INQToday: China told PH it will only let 1 boat reach Ayungin – AFP official

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

China told PH it will only let 1 boat reach Ayungin – AFP official

The China Coast Guard (CCG) told the Philippine resupply contingent that it will only allow one ship to reach the grounded BRP Sierra Madre in the Ayungin Shoal an Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) official revealed Friday.

AFP Western Command chief Vice Admiral Alberto Carlos said the Navy considered the CCG’s radio challenges to Unaizah Mae 4 (UM4) as a provocation which it chose to ignore as they proceeded with their resupply mission on Tuesday, March 5.

WPS issue to be tackled as PH eyes expanded defense deals with Germany

In the midst of heightened territorial tensions in the West Philippine Sea, the Philippines is eyeing to expand defense agreements with Germany during President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s visit to Germany.

According to Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) -Office of European Affairs Asec. Maria Elena Algabre on Friday, the Philippines and Germany already has an existing defense agreement but this was signed all the way back in 1974, and focus on the training of armed forces.

Marcos’ trip not a waste of time, says Palace aide

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s foreign trips are not a waste of government funds, a Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) official said on Friday.

“No, it is not. These trips are all in support of the President’s development agenda for the wellbeing of our country and the progress of the Filipinos,” DFA-Office of European Affairs Assistant Secretary Maria Elena Algabre said, partly in Filipino, when asked about the public sentiment that the president’s trips were a waste of government funds.

No sightings of Chinese ship in Philippine Rise, says PCG

No Chinese ship was monitored in Philippine (Benham) Rise as of Friday, Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) spokesperson Rear Admiral Armand Balilo told INQUIRER.net.

“The patrol operations in Benham Rise are still ongoing, but there are no sightings of any Chinese vessels in the area,” Balilo said over the phone.

PCG ready to escort 2nd civilian caravan in Scarborough Shoal

The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) is ready to escort the planned second civilian convoy in Panatag (Scarborough) Shoal, its spokesperson Rear Admiral Armand Balilo told INQUIRER.net on Friday.

“We’ll do whatever is necessary; [their] security and safety is the concern of the Coast Guard,” Balilo said over the phone.

Meralco hikes electricity rate for March

Consumers will end up paying more for their electricity bills in March—contrary to earlier projections of a decline—as power distributor Manila Electric Co. announced a 2.29-centavo per kilowatt-hour (kWh) increase in its rate for the month.

This brings the overall rate for a typical household to P11.9397 per kWh for March.