Context Dispatch

Philippine National Police Chief Rommel Marbil has ordered the relief of Anti-Kidnapping Group head Director General Elmer Ragay after the reported death of a Chinese businessman and his driver who were reportedly victims of abduction—one of several kidnapping cases that Filipino-Chinese business community had reported to have happened in recent months. PNP spokeswoman Brig. General Jean Fajardo told reporters that the PNP chief wasn’t satisfied with Ragay’s performance and named Col. David Poklay, a former deputy director of the PNP Criminal Investigation and Detection Group, as replacement.

The House of Representatives Tri Committee investigating fake news and misinformation has cited social media personalities Sass Rogando Sasot, Jeffrey Celiz, and Lorraine Badoy-Partosa in contempt for repeatedly failing to attend hearings. The TriCom ordered their arrest for continued absence without offering any legal excuse. Additionally, vlogger Mark Lopez was cited for contempt after posting a maligning remark about the panel following his appearance at the third hearing. Once arrested, the four will be detained at the House until the hearings are concluded. The four are known supporters of former President Rodrigo Duterte.

Kanloan Volcano in Negros Oriental erupted early Tuesday, emitting a thick gray plume that rose 4,000 meters above the vent before drifting west and southwest. Pyroclastic density currents descended the southern slopes toward La Castellana, as seen through visual and thermal camera monitoring. The eruption also ejected large ballistic fragments that ignited vegetation near the summit. Thin ashfall was reported in La Carlota City, Bago City, and La Castellana. Communities within the 6-kilometer danger zone have been evacuated since the eruption in December. Alert Level 3 remains hoisted, which means another explosive eruption that may even generate lava flow could happen in the coming weeks or months.

Cope Thunder PH 25-1, a joint exercise between the Philippine Air Force and the US Pacific Air Force, began on Monday, April 7, in Clark, once the largest Air Force base outside the US mainland. Scheduled to run through April 18, the exercises will take place at key training locations in Northern Luzon. The US will deploy 729 personnel and various aircraft, including FA-50PH, A-29B Super Tucano, and S70i Blackhawk helicopters, while the Philippines will send 250 personnel and 12 F-16 fighter jets. Observers from Australia, Japan, Indonesia, and Malaysia will also participate. The exercises aim to enhance joint operational readiness and underscore the strengthening defense ties between the two allies amidst China’s growing military presence in the region.

The Bureau of Customs’ Enforcement and SecurityService (ESS) celebrated its 37th anniversary with a report highlighting significant accomplishments in border protection and anti-smuggling operations.