Latest news with #P7
GMA Network
5 days ago
- GMA Network
More floating drug packages found off Northern Luzon
Authorities continue to find floating packs of suspected shabu worth millions of pesos off the coasts of several provinces in Northern Luzon. After earlier reports in Pangasinan, new discoveries were made as far as Ilocos Norte and Cagayan. In Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte, a resident found a plastic-wrapped package containing suspected shabu worth nearly P7 million. The packaging matched previous finds in Paoay, Laoag, and Currimao, plastic covers marked with the word "Durian" and Chinese characters. In Claveria, Cagayan, two sacks were also spotted floating in the sea. Inside were packets of suspected shabu labeled as tea. Authorities are still investigating the origin and possible source of the illegal drugs. Meanwhile, the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) Region 1 stepped up community patrols along coastal areas in Pangasinan following the discovery of "floating shabu" worth millions of pesos in recent weeks. PDEA personnel visited several coastal barangays to thank residents for reporting the contraband immediately. The agency also held an information drive to explain the dangers of drug smuggling. They urged communities to stay alert and cooperate with authorities in future incidents.
STV News
6 days ago
- Politics
- STV News
Council apologises after letter to parents 'implied Union Jack flag was sectarian'
A local authority has apologised for any 'offence and upset' caused by a letter sent to parents and carers which appeared to insinuate the Union Jack flag was 'sectarian'. East Renfrewshire Council has come under fire from MSPs over the letter, which was sent to families following an incident at a P7 leavers event last Thursday. The letter, sent by the headteacher of Cross Arthurlie Primary School in Barrhead, highlighted the 'use of the union flag with staff images' which 'caused some upset at the beginning of the evening'. 'As a school, we promote inclusion and acceptance, actively working against potentially offensive or sectarian messaging,' the letter read. 'Although we recognise this was not the intent, we are concerned that others within or beyond the school community may consider that this is something we would encourage.' The headteacher added pupils were told that using images without permission 'was not a good idea', and stated that their actions 'were contrary to the school values of respect and kindness'. The letter has prompted a backlash from MSPs, who slammed the headteacher's insinuation that the Union Jack flag was 'offensive'. Scottish Tory leader Russell Findlay branded the letter 'daft' and urged East Renfrewshire Council to apologise. He said: 'For a school to tell parents that our country's flag is 'offensive or sectarian' is ludicrous and embarrassing. 'This is what happens when the SNP spends years pushing its petty nationalist agenda in our schools, councils and other public bodies.' This is what happens when the SNP's toxic nationalism infects schools and councils. 👇 Our country's flag 🇬🇧 is NOT 'offensive or sectarian'. — Russell Findlay MSP (@RussellFindlay1) June 16, 2025 East Renfrewshire Tory MSP Jackson Carlaw said he expected an 'urgent response, resolution, and retraction' from the council. In a post on X, Carlaw said: 'I am both angry and concerned to learn that an official letter (now confirmed as genuine) issued by the head teacher of a primary school in East Renfrewshire has suggested the use of the Union Flag amounts to 'sectarian messaging'. 'Let me be clear – to equate the Union Flag with sectarianism is totally unacceptable and deeply offensive to people both locally and across Scotland.' He added: 'Our national flag is not up for debate – it is a symbol of our tradition, unity as a nation and hope for so many.' I am both angry and concerned to learn that an official letter (now confirmed as genuine) issued by the head teacher of a primary school in East Renfrewshire has suggested the use of the Union Flag amounts to "sectarian messaging". Let me be clear – to equate the Union Flag with… — Jackson Carlaw (@Jackson_Carlaw) June 16, 2025 East Renfrewshire Council has since apologised for the contents of the letter. A spokesperson said: 'It was not the school's intention to imply the Union flag is sectarian and both the headteacher and the council apologises for any offence and upset that has been caused to pupils, parents and carers and the wider community. 'All educational establishments in East Renfrewshire should be spaces that are focused on learning, unity, and pride in a diverse British society. We expect our schools to foster an ethos of respect for diverse perspectives and national identity.' Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
The National
6 days ago
- Politics
- The National
Tories rage as Scottish school head suggests Union flag is 'sectarian'
Scottish Tory MSPs Jackson Carlaw and Russell Findlay were among those to express anger at the headteacher's letter after it was shared online over the weekend. In it, the head of the East Renfrewshire primary – which The National has decided not to name – said to families of P7 leavers that the use of a Union flag in images may have been a 'mistake'. They wrote: 'Thank you for coming along last night to make the P7 leavers a special event in the life of the school. The children looked fantastic and had a great time. 'Unfortunately the use of the Union flag with staff images on caused some upset at the beginning of the evening. 'As a school we promote inclusion and acceptance, actively working against potentially offensive or sectarian messaging. Although we recognise this was not the intent we are concerned that others within or beyond the school community may consider that this is something we would encourage. 'I have spoken with the children about it this morning explaining why it wasn't a good idea: Using images without permission The symbolism and association of flags and symbols to different groups of people Their actions which were contrary to the school values of respect and kindness 'I hope this helps everyone understand where mistakes have been made and we can move on enjoying the rest of the end of term celebrations.' East Renfrewshire Council confirmed that the letter is genuine. Scottish Tory leader Russell Findlay shared it online, writing: 'This is what happens when the SNP's toxic nationalism infects schools and councils. Our country's flag is NOT 'offensive or sectarian'.' And Carlaw, a former Scottish Tory leader, said: 'I am both angry and concerned to learn that an official letter (now confirmed as genuine) issued by the head teacher of a primary school in East Renfrewshire has suggested the use of the Union Flag amounts to 'sectarian messaging'. 'Let me be clear – to equate the Union Flag with sectarianism is totally unacceptable and deeply offensive to people both locally and across Scotland. 'Having spoken with a senior official at @EastRenCouncil this morning, I expect an urgent response, resolution, and retraction. 'As a start, the council must issue an unconditional apology. 'Our national flag is not up for debate – it is a symbol of our tradition, unity as a nation and hope for so many.' East Renfrewshire Council has been approached for comment.
GMA Network
10-06-2025
- GMA Network
PDEA: Sam Gor syndicate behind P7B worth of shabu found in PH waters
An international crime syndicate called the Sam Gor is behind the sacks containing over P7 billion worth of shabu recovered from Philippine waters recently, the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) said Tuesday. "Sam Gor is a five-drug triad alliance namely: the 14K, Bamboo Union, Big Circle Gang, Sun Yeen On, and Wo Shing Wo, whose leaders are based in Hong Kong and Taiwan,' PDEA director general Undersecretary Isagani Nerez said in a statement. 'Their members simply called it 'The Company,'' he added. As of Monday, the PDEA said 56 local fishermen have surrendered a total of 1,038 kilos of suspected shabu worth P7,058,400,000 in 40 turnover incidents to authorities. This is one of the country's largest maritime seizures of illegal drugs in recent years, according to the PDEA. The sacks of shabu were found in the coastal areas of Dacap Sur, Bani; Boboy and Macaboboni, Agno; and Luciente I, Balingasay, Concordia and Poblacion, Bolinao—all located in the province of Pangasinan Some were found in Barangay Mantanas and Dili in Sta Cruz, Ilocos Sur. Floating shabu was also found off the waters of Masinloc, Zambales. 'Based on the packaging of shabu packs recovered in Philippine shores, they were contained in teabags with Chinese markings - a signature trademark associated with Sam Gor,' Nerez said. "Sam Gor gained notoriety by engaging in all sorts of unconventional methods of drug smuggling, including the use of the high seas. They dump their illicit goods to be retrieved later by contact local cohorts. It's a good thing that our hero fishermen got there first before the drugs fell into the wrong hands,' he added. Citing reports, the PDEA said Sam Gor operates in various countries across the Asia-Pacific Region, including the Philippines. 'It is largely involved in trafficking methamphetamine, and is believed to have an estimated 40 to 70 percent control of the drug market in the region, raking up profits up to more than $17 billion in revenue a year,' the PDEA said. 'Aside from shabu, the syndicate also funnels big proportions of heroin, ketamine, other synthetic drugs and precursor chemicals,' it added. The PDEA said Sam Gor is named after the nickname of its suspected founder/leader, 'Tse Chi Lop', a Chinese-Canadian who was arrested four years ago in the Netherlands. He was eventually extradited to Australia in December 2022 to face drug trafficking charges. According to the PDEA, he is considered Asia's 'El Chapo', a reference to Joaquin Guzman, a former Mexican drug lord who became one of the world's most powerful traffickers of narcotics. —RF, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
31-05-2025
- Politics
- GMA Network
Tacloban mayor Romualdez seeks transparency in San Juanico Bridge repair project
Tacloban City Mayor Alfred Romualdez has called for full transparency and expert evaluation on the planned rehabilitation of the San Juanico Bridge, which links the islands of Samar and Leyte in Eastern Visayas. The Tacloban City Council declared a state of emergency on Thursday to expedite the mobilization of resources following the Department of Public Works and Highways' (DPWH) recommendation to limit use of the bridge due to safety concerns. 'So, to be quite frank, medyo nalilito rin ako (I am perplexed),' Romualdez said in a video statement. 'I feel the public should be given all the information pertaining to the condition of the bridge,' he added. He urged the national government to disclose the study that determined the bridge's current state and provide details on the extent of the damage and the timeline for repairs. 'This is not the first time,' he said, recalling a previous repair on the bridge 20 years ago that allowed for a six-month preparation period. Romualdez emphasized the need for independent experts to assess the bridge's condition and verify the cost of rehabilitation, which was initially estimated at P800 million but now stands at P7 billion. 'Even if you spend P7 billion, a feasibility study, a project study, and a careful analysis should have been made,' he said. He also warned against using the current crisis to justify the construction of another bridge without going through the right process. A recent assessment by the DPWH raised concerns about the bridge's structural integrity. As part of precautions, the DPWH has temporarily prohibited vehicles weighing more than three tons from crossing the 2.16-kilometer bridge. Since May 18, pedestrians have been prohibited from crossing the bridge on foot. Instead, they should use coasters and light vehicles for their safety. On Friday, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said the restrictions on San Juanico Bridge could result in up to P600 million in monthly economic losses, as 14,000 vehicles cross the infrastructure daily. 'The abrupt imposition of restrictions has stranded more than 200 vehicles and is projected to result in monthly economic losses ranging from P300 million to P600 million,' the NDRRMC said. Among the affected sectors are food and fuel supply, delivery of healthcare services, commercial distribution, and regional trade. Aside from Tacloban City, Samar Province is under a state of emergency due to the bridge repair project. —VBL, GMA Integrated News
