INQToday: US Defense chief blasts China’s moves in WPS; Deniece Cornejo already in jail

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

US Defense chief blasts China’s irresponsible moves in West PH Sea

United States Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin III on Friday slammed China’s “irresponsible” actions in the West Philippine Sea, which led to property damage and injuries to the country’s naval personnel.

Austin made the pronouncement during a joint press conference at U.S. Indo-Pacific Command headquarters in Hawaii. It was also attended by Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. and their counterparts from Japan and Australia.

China bares ‘special arrangement’ with PH on Scarborough in 2016

There was a “temporary special arrangement” between China and the Philippines in 2016 over the Scarborough (Panatag) Shoal, according to a Beijing embassy spokesperson.

Under this agreement, China said that the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), Philippine Coast Guard,  (PCG), and other government vessels could not enter the 12 nautical miles and corresponding air space of Panatag Shoal.

MMC to discuss changing mall hours to ease traffic

Metro Manila Council (MMC) President and San Juan City Mayor Francis Zamora said on Friday he would suggest adjusting mall hours to ease the traffic in the metropolis.

“I will relay it to the body. These are the things we can discuss,” Zamora said in a radio dwPM interview, suggesting the adjustment of mall hours in Metro Manila.

Bikes can still use Edsa-Kamuning service road in Quezon City – MMDA

While motorcycles are barred from using the service road in Edsa-Kamuning in Quezon City starting Friday, bikes are still allowed to traverse this portion of the metropolis’ most congested highway.

Romando Artes, chairman of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA), made the clarification on Friday.

Deniece Cornejo, Simeon Raz already in jail

Model Deniece Cornejo and mixed martial arts fighter Simeon Palma Raz have already started undergoing procedures before being committed to separate Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) facilities.

Cornejo and Raz were present during the promulgation of the serious illegal detention case filed by actor-tv host Vhong Navarro.