Category: Philippines Daily Inquirer

Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro is looking into deploying drones instead of choppers for disaster assessment after the fatal crash of a Philippine Air Force (PAF) aircraft.

PAF spokesperson Maria Christina Basco said its Super Huey that crashed in Loreto town of Agusan del Sur on Tuesday was tasked to conduct damage assessment for Typhoon Tino.

Teodoro, who is also the chairperson of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) whose implementing arm is the Office of Civil Defense (OCD), admitted that the agency is still reliant on PAF’s assets to conduct such operations.

‘We are planning in the OCD, in the NDRRMC, to have a drone capability also for disaster assessment,’ Teodoro said in an ambush interview.

‘So that’s the prevention we are going to do,’ he added.

Flag carrier Philippine Airlines (PAL) aims to make communication accessible to passengers stepping foot into their international destination with the launch of its eSIM service.

In partnership with travel eSIM provider Kolet, PAL passengers will gain immediate mobile data access upon activation. They will be entitled to 1GB of complimentary mobile data valid for two days.

With the launch of myPAL eSIM initiative, PAL seeks to eliminate passengers’ struggle with using physical SIM cards. The carrier also aims to help them avoid expensive mobile roaming costs.

Passengers can redeem complimentary data in two ways – either through the PAL Kolet co-branded website (Kolet – Next-gen eSIM) and the Kolet mobile application – using promo code FLYPAL.

Top-up plans available

The application also allows function to top up and avail of regional and global load subscription once free data has been fully consumed. The data plans are typically valid for up to 30 days.

‘The introduction of myPAL eSIM aligns with our vision of providing a complete and digitally empowered travel experience,’ said PAL vice president for revenue management Christoph Gaertner.

‘We are proud to offer our passengers a solution that not only simplifies connectivity but also enhances their overall journey with Philippine Airlines,’ Gaertner added.

Senate President Vicente C. Sotto III led the formal turnover of a fully equipped Mobile Clinic at the Senate Grounds on Wednesday.

The Mobile Clinic, equipped with an X-ray machine, blood testing facilities, and other diagnostic tools, will serve as a medical unit on wheels under the Senate Public Assistance Office (SPAO) to provide healthcare services to communities in need.

Also present were Mrs. Kathryna Yu-Pimentel, representing former Senator Aquilino ‘Koko’ Pimentel III, who initiated the project’s funding through the Department of Health, Senate Spouses Foundation Executive Director Kath Pimentel, SPAO Director General Lino Ong, Senate Medical Bureau Chief Dr. Renato Sison, and DOH Director Dr. Lester Tan.

‘This project embodies our commitment to public service that goes beyond the walls of the Senate. The Senate Mobile Clinic will bring healthcare closer to the people-bringing hope, compassion, and assurance that public service is alive and mobile,’ Senate President Sotto said.

The Department of Health (DOH) has raised a ‘code white’ alert for faster deployment of medical assistance amid the onslaught of Typhoon Tino.

A ‘code white’ alert is raised to ensure that all assigned medical personnel, medical equipment, and facilities will be ready to respond to emergencies and incidents.

‘Nakahanda sa DOH Operations Center ang mga gamot, medical equipment, health emergency response teams para sa mga rehiyon na naapektuhan ng bagyo,’ DOH said in a Facebook post.

(The DOH Operations Center is ready to provide medicines, medical equipment, and health emergency response teams in regions affected by the typhoon.)

The DOH added that its Operations Center is monitoring the situation in typhoon-affected areas round the clock.

In its 8 a.m. bulletin on Wednesday, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration reported that Tino was tracked over the waters of El Nido, Palawan, moving west-northwest at 25 kilometers per hour (kph), with maximum winds of 120 kph and gusts of up to 165 kph.

Meanwhile, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, in its 6 a.m. report, said that the death toll from Tino had risen to 52, with 50 fatalities coming from Central Visayas and two from Eastern Visayas.

In a separate post, the DOH said that over 1,800 families in Aklan were assisted in coordination with the provincial government.

Families were provided hygiene kits, jerrycans, and water containers with clean drinking water.

The DOH also said that supplies of doxycycline are sufficient once doctors prescribe it to residents who waded through floodwaters.

The Philippine Institute of Health Insurance earlier said that doxycycline, an antibiotic, ‘is the recommended post-exposure chemoprophylactic agent for leptospirosis.’

Typhoon Tino (international name: Kalmaegi) tore through central and southern Philippines on Tuesday, leaving a trail of devastation in many areas, killing at least five people and displacing tens of thousands.

It unleashed flash floods with a force and suddenness that caught many unprepared, especially in urban areas. Images shared on social media showed residents trapped on rooftops, vehicles floating or piled on top of the other, and subdivisions going underwater in Cebu province.

Apart from the Visayas, which bore the brunt of the typhoon, Tino also lashed Dinagat Islands and Surigao del Norte in Mindanao, among other areas.

Tino, which had top sustained winds of 140 kilometers per hour (kph), unleashed more than 200 millimeters of rain, forceful winds and storm surges of up to 3 meters (10 feet) after slamming into Silago, Southern Leyte, around midnight on Monday.

‘We have received so many calls from people asking us to rescue them from roofs and from their houses, but it’s impossible,’ Gwendolyn Pang, secretary general of the Philippine Red Cross, said. ‘There are so many debris, you see cars floating so we have to wait for the flood to subside.’

Pang said an unspecified number of residents were trapped on their roofs by floodwaters in the coastal town of Liloan in central Cebu province.

Cebu Gov. Pamela Baricuatro described the situation as ‘tragic,’ noting that Tino struck just over a month after a magnitude 6.9 earthquake killed 79 residents in Bogo City.

One person died in the flood in Mandaue City, the governor said, while thousands of families took shelter in evacuation centers or climbed into rooftops in Liloan, Consolacion, Mandaue, Talisay, Danao, and Compostela.

Floodwaters displaced a total of 102,385 individuals in 46 barangays. Power outages hit several towns, complicating rescue operations.

In Barangay Bacayan, Cebu City, water rose to the second floor of homes in Villa del Rio 1 subdivision, forcing residents onto rooftops.

Nearby areas, including Barangay Buot-Taup and UN Avenue in Mandaue City, were also submerged, making roads impassable.

Northern Cebu saw flooding in Galaxy Danglag, Consolacion, and in front of the Danao Provincial Hospital. In southern Cebu, homes in Pueblo San Ricardo Subdivision, Talisay City, were partially underwater.

Mactan, an island in Cebu that is divided into Lapu-Lapu City and the town of Cordova, recorded 183 mm of rain at the height of Tino’s onslaught, according to the weather bureau Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa).

‘Strong wind’

In Southern Leyte, two fatalities were reported. In Saint Bernard, a senior citizen drowned as floods and landslides hit 30 barangays, forcing the evacuation of 12,477 residents.

Minor landslides blocked diversion roads, and bridges sustained damage, isolating several communities. Meanwhile, in MacArthur town, a 78-year-old widower from Barangay Romualdez was killed when a tree toppled onto his nipa hut.

Maasin City recorded 235.2 mm of rain from Monday to 8 a.m. on Tuesday, according to Pagasa.

In Eastern Samar, one of the east-central provinces first lashed by Tino early Tuesday, fierce wind either ripped off roofs or damaged about 300 mostly rural shanties on the island community of Homonhon, which is part of the town of Guiuan, but there were no reported deaths or injuries, Mayor Annaliza Gonzales Kwan said.

‘There was no flooding at all, but just strong wind,’ Kwan said. ‘We’re OK. We’ll make this through. We’ve been through a lot, and bigger than this.’

In November 2013, Supertyphoon ‘Yolanda’ (Haiyan), one of the most powerful tropical cyclones on record, slammed ashore into Guiuan then raked across the central Philippines, leaving more than 7,300 people dead or missing, flattening entire villages and sweeping scores of ships inland.

Higher death toll

In Bohol province, a 52-year-old barangay tanod (village watchman) from Barangay Danao, Panglao, died after being struck by a falling coconut tree while attempting to cut it down for safety.

The Inquirer counted at least five fatalities, although the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) said it was verifying reports that the death toll has climbed to 26.

Of the deaths, 22 were reported in Central Visayas, and two each in Negros Island Region and in Eastern Visayas, according to OCD spokesperson Junie Castillo.

‘All of these are being verified and validated by the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC),’ Castillo told reporters by phone. The NDRRMC reported one death earlier on Tuesday.

At least 43,000 families were evacuated in Bohol as heavy rains and strong winds lashed the island.

In Dinagat Islands, communities in the towns of Tubajon and Loreto, including Gibuson Island, were hit hard and isolated by landslides on a highway, according to Rep. Arlene ‘Kaka’ Bag-ao.

‘Families need essential materials to repair and rebuild their homes-especially roofing and other construction supplies,’ she said in a statement. ‘At the same time, ensuring that they have enough to eat is crucial.’

The typhoon also cut off power in several towns in Surigao del Norte.

Signal No. 4 still up

Tino maintained its top sustained winds of 130 kph and gustiness of up to 180 kph as it headed toward Palawan, with Storm Signal No. 4 still raised over Calamian and Cuyo Islands; the central and southern portions of Antique; the central and southern portions of Iloilo, and Guimaras Island.

Lower storm signals were up over other parts of Luzon and Visayas, as the typhoon moved westward at 15 kph toward the West Philippine Sea. It was forecast to exit the Philippine area of responsibility by Thursday morning.

Meanwhile, Smart Communications and Globe assured their subscribers of the restoration of voice, messaging, and data connectivity that was disrupted by the typhoon.

Globe, which reported disruption in 16 provinces, including Cebu, Bohol and Negros Occidental in Visayas, and Dinagat Islands and Surigao del Norte in Mindanao, said it would initiate free calls and charging stations in limited connectivity areas.

Police announced on Wednesday that they plan to subpoena a person of interest in the killing of a former government employee who had publicly raised allegations of corruption within the National Irrigation Administration (NIA).

Col. Dexter Paje, director of the Cagayan de Oro City Police Office, told the city council that authorities are moving to compel the individual to appear for questioning in the investigation of Nyruh Kyle Antatico’s murder.

Antatico, a former employee of the NIA-10, was shot and killed by unidentified assailants while driving in the city’s Patag village on Oct. 10.

Paje confirmed the development to the local council, signaling a concrete step in the ongoing probe into the high-profile killing.

‘We are set to subpoena a person of interest in the killing of Nyruh Kyle Antatico,’ Paje said. According to published reports, prior to his death, he had been using social media to expose alleged irregularities, including ‘ghost projects’ and the misuse of funds related to irrigation projects in the region.

His killing has drawn national attention, with civil society groups and legal organizations demanding a swift investigation.

Reports in the days following the murder noted that investigators were immediately considering Antatico’s anti-corruption advocacy and threats to his life as a primary motive for the attack.

The former NIA employee’s posts specifically questioned the implementation of a P75 million project, according to local media reports.

Brig. Gen. Christopher Abrahano, Northern Mindanao police director, told reporters that investigators believe the gunmen were likely ‘guns-for-hire’, based on the execution of the crime. The police have not yet identified the person of interest or disclosed the specific reasons for the subpoena.

Alamat – a P-pop boy group composed of Taneo, Mo, Jao, Tomas, R-Ji and Alas – is returning to the music scene with their new album ‘Destino,’ which is slated for a Nov. 21 release.

‘Destino’ was first announced during Alamat’s appearance at the MassKara Festival in October, where the members performed an unreleased track with their faces covered with masks. It was then revealed that the song is the album’s ‘hero track.’

Weeks later, glimpses of the album’s concept including concept photos featuring Alamat in a kalye-like setting, mini documentaries showing the album’s creative process, lyric spoilers, and a behind-the-scenes look at the group’s dynamic have been released to the public.

Aside from the full album, a pre-release single called ‘LuzViMinda’ will drop on Nov. 7.

Known for incorporating Filipino culture and literature, as well as regional languages in their music and overall concept, Alamat is one of the leading P-pop groups that built a loyal following through the years.

The P-pop group originally debuted as a nine-piece act in February 2014. Their notable hits include ‘Maharani,’ ‘Dayang,’ ‘Dagundong’ and ‘Day and Night,’ to name a few.

The neo-noir crime classic ‘Jaguar’ (1979) by Lino Brocka is having a powerful resurgence with a newly completed 4K restoration, marking a major moment in Philippine film preservation and national cinema history.

‘Jaguar’ made history when it first premiered: it became the first Filipino film to compete for the Palme d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival in 1980. Decades later, this restored version opens new pathways for Filipino audiences and international viewers alike to engage with Brocka’s uncompromising vision.

The film stars Phillip Salvador as Poldo Miranda, a low-paid security guard (colloquially called a ‘jaguar’ in Manila) who dreams of upward social mobility. His chance comes when he protects the son of a wealthy family and becomes his bodyguard-but gradually is pulled into a web of crime and moral compromise. The screenplay was co-written by Jose ‘Pete’ Lacaba and national artist Ricky Lee, based on a true-crime account from trade-journalist and literary figure Nick Joaquin’s ‘Reportage on Crime.’

The film functions not only as a crime thriller but as a socially conscious examination of class, ambition, manipulation, and the Filipino condition during the late 1970s.

The restoration was made possible through the Film Restoration Program of the Philippine Film Archive under the FDCP. It cost under ?2 million-a remarkably competitive figure, according to film restorer Ricky Orellana-but the project’s success also owes much to the foresight of the late Pierre Rissient, the legendary Cannes talent scout and longtime friend of Brocka. Rissient had safeguarded the film’s original reels at the LTC film laboratories in Paris on behalf of producer Bancom Audiovision (now Union Bank), with vital assistance and reference copies from Filipino film collector Jojo Devera.

For Philippine cinema, this kind of restoration is vital: preserving the work of a national artist, enabling new audiences and scholarship, and reclaiming cultural heritage that might otherwise have been lost. Lino Brocka remains a towering figure in Philippine cinema, known for his fearless tackling of social issues, his use of realism, and his capacity to merge commercial appeal with political commentary. Jaguar stands out in his oeuvre as a film where the dream of upward mobility and the structural constraints of class converge in a tense, morally ambiguous narrative.

Now, the film finds a new homecoming. On Nov. 8, Archivo 1984 will host a special screening of the newly restored film-Lino Brocka’s Cannes-nominated masterpiece that continues to resonate with audiences more than four decades after its debut. The screening will also feature an exhibit of never-before-seen photos of the film, as well as special attendance by the lead stars of the film, Philip Salvador and Amy Austria. The event marks another effort by the gallery to bring classic Filipino films back into public view, reaffirming its commitment to preserving and celebrating local cultural memory.

Investigation and retrieval operations are now underway in Loreto town following the crash of a Philippine Air Force (PAF) Super Huey helicopter on Tuesday.

A report from provincial government-run PTV 8 Agusan del Sur said scene-of-the-crime operatives and Air Force investigators arrived at the crash site early Wednesday to conduct an on-site examination and determine the technical and operational factors that may have led to the fatal crash.

The Eastern Mindanao Command (EastMinCom) earlier confirmed that the helicopter went down in Loreto while en route to Tactical Operations Group 10 in Butuan City.

The aircraft was part of a four-helicopter formation deployed from Davao City to carry out a Rapid Damage Assessment and Needs Analysis (RDANA) mission following Typhoon Tino.

Troops from the 60th Infantry Battalion had secured the area since Tuesday to ensure the site’s safety and assist in recovery efforts.

Six bodies believed to be those of the pilot and crew members have been retrieved from the site.

Alas Pilipinas girls were shown the door by a formidable Chinese Taipei side, 14-25, 21-25, 15-25, in the 2nd AVC Asian Women’s U16 Volleyball Championship Final Eight on Wednesday at the Prince Hamzah Sports Hall here.

Team captain Xyz Rayco was at the forefront of Alas’ offense anew with 12 points all from attacks, catching fire in the second set to lead their gallant stand, only to blow a 17-12 lead and get dominated in the third’It’s a bit disappointing because we really prepared for this game, but it didn’t turn out the way we hoped. Still, we’re grateful because we were able to give our best despite what happened,’ said Rayco in Filipino.

Nadeth Herbon added 11 points, setter Resty Jane Olaguir and Madele Gale chipped in four apiece, while libero Frances Ramos tallied 15 digs.

‘The team’s energy kind of died down. I told them that volleyball is a game of emotion and momentum. Whenever we’re happy and communicating on the court, that’s when we come alive and play our best,’ said Alas U16 coach Edwin Leyva.

‘The problem was that our energy dropped during the crucial points. We also couldn’t push the younger players too much because some of them were dealing with muscle aches and minor pains. Still, their performance was really good, it’s just that we fell short in the end.’

Chinese Taipei advanced to the Final Four after it rose to a 2-0 record with fellow unbeaten team Japan, which swept Thailand, 25-19, 25-16, 25-19, earlier.

Taipei and defending champion Japan, who will clash for the top seed of Pool F on Thursday, also qualified for next year’s FIVB Volleyball Girls’ U17 World Championship in Chile as the first two semifinalists.

After losing big in the opening set where Chinese Taipei fired seven of its 10 aces, Alas girls stayed composed and unleashed a 4-0 start in the second. Rayco found her groove and gave the Philippines a 17-12 cushion.

However, Chinese Taipei scored six unanswered points, capped by Chan Tzu-Yun’s kill to take the lead, 18-17. Alas recovered and still held precarious leads – the last at 20-19 off the opponent’s service error. But the Taiwanese responded with four straight points off Chan’s hit for a 23-20 advantage before Herbon stopped the bleeding.

Chang Yun-Chen sent Chinese Taipei to set point with a strong cross-court kill, followed by Herbon’s attack that went out to take a two-set advantage.

Alas was able to neutralize Chinese Taipei’s go-to scorer Chen Ting-Yi, who was limited to four points in the first two sets before catching fire in the third to finish with 12 points. But Chan and Chang stepped up with 18 and 17 points, respectively.

‘For the team Philippines, it’s a little difficult to win. I’m glad we were able to win this game,’ said Chan through a translator.

The Philippines takes on Thailand in its last final eight game at 4 p.m. (Philippine time) on Thursday before playing in the classification round for 5th to 8th places.

The youngest national team, composed of first-timers from different provinces, entered the final eight after sweeping Iran two days ago. The Philippines started the next round with one loss, carrying over its four-set defeat to defending champion and fellow quarterfinalist Japan.