MANILA, Philippines — Sensitive information passed to Chinese intelligence by a suspected spy linked to a Philippine Coast Guard personnel likely compromised Philippine resupply missions to Ayungin Shoal, spokesperson Jay Tarriela said Friday, March 6. Asked whether the leaks compromised resupply missions to Ayungin Shoal, Tarriela said in a chance interview Friday: "I think so. Tarriela said the leaked information likely explained how China was able to anticipate Philippine vessels' movements in the West Philippine Sea, particularly during resupply operations. "They are the ones paying our fellow countrymen to spy on us and provide sensitive information," Tarriela said. The violence prompted Manila and Beijing to forge a provisional understanding in July 2024 to de-escalate the situation and allow resupply missions to continue.

Tau Gamma urges suspects to surrender as Remulla issues warningMANILA, Philippines — Tau Gamma Phi's spokesperson faced the media beside Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla on Friday, March 6, and publicly urged their members to surrender in the hazing death of 19-year-old Mark Kenneth Alcedo. Remulla said Tau Gamma Phi, which claims around one million members, has no excuse for failing to locate and hand over its own. String of deathsAlcedo's death is only the latest in a long string of fatal hazings tied to Tau Gamma Phi. Remulla himself noted Friday that this was the second hazing death in Cavite linked to Tau Gamma in just three years. Seven fraternity members were indicted under the Anti-Hazing Act; their case is pending before the Biñan City Regional Trial Court.

Filipinas bent on catching Women's Asian Cup playoff busGOLD COAST, Queensland — For the Filipinas to make it to the playoffs, they need to be one of the two best-ranked third-placed teams in the group stage of the 2026 Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Women’s Asian Cup. “So yes, I am disappointed that we did not get the result we wanted, but we cannot focus on that now. and we're just determined to try and get this team and this country back on the international stage,” added Torcaso. Torcaso said the players’ desire to make it to next stage, and make it to the World Cup is still there. In the final game in the group stage, experienced midfielder Jacklyn Sawicki will be back in action from a bruised ankle injury she suffered during training.

Government vehicle being used in Yap’s mansion constructionUpdate on resigned congressman Edvic Yap, whose assets have been frozen and is barred from leaving the country:• Construction of his mansion is ongoing on Rizal corner Biak-na-Bato streets in posh Ayala Heights, Diliman, Quezon City. Edvic Yap was elected ACT-CIS party-list rep but resigned Feb. 4 after being linked to the P1.7-trillion flood works scandal. • Finishing works at Edvic Yap’s mansion continues full blast after being reported in this column Feb. 11. • Photos and videos of Egay Yap’s vehicle were taken on Feb. 16 and 18. The case concerns two flood works in Bauang, La Union by Silverwolves Construction Corp., which the Yaps supposedly own.

Equities mostly drop as Mideast crisis rages, though oil dipsA currency dealer monitors exchange rates in a foreign exchange dealing room at the Hana Bank headquarters in Seoul on March 5, 2026. "It is too soon to suggest that stocks have bottomed," wrote IG chief market analyst Chris Beauchamp. "Unless the war ends soon -- and if anything a more intense conflict seems more likely -- markets will struggle. While Iran has not officially shut off the Strait of Hormuz, shipping through the waterway has all but dried up. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the waiver was issued "to enable oil to keep flowing into the global market."

Ex-LTO chief faces graft rapsMANILA, Philippines — Former Land Transportation Office (LTO) chief Vigor Mendoza II is facing graft charges for allegedly collecting P169 in computer fees from operators of public utility vehicles (PUV). As part of Stradcom Corp.’s information technology system, PUV operators have been required to pay fees when registering and renewing vehicles. Charges have been filed before the ombudsman against Mendoza and Stradcom by the Federated Land Transportation Organizations of the Philippines. The transport group urged the ombudsman to suspend Mendoza for 90 days from his current position as chief of the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board. Mendoza, for his part, said the complaint is not about accountability, but “plain and simple desperation to get even.” – Josiah Antonio

36 world rankingMANILA Philippines — Gilas Pilipinas stayed put in the FIBA world rankings following the second window of the World Cup Asian Qualifiers. Gilas, which lost against New Zealand and Australia last week in Manila, stayed at 36th place in the rankings according to the update on March 3. 37 in the September 2025 rankings but rose to 36th in the December 2025 update after back-to-back huge wins against Guam. Australia remained the top team in the Asian region, as it also stayed put at World No. 22 nation, while New Zealand rose by one rung to No.

Filipino defense analysts held on China spying allegationsMANILA, Philippines — Authorities have apprehended three defence personnel who allegedly spied on behalf of China in what the country's security agency has described as a "serious national security matter," a security council spokesperson said Thursday. The trio, who worked for the Philippine Department of Defense, Navy and Coast Guard, provided their Chinese handlers with lists of military personnel and other sensitive information, National Security Council (NSC) spokesman Cornelio Valencia told AFP. Operational details about resupply missions in the contested South China Sea, where China and the Philippines have frequently clashed in recent years, were also included in the information handed over, he said. "There was co-optation over a period of time," Valencia said of efforts to woo the defence personnel, who he described as low-level analysts. "For reasons of national security, we cannot discuss identities, methods, or timelines so as not to jeopardize ongoing operations," the security agency said.

National petrol reserve pushed amid Middle East crisisA family sits against the backdrop of a dockyard off coast city of Fujairah, in the Strait of Hormuz in the northern Emirate on February 25, 2026. MANILA, Philippines — A national petroleum reserve was proposed to protect the Philippines from fuel supply disruptions and price spikes linked to global crises. Senate President Tito Sotto filed Senate Bill 1934, or the Philippine Strategic Petroleum Reserve Act, amid the Middle East conflict that has sent global oil prices soaring. He noted that the country does not maintain a well-placed, state-managed petroleum reserve that could cushion prolonged supply disruptions. Proposed 90-day fuel reserveUnder the proposed law, the Department of Energy (DOE) would manage a petroleum reserve with stocks that can last at least 90 days of the country's average national consumption.

Ethics complaint filed vs SuntayMANILA, Philippines — After congresswomen referred to the ethics panel the sexist remarks of Rep. Bong Suntay, women’s rights advocates filed an ethics complaint yesterday against the Quezon City lawmaker. Akbayan Reps. Percival Cendaña and Chel Diokno also joined the congresswomen as they pushed for administrative sanctions against Suntay. As for the ethics complaint, it was filed by former Gabriela representative Liza Maza, Gabriela National Alliance national chairperson Gert Libang, Gabriela Youth spokesperson Fran Reyes and Kilusan ng Manggagawang Kababaihan spokesperson Jacq Ruiz. Suntay liableSuntay is liable for sexual harassment and violence against women, according to the Ateneo Human Rights Center (AHRC). “Suntay’s statement is a type of gender-based sexual harassment, which is prohibited and punishable under Republic Act 11313 or the Safe Spaces Act.

Woman to womenBeing a woman isn’t easy. I know that I am not the only woman who feels this way but nevertheless, I am enjoying the woman I am growing into as I age. The Bible describes women as the “weaker vessel,” which pertains to women being physically weaker but not intellectually, morally or spiritually weaker. In fact, the Bible warns men that if they fail to honor women, particularly their wives, as the weaker vessel, their prayers will be hindered. What a blessing it is for men to see women this way –more importantly, to think and to talk about women in a manner that respects their own capabilities and contributions to society.

Pickleball homecoming in CebuMANILA, Philippines — Cebu takes center stage anew as it hosts the Kosmas Pickle Fest 2026, bannered by the Pickleball Champions League (PCL) Rising Stars U19 Sectional Tournament, beginning March 11 at the Net and Paddle courts in Cebu City. Fresh off a highly successful staging in Davao City, organizers Kosmas Athletic Ventures Corp. (KAVC) and Sunrise Events, Inc. are setting the stage for another blockbuster five-day celebration of one of the world’s fastest-rising sports. The Cebu leg marks a symbolic homecoming for pickleball, which was first introduced to the Philippines through a clinic in the Queen City of the South in 2016. And the sport has exploded in participation and popularity, with more than 320 registered clubs nationwide and a steadily growing grassroots and competitive base.

Eala battles Yastremska in rematchMANILA, Philippines — Alex Eala starts her campaign in the 2026 Indian Wells Open (BNP Paribas) main draw against tough customer and familiar foe in Dayana Yastremska of Ukraine on Saturday. Yastremska, WTA No. 62 Shuai Zhang of China, 6-3, 6-2, in the first round yesterday to earn a shot at Eala, who, as WTA No. It will be their second encounter after the 20-year-old Filipina drubbed Yastremska, 25, in the quarterfinals of the Eastbourne Open in June last year, 6-1, 6-2. Expectations are high for Eala to repeat over Yastremska to arrange a second-round duel against either her good friend Coco Gauff (WTA No.

Pokémon toy factory to be built in ClarkMANILA, Philippines — A Japanese firm is planning to invest $200 million to manufacture Pokémon toys in the Clark Freeport Zone. Clark Development Corp. (CDC) president and CEO Agnes Devanadera told reporters yesterday that a Japanese firm is looking to invest around $200 million for a facility in Clark to manufacture Pokémon plushies or soft, stuffed toys. The manufacturing project forms part of over 30 key investment projects and expansions in the Clark Freeport Zone in the pipeline. The project is expected to support tourism, leisure and long-term investment within the Clark Freeport Zone. Clark Freeport Zone is designed as an integrated hub for aviation, industry, tourism and logistics,At present, Clark Freeport Zone hosts 1,256 registered locators and 151,540 employees.

Bargain hunting lifts share pricesThe benchmark Philippine Stock Exchange index (PSEi) climbed by 1.15 percent or 72.69 points to end yesterday’s session at 6,380.53. MANILA, Philippines — The local stock market bounced back strongly as investors took advantage of bargain stocks. The benchmark Philippine Stock Exchange index (PSEi) climbed by 1.15 percent or 72.69 points to end yesterday’s session at 6,380.53. “The PSEi rebounded, recovering part of the prior session’s two percent loss as bargain hunting emerged,” AB Capital Securities said. Luis Limlingan of Regina Capital said the PSEi rebounded after Wednesday’s sharp sell off as investor sentiment improved on hopes of possible talks between Iran and the US, reducing some of the geopolitical concerns.