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NICASA seeks justice as Nigerian Bishop Fakunle is shot dead in South Africa

The Nigerian Citizens Association South Africa (NICASA) has called for a thorough investigation of 58-year-old Bishop Taiwo Fakunle in Johannesburg by gunmen who allegedly shot him seven times.

NICASA National President, Rev. Frank Onyekwelu said this in a statement on Thursday.

According to him, Fakunle was killed on Friday, Sept. 4, at his residence in Kensington, Johannesburg.

He said two suspects allegedly gained access to the residence and opened fire on the Bishop, reportedly shooting him more than seven times.

Onyekwelu said NICASA had notified the Consulate General of Nigeria in Johannesburg about the incident.

He added that a murder case had been opened at the Jeppe Police Station and that investigations were ongoing.

NICASA urged the South African Police Service (SAPS) and other relevant authorities to conduct a thorough and credible investigation to establish the circumstances surrounding the killing.

The association called for the identification and arrest of those responsible and their prosecution in accordance with the law.

It also urged Nigerian diplomatic authorities in South Africa to maintain engagement with the relevant authorities and monitor the investigation to ensure that justice was served.

NICASA expressed concern over the loss of Nigerian lives to violent crime in South Africa, saying such incidents should not be allowed to become normalised.

The association appealed to Nigerians and community leaders across South Africa to remain calm and law abiding, stressing that justice should be pursued through lawful channels.

NICASA expressed condolences to Fakunle’s family, friends, church community, fellow Ekiti indigenes and the Nigerian community in South Africa.

When will the Plateau killings end?

JUST when is the orgy of killings going on to end? This is a question that should agitate the minds of every right-thinking citizen of Nigeria whenever reports of violent outbreaks and deaths emanate from Plateau State or any other state in the country. The case of Plateau, which in years past emerged as a melting pot of religion and ethnicity, has assumed a peculiar dimension with mindless killings, savagery and all manner of extreme behaviours recycled almost in perpetuity.

What started as community brawls, clashes among adherents of different faiths and ethnic tension during military rule has in recent years assumed a hydra-headed monster that defies definition. There is the religious dimension of the crisis. There are elements of herder onslaughts on farmers. There is also the resource war, hidden under the wraps of land grabbing, competition, and insurgency. Surprisingly, from one civilian government to another and with heaps of reports from fact-finding missions submitted, there appears to be no visible end in sight.The recent attack on the Bin’per community in Mangu Local Government Area of the state is a grim reminder that the illegal shedding of blood in the once serene Plateau State is far from over. No fewer than 24 persons were killed in the community. An eyewitness, Daniel Musa, stated that the heavily armed attackers moved from house to house, forcing their way in and attacking residents who were asleep. He said: ‘We have confirmed over 24 deaths, while several others sustained serious injuries and some people are still missing.’ Another resident, John Dalyop, also told newsmen that the situation was terrible. ‘We expected the new Commissioner of Police in the state to act quickly and go after those responsible,’ he said, calling on the state government and the Federal Government to urgently strengthen security around vulnerable communities in Mangu and other parts of the state.

Reports indicated that the state’s Commissioner of Police, Mr. Ayodeji Faniyan, immediately visited the Bin’per community in the wake of the attacks. He also undertook an on-the-spot assessment and commiserated with the affected families, traditional rulers and other stakeholders. Beyond that visit, the Joint Security Task Force operating in the state, code-named Operation Enduring Peace, has relocated its tactical headquarters from Jos, the state capital, to Mangu Local Government Area. The Commander of the task force, who is also the General Officer Commanding 3 Division of the Nigerian Army, Major-General Williams Dangana, said that the relocation was aimed at improving operational efficiency and response time. He said: ‘Establishing a physical presence in Mangu will enable leadership to maintain direct, real-time assessment of the security situation and ensure timely tactical responses.’

For more than two decades, Plateau State has been synonymous with cycles of deadly attacks, reprisals, and communal grief, with villages in Barkin Ladi, Riyom, Mangu, Bokkos and Jos South recording countless victims. These communities have repeatedly made headlines for mass killings, burning of homes, displacement of thousands, and mass burials over the decades. And thus, the question cannot but arise: When will the Plateau killings end? This newspaper wrote

editorials on this topic in the past, but we cannot be tired of raising valid questions about human existential issues. The question being raised is not a political one; it is a human one being asked by the stakeholders who are directly affected: the farmers who can no longer go to their farms, the children who have become orphans, and members of communities who are tired of burying their dead.

From 2001-2025, a Plateau State fact-finding committee reported that 420 communities were attacked in the state, with 11,749 people killed. Between 2023 and 2025, Amnesty International reported that 167 rural communities in eight Plateau LGAs were attacked. The humanitarian body also documented 38 separate attacks by armed herders in Plateau State. There is also a report from the EUAA’s review of ACLED data, which recorded 220 security incidents in Plateau State between 2024 and August 2025. The report indicated that Fulani ethnic militias and Plateau communal militias were involved in the majority of incidents. In 2020 alone, ACLED recorded 41 attacks classified as violence against civilians in Plateau State, including five abductions. Another report indicated that in December 2023, suspected herders attacked 17 communities, killing at least 140 people. The victims mentioned in the data above are human beings – fathers, children, and mothers – who were dispatched to their early graves on the altar of needless violence.

The issues behind this spate of violence are all within sight: the onslaughts on farmers by herders, resource competition, identity politics, state weakness, religion and extremism, lack of justice and accountability, as well as the politicisation and proliferation of weapons. When will the killings end? It will end when the state is ready to stand up for justice, truth and reconciliation. Recently, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu visited the state, after which the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani, declared that a CCTV programme would be implemented to curb insecurity in the state. Up to this moment, we have not heard any news about that. While the Federal Government must act concretely on securing our communities, Plateau governors must also stop throwing their hands up in the air each time a security challenge occurs in their domain. Because the state has the monopoly of violence, it must rise to the occasion and defend the defenceless.

We state categorically that the Plateau killings will not end either by accident or by declaration. They will end through the concerted efforts of stakeholders and the determination of government to call a spade by its name. The peacebuilding process should not target the end of gunshots alone, but the rise of trust, where ethnic and religious tensions would be silenced forever.

U-20 W’Cup: Ambassador Ohakim Motivates Falconets Before Must-Win Clash With China

Nigeria’s Ambassador to Poland, Mrs Chioma Ohakim, has charged the women’s U-20 national team, the Falconets, to put behind them their opening day loss to Spain and focus on today’s crucial group match against China.

The Falconets suffered a 0-2 defeat to former champions Spain in their first match at the 2026 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup in Poland on Monday.

According to a statement by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Ambassador Ohakim and mission staff watched the match at the Stadion Sosnowiec and did their best to encourage the team.

Following the final whistle, she interacted with the players and technical crew, reminding them that they played good football and urging them to stay confident.

To lift their spirits and make the squad feel at home, Ambassador Ohakim also brought Nigerian food for the players-a gesture the NFF noted provided a timely morale boost as the team turns its attention to China.

The two-time silver medalists return to the Stadion Sosnowiec pitch this evening for a high-stakes encounter. The Chinese team enters the match highly motivated after a 5-0 victory over New Caledonia in their opener, placing them atop Group F ahead of 2022 champions Spain on goal difference.

Nigeria and China have met twice previously at the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup finals. In 2006 (Russia), China defeated the Falconets 3-0 in the group stage at the Podmoskovie Stadium.

In 2018 (France), a late own goal by a Chinese defender secured a 1-1 draw for Nigeria in Dinan-Léhon, sending the Falconets through to the quarter-finals.

Coach Moses Aduku said on Wednesday night: ‘We have put the match against Spain behind us and focussing totally on the clash with China. The players are ready to come out stronger for the match against China.’

NDC moves to reconcile Ebonyi members, mobilise for electoral victory

The National Leader of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Senator Henry Seriake Dickson, has called for unity and reconciliation among members of the party in Ebonyi State ahead of the forthcoming elections.

Dickson made the call after meeting with the Ebonyi State leadership of the party in a meeting also attended by the National Chairman, Senator Moses Cleopas.

In a Facebook post, the NDC National Leader said the meeting focused on the need to resolve internal differences, close ranks and strengthen the party ahead of the elections.

He said the Ebonyi State delegation was led by the state leader, former Governor and Senator, Sam Egwu, who was unavoidably absent and represented by former Minister of State for Health, Engr Fidelis Nwankwo.

According to Dickson, the meeting made a strong case for reconciliation, with party leaders appealing to members to set aside their differences and work collectively towards the success of NDC candidates.

‘We made a strong case for reconciliation and appealed to all members to put aside their differences, close ranks and work together for the success of the party,’ he said.

Dickson urged the Ebonyi leadership and members to intensify reconciliation efforts and remain united as the party prepares to contest the forthcoming elections.

He also called for follow-up meetings across the state to sustain the reconciliation process and ensure that all stakeholders are carried along.

As part of efforts to deepen the process, the NDC leader disclosed that a team had been constituted to work with stakeholders across Ebonyi State.

He said the team would facilitate genuine reconciliation, foster unity and help position the party as a formidable political force capable of challenging the opposition in elections across the state.

Dickson stressed that the immediate task before the party was to resolve its internal differences, mobilise its members and build a united structure ahead of the polls.

‘The task before us is clear: unite our house, mobilise our members and work together for victory,’ he said.

Gov Alia will remove rots in Benue agencies, parastatals – Commissioner

The Benue State Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Solomon Iorpev, has promised to draw the attention of the state governor, Hyacinth Alia, to the rot in some of the parastatals and agencies under the ministry for urgent attention.

The commissioner gave the assurance during his visit to the State Printing House, State Radio, State Library, State Television Station and the Arts Council.

Iorpev said his visit to the agencies and parastatals under his ministry was a fact-finding mission to assess their challenges and determine how to attract the governor’s attention to them.

He said, ‘My tour of the agencies and parastatals under my ministry is to acquaint myself with the challenges and how to tackle them.

‘I’m hoping to give His Excellency, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia, the first-hand report about the challenges in all the agencies and parastatals.

‘I intend to raise a memo to his office and constantly remind him that something needs to be done here. Before His Excellency ends his administration after eight years, we would have seen big results.’

The commissioner said he had waded into the issue of staff welfare, adding that he was sure steps had been taken towards addressing them.

Some members of staff in most of the agencies had complained about infrastructure decay, shortage of manpower, non-confirmation of casual staff, lack of work tools and materials, and poor funding.

At the Benue State Library, the commissioner observed that while the structure was solidly built to serve as a custodian of books and reference materials, it had been left to deteriorate badly.

There were similar scenarios at other agencies, with projects at the Arts Council abandoned for over 40 years amid an acute manpower shortage.

The State Radio, known as ‘Radio Benue’, is currently off the airwaves, largely due to electricity challenges and a lack of work tools.

At Benue Television, the Director-General, Mr Martins Shanyo, lamented that the station had struggled to transmit and warned that it might soon go off air completely if urgent attention was not given to it.

The Printing House was filled with non-functional machines, broken ceilings, cracked walls, bushy surroundings and dusty, abandoned office equipment.

The state-owned newspaper, known as ‘The Voice’, has been partially off the newsstands due to a lack of newsprint and faulty machines.

Busoga records 419 pregnancies among girls under 15

Teenage pregnancy remains a major health concern in Busoga, with 419 girls below the age of 15 registered for antenatal care in health facilities across the region during the 2025/2026 financial year .

The figures are contained in the Busoga Joint Health Sector Performance Review report for 2025/2026, presented on Wednesday by Simon Atria, a biostatistician at Jinja Regional Referral Hospital.

The report also shows that 27,528 adolescents aged 15 to 19 gave birth in health facilities during the year, highlighting the continued burden of early pregnancy and childbirth in the region.

The report shows that teenagers accounted for one in every five women making their first antenatal care visit in Busoga, with Namayingo recording the highest proportion at 25 per cent.

Among girls below 15, health facilities recorded 1,275 deliveries during the year, with Buyende registering the highest proportion at 2.3 per cent. Mayuge recorded 65 pregnancies among girls below 15, while Buyende and Bugiri recorded 58 and 55 respectively.

The figures are consistent with wider evidence showing that Busoga has a higher teenage pregnancy burden than the national average.

Dr Hamis Mugendawala, Senior Manager for Population and Social Development Planning at the National Planning Authority, said 28.4 per cent of girls aged 15 to 19 in Busoga have begun childbearing, compared with 23.5 per cent nationally.

‘When a 16-year-old leaves school because of pregnancy, the loss is not hers alone,’ Dr Mugendawala said, noting that the consequences are eventually borne by households, the health and education systems, the labour market and the wider economy.

The Minister for the Presidency, Ms Milly Babalanda, said the government recognises the persistent health disparities affecting Busoga, particularly teenage pregnancy.

‘We must acknowledge that Busoga continues to lag behind other regions on some critical health indicators, particularly childhood mortality, fertility rates and teenage pregnancy,’ Ms Babalanda said.

Ms Babalanda also urged health workers and local leaders to strengthen community-level interventions to address the social and economic factors contributing to poor health outcomes.

Dr Yayi Alfred, Senior Executive Consultant at Jinja Regional Referral Hospital, said addressing teenage pregnancy requires different stakeholders to take responsibility and act on the factors driving the problem.

Mothers still dying

The review recorded 74 maternal deaths among 161,033 facility deliveries, giving the region an institutional maternal mortality ratio of 47 deaths per 100,000 deliveries.

Jinja City recorded the highest institutional maternal mortality ratio in the region, at 148 deaths per 100,000 deliveries, with 22 maternal deaths reported.

Health officials partly attributed the high figure to the city’s referral facilities receiving complicated cases from surrounding areas.

Postpartum haemorrhage was the leading cause of maternal deaths, accounting for 44 per cent of the fatalities.

The region recorded 1,509 perinatal deaths, including 436 caused by birth asphyxia.

Emergency response gaps

The review also exposed gaps in emergency transport, with 54,844 cases recorded during the year. Of these, 73 per cent were transported using private means, while only six per cent reached health facilities by ambulance.

Dr Allan Muruta, Commissioner for Epidemiology and Disease Surveillance at the Ministry of Health, said ambulance coverage in the region stands at about 54 per cent, leaving gaps in constituencies and health facilities.

‘There are still gaps in the number of ambulances that are in constituencies and the health facilities,’ Dr Muruta said, adding that the Ministry was mobilising resources with the Ministry of Finance, development projects and partners to address the shortfall.

He said the Ministry plans to ensure every region has a Type C critical-care ambulance to provide advanced care to critically ill patients during referrals.

Authorities at Jinja Regional Referral Hospital said the facility has two Type B ambulances but needs a Type C ambulance to provide advanced life support and transport critically ill patients to national referral hospitals.

Buyende tops performance

Despite the challenges, Buyende emerged as the best-performing local government in the regional health-sector assessment, scoring 86.4 per cent, followed by Bugiri at 82.2 per cent and Kaliro at 81.3 per cent.

Kamuli scored 80.8 per cent, Iganga 80.7 per cent, while Mayuge and Jinja City each scored 77.7 per cent.

Bugweri scored 74.2 per cent, Namayingo 73.7 per cent, Jinja District 71.3 per cent, Namutumba 70.9 per cent and Luuka 69.6 per cent.

The review, held under the theme ‘A strong, responsive and sustainable health system supporting Uganda’s 10-fold growth strategy,’ calls for stronger health-sector performance to translate into better outcomes for mothers, newborns and adolescents across Busoga.

Locals’ row with UWA over Mt Elgon Park escalates

The wrangle between Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) and communities living around Mt Elgon National Park has escalated, with locals accusing UWA of using disproportionate force to evict them and destroying their crops.

The area was gazetted as a national park in 1993 after previously being managed as a central forest reserve, but since then UWA rangers and locals have routinely clashed, resulting in injuries and sometimes death on either side.

Last week, a meeting between UWA officials and Bududa District leaders was held at the Bududa District Council Hall to discuss the concerns raised by communities following the ongoing UWA operations in several sub-counties, including Bushiyi, Bundesi, Bukalasi and Bubiita, where UWA officials have been enforcing the park boundary.

The operations have triggered concerns among local leaders and communities, particularly over the destruction of crops and the welfare of households affected by the enforcement exercise.

The Bududa District Chairperson, Mr Geoffrey Natubu, said concerns surrounding Mt Elgon National Park require extensive consultation involving national leaders because they affect communities in several districts surrounding the mountain.

Mr Natubu said some communities living around the park had occupied the area for generations and called for a coordinated government approach to address their concerns.

Last month, an incident occurred in Natunga Village, Namirumba Parish, Bushiyi Sub-county, where residents were reportedly shot and injured during an encounter with UWA rangers.

The fights reportedly broke out after the locals reportedly questioned the destruction of their crops and also objected to UWA’s orders to leave their homes.

Earlier, residents of Bubiita and Bukalasi sub-counties had also stormed the office of the Resident District Commissioner (RDC) and district chairperson carrying coffee and banana stems among other crops, requesting the leaders to help address the dispute between UWA and residents.

The locals call upon UWA and the government to take responsibility for crops destroyed during the exercise, saying farmers had suffered significant losses and should be compensated.

‘More than 40 gardens belonging to over 40 households have reportedly been destroyed, with crops including coffee, bananas, onions, maize and cassava among those affected,’ Mr Robert Masaba, one of the affected people from Bukalasi Sub-county, said.

Farmers also say they may fail to repay Parish Development Model (PDM) funds borrowed and invested in agriculture since their crops have been destroyed by UWA rangers.

Preservation

UWA officials say approximately 1,500 acres of land had been encroached by people living within or cultivating in districts that fall inside the park.

Mr Mukhwana Wekhoola Koloto, the Bududa National Resistance Movement (NRM) chairperson, said UWA should prioritise sensitisation before operations are carried out.

‘We are aware of the advantages of protecting the forest and we are willing to sensitise the people living within the park to vacate but where will they go now since their food plantations have been destroyed,’ he said.

The Resident District Commissioner (RDC), Ms Juliet Solome Namara, called for peaceful and coordinated engagement between government agencies and communities.

She said residents had raised several concerns, including crop destruction and restrictions on activities within the protected area.

‘The concerns should be addressed through dialogue while ensuring that communities understand the government’s position and have an opportunity to present their grievances,’ she said.

She urged UWA, district leaders and security agencies to provide communities with clear and consistent information and cautioned against approaches that could create unnecessary tension between residents and enforcement personnel.

Mr Denis Elyebu the Bududa District internal security officer(DISO) said UWA should provide a clear boundary separating the park from community land.

‘The UWA officials should provide each sub-county with coordinates such that they are not caught off-guard during these operations,’ he said.

The Bududa Chief Administrative Officer, Mr Max Martin Mukula, cautioned against forced relocation measures without adequate planning and sensitisation.

‘Any relocation or eviction process should follow applicable legal and administrative procedures while taking into account the welfare of affected communities,’ he said.

However, Mr Godfrey Matanda, the UWA administrator at Mt Elgon National Park, explained that the authority has the mandate to protect and manage the protected area.

‘The park boundary is established using geographical coordinates and the legally established boundary has not changed but population growth and encroachment have created challenges in some areas,’ he said.

Mr Matanda added that some boundary pillars had reportedly been removed, displaced or shifted, making it necessary for stakeholders to work together to verify and clearly identify the boundary on the ground.

However, UWA said it remains committed to working with district and local leaders to address concerns raise by the locals.

The king who wore the crown lightly

‘For the thing which I greatly feared is come upon me, and that which I was afraid of is come unto me.’ – Job 3:25.

I never imagined that I would one day write ‘Rest in Peace’ alongside the name of a close friend, one with whom I shared some of the liveliest days of my life as we tried to understand life and find our place in the world.

Like many young people in their 20s, we had dreams, ambitions and endless conversations about the future.

We shared laughter, dreams and moments that felt ordinary then, but have now become some of my most precious memories.

My journey to Tooro began long before I realised it. Over the years, life drew me closer to the kingdom through school and the friendships I formed.

Somewhere along that journey, I met His Majesty King Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV, the man we affectionately called George, Amooti and, among some friends, Porgie.

For someone who carried such an extraordinary title, the Omukama had a gentle way of making everyone around him feel equal. He never made you feel like a subject or a commoner; around him, we were simply his friends.

Sometimes we would remind him, ‘George, you are not quite one of us, you are actually a king!’ He would laugh. Whenever we visited the palace, our clumsy attempts to observe royal customs amused him because, outside the palace, we were accustomed to interacting with him simply as George.

He carried the weight of the crown without allowing it to create distance between himself and those he loved.The Omukama possessed a childlike heart, but the wisdom of a much older man.

The world will say that he died at 34; I will say that he died at 34 with the mind of a 60-year-old. From his 20s, he had wise counsel for almost everything; life, relationships, faith and purpose.

Perhaps this was because he never had the luxury of an ordinary childhood. His life of service began before he could fully understand the responsibility he had inherited.

He hit the ground running and gave Tooro an exceptional 31 years of service.Therefore, when people say that he died before his time, I understand their grief.

Yet I also believe that he lived, loved and laughed. He did not move at our pace; he carried the experiences, responsibilities and wisdom of several lifetimes.

It feels as though God compressed a hundred years of purpose into 34 years of life. His years were few, but they were full.

George was also extraordinarily kind and generous. He checked on people, made them comfortable and loved wholeheartedly.

His generosity was not something he displayed because he was king; it was simply who he was.

He loved life, soccer, cars, machines and speed. I remember his joy when he bought his Range Rover Autobiography and insisted on driving it himself.

When it arrived, we were all as excited as he was. We opened the doors, admired every detail and marvelled at the illuminated logo on the ground.

Today, I am grateful that he allowed himself to enjoy the things that made him happy and, in doing so, gave us beautiful memories.

Above all, I admired his faith. Long before the viral videos of him publicly speaking about his commitment to Christ, he had always referenced God.

He frequently said, ‘God willing,’ before sentences and at one point used ‘IamGodsGeneral’ as his Instagram username, a simple but powerful declaration of whom he served.

In a world that offered him power, money, looks, almost anything, the Omukama chose God.To Her Royal Majesty the Queen Mother, Best Kemigisa, thank you.

You did not only raise a king; you raised a good man, humble, generous, wise, peaceful and God-fearing. The crown, privilege and attention could have shaped him differently, but because of the foundation you gave him, he became an admirable gentleman, not only in appearance, but also in character.

On behalf of the crew, thank you, George, for the brotherhood, the laughter, the wise counsel and the privilege of knowing the man behind the crown.

You fought the good fight, finished your race and kept the faith.

We give God the glory for your remarkable life. Simba ni Simba.

Rest in power, Amooti.

Omukama atuulize.

Navy not yet finished investigating death of its trainee

The Philippine Navy on Wednesday said it has not yet finished conducting its own investigation into the death of a 25-year-old Navy Officer candidate last July.

Philippine Navy spokesperson Marissa Martinez issued this statement after the parents of Aldwayne Agnaonao Dulnuan sought the help of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to probe his death last July 22 during a training in Zambales.

‘The Philippine Navy confirms that investigations of the incident remain ongoing, through its own internal proceedings and the independent probe conducted by the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) of the Philippine National Police,’ Martinez said in a statement sent to the Inquirer.

Dulnuan’s parents, Stella and Arnold, said that the Philippine Navy committed to them to launch its investigation into the incident, but they noted that they have not received any updates even 49 days after their son died.

In response, Martinez said that the results are not yet available, ‘since the Navy wants to ensure that the findings are sound and comprehensive and that nothing and no one has been overlooked.’

Martinez also said the Navy respects Aldwayne’s family’s decision to seek another independent investigation into the incident. It then committed to coordinate with the CIDG and other concerned agencies to ensure that proper procedures will lead to the resolution of the case.

Cause of death

Atty. Dwight Dangilan, Aldwayne’s family’s legal counsel, said that they sought the help of the NBI on Wednesday to determine whether there was foul play in his death.

Citing Aldwayne’s death certificate issued by Ulticare Medical Center in Olongapo City, the spokesperson detailed that his cause of death was septic shock with antecedent central nervous system infection and Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome, which is an underlying cause of pulmonary hemorrhage and acute kidney injury.

‘No autopsy was performed, and the Certificate of Death makes no finding as to the manner of death. Records reviewed to date contain no documented findings of trauma,’ Martinez added.

In an interview with the media, Stella narrated how she found out what happened to her son, noting that she received a message that her son was brought to the hospital due to dehydration. She said that she was wondering why her son was already intubated when they visited him at the hospital.

‘Kung kinakailangan na hukayin ulit kung ire-require ng NBI, gagawin po namin para lalabas ang katotohanan sa pagkamatay ng anak ko,’ she said.

(If his remains need to be exhumed if the NBI requires it, we will do it for the truth behind his death to come out.)

Further, when asked why the family took over a month to ask for help from another agency, Arnold said that they were waiting for updates from the Philippine Navy on its independent probe.

‘Wala pang feedback sa amin, sa family, kung ano na ang sitwasyon, ano na ang nangyari. We cannot wait anymore. Maybe they will conduct their investigation but now we want to seek the help of other institutions,’ Arnold said in the same interview.

(There is no feedback to us yet on what happened. We cannot wait anymore. Maybe they will conduct their investigation, but now we want to seek the help of other institutions.)

EDITORIAL- PISA: Wide room for improvement

The government had a piece of good news to report this week: for the first time, 15-year-old Filipino students posted improvements in the Program for International Student Assessment.

PISA 2025, administered by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, showed the mean scores of participating Filipino 15-year-olds rising by 17 points in science, 16 points in mathematics and 20 points in reading.

These are the highest scores obtained by the Philippines since joining PISA in 2018, according to Education Secretary Sonny Angara.

Improvements are always welcome. However, the scores were still below the OECD averages in science, math and reading comprehension.

And while the Philippines is no longer at the bottom among the PISA participants, the country still ranked 76th out of 90 participating states and economies in science, 73rd out of 89 in mathematics and 71st out of 89 in reading.

Compared with eight Southeast Asian neighbors, the Philippines also remained a laggard, ranking last in science and sixth in both math and reading. Singapore led the region in all three areas, with Vietnam and Brunei placing second and third, respectively, in both science and mathematics. In reading, Brunei was behind Singapore, followed by Malaysia, Vietnam and Thailand. In science, Malaysia, Indonesia and Cambodia were also ahead of the Philippines.

Overall, students from Singapore and China were the top performers in the PISA along with those from Estonia, Japan, South Korea, Macao, Taiwan and the United Kingdom.

Across the three core subjects, the high-performing regional economic and regional hubs of China – Beijing, Shanghai, Jiangsu and Zhejiang – topped the tests.

The OECD acknowledged efforts to improve the Philippine education system while pointing out that higher performers in East Asia set high expectations for all students, ‘with rigorous and focused instruction environments.’

Part of improving the learning environment is by making teaching ‘one of the most attractive careers,’ an official of the OECD noted.

The Philippines currently faces serious problems of bullying and extremist armed violence in schools involving minor students.

Bullying has been cited as one of the reasons for the country’s poor PISA performance. This is on top of the long-standing problems in the education sector, from early childhood stunting and malnourishment to shortages in classrooms, teachers and funding.

The improvement in the country’s PISA performance should encourage all stakeholders to intensify efforts to address these problems. There’s light at the end of the tunnel, but there’s still a long stretch of tunnel ahead.