PNoy orders DOH to prevent spread of MERS virus

President Benigno Aquino III on Wednesday directed the Department of Health (DOH) to prevent the spread of the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome-Coronavirus (MERS-CoV), after the country recorded its first ever case.

Read the rest of the news GMA News Online / News / Nation

Army general: Not even a thank you for saving some of the SAF men

Apparently frustrated over the widespread notion that the Army failed to help police commandos in the Mamasapano encounter, the commander of the 6th Infantry Division on Wednesday lamented the lack of gratituge even after the soldiers' efforts to extricate their pinned down comrades from the clash site.

Read the rest of the news GMA News Online / News / Nation

Espina vows to find person responsible for uploading video of SAF man being killed

Philippine National Police (PNP) officer in charge Deputy Director General Leonardo Espina vowed to find the persons responsible for uploading a gruesome video showing the killing of a member of the PNP's Special Action Force (SAF) in the Mamasapano clash last Jan. 25.

Read the rest of the news GMA News Online / News / Nation

MERS-CoV no longer health emergency of int’l concern –report

The World Health Organization (WHO) has recently announced that the dreaded Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV) is no longer a cause for immediate international concern, an online report said.

Read the rest of the news GMA News Online / News / Nation

Iqbal mum on surrender of MILF members in Mamasapano clash

Moro Islamic Liberation Front chief negotiator Mohagher Iqbal on Wednesday gave no categorical answer on whether the MILF would surrender to the government its members who figured in the Mamapasano clash that resulted in the deaths of 44 police commandos on Jan. 25.

Read the rest of the news GMA News Online / News / Nation

Palace: Take down video of Mamasapano clash

The video showing the brutal killing of a PNP-Special Action Force (PNP-SAF) commando during the deadly Mamasapano clash should be taken down from the Internet, Malacañang said Wednesday.

Read the rest of the news GMA News Online / News / Nation

Napeñas disobeyed PNoy’s order to coordinate with Espina –Palace

Malacañang on Wednesday once again faulted relieved PNP-Special Action Force commander Director Getulio Napeñas Jr. in connection with the Mamasapano incident, this time for his failure to inform PNP officer-in-charge Deputy Director General Leonardo Espina about the operation.

Read the rest of the news GMA News Online / News / Nation

FULL TEXT: PNP Dep. Dir. General Espina‘s emotional testimony

Philippine National Police (PNP) officer-in-charge Director General Leonardo Espina on Wednesday became emotional over what he described as overkill of the 44 Special Action Force troopers in the January 25 police operations in Mamasapano, Maguindanao.

Read the rest of the news GMA News Online / News / Nation

Ombudsman Morales: Purisima may face usurpation raps

Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales on Wednesday said former Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Alan Purisima may be criminally charged for his alleged participation in the Jan. 25 Mamasapano operation despite being suspended at that time.

Read the rest of the news GMA News Online / News / Nation

Senators condemn brutal attack on PNP-SAF man

Senators condemned Wednesday the brutal attack on one of the PNP-Special Action Force commandos as shown in a video circulating on social media.

Read the rest of the news GMA News Online / News / Nation

Senators unconvinced of Purisima claim on Mamasapano ops –Drilon

Senate President Franklin Drilon on Wednesday said he and other senators are not convinced that former PNP chief Director General Alan Purisima had no hand in the January 25 Mamasapano operation that left 44 policemen dead.

Read the rest of the news GMA News Online / News / Nation

If true, MILF training a violation of peace pact —Deles

The Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) might be liable for violating the peace agreement it signed with the government if they were training with the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF), Presidential Adviser on Peace Process Teresita Deles said Wednesday.

Read the rest of the news GMA News Online / News / Nation

Napeñas assumed Purisima’s advice had PNoy’s blessing

Resigned Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Director General Alan Purisima just might have been giving advice, but sacked Special Action Force (SAF) head Getulio Napeñas took his words seriously because of his close relationship with President Benigno Aquino III.

Read the rest of the news GMA News Online / News / Nation

PNP-SAF commanding officer confirms: 55th Company trooper was in killing video

A police official on Wednesday confirmed that the men featured in a video clip circulating on Facebook being brutally killed by gunmen were indeed members of the Philippine National Police' Special Action Force' 55th company.

Read the rest of the news GMA News Online / News / Nation

Malacañang: Congress can’t summon PNoy to Mamasapano inquiries

Although senators have questions about his role in the deadly Mamasapano operation, President Benigno Aquino III cannot be compelled by Congress to speak about the incident that left 44 police commandos dead, Malacañang maintained Wednesday.

Read the rest of the news GMA News Online / News / Nation

Napeñas admits treating MILF as ‘enemy’ during planning for Mamasapano ops

It may have an existing peace agreement with the government, but the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) was still considered as “enemy” during the planning for the January 25 police operation in Mamasapano, Maguindanao.

Read the rest of the news GMA News Online / News / Nation

Rep. Biazon pushes for joint congressional probe on Mamasapano clash

A former chief of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) urged the House of Representatives and Senate to conduct a joint investigation of the anti-terror raid in Mamasapano last month to prevent wasting resources and the time of concerned government officials.

Read the rest of the news GMA News Online / News / Nation

Palace denies PNoy in Zambo to monitor hunt for Marwan

Malacañang on Wednesday strongly denied reports that President Benigno Aquino III flew to Zamboanga City on the day of the deadly Mamasapano clash to await the capture of Malaysian terrorist Zulkifli bin Hir alias “Marwan.”

Read the rest of the news GMA News Online / News / Nation

Purisima insists no need to tell Roxas about Oplan Exodus

Resigned National Police chief Director General Alan Purisima believes the PNP’s command line wasn’t broken because of relieved PNP-Special Action Force commander Director Getulio Napeñas’ decision not to inform Interior Secretary Manuel “Mar” Roxas II of the covert anti-terror raid in Mamasapano, Maguindanao on Jan. 25.

Read the rest of the news GMA News Online / News / Nation

WATCH: Espina becomes emotional in seeking answers to brutal deaths of 44 SAF men

Philippine National Police officer-in-charge deputy Director General Leonardo Espina became emotional on Wenesday at a House of Representatives hearing on the Jan. 25 clash that claimed the lives of 44 Special Action Force troopers in Mamasapano, Maguindanao.

Read the rest of the news GMA News Online / News / Nation

Solons press Napeñas on turnover of Marwan's index finger as evidence

Despite the threat of being cited for contempt, sacked PNP-Special Action Force chief Getulio Napeñas Jr. on Wednesday declined to divulge details about the turnover of the index finger of wanted international terrorist Zulkifli bin Hir alias Marwan.

Read the rest of the news GMA News Online / News / Nation

POLL: Which Mamasapano hearing are you more interested to follow?

Both chambers of the Philippine Congress are currently conducting hearings on the Mamasapano clash, which claimed the lives of 44 members of the Philippine National Police-Special Action Force. Which Mamasapano hearing are you more interested to follow?

Read the rest of the news GMA News Online / News / Nation

Arguing among lawmakers delays questioning at House hearing on Mamasapano

With so many lawmakers present at the House of Representatives’ first hearing on the Mamasapano clash, legislators argued among themselves on when to quiz the resource persons because there was just so little time on their hands.

Read the rest of the news GMA News Online / News / Nation

Emotional Espina decries 'overkill' of SAF men, seeks clear answers from MILF

Philippine National Police officer-in-charge Director General Leonardo Espina on Wednesday became emotional over the "overkill" of the 44 Special Action Force troopers in Mamasapano, Maguindanao last Jan. 25.

Read the rest of the news GMA News Online / News / Nation

De Lima: Video of alleged SAF shot at close range could be evidence

A video purportedly of one of the 44 elite policemen being shot at close range could be used as evidence against armed rebels involved in the January 25 bloody clash in Mamasapano, Maguindanao.

Read the rest of the news GMA News Online / News / Nation

Senators: Blame for Mamasapano clash should go beyond Napeñas

Senators agree that the buck on the Mamasapano clash does not stop with relieved Special Action Force chief Director Getulio Napeñas, but are divided whether it was President Benigno Aquino III or resigned Philippine National Police chief Director General Alan Purisima who should be blamed for the alleged lack of coordination.

Read the rest of the news GMA News Online / News / Nation

I did not break chain of command, Napeñas insists during House probe

Relieved Special Action Force (SAF) head Chief Supt. Getulio Napeñas on Wednesday insisted that he did not break the chain of command when he communicated with suspended national police chief Director General Alan Purisima for the planning of the January 25 Mamasapano operation.

Read the rest of the news GMA News Online / News / Nation

PNP Board of Inquiry head: Arrest orders vs. Marwan, Usman ‘rightfully pursued’

The arrest orders against international terrorist Zulkifli bin Hir alias "Marwan" and Filipino bomb-maker Abdul Basit Usman had been rightfully pursued by state authorities, the head of the Philippine National Police-Board of Inquiry said Wednesday.

Read the rest of the news GMA News Online / News / Nation

DOH: Pinay nurse confirmed afflicted with MERS-CoV

The Department of Health on Wednesday confirmed that the Philippines has at least one case of the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome-Coronavirus (MERS-CoV).

Read the rest of the news GMA News Online / News / Nation

PNoy may be liable for deaths of 44 SAF men —legal experts

President Benigno Aquino III may be held liable for the January 25 encounter in Mamasapano town in Maguindanao that left 44 Philippine National Police-Special Action Force dead, legal experts said Wednesday.

Read the rest of the news GMA News Online / News / Nation

Roxas reiterates commitment for quick, transparent probe on Mamasapano clash

Interior Secretary Manuel “Mar” Roxas II on Wednesday vowed proper, quick and transparent investigation by the Philippine National Police Board of Inquiry into the bloody Mamasapano clash that left 44 elite police commandos dead.

Read the rest of the news GMA News Online / News / Nation

Basilan solon urges peace amid calls for all-out war in Mindanao

A lawmaker from Mindanao renewed calls for peace amid certain sectors’ clamor for an all-out war following the bloody Mamasapano clash that left 44 PNP-Special Action Force personnel dead.

Read the rest of the news GMA News Online / News / Nation

As House probe on Mamasapano incident starts, solon pushes more hearings

Barely had the House of Representatives' investigation into the Jan. 25 Mamasapano, Maguindanao clash that killed 44 Special Action Force troopers started when a lawmaker moved to hold further hearings on the incident.

Read the rest of the news GMA News Online / News / Nation

MILF chief negotiator Iqbal begs off from House hearing on Mamasapano clash

Moro Islamic Liberation Front chief negotiator Mohagher Iqbal on Wednesday begged off from the House of Representatives' hearing on the Jan. 25 Mamasapano clash whiclh left 44 elite members of the PNP-Special Action Force dead.

Read the rest of the news GMA News Online / News / Nation

Group finds mercury in more than 300 skin products

More than 300 skin whitening products being sold in the country may have potentially toxic mercury, an ecological group said.

Read the rest of the news GMA News Online / News / Nation

The Armed Forces did not sacrifice the SAF 44 to save the peace process – AFP

Philippine Armed Forces Chief of Staff, Gen. Gregorio Catapang, defended the Armed Forces' actions during the Mamasapano clash during Tuesday's Senate hearing, denying that the AFP sacrificed the the 44 Special Action Force police commandos killed in the clash in order to save the peace process with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front.

Read the rest of the news GMA News Online / News / Nation

'Time on target' coordination of SAF with AFP: Decisions and consequences

Former police Special Action Force (SAF) director Getulio Napeñas said on Tuesday his "time on target" coordination with the military involved the army units near Mamasapano, Maguindanao, but he "banked on" the pledge of former police chief Alan Purisima for the link up with Armed Forces chief of staff Gregorio Pio Catapang.

Read the rest of the news GMA News Online / News / Nation

MILF is not a terrorist group – Jaafar

The Moro Islamic Liberation Front is not a terrorist group, MILF Vice Chairman for Political Affairs Ghadzali Jaafar stressed in the wake of the deadly clash between the Philippine National Police's Special Action Force and rebels in Mamasapano, Maguindanao that claimed the lives of 44 police officers.

Read the rest of the news GMA News Online / News / Nation

Peace agreement can’t stand in the way of holding MILF accountable – De Lima

The existing peace agreement between the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) cannot stand in the way of prosecuting the MILF members who were involved in the bloody Mamasapano clash, Justice Secretary Leila De Lima said Tuesday.

Read the rest of the news GMA News Online / News / Nation

Marwan’s wards expanding terror network in Mindanao —report

Foreign terrorists associated with Zulkifli bin Hir alias Marwan continue to expand their network in southern Philippines as they continue to roam freely in Mindanao, an exclusive report on GMA News "24 Oras" said on Tuesday.

Read the rest of the news GMA News Online / News / Nation

Ex-solon asks Sandiganbayan to junk plunder case filed against him

A former lawmaker on Tuesday asked the Sandiganbayan to drop the plunder charge filed against him in connection with the alleged pork barrel scam for supposedly being baseless and not fulfilling the requirements for such a case.

Read the rest of the news GMA News Online / News / Nation

Gabriela solon likens Mamasapano operation to ‘suicide mission’

After a visit to the site of a deadly encounter between elite policemen and rebel groups that resulted in the death of 44 cops, two minority solons bemoaned the lack of foresight in planning the operation.

Read the rest of the news GMA News Online / News / Nation

Purisima’s role in ‘Oplan Exodus’ uncalled for –lawmakers

Resigned Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Director General Alan Purisima’s involvement in the January 25 covert police operation in Mamasapano, Maguindanao, was uncalled for and a violation of the chain of command, two lawmakers said Tuesday.

Read the rest of the news GMA News Online / News / Nation

AFP, PNP deny receiving intelligence reports on assassination plot vs. Pope

Officials of the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Tuesday denied receiving intelligence reports from foreign authorities supposedly detailing a plot to kill the Pope during his five-day visit in the Philippines last month.

Read the rest of the news GMA News Online / News / Nation

Catapang to Senate inquiry: AFP had own missions vs. Marwan

The Armed Forces of the Philippines had its own operations against international terrorist Zulkifli bin Hir also known as Marwan, AFP Chief General Gregorio Pio Catapang Jr. admitted during a senate hearing on Tuesday.

Read the rest of the news GMA News Online / News / Nation

Probe on allegations vs. Binay gives way to Mamasapano clash inquiry

The Senate blue ribbon subcommittee probing the corruption allegations against Vice President Jejomar Binay and his family has given way to the chamber’s investigation on the bloody Jan. 25 Mamasapano clash.

Read the rest of the news GMA News Online / News / Nation

‘White plane’ seen over Mamasapano during January 25 clash –mayor

A “white plane” was seen flying over the area of the bloody clash between policemen and Moro guerillas in Mamasapano, Maguindanao, on January 25, the town's mayor told a Senate committee on Tuesday.

Read the rest of the news GMA News Online / News / Nation

Mamasapano mayor unaware Marwan was in his town

The mayor of Mamasapano, Maguindanao said Tuesday he was unaware that Malaysian terrorist Zulkifli bin Hir alias Marwan was hiding in his municipality.

Read the rest of the news GMA News Online / News / Nation

PNoy didn’t violate any law when he consulted Purisima – De Lima

President Benigno Aquino III did not violate any law when he consulted then-suspended Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Director General Alan Purisima late last month about the Mamasapano operation which left 44 police commandos dead, Justice Secretary Leila de Lima said Tuesday.

Read the rest of the news GMA News Online / News / Nation

PHL files new diplomatic protest over China’s reclamation in Mischief Reef

The Philippines has filed a diplomatic protest against China after its discovery of Beijing's massive land reclamation on the Manila-claimed Mischief Reef, saying such activity raises tensions in the area.

Read the rest of the news GMA News Online / News / Nation