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Shaky ceasefire: Israel, Iran violate truce deal Both sides launch strikes hours after Trump-led pact SHAKY ceasefire between Iran and Israel took effect yesterday, with both sides violating the truce hours after it took effect.
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US President Donald Trump on Monday evening (Tuesday morning, Manila time) said the ceasefire would bring about an “official end” to the 12day conflict. "It has been fully agreed by and between Israel and Iran that there will be a Complete and Total CEASEFIRE," Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform. By late afternoon, an angry Trump berated Iran and Israel for violating the ceasefire deal, adding that he was "really unhappy" with Israel in particular. The two countries have been "fighting so long and so hard that they don't know what the f*ck they're doing, do you understand that?" the US president told reporters at the White House. Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said Tuesday he had ordered the army "to respond forcefully to Iran's violation of the ceasefire" after incoming
VOL. XXXIX • NO. 129 • 3 SECTIONS 16 PAGES • P20 • WEDNESDAY, JUNE 25, 2025 •
PBBM touts record haul to ‘bloodless’ illegal drugs war By Charles Dantes PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Tuesday reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to a “bloodless” war on drugs, touting a new strategy focused on prevention, rehabilitation, and enforcement, without the killings that marked the past. "It has been described as a bloodless war on drugs. And this is what we are aiming for," Mr. Marcos said during his visit to the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency. "We do not kill people who are just suspected of having anything to do with drugs. We are handling the drug problem in a different way," he said. President Marcos confirmed the largest drug seizure in six months after fishermen recovered P1.2 billion worth of methamphetamine hydrochloride (shabu) off the western coastline between Region I and Zambales. Next page
RECORD DRUG HAUL. President Ferdinand Marcos points to the record shabu haul valued at P8.8 billion pesos recovered in Pangasinan Bay which were displayed during his inspection yesterday at the headquarters of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA). With the President are Sec. Oscar F. Valenzuela of the Dangerous Drugs Board, DILG Sec. Jonvic Remulla, Usec. Isagani Nerez, PDEA Director General, Pnp Chief Nicolas Torre and PDEA Asec. Renato Gumban. Revoli Cortez/PPA POOL
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ICC prosecutors reject interim release for Rody By Pot Chavez and Ram Superable THE Office of the Prosecutor has asked the Pre-Trial Chamber of the International Criminal Court (ICC) to deny an urgent request for the interim release of former President Rodrigo Duterte. Meanwhile, Senator Robinhood Padilla plans to refile a resolution urging the government to secure the immediate release of Duterte from detention in The Hague, Netherlands. Earlier this month, Duterte made the request saying he "is not a flight risk, and custody is not necessary to ensure his appearance before the Court." In a 15-page publicly redacted response dated June 23, the prosecutors maintained that the continued detention
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PH cautiously optimistic: Repatriation on, oil subsidies readied By Charles Dantes, Alena Mae Flores, Vito Barcelo, Joel Zurbano and Rex Espiritu AMID the volatile ceasefire between Israel and Iran, the government is still preparing for the repatriation of Filipinos
Palace chides Rody, VP Sara for pro-China foreign policy stance By Charles Dantes MALACANANG on Tuesday dismissed Vice President Sara Duterte’s criticism of the Marcos administration’s foreign policy, particularly its decision to allow foreign missile systems in the country. In a briefing at the Palace, Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary Claire Castro retorted to the Vice President’s recent remarks, questioning the rationally of permit-
ting a foreign power, believed to be the United States, to deploy missile systems in the Philippines. "The President said we expect that from the Dutertes because they are pro-China. The President is pro-Philippines," Castro said. Duterte had warned against antagonizing rival powers. “You allow missiles from a foreign power into your country, knowing they are hated by that country's enemies.” Next page
who wish to return to the Philippines as well as for the timely rollout of fuel subsidies to PUV drivers, farmers and fisherfolk should the average price of crude oil breach the $80 per barrel threshold. "The hope is that the ceasefire lasts longer," Department of Energy officerin-charge Sharon Garin said, adding that fewer countries seem likely to be
drawn into the conflict. "For now, the sentiment is one of cautious optimism. If the conflict doesn’t worsen, we expect the economic impact to remain manageable," she added. Domestic pump prices are expected to decline following the announcement of a ceasefire, Jetti Pe-
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overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) repatriated from Israel, Jordan, Palestine, and Qatar are welcomed upon their arrival in Manila. Their departure from Doha, Qatar was delayed due to the temporary closure of Qatari airspace following an Iranian missile attack on a US air base in the Gulf state. DMW
Japan envoy sees closer security, defense relations with RAA deal By Rex Espiritu
BANG FOR GOOD FORTUNE. National Security Adviser Eduardo Ano, Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief Gen. Romeo Brawner, Japanese Ambassador to the Philippines Kazuya Endo, along with officials of the Japanese warship JS ISE DDH 183, bang the Japanese gong yesterday in celebration of the 71st anniversary of the Japan Self-Defense Forces held at Pier 15, South Harbor Manila. Manny Palmero
troleum president Leo Bellas, noting that prices fell sharply in early Asian trading. “a this trend continue, we could see prices making an abrupt U-turn to easing down,” Bellas said. If solely based on Monday’s Mean of Platts Singapore pricing, the projected
THE Japanese government is eyeing deeper bilateral security and defense collaboration with the Philippines through the recently ratified Reciprocal Access Agreement (RAA). ‘‘The RAA is a legal framework that contributes to taking national security and defense cooperation to a higher level. It will also facilitate joint training and other cooperative activities between units of both
countries and enhance interoperability,’’ Japanese Ambassador to the Philippines Endo Kazuya said in an interview Monday evening. Earlier this month, Japan’s Diet ratified the landmark defense pact, paving the way for enhanced cooperation. The RAA provides a legal foundation allowing troops from both nations to enter each other’s territory for joint military exercises and other activities.
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Expanded PhilHealth benefits big win for masses–Speaker By Maricel V. Cruz SPEAKER Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez on Tuesday welcomed the latest expansion of the state-owned Philippine Health Insurance Corporation’s (PhilHealth) benefit packages, describing it as a significant step forward in easing the daily struggles of Filipino families and making quality health care more accessible to those who need it most. Next page