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PNP tracing crime links of guns sold by 2 Caloocan cops

The Philippine National Police (PNP) is tracing the origin of the firearms allegedly sold illegally by two Caloocan City police officers to determine whether they are linked to a larger criminal network.

PNP chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. ordered a ballistics examination of firearms seized from the suspects – identified as a 32-year-old staff sergeant and a 39-year-old master sergeant – to determine whether the weapons had been used in previous shootings, according to a press release issued Friday.

The probe comes as investigators look into the motive behind the alleged illegal gun trade, with Nartatez citing separate reports of violent crimes in different areas.

The PNP chief also ordered background checks on the suspects to determine whether they had accomplices within the police force.

‘There is no place in the PNP for personnel who abuse their authority or violate the law. If you choose to engage in criminal acts, you will be investigated, arrested and prosecuted,’ Nartatez said.

The investigation is part of the government’s efforts to ‘strengthen internal discipline in the police organization, dismantle criminal groups and ensure that erring personnel are held fully accountable under the law,’ according to the press release.

The suspects, who were arrested in a buy-bust operation in Barangay 5 on Thursday, face criminal charges for violating Republic Act No. 10591, or the Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act, in addition to administrative complaints.

Thailand to ramp up creative cities drive

Thailand aims to secure Unesco Creative Cities Network (UCCN) recognition for two new destinations every two years as part of a national strategy to have at least 35 Thai cities designated by 2037, according to the Designated Areas for Sustainable Tourism Administration (Dasta).

The agency said receiving recognition is expected to increase tourism revenue in those areas by 10-30%.

Siripakorn Cheawsamoot, director of Dasta, said Thailand is on track to drive community-based and cultural tourism to receive international standards, as targeted by the government.

The strategy calls for Thailand to achieve international standards such as the UCCN or Top 100 Sustainable Destinations by Green Destinations for 35 cities or communities by 2037.

Thailand has nine Unesco creative cities currently and roughly 15 communities and attractions recognised as top 100 sustainable destinations.

Mr Siripakorn said Phuket was named Thailand’s first UCCN in 2015 as a “City of Gastronomy”.

Of the nine cities, Dasta helped six of them to achieve recognition since 2019: Sukhothai, Nan, Songkhla, Chiang Rai, Suphan Buri and Phetchaburi.

The agency’s framework includes collaborating with local organisations to consult on development standards.

Under Unesco’s criteria, each country can receive only two creative city titles every two years. There are 408 cities globally acknowledged under the UCCN.

Dasta, related ministries and provincial organisations plan to submit two more cities for Unesco recognition in 2027. Potential candidates are Pattaya for film, Chanthaburi for gastronomy and Si Sa Ket for crafts and folk art.

“This investment should be valuable for future tourism returns,” said Mr Siripakorn.

The recognition is expected to draw more high-spending tourists keen for new experiences, he said.

These cities should be able to earn 10-30% more revenue, an additional 3,000-5,000 baht in average spending per trip, said Mr Siripakorn.

Dasta and partner organisations held the Thailand Creative Cities Network Forum 2026 yesterday, inviting representatives of new creative city candidates to exchange ideas with delegates from creative city recipients Berlin, Jakarta, Cebu and Echizen.

Regarding the development of the Phu Kradueng cable car, he said the project still needs an environmental impact assessment and design refinements.

The final study and development plan must be submitted to the cabinet for approval by mid-2027, said Mr Siripakorn, and the construction should take 1-2 years.

In terms of community-based tourism, 45 local communities within Dasta’s designated areas generated 137 million baht in 2025, up by 22.3% year-on-year, tallying 426,431 visitors.

The agency targets a 10-20% increase in revenue annually, driven by new marketing, activities and experiences, he said.

Next year Dasta plans to return the administration of one designated area to the local community as it is ready to manage it without Dasta’s guidance, said Mr Siripakorn.

The agency manages nine designated areas across Thailand and is studying the feasibility for a new area development, such as Laem Tua Ngork in Kanchanaburi, Phayao or Hua Hin and Cha-am.

Five coconut oil importers allegedly evade Rs. 9.7 b in taxes: Marikkar

Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) MP S.M. Marikkar yesterday alleged in Parliament that five coconut oil importing companies had evaded Rs. 9.7 billion in taxes over the past two and a half years, raising questions over why only a handful of companies continued to avoid paying taxes.

Marikkar said he had raised the question with the Prime Minister, twice with Trade and Commerce Minister Wasantha Samarasinghe, twice with Finance Deputy Minister Dr. Anil Jayantha Fernando, and again yesterday, making it the sixth time he had raised the issue while claiming that it had remained unresolved since 1 January 2024.

He said the Prime Minister had assured Parliament last year that the taxes would be recovered, but claimed that by the end of July this year, the five companies had continued importing coconut oil without paying taxes amounting to Rs. 9.7 billion.

Marikkar said the companies had earlier sought tax concessions from the previous Government, but the Inland Revenue Department (IRD) had refused to grant the request.

He questioned why one company continued to pay taxes while the other companies had been allowed to avoid payment by repeatedly filing appeals.

‘The Gazette clearly states that coconut oil production is liable to pay an 18% Value Added Tax (VAT) and a 2.5% Social Security Contribution Levy (SSCL). That is why the other companies pay these taxes. We see people being arrested even for minor tax evasion, but there is reasonable suspicion as to why only these five companies are getting away with it,’ he said.

He said there was suspicion that companies claiming exemptions may have imported crude coconut oil without refining it, resulting in coconut oil containing poisonous aflatoxin entering the market.

Marikkar urged the Government to expedite the legal process and recover the outstanding taxes without further delay.

Responding to the allegations, Deputy Finance, Planning and Economic Development Minister Nishantha Jayaweera said the IRD had already determined that the companies were liable to pay VAT and SSCL, but the tax recovery process had been delayed due to legal appeals filed by the companies.

‘Only one company has paid the taxes in full, while the remaining companies have argued that they are not engaged in production activities and are therefore not liable for VAT and SSCL. The IRD rejected those claims and issued tax assessments after determining that the production and sale of coconut oil constitute a production process liable for both taxes,’ he said.

Jayaweera said the IRD had clearly stated that the production and sale of coconut oil were subjected to VAT and SSCL.

Explaining that taxpayers had the legal right to challenge tax assessments, he said one of the companies had already lodged an appeal and, under the law, the IRD could not recover the taxes until the appeal process had been concluded.

Jayaweera said taxpayers could subsequently appeal to the Tax Appeals Commission, the Court of Appeal, and ultimately the Supreme Court, resulting in delays in recovering the outstanding taxes.

Jayaweera emphasised that the Government would not interfere with the tax administration process and insisted that the IRD remained committed to recovering the taxes.

‘We do not need to grant tax concessions to any particular company. As MP Marikkar pointed out, it is clearly unfair when one company pays taxes while others evade them. The IRD has already taken the maximum measures possible within the existing legal framework,’ he said. (SS)

Fed Govt to fix 82km Osogbo/Iwo/Ibadan, 88km Osogbo/Gbongan roads

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu yesterday launched the concrete building of 82-kilometre Osogbo-Iwo-Ibadan Road and reconstruction of 88-kilometre Osogbo-Gbongan Road.

He described the projects as strategic investments aimed at improving connectivity, boosting economic activities and restoring confidence in public infrastructure.

The President, represented by the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, performed the ceremony at Aje International Market, Osogbo.

He said the projects were part of the Renewed Hope Agenda of his administration.

Tinubu said the commencement of the projects signified more than the start of road construction, stressing that it represented a renewed commitment by the Federal Government to connect communities, unlock economic opportunities and improve the quality of life of Nigerians.

‘Today, we are not just turning soil, we are turning a page. Flagging off these road projects marks a clear commitment to connect our people, unlock opportunities and restore confidence in public infrastructure,’ he said.

According to him, the roads are critical components of the Federal Government’s infrastructure development programme designed to enhance connectivity, improve road safety and stimulate socio-economic activities across Osun and Oyo states.

He noted that the roads would enable farmers to transport produce faster, improve access to schools and facilitate movement of people and goods along the corridor.

President Tinubu said the 82-kilometre Osogbo-Iwo-Ibadan Road, which begins at the Dele Yes Sir Roundabout in Osogbo and passes through Ara, Awo, Ede, Telemu, Iwo, Laagun before terminating in Ibadan, has deteriorated over the years.

He said the project, awarded to Peculiar Ultimate Concerns Limited at a cost of N114.85 billion, would be executed using Continuously Reinforced Concrete Pavement (CRCP) technology and completed within 24 months.

Tinubu also announced that the reconstruction of the 44-kilometre dual carriageway between Osogbo and Gbongan, covering a total of 88 kilometres, had been awarded to Trucrete Solutions Limited for N101.81 billion with a completion period of 24 months.

He said the project would involve upgrading the failed single carriageway sections to dual carriageways on rigid concrete pavement, reconstructing already dualised but deteriorated sections, and providing modern road infrastructure.

According to him, the projects will have drainage systems, reinforced concrete pavement, solar-powered street lights, CCTV surveillance cameras, tree planting, lay-bys and other safety features.

Tinubu said the projects were approved by the Federal Executive Council to ease the burden on motorists and improve the economic fortunes of communities along the corridors.

He directed the contractors to mobilise fully to their project sites, warning that delays would not be tolerated.

The President said his administration was simultaneously executing major highway projects across the country, including the Ibadan-Ife-Ilesa Road, the Ilesa-Akure-Owo-Benin Road, sections of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, the Sokoto-Badagry Superhighway and the Trans-Sahara Trade Route.

He assured Nigerians that the Federal Government would enforce quality standards, transparency and value for money in the execution of all infrastructure projects.

‘Every naira must count, every milestone must be met and every community must feel the benefit,’ he said.

Tinubu urged the contractors to see themselves as development partners by delivering quality jobs on schedule and engaging youths in their operations to build local capacity.

He expressed confidence that the projects would be completed successfully and contribute significantly to the nation’s economic transformation.

Earlier, the Minister of Works, Prof David Umahi, in his address, said the Federal Government was making significant progress on road infrastructure projects across the country, citing ongoing rehabilitation of the Ibadan-Ife-Ilesa Highway by CBC Global and the dualisation of the Ilesa-Akure-Owo-Benin Road by Hitech Construction Company.

He noted that both projects were being executed with rigid concrete pavement technology and had reached various stages of completion, reflecting the administration’s commitment to delivering durable road infrastructure.

Umahi also highlighted steady progress on other flagship highway projects, including the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, where the Lagos section has been substantially completed, while work on the Ogun, Akwa Ibom and Cross River sections is advancing at different levels.

He said construction on the Sokoto-Badagry Superhighway was progressing across several sections, with additional segments being accelerated, while work had also commenced on the Trans-Sahara Trade Route linking Calabar to Abuja through Ebonyi, Benue, Kogi and Nasarawa states, with engineering designs underway for other portions.

The minister assured Nigerians that the Federal Government would maintain strict standards of quality, transparency and accountability in the execution of all road projects, stressing that contractors must deliver value for money and complete projects within schedule.

He urged contractors, engineers and government partners at all levels to work collaboratively and involve young Nigerians in project execution, expressing confidence that the ongoing investments would strengthen public trust, improve connectivity and stimulate economic growth across the country.

June jobless rate rose to 4.9% on influx of fresh grads

The country’s unemployment rate edged higher for a second straight month in June as the labor market struggled to absorb a fresh wave of graduates entering the workforce.

According to data released by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) on Thursday, the number of unemployed Filipinos inched up to 2.59 million in June from 2.5 million in May, pushing the jobless rate to 4.9 percent from 4.8 percent.

The uptick came as labor force participation climbed to 53.25 million, or 65.1 percent, from 52.13 million, or 63.8 percent, a month earlier.

According to the PSA, about 650,000 Filipinos entered the labor force in June. Of these, 592,000 were aged 15 to 24-mostly fresh graduates-but only 310,000 secured jobs, leaving 282,000 unemployed.

For Leonardo Lanzona, an economist at Ateneo de Manila University, the higher unemployment rate reflected a surge in labor supply rather than a weakening demand for workers.

‘The June uptick in unemployment to 4.9 percent traces mainly to a labor-supply timing effect rather than a demand collapse: 650,000 first-time entrants, 592,000 of them aged 15-24 and largely fresh graduates, flooded the labor force even as participation climbed to 65.1 percent from 63.8 percent in May, and job creation simply could not absorb them at pace,’ Lanzona said.

Even so, the number of employed Filipinos increased to 50.66 million from 49.63 million. However, the influx of new job seekers outpaced employment growth, causing the employment rate to ease slightly to 95.1 percent from 95.2 percent in May.

Meanwhile, underemployment-or the number of employed Filipinos seeking additional work or longer working hours to boost their income-rose to 6.11 million from 6.04 million. Still, the underemployment rate eased slightly to 12.1 percent from 12.2 percent in the previous month.

Lanzona said the labor market also continued to feel the effects of the Middle East war, particularly on fuel-dependent industries, while longer-term pressure from artificial intelligence was beginning to weigh on hiring.

‘Higher diesel prices raised operating costs for municipal marine fisherfolk directly, contributing to a roughly 467,000 year-on-year decline in fishing and aquaculture employment,’ Lanzona said.

‘AI (artificial intelligence)-driven automation is (also) compressing the growth ceiling of the business process outsourcing (BPO) industry, the country’s largest formal wage-employment generator, just as youth labor supply is surging, meaning the sector that has historically cushioned new-entrant absorption is becoming less able to do so,’ he added.

The warning comes as the BPO industry recently cut its 2028 employment projection to between 1.85 million and 2.14 million workers from an earlier target of 2.5 million, citing faster AI adoption and intensifying global competition.

Access restored in rockslide-hit Ilocos Sur road

The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has declared a section of the Tagudin-Cervantes Road in Suyo town passable to all types of vehicles after clearing a rockslide that had blocked the route.

In a road advisory issued Thursday evening, the Ilocos Sur 2nd District Engineering Office said the affected portion at Kilometer 342+300 in Barangay Man-atong was reopened to traffic by 6:11 p.m.

The advisory came after days of heavy rains brought by tropical depression Luis, Tropical Storm Maymay, and the southwest monsoon, which triggered landslides, rockfalls, and road obstructions in several parts of Ilocos Sur.

Authorities said personnel continue to conduct round-the-clock monitoring of the area to ensure the safety of motorists and allow for immediate response should new incidents occur.

Several roads across the province were affected by weather-related hazards this week, prompting authorities to issue travel advisories and deploy clearing teams to restore access in affected communities

BUA Cement boosts youth entrepreneurship

BUA Cement Plc has boosted youth entrepreneurship by graduating no fewer than 60 community youths trained on handling heavy duty machines operation to further advance the company’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) to its host community.

Its Sokoto Plant said the move aligned with its goal of strengthening its skills and empowerment programmes initiative for youth.

Sokoto State governor, Ahmed Aliyu, who spoke as Special Guest at the brief graduation ceremony of the youths held in the company’s premises, reassured of his administration readiness to provide an enabling environment for business and commercial activities to thrive in the state.

Represented by the state Commissioner for Commerce and Industries, Mr Haruna Abba Bashir, the governor commended BUA Cement for its sustained commitment to the course of providing employment opportunities, reducing youth idleness and boosting economic prosperity of Sokoto state.

‘We acknowledge your strides in reducing unemployment and creating opportunity for youths to acquire innovative skills and strengthening poverty alleviation measures especially among host community population,’ the governor said.

He said the current administration was supportive of the initiatives of BUA Cement in expanding the state business horizon to benefit its people.

The governor said: ‘Human empowerment, poverty reduction and skills acquisition are driving forces against unemployment and purposeful entrepreneurship and innovative desires among our youths population.’

He urged the graduands especially those given employment to exhibit commitment, discipline and visionary capacity, disclosing that BUA Cement Plc’s interventions and other development partners with government commitment would strengthen the state’s development process.

Speaking on the training, Assistant Director, Human Resources at BUA, Mr Abdulrasheed Mode said the graduands had undergone six months extensive training programme with practical tests.

He said: ‘They all went through training on various equipment and unskilled operations to prepare them on comprehensive operations.’

Mr Mode disclosed that 52 of the successful trainee graduands had been offered employment with the company, describing the programme as a remarkable achievement, urging them to abide by the company’s regulations.

BUA Managing Director, Yusuf Haliru Binji said the initiative was designed to empower and strengthen the company’s expertise and specialised workforce.

Represented by Head, Administration and Corporate Affairs, Mr Sada Suleiman, he acknowledged the support and cooperation BUA Cement plc has been enjoying from the state government towards driving business activities and community development missions.

Binji explained that the cement major has consistently remained purposeful in its mission and vision to make the state a place full of opportunities for citizens and community to excel through various CSR initiative programmes.

Earlier, in their remarks, traditional rulers from the host communities expressed appreciation to the company’s commitment to driving a responsive CSR vision towards the development of youths and the community while certificates were presented to the graduands by dignitaries including management staff of the company and the traditional rulers.

What’s next after swiping right? Green and red flags of online dating

Online dating has broken barriers and is the new norm for forming relationships, be it romantic or purely social.

From pioneers like Tinder, Bumble and Grindr to social apps that have dating features, such as Facebook and Viber, the possibilities of meeting new people have never been wider.

As exciting as it may appear, online dating can still get overwhelming given the number of profiles to sift through.

Keeping an eye out for green flags or positive traits will help the search for a potential significant other feel easier and safer, even from a virtual standpoint.

Green flags

The first telling sign a person is real is when their profile is verified and has several photos – and not just pictures, but recent and filter-free images that really show the kind of person they are.

Having a bio helps give a better look at the person, especially if a few words reflect their personality or showcase their interests, humor and values that matter most to them.

Pay attention to how matches converse with you, particularly the kind of questions they ask, ideally engaging ones.

Online dating is built on conversations and interactions, which are two-way efforts. The other party should be curious to know who you are and ask the right questions to know you better.

Discussions shouldn’t have to be monologues or one person bearing all the weight; they should feel like a rhythmic to-and-fro with increasing interest and effort.

At the same time, matches should be considerate – including onself – and understand there is a life outside of online dating. Messages don’t have be instant.

Green flags will also be respectful and not force others for personal information or quickly move to a different platform.

Red flags

If there are positive traits, then there are negative ones, or red flags, as well, which may be familiar to far too many individuals.

Right from the beginning, profiles with no photos or bio should be a warning sign. Louder alarms will ring if photos are stock images, heavily altered, or worse, pictures of someone else.

People say falling in love should be easy, but not so easy that matches quickly get carried away with pet names and professions of love within a few days.

Be wary of the other party bringing up emergencies meant to entice one to send money or investment opportunities that require wire transfers or using a different application. All these scream extortion and fraud.

If such things happen, don’t just disengage from the conversation, report them as well so that the apps can take proper action.

Beyond scams, some profiles just have vibes that can turn people off. Examples are those who write in their bios a list of specific demands and ultimatums rather than preferences.

Words come off as threatening like “either match my energy or just unmatch” or cynical like “sorry if you can’t handle,” as well as specific standards such as “should own a car or their own place.”

Merely having expletives or curse words in bios is a sign of potential toxic behavior and no emotional control.

Oftentimes, the vibes are there but just don’t click because of differing interests. There are profiles with few photos and really short bios, indications that online dating isn’t a priority.

Conversations with such people have really short replies and hardly any questions – better off unmatching rather than dealing with the bare minimum.

NIGERIA DAILY: The Pressure To ‘Make It’ Before 30

For many young Nigerians, turning 30 has become more than a milestone, it feels like a deadline to achieve financial success, build a career, own a home, and meet society’s expectations.

But who defined this timeline, and does it still reflect today’s economic realities?

Join us in this episode of Nigeria Daily as we explore why so many young Nigerians feel the pressure to ‘make it’ before 30.

Miss Nigeria 2026 applications: How to apply, eligibility, requirements

Applications for the 46th Miss Nigeria pageant are now open, giving eligible Nigerian women the opportunity to compete for the country’s oldest beauty crown. The Miss Nigeria Organisation has also released the eligibility requirements, application process and documents candidates must submit before the audition stage.

The Miss Nigeria Organisation announced the opening of entries in a post on X on Friday by its Chairman and Nollywood actress, Rita Dominic, alongside the reigning 45th Miss Nigeria, Doris Ogah.

The organisation also unveiled plans for the Miss Nigeria Travelogue, which will take the reigning queen and her team to major cities across the country for live auditions.

Inviting interested candidates to apply, the organisation simply stated:

‘Entries open now.’

Who can apply for Miss Nigeria 2026?

According to the application guidelines, candidates must meet the following requirements to qualify:

Be between 22 and 28 years old.

Be a Nigerian citizen.

Be in good health and of good character.

Not be married, pregnant or a mother.

Be able to speak and write English fluently.

Have no tattoos or body piercings.

How to apply for Miss Nigeria 2026

Interested candidates are required to complete the official online application form and provide all requested information before they can be considered for auditions.

Applicants are advised to read the instructions carefully and ensure they have all required documents before starting the application.

The organisation also asked applicants to name every uploaded file using their first and last names together with the document name.

Candidates should submit only one application and keep a copy of their responses for future reference.

After submitting the form, applicants are expected to wait for communication from the organisers regarding auditions and the next stages of the competition.

Information applicants must provide

The application form requests the following information:

Full name

Email address

Phone number

Date of birth

Social media handles

State of residence

Home address

State of origin

Local Government Area of origin

Geopolitical zone

Occupation

Hobbies and special skills

Highest educational qualification

Schools attended

Previous beauty pageant experience, if any

Applicants are also required to write a personal essay of no more than 300 words describing their background, hopes, dreams and unique experiences.

The essay must include the applicant’s name and be uploaded as a PDF file not larger than 1MB.

Documents required

Candidates must upload:

A valid means of identification such as a National Identification Card, voter’s card, driver’s licence or international passport.

Birth certificate.

State of Origin or Local Government certificate.

All uploaded files must meet the size requirements stated in the application form.

Photo requirements

Applicants are required to upload:

One headshot.

One full-length photograph.

The Miss Nigeria Organisation instructed contestants to wear a white top or tank top, blue jeans and heels.

Photographs must be taken against a plain grey background with a fresh face and, preferably, no makeup.

All photo files should also be properly named before uploading.

Video requirements

Every applicant must submit a two- to three-minute introductory video explaining why she should become the 46th Miss Nigeria.

The video should include:

A brief introduction.

Reasons she deserves the Miss Nigeria crown.

A full-body catwalk walking towards and away from the camera.

The video should be recorded in a well-lit hallway or open space with good picture quality.

Applicants are expected to wear a white top or tank top, blue jeans and heels while recording against a plain contrasting background.

The video file must not be larger than 100MB.

What happens after applying?

Submitting an application does not automatically qualify a candidate for the physical auditions.

Successful applicants will be contacted by the organisers with details about the audition process and the next stages of the competition.

The organisation is also expected to announce the dates and locations for the Miss Nigeria Travelogue, which will feature live auditions across major cities in Nigeria.

Applicants are advised to monitor the organisation’s official communication channels for updates.

Consent requirements

Candidates will also be asked whether they agree to the use of their photographs, videos and likeness by the Miss Nigeria Organisation and its partners for publicity, marketing and promotional purposes.

The application also seeks consent to share basic information, including names, email addresses and profile details, with partners.

However, the organisation said sensitive documents and confidential information will not be shared under the data-sharing arrangement.

With applications now open, eligible Nigerian women can begin preparing their documents, essay, photographs and audition video ahead of the selection process.