United News of Bangladesh

Rescue teams continued searching damaged buildings in the southern Philippines on Tuesday to ensure no one remained trapped, a day after one of the country's strongest earthquakes in the last 50 years killed at least 37 people and forced more than 20,000 residents from their homes. Authorities said only four people were officially listed as missing in the provinces near the epicentre of Monday’s 7.8-magnitude earthquake. However, the Office of Civil Defense said several collapsed and severely damaged structures still needed to be thoroughly checked for possible survivors and additional casualties. The earthquake struck off the coast of Mindanao, the Philippines' second-most populous island. Nearly 500 people were injured, while thousands sought refuge in emergency shelters. Many residents fled their homes fearing a tsunami. Although waves reaching up to 1.4 metres above normal tide levels were recorded in parts of the Philippines, damage was limited. Officials reported that six stilt houses in a coastal village were damaged by tsunami waves. Smaller waves were also observed in Indonesia, Palau and southern Japan. The disaster caused widespread destruction across several provinces. In General Santos, a coastal city known as the country's tuna industry hub, at least 13 people died due to collapsed buildings and falling debris. Another 18 people were killed in Sarangani province, most of them in a landslide that buried homes in the mountainous town of Glan, according to disaster officials. Additional deaths were reported in South Cotabato, Davao Occidental and Balut Island. Initial government assessments showed that around 2,000 houses and 117 government buildings and facilities were damaged. General Santos International Airport remained closed, leading to the cancellation of 63 domestic flights, except those carrying humanitarian aid. Authorities said nearly 6,000 public school buildings in affected provinces must be inspected before classes can resume. The earthquake struck on the first day of the new school term following a two-month summer break, and many of those injured were students attending morning flag-raising ceremonies. Officials have warned that damaged buildings remain at risk of collapse due to strong aftershocks. "We cannot force the immediate reopening of schools because we have to ensure the integrity of the buildings," said Rafaelito Alejandro of the Office of Civil Defense. According to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology, the earthquake originated at a depth of 33 kilometres beneath the sea, about 32 kilometres southwest of Maasim town in Sarangani province. The quake was triggered by movement along the Cotabato Trench and was the strongest to hit the country since a devastating 8.1-magnitude earthquake and tsunami in 1976 that killed about 8,000 people. The Philippines also experienced a 7.8-magnitude earthquake in 1990 that killed more than 1,000 people and caused major destruction in the country's north. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. deployed senior government officials to oversee rescue operations, aid distribution and damage assessments of roads, bridges and other infrastructure. The United States said it was coordinating with Philippine authorities and stood ready to assist response efforts. France, Japan and New Zealand also expressed support. The Philippines frequently experiences earthquakes and volcanic eruptions because it lies along the Pacific "Ring of Fire," a zone known for intense seismic activity. The country is also hit by around 20 typhoons and tropical storms each year, making it one of the world's most disaster-prone nations.

Rescuers pulled two workers from the rubble of a collapsed nine-story hotel under construction in the northern Philippines early Monday, as the death toll rose to three and 17 others remained missing, officials said. One of the rescued workers was found dead, while emergency workers tried for hours to revive the other inside an ambulance near the huge pile of broken concrete, twisted steel bars and collapsed scaffolding that once formed the building in Angeles City of Pampanga province. Doctors later declared him dead. The two workers had been trapped under heavy concrete slabs and metal bars for hours. Hundreds of rescuers, including firefighters and police, worked through the night to reach them. Regional police chief Brig. Gen. Jess Mendez said rescuers even provided water and intravenous medicine to one trapped worker in an effort to keep him alive in the intense summer heat. “He never made it despite all the efforts,” Mendez told AP. The third victim was a Malaysian tourist who was trapped inside a nearby budget hotel damaged by falling debris from the collapse. Another guest was injured but managed to escape, officials said. The unfinished building collapsed with a loud crash before dawn Sunday following a strong thunderstorm. Despite growing fears, Angeles City Mayor Carmelo Lazatin said rescue operations would continue and authorities were still hoping to find survivors. “My best hope is that we can rescue more people alive,” Lazatin told AP. “We don’t want to give the families of the trapped workers any bad news.” Relatives of the missing workers have been waiting anxiously near the disaster site. Lea Mendoza Casilao, a 47-year-old sardine factory worker, said her boyfriend, a mason working at the site, was among those still trapped. “I’m losing hope because of what I see — slow rescue work,” she said. She had brought a week’s supply of rice and sardines for him at the construction site, but the couple never got the chance to meet over the weekend after the building collapsed. Officials said rescuers were moving carefully because unstable concrete slabs hanging on bent scaffolding could fall at any moment and endanger rescue teams. Authorities said 26 workers either escaped or were rescued from the building, where many workers slept on plywood sheets on the ground floor. Of the 17 still missing, rescuers have located one worker but have not yet been able to pull him out. Philippine National Police chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said authorities have launched an investigation into the cause of the collapse and possible violations of construction safety rules. Angeles City once hosted one of the largest US Air Force bases outside the United States, helping turn the area into a major commercial and entertainment hub in northern Luzon. The former Clark Air Base, about 80 kilometers north of Manila, closed in the early 1990s and has since been transformed into the Clark Freeport Zone, now a busy industrial and tourism area.

A strong 6.1-magnitude earthquake struck Eastern Samar province in central Philippines on Monday afternoon, according to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology. The quake hit at 2:09 pm local time, with its epicentre located at a depth of about 10 kilometres. It was initially measured at 11.76 degrees north latitude and 125.37 degrees east longitude, the agency said. Local media reported that many residents rushed out of their homes and gathered in open areas as a safety measure. However, no deaths or injuries have been reported so far. The Philippines is prone to frequent earthquakes as it lies along the Pacific “Ring of Fire,” an area known for intense seismic and volcanic activity.

A passenger ferry carrying more than 350 people sank early Monday off an island in the southern Philippines, leaving at least 15 people dead while hundreds were rescued, officials said. The M/V Trisha Kerstin 3, an inter-island cargo and passenger vessel, was traveling from Zamboanga City to Jolo island in Sulu province with 332 passengers and 27 crew members when it developed technical problems and went down shortly after midnight, according to the coast guard. The ferry sank in calm weather about one nautical mile from the village of Baluk-baluk in Basilan province. Many survivors were initially brought ashore there, coast guard commander Romel Dua told the Associated Press. Dua said a coast guard safety officer on board the ferry was able to alert authorities before the vessel sank. The officer survived, prompting an immediate deployment of rescue assets. Coast guard and navy ships, fishing boats, a surveillance aircraft and an air force Black Hawk helicopter joined the search and rescue operation off Basilan, officials said. Basilan Governor Mujiv Hataman said dozens of passengers were taken to Isabela City, the provincial capital. He confirmed that two bodies were recovered there. The coast guard said at least 316 people had been rescued as of Monday, with search operations continuing. The cause of the sinking was not immediately known, and an investigation has been ordered. Officials said the ferry had passed inspection before departure and showed no signs of overloading. Maritime accidents are frequent in the Philippines, often blamed on poor vessel maintenance, overcrowding and weak enforcement of safety rules.

Heightened volcanic activity at Mayon Volcano, the most active volcano in the Philippines, has forced authorities to evacuate close to 3,000 people from high-risk areas on its slopes, officials said Wednesday. The alert level for Mayon, located in Albay province in the country’s northeast, was raised to Level 3 on Tuesday after monitoring teams recorded repeated rockfalls from the summit crater, some comparable in size to vehicles, along with dangerous pyroclastic flows—rapid streams of superheated ash, gas and debris. Under the country’s five-tier warning system, Level 5 signals a major explosive eruption accompanied by violent ash emissions and widespread fallout. “This activity already qualifies as an eruption, though a relatively quiet one,” said Teresito Bacolcol, head of the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology. He explained that lava has been building up near the summit, causing the dome to expand and crack, leading to the observed rockfalls. Bacolcol noted it remains uncertain whether the situation will escalate into a more violent eruption, as other critical indicators—such as increased volcanic earthquakes or high sulfur dioxide emissions—have not yet been detected. Read More: Palm trees under the axe; Naogaon bypass pays an environmental price With assistance from troops, police and disaster-response teams, authorities relocated more than 2,800 residents from 729 families living within a six-kilometer danger zone around the crater, an area permanently restricted due to its high risk, according to Albay provincial officials. In addition, about 600 people living outside the permanent danger zone chose to evacuate voluntarily to government-run shelters, said Claudio Yucot, regional director of the Office of Civil Defense. Despite longstanding prohibitions, many residents have continued to live or farm within the danger zone for generations, while activities such as quarrying and tourism have also persisted. Mayon has erupted 54 times since records began in 1616. Standing 2,462 meters tall, Mayon is famed for its nearly perfect cone and is one of the country’s top tourist attractions. At the same time, it remains the most active among the Philippines’ 24 potentially active volcanoes. A stark reminder of its destructive power is the lone bell tower of a 16th-century church still visible in Albay—what remains of a town buried during the catastrophic 1814 eruption that killed around 1,200 people. The continued presence of communities within Mayon’s hazard zones highlights the broader challenge faced by many low-income Filipinos who live in disaster-prone areas across the archipelago. Located along the Pacific “Ring of Fire,” the Philippines also endures frequent earthquakes, volcanic eruptions and an average of 20 typhoons each year.

Bangladesh has underscored the prospects for increased Filipino investment in its emerging sectors and reiterated its aspiration to become a Sectoral Dialogue Partner of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). Bangladesh and the Philippines held the third round of Foreign Policy Consultations (FPC) in Manila on Tuesday (4th November 2025), marking the first session after a six-year gap. The meeting was co-chaired by Ambassador Dr Md Nazrul Islam, Secretary (East & West) of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Bangladesh, and Ma. Hellen B. De La Vega, Undersecretary for Policy at the Department of Foreign Affairs of the Philippines. Leo M. Herrera-Lim, Undersecretary for Migration Affairs, also joined the session. The Bangladesh delegation included Mohammad Sarwar Mahmood, Ambassador of Bangladesh to the Philippines, officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Embassy of Bangladesh in Manila, along with a representative from Bangladesh Bank. BGCCI welcomes new German Ambassador; looks for boost in investment in tech, energy The Philippine delegation comprised senior officials from the Department of Foreign Affairs, Department of Justice, Department of Agriculture, Department of Migrant Workers, Commission on Higher Education, Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, Board of Investment, Anti-Money Laundering Council, and the Civil Aeronautics Board, joined by Nina P. Cainglet, Ambassador of the Philippines to Bangladesh. Both sides reviewed the progress since the second FPC and explored opportunities for deeper cooperation in political relations, trade and investment, cybersecurity, the blue economy, education, skills development, culture, defence cooperation through training exchanges and knowledge-sharing, people-to-people connectivity, labour and migration governance. They also discussed matters of mutual interest in regional and multilateral affairs, including the situation of the Forcibly Displaced Myanmar Nationals (FDMNs). VFS Global launches Netherlands visa services with state-of-the-art centre in Dhaka Discussions were held in a warm, constructive, and forward-looking atmosphere, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The meeting concluded with the signing of a Memorandum of Agreement on Maritime Cooperation on the Recognition of Certificates under the STCW Convention, 1978 (as amended). Dr Md Nazrul Islam, Secretary (East & West) of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, signed on behalf of Bangladesh, while Sonia B. Malaluan, Administrator of the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA), signed on behalf of the Philippines. Following the FPC, Dr Md Nazrul Islam paid courtesy calls on Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro, Secretary of Foreign Affairs, and Hans Leo J. Cacdac, Secretary for Migrant Workers, during which both sides focused on strengthening South–South cooperation for mutual benefit. He is also scheduled to visit a TESDA-operated caregiver training institute to explore future cooperation in skills development, training, and mutual recognition of certificates. Both sides expressed confidence that the outcomes of the consultation will further strengthen bilateral relations in the days ahead. Egyptian Ambassador meets Mirza Fakhrul

At least four people were killed when a U.S. military-contracted plane crashed in a rice field in the southern Philippines on Thursday, according to officials from the U.S. Embassy and the Philippines, reports AP. The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines confirmed the crash of a light aircraft in Maguindanao del Sur province but did not immediately provide further details. Skating community mourns after US plane crash kills athletes The plane, which was contracted by the U.S. military, crashed in the southern province, as confirmed by U.S. Embassy spokesperson Kanishka Gangopadhyay. The U.S. Indo-Pacific Command is expected to release a more detailed statement regarding the incident. The bodies of four individuals, believed to be foreign nationals, were recovered from the wreckage in Ampatuan town, according to Ameer Jehad Tim Ambolodto, a safety officer from Maguindanao del Sur. Windy Beaty, a provincial disaster-mitigation officer, reported to the AP that residents had seen smoke coming from the plane and heard an explosion before it crashed less than a kilometre (about half a mile) from a cluster of farmhouses. No injuries were reported on or near the crash site, which was sealed off by military personnel, Beaty said. Local officials confirmed that a water buffalo on the ground was also killed in the crash. 18 killed in Sudan plane crash U.S. forces have been stationed at a Philippine military camp in the south for decades, providing advice and training to Filipino forces fighting Muslim militants. The region is home to the country’s Muslim minority in the predominantly Roman Catholic nation.

Japan and the Philippines intend to emphasise to President-elect Donald Trump the critical importance of continued U.S. involvement in upholding the rule of law in Asia, particularly amid escalating security concerns, Japan's Foreign Minister said on Wednesday, reports AP. Under President Joe Biden, the U.S., Japan, and the Philippines have been fostering a strategic alliance to address China's increasingly assertive actions in the contested South China Sea and East China Sea. However, Trump's "America First" policy has raised doubts about the future extent of U.S. engagement in the region. Blinken heads to Asia, Europe on last expected trip as top US diplomat Japanese Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya, speaking at a news conference alongside his Philippine counterpart Enrique Manalo in Manila, stated, "We will communicate to the next U.S. administration that constructive U.S. engagement in this region is not only crucial for us but also beneficial for the U.S. itself." Iwaya confirmed his plans to attend Trump’s inauguration on January 20 as Japan remains a close treaty ally of the U.S., alongside the Philippines. Musk hiring cheaper tech servants from Asia: Alleges Bernie Sanders "Given the increasingly severe strategic environment in the region, Japan prioritises both bilateral cooperation with the Philippines and strengthening trilateral collaboration with the United States," Iwaya noted. Rising tensions between Chinese and Philippine coast guards in the heavily trafficked South China Sea have heightened fears of a larger conflict, potentially drawing in the U.S. The U.S. has reiterated its commitment to defend Philippine forces under their mutual defence treaty if they face armed attacks in the region. "The South China Sea issue is a legitimate international concern as it directly impacts regional peace and stability," Iwaya remarked. He added that Japan firmly opposes any unilateral attempts to alter the status quo through force and urged for a de-escalation of tensions. Jonathan Malaya, assistant director-general of the Philippine National Security Council, cautioned that China’s actions are becoming increasingly provocative, stating, "China is pushing us to the wall," and noting that "all options are on the table," including new international legal challenges. Zelenskyy, Macron discuss Western troop deployment in Ukraine The Philippine coast guard reported that a large Chinese coast guard vessel recently patrolled the contested Scarborough Shoal and approached the northwestern Philippine coast, coming within 77 nautical miles (143 kilometres). Meanwhile, a Chinese official in Beijing reiterated that the South China Sea falls under China’s established sovereignty, asserting that their coast guard’s activities are lawful and justified. China has consistently accused the Philippines, Vietnam, and Malaysia of encroaching on what it considers its territorial waters. Philippine Foreign Minister Manalo said the latest developments would be discussed during a scheduled meeting on Thursday in Xiamen between Chinese and Philippine diplomats. The two nations have engaged in ongoing talks through the Bilateral Consultation Mechanism, aiming to manage disputes and prevent them from escalating into armed conflict.

A group of Afghan nationals arrived in the Philippines on Monday to process special immigrant visas for their resettlement in the United States, as part of an agreement between Manila and Washington. The Philippines agreed last July to temporarily host a U.S. immigrant visa processing center for a limited number of Afghan nationals aspiring to resettle in America. Department of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Teresita Daza said the Afghan nationals who landed in the Philippines on Monday were provided entry visas. She said they had completed extensive security vetting and undergone full medical screenings prior to their arrival. The U.S. government will cover the costs for the Afghan nationals' stay in the Philippines, including their food, housing, security, medical and transportation expenses, she said. She didn't specify how many Afghans arrived or how long the visa processing will take. Under the Philippines' rules, visa applicants can stay for no longer than 59 days. A senior Philippine official told The Associated Press last year that only 150 to 300 applicants would be accommodated in the Philippines under the “one-time” deal. The official who had knowledge of the negotiations agreed to speak on condition of anonymity because of a lack of authority to speak publicly. The Afghan nationals seeking resettlement primarily worked for the U.S. government in Afghanistan or were deemed eligible for U.S. special immigrant visas but were left behind when Washington withdrew from the country and Taliban militants took back power in a chaotic period in 2021. Read: FS requests Canadian envoy to expedite visa processing for Bangladeshi nationals U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken first relayed the request to his Philippines counterpart in 2022, and President Joe Biden discussed the request with Philippines leader Ferdinand Marcos Jr. when he visited the U.S. last year, Philippine officials said. Marcos has rekindled relations with the U.S. since winning the presidency by a landslide margin two years ago. In February last year, he allowed an expansion of the American military presence under a 2014 defense agreement in a decision that upset China.

Bangladeshi tech company Orange Business Development Limited (Orangebd) has been awarded digitalization projects in the Philippines. “Orangebd is working on technical assistance for various e-governance projects of the Philippines government. Already, 14 citizen and business-related services of 20 municipalities out of 123 municipalities in a state in the Philippines have been digitalized,” Orangebd CEO Al-Ashraful Kabir Jewel told a press briefing at Dhanmondi Club in Dhaka on Wednesday. The company’s directors, Hafez Ahmed and Shamim Hossain, and PR Officer Shahriar Shams were present on the occasion. The CEO informed that Orangebd is also working on the development of the Programme and Project Monitoring System of the National Economic and Development Authority, an institution under the President of the Philippines. The Philippines Interior and Local Government Minister and UNDP Resident Representative are scheduled to inaugurate the project on January 23 next year. According to the official, digital services will be implemented in all municipalities in phases under the project, while all citizen and business-related services will gradually be brought under the scope of digital transformation.