INQToday: China aircraft, warship show up as US surveillance plane patrols West Philippine Sea

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

China aircraft, warship show up as US surveillance plane patrols West PH Sea

An American surveillance aircraft joined the patrols of the United States and the Philippines in the West Philippine Sea on Wednesday, making its presence felt in the region gripped by escalating maritime tensions.

A Chinese aircraft and warship also showed up, as witnessed by Inquirer and a few other Filipino journalists who were invited to observe the reconnaissance aircraft’s first-ever participation in Manila and Washington’s “maritime cooperation activity.”

NDRRMC: Weather systems affected 721,627; death report for validation

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said that weather systems that brought rains and triggered floodings in the country have affected 721,627 individuals as of November 23.

In a situational report released at 8 a.m. on Thursday, the NDRRMC also said it received information about the death of an individual from inclement weather. But the information is still up for validation, it noted.

Gov’t working to ensure safety of Filipinos held hostage in Red Sea

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Wednesday said that the government is working to ensure the safety of the Filipino seafarers held hostage in the Red Sea.

Marcos said that both the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) and the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) are doing their respective duties.