MAYNILA — Sinita ng Commission on Audit (COA) ang Social Security System (SSS) sa pagbili ng 143,424 tissue papers noong 2024 na nagkakahalaga ng P13.195 million, na malinaw umanong nagpapakita ng poor planning.
Ayon sa COA, ang biniling tissue ay lagpas sa dalawang buwang kinakailangang supply ng SSS at hindi kasya sa kanilang storage facilities. “That the supply exceeded the agency’s two-month requirement, and a total of 116,046 rolls remained at the supplier’s custody without any agreement due to lack of policy on procurement of supplies and equipment,” ani COA.
Dagdag pa ng COA, ang transaksyon ay nakabase lamang sa verbal agreement at walang suportang dokumento o formal memorandum of understanding. Sinabi rin ng COA na hindi maayos na plinano ng SSS ang pagbili ng mga tissue papers. Ayon sa ulat, ang halagang ginastos sa tissue papers ay sana ay maaaring napakinabangan na ng 2,000 SSS pensioners o sa funeral benefits ng 650 deceased members.
Bukod dito, tinukoy ng annual audit report ang P3 million underpayment sa SSS funeral benefits. Nabunyag din na ilang deceased pensioners ay patuloy pa ring nakatatanggap ng pension benefits, na nagresulta sa overpayment na P24.811 million.
Ipinakita rin ng COA na nagbigay ang SSS ng cash incentives na P50,000 sa 6,525 officials and employees sa ilalim ng Prestige Award, na umabot sa kabuuang P333 million. Inatasan ng COA ang SSS na magsumite ng kanilang evaluation report kung paano tinutukoy ang pagbibigay ng cash incentives.
MAYNILA — Magkakaroon ng bawas singil sa kuryente ang Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) ngayong buwan ng Disyembre, ayon sa abiso ng kumpanya.
Batay sa impormasyon ng Meralco, bababa ang electricity rates ng P0.36 kada kilowatt hour (kWh) ngayong buwan. Ang pagbaba ay dulot ng mas mababang transmission at generation charges.
Sa praktikal na epekto, ang mga tahanang kumokonsumo ng 200 kWh kada buwan ay makakatipid ng P71, habang ang gumagamit ng 300 kWh ay mababawasan ng P107.
Para sa mas mataas na konsumo, makakatipid ng P142 ang gumagamit ng 400 kWh, at P178 naman ang tipid ng mga kumokonsumo ng 500 kWh kada buwan.
Ang pagbabagong ito ay magbibigay ginhawa sa mga consumer sa gitna ng patuloy na pagtaas ng gastusin sa kuryente sa bansa.
MAYNILA — Hiniling ni Pangulong Ferdinand Marcos Jr. sa Kongreso na gawing pangunahing prayoridad ang pagtalakay at pagpasa sa apat na panukalang batas na nagtataguyod ng transparency at accountability sa pamahalaan.
Ayon kay Palace Press Officer Atty. Claire Castro, kabilang sa mga tinukoy na panukalang batas ang Anti-Dynasty bill, Independent People’s Commission Act, Partylist System Reform Act, at Citizens Access and Disclosure Expenditures for National Accountability o CADENA Act.
Sa pulong ng Legislative Executive Development Advisory Council o LEDAC sa Malacañang, binigyang diin ng Pangulo na mahalagang unahin ng mga mambabatas ang masusing pagtalakay sa mga panukalang batas na ito at tiyaking maipapasa ang mga ito sa lalong madaling panahon.
Ibinahagi pa ni Castro na nagkaroon din ng kasunduan sa pulong hinggil sa timeline para sa pagpasa ng General Appropriations Bill at pagsusumite ng enrolled bills, upang agad itong malagdaan ng Pangulo at maging ganap na batas.
Dumalo sa LEDAC meeting sina Senate President Vicente Sotto III, House Speaker Faustino Dy III, Majority Leader Sandro Marcos, at iba pang opisyal ng Kongreso.
ROME, Italy — Pope Leo XIV on Tuesday stressed that Europe must play a central role in any peace agreement on Ukraine, as he criticized what he described as efforts by the Trump administration to weaken the long-standing alliance between the United States and Europe.
Leo made the remarks after meeting Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who is touring European capitals to secure continued support for Kyiv. The American pope said they discussed calls for a ceasefire and the Vatican’s ongoing efforts to help return Ukrainian children taken by Russian authorities.
When asked about the U.S. peace proposal and the apparent sidelining of European governments, Leo said Europe cannot be excluded from discussions about a war unfolding on its own continent.
“Seeking a peace agreement without including Europe in the talks is unrealistic, given the war is in Europe,” he said as he left his residence in Castel Gandolfo. “Security guarantees are being sought today and for the future. Europe must be part of this, and not everyone seems to understand that. But I believe there is a great opportunity for European leaders to unite and pursue a common solution.”
Zelenskyy earlier said the peace plan being discussed with the U.S. and European partners includes three documents, a 20-point framework, a second set of security guarantees, and a third plan for Ukraine’s reconstruction.
Leo was also asked about the U.S. peace plan, but his response focused on broader concerns about the Trump administration’s stance on the transatlantic alliance. The administration recently released its national security strategy questioning the U.S. commitment to Europe and expressing interest in improving relations with Russia.
Leo said the document would mark “a huge change” to what had long been considered a solid partnership between Washington and European capitals. He added that statements by U.S. President Donald Trump appear aimed at “trying to break apart what I think needs to be an alliance today and in the future.”
While some in the United States may support that position, “many others would see things in a different way,” he said.
The Vatican has maintained a stance of neutrality in Russia’s war on Ukraine while extending humanitarian assistance to what Pope Leo calls the “martyred” Ukrainian people. He has met Zelenskyy three times and has spoken by phone with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Leo has repeatedly called for a ceasefire and urged Russia in particular to take steps that could help pave the way for peace. The Vatican has also worked to help secure the return of Ukrainian children taken to Russia, and last month Leo met with several children who had been brought back.
MAYNILA – Natukoy ng Department of Justice na may prima facie evidence at may reasonable certainty of conviction upang sampahan ng kasong kidnapping with homicide at kidnapping with serious illegal detention ang negosyanteng si Charlie “Atong” Ang at 21 pang indibidwal kaugnay ng pagdukot at pagpatay sa ilang missing sabungeros.
Ayon sa DOJ, nahaharap ang mga akusado sa 10 bilang ng kidnapping with homicide at 16 na bilang ng kidnapping with serious illegal detention.
Ito ang mga sinampahan ng kidnapping with homicide:
Charlie Tiu Hay Ang, o Atong Ang Police Lieutenant Colonel Ryan Jay Orapa Rogelio Borican Jr. Rodelo Anig-ig Mark Carlo Zabala Ronquillo Anding Police Senior Master Sergeant Joey Natanauan Encarnacion Police Executive Master Sergeant Aaron Cabillan Police Master Sergeant Michael Jaictin Claveria Police Senior Master Sergeant Mark Anthony Aguilo Manrique Police Senior Master Sergeant Anderson Orozco Abary Police Staff Sergeant Edmon Hernandez Muñoz Police Major Philip Almedilla Police Lieutenant Henry Sasaluya Police Chief Master Sergeant Arturo Dela Cruz Police Senior Master Sergeant Farvy Opalla Dela Cruz Police Senior Staff Sergeant Alfredo Uy Andes Police Corporal Angel Joseph Martin Jezrel Lazarte Mahilum Emman Cayunda Falle Julious Tagalog Gumulon Police Master Sergeant Renan Lagrosa Fulgencio
Ito naman ang kakasuhan ng kidnapping with serious illegal detention:
Charlie Tiu Hay Ang, o Atong Ang Police Lieutenant Colonel Ryan Jay Orapa Police Master Sergeant Michael Jaictin Claveria Rodelo Anig-ig Rogelio Borican Jr. Police Staff Sergeant Alfredo Uy Andres Police Major Philip Simborio Almedilla Police Senior Master Sergeant Joey Encarnacion Police Executive Master Sergeant Aaron Cabillan John Does, tumutukoy sa mga hindi pa nakikilalang pulis na umano’y kasama sa grupo ni Orapa
Sinabi ng DOJ na ang mga kaso laban sa ibang respondents ay ibinasura without prejudice, kaya maaari pang muling isampa kung may lilitaw na bagong ebidensiya na mag-uugnay sa kanila sa ilegal na detensiyon.
Sa ulat ni Sandra Aguinaldo sa “24 Oras,” sinabi ng DOJ na isasampa ang mga kaso sa iba’t ibang Regional Trial Courts, kabilang ang Lipa City at mga korte sa Santa Cruz at San Pablo CIty, Laguna.
Ayon sa abogado ni Ang na si Gabriel Villareal, ang rekomendasyon ng DOJ ay “deeply flawed and grossly unfair to the accused.” Nakatakda ring magsumite ang kampo ni Ang ng motion for reconsideration.
Si Julie “Dondon” Patidongan, dating security chief sa ilang sabungan ni Ang, ang nagdawit kay Ang at sa iba pa sa mga pagdukot mula 2021 hanggang 2022. Sinabi niyang higit 100 ang napatay matapos dukutin.
Mariing itinanggi ni Ang ang mga paratang.
Noong Agosto, nagsampa ng reklamo ang mga pamilya ng mga nawawalang sabungero laban kay Ang at 60 iba pa para sa mga kasong multiple murder, serious illegal detention, at iba pang paglabag.
Noong Oktubre, ibinasura ng Office of the City Prosecutor ng Mandaluyong ang extortion complaint ni Ang laban kina Patidongan at whistleblower Alan Bantiles dahil sa kakulangan ng detalye at ebidensiya.
Nag-ugat ang reklamo sa pahayag ni Ang na tinakot umano siya nina Patidongan at Bantiles na idadamay sa pagkawala ng mga sabungero kung hindi siya magbabayad ng P300 milyon.
BANGKOK, Thailand — Thailand launched airstrikes along its disputed border with Cambodia on Monday, as both nations accused each other of violating a ceasefire established earlier this year.
The renewed clashes come after longstanding border disputes erupted into five days of fighting in July, leaving dozens of soldiers and civilians dead. A truce brokered in October with U.S. President Donald Trump’s mediation has failed to fully ease tensions.
The Thai army reported that more than 50,000 residents fled to shelters near the border. Cambodia’s Information Minister Neth Pheaktra said tens of thousands of villagers were displaced from multiple border communities. The latest skirmishes have killed at least one Thai soldier and four Cambodian civilians, with additional injuries reported.
Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul emphasized in a televised address that military operations are intended to defend Thailand and protect public safety. “Thailand has never wished for violence. I’d like to reiterate that Thailand has never initiated a fight or an invasion, but will never tolerate a violation of its sovereignty,” he said.
Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet echoed concerns on Facebook, urging unity to protect the nation. “I ask all ministries, institutions, authorities, armed forces, and citizens to unite for the cause of the nation and the homeland during this difficult period,” he wrote.
The ceasefire came under strain in early November after Thai troops were injured by land mines, prompting Thailand to suspend the agreement indefinitely. Both sides continue to blame each other for violations while cooperating to clear the mines.
Clashes flared again on Sunday, with both nations claiming the other fired first. The Thai army said Cambodian fire injured two Thai soldiers, prompting a 20-minute exchange of fire. Cambodian authorities denied retaliating, claiming Thailand initiated the attack.
On Monday, Thai army spokesperson Maj. Gen. Winthai Suvaree said Cambodian troops fired into Thai territory in multiple areas, killing one Thai soldier and wounding eight others. Thai aircraft targeted Cambodian military positions to suppress supporting fire, the army said. Artillery rounds landed near Thai residential areas, but no civilian casualties were reported.
Cambodian Defense Ministry spokesperson Maly Socheata said Thailand attacked first and urged the country to halt hostilities threatening regional peace. Neth Pheaktra reported that Thai fire killed four Cambodian civilians and injured about nine others.
Regional leaders have called for restraint. Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said his country is ready to support efforts to prevent further conflict. “Our region cannot afford to see long-standing disputes slip into cycles of confrontation,” he wrote.
Thailand and Cambodia’s border tensions date back centuries, with modern claims rooted in a 1907 French colonial-era map. The International Court of Justice awarded Cambodia sovereignty over the area including the 1,000-year-old Preah Vihear temple in 1962, a ruling that continues to fuel resentment in Thailand.
The ceasefire does not address the underlying territorial dispute, leaving the question of where the border should run unresolved.
BUENOS AIRES, Argentina — The unmistakable chorus of barking could be heard for miles as 2,397 golden retrievers gathered at Bosques de Palermo in Buenos Aires, setting a new informal world record for the largest-ever gathering of the breed.
Excitement filled the sprawling park as golden retriever owners from across Argentina transformed the grassy expanse into a sea of golden fur. Families and children flocked to pet the dogs, while owners, their clothes covered in dog hair and slobber, relaxed on picnic blankets to enjoy the sight of so many similar-looking dogs in one place.
Attendees shared stories of their pets, highlighting the breed’s famed ability to sense low blood sugar or detect cancer. Many recalled how their goldens provided comfort through life’s ups and downs.
“Since we were children, she’s been a constant presence in our family. We’ve had vacations with her. We’ve done everything together,” said Nicolás Orellana, 26, who traveled an hour and a half from Buenos Aires province with his 13-year-old dog, Luna. “It’s a type of dog that’s known to create a special bond,” he added.
Some goldens wore costumes, including Argentine soccer jerseys, national flags, tutus, and Star Wars bandanas, as they sniffed and played with each other. Ten volunteers in yellow vests roamed the park with clipboards to register each dog.
After hours of careful counting, event organizer Fausto Duperre announced the final tally: 2,397 golden retrievers, surpassing the previous record of 1,685 set in Vancouver last year.
“This is a historic event,” said Duperre, a 28-year-old actor and social media influencer known for his posts about his 10-year-old golden, Oli. “I’m truly grateful and happy, proud, excited, and overjoyed all at once.”
Plans for a large group photo of the dogs proved impossible as owners and pets refused separation, and volunteers worked to keep the goldens safe among the thousands present.
“I was afraid I would lose her, I was afraid she would fight, I was afraid another dog would attack her,” said Elena Deleo, 64, stroking her golden, Angie. “But no, they’re all affectionate, all gentle. It’s just a very lovely experience.”
The event highlighted not only the playful nature of golden retrievers but also the strong bond they share with their owners, creating a joyous and orderly gathering despite nearly 2,400 dogs in one park.
MAYNILA — Baka mag-Pasko sa kulungan si dating Senador Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr. dahil sa posibleng pag-aresto sa susunod na linggo, ayon kay Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla.
Ito ay kaugnay sa rekomendasyon ng Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) na magsagawa ng case build-up laban kay Revilla kaugnay ng flood control scandal. Ayon kay Remulla, may sapat nang ebidensya na nag-uugnay sa dating senador matapos ang testimonya nina dating Public Works Undersecretary Roberto Bernardo at Bulacan District Engineer Henry Alcantara.
“Posible. Baka next week. ‘Yan ang low-hanging fruit tsaka matagal na lumabas at iniimbestigahan,” ani Remulla sa panayam sa ANC.
Aniya, pinag-aaralan ng Office of the Ombudsman ang posibleng pagsasampa ng kasong malversation at plunder laban kay Revilla, ngunit hindi pa tiyak ang kasalukuyang stage ng preliminary investigation.
Magugunitang sinabi ni Bernardo na naghatid siya ng P125 milyon sa bahay ni Revilla noong Disyembre 2024, at iniutos pa umano ang paghahatid ng karagdagang P250 milyon bago magsimula ang campaign period para sa eleksyon 2025, bagay na itinanggi ni Revilla.
Kaugnay nito, nagsasagawa na ang Ombudsman ng case build-up laban sa ilang high-profile officials na nasasangkot sa flood control issue, kabilang sina Sen. Francis “Chiz” Escudero at dating Sen. Nancy Binay.
Ayon kay Remulla, ito ay tugon sa rekomendasyon ng ICI na magsagawa rin ng case build-ups laban kina Sen. Mark Villar at dating Sen. Grace Poe dahil sa bigat ng alegasyon.
“We are doing the case build-up, we’re doing preliminary work, we are doing everything that needs to be done. So I’d rather stop there regarding his (Escudero) case,” ani Remulla.
Aniya, araw-araw silang nakakatanggap ng impormasyon at hindi maaaring ibahagi ang mga detalye upang hindi maapektuhan ang pagsisiyasat. Kasalukuyan rin ang ebalwasyon at case build-up laban kina Binay at Escudero batay sa mga natanggap na ebidensya hinggil sa kanilang posibleng pagkakasangkot.
Magpapasko noong 2018, habang naiinip si Dong Fullo, napansin niya ang maduming public CR, magulo at walang sistemang mga paradahan, mabahong public parking space, at mga pedestrian lane na puno ng vendors. Tulad ng maraming tao, gusto niyang magreklamo para sa pagbabago, ngunit sino nga ba ang lalapitan? Ano ba ang puwedeng gawin? Sa halip na kalimutan na lang ang mga ito nag‑post si Dong ng simpleng mensahe sa Facebook, isang paanyaya para sa mga taga‑San Pablo na magsalita, magreklamo, at magbahagi ng problema, malaking man o maliit. At doon nagsimula ang San Pablo Public Forum (SPPF), isang social media/Facebook page.
Sa una, kaunti lang miyembro nito. Hindi masyadong marami ang shares at comments. Ngunit unti‑unti, dahil sa totoo at relatable ang mga reklamo, lumago ang forum at nagsimulang lumakas ang boses ng ordinaryong San Pableño. Ngayon, ang SPPF ay hindi lang basta page. Ito ngayon ay isa ng social media “pulis” at tulong‑center. Dito dumudulog ang mga tao para i-report ang mga missing persons at missing pets, mga nawawalang wallet o mobile phones, mga reklamo laban sa abusadong trike driver o motorista, paghahanap ng trabaho o serbisyo at delivery riders, babala sa komunidad tulad ng trapiko, baha, basura, at iba pang public safety issues. Dito rin ginaganap ang mga diskusyon tungkol sa mga palpak na kalye, ilaw, drainage, at bakanteng lote na puno ng basura. Para sa maraming tao, lalo na sa mga walang kakilala sa gobyerno o natatakot magsumbong, ang SPPF ang naging “taong kausap” at “sumbungan.”
Bukod dito, bukas din ang SPPF para ipahayag ang kanilang opinyon, hinaing, at mga saloobin. Nagkaroon sila ng platform para makialam, sumali at makipagbalitaktakan tungkol sa pulitika. Iginigisa dito ang mga trapo at mga tiwaling public officials. Kahit magkakaiba ang pananaw, nagkakaroon ng pagkakataon ang bawat San Pableño na marinig at maiparating ang kanilang boses at mga obserbasyon.
Sa isang panayam, inamin mismo ni Dong Fullo na hindi siya palaging naging mabuting tao noon. “Hindi talaga ako maayos noon,” sabi niya. Ngunit nang masaksihan niya ang kawalan ng serbisyo at malasakit sa kanyang paligid, naisip niya, kung may isang paraan para makagawa ng tama, bakit hindi niya subukan? Ang simpleng Facebook forum na ito ang nagbukas sa kanya ng pagkakataong maglingkod at magbago. Sa paglipas ng mga taon, naging aktibong Kristiyano si Dong. Ang kanyang pananampalataya ngayon ay nagpapalakas sa kanyang dedikasyon; hindi lang siya nagtatag ng forum, ginagamit niya ito bilang plataporma ng kabutihan at malasakit sa kapwa San Pableño.
Malaki ang naging papel ng SPPF bilang isang support and assistance network. Mula sa seryosong kwento ng mga nawala at muling natagpuan na bata o matatanda, hanggang sa mga post ng “nakalimutang wallet sa tricycle o jeep” o “nawawala ang aso ko, missing po ang cat ko. May mga kwento ng pamilya na nag‑reunite, pet owners na muling nakasama ang kanilang alaga, may mga driver na nagsauli ng nawawalang wallet, may nag‑refer ng murang karpintero, at may tumulong sa mga nasiraan sa kalye. May mga nagalit, may matapang na napalaban ng away at meron ding mga nagkausap at nagkaintindihan. Nagkaroon ng sense of community, hindi lang para sa sarili, kundi para sa lahat.
Lumampas na sa pagiging rant page ang SPPF. Para sa marami, ito ang unang lugar na naiisip nilang puntahan kapag may problema, lalo na kung maliit, personal, at walang ibang mapagsusumbungan. Sa gitna ng modernong problema ng urbanisasyon, trapiko, basura, at kahirapan, naging salamin ang SPPF ng tunay na boses ng masa. Ang tanong ngayon ay kung hanggang kailan magpapatuloy ang responsibilidad ng ordinaryong tao at ang matapang na boses ng masa? Sana, hindi lang sa oras ng krisis. Sana ay maging bahagi ng buhay ang magsalita, makinig, at tumulong. “Sana kapag may narinig tayong dumadaing o nangangailangan, sana ay lagi tayong handang tumulong sa loob man o labas ng SPPF,” ayon kay Follo.
Para sa maraming San Pableño, salamat, SPPF. Sana ay magpatuloy at higit pang lumakas ang tinig. Nawa ay maging gabay at inspirasyon ito sa komunidad, at patuloy na magsilbing tulay para sa malasakit at pagtutulungan sa mahabang panahon. At para kay Dong Fullo, napatunayan niya na ang pagbabago at kabutihan ay posible, at ang simpleng pagkilos at dedikasyon ay kayang magdala ng positibong epekto sa buhay ng marami.
Sa kanyang sariling salita, Dong Fullo ay nagpadala rin ng mensahe sa lahat ng miyembro: “Sa mga kasama ko noong unang mga taon ng SPPF, taos‑puso ang aking pasasalamat. Hindi ko mararating ang ganitong tagumpay kung wala kayo sa simula, sa pagtulong at sa pagtitiwala na magtatag tayo ng isang plataporma para sa ating komunidad. Idinadalangin ko na patuloy na maging tulong ang SPPF sa lahat, at nawa’y matutunan nating lahat na maging maingat, mapagmalasakit, at responsive sa pangangailangan at karapatan ng bawat isa, kahit wala na ang SPPF. Ang mahalaga ay tuloy‑tuloy ang malasakit at pagkakaisa sa ating komunidad, sa maliit man o malaking paraan.”
CoHosts Bong Torres at Nikko Silvestre, kasama si Dong Fullo ng San Pablo Public Forum, sa masayang patimpalak sa pagkanta na inorganisa ng SPPF at ginanap sa SM. Sinaksihan ng mga retired teachers ng San Pablo City ang singing contest na inorganisa ng San Pablo Public Forum sa SM. Nag-enjoy sila sa talento at sigla ng mga kalahok habang nagbabalik-tanaw sa kanilang sariling karera sa pagtuturo.Kasama sina City Councilors John Adajat at Barbie Diaz at ang mga SPPF moderators na sina Hyacinth Bibe at Brian Salamat sa makulay na patimpalak sa pagkanta na inorganisa ng San Pablo Public Forum sa SM kasabay ng ika-pitong taong anibersaryo ng SPPF.
TOKYO — A powerful magnitude 7.5 earthquake struck off northern Japan late Monday, injuring at least 23 people and generating a small tsunami along the Pacific coast, authorities said. Officials warned of possible aftershocks and a slightly heightened risk of a larger quake in the coming days.
The earthquake hit at around 11:15 p.m. in the Pacific Ocean, about 80 kilometers off the coast of Aomori, the northernmost prefecture of Japan’s main Honshu island. Government agencies continued assessing damage from the quake and the resulting tsunami late into the night.
In Hachinohe, convenience store owner Nobuo Yamada told public broadcaster NHK that the shaking was the strongest he had ever felt. He said power lines in his area remained intact.
The Japan Meteorological Agency reported tsunami waves of up to 70 centimeters in Kuji port in Iwate prefecture. Coastal communities in the region experienced waves reaching up to 50 centimeters. The agency initially issued alerts for possible surges of up to 3 meters, which were later downgraded to an advisory.
The Fire and Disaster Management Agency said 23 people were injured, including one seriously. Many were struck by falling objects. NHK reported that several guests at a Hachinohe hotel were hurt, while a man in Tohoku suffered minor injuries when his car fell into a hole.
Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara urged residents in coastal areas to move to higher ground or stay in evacuation centers until advisories were lifted. Around 800 homes lost electricity, and Shinkansen bullet trains, along with several local lines, were temporarily suspended.
Nuclear facilities in the region conducted safety checks. The Nuclear Regulation Authority said about 450 liters of water spilled from a spent fuel cooling area at the Rokkasho fuel reprocessing plant in Aomori but added that levels remained within normal range and posed no safety concern.
Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi said about 480 residents sought shelter at Hachinohe Air Base, and 18 defense helicopters were deployed to survey damage. NHK reported that around 200 passengers were stranded overnight at New Chitose Airport in Hokkaido.
The meteorological agency cautioned that aftershocks could occur in the coming days. It noted a slight increase in the risk of a magnitude 8-level earthquake and tsunami along Japan’s northeastern coast, from Chiba to Hokkaido. Residents in 182 municipalities were urged to review their emergency plans.
Hachinohe high school vice principal Satoshi Kato told NHK that he rushed to the school after the quake struck because it was designated as an evacuation center. On the way, he saw traffic jams and accidents as people fled.
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said the government had set up an emergency task force to assess the situation. She urged residents to stay alert, monitor official updates, and be ready to evacuate at the first sign of shaking.
The quake struck north of the area devastated by the 2011 magnitude 9.0 earthquake and tsunami that killed nearly 20,000 people and caused the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster. Satoshi Harada of the meteorological agency said residents should remain prepared in case a similar disaster occurs again.
Tsunami advisories for northern Japan’s Pacific coast were lifted at 6:20 a.m. Tuesday, according to NHK.
The U.S. Geological Survey reported a separate magnitude 5.1 quake early Tuesday, located about 122 kilometers south of Honcho at a depth of 35 kilometers. Further details were not immediately available.
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