INQToday: PH moves to intercept Chinese vessel in EEZ

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

PH moves to intercept Chinese vessel in EEZ

The Armed Forces of the Philippines has sent an aircraft and confirmed the sighting of a Chinese-flagged ship in the waters off Viga town in Catanduanes province, amid suspicion that it is conducting research within the country’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ).

A Philippine vessel will be sent out to “intercept” the now stationary, unresponsive craft and to find out what it was doing in the EEZ, according to an official of the National Security Council (NSC).

House to summon Duterte admin execs over ‘gentleman’s agreement’

Concerned House committees will invite officials from the previous administration to shed light on the “gentleman’s agreement” reached between then President Rodrigo Duterte and China regarding the West Philippine Sea (WPS), particularly on Ayungin (Second Thomas) Shoal—a pact now being questioned by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

Speaker Martin Romualdez, a cousin of the President, revealed the plan in a briefing on Monday when asked if the House would still find time to hold hearings on the controversial deal before Congress goes on sine-die adjournment on May 24.

Dagupan City, 34 other areas to reach dangerous heat index on April 30

Dagupan City in Pangasinan may experience a sweltering heat index of 49°C on Tuesday, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) warned.

According to the state weather bureau, heat indices ranging from 42 to 51°C fall under the “danger” category.