Abbey M.

Former Police Lieutenant Colonel Rafael Dumlao was arrested by operatives of the Philippine National Police (PNP) in Quezon City on the morning of June 9, 2026.

According to Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Jonvic Remulla, authorities conducted a three-week surveillance operation before tracking Dumlao to a house in Barangay Pasong Tamo, Quezon City. The warrant of arrest was served at around 5:00 AM.

In a press conference, Secretary Remulla announced the arrest and said it marked only the beginning of efforts to locate other high-profile fugitives.

"Today, June 9, 2026, at around 5:00 AM, operatives of the PNP successfully arrested Police Lieutenant Colonel Rafael Dumlao. He was arrested in a house in Pasong Tamo, Quezon City pursuant to a warrant of arrest issued by the court," Remulla said.

[Ngayon, June 9, 2026, bandang alas singko ng umaga, matagumpay na inaresto ng mga operatibo ng PNP si Police Lieutenant Colonel Rafael Dumlao. Inaresto siya sa isang bahay sa Pasong Tamo, Quezon City alinsunod sa warrant of arrest na inilabas ng hukuman.]

The secretary also emphasized the government's resolve to uphold the rule of law.

"This morning's operation is a clear demonstration of the government's commitment to enforce the law and court decisions. The PNP acted in accordance with its mandate and sends a strong message that nobody is above the law, regardless of rank, position, or former authority," Remulla added.

[Ang operasyon ngayong umaga ay malinaw na pagpapakita ng pangako ng pamahalaan na ipatupad ang batas at mga desisyon ng hukuman. Kumilos ang PNP alinsunod sa kanyang mandato at nagpapadala ng malakas na mensahe na walang sinuman ang nasa itaas ng batas, anuman ang kanyang ranggo, posisyon, o dating awtoridad.]

Dumlao's group was implicated in the kidnapping and killing of Korean businessman Jee Ick Joo in September 2016. Jee was abducted in Angeles, Pampanga, and was later found dead inside a vehicle at Camp Crame in October of the same year. Authorities said he was strangled inside the camp while his captors were negotiating a ransom with his family.

The victim's family was only able to pay P5 million of the ransom demand. The remaining P3 million was not paid after the suspects could no longer present proof of life. The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) later discovered that Jee's body had been cremated and his ashes flushed down a toilet at a funeral parlor in Caloocan.

Dumlao's group faced charges of kidnapping with homicide, serious illegal detention, and carnapping. The Pampanga Regional Trial Court acquitted them in 2019, but the Supreme Court reversed the ruling in 2024, prompting Dumlao to go into hiding.

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A powerful magnitude 7.8 earthquake struck off the coast of Sarangani province on Monday morning, prompting the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) to issue a tsunami warning for nine coastal provinces in Mindanao.

Phivolcs recorded the earthquake at 7:37 AM and initially logged it at magnitude 7.0 with a depth of 10 kilometers. In a second advisory, the agency upgraded the magnitude to 7.8, with a revised depth of 33 kilometers. The epicenter was located 32 kilometers south-southwest of Maasim, Sarangani.

Phivolcs attributed the earthquake to movement along the Cotabato Trench. 

The tsunami warning covers the provinces of Sarangani, Davao Occidental, Tawi-Tawi, Sulu, Basilan, Zamboanga del Sur, Zamboanga Sibugay, Sultan Kudarat, and South Cotabato. Phivolcs warned that tsunami waves exceeding one meter above normal tide levels are expected. The first tsunami waves were forecast to arrive between 7:37 a.m. and 9:37 a.m. and may continue for hours. 

The strongest shaking was recorded at Intensity VII in General Santos City. Intensity VI was felt in Palimbang and Senator Ninoy Aquino in Sultan Kudarat, while Intensity V shaking hit Davao City, Kidapawan City, and several municipalities in Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, and Zamboanga del Norte. 

The tremors were felt across a wide area of Mindanao, extending as far as Butuan City, Cagayan de Oro City, Malaybalay City, and parts of the Zamboanga Peninsula. Residents in portions of Leyte and Southern Leyte also experienced weak but noticeable shaking. 

Buildings collapse, casualties reported

A three-story commercial building housing a Jollibee restaurant and a Love Radio station collapsed in General Santos City. Parts of SM City General Santos and a building at Notre Dame of Dadiangas University also sustained major damage.

At least three people were killed, while authorities were still gathering reports on additional casualties, structural damage, and disruptions to infrastructure and utilities in affected communities. Several deaths have been confirmed by the Office of Civil Defense, while response teams are still trying to verify more reports of casualties on the ground. 

Benjie Ancheta, police chief of Alabel town in Sarangani, told Reuters that the police building sustained some cracks after the quake, which struck during their flag-raising ceremony. He said some people fainted following the strong tremor. "This is the strongest earthquake we've experienced," Ancheta said. 

Classes, government work suspended

The magnitude 7.8 earthquake disrupted the opening day of classes across parts of Mindanao, forcing the suspension of classes and government work and causing damage to buildings and infrastructure in several areas across the southern Philippines. 

In Sarangani, province-wide classes and work in government offices were suspended until further notice. The suspension covered all levels in public and private schools and all government offices in the municipalities of Alabel, Maasim, Maitum, and Malungon. 

Marcos orders immediate government response

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. ordered all relevant government agencies to mobilize immediately and respond to the disaster.

"A strong earthquake has struck off the coast of Sarangani this morning, and a tsunami warning is now in effect across several coastal provinces in Mindanao. I have directed all relevant government agencies to act immediately," Marcos said in a statement.

The President called on residents in affected coastal provinces to evacuate without delay. "To our kababayans in the affected provinces, please heed the tsunami warning. Move to higher ground now. Do not wait. Your life is more important than anything left behind," he said. 

Marcos also ordered the suspension of classes in all levels across affected areas in Mindanao until further notice, stressing that the safety of students must come first. 

The President directed the DSWD to pre-position relief supplies and ensure evacuation centers are ready and operational for residents who may be displaced. He also ordered the DPWH to stand by for damage assessment and the clearing of roads, bridges, and other critical routes needed for rescue and relief efforts. 

Under the directive of President Marcos and Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro, DND and OCD officials immediately headed to the affected areas to assess damage and conduct response operations. OCD Administrator Undersecretary Harold Cabreros scheduled an immediate flight to General Santos City to personally oversee the deployment of relief goods and personnel. 

Marcos assured the nation that "the national government is moving and we will not leave Mindanao behind." 

Government response activated

The Department of Budget and Management assured the availability of quick response funds for concerned agencies to support disaster response efforts in Mindanao. "For the Sarangani earthquake response, existing QRF resources remain available for immediate deployment by the concerned agencies," the DBM said. 

The Department of Energy, through its Task Force on Energy Resiliency, activated coordination with electric cooperatives, distribution utilities, and oil industry stakeholders to assess the impact of the earthquake on energy facilities in Sarangani and nearby areas. 

The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines suspended operations at the General Santos Airport while assessment of facilities and equipment was underway. The Department of Health also activated all crisis protocols in all DOH hospitals and Center for Health Development offices in Mindanao. 

The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center said the tsunami threat had largely passed about five hours after the quake struck, but urged people to stay alert and heed warnings from local authorities, as sea levels may continue to fluctuate. 

Meanwhile, Phivolcs has lifted the tsunami warning for all coastal communities in the affected provinces of Mindanao. 

Authorities across the region, including in Indonesia, also cancelled their tsunami warnings, though a tsunami advisory remained in place for Japan's southern coast and outlying islands. 

The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center, which initially warned of possible waves of up to three meters, later said the tsunami threat had largely passed about five hours after the earthquake. 

Phivolcs reminded the public to remain vigilant for aftershocks and to continue following the instructions of local disaster risk reduction and management offices.

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PASAY CITY—Palawan 2nd District Representative Jose "Pepito" Alvarez vehemently denied receiving a suitcase filled with money from former lawmaker Zaldy Co, dismissing the claims shortly after his name surfaced during Senate Blue Ribbon Committee hearing on June 4. 

Alvarez made a surprise appearance at a press conference hosted by Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano immediately after the committee suspended its proceedings. 

He firmly stated that no financial exchanges or debts exist between him and Co that would warrant any such delivery.

The allegations reportedly stem from social media posts involving 18 former Marines, which Alvarez flagged as highly questionable. 

“Wala akong natanggap… Wala kaming transaction na maari niyang (Zaldy Co) bigyan ako ng pera,” Alvarez stated, addressing the viral reports he saw on Facebook. 

He openly questioned the validity of the claims and insisted that a "maleta" (suitcase) of cash was never brought to him.

The sudden development has thrown a spotlight on the ongoing Senate investigation, turning a regular committee review into a high-stakes political denial. 

By confronting the rumors directly on the Senate floor, Alvarez attempted to shut down the bribery narrative before it gained further traction. 

Meanwhile, the Blue Ribbon Committee has yet to announce if Alvarez will be formally summoned to testify under oath when hearings resume.

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MANILA — Senator Rodante Marcoleta drew sharp condemnation on Thursday, June 4, 2026, after accusing members of the mainstream media of being "bayaran," or paid hacks, during the Blue Ribbon Committee proceedings at the Senate.

Marcoleta made the "bayaran" remark during the meeting at the Senate on Thursday, in which the 18 individuals who identified themselves as former Marines were present as part of the proceedings investigating the flood control corruption scandal. 

In an official statement, members of the Senate media condemned the remarks in the strongest possible terms, describing Marcoleta's sweeping claim that many members of the mainstream media are nothing more than paid hacks as not only irresponsible, but a reckless attack on an institution widely acknowledged as essential to any functioning democracy. 

The Senate media said Marcoleta's statement unfairly maligned media workers who risk intimidation, harassment, and even their lives to inform the public and hold the powerful accountable. They warned that at a time when disinformation and political polarization continue to undermine public discourse, government officials should exercise greater restraint and responsibility in their pronouncements. 

The Senate media further said that public officials who make serious allegations against journalists have a responsibility to present evidence instead of relying on inflammatory rhetoric that undermines democratic institutions. "The press is not the enemy of any political faction. It is not an extension of any political machinery. Its allegiance must remain solely to the truth and to the public it serves," the statement read. 

The Presidential Task Force on Media Security (PTFOMS) also weighed in on Thursday, urging Marcoleta to either prove his claims or retract his statement and apologize to journalists. "These sweeping statements threaten media credibility and expose them to potential harm. Journalists have a duty to report accurately and impartially, and it is critical that public officials respect their role as watchdogs of accountability and truth," PTFOMS said. 

The task force stressed that Marcoleta, who has previously championed accountability, should adhere to those same ideals by either backing his claims with solid evidence or withdrawing his comments and apologizing to the journalists he has wrongfully accused. 

"Casting vague aspersions against the media doesn't foster constructive dialogue. It threatens the very foundations of democratic processes by attempting to sway public opinion against those tasked with holding those in power to account," PTFOMS added. 

Marcoleta made the remarks during the Blue Ribbon Committee hearing on Thursday, June 4, the same day Senator Erwin Tulfo was tapped to chair the anti-corruption panel following the Senate leadership shakeup. Tulfo had issued a notice cancelling the hearing and rescheduling it to Monday, June 8, but former Blue Ribbon Committee chair Senator Pia Cayetano pushed through with the probe.

MANILA — Malacañang on Thursday, June 4, 2026, reiterated its recognition of Senator Sherwin Gatchalian as Acting Senate President, as the Senate remained mired in a leadership dispute between two rival blocs.

Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Undersecretary Claire Castro said the executive branch defers to the Senate to resolve its internal conflict.

"'Yung internal problems ng Senado dapat sila muna ang mag-sort out, sila ang mag-settle ng anumang kinapapalooban ng Senado," Castro said.

[The Senate's internal problems should be resolved by them first. They should settle whatever is happening within the Senate.]

Castro also made clear where the Palace stands in terms of official recognition.

"As far as the Palace is concerned, kinilala na po natin ang liderato ni Acting Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian. Kung anuman po ang ibibigay na mensahe sa ehekutibo 'yun po ang ating kikilalanin," she added.

[As far as the Palace is concerned, we have already recognized the leadership of Acting Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian. Whatever message is given to the executive, that is what we will recognize.]

The Palace first issued its recognition on Wednesday, June 3, shortly after the Senate session ended. "Ang nangyari sa senado ngayong hapon ay naaayon sa batas at rule of law. Kinikilala at nirerespeto ng Palasyo ang desisyon ng bagong mayorya at liderato ni acting Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian," Castro said in a press briefing. 

[What happened in the Senate this afternoon is in accordance with the law and the rule of law. The Palace recognizes and respects the decision of the new majority and the leadership of Acting Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian.]

Senate leadership shakeup

The power shift took place on the last session day of the Senate on Wednesday, June 3. Sen. Francis Escudero's decision to join the erstwhile minority bloc gave it a new majority of 12 members, against 10 in the Cayetano camp. Sotto moved to declare all Senate leadership positions vacant and subsequently nominated Gatchalian, who was installed as Senate President Pro Tempore and Acting Senate President.

Gatchalian said the new majority was "compelled" to convene, noting that Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano had been absent from two previously scheduled sessions. "After the Senate adjourned on May 26, 2026, session was scheduled to resume on Monday, June 1, 2026 and on Tuesday, June 2, 2026 but the former Senate President failed to appear in both instances," he said.

House Speaker Faustino Dy III immediately acknowledged and congratulated Gatchalian on behalf of the House of Representatives, saying that "a fully functioning Senate is essential to advancing legislation, exercising oversight, and upholding democratic governance." 

PBBM urges Senate to return to work

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Wednesday called on senators to return to work, warning that the chamber's inability to hold sessions had disrupted essential legislative functions and undermined government efforts to address pressing national concerns. According to the President, the administration was exploring all legal and constitutional options to address the situation, but stressed that resolving the deadlock ultimately depended on the cooperation and commitment of the Senate leadership.

Malacañang had earlier raised concerns that the Senate turmoil could affect the passage of priority measures before the sine die adjournment of the first regular session of the 20th Congress on June 6, 2026. Session resumes on July 27, coinciding with President Marcos' fifth State of the Nation Address.

Cayetano has maintained that his removal as Senate President was illegal and that he remains the "legitimate, legal, and moral" leader of the chamber.