Regional News

The U.S. Embassy in the Philippines issued a volcanic activity alert on October 30 after PHIVOLCS raised Mayon Volcano’s alert status to Level 3, warning of an increased risk of a hazardous eruption. According to the embassy advisory, a moderate eruption occurred at 11:53 a.m., sending an ash plume 3,000 meters above the summit crater. Ashfall was expected in Daraga, Guinobatan and neighboring municipalities in Albay. Alert Level 3 indicates an increased risk of dangerous vol

Philippine authorities are investigating Thomas Markle Sr., the estranged father of Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, following allegations that child sexual abuse material was found among belongings at his former residence in Cebu. Markle, 82, has denied the allegations. The Philippine National Police is examining a laptop recovered from the property. Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla said forensic findings were expected within a week and that legal action would depend on sufficien

A jury convicted a Palauan national on October 22 of involuntary manslaughter, assault and battery, and obstruction of justice in connection with the death of Filipino worker Alvin Rebamba. Jeremy Guillermin was acquitted of the more serious charges of voluntary manslaughter and aggravated assault and battery following a four-day trial in Superior Court, according to Marianas Press. Rebamba, 30, died after a confrontation outside Relox Bar in Garapan on November 16, 2025. Pro

Philippine Catholic Cardinal Pablo Virgilio David criticized Philippine Airlines over cramped seating on his October 20 flights to and from Cebu, a major destination in the central Philippines, saying limited legroom aggravated discomfort from his osteoarthritis. In a Facebook post titled “THE ‘HEART OF THE FILIPINO’?”, a reference to the airline’s advertising slogan, David said he had previously preferred the carrier for its convenience and comfort. On his 6:30 a.m. economy

A 42-year-old man arriving from Seattle, United States, was arrested at Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 1 on October 18 after authorities confirmed he had an outstanding arrest warrant. Joint personnel of the PNP Aviation Security Group (AVSEGROUP) and the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) apprehended the passenger following coordination between NAIA Police Station 1 and CIDG Regional Field Unit 4A. The warrant was issued by the Regional Trial Cour

More than eight metric tons of rice were buried on Bantayan Island in Cebu, central Philippines, after the supply became contaminated and was declared unfit for human consumption, raising serious questions about how government food assistance was managed while many Filipino families continue to struggle with hunger and rising living costs. A total of 178 sacks of rice were opened and disposed of by burial on Friday, October 9, following an inspection by the National Food Auth

ANGELES CITY, Philippines - An American national is now behind bars at the Bureau of Immigration detention facility after allegedly unleashing racist, insulting and abusive remarks against Filipinos during a confrontation at a mall in Angeles City. The Bureau of Immigration identified him as Patrick Ndukwuegbulam Obison, 69, also known as Dr. Patrick Ndukwuegbulam Obison. Immigration agents arrested Obison in Barangay Balibago, Angeles City, Pampanga, after the BI issued a mi

On September 18, 2026, a quiet agrarian town just outside of Koronadal City witnessed one of the most tragic days recorded in the town’s history when a 16-year-old student from Banga National High School in South Cotabato opened fire on his schoolmates, killing three people, including himself, while injuring eight others. The attack only ended when the shooter turned the gun on himself, ending his life. Known as the “Corn Capital” of South Cotabato, Banga is not a place w

An American national wanted in California over an alleged child sexual abuse case has been arrested in the Philippines after U.S. authorities asked immigration officials to help track him down. The Bureau of Immigration said its Fugitive Search Unit arrested 50-year-old Robert Carlos Ramirez on September 10, 2026, during an enforcement operation at Camp Tomas Pepito in Angeles City, Pampanga. Ramirez is reportedly the subject of an outstanding warrant issued in Los Angeles Co

A 43-year-old U.S. citizen and military veteran who had been reported missing in the Philippines has been found alive and safe, according to the Negros Oriental Police Provincial Office. The American, identified as Nathan Macvittie, was located after police traced his movements and eventually established direct contact with him. Capt. Stephen Polinar, spokesperson for the Negros Oriental Police Provincial Office, said Macvittie personally confirmed that he was in good conditi

Police have identified a suspect in the killing of an American national and his Filipina wife inside their home in Barangay Bajumpandan, Dumaguete City, marking a major development in the investigation. Capt. Stephen Polinar, spokesperson for the Negros Oriental Police Provincial Office, said the couple’s household helper positively identified the suspect from photographs in a police rogue’s gallery. According to Polinar, the helper identified the man as the same individual w

Philippine authorities are intensifying the search for 43-year-old American and reported U.S. Army veteran Nathan Macvittie of Missouri, who has been missing since arriving in the country in June, as investigators follow a trail of financial transactions across Negros Island. Police in Negros Oriental are reconstructing the U.S. veteran’s movements in an effort to determine where he traveled, whom he may have met and what happened after his last known activity. Capt. Stephen

An American national and his Filipina wife were shot dead inside their rented residence in Barangay Bajumpandan, Dumaguete City, in an early-morning attack that police are investigating amid reports that cash, jewelry and other valuables were taken from the house. The couple’s caretaker identified the victims as Mark Duell, 72, an American citizen, and his 71-year-old Filipina wife, Elsie Duell. The two were found with multiple gunshot wounds inside the living room of their r

The Association of Filipino Teachers in America (AFTA) has expressed grief over the deadly school shooting at Ateneo de Zamboanga University, calling the tragedy a reminder of the shared responsibility of schools, families and communities to protect young people. Two students, including the suspected shooter, died in the August 18 attack at the Ateneo de Zamboanga University High School campus in Zamboanga City. Two other people were wounded, according to the latest reports.

Catarman Doctors Hospital, Inc. (CDHI) continues to strengthen its role as a trusted private healthcare provider in Northern Samar, delivering accessible medical services while investing in technology, facilities, and professional healthcare personnel to better serve patients and families in Catarman and nearby communities. Located along Diversion Road 2 in Barangay Bangkerohan, Catarman, CDHI is a 41-bed, PhilHealth-accredited Level 1 General Hospital offering a broad range

A 59-year-old American fugitive wanted for child molestation charges in the United States was arrested by operatives of the Bureau of Immigration (BI) in Pangasinan as part of the government’s intensified #ShieldKids campaign against foreign sex offenders. Immigration Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado identified the fugitive as Matthew Cole Calhoun, a U.S. citizen who was apprehended by members of the BI Fugitive Search Unit (FSU) during an operation conducted on the evening of

An American fugitive accused of serious crimes back home has been tracked down and arrested in Danao City, Cebu, immigration authorities confirmed. The 44-year-old foreign national was collared on April 29 in a joint operation by the Bureau of Immigration’s Fugitive Search Unit (FSU), local police, and U.S. authorities. Authorities said the American is wanted in Texas for allegedly threatening to release intimate visual material and for attempted aggravated assault with a dea

LEGASPI CITY - Residents in several communities surrounding Mayon Volcano experienced ash fall on Saturday afternoon following a lava flow collapse that generated a pyroclastic density current (PDC) along the volcano’s southwestern slopes. The event occurred at approximately 5:38 PM and was captured by the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) Quick Response Team. According to PHIVOLCS, the PDC was produced by the collapse of advancing lava flows, send

NEW YORK - Northern Samar 2nd District Representative Edwin C. Ongchuan recently met with executives of Cebu Pacific to discuss possible initiatives aimed at strengthening transportation connectivity and promoting economic development in the province. The meeting brought together Ongchuan and key airline officials, including Michael Ivan Shau, President and Chief Operating Officer of Cebgo, Ces Natividad, Vice President for Corporate Affairs, and other executives from the air

CEBU - What was supposed to be a simple trip to seek help after a typhoon turned into a heartbreaking tragedy for a young mother struggling to support her family. Mary Christ Cuizon, 31, collapsed and died while waiting in line to validate records for ₱5,000 financial assistancefor victims of Typhoon Tino, which hit Cebu last November, at the Barangay Opao gymnasium in Mandaue City. Cuizon, a resident of Zone Talong, Barangay Paknaan, was later declared dead on arrival at Man

Food security and education were among the key priorities discussed during a recent meeting between Northern Samar Governor Harris Christopher Ongchuan and Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan, chairman of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Food and Agrarian Reform. The dialogue focused on strengthening programs that support Filipino farmers, fisherfolk, and students sectors considered critical to the country’s long-term development. A major part of the discussion centered on

LUCENA CITY, Philippines - A suspected relationship dispute turned deadly after a man was fatally shot inside a store along Enriquez Street in Barangay 4, Lucena City, around 11:00 a.m. on March 5. The victim was identified as Jayson Zoleta, who reportedly worked at a clothing outlet in a mall in the city. According to the Philippine National Police (PNP) in Lucena, the suspect has been identified as Fattah Esmai Faisal, a resident of Barangay Marketview. Authorities said th

BISLIG CITY, Surigao del Sur — Several families were evacuated Friday morning (Feb. 20, 2026) after rising floodwaters inundated parts of Bislig City due to continuous heavy rains brought by a shear line affecting Mindanao. Residents of Maglikian-Requina in Purok 7, Barangay Tabon were among those forced to leave their homes as water levels rapidly increased overnight. The City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO), assisted by local emergency responders and

New York City — One Waraynon Creators, a growing collective of digital content creators from Samar Island, is making a meaningful impact beyond social media by organizing regular humanitarian missions to support underserved communities across the island. Through these initiatives, the group distributes food packs, school supplies, and other essential items to families, schoolchildren, and senior citizens who need them most. According to Dr. Cassey Samantilla, the organizatio