World Leaders to Attend Pope Francis’ Funeral in Rome on Saturday

President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. led the ceremonial turnover of 91 modern ambulances to the Northern Mindanao Region and the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) yesterday, held at the Pelaez Sports Center in Cagayan de Oro City.

Of the total units, 85 were distributed to various municipalities and cities across Misamis Oriental, Misamis Occidental, Bukidnon, Camiguin, Lanao del Norte, and Lanao del Sur. The remaining six units were allocated to the BARMM.

The turnover is part of a PHP 2.2 billion government initiative to acquire 1,000 ambulances for nationwide distribution, aimed at enhancing the emergency and disaster response capabilities of Local Government Units (LGUs).

These state-of-the-art Patient Transport Vehicles were provided through the Medical Transport Vehicle Donation Program (MTVDP) of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO).

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Each ambulance is equipped with a stretcher, oxygen tank, and blood pressure monitor to ensure the safe and efficient transport of patients during emergencies.

Several areas in Mindanao were rocked by a magnitude 6.3 earthquake on Tuesday night, causing panic among residents and prompting precautionary safety checks across affected communities.

According to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs), the earthquake struck at around 10:00 p.m., with the epicenter located near the province of Davao del Sur. The tremor was tectonic in origin and had a depth of focus of 15 kilometers.

Strong shaking was felt in various parts of Mindanao, including Davao City, General Santos, Cotabato, and nearby provinces. In some areas, the quake lasted several seconds and caused items to fall from shelves and power outages to occur briefly.

There were no immediate reports of major damage or casualties, but local disaster response units were quickly mobilized to assess the situation and ensure the safety of residents. Authorities have advised the public to remain vigilant as aftershocks are expected.

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Phivolcs reminded residents in quake-prone areas to review emergency preparedness plans and stay updated through official channels for any developments.

The earthquake serves as a reminder of the country’s vulnerability to seismic activity, as the Philippines lies along the Pacific Ring of Fire, where numerous earthquakes and volcanic eruptions occur each year.

Source: PHIVOLCS

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Buluan, Maguindanao del Sur — CCTV footage has captured a shocking attack on the municipal government compound of Buluan town, where two men riding tandem on a motorcycle detonated two grenades — one outside and another inside the premises — on Good Friday.

The brazen assault occurred just days after the Commission on Elections (Comelec) assumed control of the town due to escalating tensions and incidents of violence in the lead-up to the upcoming elections.

Local authorities reported that the first explosion took place at the main gate of the municipal building, followed shortly by a second blast within the compound itself. Fortunately, no casualties have been confirmed, though damage to property and heightened fear among residents have intensified the already volatile atmosphere.

The identities of the assailants remain unknown, and police are currently reviewing the CCTV footage as part of an ongoing investigation. Security measures in the area have since been reinforced, with Comelec and police vowing to ensure safety and order as election preparations continue.

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The twin grenade blasts underscore the growing challenges faced by authorities in preventing politically motivated violence in hotspot areas across the country.

News Source: Rappler

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