INQToday: China claims sovereignty over Pagasa Island; accuses PH of encroachment

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

China claims sovereignty over Pagasa Island; accuses PH of encroachment

China asserted its sovereign rights over Pagasa Island on Thursday, accusing the Philippines, in return, of “illegally occupying” the area.

“This is our waters. I have no other [information] for you,” Chinese embassy told INQUIRER.net in a Viber message when it was asked about the reported presence of its vessels near Philippine-governed Pagasa Island earlier this week.

Quiboloy arrest ordered, this time for qualified human smuggling

Apollo Quiboloy has been ordered again arrested, this time for qualified human trafficking.

The Pasig City Regional Trial Court (RTC) issued the warrant for the founder of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KJC) on Thursday, April 11. It is the second arrest warrant against him after the Davao City RTC issued last week an arrest warrant for him and five subordinates for child and sexual abuse charges.

Quiboloy’s lawyer says sect leader ‘still in PH territory’

Sect leader Apollo Quiboloy  “is still in the Philippine territory,” according to his lawyer, Israelito Torreon.

The founder of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KJC) and self-proclaimed  “Appointed Son of God” is currently considered a fugitive due to a standing warrant for his arrest by the Davao City Regional Trial Court child and sexual abuse charges.

Marcos bars gov’t officials from using blinkers, sirens

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. prohibited all government officials and personnel from using sirens, blinkers, and other similar devices, noting it causes “traffic disruptions and unsafe road and traffic environment.”

Marcos issued Administrative Order (AO) No. 18, stressing that such equipment may only be utilized during emergencies and that their unauthorized use will be addressed under applicable laws, rules, and regulations.

Groups to hold transport strikes over non-extension of franchise merging

Transport groups will conduct a series of transport strikes beginning April 15 in defiance of the government’s pronouncement that the Public Utility Vehicle (PUV) franchise consolidation will no longer be extended.

In a statement on Thursday, Piston said the “series of transport strikes and protest actions” will be joined by another transport group — Manibela.”

Unemployment rate down to 3.5%, job quality better in February

The number of jobless Filipinos went down in February to 1.8 million, from 2.15 million in January, the Philippine Statistics Authority reported Thursday.

That brought the country’s unemployment rate to 3.5 percent, lower than the 4.5 percent in the preceding month.