INQToday: Cedric Lee in NBI custody; Chinese vessel in eastern PH turns off tracking system

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

Research vessel in eastern PH turns off tracking system – PH military

The research vessel spotted in the eastern section of the country was found to have turned off its tracking system which may be done to avoid detection.

Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) spokesperson Col. Francel Margareth Padilla said this was learned during the maritime patrol conducted for Shen Kuo on Thursday.

3 Chinese research vessels spotted in Ayungin Shoal have left the area – AFP

The three research vessels recently spotted in Ayungin (Second Thomas) Shoal already left the country, an Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) official said on Thursday.

“The three other research vessels were found to be just passing by,” AFP spokesperson Francel Margareth Padilla told reporters in a phone interview.

Cedric Lee in NBI custody

Businessman Cedric Lee is in the custody of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), confirmed agency director Menardo de Lemos on Thursday.

Asked in a Viber message if Lee was in custody, de Lemos told INQUIRER.net said yes.

Bea Alonzo ‘greatly devastated’ by ‘false’ reports against her, lawyer says

The legal counsel of Bea Alonzo said the actress is “greatly devastated” by the “defamatory” reports made against her, as she filed three separate cyber libel suits against Cristy Fermin and Ogie Diaz, as well as their co-hosts in their respective showbiz programs, including an unnamed netizen who claimed to know her personally.

Speaking in a 24 Oras interview on Thursday, May 2, Atty. Joey Garcia said Alonzo’s lodging of complaints against the involved personalities is her way of “asserting her rights.”