeological record, wooden tools are extremely rare due to rapid decay. Preservation usually occurs in special environments such as ice, caves, or underwater. The tools found in Greece’s Megalopolis basin were likely quickly buried by sediment and preserved in wet conditions over millennia.

Previous excavations at the site have uncovered stone tools and elephant bones with cut marks, but no human remains have yet been found, leaving the identity of the tool users uncertain. They could have been Neanderthals, early human ancestors, or other hominin species.

“I’ve always just been thrilled to be able to touch these objects,” said study author Annemieke Milks of the University of Reading.

Archaeologist Jarod Hutson of the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History noted the tools’ unassuming appearance makes them difficult to interpret. “It’s difficult to get excited about these because they don’t strike you immediately as wooden tools. And we don’t know what they were used for,” he said.

Previous discoveries of ancient wooden tools include spears from Germany and 300,000-year-old digging sticks in China, used for harvesting plants.

“These finds offer a rare glimpse into the little-known aspect of early human technology,” said study author Katerina Harvati of the University of Tübingen. “They remind us of the variety of tools our ancestors used to survive.”

Lalaki, haharap sa attempted murder, RA 7610 matapos mamaril ng mga binatilyong prankster sa Lipa City

Arman B. Cambe
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Lalaki, haharap sa attempted murder, RA 7610 matapos mamaril ng mga binatilyong prankster sa Lipa City


Lipa City, Batangas — Nahaharap sa seryosong mga reklamo ang isang lalaki matapos nitong pagbarilin ang sasakyan ng anim na Grade 12 students sa Barangay Marauoy, Lipa City, Batangas bandang 2:30 ng madaling araw nitong Lunes, Enero 26, 2026, ayon sa opisyal na ulat ng Batangas Police Provincial Office.

Ayon sa imbestigasyon ng mga awtoridad, ang mga estudyante ay nasa isang Toyota Vios at naghihintay sa isang kaklase sa lugar nang pindutin ng isa sa kanila ang doorbell ng tahanan ng suspek. Dahialn umano upang ang suspek ay nagalit at maglabas ng baril at putukan ang sasakyan ng mga binatilyo habang ito’y paalis na sa lugar. Wala namang naiulat na nasaktan sa insidente.

Agad isinumbong ng mga estudyante ang insidente sa kanilang mga magulang, na agad namang nag-report sa Lipa Component City Police Station. Sa isinagawang follow-up operation ng pulisya, naaresto ang suspek at nakumpiska mula sa kaniya ang isang Optimus Custom caliber .45 pistol at isang magazine na may dalawang live na bala bilang ebidensya.

Sa ngayon, ang suspek ay nasa kustodiya ng Lipa CCPS at inaasahang sasampahan ng kasong attempted murder at paglabag sa Republic Act No. 7610 o ang Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act, dahil ang ilan sa mga biktima ay menor de edad.

Pinuna ng kapulisan ang marahas na paggamit ng baril at iginiit na hindi dapat solusyon ang karahasan sa mga simpleng hindi pagkakaunawaan. “Tinitiyak ng Batangas Police na ang mga responsable sa ganitong uri ng karahasan ay haharap sa batas at pananagutin sa korte,” ayon sa pahayag ng mga awtoridad.

Patuloy na iniimbestigahan ng pulisya ang insidente habang inihahanda ang mga kaukulang dokumento upang maisampa ang mga kaso laban sa suspek sa korte.

Australia scorches in record heat wave as temperatures near 50°C

Paraluman P. Funtanilla
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Australia scorches in record heat wave as temperatures near 50°C

WELLINGTON, New Zealand — Parts of Australia endured a record-breaking heat wave on Tuesday, with temperatures soaring close to 50 degrees Celsius (122 degrees Fahrenheit) amid the country’s prolonged heatwave.

Rural towns Hopetoun and Walpeup in Victoria recorded preliminary highs of 48.9°C (120°F). If confirmed, these would surpass records set in 2009—the day of the devastating Black Saturday bushfires that killed 173 people.

No casualties were reported from Tuesday’s heat wave, but Victoria authorities warned residents to exercise caution as three forest fires remained out of control in the state.

In Melbourne, the heat approached record highs. At Melbourne Park, the Australian Open tennis tournament saw a drastic drop in crowds outside the venue as the scorching temperatures forced people to seek shade or stay home.

Inside the stadium, organizers implemented extreme heat protocols, closing retractable roofs over the main courts and postponing matches on the uncovered outer courts. During the quarterfinal match between Aryna Sabalenka and Iva Jovic the last match played under the blazing sun, players used ice packs and portable fans during breaks to cope with the heat.

Photographers were provided with cushions to prevent heat-related injuries while seated and covered their cameras with towels to avoid overheating or burns. Fans sought relief in front of giant misting fans or in air-conditioned areas.

Attendance at the event, which had seen record-breaking crowds in previous days, fell from about 50,000 on Monday to 21,000 on Tuesday as the public heeded health warnings.

Temperatures are expected to drop on Wednesday, though the heat wave is forecast to continue through the weekend. This heat surge follows an earlier wave earlier this month during one of Australia’s hottest summers on record.

On Monday, parts of New South Wales and South Australia also hit record temperatures, with some locations surpassing levels recorded during the destructive 2019 forest fire season.

India and EU seal historic free trade agreement in ‘mother of all deals’

Venus L Peñaflor
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India and EU seal historic free trade agreement in ‘mother of all deals’

NEW DELHI — After nearly two decades of negotiations, India and the European Union announced Tuesday that they have reached a landmark free trade agreement, described by the EU chief as the “mother of all deals,” potentially affecting up to 2 billion people.

The accord comes as Washington imposes steep tariffs on both India and the EU, prompting major economies to seek alternative trade partnerships. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, speaking virtually at an energy conference, said the agreement “represents 25% of the global GDP and one-third of global trade” and will bring “major opportunities for the people of India and Europe.”

Under the deal, nearly all goods traded between the 27 EU member states and India will see reduced or eliminated tariffs. Key sectors for India include textiles, apparel, engineering goods, leather, handicrafts, footwear, and marine products. European gains are expected in wine, automobiles, chemicals, and pharmaceuticals. Tariffs on European cars imported to India will gradually fall from 110% to as low as 10%, while duties on car parts will be phased out within 5–10 years. Tariffs on premium European wines will drop from 150% to 20%.

In addition to trade, the deal outlines frameworks for defense and security cooperation and agreements to facilitate mobility for skilled workers and students, highlighting the partnership’s scope beyond commerce.

Speaking alongside European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President António Costa at a joint press conference in New Delhi, Modi said the agreement “will strengthen stability in the international system” amid global turmoil. Von der Leyen described the pact as a “true win-win” between two giants choosing cooperation as the best answer to global challenges.

The deal is expected to further integrate supply chains, boost joint manufacturing, cut up to €4 billion ($4.7 billion) in annual tariffs, and create jobs for millions in India and Europe. A formal signing could occur later this year following legal review and EU Parliament ratification. Indian Trade Minister Piyush Goyal anticipates the agreement will come into force by year-end.

India is set to reduce or eliminate tariffs for 96.6% of EU exports, with Brussels reciprocating in phases to cover nearly 99% of Indian shipments by trade value. Certain sensitive products are excluded: India will maintain protections for dairy and cereals, while the EU will not offer concessional tariffs on Indian sugar, meat, poultry, and beef products.

Trade between India and the EU totaled $136.5 billion in 2024–2025, with both sides aiming to reach approximately $200 billion by 2030. “Ultimately, the agreement is about creating a stable commercial corridor between two major markets at a time the global trading system is fragmenting,” said Indian trade analyst Ajay Srivastava.

The deal also represents the EU’s effort to diversify trade partners amid strained relations with the United States, which has imposed punitive tariffs on several EU and Indian goods. Over the past year, the EU has secured similar strategic trade agreements with Japan, Indonesia, Mexico, and South American nations under its “strategic autonomy” initiative.

This historic agreement marks a major step in India-EU economic and strategic relations, signaling a long-term partnership aimed at stability, growth, and cooperation across multiple sectors.

Iimbitahan si Marcos ng house justice panel kung sapat ang reklamo

Venus L Peñaflor
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Iimbitahan si Marcos ng house justice panel kung sapat ang reklamo

MAYNILA — Iimbitahan lamang ng House committee on justice si Pangulong Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. sa impeachment hearing kung matutukoy ng panel na sapat sa sufficiency in form and substance ang mga reklamong inihain laban sa kanya.

Ayon kay Batangas Rep. Gerville Luistro, chairperson ng House justice panel, pagsasamahin muna ang dalawang impeachment complaints bago suriin ng 38-kataong komite kung ang mga ito ay pumapasa sa mga pamantayan ng sufficiency in form and substance.

“Before we start, the complaints need to be consolidated because it is not possible for two complaints to be heard in the Justice committee. Upon referral, there will be consolidation [of the complaints] during the initial hearing next week,” ani Luistro.

Ipinaliwanag ng mambabatas na ang sufficiency in form ay nangangahulugang ang reklamo ay dapat pirmado, verified, at endorsed ng isang miyembro ng Kamara, habang ang sufficiency in substance naman ay tumutukoy sa kakayahan ng mga alegasyon na patunayan ang mga batayan ng impeachment na nakasaad sa reklamo.

Noong Lunes, pormal na inirefer ng House plenary ang dalawang impeachment complaints sa House justice panel.

“Since the first…the initial steps of this process will be determination of sufficiency in form and substance, [these] parts of the proceedings will be participated by committee members only. As a matter of fact, ay wala pa po tayong iimbitahan na neither complainant nor witness nor the respondent,” ayon kay Luistro.

Dagdag pa niya, kung mapatunayang sapat sa sufficiency in form and substance ang reklamo, saka pa lamang iimbitahan ang mga complainant at ang respondent—na sa kasong ito ay ang Pangulo—sa impeachment hearings.

“During the hearing proper, complainants, witnesses, and respondents will be invited. What if the respondent does not show up? It is actually his prerogative whether or not to come,” paliwanag ni Luistro.

Aniya, ang pagdalo ng respondent sa pagdinig ay bahagi ng kanyang right to due process. “If he chooses not to come, that will be interpreted as a waiver of his right to be present during the hearing,” dagdag niya.

Gayunman, sinabi ni Luistro na may posibilidad ding hindi na kailangang humarap ang Pangulo kung matutukoy ng panel na kulang ang reklamo alinman sa form o substance.

“We won’t proceed to the succeeding step if the complaint does not meet the standard of sufficiency in form and substance,” aniya.

Ang mga reklamong inihain ay ang mga sumusunod:

Una, ang reklamong isinampa ng abogado na si Andre de Jesus at inendorso ng Pusong Pinoy party-list Rep., na nagsasaad na dapat ma-impeach ang Pangulo dahil sa betrayal of public trust at culpable violation of the Constitution, bukod sa iba pa, kaugnay ng umano’y pag-utos at pagpapahintulot sa kidnapping at pagsuko ng dating Pangulong Rodrigo Duterte sa International Criminal Court (ICC); mga alegasyon ng pagiging drug addict na umano’y nakaaapekto sa kanyang paghatol at pamumuno; at kabiguang i-veto ang unprogrammed appropriations at iba pang sinasabing unconstitutional provisions ng national budget para sa 2023, 2024, 2025, at 2026.

Ikalawa, ang reklamong inihain ng Makabayan coalition at inendorso nina ACT Teachers party-list Rep. Antonio Tinio, Gabriela party-list Rep. Sarah Elago, at Kabataan party-list Rep. Renee Co, na nag-aakusa sa Pangulo ng betrayal of public trust kaugnay ng pagpapatupad ng Baselined-Balanced-Managed (BBM) Parametric Formula sa alokasyon ng infrastructure projects, na umano’y nagresulta sa mga “ghost,” substandard, at overpriced flood management projects, bukod sa iba pa.

Kapag napatunayang sapat ang reklamo at matapos marinig ang testimonya ng magkabilang panig, susunod namang tutukuyin ng House justice panel kung may probable cause para sa impeachment ng Pangulo.

Ayon kay Luistro, nangangailangan ang probable cause ng matibay at airtight na ebidensya mula sa mga complainant.

“One of the requirements for verification of the complaint is that the allegations must be based on personal knowledge. And if not personal knowledge, it should be based on authentic records,” paliwanag niya.

Sa huli, tiniyak ni Luistro sa publiko na magiging patas at walang kinikilingan ang House justice panel sa pagtalakay sa mga reklamong impeachment laban sa Pangulo.

Ginawa ni Luistro ang pahayag matapos sabihin ni Speaker Faustino “Bojie” Dy III na walang basehan ang reklamong inihain ni De Jesus laban kay Marcos.

“With all due respect to Speaker Bojie, I am expecting the entire Justice Committee to act with at most independence and impartiality,” ani Luistro.

“Regardless of the pronouncement of the Speaker, the members of the House are expected to evaluate, assess, and hear the impeachment complaint with utmost independence and impartiality,” dagdag niya.

U.S. aircraft carrier strike group arrives in Middle East as tensions with Iran remain high

EDGARDO HERNAL
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U.S. aircraft carrier strike group arrives in Middle East as tensions with Iran remain high

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Navy’s aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln, accompanied by three guided-missile destroyers, has arrived in the Middle East, reinforcing American military presence in the region amid heightened tensions with Iran and ongoing unrest inside the country.

U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) said Monday that the carrier strike group “is currently deployed to the Middle East to promote regional security and stability,” noting that the vessels are operating in the Indian Ocean rather than the Arabian Sea, which borders Iran. The deployment brings thousands of additional U.S. service members into the region.

The Middle East had not hosted a U.S. aircraft carrier since October, when the USS Gerald R. Ford was redirected to the Caribbean as part of a pressure campaign against then-Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro.

President Donald Trump said last week that the ships were sent to the area “just in case,” adding, “We have a massive fleet heading in that direction, and maybe we won’t have to use it.”

The deployment follows Trump’s earlier warnings of possible military action if Iran carried out mass executions of detainees or killed peaceful protesters during a crackdown on demonstrations that began in late December. Activist groups estimate that at least 5,973 people have been killed and more than 41,800 detained, while Iran’s official figures place the death toll at 3,117.

More recently, Trump suggested that Iran had halted the planned execution of hundreds of detained protesters, a claim he did not source and which Iran’s top prosecutor dismissed as “completely false.” Despite this, the president indicated that military options remain on the table, saying aboard Air Force One last week that any potential U.S. response would make last year’s strikes on Iranian nuclear sites “look like peanuts” if executions proceeded.

The USS Abraham Lincoln carries multiple air squadrons, including F-35 Lightning II and F/A-18 Super Hornet fighter jets. The accompanying destroyers are equipped with hundreds of missiles, potentially including Tomahawk land-attack cruise missiles.

The U.S. military also confirmed the deployment of F-15E Strike Eagle fighter jets to the region. Analysts tracking flight data have reported an increase in U.S. military cargo aircraft movements toward the Middle East, signaling a broader buildup.

The current activity mirrors last year’s U.S. reinforcement of regional air defenses, including the deployment of a Patriot missile system, ahead of a potential Iranian response following U.S. strikes on three nuclear-related sites. Days later, Iran launched more than a dozen missiles at Al Udeid Air Base.

U.S. officials said the latest deployment is intended to deter further escalation while maintaining readiness amid the evolving security situation in the region.

Idiniklara ng ICC na “fit to take part” si Duterte sa pre-trial proceedings sa kaso ng crimes against humanity

Venus L Peñaflor
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Idiniklara ng ICC na “fit to take part” si Duterte sa pre-trial proceedings sa kaso ng crimes against humanity

MAYNILA — Ipinahayag ng International Criminal Court (ICC) Pre-Trial Chamber 1 na “fit to take part” si dating Pangulong Rodrigo Duterte sa pre-trial proceedings kaugnay ng mga kasong crimes against humanity na isinampa laban sa kanya dahil sa mga pinatay na iniuugnay sa kanyang kampanya kontra droga noong siya ay alkalde ng Davao City at Pangulo ng Pilipinas.

Sa isang 25-page decision, tinanggihan din ng ICC ang hiling ng kampo ni Duterte para sa indefinite adjournment ng mga pagdinig.

“Read holistically, and in light of the cognitive abilities that Professor [REDACTED] is of the opinion that Mr. Duterte possesses, the Chamber is satisfied that Mr. Duterte does have the ability to understand the charges against him and is able to effectively exercise his procedural rights,” pahayag ng Chamber.

Itinakda ng hukuman ang pagsisimula ng confirmation of charges hearing sa Pebrero 23, 2026.

Noong Agosto 2025, humiling ang kampo ni Duterte ng indefinite adjournment, iginiit na siya ay “not fit to stand trial as a result of cognitive impairment.” Ang pagdinig ay orihinal na nakatakda noong Setyembre 23.

Humiling din ang panig ng dating pangulo ng isang pagsusuri sa kanyang fitness for trial sa pamamagitan ng isang panel ng mga independent expert. Ayon sa ICC, ang tatlong miyembrong panel ay binubuo ng isang eksperto sa forensic psychiatry, isang eksperto sa geriatric and behavioural neurology na may karanasan sa pagsusuri ng fitness for trial ng mga nakatatanda, at isang eksperto sa neuropsychology.

Sinabi ng Chamber na personal na ininterbyu, sinuri, at in-assess ng bawat eksperto si Duterte. Isinaalang-alang din ang kanyang personal at medical history, nagsagawa ng mental state at physical examinations, at nagpatupad ng cognitive testing.

Ayon sa hukuman, malinaw sa dalawang eksperto na may sapat na mental capacity si Duterte upang maunawaan ang mga charges, ang ebidensiya, ang proseso, at ang layunin ng kanyang pre-trial proceedings. Nilinaw ng Chamber na hindi kinakailangang nasa “highest level” ang mga kakayahan ng isang akusado; ang kailangan lamang ay isang “broad understanding” ng mga nagaganap.

“Having regard to the relevant legal principles, and to the medical assessment of the independent experts… the Chamber is satisfied, in law, that Mr. Duterte is able effectively to exercise his procedural rights and is therefore fit to take part in the pre-trial proceedings,” saad ng desisyon.

Tinukoy rin ng Chamber na malinaw ang konklusyon ng isang eksperto na walang dahilan upang sabihing kulang si Duterte sa functional mental capacity upang maunawaan ang mga charges. Dagdag pa, “Professor [REDACTED] and Professor [REDACTED] are unambiguous that Mr. Duterte has the mental capacities to understand the charges, the evidence and the conduct, purpose and possible consequences of the pre-trial proceedings, and to instruct Counsel for the preparation of his defence at the pre-trial stage.”

Tinanggihan din ng ICC ang argumento ng kampo ni Duterte na hindi maaaring maging dispositive ang ulat ng panel dahil umano sa magkakaibang opinyon ng mga eksperto. Ayon sa hukuman, ang fitness to stand trial ay hindi nakabatay sa pagkakaroon ng medical condition, kundi sa kakayahan ng akusado na epektibong maipagpatuloy at magamit ang kanyang mga karapatan.

Pinuna rin ng Chamber ang pagsusumite ng Defence na umano’y inilalabas sa konteksto ang mga natuklasan ng panel at ginagamit ang ilang resulta ng mga test upang igiit na may malubhang kapansanan sa memorya si Duterte. Giit ng hukuman, bagama’t may pagkakaiba ng pananaw ang mga eksperto sa ilang aspeto, nagkakaisa sila sa konklusyon na may sapat na kakayahan ang dating pangulo upang makabuluhang magamit ang kanyang procedural and fair trial rights.

Hindi rin pinagbigyan ng ICC ang kahilingan ng legal team ni Duterte na magdaos ng hiwalay na pagdinig kasama ang mga medical expert, sinabing hindi na kinakailangan pang linawin ang mga konklusyon at metodolohiyang ginamit. Ayon sa desisyon, ang prosesong isinagawa ng Chamber ay “abundantly fair” at kailangan ding magpatuloy ang kaso nang may angkop na bilis alinsunod sa pamantayan ng katarungan.

Inaasahang maglalabas ang ICC ng hiwalay na utos na magtatakda ng iskedyul at mga direksyon para sa confirmation of charges hearing, kabilang ang mga hakbang na inirerekomenda ng mga medical report para kay Duterte.

Ang desisyon ay nilagdaan nina Presiding Judge Iulia Antoanella Motoc at mga Hukom Reine Adélaïde Sophie Alapini-Gansou at María del Socorro Flores Liera.

Samantala, tinanggap ng Duterte Panagutin Network Europe ang desisyon ng ICC bilang isang “significant step forward” tungo sa pananagutan. Ayon kay Icai Enriquez, convenor ng grupo, ang pagtatakda ng pagdinig sa Pebrero 23 ay malinaw na mensahe na ang katarungan ay hindi maaaring ipagpaliban nang walang hanggan.

Dagdag ni Enriquez, patuloy ang kanilang inaasahang “continued engagement” sa pamamagitan ng mga solidarity action, public events, information sessions, at peaceful assemblies upang palakasin ang boses ng mga biktima at labanan ang disinformation, habang pinatitibay ang suporta para sa international justice at accountability.

Ayon sa ICC Prosecutor, kinasuhan si Duterte ng 49 insidente ng murder at attempted murder sa panahon ng kanyang panunungkulan bilang alkalde ng Davao City at bilang Pangulo ng Pilipinas, bagama’t iginiit na “significantly greater” ang aktuwal na lawak ng mga biktima sa nasabing panahon.

Batay sa government records, humigit-kumulang 6,200 drug suspects ang napatay sa mga anti-drug operations ng administrasyong Duterte. Ayon naman sa mga human rights organization, maaaring umabot sa 30,000 ang bilang kapag isinama ang mga hindi naiulat na kaugnay na pagpatay.

18 patay, 24 nawawala sa lumubog na RoRo Vessel sa Basilan

Arman B. Cambe
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18 patay, 24 nawawala sa lumubog na RoRo Vessel sa Basilan

MAYNILA — Umakyat na sa 18 ang kumpirmadong nasawi habang 24 pa ang iniulat na nawawala matapos lumubog ang isang roll-on/roll-off (RoRo) vessel sa dagat na sakop ng Basilan nitong Lunes ng madaling araw, ayon sa Philippine Coast Guard (PCG).

Sa paunang ulat ng PCG, 317 pasahero at tripulante ang nasagip mula sa M/V Trisha Kerstin 3, pag-aari ng Aleson Shipping Lines, na bumiyahe mula sa Port of Zamboanga City patungong Jolo, Sulu.

Batay sa awtoridad, naganap ang insidente dakong alas-1:50 ng madaling araw, humigit-kumulang 2.75 nautical miles o limang kilometro sa hilagang-silangan ng Baluk-Baluk Island sa Basilan. Agad namang naglunsad ng malawakang search and rescue operation ang Coast Guard, katuwang ang lokal na pamahalaan at iba pang rescue units, upang hanapin ang mga nawawala at magbigay ng tulong sa mga nasagip.

Ayon sa PCG, hindi overloaded ang barko nang umalis ito sa Zamboanga City dakong alas-9:20 ng gabi noong Linggo. May lulan umano itong 332 pasahero at 27 crew members, na pasok sa itinakdang authorized maximum capacity.

Lumitaw rin sa mga salaysay ng ilang survivor na kalmado ang kondisyon ng dagat at walang malalakas na alon sa oras na naganap ang trahedya, dahilan upang isaalang-alang ng mga awtoridad ang iba pang posibleng sanhi ng pagkalubog.

Samantala, nagbukas na ang Coast Guard Station Western Sulu ng isang information desk upang magsilbing sentrong tanggapan para sa beripikadong updates, koordinasyon, at pagtugon sa mga katanungan ng mga pamilya ng biktima at iba pang concerned parties.

“The help desk serves as a centralized point for verified updates, coordination, and inquiries related to the incident,” ayon sa PCG.

Patuloy pa ang imbestigasyon ng mga awtoridad upang matukoy ang eksaktong sanhi ng insidente.

Recovery of final hostage’s remains in Gaza paves way for next phase of ceasefire

Venus L Peñaflor
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Recovery of final hostage’s remains in Gaza paves way for next phase of ceasefire

JERUSALEM — Israel’s military announced Monday that it has recovered and identified the remains of the final hostage held in Gaza, a development that clears a major hurdle in advancing to the next phase of the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas and reopening talks on Gaza’s future governance and the group’s disarmament.

The remains were confirmed to be those of police officer Ran Gvili, who was killed during the Hamas-led attack on Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, which sparked the nearly four-year conflict. Gvili was among the first individuals taken into Gaza during the assault, according to Israeli officials.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu hailed the recovery as “an incredible achievement,” telling Israeli media, “I promised we would bring everyone home and we have brought everyone home.” His office said the military had conducted a large-scale operation in a cemetery in northern Gaza to locate the remains.

Gvili’s family had urged the government not to proceed to the ceasefire’s second phase until his remains were recovered and returned. Hamas said Monday it remains committed to all terms of the truce’s first phase.

Netanyahu’s office said Sunday that Israel would move to reopen the Rafah crossing between Gaza and Egypt once the search operation concluded. The crossing, widely viewed by Palestinians as a vital link to the outside world, has been largely closed since May 2024, with only a brief reopening in early 2025.

Residents in Gaza expressed hope that the recovery would lead to greater freedom of movement and expanded humanitarian access.

“We hope this will close off Israel’s pretexts and open the crossing,” said Abdel-Rahman Radwan, a Gaza City resident whose mother requires cancer treatment outside the enclave.

In the Nuseirat refugee camp, Ahmed Ruqab, who lives in a tent with his family of six, called on mediators and the United States to pressure Israel to allow more aid and housing caravans into Gaza. “We need to turn this page and restart,” he said by phone.

The U.S.-brokered ceasefire took effect on Oct. 10, and mediators, including Washington, have urged both sides to transition into a second phase. That stage is expected to address more contentious issues, including establishing a new governance framework for Gaza and disarming Hamas, which has ruled the territory for nearly two decades.

Israel had accused Hamas of delaying the recovery of the final hostage, while Hamas said it had provided all available information and blamed Israel for blocking access to areas under Israeli military control. The military said its search focused on an area near the so-called “Yellow Line” dividing parts of the territory.

Before Gvili’s remains were recovered, Israel said 20 living hostages and the remains of 27 others had been returned since the ceasefire began, most recently in early December. In exchange, Israel released the bodies of hundreds of Palestinians to Gaza.

Despite the truce, deadly incidents were reported Monday. Shifa Hospital in Gaza City said Israeli forces fatally shot a man in the Tuffah neighborhood near the search area. Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital reported another man killed in eastern Bureij refugee camp in central Gaza, though details were unclear.

Gaza’s Health Ministry said more than 71,400 Palestinians have been killed since 2023, including over 480 since the latest ceasefire began. The ministry, part of the Hamas-led government, maintains casualty records that U.N. agencies and independent experts generally consider reliable.

Separately, the Foreign Press Association (FPA) petitioned Israel’s Supreme Court on Monday to allow journalists to enter Gaza independently. The FPA, representing dozens of international news organizations, has sought broader access for more than two years, arguing that tightly controlled military-escorted visits are no substitute for independent reporting. The court is expected to rule in the coming days.

As negotiations move toward the next phase, residents and international observers alike are watching closely to see whether the recovery of the final hostage’s remains will translate into tangible improvements in humanitarian access, security, and prospects for a lasting settlement.

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