NAAWAN, Misamis Oriental (MindaNews / 28 April) — Some thought we found respite from the unbridled aggression of China in West Philippine Sea (WPS) in the conduct of multilateral maritime exercise in the country’s territorial waters, the latest of which was participated in by the Philippines, the United States and France as part of this year’s Balikatan exercises. No. On the contrary, this incensed the Chinese, which declared that the joint exercise violates China’s sovereignty and is escalating the tension in the area. It responded by increasing their naval presence, putting pressure and dri ..read more

The old Villa-Abrille residence along Pichon St. (Magallanes) is among the landmarks in Davao City. Sketch by KEITH BACONGCO ..read more

DAVAO CITY (MindaNews / 28 April) —  Opposition Senator Risa Hontiveros called on the Philippine National Police (PNP) to disband the alleged “private army” of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) founder, Pastor Apollo C. Quiboloy in this city. This after the PNP chief Rommel Marbil approved on Friday the recommendation to revoke the gun permits of the fugitive religious leader. Pastor Apollo C. Quiboloy. File photo by MANMAN DEJETO In a statement on Saturday, Hontiveros, chair of the Senate Committee on Women, Children, Family Relations, and Gender Equality, the committee that is conducti ..read more

With a chart-topper and controversy on her hit single Selos, 22-year old Maguindanao singer Shaira is now branded “Queen of Bangsamoro Pop.” This is an amusing thing. Is there such a thing as Bangsamoro music scene where she rules? Is it fair to crown Shaira as queen over a not-so-original composition?  And whoever gave her such a title, or gimmick, had they ever set foot on the Moro community to understand that Bangsamoro is a political term for most people. Or have they figured out if Shaira represents the voice of the Moro youth? Or would she just be a one-hit novelty like the rest of ..read more

MALAYBALAY CITY (MindaNews / 27 April) – Merry May starts next week, a month marked by fiesta celebrations in almost all provinces of the country. History tells us it’s a practice introduced by Spain as a way to divert the minds of our subjugated ancestors from the abuses of their colonial masters. Nonetheless, regardless of its roots as a subtle tool of control, the tradition lives on among many of the country’s Catholic faithful. Nobody seems to care how it originated. Indeed, who would mind history at the sight of the conspicuous lechon and other gastronomic delights on the tables of hosts ..read more

MindaNews fact-checked an announcement posted on the Facebook page PRC News and Updates that the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) is now accepting scholarship applications online. The announcement is fake. The announcement, posted at least two times – on April 12 and 22 complete with the CHED logo – said: “ATTENTION! All Students Senior Highschool, 1st Year, 2nd, 3rd year College Advice to Apply online to be part of CHED SCHOLARSHIP School Year 2024-2025.” [sic] It said the only requirements are report card and TOR (transcript of record), and the deadline is on June 28. This is fake ..read more

Performers pose with their ethnic costumes during the opening of the 2nd Mindanao Tourism Expo on Friday (26 April 2024) in Cagayan de Oro City. MindaNews photo by FROILAN GALLARDO ..read more

Customers look for the printed copies of their pictures after the confirmation rites at the San Pedro Cathedral in Davao City on Friday, April 26, 2024. Photographers are selling the printed pictures for P50 each. MindaNews photo ..read more

Forum held on consolidation of PUV operations CAGAYAN DE ORO (MindaNews / 26 April) – Transport leaders from Regions 10,11, 12 and 13 gathered in Cagayan de Oro City on Friday to support the government’s plan to consolidate or form themselves into cooperatives or corporations before the April 30 deadline set by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. They attended the forum organized by the Mindanao Federation of Transport Cooperatives and the Land Transport Franchising and Regulatory Board. President Marcos earlier announced the April 30 deadline and called on jeepney operators to consolidate or form ..read more

Farmers harvest palay on 15 September 2023, in Barangay Dajay, Surallah, South Cotabato. The town is one of the areas worst hit by the El Niño phenomenon. MindaNews file photo by BONG S. SARMIENTO KORONADAL CITY (MindaNews / 26 April) – The Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) of South Cotabato placed the province under a state of calamity Friday morning due to the dry spell triggered by the El Niño phenomenon, which caused agricultural losses worth P201.9 million so far. Board Member Junette Hurtado, who presided over the special SP session, said the attending provincial legislative members unanimou ..read more