INQToday: PH actions in South China Sea ‘extremely dangerous’ — Chinese state media

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

PH actions in South China Sea ‘extremely dangerous’ — Chinese state media

Chinese state media accused the Philippines on Monday of repeatedly infringing on China’s territory in the South China Sea, spreading false information and colluding with extraterritorial forces to cause trouble.

The Philippines has relied on U.S. support to continually provoke China, with such “extremely dangerous” behavior seriously harming regional peace and stability, China’s Communist Party mouthpiece, the People’s Daily, wrote in a commentary on Monday.

Pope Francis laments war in Holy Land on solemn Christmas Eve

Pope Francis lamented war in the land of the birth of Jesus on Sunday, where Christmas Eve brought only fresh bloodshed and an intensification of fighting across the length of the Gaza Strip.

Hours before midnight tolled for Christmas in the Holy Land, Palestinian health officials reported at least 70 dead in an Israeli airstrike on central Gaza. The Israeli military spokesperson’s office said it was looking into the report.

Marcos orders analysis of nat’l gov’t functions for devolution to LGUs

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has ordered national agencies to analyze government functions that can be devolved to local government units (LGUs).

The Presidential Communication Office (PCO) said Marcos issued the directive as part of a full transfer responsibilities, but noted the importance of first defining and identifying the priority core functions and services that should be given to LGUs.