Here’s a quick roundup of today’s top stories:
Teodoro blasts China’s ‘reversal of truth’ over claims on PH-US joint patrol
Branding China’s claims as lies, Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. on Friday blasted Beijing for stating that Manila is “stirring up trouble” following its joint patrol with the United States.
“Sino ba ang nananakop? (Who is the invader?) It is China. The Philippines is not stirring up trouble, this is the reversal of the truth. It’s an absolute falsity for China to say that,” Teodoro said in a press briefing during the Department of National Defense anniversary in Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City.
NDRRMC: 2 dead due to effects of shear line
Two people were reported to have died due to the effects of the shear line, according to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council’s (NDRRMC) situational report on Friday.
The NDRRMC said these fatalities are still being validated.
10 more Filipinos from Gaza Strip to return to PH this weekend — DFA
A batch of 10 Filipinos is set to return from the besieged Gaza Strip this weekend, according to Foreign Affairs (DFA) Usec. Eduardo de Vega on Friday.
De Vega said a total of 26 Filipinos still remain in Gaza, but less than half will be able to go to the Philippines.
Bato dela Rosa on possible return of PH to ICC: ‘I should be ready for any eventuality’
Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa said he feels like he should be “ready for any eventuality” following President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s disclosure that the Philippine government is studying the possibility of returning under the fold of the International Criminal Court (ICC).
Dela Rosa, who was the chief implementer of former President Rodrigo Duterte’s bloody war on drugs, is among those mentioned in the crimes against humanity complaint before the ICC.