Abbey M.

Ipinamalas ng Taiwan ang ilan sa mga military asset nito sa isang video na inilabas ng Ministry of National Defense.

Makikita sa video ang sunod-sunod na pagpapaputok ng locally made na RT-2000 o Thunderbolt rocket system kasabay ng M142 HIMARS na binili mula sa Estados Unidos, bilang bahagi ng kauna-unahang live-fire test ng nasabing sistema.

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The Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) has set aside P15.1 billion in funds for emergency loan assistance for its members and pensioners who were severely affected by the magnitude 7.8 earthquake in parts of Mindanao.

According to the GSIS, qualified members and pensioners with no existing loans may borrow P20,000 at a 6 percent interest rate under a 3-year payment term.

Applications for the GSIS emergency loan may be filed through their Touch mobile application until September 7, 2026.

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The United States military has launched a new series of attacks against Iran, following warnings from US President Donald Trump that more strikes would come if tensions continued.

Trump openly threatened that Tehran would "pay a heavy price" due to delays and the lack of progress in peace negotiations.

The US military began a new round of bombing as retaliation for Iran's previous aggressions, including the targeting of American assets in the region.

The US president said directly that he would not hesitate to order heavier offensives as long as peace talks remain stalled and without progress.

In a statement, President Trump said that he wants a deal that works, not one similar to the JCPOA under former President Barack Obama, which he called the worst deal and a path to nuclear weapons. 

"We want a deal that works. We don't want to just have a Barack Hussein Obama deal, JCPOA, the worst deal. That was a path to a nuclear. They were developing during his administration nuclear weapon. If they had a nuclear weapon, there'd be no Israel, there'd be no Middle East, and they would have absolutely shot at us. 

So, we'll see what happens, but we hit them hard yesterday and we're going to hit them again hard today — in case you miss it, in case you don't turn on your television set. And we'll see what happens with the deal. We were really close to a deal, but they keep stringing us along. 

They keep playing us for suckers because, you know what? They dealt with some very stupid presidents. I have to say that. I'm embarrassed to say some very stupid people were sitting here."

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The remains of Ateneo basketball player Rene Clert Baterbonia are set to be transported home to Agusan del Sur tomorrow.

Based on information shared by Baterbonia's sibling, the remains will leave Arlington Memorial Chapel in Quezon City at 12:00 midnight.

Condolences have continued to pour in for the family of the late basketball player. In the early hours of the morning, Senator Robin Padilla arrived to pay his respects and expressed his desire to have the drowning incident involving Baterbonia and Divine Adili investigated at the Senate level. Senator Bam Aquino also visited the Baterbonia family to offer his condolences.

Messages of sympathy likewise flooded social media for the late basketball player.

The Department of Social Welfare and Development also extended its condolences, noting that Rene was previously a monitored child under their Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program, or 4P's.

The Philippine Sports Commission, meanwhile, expressed gratitude for the action taken by the Commission on Higher Education in forming a fact-finding mission. Both the Philippine National Police and the National Bureau of Investigation are also conducting parallel investigations into the drowning incident.

The Philippine Sports Commission has also pledged to provide P250,000 to the families of the deceased players as government assistance.

The PNP, for its part, urged netizens to refrain from spreading speculation and unverified information in connection with the incident involving the two Ateneo basketball players.

PNP Chief Police General Jose Melencio C. Nartatez, Jr. said that calm and responsible posting is important while the investigation is ongoing.

Meanwhile, Aurora Police Provincial Director PCOL. Percival Pineda confirmed that no foul play was found in the drowning of the Ateneo de Manila University basketball athletes in Dipaculao, Aurora. Medico-legal results show that Baterbonia died of asphyxia by drowning. 

PNP is continuing its investigation and will look into possible negligence on the part of the coaching staff, who reportedly dismissed warnings from the resort owner about dangerous sea conditions.

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Aurora Police Provincial Director PCOL. Percival Pineda has confirmed that there was no foul play found in the drowning of Ateneo de Manila University basketball athletes, though the investigation into the incident will continue.

The Philippine National Police has also released the medico-legal results for one of the victims. Rene Batermonia, one of the Ateneo de Manila University basketball athletes who drowned in Aurora, died of asphyxia by drowning, based on the results released by the PNP.

Aurora Police Provincial Director PCOL. Pineda said their investigation does not end there. The PNP will also look into possible negligence on the part of the coaching staff, after reports that the resort owner had warned the group about the safe areas, but the coaching staff allegedly told them not to be interfered with.

"Nung unang dating nila nag-uusap ito kundisyon ng dagat sa tapat — shores — alam natin sitwasyon. Pero yung team humirit na huwag sila pakialamanan sa kanilang activity. Kaya nung lumayo sila doon, nangyari yung insidente."

[When they first arrived, they were discussing the sea conditions in front — the shores — we know the situation. But the team insisted they should not be interfered with in their activity. So when they moved away from there, the incident happened."]

Based on the PNP investigation, the group was wading in the sea at waist-deep water at around 2:30 in the afternoon when Batermonia and another victim were suddenly swept away by strong waves.

"Ito pong dalampasigan ng Aurora ay may mga part diyan — dahil sa current, hanggang tuhod yung tubig. Pero naglakad ka ng konti, bigla ka nang lubog. Kaya base sa aming pakikipag-usap sa surfers..."

[The shoreline of Aurora has certain areas where — due to the current — the water is only knee-deep. But if you walk a little further, you suddenly go under. This is based on our conversations with surfers."]

The two victims were also not found immediately.

"Base sa statement ng MDRRMO, nasa around 30 to 40 minutes yung ginawa nilang search."

["Based on the statement of the MDRRMO, their search took around 30 to 40 minutes."]

The PNP reiterated that no foul play was found in the incident. Col. Pineda also said no weights were found on the bodies of the victims when they were recovered, based on the sworn statements of the MDRRMO and the lifeguard who were first to respond.

"Base sa affidavit ng lifeguard, ay wala pong napansin na pabigat sa paa, kamay nung player. Sabi ng taga-MDRRMO, wala kaming nakitang pabigat sa paa at kamay at walang pasa nung binigyan ng paunang lunas."

["Based on the affidavit of the lifeguard, no weights were found on the feet or hands of the player. The MDRRMO representative said they found no weights on the feet and hands, and no bruises when first aid was administered."]

The two victims and other Ateneo de Manila University basketball athletes were at a resort in Dipaculao, Aurora for a team-building activity, which the group reportedly conducts regularly.

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