Windows26: DILG tags Pogo ‘syndicate’ in Chinese teen’s kidnapping

February 27, 2025

Hi, reader! Today, we're covering calls to suspend all online gaming, the NSC's response to Beijing's remarks on PH defense decisions, and the alleged Pogo-linked kidnapping of a Chinese teen.

DILG tags Pogo 'syndicate' in Chinese teen's kidnapping

A 14-year-old Chinese national who was abducted last week was found abandoned in Parañaque City on Tuesday night, with one of his fingers severed, authorities said. Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla said investigators initially suspected the crime to be the work of a group connected to the now-banned industry known as Pogos, or Philippine offshore gaming operators.

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LIVE UPDATES: Pope Francis health watch

Catholics worldwide have started to worry as Pope Francis remained in critical condition Sunday, with blood tests showing early kidney failure. Here's our live page as of Feb. 27.

Hontiveros: President should consider suspending all online gaming

Sen. Risa Hontiveros on Wednesday called on the Marcos administration to suspend all online casino activities following reports that some former workers of the now-banned Philippine offshore gaming operators (Pogos) have continued working for "reinvented" internet gambling firms.

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Beijing told: Stop comments on PH defense decisions

The Philippines has the sovereign and inherent right to upgrade its defense capabilities, the National Security Council (NSC) said on Wednesday, after Beijing again called on Manila to withdraw the US Typhon missile deployed to the country since April last year.

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PH GDP growth seen picking up pace in 2025

The country's economy could expand at a faster pace this year compared to 2024 due to the typical boost from elections, although an all-out global trade war could drag growth below the government's target.

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PhilHealth hikes coverage for heart procedures

The Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) has increased its coverage for open heart surgeries to almost P1 million and also launched a new benefit package for heart valve repair and replacement surgeries worth up to P810,000.

The Comelec's new policy on survey publication, if implemented assiduously, is a check on the power of election surveys to influence elections without sufficient information on candidates. It's also a bulwark against the spread of disinformation, particularly results of skewed surveys that "are often used on social media or even fake news outlets to manipulate the perception of voters," according to the National Movement for Free Elections.

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