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PNP probes link between Pangasinan, Cebu ‘child abuse’ cases

The Philippine National Police has intensified intelligence operations nationwide to determine whether separate child exploitation cases in Pangasinan and Cebu involve a common network of perpetrators.

Authorities in Pangasinan are investigating alleged exploitation activities in Urdaneta City, while a French national was arrested in Cebu over alleged sexual offenses against minors.

Intelligence

‘Criminal networks must not be allowed to exploit provincial boundaries to evade justice,’ said PNP chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. in a statement on Sunday.

‘By linking our regional intelligence, we are dismantling these syndicates from the roots up and ensuring that no corner of this country serves as a safe haven for those who prey on our children,’ Nartatez added.

Police units have been instructed to establish whether the cases in Pangasinan and Cebu involve the same individuals or organized groups operating across provincial boundaries.

The issue in Pangasinan drew public attention after vlogger Christian Albert Gaza shared a video on Facebook featuring a house in Urdaneta City, where several alleged unlawful activities, such as child exploitation, child molestation, maltreatment, physical assault, torture, and illegal drug-related activities, were reportedly taking place.

Last Friday, the Pangasinan provincial government said it was coordinating with the Department of the Interior and Local Government and the National Bureau of Investigation regarding the issue.

United response

Meanwhile, a French national was arrested in Catmon, Cebu, on Oct. 29, on the strength of a warrant issued by the Tribunal Judiciaire de Montauban, France, on March 28, 2024, for alleged rape, corruption, and sexual assault of minors under 15.

The foreign national was turned over to the Bureau of Immigration’s Fugitive Search Unit for appropriate legal and immigration proceedings.

Nartatez said the PNP would pursue both local and foreign suspects involved in the exploitation of Filipino children, adding that police would continue coordinating with international law enforcement agencies to track down perpetrators.

‘Child exploitation is a transnational crime that demands an unyielding, united response,’ he said.

Nartatez added: ‘Whether these perpetrators operate within our provinces or cross international borders, our reach is long, our partnerships are firm, and we will hunt down every single individual who attempts to violate the dignity of our youth.’

This year, the Philippines ranks 15th out of 60 countries in the Out of the Shadows Index, developed by Economist Impact with advocacy led by Together for Girls, in efforts to prevent and respond to sexual violence against children.

The index assesses 60 countries, which cover 83 percent of the world’s children, across four pillars: governance and accountability, prevention, healing, and justice.

NGX sheds N35bn as bearish sentiment weighs on equities

Nigerian equities market opened the new trading week on a bearish note on Monday, as renewed selling pressure on heavyweight stocks dragged market capitalisation down by N35.25 billion, amid weak investor sentiment and mixed sectoral performance.

The Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX) All-Share Index declined marginally by 0.02 per cent to 254,245.21 points, moderating its year-to-date return to 63.38 per cent, while market capitalisation fell to N165.08 trillion.

Market breadth remained weak, reflecting subdued appetite for equities, as 41 stocks closed in the red against 21 gainers, translating to a breadth ratio of 0.5 times.

The decline was led by Champion Breweries, SUNU Assurances and Aradel Holdings, which featured among the worst-performing stocks during the session.

The performance suggests that investors remained cautious, with limited buying interest in major stocks failing to offset losses across several sectors.

Sectoral performance was largely negative, as four of the six tracked sectors closed lower. The Oil and Gas index led the decline, shedding 3.75 per cent, followed by the Commodities sector, which fell 2.76 per cent.

The Banking index declined by 1.79 per cent, while Consumer Goods lost 1.17 per cent, reflecting broad-based selling pressure across key market segments.

However, the Industrial sector bucked the trend, advancing 3.34 per cent to emerge as the strongest performer, while the Insurance index gained 0.93 per cent.

Trading activity also weakened considerably, with both volume and value of transactions declining, although the number of deals increased sharply.

Turnover fell by 44.67 per cent to N47.48 billion, while traded volume dropped by 48.15 per cent to 517.26 million shares.

In contrast, the number of transactions increased by 42.63 per cent to 54,015 deals, suggesting that trading remained active despite the decline in the overall value and volume of shares exchanged.

Market analysts expect sustained selling pressure and weak breadth to constrain the market’s near-term recovery, although selective bargain-hunting in fundamentally attractive stocks could help moderate further losses.

Despite Monday’s marginal decline, the equities market maintained a year-to-date gain of 63.38 per cent, underscoring the substantial appreciation recorded since the beginning of the year.

10th NASS committed to increasing women’s representation in legislature – Bamidele

The Senate Leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, has said the 10th National Assembly is committed to breaking the barriers limiting women’s participation in governance through a proposed constitutional amendment seeking special seats for women in the National and State Houses of Assembly.

Bamidele, who represents Ekiti Central Senatorial District, said the proposed legislation was designed to address the persistent underrepresentation of women in Nigeria’s political institutions and ensure their adequate participation in decisions affecting the country.

The Senate Leader spoke on Monday as a guest speaker at the 2026 Law Week of the International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA), Ekiti State Chapter, held in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital, with the theme, ‘Justice in a Changing World: Responding to New Challenges Affecting Women and Children’.

The event was attended by dignitaries, including the Chief Judge of Ekiti State, Justice Lekan Ogunmoye, who was accompanied by other judges, as well as politicians, lawyers and traditional rulers, among others.

He said the proposed constitutional alteration would create 37 additional seats in the Senate and 37 in the House of Representatives, with one seat reserved for women in each state and the Federal Capital Territory, alongside three additional seats in each State House of Assembly.

According to him, the arrangement, which would not displace existing legislative seats, is proposed to run for 16 years, covering four electoral cycles, after which its impact would be reviewed.

Describing the initiative as a historic intervention rather than a partisan project, Bamidele said a democracy that excluded a significant proportion of its population from decision-making could not claim to be fully representative.

‘A democracy that systematically excludes over half of its population from the decision-making tables that determine their future is, at best, a flawed democracy and, at worst, a veiled oligarchy,’ he said.

He disclosed that the National Assembly had commenced engagements with State Houses of Assembly to secure the constitutionally required concurrence for the proposed amendment, adding that the process was being pursued through extensive consultations and consensus-building.

Bamidele, who commended the advocacy of the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, said the 10th Assembly was determined to correct historical gaps in women’s political representation, stressing that the proposed reform demonstrated the legislature’s commitment to inclusive governance.

He said the challenges confronting women and children had become more complex in the face of globalisation, artificial intelligence, digitalisation, insecurity, economic instability and climate change, which had created new opportunities while exposing vulnerable groups to emerging forms of abuse and exploitation.

According to him, women continued to face gender-based violence, economic exclusion, discrimination and inadequate healthcare, while children remained vulnerable to sexual abuse, trafficking, child labour, early marriage, malnutrition, educational deprivation and digital exploitation.

The lawmaker noted that poverty, unemployment, inadequate social protection, educational inequalities, social stigma and weak enforcement of existing laws had further compounded the situation.

He maintained that protecting women and children was not merely a humanitarian responsibility but a constitutional obligation and a critical investment in national development, economic productivity and social stability.

Bamidele also highlighted some legislative interventions of the 10th Assembly, including the four Tax Reform Acts of 2025, which he said exempted sanitary products, baby diapers and other essential products for women and children from Value Added Tax.

He described the measure as a social justice intervention aimed at reducing the financial burden on low-income women and families, particularly those struggling with the rising cost of essential household items.

He further disclosed that the National Assembly was considering the National Hospital for Women and Children, Abuja (Amendment) Bill, 2026, aimed at strengthening the institution’s capacity to provide specialised healthcare services to women and children.

Bamidele, however, stressed that the effectiveness of legislation depended largely on its implementation, noting that justice must go beyond constitutional provisions and statutory declarations to become accessible, affordable, timely and effective for victims of abuse.

He called for stronger collaboration among the legislature, executive, judiciary, law enforcement agencies, social welfare institutions, religious organisations, traditional rulers, civil society groups and the private sector to strengthen the protection of women and children.

The Senate Leader urged FIDA to deepen its engagement with the National Assembly and other relevant institutions, particularly in identifying gaps in existing laws, proposing reforms and ensuring that government policies and budgetary provisions translated into tangible benefits for vulnerable Nigerians.

He also challenged the organisation to hold the legislature accountable for the implementation of its commitments, especially the proposed special seats for women and adequate funding for child protection, women’s healthcare and gender empowerment programmes.

‘The law is only as good as its implementation. Hold us accountable. Demand that the Special Seats Bill becomes law. Demand that appropriations for child protection and women’s health are not just passed, but released and utilised,’ he said.

Bamidele said the ultimate objective should be to build a Nigeria where women could live free from violence and discrimination, children could grow in safety and dignity, and no victim would be denied justice because of poverty, social status, disability or geographical location.

He urged participants at the Law Week to develop practical recommendations that would strengthen legal protection and improve access to justice for women and children in Ekiti State and across the country.

In her keynote address, the Vice-Chancellor of Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti (ABUAD), Professor Smaranda Olarinde, called for stronger legal and institutional frameworks to protect women and children against emerging forms of abuse, particularly those enabled by technology and economic vulnerabilities.

Olarinde said the growing use of artificial intelligence and digital platforms had created new dimensions of threats, including cyberstalking, online harassment, deepfake images, impersonation and the exploitation of children.

Speaking on the theme, she also called for stronger collaboration among the government, judiciary, law enforcement agencies, universities, religious and traditional leaders, the media and civil society organisations to tackle gender-based violence and child abuse.

Olarinde urged FIDA to move beyond advocacy to measurable outcomes, proposing a collaborative Women and Children Access to Justice Action Framework to improve legal protection, digital safety and support for survivors.

On his part, the Chief Judge of Ekiti State, Justice Ogunmoye, lauded FIDA for choosing the Senate Leader to deliver the lecture, describing him as the right person to speak on emerging issues and initiate legislative and policy reforms for the protection of women and children.

In her welcome address, the Chairperson of FIDA Ekiti State Chapter, Ayobami Olowoyo-Richards, commended Senator Bamidele for his lecture and thanked the other guests, saying FIDA would remain committed to promoting, protecting and preserving the rights of women and children.

‘The changing realities of our world continue to present new and complex concerns for the safety, dignity, and fundamental rights of women and children, demanding fresh perspectives and more effective responses from all stakeholders. We must continually strengthen our laws, institutions, and collective response to ensure that justice remains accessible, effective, and responsive to their needs,’ she said.

130,000 Children To Receive Fresh Polio Vaccination In Adamawa

The Adamawa State Government, in partnership with development partners, will conduct a special polio vaccination exercise in two local government areas, targeting a total of 130,000 children.

Director, Disease Control and Immunisation of the State Primary Health Care Development Agency (ADSPHCDA), Dr James Jacob Vassumu, disclosed the position at a media dialogue on Friday in Yola.

He stressed that the Agency, in conjunction with its development partners, has scheduled the special vaccination for November 5th to 12th, targeting 130,000 children in Gombi and Fufore LGAs.

Dr Vassumu stated that the proposed exercise was carefully planned to strengthen immunity in the targeted communities of the two local councils as part of activities for the November 2026 National Plus Days Immunization Campaign.

Vassumu said that the history of polio virus circulation, disease surveillance records, and assessment of immunisation coverage informed the choice of the exercise in Gombi and Fufore councils.

He explained that the vaccination exercise will focus on children from zero to 59 months of age, with special emphasis on those living in hard-to-reach communities where routine immunisation coverage remains inadequate.

Suspected Thugs Disrupt APC Primary In Zamfara

The senatorial primary election of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kaura Namoda, Zamfara State, turned violent on Monday following an attack by suspected political thugs on polling centres, including one near the Emir’s Palace.

The thugs attacked Namoda Model Primary School and the Galadima Dangaladima Ward polling unit in front of the Emir’s Palace, disrupting the electoral process and forcing voters and other residents to flee for safety.

The incidents triggered panic in the affected areas as voters abandoned the polling centres amid the violence.

Some suspected political thugs were also engaged in physical fight among themselves, leaving one person seriously injured.

Before the arrival of the thugs, one of the voters, identified as Malam Sanusi Kaura, had alerted the Daily Trust correspondent to their possible arrival.

‘I came to inform you, as a journalist and the voice of the voiceless, that we have received information that the thugs are on their way to disrupt the process,’ he said.

The attack disrupted activities at the polling centres as voters waited for the arrival of INEC officials, who had yet to arrive as of 11:30 a.m.

The two aspirants for the senatorial seat, the incumbent Senator Sahabi Ya’u Kaura, who belongs to the camp of the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, and Senator Tijjani Yahaya Kaura, from the camp of Senator Abdul’aziz Yari, Director-General of the APC Presidential Campaign Council, are both from the same political ward, Galadima Dangaladima, in Kaura Namoda metropolis.

Meanwhile, the Chairman of Kaura Namoda Local Government, Hon. Mannir Muhammad Haidara, narrowly escaped being lynched after suspected thugs attacked his vehicle at Namoda Model Primary School, damaging parts of it.

The attackers later moved to the Galadima Dangaladima polling unit near the Emir’s Palace, where they disrupted activities and the chanting of slogans by supporters.

The supporters were chanting slogans calling for the return of Senator Sahabi Ya’u to the Senate for a fifth term when the violence erupted.

The incidents created panic in the affected areas, with polling activities disrupted.

As of the time of filing this report, INEC officials had yet to arrive at Kyanbarawa, Kasuwar Daji, Maguru and Kaura Namoda, according to findings by the Daily Trust correspondent who visited the areas.

Umrah: Dino Melaye challenges Tinubu to Quranic recitation contest

Former Kogi West Senator Dino Melaye has challenged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to a Quranic recitation contest following the President’s recent pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia.

Melaye announced the challenge on Monday in a post on his X handle, saying he would be willing to compete with Tinubu in Quranic citations when he returns from the lesser Hajj, known as Umrah.

He wrote, ‘Now that Alhaji Bola Tinubu is in Umrah. Immediately he comes back, I challenge him to a Quranic citation competition with me. No one can mock God. SDM.’

The challenge followed Tinubu’s account of his spiritual experience in Saudi Arabia, where he said he prayed for wisdom and resilience to continue leading the country and believed his request had been granted.

The President made the remarks on Monday after performing Umrah and receiving permission to enter the Holy Kaaba in Makkah, where he offered prayers for Nigeria and its people.

Tinubu said his prayers focused on national unity and prosperity, noting that Nigeria’s diverse population and different religious groups needed to coexist for the country to achieve its potential.

He also described his emergence as President and Commander-in-Chief as a special privilege from Almighty Allah, expressing gratitude for the opportunity to lead the country.

‘I feel fulfilled and grateful to Almighty Allah for giving us the opportunity, the health and the day that went very well.

‘The prayer is for Allah, Subhana wa Ta’ala, to comfort our diversity. Nigeria is full of diverse people. It’s made up of all the faiths. May Allah comfort our diversity to prosperity for the entire country. That’s the prayer.

‘Well, I ask for wisdom and resilience to continue to serve the people. I know that has been granted.

‘Prior to the 2023 election, I did the same thing. I asked Allah to bless my Umra then. He did, and I promised that I’ll come back to thank Him. Almighty Allah. There’s no other God but Him. He is the giver and the taker.

‘He owns the power. He says, use it well. If you don’t use it in accordance with my dictates, I can take it from you and give it to another person.

‘I am the only God who has that authority. So, I have faith in that, and I believe extremely well that He has done me and my country a great favour.

‘Out of millions of people, to be the president and commander-in-chief is a favour from God Almighty.

‘My commitment is higher, determined to bring prosperity and to develop the country consistent with the wish of Allah and the support of the people. It is important to put Allah first, then move on.

‘Follow your conscience. Follow the right path that will lead Nigeria to that greatness. The foundation is solid.

‘The economy has come out of the dark tunnel. It’s inspiring. We need to build a future for our youth.

‘If we don’t invest in their future, in 50 years from now, how do we want to be remembered as leaders? That’s the main thing. I’m not looking for anything else.

‘I want to say a big thank you for the faith and for the recognition. I can’t believe the fencing of the Kaaba was in green, white, green. Thank them for the hospitality and recognition given to me as a leader of the delegation and, you know, at the country.

‘We are all facing challenges and hostility around us. We will overcome it with faith in God Almighty. I’m grateful forever.

‘I thank the King and the Royal Crown Prince. It is their honour that I enjoyed, and it was gracious of them to have allowed me to enter inside the Kaaba. It is history.’

Cleaning Day: Uganda needs mindset change

Uganda’s decision to designate the last Saturday of every month as National Cleaning Day is a commendable response to the country’s sanitation and public-health challenges. Kampala alone generates an estimated 2,000-2,500 tonnes of solid waste daily, yet only about 50-60 percent is collected and properly disposed of.

The uncollected waste often blocks drainage channels, pollutes communities and contributes to disease. The National Cleaning Day, therefore, provides an opportunity not only to clean communities, but also to build a culture in which citizens recognise cleanliness as a shared responsibility.

After three National Cleaning Days, however, it is becoming increasingly clear that the success of this initiative will require more than directives and enforcement. While some citizens have embraced the exercise, others have resisted participation, sought excuses to avoid it or viewed the restrictions as an inconvenience imposed by government.

Yet the benefits of cleaning drainage channels, removing waste from roadsides, and maintaining public spaces are enjoyed by everyone. A cleaner environment reduces health risks, improves communities, and can reduce flooding associated with blocked drainage. The long-term objective should, therefore, be mindset change: citizens should participate because they understand the benefits, not simply because security officers are present.

The government must also recognise that resistance is likely to increase when citizens do not fully understand the rules or perceive enforcement measures to be unfair.

The tragic shooting of 28-year-old boda boda rider Ronald Jjuuko Kizito during the second National Cleaning Day illustrates how quickly a well-intentioned environmental initiative can become associated with human rights violations. The circumstances remain a matter for investigation, but Parliament was told that the rider had been responding to a medical emergency when an altercation arose after he was stopped for allegedly violating movement restrictions.

A programme intended to create cleaner and more harmonious communities should not become a source of confrontation between citizens and the State.

Mindset change must also influence how citizens understand cleaning itself. Sweeping rubbish and leaving it by the roadside merely shifts the problem rather than solving it. Waste left uncollected can return to drainage channels and public spaces. National Cleaning Day must, therefore, involve the entire waste-management chain: cleaning, collection, transportation and proper disposal. Citizens have responsibilities, but local governments and responsible authorities must equally ensure that collected waste is promptly removed.

The Constitution provides a useful balance. Article 39 guarantees every person the right to a clean and healthy environment, while citizens have a corresponding duty to protect that environment. Article 25 also recognises reasonable communal or civic obligations. The National Cleaning Day can, therefore, promote legitimate civic responsibility. However, restrictions and enforcement must remain lawful, reasonable and proportionate, because they affect movement, businesses and livelihoods.

A clean Uganda will not be achieved through enforcement alone. It will be achieved when citizens understand that protecting the environment safeguards their health, strengthens their communities, and benefits the nation, and when government creates the systems that make responsible behaviour possible.

LOVE THAT LIVES ON

The towering Transfiguration of Jesus Christ, a landmark sculpture by National Artist for Sculpture Napoleon V. Abueva, stands watch as families visit the graves of their departed loved ones at Eternal Gardens along Baesa Road in Caloocan City on Sunday, November 1, 2026, to observe All Saints’ Day.

Beneath the monument, families lay flowers, light candles and offer prayers, keeping cherished memories alive through a tradition passed down generations.

The observance continues on November 2, All Souls’ Day, when Filipinos traditionally remember and pray for the souls of the departed.

Home bet Marama Tokong has splashing World Surf League debut

John Mark ‘Marama’ Tokong gave the Filipino crowd plenty to cheer about after beating Brazilian World No. 11 Samuel Pupo to advance to Round 2 of the World Surf League (WSL) Championship Tour Philippines Pro at Cloud 9 here Sunday.

Tokong put up 16.60 points on waves of 8.60 and 8.00, while Pupo could only manage 11.00 in their opening-round heat.

Surfing before a big home crowd, Tokong handled the pressure well, making the most of the six-to-eight-foot waves under light conditions.

He admitted that competing in front of his fellow Filipinos was not easy, but he tried not to think too much about the pressure once he got into the water.

‘It’s crazy and amazing. There was a lot of pressure, but I just told myself to relax, keep things simple and enjoy the waves,’ Tokong said.

He could hear his family, friends and supporters cheering from the shore whenever he came out of a wave. For the Filipino surfer, that made the experience even more special.

‘I’m not doing this just for myself, but also for my family, friends, fans and especially the Philippines. Representing my country is very important to me,’ he said.

With one round behind him, Tokong is now looking forward to his next heat, hoping to give the Filipino fans another performance to cheer for.

Surfers who lose in the opening round will still receive US$13,000 (around P830,000), while the champion will collect US$80,000 (approximately P5.1 million).

Apeco looks to Alberta energy firms to power Luzon ecozone

THE Aurora Pacific Economic Zone and Freeport Authority (Apeco) is seeking Alberta-based energy companies to develop power projects for its planned industrial hub in eastern Luzon, as it pitches investment opportunities in Canada this week.

Apeco President and Chief Executive Officer Gil G. Taway IV said the agency is looking for Canadian companies with expertise in energy development to supply the ecozone’s future power requirements.

‘As we build a self-sustaining ecozone on the eastern seaboard of Luzon, we need reliable and sustainable power, which Canadian businesses, especially those in Alberta, can help us set up given their expertise in energy,’ Taway said.

The agency kicked off its Canadian investment roadshow on Monday in Montreal and will meet Alberta-based investors in Calgary on November 5.

The briefings are part of Apeco’s effort to attract investors for its planned defense and clean energy hubs.

Beyond energy, the agency is also pitching opportunities in defense infrastructure, manufacturing and supply chains. The campaign will be tied to Canada’s Indo-Pacific Strategy, backed by an initial CAD2.3-billion (P105-billion) commitment.

Further, the roadshow follows President Marcos’s July 1 to 4 official visit to Canada, where he met with Prime Minister Mark Carney to discuss bilateral economic and defense cooperation.

The two countries have since moved forward with several defense agreements. In May, Canada’s Minister of International Trade identified air and maritime defense, cybersecurity, land systems, defense procurement and supply chains as potential areas of cooperation.

Moreover, the Philippines and Canada signed a Mutual Logistics Support Arrangement in June, followed by the Philippine Senate’s ratification of their Status of Visiting Forces Agreement in August.

About 100 business executives and representatives from the infrastructure, energy, mining, critical minerals, defense, aerospace, advanced manufacturing, agriculture and logistics sectors are expected at the roadshows.

‘This initiative will strengthen our engagement with Canadian investors, open new avenues for business partnerships, and generate investments that support the Philippines’ economic growth,’ Philippine Ambassador to Canada Jose Victor V. Chan-Gonzaga said.