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VOL. XXXIX • NO. 64 • 3 SECTIONS 16 PAGES • P20 • WEDNESDAY, APRIL 16, 2025
‘Underwater drones could aid warfare’ One drone sent signal to China—AFP By Rex Espiritu
DANGEROUS DRONES. Philippine Navy spokesperson, Rear Admiral Roy Trinidad, (top) briefs journalists about the underwater drones recovered by fishermen which had Chinese markings. Bottom photo shows the US military’s anti-ship missile NMESIS deployed for the first time in the Philippines for the joint Ph-US Balikatan war games this April. Agence France Presse/ MaxDefense Philippines V2
IVE underwater drones found by Filipino fishermen were capable of gathering information that could aid in “underwater warfare,” the Armed Forces of the Philippines said Tuesday, noting at least one had relayed a signal to China.
F
The revelation followed months of confrontations between the Philippines and China in the disputed South China Sea. It alao came as Manila prepares for large-scale military exercises with treaty ally the United States this month, where advanced capabilities including the Navy-Marine Expeditionary Ship Next page
Speaker: WPS on Google Maps a‘moral victory’
Agencies set for Holy Week diaspora
By Maricel V. Cruz
By Charles Dantes, Joel Zurbano and Rio N. Araja
SPEAKER Martin Romualdez on Tuesday said the recognition of the West Philippine Sea label by Google Maps was a “simple yet powerful” affirmation of the Philippines’ sovereign rights and the increasing global support for its maritime claims. “The proper and consistent labeling of the West Philippine Sea on the widely-used platform Google Maps is welcome news for every Filipino,” Romualdez said. Next page
Gov’t, Tsinoy groups join hands vs. KFR By Charles Dantes IN RESPONSE to a recent rise in kidnapping cases, the Philippine National Police (PNP) is strengthening ties with the Filipino-Chinese business community and revamping its anti-kidnapping strategies. PNP officials announced Tuesday Next page
SENAKULO A scene from the Senakulo shows Mary and her companions holding the body of Jesus Christ after being taken down from the cross where he was crucified upon orders of Pontius Pilate, the Roman governor of Judea. Joan Bondoc
THE Philippine National Police (PNP) has mobilized more than 65,000 personnel nationwide to ensure a safe and peaceful observance of Holy Week, PNP Major General Roderick Alba announced yesterday in a press briefing at Malacañang. Speaking on behalf of PNP Chief Gen. Rommel Francisco Marbil, Alba said the nationwide effort falls under the operational guidelines of “Ligtas SUMVAC 2025,” the PNP’s initiative to strengthen public safety during the summer vacation and Lenten season. “We have strategically deployed our personnel and mobilized force multipliers—our volunteer groups— Next page
Palace chides Imee, Sara over negative campaign, fake news MALACAÑANG said yesterday that the color black “better describes the previous [Duterte] administration”, contrary to the claim of the political advertisement wherein Vice President Sara Duterte endorsed the candidacy of presidential sister, Sen. Imee Marcos.
“Probably ‘black’, which was truly black. But things are getting brighter with the incumbent administration.” Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Undersecretary Claire Castro said in Filipino at a briefing.
Next page
Ormoc cops test negative for powder burns—PNP sination attempt on Albuera mayoralty candidate and self-confessed drug THE Philippine National Police lord Rolando “Kerwin” Espinosa all (PNP) revealed that the Ormoc cops tested negative in the paraffin test. In a press briefing held at Camp arrested in connection with the assas-
By Vince Lopez
Crame on Tuesday, Col. Randulf Tuaño, acting chief of the Public Information Office of the PNP, also said that the seven policemen will continue to Next page
House leader calls out Piñol on national debt issue HOUSE Special Committee on Bases Conversion Chairman Jay Khonghun yesterday called out former Agriculture Sec. Manny Piñol for criticizing the Marcos administration over the coun-
try’s current debt of P16.63 trillion, “Let’s set the record straight: It was calling his remarks “brazen hypocrisy” under your boss, former President Rodand “a desperate ploy to rewrite his- rigo Roa Duterte, when our country’s tory while campaigning for his political debt truly ballooned—with P7.2 trillion comeback.” Next page
GAUDI’S SAGRADA FAMILIA. Spanish architect
Antoni Gaudi (inset) designed the still unfinished Spanish landmark, Sagrada Familia basilica, in Barcelona, Spain. Story on A2. VC Galvez/ Sagrada Familia website