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Israel returns 45 Palestinian bodies after Hamas hands over remains of 3 soldiers

Venus L Peñaflor
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Israel returns 45 Palestinian bodies after Hamas hands over remains of 3 soldiers

DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip – Israel turned over the bodies of 45 Palestinians on Monday, a day after Hamas returned the remains of three Israeli soldiers killed in the October 2023 attacks that ignited the Gaza war, the Red Cross confirmed.

The exchange marked another step in the fragile, U.S.-brokered ceasefire aimed at ending the deadliest conflict between Israel and Hamas.

Since the truce took effect on October 10, Palestinian militants have returned the remains of 20 hostages, leaving eight still in Gaza. For each Israeli hostage repatriated, Israel has handed over the bodies of 15 Palestinians. With Monday’s handover, a total of 270 Palestinian bodies have been returned since the ceasefire began.

The Red Cross facilitated Monday’s transfer, delivering the 45 bodies to Gaza in coordination with both sides. According to Gaza Health Ministry spokesperson Zaher al-Wahidi, the remains arrived at Nasser Hospital around noon.

The ministry said only 78 of the bodies have been identified so far, as forensic work has been hindered by a shortage of DNA testing kits in Gaza. Officials have been posting photos of the remains online in hopes that families can help identify them.

Israel identified the three soldiers whose remains were returned Sunday night as Capt. Omer Neutra, an American-Israeli, Staff Sgt. Oz Daniel and Col. Assaf Hamami. Hamas earlier said the remains were found in a tunnel in southern Gaza.

Neutra, 21, was part of a tank crew abducted during the 2023 attack. His death was confirmed by Israel’s military in December 2024. Daniel, 19, also served in the same unit and was taken into Gaza, while another crew member was rescued alive.

“Our hearts are shattered, yet at last we can begin to bring Omer to his final resting place in the land he loved and defended,” said Neutra’s mother, Orna, in Tel Aviv. She and her husband Ronen thanked Israeli troops, U.S. President Donald Trump, and American negotiators for their efforts, but notably did not thank Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, whom many hostage families blame for prolonging the conflict.

Hamami, commander of Israel’s southern brigade in the Gaza division, was killed while defending Kibbutz Nirim, and his body was taken into Gaza during the 2023 assault.

Militants have been releasing one to three bodies every few days. Israeli officials have pushed to accelerate the process, though some returned remains were later found not to belong to hostages. Hamas said the devastation in Gaza has made recovery efforts difficult.

Meanwhile, Israel’s military was rocked by a political scandal involving Maj. Gen. Yifat Tomer-Yerushalmi, its former legal chief, admitted to leaking a video showing Israeli soldiers sexually assaulting a Palestinian detainee. She resigned and was arrested Sunday night on charges including fraud, breach of trust, and obstruction of justice.

At a court hearing Monday, her detention was extended until Wednesday. Police found her after a brief search near a Tel Aviv beach, following concerns raised by her family. Former chief military prosecutor Col. Matan Solomesh was also arrested and remains in custody.

The Palestinian detainee in the leaked video was released and returned to Gaza on October 13, according to documents from the Israeli military prosecutor’s office.

Violence also continued in the West Bank, where two Palestinians were killed Sunday night. The Palestinian Health Ministry said 17-year-old Jamil Hanani was shot dead by Israeli troops in Beit Furik. The Israeli military said soldiers fired at Palestinians throwing rocks.

In Hebron, Ahmed Al-Atrash, 32, was shot dead by an Israeli settler, the ministry said. The military referred media inquiries to the police, who gave no immediate comment. Hundreds of hard-line settlers live under heavy guard in the predominantly Palestinian city.

In a separate development, U.K. Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper visited Jordan on Monday, where she inspected a warehouse filled with British aid awaiting entry into Gaza. She called for faster delivery of humanitarian relief and announced an additional £6 million ($7.9 million) in U.N.-funded aid.

“Humanitarian support is desperately needed and the people of Gaza cannot afford to wait,” Cooper said.

Also Monday, Gaza’s Health Ministry announced a vaccination drive for around 40,000 children under three years old, aiming to protect them from measles, polio, and meningitis. The campaign targets those who missed routine immunizations because of the war, said Dr. Nedal Ghoneim, the ministry’s public health manager.

The Hamas-led attack on southern Israel in October 2023 killed about 1,200 people and took 251 hostages. Israel’s ongoing offensive has killed more than 68,800 Palestinians, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry.

Israel has rejected accusations by the United Nations and human rights groups of committing genocide in Gaza, disputing the death tolls but not providing alternative figures.

Signal No. 4, itinaas sa 9 na lugar habang nagbabanta si Tino at nakatutok sa Panay Island

Carlo Juancho Funtanilla
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Signal No. 4, itinaas sa 9 na lugar habang nagbabanta si Tino at nakatutok sa Panay Island

MAYNILA — Itinaas na ng PAGASA ang Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) No. 4 sa siyam na lugar nitong Martes habang papalapit sa Panay Island ang Bagyong Tino (international name: Kalmaegi).

Ayon sa 8 a.m. bulletin ng PAGASA, ang mga lugar na nasa ilalim ng Signal No. 4 ay ang mga sumusunod:

  • Western portion ng Leyte (Palompon, Isabel, Merida);
  • Northern portion ng Cebu (Lapu-Lapu City, Cordova, Mandaue City, Cebu City, Balamban, Asturias, Danao City, Compostela, Liloan, Consolacion, Borbon, Carmen, Tuburan, Catmon, Sogod, Tabuelan, Tabogon, San Remigio, City of Bogo, Toledo City, City of Talisay, Minglanilla, Medellin, Daanbantayan), kabilang ang Camotes Islands at Bantayan Islands;
  • Northernmost portion ng Negros Oriental (Vallehermoso, Canlaon City);
  • Northern portion ng Negros Occidental (San Carlos City, Salvador Benedicto, Calatrava, Toboso, City of Escalante, Sagay City, Cadiz City, Manapla, City of Victorias, Enrique B. Magalona, Silay City, City of Talisay, Bacolod City, Murcia, Bago City, Pulupandan, Valladolid, La Carlota City, San Enrique, Pontevedra, La Castellana);
  • Guimaras;
  • Capiz;
  • Iloilo;
  • Central at southern portions ng Antique (Patnongon, Sibalom, Barbaza, Valderrama, Hamtic, San Jose, Bugasong, Culasi, Tibiao, Anini-Y, San Remigio, Belison, Tobias Fornier, Laua-An); at
  • Southern portion ng Aklan (Libacao, New Washington, Banga, Altavas, Madalag, Balete, Batan).

Samantala, TCWS No. 3 ay nakataas sa mga sumusunod na lugar:

  • Southwestern portion ng Masbate (Balud);
  • Northernmost portion ng Palawan (El Nido, Taytay, Dumaran, Araceli) kabilang ang Calamian Islands at Cuyo Islands;
  • Natitirang bahagi ng Leyte;
  • Biliran;
  • Northern portion ng Bohol (Ubay, Pres. Carlos P. Garcia, Trinidad, San Miguel, Bien Unido, Talibon, Getafe, Buenavista, Inabanga, Danao, Dagohoy);
  • Central portion ng Cebu (Sibonga, City of Carcar, San Fernando, Aloguinsan, Pinamungahan, Barili, Dumanjug, Argao, Alcantara, Moalboal, Ronda, City of Naga);
  • Northern portion ng Negros Oriental (City of Guihulngan, La Libertad, Jimalalud);
  • Central portion ng Negros Occidental (Hinigaran, Moises Padilla, Isabela, Binalbagan);
  • Natitirang bahagi ng Aklan; at
  • Natitirang bahagi ng Antique, kabilang ang Caluya Islands.

Itinaas naman ang Signal No. 2 sa mga sumusunod:

  • Western portion ng Masbate (Esperanza, Pio V. Corpuz, Placer, Cawayan, Milagros, Mandaon);
  • Southern portion ng Oriental Mindoro (Bulalacao, Mansalay, Roxas, Bongabong);
  • Southern portion ng Occidental Mindoro (Magsaysay, San Jose, Rizal, Calintaan);
  • Romblon;
  • Northern portion ng Palawan (San Vicente, Roxas);
  • Western at southern portion ng Samar (San Sebastian, Santa Rita, Villareal, Zumarraga, Pinabacdao, Talalora, Jiabong, City of Catbalogan, Motiong, Calbiga, Daram, Paranas, Basey, Hinabangan, Santo Niño, Almagro, Tarangnan, Marabut, San Jorge, Gandara, Pagsanghan, Santa Margarita, Tagapul-An, Calbayog City);
  • Natitirang bahagi ng Cebu;
  • Central portion ng Negros Oriental (Tayasan, Manjuyod, Bais City, Mabinay, Bindoy, Ayungon, City of Tanjay, Pamplona, Amlan, San Jose);
  • Natitirang bahagi ng Negros Occidental;
  • Southern Leyte; at
  • Natitirang bahagi ng Bohol.

Ang mga sumusunod na lugar naman ay nasa ilalim ng Signal No. 1:

  • Sorsogon;
  • Natitirang bahagi ng Masbate, kabilang ang Ticao Island;
  • Burias Island;
  • Albay;
  • Natitirang bahagi ng Oriental Mindoro;
  • Northern at central portions ng Occidental Mindoro (Sablayan, Santa Cruz, Abra de Ilog, Mamburao, Paluan);
  • Southern portion ng Quezon (San Francisco, San Andres);
  • Southern portion ng Marinduque (Torrijos, Buenavista, Gasan, Boac);
  • Central portions ng Palawan (Puerto Princesa City) kabilang ang Cagayancillo Islands;
  • Northern Samar;
  • Eastern Samar;
  • Natitirang bahagi ng Samar;
  • Natitirang bahagi ng Negros Oriental;
  • Siquijor;
  • Dinagat Islands;
  • Northern portion ng Surigao del Norte (Surigao City, San Francisco, Malimono, Mainit, Sison, Tagana-An, Placer, Tubod, Bacuag); at
  • Camiguin.

Ayon sa PAGASA, huling namataan ang sentro ng Bagyong Tino sa paligid ng Unnamed Road, Sagay City.

Kumikilos ang bagyo pa-west northwestward sa bilis na 25 km/h, taglay ang maximum sustained winds na 150 km/h malapit sa gitna at gustiness na umaabot sa 205 km/h.

Inaasahang lalabas si Tino sa Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) sa Nobyembre 6.

Saudi Crown Prince bin Salman to visit Trump at White House on November 18

EDGARDO HERNAL
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Saudi Crown Prince bin Salman to visit Trump at White House on November 18

WASHINGTON — Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman will visit the White House on November 18 for an official working meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump, a White House official confirmed Monday.

The visit comes as Trump seeks to encourage Saudi Arabia to join the Abraham Accords, a series of agreements that normalized relations between Israel and several Arab nations. In 2020, the United States brokered deals with the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Sudan, and Morocco. Saudi officials have expressed hesitation, citing the need for progress toward Palestinian statehood.

Trump told CBS’ 60 Minutes in a recent interview that he believes Saudi Arabia will ultimately join the accords.

The agenda for the visit may also include discussions on a potential U.S.-Saudi defense agreement. A senior Trump administration official told Reuters that “there are discussions about signing something when the crown prince comes, but details are in flux.” The Financial Times reported earlier that officials hoped an agreement could be finalized during bin Salman’s visit.

Saudi Arabia has requested formal U.S. guarantees for its defense and access to advanced American weaponry. The kingdom remains one of the largest buyers of U.S. arms, and the two countries have maintained close ties for decades through a longstanding arrangement in which Saudi Arabia supplies oil and the United States provides security.

During Trump’s visit to Riyadh in May, the United States agreed to sell Saudi Arabia an arms package valued at nearly $142 billion, underscoring the depth of the strategic partnership.

Mahigit 150,000 inilikas habang papalapit ang Bagyong Tino

Carlo Juancho Funtanilla
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Mahigit 150,000 inilikas habang papalapit ang Bagyong Tino

MAYNILA — Mahigit 150,000 katao ang inilikas sa mas ligtas na lugar sa mga lalawigang silangan ng bansa nitong Lunes habang papalapit mula sa Pacific Ocean ang Bagyong Kalmaegi, lokal na tinatawag na Tino. Nagbabala ang mga awtoridad sa malalakas na ulan, mapaminsalang hangin, at storm surge na maaaring umabot sa tatlong metro.

Ayon sa PAGASA, inaasahang tatama sa kalupaan ang bagyo nitong Lunes ng gabi o Martes ng madaling araw. Huling namataan ito sa layong 95 kilometro sa timog-silangan ng bayan ng Guiuan, Eastern Samar, taglay ang lakas ng hanging aabot sa 140 kilometro bawat oras at bugso na hanggang 170 kilometro bawat oras.

Inaasahang tutumbok ang direksiyong kanluran at dadaanan ang ilang lalawigan sa Kabisayaan kabilang ang Cebu, na hanggang ngayon ay bumabangon pa rin mula sa 6.9 magnitude na lindol noong Setyembre 30 na kumitil ng hindi bababa sa 79 katao at nag-iwan ng libo-libong nawalan ng tirahan.

Ayon sa Office of Civil Defense (OCD), ang mga pamilyang pansamantalang nakatira sa mga tent ay ililipat sa mas matitibay na silungan upang maiwasan ang panganib.

Sa Negros, binalaan ang mga residente sa paanan ng Bulkang Kanlaon na maaaring magkaroon ng lahar dahil sa inaasahang malalakas na ulan. Ayon sa Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs), patuloy na naglalabas ng abo at singaw ang bulkan nitong mga nakaraang buwan.

Tinatayang lalakas pa ang Bagyong Tino habang nasa dagat at posibleng mag-landfall sa Guiuan o mga karatig na bayan.

Matatandaang noong Nobyembre 2013, binayo rin ng super typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan) ang Guiuan at Gitnang Pilipinas, na nagresulta sa higit 7,300 kataong nasawi o nawawala at sumira ng humigit isang milyong bahay.

Ayon kay Eastern Samar Governor RV Evardone, tanggap ng mga residente ang pangangailangang lumikas. “Walang nagrereklamo dahil natuto na sila sa karanasan noong Yolanda. Mas mabuting maging ligtas kaysa magsisi,” aniya.

Hanggang Lunes ng gabi, nasa halos 156,000 katao na ang nailikas sa mga lalawigan sa silangan at katimugang bahagi ng bansa kabilang ang Dinagat Islands, ayon kay OCD Administrator Bernardo Rafaelito Alejandro IV. Naka-alerto na rin ang mga yunit ng Coast Guard at mga ahensiyang pangresponde sa sakuna.

Ipinagbawal ng Coast Guard ang paglalayag ng mga pampasaherong barko at bangkang pangisda dahil sa malalakas na alon, dahilan para ma-stranded ang mahigit 3,500 pasahero at drayber ng kargamento sa halos 100 pantalan. Kanselado rin ang ilang biyahe ng eroplano.

Taun-taon, umaabot sa 20 bagyo at unos ang dumaraan sa Pilipinas. Kasabay pa nito ang mga lindol at aktibong bulkan na dahilan upang ituring ang bansa bilang isa sa mga pinakaapektado ng kalamidad sa buong mundo.

Samantala, iniulat ng San Pablo City Social Welfare and Development Office at ng City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office na ligtas at maayos ang kalagayan ng mga pamilyang inilikas sa nabanggit na lungsod.

May kabuuang 20 pamilya na binubuo ng 105 indibidwal, ang kasalukuyang nasa evacuation centers sa mga barangay ng San Marcos, San Bartolome, at Del Remedio. Ayon sa ulat, may sapat silang suplay ng pagkain at iba pang pangangailangan.

Ang isinagawang paglikas ay preemptive evacuation, ibig sabihin, inuna nang iligtas ang mga residente bago pa man maramdaman ang epekto ng paparating na bagyo.

Pinaalalahanan ni Mayor Najie B. Gapangada Jr. ang mga mamamayan na hangga’t maaari ay manatili sa loob ng bahay, kahit hindi pa umuulan, para sa kanilang kaligtasan.

Iniulat ng San Pablo City Social Welfare and Development Office at ng City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office na ligtas at maayos ang kalagayan ng mga pamilyang inilikas sa nabanggit na lungsod.

This report was updated on November 4, 2025, at 7:15 a.m. to include information from San Pablo City authorities and to add a photo showing local evacuees in designated shelters.

PAGASA: Lumalakas si Tino, Signal No. 4 sa walong lugar

Carlo Juancho Funtanilla
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PAGASA: Lumalakas si Tino, Signal No. 4 sa walong lugar

MAYNILA – Bahagyang lumakas pa ang Typhoon Tino (Kalmaegi) habang papalapit sa Eastern Visayas at Caraga, dahilan upang itaas ng PAGASA ang Signal No. 4 sa walong lugar nitong Lunes ng gabi.

Ayon sa Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), taglay ni Tino ang maximum sustained winds na 140 km/h malapit sa gitna at gusts na umaabot sa 170 km/h. Kumikilos ito pakanluran-hilagang kanluran sa bilis na 20 km/h mula sa silangan ng Dinagat Islands.

Nagbabala ang PAGASA sa posibilidad ng life-threatening storm surge na maaaring umabot sa higit 3.0 metro sa loob ng susunod na 48 oras, partikular sa mga mabababang baybayin ng Masbate, Romblon, Oriental Mindoro, Occidental Mindoro, Palawan, Visayas, Dinagat Islands, Surigao del Norte, Surigao del Sur, Agusan del Norte, Misamis Oriental, at Camiguin.

Ayon pa sa PAGASA, posibleng mag-landfall si Tino sa peak intensity nito at maaari pang umakyat sa kategoryang super typhoon kung magpapatuloy ang mabilis na pag-intensify.

Mga Lugar sa Ilalim ng Signal No. 4

Nananatiling nasa ilalim ng Signal No. 4 ang mga sumusunod na lugar:

  • Extreme southeastern portion ng Eastern Samar (Guiuan at karatig na bayan)
  • Southern Leyte
  • Camotes Islands
  • Hilagang-silangang bahagi ng Bohol
  • Dinagat Islands, Siargao, at Bucas Grande Islands

Nakataas din ang Signal No. 3 at Signal No. 2 sa mas malawak na bahagi ng Visayas at Mindanao bilang paghahanda sa malalakas na hangin at matinding pag-ulan.

Inaasahan ang malalakas na hangin, malawakang pag-ulan, landslide, at flash flood, lalo na sa mga lugar na direktang dadaanan ng bagyo. Ayon sa PAGASA, maaaring umabot sa 7 metro ang taas ng alon sa silangang bahagi ng Eastern Samar, habang 6 metro naman sa mga karatig na isla.

Pinayuhan ng PAGASA ang mga lokal na pamahalaan at City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Offices (CDRRMO) na paigtingin ang preemptive evacuation at tiyaking ligtas ang mga residente sa mga coastal at upland areas na madaling maapektuhan ng storm surge.

Inaasahang magla-landfall si Tino sa pagitan ng gabi ng Lunes at madaling araw ng Martes sa bahagi ng Homonhon Island o Dinagat Islands, bago tumawid sa Visayas at hilagang Palawan hanggang Miyerkules ng umaga.

Ayon sa PAGASA, mananatili sa typhoon category si Tino sa buong pagdaan nito sa bansa. Pagkatapos tumawid ng Visayas, inaasahang lalabas ito sa Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) pagsapit ng Huwebes.

Patuloy na pinapayuhan ang publiko na subaybayan ang mga weather bulletin ng PAGASA at sundin ang mga abiso ng kanilang CDRRMO at lokal na pamahalaan.o path forecast ng Tino.

Smart tips upang maging ligtas sa internet

EDGARDO HERNAL
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Smart tips upang maging ligtas sa internet

Sa panahon ngayon, halos lahat ay ginagawa na online, mula sa pagbabayad ng bills, trabaho hanggang sa pag-aaral at pakikipagkaibigan at paghahanap ng love life. Ngunit kasabay ng ginhawa ng teknolohiya, dumarami rin ang panganib sa cyberspace tulad ng mga scam, phishing, fake news, at iba pang cyberattack na maaaring magdulot ng pinsala sa buhay at kabuhayan.

Ayon sa Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), patuloy na tumataas ang bilang ng mga kaso ng online fraud at data breach sa bansa. Kahit mga ordinaryong mamamayan ay nagiging target ng mga hacker gamit ang mga text o email na nag-aanyong lehitimong mensahe mula sa bangko o delivery service.

“Kapag may link na pinapindot at humihingi ng personal na impormasyon, doblehin ang pag-iingat. Posibleng phishing ‘yan,” babala ng DICT sa kanilang Oplan Cyberdome campaign.

Hindi lang negosyo o ahensya ng gobyerno ang dapat mag-ingat. Pati estudyante, guro, at magulang ay dapat maging maingat dahil isang maling pindot sa pekeng link ay maaaring magbukas ng pinto para manakaw ang password, savings, o pribadong larawan.

Paano Maging Cyber Smart

Hindi kailangang maging eksperto sa IT upang maging ligtas online. Narito ang ilang simpleng payo mula sa mga eksperto:

  • Gumamit ng matibay na password. Iwasan ang madaling hulaan tulad ng birthday, pangalan, o “12345.” Gumamit ng kombinasyon ng letra, numero, at simbolo.
  • Huwag basta mag-click ng link. Suriin muna kung totoo ang pinagmulan bago buksan ang email o message.
  • I-double check ang URL. Madalas ginagaya ng mga scammer ang hitsura ng mga lehitimong website.
  • Huwag magpasa ng personal information. Lalo na kung hindi ka sigurado sa pinanggalingan ng kahilingan.
  • Maging mapanuri sa social media. Huwag agad maniwala o magbahagi ng mga post na walang kumpirmasyon.

Ang Papel ng DICT at ng Publiko

Patuloy na binabantayan ng DICT, kasama ang Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center (CICC), ang mga posibleng cyberattack tulad ng Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS), kung saan sabay-sabay na ina-atake ang mga website upang pabagalin o ipasara ito.

Ayon sa DICT, hindi kailangang mag-panic, ngunit mahalagang maging alerto at umiwas sa anumang ilegal na online na aktibidad. “Ang kaligtasan sa digital space ay responsibilidad ng lahat. Kapag alam mo ang tamang gawin, hindi ka madaling mabiktima,” paalala ng ahensya.

Proteksyon ay Kapangyarihan

Sa mundong konektado 24/7, ang pinakamabisang sandata ay impormasyon. Maging responsable, huwag padalos-dalos sa pag-share, at siguraduhing ikaw mismo ay cyber aware.

Gaya ng paalala ng DICT: “Think before you click — dahil ang isang maling pindot, pwedeng magdulot ng tunay na sakit.”

Tutubi Insight

Ang pagiging cyber smart ay bagong anyo ng pagiging matalino sa panahon ngayon. Protektahan ang iyong sarili, pamilya, at komunidad sa pamamagitan ng tamang impormasyon.

Maging alerto. Maging responsable. Maging ligtas.

Philippines, Canada sign defense pact to strengthen security, counter China’s aggression

Venus L Peñaflor
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Philippines, Canada sign defense pact to strengthen security, counter China’s aggression

MANILA — The Philippines and Canada have signed a new defense pact aimed at boosting joint military exercises and strengthening regional security amid rising tensions with China in the South China Sea.

The agreement, called the Status of Visiting Forces Agreement (SOVFA), was signed in Manila on Sunday by Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. and Canadian Defense Minister David McGuinty. It provides a legal framework for the presence of visiting troops during joint exercises and other defense cooperation activities.

Officials said the pact will enhance training, intelligence sharing, and humanitarian coordination, including disaster response operations. McGuinty described the move as part of Canada’s commitment to promoting peace and upholding international law in the Indo-Pacific.

Teodoro said the agreement supports efforts to build a rules-based international order, emphasizing that China’s actions in the region continue to threaten smaller nations. “Who is hegemonic? Who wants to expand their territory in the world? China,” he said.

The Philippines has existing visiting forces agreements with the United States and Australia, and recently concluded similar defense accords with Japan and New Zealand under the administration of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. Negotiations are ongoing with France and Singapore, while discussions with Britain, Germany, and India are being considered.

Canada’s deal with the Philippines follows a broader effort by Western nations to increase their presence in the Indo-Pacific, supporting regional allies and countering what they describe as China’s coercive behavior.

China, which claims almost the entire South China Sea despite a 2016 international arbitration ruling that invalidated its sweeping claims, has not yet commented on the new pact. In recent months, Beijing has used water cannons and aggressive blocking maneuvers against Philippine vessels, leading to collisions and injuries to crew members.

At a recent ASEAN defense ministers’ meeting in Malaysia, Teodoro denounced China’s plan to establish a so-called “nature reserve” in the Scarborough Shoal, a resource-rich area within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone. He described the move as “a veiled attempt to wield military might and undermine the rights of smaller countries.”

Canada had earlier criticized the same plan, saying it opposes attempts to use environmental protection as a pretext for territorial control. Ottawa also condemned China’s use of force against Philippine ships in the disputed waters.

Canadian Ambassador to Manila David Hartman reaffirmed his country’s position, saying Canada “will continue to speak out against provocative and unlawful actions in the region’s waters.”

The two countries have steadily expanded their defense cooperation. In 2023, they signed a Defense Cooperation Memorandum of Understanding and a Dark Vessel Detection Agreement, which provides the Philippines with access to satellite data used to track vessels that turn off location devices to evade monitoring. The technology has since been used to identify Chinese coast guard and fishing vessels in Philippine waters.

The latest defense accord marks another milestone in the Philippines’ efforts to build strong alliances and protect its sovereignty amid intensifying maritime disputes with China.

DICT: Maghanda sa posibleng cyberattack sa Nobyembre 5

Carlo Juancho Funtanilla
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DICT: Maghanda sa posibleng cyberattack sa Nobyembre 5

MAYNILA — Naglabas ng babala ang Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) hinggil sa isang posibleng cyberattack na nakatakdang mangyari ngayong Miyerkules, Nobyembre 5. Ayon sa ahensya, isang anyo ng Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attack ang inaasahan, partikular ang tinatawag na “traffic flood,” kung saan sabay-sabay na tatawag ng serbisyo o website ang maraming device upang pabagalin o tuluyang hindi ma-access ang sistema.

Ayon sa post ng DICT Facebook noong Linggo, Nobyembre 2, nakita na nila ang posibilidad ng ganitong uri ng pag-atake at nakikipag-ugnayan na ang kanilang National Computer Emergency Response Team (NCERT) para maging nakahanda.

Nilinaw ng DICT na hindi ito data breach o pagnanakaw ng personal accounts, pera o pangunahing impormasyon, kundi ang pagsasagawa ng sobrang trapiko na maaaring makapabagal o makapagpatigil ng ilang websites at apps.

Sa pagsasagawa ng paghahanda, sinabi ni DICT Secretary Henry Rhoel Aguda na kasabay ang mga coordination efforts sa mga lokal na ahensya gaya ng National Telecommunications Commission (NTC), Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center (CICC) at iba pang mga partido sa ilalim ng “Oplan Cyberdome.”

Ayon sa DICT, narito ang ilang paalala kung sakaling maranasan ang epekto ng cyberattack:

  • Huwag mag-panic kung bumagal o hindi agad mag-load ang isang website o app. Maghintay lamang at subukang muli makalipas ang ilang minuto.
  • Gamitin ang opisyal na app o status page ng serbisyo upang makakuha ng tamang impormasyon.
  • Sundan lamang ang verified updates mula sa DICT at mga opisyal na provider.
  • Iwasan ang anumang ilegal na online na aktibidad na maaaring magdulot ng legal na kahihinatnan.

Pinapaalalahanan ng DICT ang publiko na manatiling kalmado, responsable, at maingat sa paggamit ng internet habang nagpapatuloy ang kanilang 24/7 monitoring sa ilalim ng Oplan Cyberdome.

Ang babala ng DICT ay bahagi ng mas malawak na pagkilos upang masiguro ang kaligtasan ng digital­space ng bansa.

Netherlands to return 3,500-year-old sculpture to Egypt

Paraluman P. Funtanilla
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Netherlands to return 3,500-year-old sculpture to Egypt

The Netherlands has announced it will repatriate a 3,500-year-old Egyptian sculpture to Egypt, Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof revealed during a visit to Cairo, where he met with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el‑Sisi.

The artifact, which appears to depict a senior official from the reign of Thutmose III (1479 – 1425 BC), was discovered at an art fair in Maastricht in 2022 after an anonymous tip raised concerns about its origin.

Dutch authorities say that an investigation by the police and the Cultural Heritage Inspectorate (Inspectie Overheidsinformatie en Erfgoed) found that the sculpture had likely been looted during the Arab Spring unrest of 2011 and exported illegally before being offered on the international art market.

The dealer in possession of the piece surrendered it voluntarily at the conclusion of the inquiry. The Dutch government expects to hand over the artifact to Egypt’s ambassador in the Netherlands later this year, though no firm date has yet been set. 

The sculpture’s return comes amid growing international efforts to address the illegal trade of antiquities and to restore culturally significant objects to their countries of origin. Experts say this case may set a precedent for future restitution of ancient artifacts.

The Maastricht art fair where the sculpture appeared is the annual European Fine Art Fair (TEFAF), among the world’s top venues for classical and antiquities markets, highlighting how high-profile such looted works can surface in legitimate channels.

Egyptian officials welcomed the decision, describing the sculpture as a valuable part of their cultural heritage and saying its return will help fill gaps in their ancient past. According to Egypt’s antiquities ministry, thousands of artifacts have been lost or trafficked since the early 20th century.

The Dutch-Egyptian agreement also underscores diplomatic ties between the two countries, which were reinforced during Schoof’s visit, which coincided with the opening of the Grand Egyptian Museum, a major cultural landmark near Cairo. For readers interested in the full details of the discovery, investigation, and international legal context behind the sculpture’s restitution, click the link below.

Hamas turns over three more hostage bodies

Venus L Peñaflor
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Hamas turns over three more hostage bodies

JERUSALEM — Hamas handed over the bodies of three hostages on Sunday, as the Palestinian militant group and Israel traded accusations over violations of the fragile ceasefire that has largely paused nearly two years of war.

Israeli forces in Gaza received three coffins containing the bodies of the hostages, transferred through the International Committee of the Red Cross, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said. The remains were brought to Israel for identification.

The bodies are believed to be among 11 sets of remains Israel has demanded under the terms of the truce. Israel has accused Hamas of moving too slowly, while Hamas said it is working “as quickly as possible under difficult conditions.”

The dispute is among several issues delaying full implementation of the U.S.-brokered ceasefire, in effect since October 10.

Earlier Sunday, an Israeli airstrike killed a man in northern Gaza. The Israeli military said its aircraft targeted a militant who posed a threat to its troops. Al-Ahli Hospital reported that one man was killed near a vegetable market in Gaza City’s Shejaia district.

“There are still Hamas pockets in areas under our control in Gaza, and we are systematically eliminating them,” Netanyahu said during a cabinet meeting in Jerusalem.

Hamas, for its part, released what it described as a list of Israeli ceasefire violations. Ismail Al-Thawabta, director of the Hamas-run Gaza government media office, denied claims that Hamas fighters had attacked Israeli soldiers.

The ceasefire has brought relative calm to the enclave, allowing hundreds of thousands of Palestinians to return to the ruins of their homes. Israel has withdrawn troops from some urban positions, and more humanitarian aid has been allowed to enter.

Under the agreement, Hamas released all 20 living hostages in exchange for nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners and wartime detainees held by Israel. It is also committed to handing over the remains of 28 deceased hostages in exchange for the bodies of 360 Palestinian militants killed during the war. Before Sunday’s turnover, Hamas had returned 17.

Still, violence has not completely stopped. Palestinian health authorities report that Israeli strikes have killed 236 people in Gaza since the truce began, nearly half of them in a single day last week when Israel retaliated for an attack on its troops. Israel says three of its soldiers have been killed and that it has targeted dozens of fighters.

The ceasefire, brokered by the United States, remains fragile as both sides appeal to Washington to curb violations.

According to the Israeli military, U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman General Dan Caine met with Israel’s military chief, Eyal Zamir, on Saturday to discuss developments in Gaza. Netanyahu said all Israeli actions in the territory are reported to Washington. Hamas, however, accused the U.S. of not doing enough to ensure Israel’s compliance with the ceasefire agreement.

Roughly 200 U.S. troops are currently stationed in southern Israel to monitor the truce and assist in planning an international stabilization force for Gaza, as envisioned in later phases of U.S. President Donald Trump’s peace initiative.

So far, little progress has been made toward those next stages. Major hurdles remain, including the disarmament of Hamas and establishing a timetable for Israel’s full withdrawal from Gaza.

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