PSE index jumps three percent

The Philippine Stock Exchange ( PSE) index jumped by three percent on Tuesday, marking its second day of gains.

The peso finished at P50.63 against the US dollar from Monday’s P50.595. Volume at the foreign exchange portal of the Bankers Association of the Philippines reached $340.4 million from Monday’s $194.2 million.

The PSE index rose 169.90 points to 5,780. In the broader market, there were 158 gainers, 53 losers and 52 unchanged.

Volume reached 979 million shares worth P7.38 billion from Monday’s 540 million shares valued at P5.2 billion.

Most active shares were led by BDO, up P4 to P102.50; Jollibee, up P11.50 to P146.50 and Ayala Corp., up P42 to P550. DMS

Military alleged NPAs clash in Agusan del Norte

Alleged members of New People’s Army (NPA) violated their own unilateral ceasefire by conducting extortion in Agusan del Norte, the military said Tuesday.
Lt. Col. Xerxes Trinidad, public affairs officer of the 4th Infantry Division, said the armed men attacked  government troops in Barangay Cuyago, Jabonga around 11:20 am Monday.
He said the soldiers were responding to the reported presence of an armed group conducting extortion in the community.
Trinidad said the first encounter lasted for about five minutes while the second clash between soldiers and 18 rebels believed to be members of Samahang Yunit Pampropaganda-16A (SYP16A), Guerilla Front-16 (GF16), North Eastern Mindanao Regional Committee (NEMRC) under Samuel Batikan alias Albren at 11:35 am of the same day.
Trinidad said the second clash that lasted for about 15 minutes resulted in the recovery of four rolls of detonating cords (250 meters each), three magazines for AK-47 with 30 serviceable ammunition, and assorted empty shells for AK-47 and M-16 rifles.
“The communist terrorists suffered heavy losses as evidenced by the bloodstains in the encounter site and withdrawal route while negative casualties on the government forces,” he said.
Trinidad said despite the suspension of focus military operation following the declaration of unilateral ceasefire by the government from March 19 to April 15,” 2020, the 4th ID said it will not neglect its mandate in securing the community. Robina Asido/DMS
.