Nation

Silliman University suspends classes over bomb threat (Philstar.com) - July 19, 2019 - 3:54pm MANILA, Philippines — Silliman University in Dumaguete City suspended classes on Friday afternoon over a bomb threat reported by an alleged alumnus of the university. In an advisory, Silliman University asked members of the school community to refrain from entering the campus until police have cleared the area, a standard procedure for bomb threats. In the same advisory, Silliman said that it had received information "from a certain Nelson Tan claiming to be an SU alumnus and at the same time a member of the New People's Army" that a bomb might go off on school grounds. "In view of this information, the Crisis Management Team of the university was convened and coordinated with the Philippine National Police," Silliman Univeristy said. It said it also activated its security proticils and issued an advisory to suspend classes, work … [Read more...] about Silliman University suspends classes over bomb threat

Runaway truck kills 8 children in Cebu town — officials (Agence France-Presse) - July 19, 2019 - 3:28pm MANILA, Philippines — Eight schoolchildren were among nine people killed Friday aboard a runaway truck that crashed in Boljoon, Cebu while transporting them to a sports activity, the authorities said. The dump truck's brakes failed while it descended a mountain road outside Boljoon town centre with about 30 children and a few parents and teachers crammed on the truck bed, town mayor Merlou Derama told AFP. "The driver tried to slow the vehicle by brushing its side against the mountain," Derama said, adding it fell on its side instead. Three girls and five boys aged between 11 and 12 and a mother died immediately, while five other children were taken to hospital, he added. Boljoon police said they planned to ask state prosecutors to file charges of multiple homicide against the driver, who was unhurt. The … [Read more...] about Runaway truck kills 8 children in Cebu town — officials

Comelec official gets threats; Duterte Youth eyed Mayen Jaymalin (The Philippine Star) - July 19, 2019 - 12:00am MANILA, Philippines — Commission on Elections (Comelec) Commissioner Rowena Guanzon said yesterday she has been getting threatening text messages she believes to be coming from Duterte Youth party-list group. “I received this text, ‘Kapag inipit mo pa din kame at di pa din kame nakaupo ilalabas namin part 2 ng series mo at papakasohan ka pa namen.’ Who do you think sent this? Obviously,”  she posted on Twitter. The sender threatened to file charges against Guanzon and air the second part of an apparent exposé against her. Guanzon said it was the second time that she received threatening messages, apparently coming from the same group of people. She said the Duterte Youth and Senior Citizens Coalition are the only party-list groups that have yet to receive a certification … [Read more...] about Comelec official gets threats; Duterte Youth eyed

22 nabbed for fake documents in Manila Non Alquitran (The Philippine Star) - July 19, 2019 - 12:00am MANILA, Philippines — At least 22 persons were arrested in a raid on shops producing forged documents along Rizal Avenue in Manila yesterday. Those arrested were allegedly involving in the printing, manufacture, distribution and possession of fake Land Transportation Office forms, documents, plates and stickers, said Maj. Gen. Guillermo Eleazar, National Capital Region Police Ofice director. “What they are doing is tantamount to economic sabotage,” he said in an interview. Lt. Col. Rogarth Campo, chief of the NCRPO’s regional special operations unit, staged simultaneous raids on the shops on the strength of search warrants from three Manila judges. Aside from the fake documents, Campo said they also confiscated identification cards, computers and dry seal stamps. Informants said the shops are the sources … [Read more...] about 22 nabbed for fake documents in Manila

Sereno can join SONA rally – NCRPO Janvic Mateo, Non Alquitran (The Philippine Star) - July 19, 2019 - 12:00am MANILA, Philippines — Former chief justice Ma. Lourdes Sereno can join the protests during President Duterte’s State of the Nation Address (SONA) on Monday, a police official said yesterday. “We are in a democracy so anybody can join the protest rally, including former CJ Sereno,” said Maj. Gen. Guillermo Eleazar, National Capital Region Police Office director. “She can shout her out as long as it is in the confines of the law. Anyway, she is a former chief justice so she knows what is right or wrong,” he added. Sereno earlier said she would join the protest rally against Duterte. Eleazar expressed confidence that the rally would be peaceful and orderly as he was assured by leaders of militant groups that they would abide by the rules and regulations they agreed upon for the … [Read more...] about Sereno can join SONA rally – NCRPO