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BUTUAN CITY – Surigao City has officially received a painting by a Japanese artist depicting seven Japanese ships departing from Brunei Anchorage and heading toward Surigao Strait during the final days of World War II.

Mayor Pablo Yves Dumlao II and Surigao City Tourism Office head Roselyn Merlin formally accepted the artwork titled “Anchor Out – Nishimura Fleet 26041022” on Nov 19.

Painted by Hiroyuki Sugano, a renowned Japanese pencil artist specializing in nautical subjects, the original artwork was donated as a gesture of remembrance and friendship between Japan and the Philippines.

“It arrived last week, and it took us almost a week to process some important papers before it was released by the Bureau of Customs,” Merlin said in an interview on Thursday.

The artwork is set to be displayed at the Battle of Surigao Strait Museum for public viewing, especially for visitors and history enthusiasts.

“We are still finalizing (everything), but our target is next week. This piece of art will already be available for public viewing,” Merlin said.

Meanwhile, the Surigao City Public Information Office announced in a statement that Sugano sent his warm greetings to Dumlao and expressed his regret for not being able to attend the 81st anniversary of the Battle of Surigao Strait on Oct. 27.

The Battle of Surigao Strait occurred at dawn on Oct. 25, 1944, between the Nishimura Fleet, also known as the Japanese Southern Forces led by Vice Admiral Shoji Nishimura, and the combined American and Australian Navies.

The battle resulted in the sinking of six Japanese ships – the battleships Fuso and Yamashiro, as well as the destroyers Yamagumo, Asagumo, Michishio, and Mogami. Nishimura died during the battle when Yamashiro was sunk.

The annual commemoration of the Battle of Surigao Strait takes place in Surigao City, attended by dignitaries from the Philippines, the US, Australia, and Japan.

In a statement, Hontiveros said the guilty verdict against Guo — also known as Guo Hua Ping — affirms years of investigative work that exposed corruption, transnational crime links, and sophisticated operations tied to POGOs.

“Today, justice has been served. The conviction of Alice Guo is a victory against corruption, human trafficking, cybercrime, and many other transnational crimes. Ngayon, hindi na sila makakaulit (Now, they can no longer repeat their abuses),” she said.

Senators Risa Hontiveros and Sherwin Gatchalian on Thursday welcomed the conviction of Alice Guo, saying the ruling is a landmark victory in the country’s fight against human trafficking, cybercrime, and criminal syndicates operating under Philippine offshore gaming operators (POGOs).

The senator noted that the Senate inquiry under her committee delivered “unprecedented results,” contributing to a presidential executive order banning POGOs, helping support evidence that led to Guo’s life imprisonment, and bolstering the passage of the Anti-POGO Law of 2025.

“I am proud to consider it one of the most consequential Senate inquiries of my life’s work so far,” she added. “The Philippines is not a playground for exploitation, infiltration, and espionage. Accountability is coming. Justice always finds a way."

Gatchalian, meanwhile, said the verdict strengthens national efforts to dismantle illegal POGO hubs and related trafficking networks.

“The conviction of Alice Guo and her cohorts for qualified trafficking is a big win for the Filipino people, including foreign nationals who have been victimized by various criminal activities perpetrated by POGOs. The rule of law has prevailed, and justice has been served,” he said in a separate statement.

Gatchalian added that the ruling should serve as a warning to all who attempt to exploit government systems.

Singapore on Tuesday said that rhinoceros horns worth over USD800,000 were seized from a "suspicious shipment" en route to Vientiane, Laos, in its largest ever such catch.

On Nov. 8, some 20 pieces of rhinoceros horns weighing 35.7 kg were discovered and seized after SATS Group, an air cargo handler at Singapore Changi Airport, alerted the police, the National Parks Board said in a statement Tuesday, on the US social media company Facebook.

"This is the largest-ever seizure of rhinoceros horns in Singapore, surpassing the previous record of 34.7 kg in 2022," it said.

Some 150 kg of other unidentified animal parts were also seized, and authorities are still determining their species.

"Singapore takes a zero-tolerance stance on the illegal trade of endangered wildlife species, and their parts and derivatives," it said.

The penalties for transporting animals protected under the Convention on the International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Flora and Fauna (CITES) through Singapore without valid permits include a fine of up to 200,000 Singaporean dollars (USD153,680) for each specimen and/or up to eight years’ imprisonment.

PROTESTS SPARK STRONGER ACTION VS. CORRUPTION

Public protests held across major cities this week have triggered concrete steps toward greater government transparency, according to officials and civil society groups. Thousands of citizens joined peaceful assemblies calling for stronger accountability and cleaner governance.

Following the demonstrations, several government agencies announced internal reviews of their procurement systems and vowed to strengthen anti-corruption protocols. Civic watchdogs also reported an increase in citizens submitting complaints and evidence of irregularities, signaling a growing public willingness to speak out.

Advocates say the widespread participation shows that Filipinos are more determined than ever to protect public funds and demand honest leadership. They believe the momentum created by the protests will help push long-needed reforms forward and encourage continuous public engagement in safeguarding good governance. 

The Philippine National Police (PNP) is earning renewed public confidence as it intensifies efforts to curb corruption within its ranks and promote a culture of integrity. In response to recent community-led protests calling for cleaner governance, the PNP has rolled out stronger internal reforms aimed at ensuring transparency and accountability.

PNP officials reported that multiple units across the country have begun conducting surprise inspections, lifestyle checks, and performance audits to identify and address irregularities. Several officers have also been commended for voluntarily submitting to review processes, signaling a growing commitment to honest service.

As part of its reform initiative, the PNP has expanded its Integrity Monitoring and Enforcement Group (IMEG), which has already acted on citizen reports and initiated operations against personnel involved in misconduct. Community hotlines and digital reporting channels have likewise been strengthened, allowing the public to report suspicious activity faster and more securely.

According to the PNP leadership, these measures are in line with their mission to provide the public with trustworthy and professional police services. “We acknowledge the calls for transparency, and we are taking them seriously,” officials said, emphasizing that the organization aims to set an example of ethical leadership.

Civic groups and local communities have praised the PNP’s responsiveness, noting a noticeable improvement in public interaction, faster action on complaints, and a more visible stance against wrongdoing. Many see the developments as a positive sign that reforms are gaining ground and that the police force is committed to restoring trust through concrete, measurable steps.

With ongoing reforms, stronger monitoring, and continued public cooperation, the PNP hopes to prove that change is not only possible but already taking root—showing that a disciplined and transparent police service remains central to building a safer and more trustworthy nation.

 Japan warns citizens in China about safety as diplomatic crisis deepens

Japan has warned its citizens in China to step up safety precautions and avoid crowded places amid a deepening dispute between Asia's two largest economies over Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's comments on Taiwan.

The advisory issued by Japan's embassy in China came as a senior Japanese foreign ministry official travelled to Beijing to hold talks on Tuesday (Nov 18) with his Chinese counterpart to try and tamp down tensions. 

China has urged its citizens not to travel to Japan, in what could deal a sizeable blow to Japan's economy, given that Chinese currently make up nearly a quarter of all tourists there, according to official data.  

Takaichi sparked the most serious diplomatic clash between the two East Asian powers in years when she told Japanese lawmakers this month that a Chinese attack on Taiwan threatening Japan's survival could trigger a military response.

In response, a Chinese diplomat in Japan posted a threatening comment aimed at Takaichi on social media. 

That drew a strong rebuke from Tokyo but has failed to stem a wave of vitriolic commentaries aimed at her in Chinese state media.

 "We have made judgments based on comprehensive consideration of the security situation in the country or region, as well as its political and social conditions,"  Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara said on Tuesday about the safety notice.

Noting the media coverage in China, the Japanese embassy there had on Monday reminded citizens to respect local customs and be careful in their interactions with Chinese people. 

It asked citizens to be aware of their surroundings when outside, advising them not to travel alone and urging extra caution when travelling with children.

"If you see a person or group that looks even slightly suspicious, do not approach them and leave the area immediately," the embassy notice said.