Here’s a quick roundup of today’s top stories:
China: Marcos admin knows WPS ‘deal’ with Duterte, new handling of row
China is now claiming that the administration of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is aware of its deal with former president Rodrigo Duterte on the West Philippine Sea and even agreed to a “new model” in managing Ayungin Shoal.
The Chinese embassy said it “repeatedly” informed the current administration about the so-called gentleman’s agreement, contradicting that there was a “secret deal” as described by Marcos, who said he does not know anything about it.
China told: ‘Peace-loving nations’ won’t take US-PH-JPN meet as threat
The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said the recent trilateral summit of the Philippines, Japan, and the United States should not be deemed as a threat “by any peace-loving country.”
It explained anew that the goal of the historic three-way talks was to promote peace as it responds to the Philippines’ development needs.
Another first: PCG to deploy six ships in next week’s US, PH war games
For the first time, the Philippines Coast Guard (PCG) will deploy six vessels for the expanding Balikatan war games in view of the mounting tensions in the West Philippine Sea.
PCG spokesperson Rear Admiral Armand Balilo on Wednesday said four 44-meter multi-role response vessels (MRRVs) and two larger patrol vessels will be deployed in the exercise which will commence next week.
PH – US war games a provocation, says China; AFP disagrees
China’s foreign ministry called the annual war games between the United States and the Philippines a “provocation,” a charge that was dismissed by the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).
“We urge the Philippines to stop making maritime provocations,” Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Lin Jian said in a regular press briefing on Wednesday.
Marcos orders MMDA: Grace period before e-trike ban
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Thursday ordered the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) to give e-bikes and e-trikes, as well as tricycles, a one-month grace period before imposing the rule banning them on national roads.
“Ngayong araw na ito, iniutos ko sa MMDA at sa lahat ng lokal na pamahaalan sa Metro Manila na bigyan ng palugit ang mga e-bikes, e-trikes, at iba pang apektadong sasakyan na dumadaan sa ilang tukoy na daan sa Metro Manila. Kailangan pang magbigay ng sapat na panahon para sa malawak na pagsisiwalat ng impormasyon hinggil sa ban na ating ipinapatupad,” said Marcos in a post on X (formerly Twitter).