INQToday: DND: China’s move in WPS a ‘serious escalation of illegal activities’

Here’s a quick roundup of today’s top stories:

DND calls China’s move in WPS a ‘serious escalation of illegal activities’

Philippine government describes China’s latest offense in the West Philippine Sea as a “serious escalation” in a string of illegal activities within the country’s territories.

China disregarded international law, according to Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro.

Senators, envoys deplore latest China aggression in WPS

Several senators and ambassadors expressed concern and denounced the collision of an Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP)-contracted resupply boat and a Chinese Coast Guard (CCG) ship in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) on Sunday.

The incident happened during a regular and routine Rotation and Resupply (RORE) mission to BRP Sierra Madre at around 6:04 a.m. when a CCG ship made “dangerous blocking maneuvers,” causing it to collide with the AFP vessel, the National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea (NTF-WPS) said.

China urges PH anew to remove BRP Sierra Madre from Ayungin Shoal

China once again calls on the Philippines to fulfill its supposed “promise” to tow away the grounded warship BRP Sierra Madre from Ayungin Shoal as soon as possible.

China releases own footage of Ayungin Shoal vessel collision

The China Coast Guard releases its own videos of the recent vessel collision in the West Philippine Sea.

PH disassociates from Locsin’s sarcastic remark on Palestinian kids

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Monday said the Philippine government “completely disassociates itself” from former Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr.’s controversial remark that “Palestinian children should be killed.”

“Such statement was made in his strictly personal capacity,” DFA spokesperson Teresita Daza said in a message to reporters. 

Solons scold LTFRB whistleblower for flip-flopping testimonies

Solons scolded former Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) employee Jeff Tumbado for claiming corruption on a whim after he admitted that he implicated a former official out of his ill feelings.

At the House committee hearing on transportation on Monday, Parañaque 2nd District Rep. Gus Tambunting asked Tumbado why he accused former LTFRB chairperson Teofilo Guadiz III of being involved in corruption issues within the agency.