Here’s a quick roundup of today’s top stories:
DOH confirms detection of COVID-19 ‘FLiRT’ variant KP.2 in PH
The Department of Health (DOH) on Tuesday confirmed the detection of several COVID-19 variants under monitoring (VUMs) in the country, including KP.2, one of the two variants known as the “FLiRT” variants.
Despite this, the DOH assured the public that the newly detected variants are “clinically mild and manageable.”
Ayungin resupply ‘largely successful’ despite CCG’s ‘obstruction’—AFP
The latest resupply mission for the BRP Sierra Madre had been “largely successful” despite China Coast Guard’s (CCG) attempt to spoil the activity, the Armed Forces of the Philippines said.p
“Despite China Coast Guard’s obstruction on May 19, our mission to resupply valiant troops in BRP Sierra Madre in Ayungin Shoal was largely successful,” said AFP spokesperson Col. Francel Margareth Padilla in an AFP press briefing.
China has ‘zero common sense’ over actions during Ayungin airdrop—PH Navy
The Philippine Navy on Tuesday said the China Coast Guard’s (CCG) actions during the airdrop for the resupply mission in Ayungin (Second Thomas) Shoal shows its personnel have “zero common sense.”
During the May 19 mission, CCG personnel managed to intercept one of the four packages airdropped by a military aircraft for BRP Sierra Madre due to suspicions of carrying construction materials for the grounded naval outpost, according to Commodore Roy Vincent Trinidad, Navy spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea.
Chinese warships presence in West Philippine Sea doubles–PH Navy
The total number of Chinese warships in the West Philippine Sea doubled compared to the previous monitoring period, the Philippine Navy said on Tuesday.
Data from the navy stated that there were 11 People’s Liberation Army-Navy (PLAN) warships monitored from May 28 to June 3 inside the western section of the Philippine exclusive economic zone.
PNP relieves 49 Bamban cops amid Alice Guo’s suspension, Pogo probe
Forty-nine police personnel assigned to Bamban, Tarlac, were relieved from their post after the Office of the Ombudsman ordered the suspension of the municipality’s mayor, Alice Guo, according to the Philippine National Police (PNP).
PNP spokesperson Col. Jean Fajardo said the 49 personnel from the Bamban Municipal Police Station were relieved to give way to an ongoing investigation in relation to the illegal Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (Pogos) activities in the province.
Prosecutor sues Makati road rage suspect for murder
The Makati City Prosecutor’s Office found probable cause to file a murder case against the suspect in a road rage that occurred along the southbound lane of the Edsa Ayala tunnel in Makati City.
The incident resulted in the death of a stay-in driver.
Robin Padilla as next PDP president? He says talks are still ongoing
Talks are still happening to determine whether or not Robin Padilla will become the next party president of the Partido Demokratiko Pilipino (PDP).
Senator Robin Padilla disclosed the matter, himself, in a press conference on Tuesday afternoon.