By Ruben A.Veloria IBA, Zambales, Philippines — Intelligence agents of the Bureau of Immigration (BI) arrested early morning on February 12, a soldier of Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) in his rented apartment, this town. Armed with a Mission Order No. 2026-063 dated February 12, 2026, Immigration agents, together with the personnel from Philippine Army and PNP, arrested a 30 year old Mongolian national, in his rented unit in Villamin Apartment, Barangay Lipay-Dingin-Panibuatan, this town. The suspect was arrested on violation of Commonwealth Act No. 613, at 6:51 AM on Thursday. Several aerial photographs of Iba Airport and Palauig River were captured from the suspect. He was later transported to BI main Office in Manila for booking procedures, medical examination and biometric processing. Based on the MO, the susect committed violation for engaging in activities inconsistent with the purpose of his visa and Special Study Permit; Entry by fraud or misrepresentation by failing to disclose his military affiliation and aviation combat training; Undocumented status or without valid immigration status during his arrest; and undesirability for posing a risk to national security. BI records revealed that the suspect graduated at Defense University of Mongolia, and Civil Aviation University of China, and obtained license as a People’s Liberation Army (PLA) jet fighter pilot from PLA Air Force Aviation University. He served as a soldier with jet fighter aircraft piloting experience. While in Zambales, the suspect has enrolled as student pilot at All Asia Aviation Academy in Iba, allegedly financed by the Chinese government. The suspect’s operations in Iba is approximately 120 nautical miles from Bajo de Masinloc. There he acquired dual-use aviation skills potentially applicable to surveillance or military operations which poses a strategic location risk, which raises serious concern that his “training flights” was only a cover-up, and is being used for reconnaissance, surveillance, and intelligence gathering for China, specially during his solo flight.

  SAN FERNANDO CITY, La Union –Governor Mario Ortega expressed his full support and commitment to the province’s compliance with the directives of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. regarding the national budget during the “Badyet ng Bayan at Mamamayan” (BBM) Usapang Budget Natin Forum held at the Bacnotan Public Market in Bacnotan, La Union, which hosted the Luzon portion of the forum, on February 13. Ortega and Bacnotan Mayor Divina Fontanilla welcomed cabinet secretaries, including DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon; heads of provincial and regional agencies, national officials from various departments, and other distinguished guests who attended the occasion. Fontanilla also expressed his deep gratitude to the national agencies for recognizing and choosing Bacnotan as the first-ever Luzon forum. According to Ortega, the importance of transparency in the use of the national budget to further strengthen priority sectors in line with the development goals of his administration. He also emphasized the important cooperation between the Provincial and National Governments in delivering accessible and quality services to the people of La Union and accelerating growth. “We are here to serve and I open my heart to all of them, let’s unite to improve La Union,” said Ortega. Secretary Dizon assured the province that they will complete the Bauang–San Fernando Bypass Road project by 2027, to completely relieve traffic in downtown areas and to benefit residents and tourists. In his statement at the forum, Dizon said that efforts are being made to expedite projects to further boost tourism in the Ilocos Region, including the Naguilian–Bagulin–Kapangan Road, both of which are targeted for completion also by 2027. He also said that the construction of the Rosario Bypass Road and the TPLEX Extension, are being expedited with the help of the Department of Transportation (DOTr) and San Miguel Corporation. “This is the lowest budget of the DPWH. The DPWH budget is almost half, if we compare it to last year, because this year’s allocation is small, but don’t worry, the agency will work within its budget.” (By Zaldy Comanda)          

TUGUEGARAO CITY, Philippines — Muling nagbigay ng karangalan sa Tuguegarao City, Cagayan, ang pitong taong gulang na si Haliya Catarina Flores Guzman matapos magwagi ng Gold Award sa Final Round ng Thailand International Math Olympiad (TIMO) nitong Pebrero 7, 2026. Si Guzman ang nag-iisang pambato ng lungsod at ng probinsiya sa naturang kompetisyon. Umabot sa 1,290 kalahok mula sa iba’t ibang bansa ang dumaan sa Heat Round kung saan pumangalawa si Guzman. Ito na ang ikalawang sunod na taon na nagkamit siya ng Gold Award sa naturang international math competition, matapos din siyang magwagi noong 2025. Sa tulong ng kaniyang lola na si dating Provincial EngineerBasilia Baccay Flores at ng kaniyang mga magulang, naging masigasig si Haliya sa paghahanda para sa patimpalak. Sa murang edad, patuloy niyang pinatutunayan ang kahusayan ng batang Cagayano sa larangan ng matematika sa pandaigdigang entablado. (Mae Amarles)

CLARK FREEPORT ZONE, Pampanga, Philippines — The Clark International Airport Corp. (CIAC) showcased investment opportunities at Clark Aviation Capital during the recent Singapore Airshow 2026 held at the Changi Exhibition Centre in Singapore. The airshow, one of Asia’s largest aerospace and defense exhibitions, gathered global industry leaders, government officials, and corporate executives to present the latest developments in aviation and related technologies.   CIAC joined the Bases Conversion and Development Authority and the Department of Transportation, along with private partners LIPAD and Bertaphil, at the Philippine Pavilion.   CIAC Board Director and CAAP Director General Raul Del Rosario and BCDA Vice President Kenneth Peralta also attended the event. CIAC President and CEO Jojit Alcazar said the agency’s participation aimed to attract more investments in aircraft Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) and other aerospace-related industries. He said meetings with global aviation players opened opportunities for potential partnerships, particularly in helicopter maintenance and other specialized MRO services. Several companies expressed interest in exploring business prospects in Clark. “CIAC’s participation strengthened our investment ties and highlighted Clark’s readiness to support the growing demands of the global aerospace industry,” Alcazar said. He added that the event also allowed CIAC officials to observe global best practices in aviation operations, safety standards, technology adoption, and workforce development. These insights, he said, will guide Clark Aviation Capital’s continued expansion as a competitive aviation hub in the Asia-Pacific region. Alcazar cited the 2024 Philippine Aerospace Industry Roadmap, which projects the country’s aerospace sector to become one of the fastest-growing in the region. He noted that Clark is positioning itself to meet the increasing demand for reliable MRO services as global aircraft fleets require regular maintenance while maintaining strict safety and efficiency standards. Currently operating in Clark are some of the world’s largest MRO providers, SIA Engineering and Metrojet Engineering, which underscore Clark’s growing reputation in the aerospace sector. CIAC said its long-term goal is to transform Clark Aviation Capital into a dynamic business and logistics hub and eventually the country’s leading global aviation center. Alcazar emphasized that lessons learned from the airshow support the administration’s push under Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to attract more foreign investments and strengthen trade relations. As the premier land and aviation development arm of the Bases Conversion and Development Authority, CIAC is mandated to develop Clark Aviation Capital into a full-fledged aerotropolis. It oversees the Clark aviation complex, where firms operate in industrial, commercial, mixed-use, warehousing, and manufacturing businesses, underscoring Clark’s steady transformation into a dynamic, aviation-driven hub.