Category: Philippines Daily Inquirer

A high-ranking communist instructor wanted for attempted homicide was killed in a legitimate law enforcement operation in South Cotabato last week, the military announced, directly contradicting rebel assertions that the man was an ailing, unarmed retiree allegedly executed by state forces.

The conflicting narratives center on the October 30 death of 60-year-old Noel Pamaong in Barangay Silway 8, Polomolok town.

In an official Facebook post of the Army’s 6th Infantry Division (6ID) Saturday, October 31, it said that Pamaong – known in the underground movement as ‘Lauro’ or ‘Santi’ – was a dangerous fugitive who headed the Regional Instructors Bureau of the New People’s Army (NPA).

According to the 6ID, joint elements of the army and police moved in to serve a July 2023 arrest warrant for multiple attempted homicide when the encounter occurred at around 8:30 p.m.

Authorities said they recovered a .45-caliber pistol and a hand grenade from the scene.

But for the National Democratic Front-Far South Mindanao Region (NDF-FSMR), Pamaong was hors de combat – a former combatant ‘entirely incapable of fighting’ due to severe ailments, including chronic kidney disease, rheumatism, and diabetes.

In an email to the Inquirer Monday, November 2, NDF-FSMR spokesperson Kim Montiza vehemently denied military claims of a shootout, stating Pamaong had been inactive and living with the masses since 2024.

Montiza accused state forces of planting the pistol and grenade to legitimize an ‘overkill’ operation, noting that Pamaong was simply traveling to visit a relative.

His civilian companion and driver, Laurence Porras, was also shot during the raid and remains in critical condition.

Brig. Gen. Edgar Catu, commander of the 6ID and Joint Task Force Central, lauded the operation, emphasizing the tight coordination between the 1st Mechanized Brigade, the 603rd Infantry Brigade, and the South Cotabato provincial police.

Catu credited the active support of local residents in helping authorities track the fugitive and neutralize the security threat.

The NDF, however, maintains the raid was a blatant violation of International Humanitarian Law and is calling on human rights advocates to launch an independent investigation into the killing.

The Final Frontier is making its way to the Commander table as Star Trek joins Magic: The Gathering (MTG) with four new preconstructed decks set to release on November 13, 2026.

As the final major release in MTG’s 2026 lineup, the Star Trek collaboration brings some of the franchise’s most recognizable characters, factions, and locations to the trading card game.

From the Federation and its diverse roster of species to the war-driven Klingons and the ever-expanding Borg Collective, there’s plenty for Trekkies and MTG players to discover.

Featuring four ready-to-play 100-card Commander decks, the collection offers different playstyles inspired by the Star Trek universe.

Whether you’re looking to explore strange new worlds, lead the Federation, wage Klingon warfare, or assimilate your opponents, here’s what to expect from each deck.

RELATED STORY: Magic: The Gathering Foundations Commander decks explained

Federation Fleet

Federation Fleet is a Blue-Red-White Commander deck led by Jean-Luc Picard, Luminary.

Built around drawing cards and playing historic spells and permanents, the deck rewards players for maintaining a steady flow of cards throughout the game.

It’s a particularly appealing choice for fans of Star Trek: The Next Generation (TNG).Its primary mechanic, Seek Out, triggers whenever you draw your second card each turn, including during your opponents’ turns.

This makes card draw an important part of the deck’s strategy, allowing players to generate additional value while keeping their options open.

Players can also switch things up by replacing Picard with the deck’s alternate commander, Captain Janeway, Endgame.

Rather than focusing on historic cards, Janeway rewards players for dealing combat damage with Officers.

Whenever an Officer deals damage, she lets you draw a card and create another Officer token, giving the deck an alternative way to trigger Seek Out while building a stronger board presence.Other cards, such as Ro Laren, Double Agent and Rom and Leeta, Unlikely Pair, further support the deck’s strategy by providing additional engines and payoffs for its card-drawing synergies.

Landing Party

Landing Party is a Green-White-Blue Commander deck helmed by Commander Spock, with an emphasis on its Strange New Worlds mechanic.

This ability rewards players for having lands with different names on the battlefield, complementing the deck’s secondary Landfall strategy, which triggers whenever a land enters the battlefield.

With the goal of building a diverse collection of lands as quickly as possible, Landing Party encourages players to explore different ways of developing their mana base.

The more unique lands you have in play, the more you can take advantage of the deck’s Strange New Worlds synergies.

For players who would rather take a different approach, the deck also features Captain Kirk, Boldly Going as an alternate commander.

While Landfall remains an important part of the strategy, Kirk shifts the focus toward the Starship Enterprise and its supporting crew.

Cards like Chief Kyle, Transporter Tech and Lt. Arex, Ever-Adapting generate additional value as lands enter the battlefield.

Meanwhile, reprints such as Exploration and Ancient Greenwarden help maximize Landfall triggers, allowing players to get even more mileage out of every land drop.

Klingon Fury

Klingon Fury is a Red-White-Black Commander deck led by Worf, Defiant Commander.

True to its color identity and aggressive playstyle, the deck focuses on dealing damage to opponents through its primary mechanic, Battlefront.

Battlefront abilities reward players for attacking multiple opponents in a single turn, making the deck particularly effective in multiplayer Commander games.

Worf takes advantage of this mechanic by generating additional value whenever its conditions are met, encouraging players to keep the pressure on and spread their attacks across the table.

Alternatively, players can put Kor, Cause of Vengeance at the helm of their Klingon-themed army.

Rather than relying on Worf’s value-generation strategy, Kor focuses on strengthening Klingon and Warrior creatures.

His ability provides +2/+2 boosts and card draw when another creature is sacrificed, giving players another way to maintain their offensive momentum.

The rest of the deck supports this aggressive strategy with cards like The Sword of Kahless, which provides additional board presence during attacks, and I.K.S. Negh’Var, Imperial Flagship, which grants Vigilance to Klingon and Warrior creatures.

Klingon Fury also features a potentially devastating infinite combat interaction involving the reprinted card Combat Celebrant.

Additional cards like Professional Face-Breaker help maintain the deck’s momentum, making it an appealing option for players who prefer an aggressive approach to Commander.

We Are the Borg

We Are the Borg is a White-Blue-Black Commander deck led by The Borg Queen, the personification of the Borg Collective’s hivemind.

While it might initially appear to be another artifact-focused deck, its real strategy revolves around assimilation.

Inspired by the Borg’s ability to absorb other species into its collective, the deck’s Assimilate mechanic transforms opposing creatures into Borg artifacts, allowing players to expand their own forces using their opponents’ resources.

The Borg Queen’s seven-mana cost makes her a relatively expensive commander to cast, but her ability to assimilate creatures whenever she enters the battlefield or attacks makes her a formidable presence once she’s in play.

Players can also opt for Locutus of Borg as their alternate commander, offering another way to build and expand a Borg army.

The rest of the deck supports this strategy by strengthening artifact creatures and artifact spells, with cards like Hugh, First of Many providing Replicate and One, Borg Evolved serving as a potential finisher.

Reprints such as Tempered Steel and Forsaken Monument further strengthen the deck’s artifact-based strategy.

If taking control of the battlefield and turning your opponents’ forces against them sounds appealing, We Are the Borg might be the Commander deck for you.

Exploring a New Frontier

With the holiday season approaching, Star Trek’s Commander decks could make for an interesting Christmas gift for fans of both Magic: The Gathering and the iconic science fiction franchise.

Each deck offers a distinct playstyle, giving newcomers an opportunity to explore Commander while offering longtime players new cards and strategies to add to their collections.

Beyond their gameplay mechanics, the decks also feature artwork inspired by the Star Trek universe, complete with references to memorable characters and moments from the franchise.

These details make the collection particularly appealing to Trekkies who want to see their favorite parts of the series brought to the Commander table.

Whether you want to boldly explore strange new worlds, lead the Federation, unleash Klingon fury, or assimilate everything in your path, Star Trek’s arrival in MTG offers plenty of ways to experience the Final Frontier.

The Star Trek Commander decks will be available in both regular and Collector’s Edition versions, with the latter featuring Surge Foil treatments across the entire deck. Both editions are scheduled for release on November 13, 2026.

The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) has monitored 9,643 passengers at ports across the Southern Tagalog provinces during a six-hour period on Monday, All Souls’ Day, as authorities maintained heightened security during the Undas season.

The Coast Guard District Southern Tagalog recorded 6,750 outbound passengers and 2,893 inbound passengers from 6 a.m. to noon on Monday.

During the same period, PCG personnel inspected 52 vessels, including 39 roll-on/roll-off (RoRo) vessels, and 24 motorized bancas.

The monitoring was conducted under Oplan Biyaheng Ayos: Undas 2026, the Department of Transportation’s initiative to ensure safe and orderly travel during the annual observance of All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day.

The PCG placed its districts, stations and substations under heightened alert from Oct. 29 to Nov. 3 to strengthen maritime safety and security measures amid increased passenger movement.

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.

An unexpected loss did not faze Lilia Vargas when her balikbayan niece arrived from Ireland on Monday after suffering a miscarriage.

On Monday, All Souls’ Day, Vargas waited for the arrival of her niece and three nephews at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3.

The four of them work in Ireland.

Lilia was hoping to meet her three-month-pregnant niece Lilith, who, unfortunately, had a miscarriage a month prior.

‘We were surprised… We thought we were going to have a grandchild. It turns out she had a miscarriage,’ Lilia told the Inquirer in an interview.

Despite the tragic news, Lilia kept a wide smile on her face, excited that she finally got to spend time with family, whom she had not seen in four years.

Homecoming

‘Let’s just leave it at that. We’re happy that, because of the Lord, they got home. The flight was okay. The trip was okay. They arrived safely. Everything was okay,’ she said.

Lilia also noted the importance of spending time with family, excitedly sharing that she would be taking her niece and nephews to Bacolod City.

‘It’s important for me and my family to meet up to bond. Let’s get together because there will come a time when you want to see each other, but then you can’t… So while there’s time to go, go ahead, go, go,’ she explained.

It was apparent that Lilia was the type to see the bright side of things, even in difficult times.

Support system

Talking to the Inquirer, Lilith said she was 11 weeks pregnant when she ended up at the hospital due to bleeding.

The cause is unknown, she was told. But with a month-long visit to her home country already set in stone, Lilith said that being close to family is the support she needed.

Families, friends and village officials offered a Holy Mass and lit candles on All Saints’ Day for victims of Typhoon Sendong in Barangay Hinaplanon in Iligan City.

The Holy Mass, which was officiated by Reverend Father Rolando ‘Dodong’ Cantina of the Diocese of Iligan, was dedicated to the dead and missing individuals in the wake of the deadly typhoon, which struck on December 17, 2011.

Vernonico Echavez, former Hinaplanon barangay chairman and kagawad (councilor), told the Inquireron Tuesday, Nov. 2, that the mass was held in front of the barangay hall, where the names of over 500 missing persons were engraved in a lapida or marble wall.

‘Most of these missing individuals are my relatives,’ Echavez said in Bisaya.

Among the missing persons in the list is Michael Kundiman, a resident of Bayug Island and a broadcast journalist of then DXRJ station, Echavez said.

In Bayug Island, a memorial wall was also established, bearing the names of 1,600 individuals, including both the dead and the missing, he said.

Echaves said that some of the victims on the island were on Christmas vacation when the typhoon struck.

Many dead victims were buried in the public cemetery in Barangay Palao, where they are visited by relatives during Undas and other special occasions, Echaves said.

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.

The fishermen’s group Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas (Pamalakaya) on Monday condemned the recent demolition the of more than 100 floating houses along the coast of Bacoor City, Cavite, saying the clearing would displace fishing families to make way for reclamation projects in Manila Bay.

In a statement, Pamalakaya said the Bacoor local government demolished the structures from Oct. 27 to 29.

The group said affected residents believed the clearing was intended to pave the way for a 420-hectare reclamation project involving the city government and Frabelle Fishing Corp.

The group said many of the affected fisherfolk had previously lost their homes in successive fires that hit coastal communities or had been relocated to other towns.

Some eventually returned to Bacoor because their livelihood depended on fishing in Manila Bay, according to the group.

Ricardo Bagonggong, a member of Pamalakaya-Bacoor, said relocating fishing families away from the coast had deprived them of their means of livelihood.

‘Walang buhay at kabuhayan sa mga relokasyon. Kaya marami sa mga mangingisdang inilipat ng lugar ang sadyang nagbabalikan dito sa Bacoor dahil narito ang aming pinagkukunan ng kabuhayan,’ Bagonggong said.

(There is no life or livelihood in relocation sites. That is why many of the fishers who were relocated elsewhere have deliberately returned to Bacoor because this is where they earn their living.)

He also criticized the local government’s decision to remove the families to accommodate reclamation projects, which he claimed would cause lasting damage to Manila Bay.

‘Nakakagalit na basta na lamang kami paaalisin ng lokal na pamahalaan at ipagpapalit sa proyektong reklamasyon na permanenteng makakasira sa Manila Bay,’ he added.

(It is infuriating that the local government would simply drive us away and favor a reclamation project that will permanently damage Manila Bay.)

Pamalakaya also held the Bacoor local government, led by the Revilla clan, and Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. accountable for the displacement of fishing families and coastal residents.

‘[T]he Bacoor local government under the Revilla clan and Agriculture Secretary Tiu-Laurel Jr., whose family owns the Frabelle Fishing Corp., are both accountable for displacing fisherfolk and coastal residents from their communities,’ the group said.

The fisherfolk group also called on the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) to uphold its cumulative impact assessment of Manila Bay reclamation projects, saying its findings showed the potential damage to marine ecosystems, the environment and the livelihoods of coastal communities.

‘Mayroon nang mga pag-aaral na nagpapatunay na mapaminsala ang reklamasyon. Kabilang na rito ang cumulative impact assessment na isinagawa mismo ng DENR. Sapat na batayan ito para ipasuspinde ang mga naturang proyekto at panatilihin ang mga mangingisda sa kanilang komunidad,’ Bagonggong said.

(There are already studies showing the harmful effects of reclamation. These include the cumulative impact assessment conducted by the DENR itself. This is sufficient basis to suspend the projects and keep fishers in their communities.)

At least 18 people, including elderly cemetery visitors, received medical assistance during the observance of Undas, or All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day, in Iloilo City.

In a situational report released at 8 a.m. on Monday, Nov. 2, the Iloilo City Emergency Operations Center (EOC) said medical teams deployed to cemeteries attended to patients aged 23 to 84.

Among them was an 81-year-old woman who reportedly lost consciousness for about 30 seconds while visiting Christ the King Memorial Park in Jaro district.

Emergency responders checked her vital signs, stabilized her condition and administered first aid, according to the report.

A 72-year-old woman also complained of chest pain at the La Paz Old Cemetery, where responders checked her blood pressure and conducted a physical assessment.

Another 70-year-old woman experienced lower back and hip pain after slipping at the Molo Public Cemetery.

The report did not indicate whether any of the patients required hospitalization.

Other medical complaints included dizziness, headaches, elevated blood sugar, and minor injuries.

A 54-year-old woman at the Molo Public Cemetery was attended to for hyperglycemia, or elevated blood sugar, while a 52-year-old woman experienced dizziness at the La Paz Old Cemetery.

A 58-year-old woman also sought assistance for dizziness at the Jaro Public Cemetery.

Three men, aged 23, 28 and 40, received treatment for lacerations, including injuries to the forehead and left foot.

Several other cemetery visitors underwent blood pressure checks and physical assessments.

The City Health Office, Philippine Red Cross-Iloilo Chapter, volunteer emergency medical teams and other response groups provided medical assistance.

The Philippine Red Cross established six first-aid stations in different cemeteries, while the City Health Office deployed medical teams and positioned ambulances for possible patient transport.

Medical assistance desks were also set up at the Tanza and Molo public cemeteries.

The EOC report showed that the City Health Office attended to six patients, the Philippine Red Cross to five, and the La Paz National High School Disaster Risk Reduction and Management team to three.

Other patients were assisted by volunteer emergency response groups.

The city government maintained a blue alert status during the observance, requiring emergency response personnel and participating agencies to remain on heightened readiness.

Authorities had anticipated between 250,000 and 350,000 residents and travelers visiting cemeteries and passing through transport terminals and seaports during the extended holiday period.

International beauty queens and celebrities under ALV Talent Circuit brought glamour and creativity to a star-studded ball celebrating Halloween through their costumes depicting fictional characters and beings.

Titleholders from ALV Pageant Circle joined talents under esteemed queenmaker and talent manager Arnold Vegafria at ‘Shake, Rattle and Ball: Lucid’ by socialite Tim Yap held at the grand ballroom of Manila Marriott Hotel in Pasay City on the actual night of Halloween, Oct. 31.

Earning a special award from Newport World Resorts during the festivities was 2025 Miss Asia Pacific International first runner-up Anita Rose Gomez, who transformed into ‘Starfire,’ a member of the DC supehero group ‘Teen Titans’ who is Princess Koriand’r from the planet Tamaran.

Two international pageant titleholders from Vegafria’s stable also suited up for the ball. Fresh from her victory at the 2026 Miss Elite pageant in Egypt, Sophia Bianca Santos brought the sparkles as ‘Galaxy Princess,’ while 2024 Universal Woman Maria Gigante drew inspiration from ‘The Mummy.’

MGI All Stars Season 1 veteran Keylyn Trajano brought the iconic ‘Clawdeen Wolf’ from the ‘Monster High’ toy line to life, covered in faux fur in a cute and playful ensemble.

Jayvee Lyn Lorejo, 2026 Miss Global third runner-up and Miss Global Asia titleholder, went to the ball as the bloody goddess of the moon, while Alyssa Geronimo suited up as Poseidon’s wife Amphitrite.

Miss Teen Earth International 2025 second runner-up and 2026 Miss World Philippines Occidental Mindoro Meredith Bobadilla received a special award from Aivee Clinic for her Phantom of Dreams costume.

Hollywood star Uma Thurman’s portrayal of the iconic ‘Mia Wallace’ in the 1994 Quentin Tarantino cult classic ‘Pulp Fiction’ served as the inspiration behind actress Ansha Jones’ look, while Angel Castro channeled ‘Marimar.’

‘Secrets of Prague’ actor Mark Ian Garcia came to the ball as ‘Victor Frankenstein,’ while Teejay Marquez commissioned renowned pageant costume designer Patrick Isorena for his Black Merman costume.