National

Military verifying reports Abu Sayyaf’s Hapilon no longer in Marawi

The military on Saturday said it was verifying reports Isnilon Hapilon has escaped Marawi. Hapilon, a veteran Filipino militant who claims to be the leader of the Islamic State (IS) group in Southeast Asia, has not been seen in the battle zone, said Lieutenant General Carlito Galvez, head of the military’s Western Mindanao Command. An attempt by government troops to arrest Hapilon in Marawi on May 23 triggered a rampage by Islamist militants flying black […]

Exclusive: Russia fully supports PHL government’s fight vs terrorism in Marawi, says ambassador

Stresses importance of united front to fight int’l terrorism based on Russia’s experience     QUEZON CITY, Philippines (Eagle News) — Russian ambassador to the Philippines H. E. Igor Khovaev said Russia “fully supports” the Philippine government’s fight against terrorism in Mindanao, saying the terrorist attack in Marawi City was “an attack on all of us.” “I would like first to emphasize that we fully support a fair, legitimate struggle for the Philippine nation against […]

Philippine gov’t verifying reports that Malaysian financier and Maute brother killed in Marawi fighting

  A Malaysian militant and former university professor who allegedly funded the Islamist militants in Marawi City was among those killed by government forces in the besieged city, according to intelligence information received by the government forces as fighting entered its second month. Wire reports from the Associated Press quoted Armed Forces of the Philippines chief Gen. Eduardo Ano as saying that Malaysian Mahmud bin Ahmad, who reportedly channeled more than $600,000 or P30 million […]

The Mautes of the Philippines: from monied family to Islamic State-linked group

  MANILA/MARAWI CITY, Philippines (Reuters) — Before they formed one of the most dreaded militant groups in the Philippines and pledged loyalty to Islamic State, the Mautes were a wealthy, political family in the southern region of Mindanao, largely influenced by the matriarch, Farhana. Soft-spoken and reserved, 60-year-old Farhana Maute owns property in Mindanao and in Manila, and runs a construction business, say people who know the family and security analysts who have scrutinized its […]

100 years of Panama’s Ship Registry: Maritime Affairs minister of Panama highlights Filipino seafarers’ role in shipping industry

Panama’s Minister of Maritime Affairs Jorge Barakat and Panamanian ambassador to the Philippines Rolando Guevarra visit Eagle Broadcasting Corporation   QUEZON CITY, Philippines (Eagle News) — The Minister for Maritime Affairs of Panama recently visited Eagle Broadcasting Corporation’s main office in Quezon City to promote the 100th year anniversary of the Panama Ship registry this year, highlighting the commitment to safety of human life at sea, protection of the marine environment, and navigation of the […]

DOLE: 60,000 employees now on regular status

QUEZON City, Philippines (Eagle News) — The Department of Labor and Employment said that there were now 60,000 new regular employees, after the announced prohibition of the implementation of the “end-of-contract” or “endo” last March 2017. Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III said that the rise in number of regular employees was due to the department’s strict implementation of the prohibition of illegal contractualization. https://youtu.be/HBs6MRPNb8U

Six CA justices, law school associate dean, in short list for SC vacancy

QUEZON City, Philippines (Eagle News) — Six justices of the Court of Appeals and a law school associate dean were included in the short list as possible replacements for Supreme Court Associate Justice Bienvenido L. Reyes, who will retire on July 6. The short list was released by the Judicial and Bar Council. Those in the shortlist are the following: 1.CA Presiding Justice Andres Reyes Jr. 2.CA Associate Justice Rosemari D. Carandang 3.CA Associate Justice […]

PNP Chief orders tighter security in police stations after rebel attacks

QUEZON City, Philippines (Eagle News) — Philippine National Police Director General Ronald Dela Rosa ordered police regional directors to re-examine their camp defense plan after the successive attacks made on police stations. PNP spokesman Chief Supt. Dionardo Carlos said the police should heighten their security especially in their respective stations. The New People’s Army (NPA) on Sunday morning, June 18, attacked a police station in Maasin town in Iloilo. https://youtu.be/kLLxVJb2mh0

Gabriela presses lifting of martial law

QUEZON City, Philippines (Eagle News) — Gabriela party-list Representative Arlyn Brosas challenged President Rodrigo Duterte to put a stop to the airstrikes and to lift martial law in Mindanao after he apologized to the residents of Marawi City. She said this was the next logical step after making such a speech. Brosas said it was unacceptable that after such an apology, martial law would remain in place. https://youtu.be/SUelkCJczQU

Authorities downplay BIFF threats vs President Duterte

(Eagle News) — Authorities on Friday downplayed the direct threats the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters made against President Rodrigo Duterte, with the military saying they were made out of sheer “desperation.” “The pronouncement of the BIFF was (out of desperation). What happened in Pigcawayan recently was in retaliation for and somehow a diversionary attack resulting from major setbacks they have been experiencing in Mindanao,” Brigadier General Gilbert Gapay, the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ Eastern Mindanao martial […]

Military says Omar Maute likely dead; Gov’t troops closing in on brother Abdullah, Abu Sayyaf’s Hapilon

(Eagle News) — The Armed Forces of the Philippines said on Thursday that one of the leaders of the terrorist group Maute was likely dead. “Omar(khayam) Maute, more or less, mukhang patay na ito,” General Eduardo Año said in an ambush interview on the sidelines of a security meeting in Pasay. According to Año, his brother Abdullah was, however, still alive, and was still inside Marawi. The “death” of Omarkhayam comes weeks after the arrest of Cayamora […]

Australia sends spy planes to southern Philippines

SYDNEY, Australia (AFP) — Australian military spy planes will start flying missions over the southern Philippines to help in the fight against Islamic militants terrorizing the area, the government said Friday. Fighters linked to the Islamic State (IS) group have been battling troops for a month around Marawi city in the Mindanao region in a conflict that has claimed lives. Canberra, which has an extensive defense cooperation program with Manila, said two high-tech AP-3C Orion aircraft […]