INQToday: PH condemns China’s ‘provocative action’ vs Filipino fishers

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

PH condemns China’s ‘provocative action’ vs Filipino fishers

The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) encourages Filipino fishermen to fish within the Scarborough Shoal area.

Commodore Jay Tarriela, PCG spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea, made the pronouncement on Monday even after the incident involving Filipino fishermen and China Coast Guard (CCG) personnel in the area.

Resupply mission in Ayungin Shoal postponed last weekend — AFP

The regular rotation and resupply mission (Rore) for the BRP Sierra Madre in Ayungin Shoal was aborted over the weekend, the Armed Forces of the Philippines confirmed on Monday.

AFP spokesperson Col. Francel Margareth Padilla said this is due to a “technical difficulty” in one of the resupply boats.

Cop linked to missing beauty queen released from police custody

Dismissed police Major Allan De Castro, the primary suspect in the case of missing beauty queen Catherine Camilon, has been released from the restrictive custody of the Police Regional Office (PRO) – 4A headquarters following his dismissal from service.

“He has been released from our custody, kumbaga wala na sya (he already left), still the criminal case will be pursued by the Philippine National Police (PNP),” chief Gen. Benjamin Acorda Jr. said in a press conference on Monday.

Dela Rosa to Pres. Marcos: Have you now allowed ICC to conduct probe?

“Be man enough. Just tell us the real score.”

These were the words uttered by former police chief turned Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa when he urged President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. to disclose whether the latter’s administration has already allowed the International Criminal Court (ICC) investigators in the Philippines.

LTFRB aims to trim down excess PUVs plying Metro Manila

The number of public utility vehicles (PUVs) plying thoroughfares in Metro Manila needs to be trimmed down, the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) said on Monday.

LTFRB Chair Teofilo Guadiz III explained that based on the studies conducted by LTFRB, they are seeing an “excess” in the number of PUVs.

DSWD: 100 percent pension hike for indigent seniors by February

The amount  is twice the P500 that indigent senior citizens have been receiving prior to the increase.

“We expect that the distribution of the social pension for the first semester with its increased amount will commence this February 2024,” Lopez said in a statement.

MIAA suspends 2 airport cops who passed through Edsa bus lane

The Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) has suspended two airport police officers involved in an altercation with a traffic enforcer for using the Edsa bus lane on Sunday.

MIAA General Manager Eric Ines ordered the immediate suspension of the two airport police officers, identified in a MIAA statement on Monday as APO2 Raymond Anuran and APO1 Michael Lilis.