Category: Philippines Daily Inquirer

An unidentified body in an advanced state of decomposition was found floating in the waters off Honda Bay on Thursday morning, police said.

Police Station 2 said the body was spotted at around 11 a.m., about 1.2 nautical miles from the Honda Bay Wharf in Purok Honda Bay, Barangay Sta. Lourdes.

A man and his companion were searching for squid in the area when they saw what appeared to be a body floating in the water, police said.

The discovery was reported to the Philippine National Police Maritime Group, which alerted the police Tactical Operations Center.

Police officers, Maritime Police personnel, Philippine Coast Guard members and a nurse from the Health Emergency Response and Operations went to the area aboard a Maritime Police speedboat.

They found the body floating face down.The attending nurse said the remains were already badly decomposed and could no longer be recognized.

Police asked Scene of the Crime Operations personnel to examine the remains and help determine the identity of the deceased.The remains were brought to Abot-Kamay Funeral Services.

The identity of the deceased remained unknown as of Thursday. Police were still looking into the circumstances surrounding the death.

A drunken challenge on Wednesday evening escalated into a fatal bloodbath after a Bukidnon man shot an alleged intruder six times before stabbing him in the neck Thursday afternoon, Oct. 1.

Police said the 30-year-old victim, reportedly intoxicated, forced his way into the suspect’s residence in Barangay Kipaypayon, Quezon town at around 5:50 p.m. to provoke an armed confrontation.

Claiming self-defense, the 38-year-old suspect opened fire using a 9mm Cobravo Ingram gun. As the victim collapsed from multiple gunshot wounds, the suspect seized the intruder’s own bladed weapon and without hesitation, stabbed him in the nape.

The victim was declared dead on arrival at the Quezon Health Infirmary Hospital.

Initial investigation by the Quezon Municipal Police Station (MPS) revealed a brewing feud between the two men. On Sept. 28, the victim allegedly chased the suspect with a knife. Two days later, the suspect filed a police report claiming he was mauled by the victim’s brother.

Following the killing, the suspect surrendered to the local barangay chairman, who turned him over to the Quezon MPS. Investigators seized the Ingram firearm, a steel magazine, several spent 9mm bullet casings, and the knife used in the stabbing at the crime scene.

Col. Oliver Navales, Bukidnon Provincial Police Office director, has ordered a thorough probe into the incident, urging the public to immediately report suspicious individuals or threats.

‘Cooperation and support of the community is the key to make Bukidnon a safe place to live,’ Navales stated in an advisory.

Sabrina Carpenter, Margaret Qualley as well as Talia Ryder have joined the cast of the upcoming Fred Astaire biopic, which will feature Tom Holland as the legendary film actor and dancer.

Carpenter will portray the role of Ginger Rogers, Fred’s co-star and dance partner; while Qualley is set to play Adele Astaire, Fred’s older sister. Ryder was cast to portray June Allyson, a fellow dancer and MGM actress.

Paul King is at the helm of the biopic, with Steven Levenson serving as his co-writer for the screenplay. The film is based on Kathleen Riley’s book ‘The Astaires: Fred and Adele.’

‘I am thrilled and honored to have been entrusted with telling the story of Fred Astaire and his original dance partner-his big sister Adele-to the big screen,’ King said.

‘Fred left a timeless legacy of dance on film-most famously in his collaborations with Ginger Rogers-while Adele’s work has been lost to history; indeed, no footage of her dancing survives,’ he added. ‘The cinematic challenge of bringing to life these icons of the twentieth century is one that I could not imagine without Tom Holland, Margaret Qualley and Sabrina Carpenter by my side.’

Fred, regarded as one of the greatest dancers of all time, had a seven-decade career in film and on stage in Broadway and the West End before he died in 1987 at the age of 88.

The Department of Education (DepEd) on Friday said it has promoted over 3,000 teachers and principals in Cagayan Valley.

It also hired over 1,000 new school personnel during the celebration of National Teachers’ Month.

In a statement, DepEd said the mass-oath taking ceremony of the newly promoted and newly hired personnel was conducted at the Santiago City Sports Arena in Isabela.

President Marcos and Education Secretary Juan Edgardo ‘Sonny’ Angara were in attendance.

A total of 3,047 teachers and principals were promoted across the nine divisions of Cagayan Valley as part of the Expanded Career Progression (ECP) system.

This system seeks to resolve ‘long-standing promotion bottlenecks,’ according to DepEd.

The initiative enables teachers to ‘advance across multiple career stages, from Teacher I up to Teacher VII, Master Teacher I to V, and School Principal I to IV.’

The department added that these movements are ‘based on competency, performance and professional standards without leaving classroom teaching.’

‘You are not just teaching lessons. You guide, take care and help mold the future of the Filipino youth,’ Marcos said in Filipino.

‘That’s why you can expect the continued support of this administration,’ he told the audience.

For his part, Angara said the mass promotion was meant to show the teacher that ‘their dedication is recognized and properly compensated.’

‘When the careers of our teachers are progressing, our students directly benefit,’ he said.

Aside from the mass promotion, DepEd said it also hired 328 new School Principals I, 612 Administrative Officers II, and 257 Project Development Officers I.

According to the agency, the newly created nonteaching positions were funded under the 2026 General Appropriations Act.

These personnel will be in charge of ‘administrative duties in schools, allowing teachers to focus on classroom instruction,’ said DepEd.

The City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO) has placed its firefighting equipment on standby as it anticipates a possible increase in grass fires amid the extreme heat associated with super El Niño, according to the Provincial Information Office Mimaropa- Palawan on Friday, Oct. 2.

CDRRMO chief Earl Timbancaya said the city currently records an average of three grass-fire incidents daily, but the number could increase as temperatures rise and vegetation dries out.

Timbancaya warned that dried leaves and grass that had been cleared and burned could pose a fire hazard during periods of excessive heat. Even debris left by Super Typhoon Odette in 2021 could still fuel grass fires, he said.

High temperatures and dry grass could trigger fires in grasslands, potentially threatening forested areas and other communities across the city, Timbancaya added.

The CDRRMO said its firefighting equipment, including a lorry truck equipped for firefighting, is ready for deployment.

To strengthen disaster response in far-flung communities, the CDRRMO has also established forward operating centers at mini city halls maintained by the Puerto Princesa city government.

Timbancaya said the centers would bring disaster-response services closer to residents and help address community needs as the city prepares for the possible effects of Super El Niño on health, agriculture and other livelihood activities.

The CDRRMO urged residents to exercise caution in handling dried vegetation and other combustible materials, particularly during periods of extreme heat.

Starting today, Oct. 2, subscribers can pre-order the iPhone 18 Pro with Smart Postpaid Plans+ 1499 starting at P3,713 per month, while the iPhone 18 Pro Max starts at P4,050 per month, with zero-interest credit card installment for up to 24 months with select banks.

Under this plan, subscribers can enjoy the freedom of having an open-line device, along with their preferred Unli App bundle, UNLI 5G for 12 months, Open Access Data, and high priority on the Smart network.

Smart Postpaid subscribers renewing their plan can also enjoy more flexible payment options for up to 36 months conveniently charged to their Postpaid bill. Customers who successfully pre-order the iPhone 18 Series can enjoy exclusive Smart Postpaid offers, including 18GB of FREE Open Access Data valid for three months, FREE P5,000 discount voucher for select Smart Accessories, and 18% off select third-party Digimap accessories.

Customers who successfully pre-order via the Smart Online Store will also receive a complimentary AirTag.

Smart Postpaid customers can pre-order at Smart Stores nationwide and online via https://smart.com.ph/iphone18-preorder.

For customers looking for a more premium experience, Smart Infinity offers the latest iPhone starting from Infinity Plan 5000, now enhanced with the Infinity Roam+ Plans for a more seamless connectivity experience while travelling abroad. Members can also explore the Infinity Plus Plan 9500, a multi-line plan with one Primary Line and two Supplementary Lines, extending the Infinity experience to the people who matter most.

Smart Infinity members who pre-order the iPhone 18 Series can get a FREE P5,000 discount voucher for select Smart Accessories, plus a complimentary PowerMac e-voucher.

Smart will also offer the new Apple Watch Series 12 and Apple Watch Ultra 4 starting Oct. 9, giving subscribers more ways to stay connected.

Smart subscribers can get the Apple Watch Series 12 for P1,521 per month at zero-interest installment as a Device Add-On, or for a one-time cashout of P28,900 with Smart Postpaid Plans+ 999. Smart also offers the Apple Watch Ultra 4 for P2,467 per month at zero-interest installment as a Device Add-On, or for a one-time cashout.

Monster Hunter Outlanders will launch globally on October 29, 2026, (excluding mainland China), bringing Capcom’s iconic monster-hunting franchise to mobile devices. The game is positioned as a more accessible entry point for both longtime fans and newcomers.

While Monster Hunter Outlanders marks a significant shift for a franchise traditionally associated with PC and console gaming, both TiMi Studio Group and Capcom stressed that preserving the essence of Monster Hunter remained one of the project’s biggest priorities.

Bringing the Monster Hunter experience to mobile

According to Capcom producer Ichiro Kiyokawa, the team was particularly focused on retaining the sense of decision-making that defines encounters throughout the series.

‘You need to observe the behavior of monsters and you need to judge whether to dodge or whether to attack. So by observing and making different judgments, depending on the behavior of monsters, you need to make different actions and you can also choose different weapon types as well.’ said Kiyokawa, in an interview with Tech INQ during Tokyo Game Show 2026, as Monster Hunter Outlanders gave fans a chance to play a demo of the upcoming game.

That philosophy sits at the heart of Monster Hunter Outlanders, even as the game introduces systems specifically designed for mobile players.

Rather than creating a direct adaptation of existing entries, the developers sought to build a title that could stand alongside the broader franchise while offering its own identity.

For the team at TiMi Studio Group, one of the biggest challenges was finding a way to deliver the series’ signature action gameplay on smartphones without overwhelming players unfamiliar with Monster Hunter.

‘To realize the gameplay of Monster Hunter IP in this brand new mobile game, especially the action experience, the biggest challenge we have faced is how we can simplify the whole mechanics and controls inside a mobile phone.’ said Dong Huang, producer at Tencent’s TiMi Studio Group.

The challenge extended beyond controls. Ensuring stable performance across a broad range of mobile devices required extensive optimization work throughout development.

‘It’s a mobile game, so smartphones’ performance and functionality and compatibility, that can be a challenge. So to be compatible with a smartphone, we have made a lot of optimization in terms of functionality and performance.’ added Dong Huang.

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Lowering Monster Hunter’s barrier to entry

Accessibility emerged as a recurring theme throughout the beta tests of the game. Both TiMi Studio Group and Capcom recognized that the series had a high barrier to entry because of its complex systems and demanding hunts.

For those players, Monster Hunter Outlanders is intended to serve as a gateway into the series.

‘When new players come to play Monster Hunter Outlanders, they can [hopefully] say, ‘Finally, I can play Monster Hunter, even though I’m not really good at action games.” said Dong Huang.

Capcom noted that the game includes a dedicated Adventure Mode designed to simplify controls and help newcomers become comfortable with the experience.

Kiyokawa said the mobile title occupies a unique position within the franchise by lowering the barrier to entry while maintaining core Monster Hunter gameplay.

‘Because it’s a mobile game, it doesn’t require any dedicated computer or dedicated console. So starting to play Monster Hunter Outlanders is much easier. So the starting hurdle will be much lower.’ said Kiyokawa.

What players can expect from Monster Hunter Outlanders

Beyond adapting the franchise for mobile, the developers also highlighted content created specifically for Monster Hunter Outlanders. During the Tokyo Game Show, players were able to take on Ruger Aidal, a new Elder Dragon introduced exclusively for the game.

‘We have added new elements, new monsters, original monsters inside Monster Hunter Outlanders, and we are very confident about delivering those new elements to even more users. So, after we officially release this game, please look forward to having a battle against different monsters, including this brand new original monster, Ruger Aidal, and please enjoy these new challenges.’ added Kiyokawa.

TiMi Studio Group also confirmed support for controllers and joysticks, allowing players to use alternative control options during hunts.

Together with the new Elder Dragon Ruger Aidal, the developers said players can look forward to original content created specifically for Monster Hunter Outlanders, including a new story, new Adventurers, and new challenges distinct from previous entries in the franchise.

Monster Hunter Outlanders will launch globally on October 29, 2026, for iOS and Android devices, excluding mainland China.

Pre-registration is now available in both the App Store and Google Play Store.

The Philippine government has granted Hungary bilateral recognition of its bird flu status, ensuring safe and continuous poultry trade between the two nations.

The Department of Agriculture (DA) has formalized the removal of countrywide import restrictions on domestic and wild birds and their products, as stated in Department Circular No. 52.

Hungary will permit poultry exports only from regions free of bird flu (HPAI)

All poultry shipments from Hungary must adhere to regionalization import terms, Administrative Circular No. 09 for HPAI, and current DA regulations.

Exporting countries can secure bilateral bird flu regionalization recognition to protect food security amid rising poultry demand.

‘The occurrence of HPAI from exporting countries and the imposition of a whole-country temporary ban limits the sources of day-old chicks, parent stocks and poultry meat, which in turn affects the prices,’ the circular read.

Hungary applied for bilateral recognition of its HPAI regionalization to export live poultry and meat to the Philippines.

Moreover, local authorities then requested several documents to evaluate Hungary’s public health control measures for avian influenza.

‘The review and evaluation of the application for bilateral recognition of regionalization for HPAI, completed by the Bureau of Animal Industry, concluded that Hungary maintains sufficient veterinary oversight and has established necessary control and mitigating measures against HPAI,’ the circular read.

This lowers the risk of importing domestic and wild birds and their products from recognition zones. Hungary exported 5,000 kilograms of meat to the archipelago from January to August, based on the Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) data.

As the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) forecasts a ‘very strong’ El Niño that could persist until the first quarter of 2027, Manila Water Philippine Ventures (MWPV), the Non-East Zone subsidiary of Manila Water Company, is intensifying its preparedness measures across its service areas nationwide to help ensure a reliable water supply amid projected prolonged dry weather.

According to Pagasa, up to 85 provinces across the country may experience dry conditions, dry spells, and drought from late October 2026 to March 2027 as the El Niño phenomenon continues to intensify. The weather bureau warned that the climatic event, characterized by unusually warm sea surface temperatures in the tropical Pacific Ocean, could significantly impact rainfall patterns and place increasing pressure on water resources nationwide.

In response, MWPV has activated a range of proactive measures across its 13 operating units serving communities in Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao, focusing on water source development, infrastructure resilience, operational readiness, and supply augmentation initiatives.

In the case of Cebu province, Manila Water Philippine Ventures (MWPV) has reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring a reliable and sustainable water supply for the region through proactive preparedness measures and strategic infrastructure investments as Metropolitan Cebu continues to face water supply challenges posed by severe dry weather conditions and looming impacts of a very strong El Niño.

MWPV-Cebu is currently delivering 30.3 million liters of potable water per day and has the capability to provide additional 7.5 million liters of potable water per day for Metro Cebu for approximately 12,000 households, helping address increasing water demand and El Niño while maintaining service reliability across its partner water districts.

Despite prevailing dry season conditions, the Company’s water source remains stable, with water continuing to overflow from the weir, demonstrating the resilience of its supply system and the ability to consistently meet current production requirements while complying with water quality standards.

To strengthen water availability during periods of prolonged dry weather, MWPV has implemented a range of El Niño preparedness initiatives. These include continuous monitoring and rehabilitation of deep wells and surface water sources, preventive maintenance programs, optimization of reservoir utilization, and the exploration of new water source projects.

The company has also readied water tankers and mobile treatment plants, enhanced backwash recovery programs in its treatment facilities, and prepared standby deep wells to help augment supply when needed.

To address future water demand and reinforce supply resilience, MWPV is preparing to undertake a major water supply infrastructure project through the development of a new source facility, treatment, and pumping station facility

The new infrastructure is expected to deliver an additional of at least 12.5 million liters of water supply per day to approximately 20,000 households, further boosting the reliability and resilience of Metro Cebu’s water system. [RM1.1]

‘The combination of our current supply reliability, robust El Niño preparedness measures, and planned capacity expansion provides support to Metro Cebu’s growing water requirements. We are not only addressing today’s needs but also laying the foundation for a more resilient and sustainable water future for the region,’ said Ruby Rose Mercado, General Manager of MWPV-Cebu.

Through proactive planning, infrastructure development, and responsible resource management, MWPV continues to work closely with its partners to help secure the long-term water future of Metro Cebu and support the region’s residential, commercial, and industrial growth.

Similar to its parent company, Manila Water, which has long prepared Metro Manila’s East Zone for the potential impacts of a strong El Nino, MWPV remains committed to safeguarding water security through proactive planning, diversified water sources, operational readiness, and strategic infrastructure investments the way it has prepared its other operating units nationwide such as Metro Ilagan Water, Calasiao Water, Laguna Water, Laguna Aquatech and Tanauan Water in Luzon; Boracay Water and Calbayog Water in the Visayas and Tagum Water in Mindanao; as well as Manila Water’s B2B operating units Estate Water and Manila Water Infratech Solutions.

The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) has provided more than P14 million in fisheries and aquaculture assistance to boost coastal communities in Sorsogon.

On Friday, BFAR said in a statement the interventions include fish cages, fiberglass boats, and seaweed-processing equipment.

Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said these interventions aim to address production and postharvest needs while helping coastal families build more sustainable livelihoods.

‘We are moving beyond quick fixes by pairing modern mariculture and sturdy vessels with critical postharvest assets to lift our coastal families out of vulnerability permanently,’ Tiu Laurel said.

BFAR provided the Triple B Fisherfolk Association in Bacon District with three high-density polyethylene (HDPE) marine fish cages, feeds and fingerlings, a floating house, and a fiberglass banca, amounting to P2.99 million.

These fish cages, situated in a 588-hectare mariculture zone in the area, will yield 18 metric tons of milkfish each year.

Through the FB Pagbabago Program, the Department of Agriculture (DA) distributed 20 36-foot fiberglass boats worth P4.02 million to registered fishers in Sorsogon City, Pilar, Castilla, Magallanes, Donsol, Casiguran, and Bulan. Postharvest facilities were provided as well.

The agency projects that fiberglass boats will yield approximately 88 metric tons (MT) of fish catch annually and will provide fisherfolk with larger vessels for their fishing operations.

Under the Enhanced Philippine Seaweed Development Program, the Samahang Mandaragat ng Barangay San Fernando in Prieto Diaz received a P1.03-million floating dryer designed to improve seaweed processing.

Meanwhile, the government awarded four 20-by-20-meter HDPE seaweed cages worth P5.96 million to the Bogña Self Help Group to support commercial seaweed production.

Sorsogon produced 32,643.37 MT of fish in 2025, a 28 percent decrease compared to a year ago, based on data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA).