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Peso Closes at 63.95 per Dollar — Record Low for Five Straight Days

📌 On Monday, October 26, the Philippine peso closed at 63.95 per dollar, setting another all-time closing low. That is 33.5 centavos weaker than the previous low of 63.615 on Friday the 23rd, and just 5 centavos away from the 64 level.

■ What's changing
· The peso opened at 63.535 that day and traded between 63.5 and 63.95.
· It was the fifth straight trading day with a record-low close (The Manila Times), and the 32nd record-low close so far this year (Philstar).
· The central bank (BSP) raised its key policy rate by 0.5 percentage points to 5.5% last week, but the peso's weakness continued.
· Philstar reported that a weaker peso raises the prices of imported goods bought with dollars, such as fuel, adding to inflation pressure.

■ Tips for residents and travelers
· If you exchange foreign currency such as dollars into pesos, you'll get more pesos than before, but prices of imported goods and fuel may go up.
· When exchanging money, rates differ from one money changer to another, so compare a few places.

■ Sources
The Manila Times (10/26), Philstar (10/26)

■ Photos
· 1. File photo · U.S. dollar and Philippine peso banknotes — The Manila Times
· 2. File photo · Philippine peso banknotes and coins — Philstar

Clonazepam
Hello, I'm a foreigner who has been traveling for a while, and I'll be coming to the Philippines in early December. My medication is running low, and I'd like to know if there's a hospital in the Philippines where I can get this medication. Or even another benzo-type drug.

Where am I going? Like I'd tell you!

Guys who look for each other after working together

New York, New York. The concrete jungle.

Diesel up PHP 1.20 per liter, gasoline down PHP 0.30 starting Oct. 27

📌 Starting Tuesday, Oct. 27, pump prices in the Philippines will go up by PHP 1.20 per liter for diesel and PHP 0.50 for kerosene, while gasoline will go down by PHP 0.30. The Department of Energy (DOE) announced the changes on Monday, the 26th, and the adjustment will remain in effect until Monday, Nov. 2.

■ What's changing
· Diesel: up PHP 1.20 per liter
· Gasoline: down PHP 0.30 per liter
· Kerosene: up PHP 0.50 per liter
· Last week, diesel went up by PHP 2.60, while gasoline fell by PHP 4.30 and kerosene by PHP 1.
· The DOE cited international oil price movements driven by the situation in the Middle East. The diesel and gasoline adjustments were set smaller than what the industry had projected last week.

■ Tips for residents and travelers
· With diesel prices rising again, running costs will go up for diesel cars and trucks. Plan your refueling before long-distance trips during the Undas holiday.
· The effective time and final price may differ by gas station and company, so check the price board before you fill up.

■ Sources
The Manila Times (10/26), Philstar (10/26), CLTV36 News (official Facebook, 10/26)

■ Photos
· 1. Graphic announcing the Oct. 27 fuel price adjustment — CLTV36 News (official Facebook)
· 2. File photo · a pump fueling a taxi — The Manila Times

Is it that time of year again already?

SUV and motorcycle collide on Antero Soriano Highway in Cavite — 2 dead

📌 At around 1:40 a.m. on Sunday, October 25, an SUV and a motorcycle collided on Antero Soriano Highway in Barangay Lambingan, Tanza, Cavite, killing the 37-year-old motorcycle driver and the woman riding behind him. The SUV driver has been taken into police custody.

■ What Happened
· According to the police's initial investigation, a Suzuki Ertiga SUV traveling in the inner lane toward Tanza town proper collided with a Honda motorcycle coming from the opposite direction, toward Naic.
· Pilipino Star Ngayon reported that both vehicles were traveling at high speed and hit each other head-on, and the two people on the motorcycle were thrown off.
· The two were taken to Tanza Family General Hospital but died.

■ Investigation and Current Status
· The SUV driver (49 years old, according to the Daily Tribune) is being held at the Tanza police station and is about to be charged with two counts of reckless imprudence resulting in homicide and damage to property.

■ Notes for Residents and Travelers
· Highways are quiet in the early morning hours, so speeding is common. Both motorcyclists and drivers should slow down and stay in their lanes.
· Always wear a helmet when riding on the back of a motorcycle, too.

■ Sources
Daily Tribune (10/26), Pilipino Star Ngayon (10/27)

I got married today!

Okay, ladies. I'm officially no longer a ppb. This community was a huge help in finding the love of my life.

Perks of an SNR membership. Free booze.

Yesterday at SNR. Had 6 shots lol

Shots Fired at Police at Taguig Western Bicutan Checkpoint — 2 Armed Suspects Killed

📌 On Thursday, October 22, in Barangay Western Bicutan, Taguig City, Metro Manila, 2 armed suspects who opened fire on police manning a checkpoint (Oplan Sita) were killed when officers returned fire. The 2 others who were with them fled and are being pursued by police.

■ What Happened
· When police flagged down 4 motorcycle riders for a helmet violation, 2 of them pulled out guns, threatened the officers, and fled.
· They hid in a nearby house and, despite repeated calls to surrender, fired at police, who returned fire.

■ Investigation and Current Status
· Police seized 2 firearms, including a 9mm pistol, and a motorcycle with its engine number erased, and are checking whether the guns were used in 3 recent shootings in Taguig.
· One of the dead had a criminal record, including kidnapping for ransom.
· The National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) said that in 81 operations from October 15 to 21, it seized 86 illegal firearms and arrested 83 people, and ordered stepped-up checkpoints and a crackdown on illegal firearms.

■ Notes for Residents and Travelers
· When riding a motorcycle, wear a helmet, carry your license and registration papers, and cooperate calmly at checkpoints.
· If you hear gunshots nearby, get low right away and take cover inside a building.

■ Sources
Daily Tribune (10/25), Philstar (10/26)

Lipa Murder of 20-Year-Old Architecture Student — 2 Arrested on Suspicion of Contract Killing

📌 On Sunday, October 25, a 30-year-old man suspected of stabbing a 20-year-old female architecture student to death in Lipa City, Batangas, and a man suspected of paying him to carry out the killing were arrested. The student died on Wednesday, October 14, on her way home from school in Barangay Duhatan, and police are treating it as a crime of passion.

■ What Happened
· The victim was an architecture student at National University. While walking home from school, she was stabbed five times with a knife by a man on a motorcycle and died.
· Security cameras (CCTV) captured the motorcycle rider following the victim.

■ Investigation and Current Status
· The 30-year-old man, who was arrested first in Barangay Pangao, Lipa City, confessed to the killing and stated that an acquaintance gave him 10,000 pesos to carry it out. He handed the weapon over to the police.
· The man suspected of ordering the killing was arrested at around 10 p.m. the same night in Barangay 6, Tanauan City. GMA News reported that he denies the charges.
· According to police, this man had courted the victim for two years but was rejected.

■ Notes for Residents and Travelers
· If a motorcycle or person keeps following you while you walk alone, go into a store or a crowded place and ask for help.
· If you feel threatened by persistent courtship or stalking, notify the women and children protection desk at the police station in advance.

■ Sources
GMA News (10/26), Philstar (10/27)

Hi everyone. I moved to the Philippines 3 weeks ago and I'm planning to stay until April or May to see if I can keep living here long-term.

Edit...

After doing more research, I'm looking in the Florence or Uptown area. Around 35–40k a month would be great, with a 6-month lease and a 2+1 deposit. Fully furnished if possible.

Drug Den Raid in Dapdap, Mabalacat — 4 Arrested, About 10g of Shabu Seized

📌 At around 4:05 p.m. on Sunday, October 25, the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) and police raided a drug den at Madapdap Resettlement in Barangay Dapdap, Mabalacat City, Pampanga, and arrested 4 people. About 10g of shabu (worth 68,000 pesos) and assorted drug paraphernalia were seized.

■ Details of the Incident
· The PDEA Tarlac and Pampanga offices and the Mabalacat City Police Station carried out a joint buy-bust operation.
· Those arrested are men aged 45, 24, and 25, and a 29-year-old woman.
· About 10g of suspected shabu, drug paraphernalia, and the marked bills used in the buy-bust were recovered.

■ Investigation / Current Status
· Court charges for violating the Dangerous Drugs Act (RA 9165) are being prepared against the 4 suspects.

■ Notes for Residents and Travelers
· If you see anything suspicious, such as a house where strangers come and go frequently, don't take action yourself — report it to the police or PDEA.
· When looking for a place to live, ask the barangay office about local safety in advance.

■ Source
Unli News (10/26)

■ Photos
· Seized items arranged at the drug den raid scene (faces blurred) — Unli News

Drug Buy-Bust on Oaks Street in Balibago, Angeles — 46-Year-Old Man Arrested

📌 A 46-year-old man was arrested in a police drug buy-bust operation on Oaks Street in Barangay Balibago, Angeles City, at around 3:20 p.m. on Sunday, October 25. According to the Angeles City Police Office (ACPO), 33 tablets of suspected ecstasy and about 1 g of suspected shabu, worth a total of 62,900 pesos, were seized.

■ What Happened
· The Station 4 Special Drug Enforcement Unit (SDEU) of the Angeles City Police Office conducted the operation in the Oaks Street area.
· The police said the arrested man is unemployed, lives in Taguig City, and was on the police's "high-value individual (HVI)" list.
· The seized items are 33 purple tablets of suspected ecstasy and about 1 g of suspected shabu in a heat-sealed plastic sachet.

■ Investigation / Current Status
· The man is facing charges for violating Sections 5 (sale) and 11 (possession) of the Dangerous Drugs Act (RA 9165) and was taken to Station 4 along with the seized items.
· Police are preparing the complaint documents.

■ Notes for Residents and Travelers
· Philippine drug laws punish not only selling but also mere possession. Do not accept any pills or tablets offered by strangers.
· In nightlife areas such as Balibago, refuse requests to hold drinks or items handed to you by others, or to pass them along on someone's behalf.

■ Source
Angeles City Police Office (official Facebook, 10/25)

■ Photo
· Angeles City Police Office announcement graphic on the Balibago drug operation (face blurred) — Angeles City Police Office (official Facebook)

I've been here since February this year. I need to go back to the US for about a week. When I return, can I convert my US license to a Philippine license?

A plant's life is brutal

Angeles Police Arrest 3 Wanted Persons — Warrants Served for Fraud and Drug Law Violations

📌 According to the Angeles City Police Office (ACPO), three wanted persons were arrested in separate operations in Angeles City on October 25–26. Those caught include a man with a warrant for service of sentence for violating the drug law and a man with a warrant for fraud (estafa).

■ Arrest Details
· At around 11:50 a.m. on Sunday, October 25, Police Station 5 (PS5), together with the tracker team, the Criminal Investigation Unit (CIU), the Third District Intelligence Unit, and the mobile force, jointly arrested a man residing in Barangay Agapito Del Rosario. The warrant was issued on September 16 by Angeles City Regional Trial Court Branch 118 for service of sentence in a Drug Law (RA 9165) violation case.
· At around 6:30 p.m. the same day, Police Station 6 served a warrant for fraud issued by the Mabalacat City court on February 1, 2024. The recommended bail is 18,000 pesos.
· The remaining suspect was arrested in a separate operation at around 10 p.m. on the 25th.

■ Current Status
· The police office said the operations were conducted under the command of Acting Police Director Colonel Robert C. Domingo.
· The fraud warrant was served 2 years and 8 months after it was issued.

■ Notes for Residents and Travelers
· When lending money or making investments or transactions, verify the other party's identity and documents first.
· If you fall victim to fraud, gather evidence (remittance records, chat messages), report it to the nearest police station, and proceed with filing a complaint.

■ Source
Angeles City Police Office (official Facebook, 10/26)

■ Photo
· Angeles City Police Office graphic announcing the arrests of wanted persons (faces blurred) — Angeles City Police Office (official Facebook)

Looks like Annabelle is all set to sleep peacefully 😂