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Israel seals off Rafah, vows to ‘vigorously expand’ military operations across Gaza

Venus L Peñaflor
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Israel seals off Rafah, vows to ‘vigorously expand’ military operations across Gaza

TEL AVIV, Israel. Israel announced on Saturday that it has completed a new security corridor severing Rafah from the rest of Gaza, effectively isolating the southern city as the military prepares to expand its operations “vigorously” across the coastal enclave. The move comes amid growing pressure on Palestinian civilians who are being forced into increasingly smaller areas for shelter.

“Activity will expand rapidly to additional locations throughout most of Gaza and you will have to evacuate the fighting zones,” Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said in a statement, without specifying safe destinations for Palestinian civilians. He added that the only way to end the conflict was for Palestinians to “remove Hamas and release the remaining hostages,” stating:

“This is the only way to stop the war.”

The new corridor, named Morag after a former Israeli settlement between Rafah and Khan Younis, follows the Israeli military’s sweeping evacuation orders in Rafah last week. The Rafah municipality condemned the move as a “flagrant breach of international legitimacy.”

Israel has made clear its intent to seize significant portions of Gaza to pressure Hamas into releasing the remaining 59 hostages, of whom 24 are believed to be alive. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government has also enforced a monthlong blockade on fuel, food, and humanitarian aid — a tactic rights groups have denounced as a war crime due to the worsening shortages faced by the roughly 2 million Palestinians in Gaza.

The Israeli government claims that sufficient supplies entered Gaza during a previous two-month ceasefire that was broken last month — an assertion strongly disputed by aid organizations.

Netanyahu described the Morag corridor as “a second Philadelphi corridor,” referencing Israel’s military control of Gaza’s southern border with Egypt since May 2024. Combined with the Netzarim corridor — which separates Gaza’s northern third from the rest of the territory — and an expanded buffer zone, Israel now controls more than 50% of Gaza.

Katz also said Palestinians who wish to “voluntarily” relocate to other countries could do so under a proposal backed by former U.S. President Donald Trump. The plan has been widely condemned by Palestinians and human rights organizations, which say it amounts to “ethnic cleansing.”

Palestinians have rejected the relocation proposal, insisting on their right to remain in their homeland. Human Rights Watch warned the plan involves “the forcible relocation of the civilian population of an ethnic group from a geographic area.”

As Israel’s campaign intensifies, Palestinians have been crammed into overcrowded tent camps or forced to live in the rubble of homes destroyed by previous strikes — many of them displaced multiple times following successive evacuation orders since the October 7, 2023 Hamas-led attack that killed approximately 1,200 people in Israel.

On Saturday, Israel ordered evacuations in areas east of Khan Younis, citing rocket fire from militants. Military spokesperson Avichay Adraee confirmed attacks had been launched from these zones. Later that evening, evacuation notices were issued for parts of Nuseirat in central Gaza after Israel reported intercepting a projectile from the area.

The militant group Hamas has warned that ongoing bombardments endanger the hostages. On Saturday, the family of Edan Alexander, the last known American hostage in Gaza, released a statement following the appearance of a new video showing him under duress:

“When you sit down to mark Passover, remember that this is not a holiday of freedom as long as Edan and the other 58 hostages are not home.”

Meanwhile, supporters and hostage families held another rally in Tel Aviv, calling for a deal to bring all hostages home.

According to Gaza’s Health Ministry, at least 21 people were killed in the last 24 hours in Israeli strikes. The ministry reports that over 50,000 Palestinians, mostly women and children, have died in the war — though it does not differentiate between civilians and combatants.

Israel, for its part, claims to have killed approximately 20,000 militants throughout the war but has not publicly provided evidence to support the figure.

As fighting escalates and humanitarian conditions worsen, international observers warn that the situation in Gaza is approaching a new level of crisis with no clear resolution in sight.

Iran and U.S. envoys launch direct nuclear talks after years of silence

EDGARDO HERNAL
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Iran and U.S. envoys launch direct nuclear talks after years of silence

MUSCAT, Oman. In a significant diplomatic breakthrough, Iran and the United States held their first direct conversation in years on Saturday, launching a new round of negotiations over Tehran’s accelerating nuclear program. The talks, held in the outskirts of Muscat, Oman, mark the first official engagement between the two nations since President Donald Trump returned to the White House.

Iranian state television confirmed that U.S. Mideast envoy Steve Witkoff and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi “briefly spoke” face-to-face. This rare and symbolic exchange hasn’t occurred since the Obama administration. The encounter, described by both sides as “constructive,” suggests a cautious optimism surrounding the highly sensitive issue of Iran’s nuclear ambitions.

In a statement issued Saturday afternoon, the White House said the discussions were “very positive and constructive,” but acknowledged the complexity of the issues at hand:

“Special Envoy Witkoff’s direct communication today was a step forward in achieving a mutually beneficial outcome.”

According to both American and Iranian officials, the next round of talks is scheduled for Saturday, April 19.

The talks began at around 3:30 p.m. local time and lasted just over two hours. They concluded by 5:50 p.m., with the U.S. convoy seen returning to central Muscat and later disappearing into traffic near the U.S. Embassy.

The stakes are especially high. President Trump has openly threatened military action should Iran fail to comply with nuclear limitations. On the other side, Iranian officials have warned they might pursue nuclear weapons, given their current stockpile of enriched uranium — some of it nearing weapons-grade levels.

In a social media post during the meeting, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei confirmed that the “indirect talks” had commenced. Iranian state television later aired a summary of the event, with Araghchi stating:

“Neither we nor the other side are interested in fruitless negotiations — so-called ‘talks for the sake of talks,’ wasting time, or drawn-out, exhausting negotiations. Both sides, including the Americans, have said that their goal is also to reach an agreement in the shortest possible time. However, that will certainly not be an easy task.”

While Araghchi characterized the exchange as “a brief initial conversation, greetings and polite exchanges,” the fact that the two sides met in person at all was considered a win for Washington. Trump and Witkoff had both emphasized the importance of “direct” dialogue.

Speaking before his trip, Witkoff told The Wall Street Journal:

“I think our position begins with dismantlement of your program. That is our position today. That doesn’t mean, by the way, that at the margin we’re not going to find other ways to find compromise between the two countries.”

He further added:

“Where our red line will be, there can’t be weaponization of your nuclear capability.”

The meeting was facilitated by Omani Foreign Minister Badr al-Busaidi, who played the role of shuttle diplomat between the two delegations. Al-Busaidi later posted on X (formerly Twitter):

“I would like to thank my two colleagues for this engagement, which took place in a friendly atmosphere conducive to bridging viewpoints and ultimately achieving regional and global peace, security and stability. We will continue to work together and put further efforts to assist in arriving at this goal.”

A key sticking point remains the level of uranium enrichment that Iran is allowed to maintain. Under the now defunct 2015 nuclear deal, Iran was limited to enriching uranium to 3.67% — far from weapons-grade. Today, Iran holds uranium enriched up to 60%, and its stockpile could theoretically yield multiple nuclear weapons.

Iran is expected to demand the right to continue enriching uranium to at least 20%, while the U.S. may offer sanctions relief in return for meaningful constraints. However, Tehran is unlikely to give up its program entirely, a fact that makes proposals such as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s “Libyan model” suggestion unviable.

Netanyahu had previously floated the idea of a total dismantling of Iran’s nuclear facilities under U.S. military oversight:

“You go in, blow up the facilities, dismantle all the equipment, under American supervision, American execution.”

But this scenario is a red line for Iran. Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and other Iranian officials have cited the fate of Libyan dictator Moammar Gadhafi, who disarmed and was later killed in the 2011 uprising, as a cautionary tale about trusting the United States.

As the world watches these developments closely, next week’s scheduled talks may determine whether decades of enmity can finally yield a durable agreement or if the nuclear standoff will escalate further.

Dagdag-singil sa kuryente ng Meralco, ipatutupad ngayong Abril 2025

Carlo Juancho Funtanilla
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Dagdag-singil sa kuryente ng Meralco, ipatutupad ngayong Abril 2025

MAYNILA. May bagong dagok sa bulsa ng mga konsumer ngayong Abril matapos ianunsyo ng Manila Electric Company (Meralco) ang panibagong pagtaas sa kanilang singil sa kuryente.

Ayon sa abiso ng Meralco, itataas ng kumpanya ang power rate ng P0.7226 kada kilowatt-hour (kWh), dahilan upang umakyat ang household rate sa P13.0127/kWh mula sa dating P12.2901/kWh noong Marso.

Paliwanag ng Meralco, pangunahing dahilan ng taas-singil ay ang pagtaas ng generation charge o ang bayad para sa kuryenteng binibili mula sa mga power plant.

Dahil dito, ang isang karaniwang konsumer na kumokonsumo ng 200 kWh kada buwan ay kailangang magbayad ng karagdagang P144.52 sa kanilang electric bill ngayong buwan.

“As a result of higher generation charges, the overall electricity rate for a typical household will go up by P0.7226 per kWh this April,” pahayag ng Meralco.

Ipinayo rin ng kumpanya sa mga kustomer na ugaliing magtipid sa paggamit ng kuryente, lalo na at papalapit na ang mas mainit na panahon kung kailan karaniwang tumataas ang konsumo ng bawat kabahayan.

Patuloy namang umaapela ang mga konsumer sa pamahalaan at mga kinauukulang ahensya na tutukan ang sunod-sunod na taas-singil upang hindi na lalo pang mabigatan ang taumbayan.

Movie review: Tension rings loud in ‘Drop’: A high-rise thriller with a killer text thread

Paraluman P. Funtanilla
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Movie review: Tension rings loud in ‘Drop’: A high-rise thriller with a killer text thread

In a digital age where horror filmmakers often struggle to incorporate smartphones without breaking the suspense, Drop finds a clever workaround: turn the phone itself into the source of terror. Directed by Christopher Landon (Happy Death Day), this taut 95-minute thriller revitalizes the “killer on the line” trope with a modern, chilling twist — and proves that the phone still holds power to scare, even in 2025.

Set almost entirely in a sleek Chicago high-rise restaurant, Drop stars Meghann Fahy (The White Lotus) as Violet, a widow and single mother cautiously stepping into the dating world after years of trauma. She’s meeting Henry (Brandon Sklenar of 1923) after months of texting. At first, everything seems promising. He’s relaxed, charming, and the restaurant is picture-perfect.

But the night quickly spirals into a nightmare.

Shortly after they sit down, Violet receives a threatening message from an anonymous sender on an app called DigiDrop. The messages demand obedience — or her young son, left at home with Violet’s sister (played by Violett Beane), will be harmed. Through her security camera feed, she sees a masked man with a gun hovering near her home. The most terrifying twist? The messages can only be sent from within 50 feet — meaning the perpetrator is inside the restaurant. As Violet scans the room, everyone becomes a suspect: the clumsy bro who bumped into her, the slick waiter, the sympathetic bartender.

Trapped at her table and forbidden from alerting anyone, Violet becomes paralyzed with fear, even as her instincts scream at her to run home. It’s a chilling update of the classic line: “The call is coming from inside the house.”

Though Drop fits squarely into the genre of high-concept, low-budget thrillers, it delivers its suspense with enough polish to keep audiences gripped. It’s knowingly ridiculous at times — especially when Violet, with a gunman outside her toddler’s door, tries to act interested in duck salad — but the film doesn’t overstay its welcome. At just an hour and 35 minutes, it knows when to hang up.

The story also has subtle emotional layers. Violet’s reluctant return to dating is shadowed by memories of spousal abuse, and the film can be read as a metaphor for the dangers of vulnerability in the digital age. Is this just another bad date, or something much worse?

Fahy and Sklenar give grounded, compelling performances that elevate the film beyond its pulpy premise. And while some may scoff at the elaborate criminal plan or wish for more realism, Drop stays effective by tapping into a universal fear — the helplessness of being watched, manipulated, and controlled through the very device we keep closest to us.

At its core, Drop is a parable of phone addiction with a horror twist. Violet could be anyone — a mother, a workaholic, a teen, even a sports fan — all held hostage by the glowing screen in their hands.

As one critic quipped, maybe it’s time someone made a phone-themed thriller called Butt Dial.

“Drop,” a Universal Pictures release, is rated PG-13 by the Motion Picture Association for strong violent content, suicide, some strong language, and sexual references. Running time: 95 minutes. Rated: ★★½ out of 4.

Trapped worker rescued after 13 hours in South Korea subway site collapse

EDGARDO HERNAL
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Trapped worker rescued after 13 hours in South Korea subway site collapse

SEOUL, South Korea. A worker was successfully rescued on Saturday after being trapped for roughly 13 hours in a collapsed subway construction site in Gwangmyeong, near the capital city of Seoul. Rescue operations remain ongoing as authorities search for another individual who is still missing.

According to Im Gwang-sik, an official from the Gwangmyeong City Fire Department, the man was found approximately 30 meters (98 feet) underground, conscious and responsive beneath the rubble. He was immediately transported to a nearby hospital for medical treatment.

The incident prompted city officials to suspend construction activities and close nearby roads after reports surfaced that a ventilation shaft at the site was in danger of collapsing.

Emergency teams, including dozens of rescue workers, were quickly deployed to the area. Authorities are using heavy equipment, including three cranes, to aid in the search for the second worker, who has yet to be located.

As of reporting time, officials have not released the identities of the workers involved. The cause of the collapse remains under investigation.

Gwangmyeong city officials continue to monitor the stability of the site to ensure the safety of both rescuers and the surrounding area.

China responds to the U.S. by increasing tariffs on American goods from 84% to 125%

Venus L Peñaflor
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China responds to the U.S. by increasing tariffs on American goods from 84% to 125%

BEIJING. China has raised tariffs on U.S. goods to 125%, retaliating against President Donald Trump’s decision to hike duties on Chinese imports. The move further escalates a trade war that analysts warn could cripple global supply chains and rattle already fragile markets.

The latest round of tariff hikes intensified economic uncertainty around the world. Despite a volatile week, U.S. stocks closed higher, but investors rushed to traditional safe havens. Gold prices soared to an all-time high, and benchmark U.S. 10-year Treasury yields posted their sharpest weekly increase since 2001. Meanwhile, the U.S. dollar weakened, reflecting shaken confidence in the American economy.

A recent U.S. consumer survey revealed that inflation fears have surged to their highest levels since 1981, raising further concerns about a possible recession. “Tarifflation will be much more important for the outlook than backward-looking data,” said Bill Adams, chief economist at Comerica Bank. “If tariffs stay in place, they will push inflation considerably higher in coming months.”

President Trump downplayed the economic fallout despite the turmoil, assuring the press that the U.S. dollar would rebound and predicting that trade negotiations with over 75 countries would soon stabilize the markets.

“When people understand what we’re doing, I think the dollar will go way up,” Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One on Friday. “The bond market’s going good. It had a little moment but I solved that problem very quickly.”

The White House emphasized that the president’s strategy is working, with several countries — including India and Japan — entering talks. Still, global leaders remain uncertain about how to navigate what has become the most significant disruption to international trade in decades.

In response to the latest U.S. tariffs, China’s Ministry of Finance condemned Trump’s approach as “completely unilateral bullying and coercion.” While Beijing suggested this would be the final tit-for-tat tariff increase, it left open the possibility of other forms of retaliation.

“If the U.S. truly wants to have talks, it should stop its capricious and destructive behavior,” said Liu Pengyu, spokesperson for the Chinese embassy in Washington, via social media. “China will never bow to maximum pressure of the U.S.”

The total value of trade between the U.S. and China was over $650 billion in 2024, but analysts now believe that volume could shrink dramatically. In a research note, UBS analysts described China’s statement as “an acknowledgement that trade between the two countries has essentially been completely severed.”

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt echoed the administration’s firm stance, stating:

“The president made it very clear: When the United States is punched, he will punch back harder.”

When asked if China’s retaliation would provoke further responses from Washington, Leavitt warned:

“If China continues to retaliate, it’s not good for China.”

Meanwhile, U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent is reportedly monitoring the bond market closely. The yield on the 10-year Treasury note — which influences mortgage and other loan rates — rose nearly half a percentage point over the week.

Adding to these concerns, the University of Michigan’s Consumer Sentiment Index dropped to 50.8 in April from 57.0 in March, falling below economist expectations. Inflation expectations jumped to 6.7%, the highest since 1981, up from 5.0% in March — with confidence among Republican consumers also showing a decline for the first time in recent surveys.

In a rare comment, Chinese President Xi Jinping responded to the tariffs on Friday during a meeting with Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez in Beijing, stating that China and the European Union should “jointly oppose unilateral acts of bullying.”

While Trump has signaled optimism over the potential for a trade deal with China, both sides appear entrenched for now, with global markets caught in the crossfire of an escalating economic battle.

Agri-Puhunan at Pantawid Program, inilunsad ng DA

Carlo Juancho Funtanilla
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Agri-Puhunan at Pantawid Program, inilunsad ng DA

MAYNILA. Pormal nang inilunsad ng Department of Agriculture (DA) ang Agri-Puhunan at Pantawid Program (APP) nitong Biyernes, isang programa ng pamahalaan na naglalayong tugunan ang mga suliraning pinansyal ng mga magsasaka sa pamamagitan ng mababang interes sa pautang at buwanang subsidiya.

Pinangunahan mismo ni Pangulong Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. ang seremonya ng paglulunsad sa Alabel, Sarangani, kung saan ipinunto niya ang layunin ng programa na magbigay-ginhawa sa mga pangunahing tagapagtaguyod ng agrikultura sa bansa.

Sa ilalim ng APP, maaaring umutang ang mga kwalipikadong magsasaka ng hanggang ₱60,000 kada cropping season na may 2% annual interest rate lamang.

“Simula ngayon, hindi niyo na po kailangan alalahanin ang mataas na tubo na kaakibat ng inyong hinihiram,” ani Pangulong Marcos sa kanyang talumpati.

Bilang dagdag na tulong, ipatutupad din ang ₱8,000 monthly subsistence allowance sa loob ng apat na buwan — mula sa yugto ng pagtatanim hanggang sa pag-aani.

“Sa panahon naman ng pagtanim hanggang sa pagaani, makakatanggap din kayo ng tulong pantawid na nagkakahalaga ng ₱8,000 tuwing unang linggo sa loob ng apat na buwan,” dagdag pa ng Pangulo.

Maaaring magbayad ng utang ang mga benepisyaryo sa pamamagitan ng pagbebenta ng kanilang ani sa National Food Authority (NFA) o sa pamamagitan ng DA-accredited cooperatives. Bukod dito, makatatanggap din sila ng Intervention Monitoring Cards na maaaring gamitin para makabili ng farming inputs at kagamitan mula sa mga accredited suppliers.

Bilang bahagi ng suporta sa makinarya at teknolohiya, inanunsyo rin ni Marcos ang pamamahagi ng agricultural machinery tulad ng mobile disinfection truck at forage chopper na makatutulong upang mapaunlad ang produksyon at kita ng mga magsasaka.

Ang paglulunsad ng APP ay isa lamang sa mga hakbang ng kasalukuyang administrasyon upang patuloy na paigtingin ang suporta sa sektor ng agrikultura at tiyaking hindi naiiwan ang mga magsasaka sa pag-unlad ng bansa.

Pondering unionism at UST and Lyceum; what’s next, who’s next

DC Alviar
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Pondering unionism at UST and Lyceum; what’s next, who’s next

A strike usually occurs at crucial stages of a labor-employer interaction or lack thereof. Because of that, it is important to have a prior notice of 30 or 15 days, depending on the gravity of the reason for the strike. Now that faculty members of two (or three) private universities in Manila have successively filed notices of strike to defend increases in salaries and benefits, this question arises: Do they have a constitutional basis to do that?

Yes, under Article XIII, Section 3 of the 1987 Constitution, part of which provides: “It shall guarantee the rights of all workers to self-organization, collective bargaining and negotiations, and peaceful concerted activities, including the right to strike in accordance with law. They shall be entitled to security of tenure, humane conditions of work, and a living wage. They shall also participate in policy and decision-making processes affecting their rights and benefits as may be provided by law.”

Teachers at the Lyceum of the Philippines University (LPU) Manila formally filed a strike plan on March 26 because their seven-month negotiations regarding the collective bargaining agreement (CBA) failed to reach an agreement. This was done in protest of the forced retirement policy, which Lyceum has been implementing since 1978, requiring faculty and staff to retire after 20 years of service to the university. This is further compounded by the 30–35% tax deducted from take-home pay if LPU employees retire before they turn 50. Its union president said that apart from teaching, they also do community extension services and research for them to get awards. But the admin deems them as disposable, according to the association leader, who added that the policy would force five employees to retire this year.

Teachers also battle for a fair salary increase based on the tuition fee increase. Working for 15 years at Lyceum, union president Jovy Cuadra has not received a salary increase from the tuition fee increase. He said that it is only given when a new CBA is formed, just like in 2021, where the faculty won a P100 per hour salary increase.

According to Republic Act (RA) No. 6728, otherwise known as the Government Assistance to Students and Teachers in Private Education Act, private universities can only increase tuition fees if 70% of it goes to teachers and staff.

Due to Lyceum’s refusal to meet the teachers’ demands, 60% of the faculty association had to borrow money just to cover their daily expenses.

The union leader and the rest of the employees said that they almost always express their love to LPU; it’s just that there are times that they need to speak out. Since they are not asking too much, Cuadra said the admin needs to listen to them.

Like the Lyceum faculty, the University of Santo Tomas (UST) Faculty Union also filed a notice of strike on March 25, after reaching a deadlock in their CBA negotiations. Despite the annual tuition increase, no salary increase has been implemented for most teachers since 2021, according to Emerito Gonzales, the union president.

The distribution of more than P220 million in tuition hike shares for teachers and staff from 2020 to 2023 has been delayed. According to UST, it will only be distributed once the CBA is signed. Gonzales thought it is like dangling a carrot in front of the rabbit, which can be likened to a new bargaining chip. The admin recently promised to increase some benefits for teachers, such as a P2,000 increase in the allowance of NSTP facilitators and a decrease in emergency loan interest from 6% to 4%.

But no agreement has been reached on the other seven provisions of the CBA. The union primarily fights is for 100% hospitalization coverage at UST Hospital as provided to its employees. Since 1998, the coverage has remained at P100,000 per year.

Currently, the dialogue involving Lyceum and UST teachers and their respective admins continues with the National Conciliation and Mediation Board, the office of the Department of Labor and Employment that mediates labor disputes such as CBA disagreements.

Although the unions hope their grievances will be heard, they may call off their strikes in May if no agreement is reached. And Gonzalez said that that they are not greedy, not asking the moon.

The teachers in two (or three) universities have been prepared to go on strike over alleged unfair labor practices (ULPs).

It is a tragedy when the admin and employees do not get along. But it would be an even bigger tragedy if the teachers do not get along either. Fortunately, the two universities have their faculty unions.

Fortifying unionism, advocating constant improvements

Industrial relations encourage unionism. A union is a legitimate force catering to workers. It provides a collective voice for them to negotiate with management and advocate for humane working conditions.

More importantly, the union (or unions with their federation) advocates constant improvements in employment terms and conditions. In an academic setting, an impartial and democratic workplace is the union’s burning desire. Recall that all educational institutions shall, upon teaching constitution, “inculcate patriotism and nationalism, foster love of humanity, respect for human rights, appreciation of the role of national heroes in the historical development of the country, teach the rights and duties of citizenship, strengthen ethical and spiritual values, develop moral character and personal discipline, encourage critical and creative thinking, broaden scientific and technological knowledge, and promote vocational efficiency.”

That constitutional provision gives us the idea that unionism, with all the approaches in pluralistic industrial relations, has to be supported by faculty members first and, immediately thereafter, by the non-union member administrators.

Big-time fuel price rollback expected during Holy Week, says DOE

Carlo Juancho Funtanilla
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Big-time fuel price rollback expected during Holy Week, says DOE

Motorists can look forward to a significant drop in fuel prices this Holy Week, based on projections released Friday by the Department of Energy (DOE).

According to DOE-Oil Industry Management Bureau (OIMB) Assistant Director Rodela Romero, the estimated price reductions based on the four-day trading average from the Mean of Platts Singapore (MOPS) are as follows:

  • Gasoline: rollback of ₱3.30 to ₱3.75 per liter
  • Diesel: rollback of ₱2.90 to ₱3.40 per liter
  • Kerosene: rollback of ₱3.40 to ₱3.50 per liter

Romero explained that several international developments are contributing to the expected fuel price drop:

  1. Escalating U.S.-China trade tensions, which have raised concerns of a global economic slowdown, resulting in decreased demand for crude oil;
  2. Saudi Arabia’s plan to cut its Official Selling Price (OSP) for Asia-bound crude starting May;
  3. OPEC’s decision to boost oil production, increasing its output commitment from 135,000 barrels per day to 441,000 barrels per day beginning in May.

Fuel companies are expected to announce official per-liter price adjustments on Monday, which will then be implemented on Tuesday.

Earlier this week, oil firms implemented a minor rollback in fuel prices, continuing a trend that could offer some relief to Filipino consumers during the busy Holy Week travel period.

Grief and questions remain as burials begin for 221 victims of Dominican nightclub collapse

EDGARDO HERNAL
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Grief and questions remain as burials begin for 221 victims of Dominican nightclub collapse

SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic. Grieving families and an entire nation mourned Thursday as burials began for the victims of the tragic nightclub collapse in the Dominican Republic that claimed 221 lives, including a merengue legend, a former MLB star, and prominent members of Dominican society.

Authorities officially ended search and rescue operations at the site of the Jet Set club in Santo Domingo, where the cement roof collapsed early Tuesday during a live performance by 69-year-old merengue icon Rubby Pérez.

Mourners, many dressed in black and white, gathered at the National Theater where Pérez’s closed coffin lay in state. Among those paying tribute were President Luis Abinader and First Lady Raquel Arbaje, who stood solemnly beside the casket. A recording of Pérez singing the national anthem played, bringing many to tears.

After a five-hour memorial, the crowd released white balloons outside the theater and joined in an emotional rendition of “Volveré,” one of Pérez’s signature songs. “I knew he was loved but I never imagined this,” said his daughter Zulinka Pérez, overwhelmed by the outpouring of grief.

Pérez had turned to music after a car accident ended his dreams of becoming a professional baseball player. He rose to fame with hits like “Volveré” with the Wilfrido Vargas orchestra and “Buscando tus besos” as a solo artist.

Just blocks from the theater, rescue crews began packing up, and heavy machinery was withdrawn from the disaster site. Juan Manuel Méndez, director of the Center of Emergency Operations, broke down in tears while speaking to reporters:

“Thank you, God, because today we accomplished the most difficult task I’ve had in 20 years,” he said. “Please forgive me,” he added emotionally, handing over the microphone.

Rising Toll and Lingering Questions

Officials confirmed 189 people were rescued alive, while more than 200 were injured, 23 of whom remain hospitalized — eight in critical condition. Health Minister Víctor Atallah warned, “If the trauma is too great, there’s not a lot of time” to save the most seriously wounded. Victims suffered fractures to the skull, femur, and pelvis.

Authorities have identified at least 146 bodies. Families, desperate for news, criticized the lack of clear information from hospitals and the forensic institute.
“We have gone everywhere they have told us,” said María Luisa Taveras, searching for her sister.
“The odor is unbearable,” added Wendy Sosa, waiting for her cousin’s body outside the National Institute of Forensic Pathology, where refrigerated containers were brought in to hold the influx of victims.

Stars, Officials Among the Dead

Among the deceased were former MLB players Octavio Dotel and Tony Enrique Blanco Cabrera; Nelsy Cruz, the sister of MLB All-Star Nelson Cruz and governor of Montecristi; Luis Solís, a saxophonist playing onstage during the collapse; and Martín Polanco, a New York-based fashion designer.

Also killed were the son and daughter-in-law of the Minister of Public Works, the brother of the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Youth, and three employees of Grupo Popular, including the president of AFP Popular Bank and his wife.

More than 20 victims were from Haina, Pérez’s hometown. A mass wake was held, with ten coffins lined beneath a banner: “Haina bids farewell to her beloved children with immense sorrow.”

Juancho Guillén, who lost his brother, sister, and brother-in-law in the tragedy — just months after losing his wife — summed up the grief of many:

“This family is in shock, is devastated. We’re practically dead too,” he said.

Investigations Underway

The cause of the collapse remains under investigation. Authorities have not yet confirmed when the building was last inspected. The government has vowed a full probe, and club owners said they are cooperating.

As the Dominican Republic buries its dead, it also faces a long road ahead — seeking answers, justice, and healing in the wake of one of its deadliest modern tragedies.

Grieving families and a nation mourned Thursday as burials began for the 221 victims of the Dominican nightclub collapse, including a merengue legend, a former MLB star, and other notable figures.
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