| Fourth impeachment petition filed against the President |
| 14 Oct 2008 |
| Reports on 13 October 2008 indicate that a fourth impeachment petition has been filed against President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. The new case was filed in the House of Representatives by the son of a former House Speaker. According to Filipino law, only one petition for impeachment is allowed per year. The new impeachment petition cites Arroyo's "alleged bribery, betrayal of public trust, violation of the Constitution, and graft and corruption." The law requires one-third of the House to approve the case in order for it to be moved to trial in the Senate. It is not known when the House will hear the case.
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| Transport groups in Metro Manila are scheduled to participate in a citywide strike |
| 10 Oct 2008 |
| According to reports on 10 October 2008, transport groups in Metro Manila are slated to participate in a citywide strike during the week of 13-17 October to protest the actions of oil companies. Protest organizers claim that the oil companies deceived the transportation system by not complying with a roll back initiative they promised in the past. The protesters will demand from the oil companies a one-time rollback in order to lower the prices of fuel to P39-P40 per liter. The Pasang Masda group, which is playing a leading role in the strike, is scheduled to hold a meeting on 11 October to finalize the protest details. Groups that will be joining Pasang Masda are the Makati Jeepney Operators and Drivers Association (MJODA), the Mega Manila Operators and Drivers Alliance (MMODA) and the Claire dela Fuente-Integrated Metropolitan Bus Operators Association (IMBOA). In addition, the Pinagkaisang Samahan ng mga Tsuper at Operators Nationwide (PISTON) stated that it was open to participating in the labor action. The Land Transportation and Franchising Regulatory Board (LTFRB) stated that it will consider a fare rollback on 14 October.
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| 3,000 passengers stranded after winds and rain canceled flights |
| 01 Oct 2008 |
| According to meteorologists at Wilkens Weather Technologies, Tropical Storm Higos made landfall in the Philippines on 1 October 2008 and is tracking west-northwest at approximately 12 mph/10 kt. Higos is expected to strengthen when it re-emerges over water and could reach typhoon status within the next 72 hours before it makes landfall on the southeast coast of China. Currently, Higos is located approximately 70 mi/110 km east-southeast of Manila and has maximum sustained winds of 40 mph/35 kt with gusts of up to 52 mph/45 kt.
Directly related to the storm, more than 3,000 passengers were stranded in the Philippines after winds and rain canceled several flights in and out of the country. Higos is expected to pass over Manila on 2 October, and the National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC) has issued flash flood warnings.
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| Tropical Storm Higos expected to start impacting the Philippines |
| 30 Sep 2008 |
| According to meteorologists at Wilkens Weather Technologies, as of 0900 UTC, Tropical Storm Higos is tracking northwest at approximately 16 mph/14 kt and is expected to start impacting the Philippines within 24-48 hours. Higos is then expected to re-emerge over the Taiwan Strait and strengthen before making landfall again. Currently, Higos is located approximately 375 mi/600 km east-southeast of Manila and has maximum sustained winds of 52 mph/45 kt with gusts of up to 102 mph/55 kt.
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| A small bomb was discovered outside the city hall building in Zamboanga |
| 11 Sep 2008 |
| Police officers in the city of Zamboanga announced that a small bomb was discovered outside the main city hall building on 11 September 2008. Authorities stated that a bomb squad safely defused the explosive device and no one was injured. Reports indicate that approximately 6.6 lb/3 kg of explosives were hidden inside a backpack and then placed in vacant lot near the city hall building. Local teenagers discovered the bomb and notified police officers.
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| Homemade bomb exploded at a market in Isulan on Mindanao island |
| 08 Sep 2008 |
| A small homemade bomb exploded at a market in Isulan on Mindanao island in the southern Philippines on 8 September 2008. Authorities stated that the bomb, which did not cause any casualties, was made from a military surplus mortar round and was remotely detonated by cell phone. An additional bomb was reportedly found and defused in neighboring Tacurong City. Philippine army Gen. Alexander Yano stated that Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) militants planted the explosives and warned that the rebel group could launch more bombings against civilian targets.
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| Bomb explodes on bus |
| 02 Sep 2008 |
| A homemade bomb exploded on a passenger bus that was parked at a bus terminal in Digos City on 1 September 2008. Although government troops have recently been fighting Moro Islamic Liberation Front rebels in the Mindanao region, no one has claimed responsibility for the explosion. Six people were killed and 27 others were injured in the incident. |
| Militants ambush military convoy - 5 dead |
| 22 Aug 2008 |
| On 22 August 2008 armed militants ambushed a Philippine military convoy near the town of Guindulungan on Mindanao Island. Authorities stated that forces of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) rebel group killed at least five Philippine soldiers in the attack. MILF commanders claim that fighting with government troops continues, as the Philippine military launched air and ground attacks against rebel positions. The renewed fighting comes hours after President Gloria Arroyo shot down a peace deal with the MILF rebel group. Arroyo claims the peace deal would be a dangerous step towards establishing an independent Muslim state from within the Philippines.
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| Typhoon makes landfall |
| 20 Aug 2008 |
| Typhoon Nuri made landfall in the northeastern province of Cagayan on 20 August 2008. Much of Luzon Island was affected by heavy rainfall, and mudslides killed at least five people. There were reports of minor flooding and tornado warnings in Metro Manila. Authorities closed schools in the capital.
As of 0000 UTC, Nuri was located approximately 280 mi/450 km north-northeast of Manila and was moving north-northwest at 12 mph/11 kt. Maximum sustained wind speed was 110 mph/95 kt, with gusts of up to 132 mph/115 kt.
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| Typhoon is strengthening |
| 19 Aug 2008 |
| Typhoon Nuri, currently located approximately 610 mi/980 km east-northeast of Manila, the capital of the Philippines, showed signs of strengthening on 19 August 2008. According to meteorologists at Wilkens Weather Technologies, the storm will track west-northwest at 17 mph/15 kt over the next six hours and is scheduled to move into the Bashi Channel within 48 hours. Nuri is expected to strengthen over the next 72 hours and currently has maximum sustained winds of 120 mph/65 kt with gusts over 148 mph/80 kt. Taiwanese officials have issued a typhoon warning for waters south of the country, which could be affected by Nuri by 21 August.
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| Earthquake hits Islands south east of Manila |
| 15 Aug 2008 |
| According to the U.S.G.S. a 5.7 magnitude earthquake hit 40 mi/65 km east-southeast of Legaspi, located 255 mi/405 km east-southeast of Manila, on 15 August at 1825 local time (1025 UTC). The quake, which struck at a depth of 6.2 mi/10 km, did not set off a tsunami; black-outs were reported, but power has since been restored. Officials are inspecting the surrounding areas; due to the shallowness of the quake, additional damage is expected. Officials also warned of potential aftershocks. The quake was felt as far away as Bicol and the Visayas.
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| Bomb thrown into cinema fails to explode |
| 15 Aug 2008 |
| On 15 August 2008 police officials were called to the Mindpro mall in downtown Zamboanga City after a janitor found an unexploded grenade inside a cinema. Officials indicated that the grenade appeared to have malfunctioned when thrown into Cinema 5. Although an investigation is currently underway, reports on 14 August indicated that another grenade exploded near the local police station in Zamboanga City. The explosion took place while a rally against a government agreement with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) was underway. Security has been increased throughout the area due to the ongoing tensions.
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| A large bomb was defused at a bus station on Mindanao Island |
| 14 Aug 2008 |
| A large bomb was defused at a bus station on Mindanao Island on 14 August 2008. The device, which was made out of TNT and contained several nails, was found in an abandoned bag at a station in Kidapawan. There has been no claim of responsibility for the bomb. The attempted attack came shortly after a military offensive against the Moro Islamic Liberation Front.
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| 2 day transport strike in Bicol |
| 30 Jul 2008 |
| A two-day transportation strike in Bicol, arranged by the militant Bagong Alyansang Makabayan-Bikol (Bayan-Bikol) and the Concerned Drivers and Operators for Reform (Condor-Piston-Bikol), paralyzed more than 98 percent of operations in the city. The transportation strike was instigated in protest against the expanded value added tax (VAT) and the Oil Deregulation Law that the current administration put into effect. Officials with Bayan-Bikol stated that they will escalate their actions by conducting a "die-in protest" in front of the Petron station in Daraga. They are also vowing to participate in a nationwide strike that is being planned by Oagjajausa ng mga Samahan ng Tsuper at Operator Nationwide (PISTON) for September/October 2008. PISTON has included its demand for wage hikes as another reason for holding nationwide protests and strikes against the government. Protesting wage hikes is likely to draw additional support from other groups, increasing the possibility for severe disruption in larger cities, including Manila, the capital. In response, President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo stated that the government will not abolish the VAT, but instead will provide VAT-funded subsidies for transport and agriculture in order to ease the financial burden on these sectors.
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| Region wide transportation strike planned for 29th July |
| 28 Jul 2008 |
| Another region-wide transportation strike was called for in the Philippines on 28 July 2008. The strike, which is due to begin on 29 July, is in protest of the continuously increasing price of fuel. The Pinagkaisang Samahan ng mga Tsuper at Operators Nationwide or United Organizations of Drivers and Operators Nationwide (PISTON), stated that its affiliate, the Condor-Piston (Concerned Drivers and Operators for Reform-Bicol), will initiate a two-day strike beginning at midnight on 29 July. PISTON indicated that it will initiate additional region-wide strikes if the value-added tax (VAT) is not removed and that it will continue escalating its opposition against the government should it not comply with PISTON's demands. Transportation strikes last week by the Southern Tagalog Transport Sector Organization-Piston in Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal and Quezon paralyzed more than 50 percent of the transport in the cities.
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| A Qantas Boeing 747-400 made an emergency landing at Manila's Ninoy Aquino International Airport |
| 25 Jul 2008 |
| A Qantas Boeing 747-400 made an emergency landing on 25 July 2008 at Manila's Ninoy Aquino International Airport (RPLL/MNL) after the aircraft sustained a hole nearly 10 ft in diameter on the right side of the fuselage near the wing. Flight QF30 departed from London at 1220 local time (1120 UTC), en route to Melbourne, where it was due to arrive at 0945 local time (1145 UTC) after a stopover at Hong Kong's Chek Lap Kok International Airport (VHHH/HKG). All 346 passengers and 19 crew members were safely evacuated upon landing in Manila. Airline officials stated that the aircraft experienced an “explosive decompression” and are investigating the cause |
| A region-wide transport strike got underway |
| 24 Jul 2008 |
| A region-wide transport strike got underway at midnight local time on 24 July 2008 in Southern Tagalog, including Calabarzon, Cavite, Batangas, Rizal, Southern Luzon and Quezon, paralyzing more than 90 percent of transportation services before noon local time; in Laguna approximately 70 percent of services were affected. Participants set up roadblocks beginning at approximately 0400 local time. The organizers, the Southern Tagalog Transport Sector Organization (STARTER) and Pinagkaisang Samahan ng mga Tsuper at Operators Nationwide (PISTON), also known as the United Organizations of Drivers and Operators Nationwide, stated that they are striking against the constant increase in oil prices and are demanding the removal of the 12 percent value added tax (VAT) on the Oil Deregulation Law. Protesters also demanded the resignation of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.
In an attempt to help stranded passengers, officials used local government trucks and patrol cars to alleviate the transportation shortage. There were also reports that angry protesters threw stones at the government buses and jeeps for not joining the strike.
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| Bus bombed whilst at Digos City terminal |
| 24 Jul 2008 |
| Local sources indicated that a Davao-bound bus (LDS-506) was bombed at a terminal in Digos City at approximately 1150 local time on 24 July 2008. Reports differ on whether the bus exploded at the terminal building or as it approached the terminal. Police and army officials initially stated that 27 people were injured and there were no fatalities; however, other military sources stated that four people have been confirmed dead. No one has claimed responsibility for the attack; however, officials have indicated that the bombing was an act of terrorism perpetrated by the New People's Army (NPA). An investigation is currently underway.
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| Airport terminal partially reopens |
| 23 Jul 2008 |
| Terminal 3 has partially reopened at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (RPLL/MNL) on 23 July 2008. The airport, which had only three terminals until the opening, has struggled to meet increasing traffic demands while Terminal 3 was dormant for six years due to structural defects that led to a ceiling collapse in March 2006, as well as legal issues surrounding the construction contract. The terminal, which was built for international travel, will begin with eight local flights daily to destinations that include Caticlan, Tuguegarao, Laoag, San Jose (Mindoro) and Naga. Cebu Pacific is currently the only airline operating at the new facility; however, Philippine Airlines (PAL) is in the process of moving over all its operations and is set to begin domestic flights on 24 July.
Currently, baggage handling and security checks are not fully operational at Terminal 3 and requirements for international flights have not been completed. International flights will remain at Terminal 1 in the interim.
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| Regional strikes may become nationwide |
| 22 Jul 2008 |
| A region-wide transportation strike is scheduled to take place on 24 July 2008 in the Southern Tagalog region, which includes Quezon as well as the islands of Mindoro, Palawan and the Calamian group. Various groups, including the Bagong Alyansang Makabayan-Southern Tagalog (BAYAN) and the Southern Tagalog Transport Sector Organization (STARTER), will participate in the strike to demand that President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo resign and that the government abolish the Oil Deregulation Law, a value-added tax (VAT) on oil. Organizers indicated that workers and students will also participate in the protest, which will come a few days before Arroyo's State of the Nation Address on 28 July. Another transport group, Pinagkaisang Samahan ng mga Tsuper at Operations Nationwide (PISTON), affiliated with STARTER, indicated that if the government does not meet the demands, the regional strike could turn into a nationwide one.
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| A plot to overthrow President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo foiled |
| 03 Jul 2008 |
| A new plot to overthrow President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo was allegedly foiled on 3 July 2008. Five individuals, including a high profile Philippine lawmaker, were arrested after they reportedly tried to blackmail a Japanese businessman for between US$4-10 million to finance the coup. The businessman claimed that the accused threatened to kill two Filipinos and put the blame on him. Arroyo stated that she will continue with her scheduled activities despite this development. The arrested individuals, who also include three former soldiers and a military general, have all been linked to previous coup attempts since 1989.
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| Hundreds missing as ship capsizes |
| 23 Jun 2008 |
| More than 700 people are missing from a ferry which capsized off the Philippines in heavy seas in the wake of Typhoon Fengshen. A rescue ship that finally managed to reach the Princess of the Stars ferry reported no sign of life.
Only 33 survivors have been found - 28 of them in a coastal village after they had been drifting on a life raft for some 24 hours. Navy divers are expected to drill into the side of the upturned vessel in case passengers remain alive in air pockets.
A US Navy ship is on its way to help with the search. Elsewhere in the Philippines, the storm has left some 160 people dead.
The vessel left Manila on Friday en route to Cebu, and according to its owners, Sulpicio Lines, contact was lost at about 1230 (0430 GMT) on Saturday.
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| Typhoon strikes Eastern Philippines |
| 20 Jun 2008 |
| According to meteorologists at Wilkens Weather Technologies, Typhoon Fengshen struck the east Philippine province of Samar at approximately 0600 UTC on 20 June 2008. The storm is moving northwest across the central Philippines at approximately 12 mph/19 kt. Reports indicate that maximum sustained wind speeds are 87 mph/140 kt with gusts up to 105 mph/170 kt. The typhoon is forecast to reach Luzon Island by 22 June. The government has instructed citizens and emergency services to be on alert for potential flooding and landslides.
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