Author: user user

Marikina villagers fight plan to cut decades-old trees

More than 500 residents of Provident Villages in Marikina have signed a petition opposing a plan to cut down 21 decades-old trees to make way for a proposed bridge project.

The petition opposes a plan by Hunan Road and Bridge Construction Company Ltd. (HNRB) and Rhodium 688 Builder Inc., which are undertaking the project through a joint venture. Residents also reiterated their opposition to the proposed bridge itself.

The trees, located along Saint Mary Avenue at the entrance of Provident Villages in Barangays Jesus dela Peña and Tañong, include narra, acacia, and golden shower trees that residents said have shaded the community for more than 50 years.

‘Please help us save our trees. They are our cherished ecological treasures,’ said Maria Corazon Lim, president of Holy Family Homeowners Association-Provident Villages.

Lim is leading the campaign to preserve the trees, alongside church leaders, including Holy Family Parish priest Father Bien Miguel, who has also spoken against what he described as environmental destruction.

‘Here in Marikina, so many trees have been cut. Cement is being poured into the spots where big trees used to stand,’ Miguel said.

‘Doesn’t the city pride itself for its abundance of green spaces? I hope our leaders will not allow these places to become smaller and smaller,’ he said.

The residents began organizing after receiving a letter from the two construction firms requesting that the homeowners issue a Certificate of No Objection to allow the trees to be felled.

‘What we told the firms in response is that we are willing to have a dialogue with their engineers and other officials. But on the cutting of the trees, our reaction is a resounding no,’ Lim said.

She also appealed directly to the contractors, saying, ‘I hope you realize how irreplaceable the trees are that you want to cut down in our village.

Community leaders led by the Holy Family Homeowners Association have submitted their petition to Marikina Reps. Marcy Teodoro and Miro Quimbo, Mayor Maan Teodoro, Vice Mayor Del de Guzman, Jesus dela Peña Barangay Captain Rosette Sarmiento, and Tañong Barangay Captain Danny del Castillo.

On Thursday, July 22, Lim also submitted a copy of the petition to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources-National Capital Region (DENR-NCR) in Diliman, Quezon City. The letter was addressed to DENR-NCR Executive Director Nilo Tamoria.

Miguel called on local officials to protect Marikina’s remaining green spaces also as part of efforts to address the city’s recurring floods.

‘Marikina is frequently submerged in floodwaters – the more reason we should turn around and lead in urban greening,’ the priest said.

‘Let us make Marikina the first model city in keeping its green spaces intact and growing,’ he added.

Residents have also placed tarpaulins bearing the message ‘Save Me’ on the 21 trees in an effort to prevent them from being cut down.

Reps halt NRS recruitment, threaten action against chairman

The House of Representatives Committee on Federal Character has ordered the immediate suspension of all recruitment by the Nigeria Revenue Service (NRS).

The committee also warned that it could take constitutional action against the agency’s Executive Chairman, Zacch Adedeji, for repeatedly failing to honour invitations from the National Assembly.

The committee, led by Ahmed Idris Wase, accused Adedeji of ignoring several invitations and requests for official documents sent by lawmakers.

At a meeting in Abuja, the committee said it would rely on Sections 88 and 89 of the 1999 Constitution to compel the NRS chairman to appear if he continues to ignore its summons.

These sections give the National Assembly the power to investigate government agencies, summon officials and request documents.

According to the committee, it wrote to the NRS on July 15, 2026, asking Adedeji to submit the agency’s updated staff list and appear before lawmakers on July 22. However, he did not attend the meeting.

Lawmakers said this was not the first time the NRS had ignored them.

They claimed the agency had failed to respond to at least seven previous invitations sent between October 2023 and April 2026.

The committee said the dispute is linked to recruitment exercises and waivers reportedly approved for the NRS by the Federal Character Commission (FCC), despite an earlier directive from the House stopping such approvals.

The Chairman of the FCC, Hulayat Motunrayo Omidiran, also failed to attend the meeting. She informed the committee that she was away on official duty and was ill.

However, lawmakers described her repeated absence as unacceptable, noting that she had ignored several previous invitations.

The committee also criticised the FCC for granting recruitment waivers to the NRS, saying the decision undermined the constitutional oversight powers of the House of Representatives.

As a result, lawmakers directed the FCC to immediately stop all ongoing recruitment by the NRS until the leadership of both agencies appears before the committee to explain their actions.

Speaking during the meeting, Wase said no government agency or public official is above the Constitution.

He stressed that the National Assembly’s oversight powers are meant to ensure accountability and must be respected by all public institutions.

The committee added that continued refusal by government officials to honour invitations weakens democracy, reduces public trust and damages the country’s system of checks and balances.

It also vowed to use every legal and constitutional means available to enforce compliance.

Meanwhile, sources at the National Assembly said Adedeji’s refusal to appear may be linked to allegations of irregularities in previous recruitment and appointments within the NRS.

The allegations followed a Daily Trust report published on January 30, 2026, which claimed that the appointment of five out of the six Executive Directors of the NRS violated Section 17(1) of the Nigeria Revenue Service (Establishment) Act.

The law states that each Executive Director must represent a different geopolitical zone and that the Executive Chairman and any Executive Director must not come from the same state.

The appointments are now being challenged in an Abuja High Court by the Incorporated Trustees of Patriotic Youth Organisations of Nigeria, which is asking the court to stop the affected Executive Directors from performing their duties until the case is decided.

The President, the Attorney General of the Federation and the Nigeria Revenue Service are listed as defendants in the suit.

Gilas books spot in FIBA 3×3

U23 World Cup Gilas Pilipinas 3×3 Men capped off a remarkable campaign in the 2026 FIBA 3×3 Nations League Asia 2 competitions by securing a berth in the 2026 FIBA 3×3 U23 World Cup after a dominant run in Petaling Jaya, Malaysia.

Up against fellow Under-21 teams from Japan, New Zealand, Belarus, Singapore, and Malaysia, the Philippines reached the finals in five of the six stops, winning three en route to the first-place finish.

Gilas started its campaign with back-to-back wins, but suffered a tight loss to Belarus in the Stop 1 Finals. After missing out on a podium finish for Stop 2, Gilas bounced back by beating Japan to win Stop 3. The young Filipino ballers made sure there was no doubt about who the best team was as they defeated New Zealand and Japan to win Stops 4 and 5 via game-winning two-point baskets.

The Philippines finished with 520 points in the tournament, 50 points clear of second-place Japan, to earn a spot in the FIBA 3×3 U23 World Cup, marking another significant milestone for the SBP’s rapidly growing 3×3 program.

PBA: George King embraces fun as San Miguel rolls

George King seems to be having the time of his life as San Miguel Beer’s reinforcement in the 2026 PBA Governors’ Cup.

King is not only racking up numbers but also enjoys being with the team on a 3-0 start for the Beermen in Group A.

From his trademark gesture of placing an imaginary crown on his head to dancing with teammates to being greeted on the bench with barking chants, there’s a reason for King to have fun.

‘For me, it’s easy to lose focus that this is a game,’ King said. ‘And if I go back to my early stages of when I found this game, and I did it because it’s fun. And I enjoy it, and I still do. But I believe that at this point, sometimes it can be easy to forget that.

‘And so, I was recently reminded of that. I’m just taking the game seriously. But having those celebrations and smiling on the court and having fun. I think it makes it all the merrier. And I believe the fans enjoy it as well,’ he added.

The Beermen have been flourishing, primarily because of King’s play and being an apparent fit to the talent-laden roster.

But the way they enjoy each other’s company, King believes it could go a long way in terms of their title drive.

‘When we’re out there, obviously we’re making plays. And we’re making our opponents call a timeout and we’re sitting there and we’re literally sitting there and dancing. And just building our chemistry,’ said King.

‘I think these are the things that are going to pay off for us down the road.’

Nigeria’s crude exports to US jump 149% as American oil imports rebound

Nigeria’s crude oil exports to the United States rebounded sharply in May as American refiners stepped up overseas purchases, offering fresh evidence that higher global oil prices and renewed demand for light sweet crude are reviving one of Nigeria’s traditional export markets.

Data obtained from the US Census Bureau show the US imported 2.36 million barrels of Nigerian crude in May, up 149.4 percent from 946,000 barrels in April.

The customs value of the imports climbed to $279.8 million, compared with $85.2 million a month earlier, reflecting both stronger buying and firmer crude prices.

Brent crude oil prices in May 2026 started the month around $116.10 per barrel but fell sharply to close the month at $92.05 per barrel. This monthly drop of over 19 percent was largely driven by hopes of a US-Iran agreement to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.

The recovery coincided with a broader increase in US crude imports. According to the latest US International Trade in Goods and Services report, US crude oil imports rose by $1.5 billion in May, making crude one of the largest contributors to a $12.3 billion increase in overall goods imports.

Also, imports of industrial supplies and materials rose by $3.1 billion during the month, with crude oil accounting for nearly half of the increase.

The rebound marks a turnaround after Nigerian shipments to the US weakened for two consecutive months. Imports fell from 4.637 million barrels in February to 1.54 million barrels in March before sliding further to April’s low of 946,000 barrels.

Despite the volatility, the US imported 11.15 million barrels of Nigerian crude worth approximately $926.6 million between January and May, underlining Nigeria’s continued relevance as a supplier of premium light sweet crude grades to the world’s largest economy.

‘Buyers will naturally diversify away,’ said Muda Yusuf, Director/Chief Executive Officer, Centre for the Promotion of Private Enterprise (CPPE).

The increase comes as geopolitical tensions in the Middle East continue to reshape global crude trade flows. Heightened concerns over shipping through the Strait of Hormuz have lifted international oil prices and prompted refiners to diversify supply sources, increasing the appeal of Atlantic Basin producers such as Nigeria.

Nigerian grades, including Bonny Light, Qua Iboe, and Escravos, remain attractive to US Gulf Coast refiners due to their low sulphur content and high yields of gasoline, diesel, and jet fuel.

Although the US has become one of the world’s largest oil producers, many of its refineries continue to import specific crude grades that complement domestic production.

The stronger US demand also comes as Nigeria has gradually restored crude production through improved security in the Niger Delta and intensified efforts to curb oil theft and pipeline vandalism.

Higher production has enabled exporters to capitalise on stronger international prices and increased demand from overseas buyers.

For Nigeria, the renewed US buying provides an additional revenue boost at a time when crude oil remains the country’s largest source of foreign exchange and government income.

Sustained demand from the US, alongside robust purchases from Europe and Asia, could help support export earnings if global oil prices remain elevated.

However, analysts cautioned that Nigeria’s share of the US market remains vulnerable to changing refinery economics, domestic shale output and shifts in global trade flows.

While May’s rebound is significant, export volumes are still well below February’s peak, suggesting that US demand remains opportunistic rather than structural.

Wanted Dawlah bomb-maker trained by ‘Marwan’ arrested

A long-wanted member of the now-defunct Dawlah Islamiya, well-versed in the fabrication of large improvised explosive devices, was arrested by policemen and soldiers in Mamasapano, Maguindanao del Sur on Tuesday, July 21.

Local executives in different towns in Maguindanao del Sur, Moro datus and relatives of the now-detained 38-year-old Muslimin Sangila Amilil told reporters on Thursday that he is an expert maker of bombs using either ammonium nitrate or potassium chlorate as blasting charges, packed with nails and metal fragments with jagged edges.

They also corroborated assertions by police and Army officials that he was trained in assembling home-made bombs, which can be detonated from a distance using mobile phones, by the Malaysian terrorist Zulkifli Bin Hir, most known as “Marwan,” who was killed in a gunfight with personnel of the Special Action Force of the Philippine National Police in a brief clash in Pidsandawan area in Mamasapano on Jan. 25, 2015.

Local executives said Amilil is also wanted for his involvement in the ambush on March 28, 2026, near the Maguindanao del Sur provincial police headquarters in Shariff Aguak municipality, of policemen riding a patrol vehicle, killing five of them instantly and injuring three others.

Capt. Steffie Salanguit, spokesperson of the Police Regional Office-Bangsamoro Autonomous Region, said on Thursday that Amilil was cornered and arrested on Tuesday afternoon in a secluded area in Barangay Tukanalipao in Mamasapano by personnel of different units led by Col. Michael John Mangahis, director of the Maguindanao del Sur Provincial Police Office.

Salanguit and Mangahis separately told reporters that soldiers from the Army’s 34th Infantry Battalion, led by Lt. Col. Edgardo Batinay, and intelligence agents under the 601st Infantry Brigade of the 6th Infantry Division assisted the operation in anticipation of a possible encounter between Amilil and other remnants of the Dawlah Islamiya holding out in Barangay Tukanalipao.

Policemen and soldiers first searched for Amilil in his hideout in Barangay Duguengen in Shariff Saydonaff Saydona Mustapha, Maguindanao del Sur but did not find him there. They instead arrested his 36-year-old wife, Aiza Awab Amilil, when they found three 5.56 M16 rifles, a 7.62 M14 and three homemade bombs in their house, where they first searched for him with the help of barangay officials and villagers in Barangay Duguengen.

With the support of local executives, Moro datus and officials of the Shariff Saydona Municipal Police Station, the policemen and soldiers dispatched to arrest Amilil managed to locate and arrest him, an hour later, in an isolated area in Barangay Tukanalipao, about two six kilometers away.

He is now locked in a police detention facility, awaiting prosecution in different courts for his high-profile criminal offenses.

Harley Davidson Batch 2012 nears title repeat in SHAABAA Division B

Reigning champions Harley Davidson Batch 2012 rode on a spirited endgame fightback to draw first blood against Hatch IT Solutions Batch 2010, 70-66, in the best-of-three Division B finals of the Sacred Heart Ateneo Alumni Basketball Athletic Association (SHAABAA) Season 29 at the Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu (SHS-AdC) Magis Eagles Arena in Barangay Canduman, Mandaue City.

Dave Wilson Yu produced a solid double-double of 25 points and 12 rebounds with one assist and three steals while Julius Cadavis nearly had a triple-double with 14 points, 13 rebounds and eight assists aside from blocking five shots as Batch 2012 moved one step closer towards keeping its throne.

Batch 2012 worked hard for the win.

The Harley Davidson-backed squad opened the game with an 8-0 blitz but Batch 2010 fought back with savvy to seize the upper hand, 15-14, after the first period and even led by as much as 11 points, 33-22, late in the first half.

Batch 2010 maintained a six-point edge, 53-47, at the end of the third quarter but Batch 2012 staged a daring counter-attack to pull within a hairline, 58-59, and then completed its big comeback with a game-closing 12-7 run.

Aaron Baldwin Sing was the other double-digit scorer for Batch 2012 with 11 points, two assists and a steal.

Jasper Diaz exploded for 31 points with 12 rebounds, two assists, three steals, and a block but his impressive all-around performance went to the dustbin for Batch 2010.

Game 2 of the title series is slated on August 2.

Court declines to hear Miyetti Allah president’s plea to vary bail conditions

The Federal High Court in Abuja on Thursday declined to hear a fresh application by detained National President of Miyetti Allah Kauta Kore, Bello Bodejo, seeking an order varying his bail conditions.

Justice Inyang Ekwo, in a ruling, held that since the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is contesting the application, the court might be unable to conclude its proceedings before the court vacation commences.

EFCC charged Bodejo with money laundering involving 2.63 million U.S. dollars.

Justice Ekwo had, on Monday, admitted Bodejo to a N2 billion bail with two sureties in the like sum.

The judge ordered that one of the sureties must present a three-year tax clearance evidence and must reside within the court’s jurisdiction, while the second sureties must have a land worth N2 billion in Abuja.

When the case was called on Thursday, Bodejo’s lawyer, Mohammed Sheriff, informed the court about the application by his client, seeking, among others, the variation of the conditions attached to the bail granted him.

The lawyer to the anti-graft agency, Fatai Erewunmi, said he was served with the application and had responded by filing a counter affidavit.

But the judge said upon looking at the tenure of the application, which is being challenged, the court might be unable to conclude proceedings in the application before the court’s vacation.

The judge then advised parties to approach a vacation judge, during the court’s vacation, to hear the application.

He said after then, the substantive case can be returned for trial before his court.

Justice Ekwo adjourned the matter until Oct. 5 for the commencement of trial.

The EFCC accused Bodejo of accepting 100,000 dollars from Sa’idu Abubakar a former Accountant-General (AG) of Bauchi State who is currently in the lawful custody of the Nigerian Police Force, among other cash in hard currency.

The EFCC said the sum exceeded the statutory cash transaction threshold of N5 million prescribed under Section 1(a) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 (as amended), without routing the said transaction through a financial institution as required by law.

He was said to have committed an offence contrary to Section 16(1)(d) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 (as amended) and punishable under Section 16(2)(b) of the same Act,

The offence is said to be contrary to Section 19(1)(d) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022 and punishable under Section 19(2)(b) of the same Act.

Donald Trump administration weighs military operation against JNIM in Mali

The administration of US President Donald Trump is discussing the possibility of conducting a military operation against Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM), a terrorist group operating in Mali, AzerNEWS reports.

According to The Washington Post, citing current and former US officials familiar with the deliberations, if the US authorities decide to carry out such an operation, Mali would become the eighth country targeted by strikes ordered by Trump since the beginning of his second presidential term. The list also includes Yemen, Somalia, Syria, Iran, Iraq, Nigeria and Venezuela.

The official also called terrorism in the Sahel a “multinational problem,” adding: “We urge regional partners and NATO allies to support the Alliance of Sahel States in their war against JNIM and ISIS.”

The Pentagon declined to comment, while the State Department said the US “unequivocally condemns the terrorist activity in Mali,” according to the report.

???????In 2018, the US State Department designated JNIM in Mali as a foreign terrorist organization.

In the most recent fighting, the JNIM ambushed a Mali military convoy, reportedly killing or capturing at least 50 soldiers. The JNIM also released video appearing to show soldiers surrendering.

Tinubu approves four new divisions for Nigerian Army, recruitment of 28,000 personnel

In a major push to tackle insecurity in the country, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Thursday approved the expansion of the Nigerian Army’s structure from eight to 12 divisions and recruitment of additional 28,000 personnel.

Under the restructuring, new Divisions of Nigerian Army will be established with Headquarters in Makurdi, Ilorin, Jalingo and Benin City.

The presidency said establishment of the new divisions will significantly improve command and control, decentralise operational decision-making, strengthen border security, enhance the protection of critical national infrastructure, improve counterinsurgency and internal security operations, and ensure faster military response to emerging threats nationwide.

The landmark move to enhance the country’s security architecture and improve the operational effectiveness of the Nigerian Army was announced in a statement by presidential spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga on Thursday.

According to the statement, the approval underscores the President’s unwavering commitment to equipping the Armed Forces to address Nigeria’s evolving security challenges effectively and to strengthen national defence capabilities further.

‘The expansion builds on the Administration’s sustained investments in the Armed Forces, including approval for the recruitment of 28,000 additional personnel, acquisition of critical military platforms and equipment, improvements in troop welfare, and ongoing support for operational readiness and force modernisation,’ Onanuga said in the statement.

Giving further in information of the major push against insecurity by the President, Onanuga said under the new structure, the Nigerian Army will operate twelve divisions, strategically positioned across the country

Division one of the Nigerian Army with headquarters in Kaduna will cover Kaduna Kaduna, Kano, Katsina and Jigawa States, while division two with headquarters in Ibadan will cover Oyo, Osun, Ekiti and Ondo States.

Also, division three with its headquarters in Jos will cover Plateau, Bauchi and Gombe States while Division four with headquarters in Makurdi will cover Benue, Nasarawa and Kogi States. T

The headquarters 6 Division will be in Port Harcourt with Rivers, Akwa Ibom and Cross River States as its coverage areas, while the 7 Division with Headquarters in Maiduguri covers Borno and Yobe States.

The 8 Division will have its Headquarters in Sokoto with Sokoto, Kebbi and Zamfara States as its coverage areas while the 9 Division with Headquarters in Ilorin would have responsibilities for Kwara and Niger States.

The Headquarters of the 10 Division will be Jalingo with its areas of responsibility as Taraba and Adamawa States just as the 81 Division Headquarters is in Lagos with Lagos and Ogun States as its coverage areas.

Also, the 82 Division Headquarters with Headquarters in Enugu will cover Enugu, Anambra, Abia, Ebonyi and Imo States while the 83 Division with Headquarters Benin City will cover Edo, Delta and Bayelsa States.

The presidency said in the statement that implementation of the new structure of the Nigerian Army will be done in two phases.

‘The first phase, covering the establishment of the 5, 9, and 10 Divisions and the reorganisation of existing formations, will be completed by September 2026. The second phase, involving the establishment of the 83 Division and further reorganisation, is expected to be completed by December 2026’

The statement also quoted President Tinubu as commending the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Ibrahim Shuaibu, and all officers and soldiers of the Nigerian Army for their dedication, professionalism, and steadfast commitment to defending Nigeria’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

‘The President reaffirmed his Administration’s determination to continue investing in the Armed Forces, ensuring they remain adequately equipped, highly motivated, and fully capable of protecting the nation and guaranteeing the safety and security of all Nigerians,’ the statement said.