PNP has leads on DOJ, Senate bomb incidents

Probers have obtained leads on the people who may have planted improvised bombs in front of the Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Senate building on July 27, the Philippine National Police said yesterday.

PNP chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. did not provide details, but assured the public that police are on track in identifying the perpetrators.

‘Our probers are continuously investigating and we are pursuing it just like other cases,’ Nartatez told reporters. ‘Give us ample time, 24 hours. Magulat na nga lang kayo nakapag-file na tayo (You will be surprised that we have filed).’

The incidents happened hours before President Marcos delivered his fifth State of the Nation Address (SONA) on Monday.

An improvised explosive device (IED) went off near the DOJ compound along Padre Faura street in Manila. There were no casualties.

Police also discovered an IED near the Senate complex in Pasay before the SONA started. Nartatez earlier said the bomb incidents could be connected.

Claire on Imee’s ‘impakta’ tirade: Takes one to know one

Undersecretary Claire Castro fired back at Sen. Imee Marcos over a video seemingly mocking the Palace press official.

The senator, an estranged sister of President Marcos and an ally of Vice President Sara Duterte, posted on Facebook a video alleging that the International Criminal Court (ICC) is in danger.

The video claimed there is an ICC at Malacañang, but it was abruptly cut when it was saying what the acronym supposedly stands for.

Before the video ended, it claimed that the ICC at the Palace stands for ‘Impaktang Clai…’

Impakta is a Filipino term for an evil woman. ?

Castro said she is not used to saying the word ‘impakta,’ but stressed that the title belongs to Imee and other persons behind the video.

‘If they used that word to describe, they know what it means,’ Castro said. ‘It takes one to know one.’

She added: ‘They are the ones who fit the description. They should not worry. The crown is theirs – Senator Imee and her group – and we cannot seize it from them. I am no match for Senator Imee with regard to that kind of description. They are at the maximum level.’

Philippines drives satellite growth in Asia-Pacific

The Philippines is poised to become the next big market for direct-to-device service in Asia-Pacific, with telco-to-tech giant Globe Telecom Inc. benefitting from it for being the first in the segment.

In a report, internet analyst Ookla said the Philippines registered the largest direct-to-device base in Asia-Pacific even prior to the commercial launch of Globe in June.

Ookla has scanned direct-to-device registrations in the country since January, and the Philippines accounted for 64 percent of the region’s base in the second quarter.

Ookla said the pre-launch detections were likely network tests from Globe. However, there could be consumers also who want to register ahead of the launch to check device compatibility.

Regionally, the number of devices connected to the internet via satellite grew by more than five times between July 2025 and May 2026, with the Philippines driving the increase. Ookla said the Philippines had taken up 56.1 percent of the Asia-Pacific base in the first quarter and 64 percent in the second quarter.

‘The detected base built from January, reached nearly four times its January level in May, and it fell back in June, a pattern that fits a test campaign winding down ahead of launch,’ Ookla said.

Ookla expected this level of direct-to-device adoption in the Philippines, an archipelago made up of over 7,000 islands, of which many remain isolated from terrestrial infrastructure.

Further, Ookla spotted a usage increase in the provinces hit by the magnitude 7.8 earthquake in June, where Globe activated the direct-to-device service for free to show its disaster readiness.

Globe switched on its direct-to-device solution in Sarangani, South Cotabato and Sultan Kudarat to serve its 700,000-strong base there, of which at least 150,000 connected. Ookla said usage in these provinces nearly doubled to 21.1 percent in June, from 11.6 percent in May.

Still, Ookla said the Philippines is far from attaining direct-to-device quality at the same level as the internet speed it gets from cellular sites and fiber lines. The country posted the weakest signal from low earth orbit satellites operated by Starlink.

This is usual for countries situated close to the equator, and the quality will remain the same until such time that Starlink launches new satellites next year.

In June, Globe started offering its direct-to-device service in partnership with Starlink, selling it for as low as P99 for prepaid users and is granted free to postpaid customers.

PH makes case for West Philippine Sea extended continental shelf claim at UN

The Philippines’ 15-year effort to claim seabed rights outside its exclusive economic zone in the West Philippine Sea came before a United Nations body this week, in a bid that could add thousands of square kilometers of seafloor area under Manila’s resource jurisdiction.

In a statement on Wednesday, July 29, the Department of Foreign Affairs announced the Philippines has officially presented its extended continental shelf claim for the West Palawan Region before the UN Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf in New York.

The oral presentation comes after the Philippines formally deposited its claim with the UN in June 2024. In it, Manila is seeking recognition of its rights over the seabed and subsoil beyond 200 nautical miles from its baselines – the outer edge of the EEZ – but no farther than 350 nautical miles. Under UNCLOS Article 76, a coastal state can claim an extended continental shelf up to 350 nautical miles if data shows the seabed is a natural extension of its landmass.

The submission of the claim shows “the Philippines’ steadfast commitment to the United Nations Charter and the 1982 UNCLOS” and the rules-based order, the DFA said.

The presentation “further underscored that the submission was part of the country’s responsibility to secure a peaceful South China Sea through the rule of law in order to sustain the livelihoods of Filipinos, foster trade, protect marine biodiversity, and unite coastal and littoral States,” it added.

What exactly does the Philippines stand to gain? UN recognition of the claim would confer sovereign rights to the resources on and under the seafloor, specifically oil, gas and minerals.

An extended continental shelf does not confer fishing rights, and it won’t translate to an expanded territory. The UN commission can only rule on outer limits and does not settle boundaries between countries.

In its presentation this week, the Philippines asked the commission to factor in rulings by tribunals constituted under UNCLOS, chief among them the 2016 arbitral award that voided Beijing’s sweeping claims, the DFA said.

The arbitral award turned 10 on July 12.

Former DFA chief and now-Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the UN Enrique Manalo led the delegation.

With him was the Extended Continental Shelf Technical Working Group under National Mapping and Resource Information Authority Administrator (NAMRIA) Undersecretary Peter Tiangco, alongside academics from the University of the Philippines.

NAMRIA led the group “in preparing the submission over a 15 year-period,” the DFA statement read.

Second bid

This is Manila’s second such bid. The UN commission validated a Philippine Rise submission in 2012, three years after filing, handing the country 135,506 square kilometers of seabed, the DFA said.

“In that submission, the Philippines stated that it reserved the right to make submissions in other areas in the future,” the department added.

In 2024, rival claimants moved quickly against Manila’s West Palawan submission. China told the UN commission in a June 18, 2024 note verbale to not consider the submission, claiming sovereignty over the South China Sea islands, the surrounding waters and the seabed beneath. Vietnam and Malaysia also eventually submitted their own objections.

What’s next? The UN commission, by its own rules, cannot consider or evaluate a submission if an affected state asserts an unresolved land or maritime dispute.

According to the UN commission’s website, the latest communication it received on the Philippines’ claim was from Malaysia on July 24.

Malaysia said in its note verbale that it “reaffirms its categorical rejection of the Philippines’ Partial Submission.” Manila’s claim, according to Malaysia, is “unacceptable, and does not conform with international law, including the 1982 UNCLOS.”

“This is in view of the Republic of the Philippines’ purported projection of its continental margin from the baselines of the Malaysian state of Sabah, in blatant disregard of Malaysia’s indisputable sovereignty over the state of Sabah,” the note verbale by Malaysia read.

’Ceasefire my foot’: Lacson rebuffs offer over Taguig flood control anomalies

Sen. Panfilo “Ping” Lacson has rejected the alleged ceasefire offer of an individual following his exposé on the alleged anomalies in flood control projects in Taguig City.

‘CEASEFIRE MY FOOT! Anong uri ng tao ang magde-declare ng giyera, toy gun ang dala, at laway ang bala; ‘pag na-confront ng bomba, magre-request ng ceasefire, pabulong pa?’ Lacson said in a social media post on July 30.

(CEASEFIRE MY FOOT! What kind of person declares war carrying a toy gun and using spit as bullets, then, when confronted with a bomb, quietly asks for a ceasefire?)

However, Lacson did not identify the person who allegedly called for a ceasefire.

The move follows the submission of documents and witness testimonies to the Ombudsman regarding alleged irregularities in Taguig infrastructure projects, including double-billing.

Lacson linked these findings to Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano, whose wife, Lani, serves as Taguig mayor.

While Cayetano denied the existence of “ghost” projects and urged probes into other Metro Manila cities, Lacson pointed to several incomplete local developments and said he is building a stronger case to prove Cayetano’s involvement.

In his submission to the Ombudsman, Lacson alleged that the Taguig projects involved old and new tactics dating back to 2019, including illegal reclamation projects allegedly disguised as slope protection structures, ghost projects, double appropriations, and the use of recycled photos from past contracts to bill for new ones.

He also alleged that the scheme was orchestrated by a single individual, but he did not identify the person in the statement.

His office estimated that Taguig accumulated around P14.4 billion worth of infrastructure projects from 2020 to 2025, with the amount expected to increase as more records are reviewed.

The tension escalated after Cayetano called Sen. Erwin Tulfo a “lapdog” of Lacson.

Cayetano, who is allied with two senators facing plunder charges, also questioned the integrity of the Statements of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth of Tulfo and Lacson.

Why FCT cannot finish costly millennium tower – Wike

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has said the FCT Administration cannot afford to complete the abandoned Millennium Tower project because of its huge cost.

Speaking on Thursday during an inspection of ongoing road and infrastructure projects in Abuja, Wike said the amount needed to complete the tower has increased to between N300 billion and N400 billion.

He explained that spending such a large amount on one project would leave no money for other important infrastructure projects across the Federal Capital Territory.

Wike said he has appealed to President Bola Tinubu to take over the project and fund it as a national project because of its importance and tourism potential.

According to him, the Millennium Tower contract was first awarded during the administration of former President Olusegun Obasanjo. However, years of delays and rising construction costs have pushed the project’s completion cost much higher.

‘We have discussed with the contractor. The project was awarded during Obasanjo’s administration, and the contractor is now asking for between N300 billion and N400 billion to complete it. If the FCT spends that amount on one project, we will have to stop every other project in Abuja,’ Wike said.

He added that discussions with President Tinubu are ongoing to have the Federal Government classify the tower as a national project.

Despite the challenge, Wike expressed satisfaction with the progress of other infrastructure projects in Abuja. He praised Arab Contractors for the quality of work on the dualisation of the Airport Road to Kuje.

The minister recalled that when the current administration came into office in August 2023, the contractor was not working on the project. He said the company later returned to the site after discussions with the FCT Administration.

Wike said the road project is expected to be completed and handed over to President Tinubu in December.

He also assured residents that the FCT Administration would continue to pay contractors and maintain a good working relationship with them to ensure projects are completed on schedule.

According to him, the trust between the government and contractors has helped keep projects moving, even when payments are delayed.

Wike said the Tinubu administration has made significant progress in transforming Abuja through quality road construction and other infrastructure projects.

He also assured residents that his administration would not abandon any ongoing project.

‘We have completed many projects that were awarded years ago, and all the projects awarded under this administration will also be completed. We are optimistic that the roads we inspected today will be finished before the end of the year,’ he said.

Otimeyin, new AIG ZONE ‘8’ sends red signal to criminals

Non state actors operating along Kogi and Kwara States have been strongly warned to either change from their criminal lifestyle or face the wrath of the law as the zone would no longer condone their nefarious activities.

Assistant Inspector General, AIG, of Police Betty Isopkan Otimeyin gave the warning in Lokoja, the Kogi State capital, on Thursday, 30 July, when she resumed duty as head of the Zone 8 Police Command, comprising of the two states.

In her maiden engagement as the 34th and first female AIG of the command, Otimeyin promised to build on the achievements of her predecessors while deliberately keeping an open-door policy in securing the zone. She called on members of the public to cooperate with the security agencies in keeping society free from crime.

She charged officers and men under her command to embrace discipline, diligence, and dedication to duty, stressing that only a highly professional and motivated police workforce can effectively secure lives and property across the two states.

The new Zonal Commander pledged to re-strategize security operations in line with the vision of the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Disu, with greater emphasis on community-based policing, intelligence-driven operations.

Otimeyin, an education graduate of the old Bendel State University, Abraka Campus, has held many command positions in the police spanning administration and operation. Among other positions, she served as Commissioner of Police in Edo, Rivers, and Taraba States. She vowed to make her new command uncomfortable to bandits, kidnappers, fraudsters, and other criminals.

Police arrest three suspected drug dealers, recover illicit substances in Ondo

The Police Command in Ondo State has arrested three suspected drug dealers during a routine patrol operation in Akure, the state capital.

DSP Abayomi Jimoh, the command’s Spokesperson, made the disclosure in a statement on Thursday in Akure, saying the arrest was part of the command’s ongoing campaign against illicit drug trafficking and other crimes.

Jimoh explained that the operation was carried out by operatives of the command’s anti-cultism squad.

‘This forms part of sustained efforts to dismantle criminal networks whose activities are often linked to cultism, armed robbery, violent crimes and other threats to public safety. On July 24 at about 2:00 p.m., while on a strategic confidence-building patrol within Akure metropolis, operatives intercepted and arrested three suspects. The suspects identified as Fisayo Adedamola (Female), Adeola Oluwaseun (Male), and Adeogun Olumide (Male), were allegedly involved in the distribution and sale of illicit drugs.

‘A thorough search conducted during the operation led to the recovery of various substances and pharmaceutical products suspected to be illicit or abused drugs. Items recovered include quantities of substances suspected to be cannabis, Tramadol capsules, Codeine syrup and Tutolin syrup,’ he said.

The police spokesperson said the suspects were immediately taken into custody, while the recovered exhibits have been secured as evidence.

He, therefore, said preliminary investigations were ongoing to determine the source of the drugs, identify possible accomplices and uncover any criminal network connected to their activities.

Jimoh, however, said the suspects would be charged to court upon the conclusion of investigations.

‘The Commissioner of Police in the state, Felix Ohagwu, has urged parents, guardians, community leaders and members of the public to remain vigilant and support the police by providing timely and credible information. Your information will aid the identification and arrest of persons involved in drug trafficking and other criminal activities. The command assures residents that it remains resolute in its commitment to ensuring a safe and secure environment through proactive policing and intelligence-led operations and sustained collaboration with the public. Criminal elements are hereby warned to desist from all unlawful activities or face the full weight of the law,’ he said.

Importers, exporters get fresh Customs rules as tariff changes begin

The Nigeria Customs Service has begun enforcing the Federal Government’s 2026 Fiscal Policy Measures and Tariff Amendments following approval by President Bola Tinubu, marking a significant shift in Nigeria’s trade and revenue framework.

Announcing the development in Abuja on Wednesday, the Service’s National Public Relations Officer, Abdullahi Maiwada, said the revised measures are intended to improve the country’s economic competitiveness, strengthen revenue generation and bring Nigeria’s tariff structure in line with regional and international commitments.

He explained that the policy changes would also enhance the administration of fiscal regulations while encouraging lawful trade across the country.

The implementation follows recent remarks by the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adeniyi, during the defence of the Service’s 2026 budget proposal before the National Assembly. Adeniyi had stated that the updated import duty structure formed part of the Federal Government’s wider fiscal agenda for 2026 and would help stimulate economic growth.

Maiwada said the latest amendments were designed to encourage local industrial expansion, simplify legitimate trade activities and improve the management of customs and fiscal policies.

‘The approved amendments include the Revised Import Adjustment Tax List for the implementation of the ECOWAS Common External Tariff (2022-2027),’ he said.

He disclosed that the package also comprises the Revised National List under the ECOWAS Common External Tariff framework, the Revised Import Prohibition List (Trade), the Revised List of Goods Liable to Excise Duty, the Green Tax Surcharge on vehicles above 2000cc and the Revised Export Prohibition List.

The Customs spokesman urged importers, exporters, manufacturers, licensed customs agents and other stakeholders to study the revised schedules carefully and comply fully with all applicable fiscal and regulatory requirements.

‘To facilitate seamless implementation and promote transparency, the service has made the complete 2026 Fiscal Policy Measures and Tariff Amendments available for download,’ he said.

According to him, the documents can be obtained from the Nigeria Customs Service’s official website, where stakeholders are encouraged to acquaint themselves with the new provisions to ensure smooth compliance.

Reaffirming the agency’s commitment, Maiwada said:

‘The service remains committed to supporting government policies while fulfilling its mandate of trade facilitation, revenue collection and border security.’

He added that effective implementation of the reforms would depend on active collaboration between the Service and stakeholders, describing such cooperation as essential to building a more competitive, transparent and sustainable economy.

Army names commanders for new divisions

The Nigerian Army has unveiled a new command structure following the creation of additional divisions approved by President Bola Tinubu, a move aimed at strengthening military operations and improving security coverage nationwide.

The expansion is expected to improve command and control, speed up troop deployment and enhance the Army’s ability to respond to emerging security challenges.

As part of the restructuring, Maj Gen Yakubu Yahaya has been appointed General Officer Commanding (GOC) of the newly created 9 Division in Ilorin, where he will also serve as Commander of Operation Savannah Shield.

Maj Gen Chinedu Ralph Nnebeife will head the 10 Division in Jalingo, while Maj Gen Moses Gara assumes responsibility for the 5 Division in Makurdi alongside his appointment as Commander of Operation Whirl Stroke. Maj Gen Auwalu Mahmuda has also been redeployed to lead the 2 Division in Ibadan.

The Army has equally established three new brigades to support the fresh formations. Brig Gen A.O. Odubiyi will command the 11 Brigade in Gboko, Brig Gen A.M. Haruna takes charge of the 29 Brigade in Kainji, while Brig Gen R.M. Aminu will lead the 10 Brigade in Lafia.

In a statement issued on Wednesday by the Acting Director of Army Public Relations, Col Appolonia Anele, the Army said the new divisions would begin operations once they attain their Initial Operational Capability.

‘The newly established divisions will immediately commence operations in the respective locations on attainment of Initial Operational Capability (IOC), while deliberate measures are being implemented to progressively attain Full Operational Capability.’

Congratulating the newly appointed commanders, Shaibu urged them to justify the confidence reposed in them.

‘Provide visionary leadership, sustain operational momentum and uphold the highest standards of professionalism, discipline and mission effectiveness in the discharge of their responsibilities.’

The Army chief reiterated the service’s commitment to national security.

‘Safeguarding the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Nigeria, protecting the lives and property of all law-abiding citizens and supporting the attainment of enduring national peace and security.’

Shaibu also thanked President Tinubu for approving the expansion, describing it as a major step in the Army’s ongoing transformation.

He said the establishment of the additional divisions represented ‘a historic milestone in the transformation of the Nigerian Army’, adding that it demonstrated the Federal Government’s resolve to reinforce the country’s defence architecture.

According to him, the enlarged force structure will ‘significantly enhance command and control, improve operational coordination, strengthen border security, facilitate faster deployment of troops and resources and increase the Nigerian Army’s capacity to respond decisively to emerging and evolving security threats across the country.’

He expressed optimism that the new formations would deepen collaboration with other security agencies, promote national stability and support efforts to restore lasting peace across Nigeria.

Under the revised structure, the 5 Division in Makurdi will oversee military operations in Benue, Nasarawa and Kogi states, while the 9 Division in Ilorin will cover Kwara and Niger states. The 10 Division in Jalingo will be responsible for Taraba and Adamawa states.

The Army also announced that the 83 Division, headquartered in Benin City, will become operational later this year with responsibility for Edo, Delta and Bayelsa states.

Existing divisions have also been assigned new operational jurisdictions. The 1 Division, Kaduna, will oversee Kaduna, Kano, Katsina and Jigawa states, while the 2 Division, Ibadan, will cover Oyo, Osun, Ekiti and Ondo. The 3 Division, Jos, will supervise Plateau, Bauchi and Gombe.

Similarly, the 6 Division, Port Harcourt, will oversee Rivers, Akwa Ibom and Cross River, while the 7 Division, Maiduguri, retains responsibility for Borno and Yobe. The 8 Division, Sokoto, will cover Sokoto, Kebbi and Zamfara, the 81 Division, Lagos, will oversee Lagos and Ogun, and the 82 Division, Enugu, will continue to supervise Enugu, Anambra, Abia, Ebonyi and Imo states.