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NSC SAYS DISMANTLED CHINA SPY NETWORK INCLUDED 3 PINOYS By Rex Espiritu and Charles Dantes THE National Security Council (NSC) on Thursday said three Filipinos who have been arrested for alleged espionage in favor of China have confessed to gathering sensitive information related to Philippine military operations. Meanwhile, Malacañang warned government officials and personnel to remain vigilant in protecting sensitive
VOL. XL • NO. 24 • 3 SECTIONS 16 PAGES • P20 • FRIDAY, MARCH 6, 2026
national security information. NSC spokesman and assistant director general Cornelio Valencia Jr. disclosed that the three suspected spies worked in the Department of Defense and the Philippine Navy. “One of them came from the Defense department, he was working as an assistant; another one is from the Philippine Navy; another as a researcher of the Navy; and one is a close person Next page
Biz cautious of 4-day workweek DOE eyes buying 1m barrels of diesel amid supply crunch risk
By Othel V. Campos, Alena Mae Flores, Ram Superable and Maricel Cruz
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HE country’s biggest business groups took a cautious stance on the proposed four-day workweek, noting its impact will differ across various sectors.
The Federation of • China halts diesel, Philippine Industries (FPI) and the Phil- gasoline exports ippine Chamber of • Sokor readies $68b Commerce and Instabilization fund dustry (PCCI) urged the government to do a careful study of the proposal to avoid unintended negative impact on workers and local businesses. This as Malacanang said Wednesday President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is open to studying the proposal as part of broader efforts to conserve energy amid global Next page
FEBRUARY INFLATION HITS 13-MONTH HIGH BUSINESS / B1
Middle East war spirals as Iran hits Kurds in Iraq ISRAEL pounded Tehran with fresh strikes, and Iran targeted Kurdish guerrilla groups in Iraq on Thursday as a spiralling war engulfed the Middle East. A conflict ignited Saturday with US-Israeli attacks that killed Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has spread rapidly since, snarling global shipping and energy markets, and sowing panic and chaos in previously safe-haven Gulf nations.
COLLATERAL DAMAGE. Civil defense forces, top photo, attempt to extinguish a blaze that erupted after Israeli bombardment on a solar farm and electricity generation facility in Lebanon’s southern coastal city of Tyre, as Israeli forces on March 4 advanced into a number of towns and villages in south Lebanon. Inset at left shows yesterday’s fuel prices while the right graph shows the rise in inflation for the month of February. AFP, Norman Cruz
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‘Baligod 18’ had political, econ motives—OMB By Pot Chavez ALLEGATIONS of the 18 purported former marines have political and economic motives, Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla said Thursday. Meanwhile, former senator Anto-
nio Trillanes IV filed criminal complaints against lawyer Levi Baligod and the18 ex-marines over bribery charges before the Department of Justice (DOJ). National Security Adviser Eduardo Año also filed on Wednesday a com-
plaint before the DOJ against Baligod, Defensor, and the former soldiers. However, Defensor denied involvement in the so-called “Baligod 18” affidavit. “They are trying to create a political Next page
Amihan to end House gives VP Sara 10 days this month, dry to reply to impeach complaints season to start By Maricel V. Cruz
By Rio N. Araja
OLD AND NEW. The new Kamuning footbridge, bottom photo, which replaced Mt.
Kamuning footbridge, top photo, is now fully accessible, making boarding and alighting easier and more convenient for commuters. It is equipped with improved stairs, elevators, and wheelchair lifts to make it safer, faster, and more convenient for everyone. PCO
THE Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) has yet to declare the end of the northeast monsoon (known locally as “amihan”), which signals the start of the dry season, but said it expects to do so within the month. “Anytime this March, it is possible for PAGASA to declare the conclusion of ‘amihan’ and also the beginning of the dry season,” Climate
THE House Justice Committee has issued a notice directing the Vice President to file her answer to the two impeachment complaints within a non-extendable period of 10 calendar days. House Committee on Justice Chair Batangas Rep. Gerville Luistro said continuing the hearings is necessary
to prevent the impeachment proceedings from further dividing government institutions and distracting the public. Luistro said the committee is prepared to proceed with the hearings despite the scheduled recess of the House of Representatives beginning March 18, emphasizing the need to keep the constitutional process movNext page
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Suntay faces ethics complaint despite apology By Maricel V. Cruz THE House of Representatives on Wednesday ordered a formal ethics investigation into controversial remarks made by Quezon City 4th District Rep. Jesus Suntay during a committee hear-
ing on the impeachment complaints against Vice President Sara Duterte, after lawmakers condemned the statements as disrespectful toward women. The plenary action came after House Committee on Women and Gender Equality Chair Ann Matibag of Lagu-
na, in her privilege speech condemning Suntay’s remarks, called for the matter to be referred to the House Committee on Ethics and Privileges. Assistant Majority Leader Ysabel Maria Zamora, vice chair of the Next page
HONORING HEROES. South Korean President Lee Jae-Myung led a wreath-laying ceremony honoring Filipino soldiers who fought in the Korean War at the Korean War Memorial Pylon in Libingan ng mga Bayani on March 4. PCO