00:00Good Tuesday afternoon, Gabrielle Lopez here with the latest on PTV News Now.
00:09We begin with the top developments making headlines and shaping public discourse nationwide and elsewhere.
00:16The armed forces of the Philippines reiterated its firm stance against hazing, abuse and any degrading treatment following the death of 22-year-old private.
00:26Patigayon collapsed during military exercises and died the next day.
00:3221 personnel have since been relieved as investigations continue.
00:37AFP Chief General Romeo Bronner Jr. has directed all units to uphold strict discipline and professionalism, stressing that all members must be treated with dignity at all times.
00:49Thinking about an R&R trip to the United States or to visit a loved one?
00:53Earlier today, the U.S. State Department announced its intent to launch a pilot program on non-immigrant temporary visits to the United States,
01:04requiring such visitors to post a $15,000 bond before entry to America.
01:09This latest immigration development comes in the wake of last week's announcement that visa renewal applicants would have to submit to an additional in-person interview,
01:20tightening requirements for visitation to U.S. for B-1 and B-2 non-immigrant visa holders.
01:26The $15,000 bond would only be required from travelers from countries with high visa overstay rates.
01:32The Philippines posted an overstay rate of 3.1% in 2023, lower than Indonesia, Malaysia and China.
01:41To be sure, this latest wrinkle in State Department immigration policy would make it financially unaffordable for many seeking to visit the United States on temporary non-immigrant B-1 or B-2 visas.
01:53That's a wrap for this afternoon's story. Join us later for another set of breaking stories in our evening edition.
02:00I'm Gabrielle Lopez and thank you for watching PTV News Now.
