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ISRAEL STRIKES BACK, EXPLOSIONS REPORTED IN IRANIAN CITY TEHRAN—Iran’s state media reported explosions in central Isfahan Friday. Air defense systems over several Iranian cities were activated, state media reported, after the country’s official broadcaster said explosions were heard near the central city of Isfahan. Israel had previously warned it would hit back after Iran fired hundreds of missiles and drones at Israel over the weekend. Most of them were intercepted. Iran—a key backer the Palestinian militant group Hamas and Lebanon’s Hezbollah -- launched the attack in retaliation for an April 1 strike on its consulate in Damascus that was widely blamed on Israel. Next page
NEW ZEALAND BACKS PH IN WPS RULING NEWS / A2
DOJ PROBES RECORD 990-KG DRUG BUST NEWS / A3
Oil prices rise, stocks slide over Iran-Israel tensions By Alena Mae Flores
VOL. XXXVIII • NO. 66 • 3 SECTIONS 16 PAGES • P20 • SATURDAY, APRIL 20, 2024
The missile system is capable of reaching more than a 500-kilometer range -- a lot more than the estimated 370kilometer distance between the southern tip of Taiwan and the northernmost tip of the Philippines. Lin Jian, China’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson, said Beijing was gravely concerned about the US
OIL prices rallied and equities fell Friday as reports said explosions had been heard in Iran and Syria, fueling fears of an escalation of the Middle East crisis after last weekend’s missile attack on Israel by Tehran. In Manila, the Department of Energy said oil prices may have a mixed price movement next week due the volatility in world oil prices. DOE director for the oil industry management bureau Rodela Romero confirmed a possible increase in gasoline prices and a rollback for diesel and kerosene. She said gasoline may go up by P0.40 to P0.60 per liter while diesel may have a rollback of P0.60 to P0.85 per liter and kerosene by P0.60 to P0.80 per liter. “These domestic pump adjustments are attributed to the lingering factors of geopolitical conflict in the Middle East and the unexpected re-
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US installs MX-6 missile system in PH China ‘concerned’ over the medium-range ballistics By Rey E. Requejo
T
HE United States has deployed its Army’s Mid-Range Capability missile system (MRCS) in Northern Luzon as part of Exercise Salaknib 24.
Cops told to use digital tech in fighting crime By Charles Dantes
TOP OF THE CLASS. President Marcos reviews the formation of cadets of the Philippine National Police Academy during the 45th commencement exercises of the Layag-Diwa class of 2024. Class valedictorian Ma. Camille C. Cabasis (inset photo) of Lian Batangastalks to the press after the graduation rites. Revoli S. Cortez
Intel, security agencies to probe suspect foreign students By Vito Barcelo and Macon Ramos-Araneta
BI Commissioner Norman Tansingco said that under the law, foreign nationals who acquire their student visas may be subjected to checks FOREIGNERS in the Philippines holding student by the National Intelligence Coordinating Agenvisas may be subjected to government intelligence cy (NICA) and the National Bureau of Investiinvestigation if found to be conducting illegal ac- gation (NBI) for activities “which appear to be tivities, according to the Bureau of Immigration. inimical to the security of the State.”
Under the law, the bureau can only issue student visas to foreign nationals who have been endorsed by legitimate schools and by Commission on Higher Education (CHED). All schools who accept foreign nationals as students are required to submit their regular reports to Next page
PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos ordered the graduating Philippine National Police Academy (PNPA) Layag-Diwa Class of 2024 to utilize the power of digital and information technology (IT) in combating crime, serving the public, and fostering innovation within their respective fields. Addressing the graduates at Camp Gen. Mariano Castañeda in Silang, Cavite, Mr. Marcos emphasized the importance of integrating technology into law enforcement efforts, particularly in addressing cybercrime. “I challenge you to leverage that technology that you are familiar with as aids in protecting and serving our people, especially in battling cybercrime,” the President said in his address. He encouraged the graduates to embrace the concept of smart policing, emphasizing that while technology plays a crucial role, traditional policing methods remain essential in maintaining public safety. “The fight against crime is now a potent mix of Next page
Power supply to stabilize this weekend, says DOE By Alena Mae Flores THE Department of Energy (DOE) expects the Luzon and Visayas power situation to improve this weekend with the expected resumption of operation of major power plants. “We don’t know when the extreme high temperatures will end, what we need to do is make sure we are prepared. The DOE is in close coordination with power plants who go online. We are expecting improvements over the weekend. We already saw two major plants go back
NUKES ON DISPLAY.
A man rides a motorbike past a billboard depicting Iranian ballistic missiles in service in Tehran on April 19, 2024. Iran’s state media reported explosions in the central province of Isfahan on April 19, as US media quoted officials saying Israel had carried out retaliatory strikes on its arch-rival. AFP
online and we hope that the other plants remain unaffected and perform to their optimal performance,” Energy Secretary Raphael Lotilla said. The two units of the Pagbilao coalfired power plant is expected to come online on Saturday. Power demand is also lower during weekends when offices are schools are closed. Lotilla said higher temperatures have affected the operations of both thermal and hydro power plants, thus affecting available supply. Next page
#ANONGBALITA First Lady: No plans to run for senator in 2025
Solo parent? May libreng sakay sa LRT-2, MRT-3 today
Japanese AI tool predicts when recruits will quit
NEWS / A2
NEWS / A2
NEWS / A2