Here’s a quick roundup of today’s top stories:
‘Miracle’ rescue nearly 60 hours after Davao de Oro landslide
A child was rescued on Friday, nearly 60 hours after the landslide that hit Davao de Oro.
China to PH: Taiwan a ‘red line’ issue, ‘tread carefully’
China issued a thinly-veiled warning to the Philippines on Taiwan, telling Filipino officials to “tread carefully” on the “red line” issue.
China made the remark following an order by Philippine Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. to raise military presence in Batanes, the Philippines’ northernmost province that is very near Taiwan.
House lawmakers press Senate anew: Pass RBH 6 soon
House legislators on Friday called on the Senate to immediately act on Resolution of Both Houses (RBH) No. 6, which proposes amending certain economic provisions of the 1987 Constitution.
“It is high time for the Senate to prove whether they are genuine partners in nation-building or mere obstructionists. The passage of RBH No. 6 is a litmus test of their commitment to meaningful reforms that will benefit the Filipino people,” Deputy Speaker David Suarez said in a statement.
Stop fear-mongering over Mindanao independence bid – Rep Alvarez
Police and military officials should stop using fear-mongering tactics, Davao del Norte 1st District Rep. Pantaleon “Bebot” Alvarez, who is spearheading the breakaway movement for Mindanao independence, said on Friday.
According to Alvarez, a former House Speaker, former President Rodrigo Duterte’s call is peaceful and should not be met with violence.
DENR not halting APEX, says landslide outside mining area
Apex Mining Co. Inc., the firm that employed the workers killed in a landslide in Davao de Oro on Tuesday, continues to operate as the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has not issued any suspension order on the gold prospector owned by ports and gaming tycoon Enrique Razon Jr.
Environment Undersecretary Joselin Fragada said in an interview with Radyo 630 on Wednesday that after reading the spot report from the incident, they did not issue a suspension order because they found out that the landslide occurred outside of the operations of Apex.