Romance scams claim 29 victimsIn this photo illustration, the dating app Tinder is seen on the screen of an iPhone on August 14, 2018 in Miami, Florida. MANILA, Philippines — In just two months, 29 people were duped in love scams, losing P2.08 million of their hard-earned money, the Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center reported. According to the CICC, 29 cases of romance-related fraud were recorded from Jan. 1 to Feb. 10. Renato Paraiso, CICC executive director, said the victims were duped by scammers through promises of love. People seeking lifetime companionship are met with false hopes, leaving scars that money cannot fix,” Paraiso said in a statement.

Ashfall from Kanlaon hits Negros villagesBACOLOD CITY, Philippines — Thirty-one barangays in four towns and cities in Negros Occidental experienced ashfall and sulfur stench after Kanlaon Volcano emitted ash for 17 minutes on Friday. The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said the ash emission generated plumes that rose 300 meters above the crater and drifted southwest. The provincial disaster risk reduction and management office said that ashfall and sulfur stench were reported in villages located in the cities of Bago and La Carlota as well as in the towns of La Castellana and Pontevedra. Phivolcs said 14 volcanic quakes were also detected around Kanlaon. Entry into Kanlaon’s four-kilometer-radius danger zone is strictly prohibited due to the possibility of sudden steam-driven or phreatic eruptions.

5 killed as police car falls off Misamis cliffHandout photo shows police inspecting a patrol vehicle that fell off a ravine in Don Victoriano, Misamis Occidental. COTABATO CITY, Philippines — Four police officers and a government employee were killed after a patrol vehicle plunged into a ravine in Don Victoriano, Misamis Occidental on Friday. Reports said the officers were escorting organizers of a national beauty pageant and local tourism officials who were headed to the nearby Piduan Falls. The vehicle was reportedly carrying seven members of the 2PMFC and three employees of the provincial government. The vehicle reportedly rolled over several times before it landed in a grassy spot.

Palace orders release of P321 million for Basyang victimsExecutive Secretary Ralph Recto said the funds would be released to intended beneficiaries in 35 provinces and seven cities. MANILA, Philippines — President Marcos has ordered the release of P321 million in financial assistance to over 40 local government units (LGUs) affected by Tropical Storm Basyang and the shear line. Executive Secretary Ralph Recto said the funds would be released to intended beneficiaries in 35 provinces and seven cities. Recto said the funds would enable LGUs to assist residents who have been reeling from the effects of the bad weather. On Wednesday, Marcos met with governors from provinces severely affected by Basyang to ensure a coordinated and swift government response.

German nabbed for P55.38 million shabu at NAIAAnti-drug personnel arrest a 77-year-old German at Ninoy Aquino International Airport yesterday. The septuagenarian stuffed 8.14 kilos of shabu in two bibles in an attempt to pass through NAIA security. MANILA, Philippines — A 77-year-old German was arrested at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3 for carrying 8.14 kilos of shabu hidden inside two bibles, the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency said. According to the PDEA, the German, identified only as Peter, flew from Johannesburg in South Africa with a connecting flight to Hong Kong. The PDEA said 8.14 kilos of shabu, with a street value of P55.38 million, were found inside the pouches.

Japan releases arrested Chinese fishing boat captain – mediaThe Japanese flag flies at half mast at the Japanese embassy in Beijing on September 19, 2024. TOKYO – Japan released a Chinese fishing boat captain on Friday night, one day after his arrest, local media reported. Japan’s fisheries agency seized the boat, later saying the captain had refused to comply with an order to stop for an inspection. In response, Beijing summoned Tokyo’s ambassador, warned Chinese citizens against visiting Japan and conducted joint air drills with Russia. The 2010 arrest of another Chinese fishing boat captain off those islands in the East China Sea became a major diplomatic incident.

Kai’s obligationThere would be more than one reason for Kai Sotto to miss the next FIBA window against New Zealand and Australia in the last week of the month. According to Japan B.League analyst and statistician Iris Arzadon, it is still almost certain that Kai will not be able to play for Gilas Pilipinas yet. “I think this is the real thing: I think Kai also owes Koshigaya Alphas his time,” explains Arzadon. I believe the Alphas also deserve to benefit from Kai’s time to play, and also for him to blend in with the team, because it’s been a long time. If Kai does ultimately play in the FIBA window, it will be a great confidence booster for the team.

Here are the stories of The Manila Times for Saturday, February 14, 2026. DILG, Chinese envoy in talks to defuse rowTHE Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) has begun discussions with the Chinese Embassy in Manila to explore ways to ease mounting tensions between the Philippines and China. Remulla made it clear that the talks were confined to confidence-building measures, and did not include territorial disputes involving the Kalayaan Group of Islands. Sara sees ‘broken govt’ by 2028VICE President Sara Duterte sees the Philippines having a “broken government” before the 2028 presidential elections. La Salle bowed to National University in the finals of Season 86 and in the semifinals in Season 87.

Reclaiming classroom observation as a tool for learning, not fearThis photo taken on March 21, 2025, shows a teacher talking to her students at an elementary school at Baseco in Manila. For many teachers today, classroom observation no longer feels like professional support. In theory, classroom observation exists to improve teaching and learning. Yet this does not mean that classroom observation should be abolished. But it also happens through shared effort, shared responsibility, and shared learning.

5 more BIFF members surrender in Maguindanao del NorteThe leader of the five members of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters who surrendered on Friday, February 13, 2026, first turned over a long-range bolt-action sniper rifle to officials before he and his companions renounced their membership with the group. COTABATO CITY, Philippines — Five more members of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters, two of them experts in fabrication of home-made bombs, surrendered in Maguindanao del Norte on Friday, February 13, and vowed to help convince remnants of the now non-functional terror group to return to the fold of law. The five BIFF members pledged allegiance to the government during a surrender rite in Sultan Kudarat town in Maguindanao del Norte, in the presence of Mayor Shameem Mastura and police officials. "We will help the police and military convince our few remaining companions to come out and surrender for them to get reunited with their families," one of the five BIFF members, Mohammad Samron Tasil, told reporters after the event, held at the office of Mastura in Sultan Kudarat. The five BIFF members first turned in a rocket launcher and two B40 anti-tank rockets, a .50 caliber long-range bolt-action sniper rifle and a 60 millimeter mortar to Mastura, Madin and Maguindanao del Norte’s provincial police director, Col. George Bagundol, Jr., before they renounced their membership with the BIFF and together promised to reform for good.

Winning the air war: Countering China’s information manipulation strategyThe “air war” between Philippine Coast Guard Commodore Jay Tarriela and the Chinese Embassy’s deputy spokesman has dominated the social media space for the past few days. The International Republican Institute (IRI), a US-based think tank focused on studying Chinese political warfare, has developed a framework to describe the Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP) “Global Influence Strategy.” The IRI categorized them into three pillars of influence: political, economic, and information manipulation. In a paper by the Ateneo Policy Center (APC), scholars studying Chinese political warfare and its national security implications proposed several countermeasures. Designation of a Counter-Political Warfare Coordinator from the National Security Adviser’s office. Our national elections three years from now will be our eventual battleground on information manipulation.

Photo by NOEL CELIS / POOL / AFP This file photo taken on January 30, 2017 shows Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte (L) listening to Ronald Dela Rosa (R), then-director general of the Philippine National Police (PNP), during a press conference at the Malacanang palace in Manila.

VP Sara slams Palace after being accused of spreading falsehoodsIn a Facebook post on Aug. 5, 2025, Vice President Sara Duterte shared photos of her administering the oath of office to newly elected officials of the Island Garden City of Samal, Davao del Norte. MANILA, Philippines — Vice President Sara Duterte yesterday hit back at Malacañang after Presidential Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro said she has a “talent” for spreading falsehoods. If that’s what she says, she is bringing shame to our country,” Duterte said in Davao City. The Vice President resigned as education secretary and vice chair of the government’s anti-insurgency task force in June 2024, after her relationship with the Marcoses soured. “We at the Office of the Vice President are always grateful, whether there is a survey or not.

ICC names Duterte’s alleged 'co-perpetrators' in chargesComposite photo shows the facade of the International Criminal Court and former President Rodrigo Duterte. Count 1: Murders in or around Davao City during the Mayoral period by the DDSb. DUTERTE’s approval was required for DDS members to conduct killings in Davao City," it added. After months of delay, the confirmation of charges against Duterte will finally proceed on February 23 after ICC judges found him fit to participate in pre-trial proceedings. The upcoming confirmation of charges hearing will decide whether prosecutors have presented enough evidence to show substantial grounds to believe that the former president committed the alleged crimes.

Rising star Mboko sets up Qatar Open final against MuchovaCanada's Victoria Mboko hits a return against Latvia's Jelena Ostapenko during their women’s singles semi-final match at the Qatar Open tennis tournament in Doha on February 13, 2026. DOHA, Qatar — Victoria Mboko advanced to the second WTA 1000 final of her career and secured her top-10 debut in next week's world rankings with a commanding 6-3, 6-2 victory over Jelena Ostapenko at the Qatar Open on Friday. Ostapenko, a two-time Qatar Open runner-up, brought her signature power game from the start, breaking the Mboko serve to love in the first game of the contest. Sakkari broke Muchova as the Czech served for the second set but she couldn't hold and the match went to a deciding third. Just tried to fight and believe in the turnaround," said Muchova, who improved her head-to-head record against Sakkari to 5-1.