Breakthrough of 11 km aerial link successfully demonstrated with the high-speed connectivity over water using light-based wireless technology   LAGUNA, Philippines — Globe, with its subsidiary Fiber Infrastructure and Network Services Inc. (FINSI) and in partnership with Google X: TAARA, has successfully completed a groundbreaking field trial of a long-range Free Space Optics (FSO) technology, achieving 10Gbps, wireless optical connectivity over an 11-kilometer aerial distance across Laguna Lake, with 80% of the link spanning over open water. The pilot showcases the potential of free space optics to revolutionize wireless transport through laser-based communications that do not require fiber or licensed spectrum, using a microwave system. The field trial utilized Google’s TAARA free space optics link to bridge a long-distance aerial gap and underwent rigorous testing, including industry standard testings like Enhanced RFC2544 test suite (Throughput, Latency, Jitter, and Frame Loss) and a 24-hour Bit Error Rate Test (BERT). All performance metrics are met based on Globe’s technical requirements. “This milestone represents a significant leap forward in our quest to deliver future-ready and cost-effective transport solutions that are rapidly deployable,” said Gerhard Tan, Senior Director and Head of Technology Strategy and Innovations at Globe. “The success of the field trial underscores our commitment to harnessing cutting-edge technology to expand connectivity even in geographically challenging environments.” Google’s TAARA free space optics uses highly focused beams of light to deliver multi-gigabit data transmission, offering a viable solution in areas where deploying fiber is impractical or cost-prohibitive. The successful trial over Laguna Lake, where traditional terrestrial infrastructure would face major challenges, demonstrates the resilience and reliability of utilizing the free space optics platform under real-world conditions. “This pilot opens doors to a reliable and scalable wireless backhaul solution that can be rapidly deployed and help close connectivity gaps, especially in island and remote areas,” added Tan. Groundbreaking Initiative As a leading engineering services company, FINSI is proud to support this groundbreaking initiative,” said Xerxes Jonash Sta. Ana, General Manager of FINSI. “Our team has been hands-on in enabling the successful deployment and validation of the TAARA system in the field. We are committed to bringing innovative, future-ready technologies into the Philippine market—solutions that not only overcome physical limitations but also accelerate digital inclusion across the country.” This kind of advancement in transformative technologies like free space optics pushes the boundaries of what’s possible in telecom infrastructure. This successful pilot is a powerful validation of how strategic collaboration and innovation can deliver scalable, fiber-like connectivity without the constraints of terrain or right-of-way limitations. It aligns perfectly with our mission to build future-ready, intelligent infrastructure that connects more communities faster, smarter, and more sustainably. As Globe continues to push the boundaries of innovation in network transformation, the successful trial solidifies its leadership in future-proof telecom solutions, enabling more inclusive digital access, resilient and empowering communities across the Philippines. With this achievement, Globe continues to set the standard for innovation in telecom, bridging the digital divide and paving the way for a more connected and digitally empowered Philippines.    

LAGUNA, Philippines — Ipinag-utos ni Laguna Governor Sol Aragones ang agarang pagsasaayos ng proseso para sa pagbibigay ng medical at burial assistance sa pamamagitan ng Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office (PSWD). Layunin nito na mas mapabilis at mas maging accessible ang serbisyong panlipunan para sa mga nangangailangan, lalo na ang mga pamilyang dumadaan sa krisis o biglaang pangangailangang medikal at pinansyal. Sa hakbang na ito, tiniyak ni Gov. Sol ang mas maayos, mabilis, at episyenteng serbisyo para sa mga kababayan sa buong lalawigan ng Laguna. (San Pablo City Updates)  

QUEZON, Philippines — Quezon Police Provincial Office joined the province in commemorating the 147th Birth Anniversary of President Manuel L. Quezon, highlighted by the vibrant and colorful Niyogyugan Festival held at Perez Park, Capitol Compound, Lucena City, on August 19. The activity was graced by no less than DILG Secretary, Hon. Jonvic Remulla Jr., together with provincial officials, partner agencies, and the people of Quezon, who gathered to honor the life and legacy of the “Ama ng Wikang Pambansa.” Representing the PNP, PCol Romulo Albacea, Acting Provincial Director of Quezon Police Provincial Office, attended the celebration to show support and solidarity with the Provincial Government and the people of Quezon. His presence underscored the strong partnership of the PNP with local leaders in promoting peace, order, and unity during significant provincial events. The annual commemoration of Quezon Day and Niyogyugan Festival not only pay tribute to the province’s beloved leader but also showcase Quezon’s rich culture, agricultural pride, and community spirit, making the occasion a meaningful celebration of both history and tradition. 𝗦𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗰𝗲: 𝗣𝗜𝗢, 𝗤𝘂𝗲𝘇𝗼𝗻 𝗣𝗣𝗢      

SAN PABLO CITY, Laguna – Tatlong bagong kaso ng COVID-19 ang naitala sa Lungsod ng San Pablo, habang isang pasyente naman ang gumaling sa sakit, mula Agosto 9 hanggang 15, 2025. Sa kasalukuyan, nananatiling tatlo ang aktibong kaso na mahigpit na mino-monitor ng City Health Office. Ayon sa ulat, ang mga bagong kaso ay mula sa Barangay San Marcos, San Mateo at San Gregorio. Ang mga pasyente ay kasalukuyang sumasailalim sa monitoring at kaukulang isolation protocols. Samantala, ang pasyenteng nakarekober ay mula sa Barangay II-C (Poblacion). Batay sa pinakahuling tala, umabot na sa 13,145 ang kabuuang kumpirmadong kaso ng COVID-19 sa San Pablo City. Sa bilang na ito, 12,693 ang gumaling at 449 ang nasawi. Patuloy namang pinaaalalahanan ng City Health Office ang publiko na iwasan ang tinatawag na “3Cs”—crowded places, close-contact settings, at confined/enclosed spaces—upang makaiwas sa banta ng virus. “Bagama’t bumababa ang bilang ng kaso, hindi pa rin tapos ang laban natin sa COVID-19. Maging maingat at sumunod sa mga umiiral na health protocols,” paalala ng CHO. (San Pablo City Updates)      

RIZAL, Philippines — Taytay Municipal Police Station of Rizal Police Provincial Office was adjudged as the Best Municipal Police Station – National Level during the 124th Police Service Anniversary at Camp BGen Rafael T. Crame, Quezon City. Your unwavering dedication to public service has brought great pride and honor to the men and women of PRO CALABARZON.  

Camp BGen Vicente P Lim — Matagumpay na nalambat ng Police Regional Office CALABARZON ang 43 wanted persons mula sa 41  malawakang operasyon sa buong rehiyon noong Agosto 1. Sa nasabing bilang, 13 ay Most Wanted Persons (MWP), na kinabibilangan ng 7 sa Regional Level, 5 sa Provincial Level, at 1 sa Municipal Level. Samantala, 30 ang Other Wanted Persons (OWP) na may kinahaharap ding mabibigat na kaso. Ang mga operasyong ito ay bahagi ng pinaigting na kampanya laban sa kriminalidad sa ilalim ng pamumuno ni Regional Director, PBGen.Jack L. Wanky. Kabilang sa mga naaresto si alias “Ariel,” isang Regional Level Most Wanted Person, na nadakip ng Warrant Operatives/Tracker Team ng San Pedro Component City Police Station (CCPS) sa Brgy. Poblacion, San Pedro City, Laguna sa kasong Rape. Naaresto rin si alias “Alvin,” isang Regional Level Most Wanted Person, sa Brgy. Parian, Calamba City, Laguna,sa pamamagitan ng operasyon ng Tracker Team ng Calamba CCPS, sa kasong Statutory Rape (2 counts). Nadakip naman sa Los Baños, Laguna si alias “Ricardo,” isang Regional Level Most Wanted Person, sa pamamagitan ng pinagsanib na pwersa ng RMFB 4A – 402nd A Maneuver Company at Tracker Team ng Los Baños Municipal Police Station (MPS), na may kasong paglabag sa RA 9165 (Cultivation or Culture of Plants Classified as Dangerous Drugs, Article II Section 16 of RA 9165). Sa Visayas, naaresto si alias “Andres,” Rank #7 Regional Level Most Wanted Person, may kasong Murder sa Brgy. Concepcion, Gandara, Samar, sa pamamagitan ng operatiba ng CIDG Western Samar, katuwang ang Taytay MPS Warrant Tracker Team at RIU 4A PIT Rizal. Naaresto rin si alias “Jayson,” isang Regional Level Most Wanted Person sa Sitio Maligaya, Brgy. San Isidro, Antipolo City, Rizal, sa bisa ng warrant para sa kasong Murder. Samantala, madaling araw ng Agosto 1, naaresto si alias “Nica,” Rank #5 Regional Level Most Wanted Person, sa Brgy. San Isidro, Subic, Zambales, na may kasong Murder. Lahat ng operasyon ay isinagawa nang alinsunod sa batas, at dokumentado gamit ang Alternative Recording Devices (ARDs), alinsunod sa standard operating procedures ng PNP. Ang mga naarestong suspek ay nasa kustodiya ng mga istasyong nagsagawa ng operasyon, at ang kani-kanilang mga warrant ay isusumite sa korte ng pinagmulan para sa pormal na disposisyon. Ayon kay PBGen Wanky, “Ang mga pag-arestong ito ay patunay ng walang humpay naming determinasyon na sugpuin ang kriminalidad. Walang ligtas na lugar para sa mga kriminal sa CALABARZON.” Nanawagan din siya sa publiko na patuloy na makipagtulungan sa kapulisan sa pamamagitan ng maagap na pag-uulat ng presensya ng mga pinaghahanap ng batas. “Sama-sama nating panatilihin ang katahimikan, kaayusan, at seguridad ng ating rehiyon,” dagdag ni RD Wanky. (RPIO4A)

By Danny Estacio   LUCENA CITY, Quezon -A Regional Trial Court (RTC) judge in Catanauan, Quezon, has issued a warrant of arrest for former Gen. Luna, Quezon Mayor Matt Erwin Florido, and his administrative aide for two counts of large-scale illegal recruitment revealed in a press briefing at Fresh Air Hotel here, on Saturday, July 26. Complainants’ legal counsels Sonny Pulgar, Kath Noveno, and Mia Pulgar Navarro, said before the media that presiding judge Julius Francis Galvez of the Regional Trial Court Branch 96 in this town has issued the order on July 15 against Florido and his co-accused Joma Christina Briones found probable cause to hold the two accused for trial. According to the lawyers, the information was signed by Assistant Provincial Prosecutor Lirio Roces Munoz and approved by Provincial Prosecutor Rodrigo Domingo on May 16, 2025, said the accused Florido and Briones of violating Section 6 of Republic Act 8042 or the Migrant Workers and Overseas Filipinos Act of 1995,  Illegal Recruitment on a Large Scale. The charge sheet said in brief that both Florido and Briones committed the crimes when they criminally recruited and promised overseas employment to Ginabel Aguila, Mary Rose Roldan, Jun Carlo Roldan, Renato Moreno Jr., Reynan Ricamara, Richie Moreno, Romulo Rodelas, and Efleda Alano, all residents of Brgy. Recto,  in Gen. Luna, as seasonal farm workers in South Korea without any permit or license from the Department of Migrant Workers or any valid and signed resolution from the municipal council of Gen. Luna. They added that after the complainants, Aguila, Mary Rose, and Jun Carlo Roldan, Renato and Richie Moreno, Ricamara, Rodelas, and Alano have submitted passports and other documents and have parted away their hard-earned money, set aside their livelihoods, and even incurred loans with high interest in complying with the requirements, but the two accused failed to deploy them abroad. On Florido’s side, Florido claimed that he posted the FB page on September 14, 2022, as the initiative of their municipality to provide their farmers opportunity to work in Korea through a partnership with a local government counterpart represented by Mr. Lee Dee-Kyung. He added that the partnership is supported by a commitment signing at their municipal hall and attended by members of the Sangguniang Bayan. Florido claimed that he did not promise to cover all the applicants’  expenses and denied that he guarantees the applicants in the processing of the passport at the DFA. Both Florido and Briones also explained that the selection of the successful participants is not within their authority but handled exclusively by their local government counterparts in Korea. Florido also said that the delay in the deployment in Korea was due to the moratorium imposed by the DMW it issued on January 11, 2024. He stressed that the seasonal farmer program bound for Korea is a valid program of their municipality, and backed up by the resolution of their municipal council. Florido ran as a congressman against incumbent Rep. Reynan Arrogancia for Quezon 3rd district in the May 12 midterm elections, but he lost.    

          Isang Medalya ng Kagalingan ang tinanggap ni Police Maj. Marnie ‘Bokyo’ Abellanida, hepe ng Atimonan Municipal Police Station, sa ginanap na Flag Raising ceremony sa Camp Guillermo Nakar, Lucena City Quezon,noong Hulyo 28. Ang medalya ay iginawad ni PBrig.Gen.Jack Wanky, regional director ng Police Regional Office 4A,sa pamahotan ni Quezon Provincial Director Col.Romulo Albacea kaugnay sa matagumpay na pagkakahuli sa isang Most Wanted Person na nakatala sa Regional Level dahil sa kasong statutory rape. Kasama rin sa pinarangalan si NUP Rivaliza Garcia na nakatanggap ng Medalya ng Papuri dahil sa kanyang mahusay na pagganap sa kangang tungkulin bilang Crime Registrar.

It is a day of grief for the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) as one of its operatives died in the line of duty. PDEA Director General Undersecretary Isagani R Nerez identified the fallen agent as Intelligence Officer I Raffy Escobido, 31 years old, who was assigned at the PDEA Regional Office IV-A Regional Special Enforcement Team 2. He was a member of the Drug Enforcement Officers’ Basic Course (DEOBC) Class 2017-11 “Gandilan” of the PDEA Academy. Agent Escobido passed away while undergoing intensive care in a hospital. He succumbed to a gunshot wound in the head he suffered during a buy-bust operation that turned into a shootout with two heavily-armed drug personalities in Calamba City, Laguna in the evening of July 20, 2025. Onboard their vehicle, the suspects were able to elude arrest, prompting a massive manhunt operation against them. Undersecretary Nerez ordered the national and regional offices of the Agency to put their colors on half-mast as an expression of solidarity and mourning over Escobido’s death. “We are deeply saddened by the untimely loss of one of our own. We extend our sincerest condolences to the bereaved family. May his soul rest in eternal peace”, he said. “PDEA will make sure that Escobido’s death will not be in vain. We will remain unfaltering on the ideals he died for. This will only heighten our resolve to pursue every member of the illegal drugs industry. For those behind this dastardly act, we will not rest until you face the full force of the law”, the PDEA Chief warned.