Philippine news today

Here are some of the top news stories in the Philippines today:

Breaking News

• The Philippine National Police (PNP) has launched an investigation into the killing of a 17-year-old student in Laguna province, who was allegedly shot by a police officer during a checkpoint operation. (GMA News)
• The Department of Health (DOH) has reported 1,344 new cases of COVID-19 in the country, bringing the total number of cases to 1,034,571. (Philippine Daily Inquirer)

Politics

• President Rodrigo Duterte has signed an executive order creating a new department that will oversee the country's infrastructure development, including roads, bridges, and public transportation. (Rappler)
• Senator Panfilo Lacson has filed a bill seeking to increase the salaries of government employees, including those in the judiciary and the military. (Philippine Star)

Economy

• The Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE) has announced that it will launch a new index that will track the performance of companies listed on the exchange. (BusinessWorld)
• The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) has kept interest rates unchanged, citing the need to support the country's economic recovery from the pandemic. (Inquirer.net)

Crime

• The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) has arrested a former police officer who was accused of being involved in the illegal drug trade. (GMA News)
• A group of robbers has stolen millions of pesos from a bank in Quezon City, according to police reports. (Philippine Daily Inquirer)

Sports

• The Philippine Azkals have qualified for the 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifiers after defeating Mongolia 2-1 in a match played in Ulaanbaatar. (Rappler)
• The Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) has announced that it will resume its season on March 12, with games to be played behind closed doors due to the pandemic. (Sports Illustrated)

Weather

• The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) has issued a warning for a low-pressure area that is expected to bring heavy rains and strong winds to parts of the country. (GMA News)

These are just some of the top news stories in the Philippines today.