Current Events (2017)

January

January 1 – Four members of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters were killed and four others were
wounded in a clash with government soldiers that lasted 10 hours in Datu Salibo, Maguindanao.

January 4 – About a hundred armed men, whose affiliation is undetermined, launched an attack on a
prison in Kidapawan which had freed at least 158 inmates. The jailbreak resulting from the attack was
reportedly the biggest in the history of North Cotabato.

January 5 – Mohammad Jaafar Maguid, the leader of the Ansar Al-Khilafah Philippines who is allegedly
affiliated with the Islamic State, was killed by government security forces in Sarangani.

January 11

President Duterte signed an executive order mandating universal access to modern family planning tools.

President Rodrigo Duterte ordered the unwarranted arrest and deportation of Indian nationals,
especially Punjabis, involved in the 5-6 money lending scheme.

January 16–20 – The 4th World Apostolic Congress on Mercy commenced with a Mass at the Manila
Cathedral. Other events were held in Manila, Batangas, Bulacan, and Bataan.

January 17

The city government of Cagayan de Oro declared a state of calamity in response to flooding caused by
heavy rainfall brought by a low pressure area in the vicinity of Kabasalan, Zamboanga Sibugay and the
tail-end of a cold front.

The National Bureau of Investigation confirmed the death of Jee Ick Joo, a South Korean businessman
who was abducted in Angeles on October 18, 2016.

January 30 – Rodrigo Duterte ordered the cleansing of the Philippine National Police (PNP) after
corruption was discovered at the wake of the kidnapping of the South Korean, Jee Ick-Joo.

February

February 1

a fire hit the House Technology Industries, Ltd. factory inside the Cavite Export Processing Zone in
General Trias, Cavite.

The Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP), New People's Army (NPA), and National Democratic Front
(NDF) ended their unilateral ceasefire with the Philippine government.

February 10 – A 6.7 magnitude earthquake hit Surigao del Norte, killing at least 4 people.
February 14

The Philippine National Police declared a "war on illegal gambling", following the withdrawal of the
police on the War on Drugs.

Department of Environment and Natural Resources secretary Gina Lopez ordered the closure of 75
mines for violations of environmental laws.

February 21 – A tour bus carrying college students bound for a camping site in Tanay, Rizal, lost brakes
and crashed into a roadside electricity pole, killing 15 and injuring 40 on board.The accident uncovered
lax regulations on safety of students on educational trips in the Philippines and prompted the
Commission on Higher Education (CHED) and Department of Education (DepEd) to issue moratoriums on
field trips for the 2016–17 school year.

February 24 – Senator Leila de Lima was arrested for violations of Republic Act 9165, or the
Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, related to her alleged involvement in the New Bilibid
Prison drug trafficking scandal.

February 27 – Jeepney drivers, mostly belonging to the transport groups, PISTON and Stop and Go
Coalition, led a nationwide strike against the planned modernization of jeepneys, that caused suspension
of classes and stranding passengers at major metropolitan areas nationwide.

February 28 – President Rodrigo Duterte signed the Paris Agreement on Climate Change.

March

March 1 - After a temporary suspension due to the kidnapping and killing of a South Korean national,
Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte orders the Philippine National Police to resume his controversial
campaign.

March 2 – Angel Manalo, brother of Iglesia ni Cristo (INC) Executive Minister Eduardo Manalo, and 31
others were arrested for illegal possession of firearms for the alleged shooting incident at Manalo's
compound in Quezon City.

March 9 – Members of Kadamay (Kalipunan ng Damayan Mahihirap) occupied 4,000 houses inside
government housing projects in Pandi and San Jose del Monte in Bulacan.

March 15 – Magdalo representative Gary Alejano filed the first impeachment complaint against Rodrigo
Duterte resulting from extrajudicial killings in the Philippine war on drugs.

April

April 4

Rodrigo Duterte ordered the resignation of Department of Interior and Local Government secretary
Ismael Sueño amidst corruption allegations.
A magnitude 5.5 earthquake, that occurred northwest of Tingloy, hit Batangas, causing damage to
buildings.The province soon declared a state of calamity after the quake.

April 11 – A clash between the Armed Forces of the Philippines, Philippine National Police Special Action
Force and Abu Sayyaf in Inabanga, Bohol kills 6, including the notorious Muammar Askali, also known as
"Abu Rami".

April 17 – A bus traveling from Isabela into Ilocos region fell off a ravine in Carranglan, Nueva Ecija, killing
31 on board. The accident, resulting from poor vehicle maintenance, is one of the most deadliest road
accidents in the Philippines.

April 26–2