INQToday: AFP releases videos of CCG harassment during Ayungin resupply mission

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

New details on CCG’s actions in Ayungin: Tear gas, rocks thrown vs PH navy

China Coast Guard (CCG) threw tear gas, hurled rocks, and used blinding strobe lights against Philippine navy personnel during Monday’s resupply mission for a grounded naval outpost in the West Philippine Sea.

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) revealed these additional details late Wednesday night as it released for the first time several footages showing the ordeal of the two rigid hull inflatable boats (RHIB) used to resupply BRP Sierra Madre grounded in Ayungin (Second Thomas) Shoal.

AFP chief: China Coast Guard used bolos, acted like pirates

They came onboard wielding bolos, knives and spears, acting like “pirates.”

This was how the Armed Forces of the Philippines described in more detail the China Coast Guard’s (CCG) latest actions against Filipino troops at Ayungin (Second Thomas) Shoal, a close-quarter confrontation that resulted in injuries, confiscations and equipment damage, and triggered fresh condemnation from Manila and its international allies.

China’s actions in West Philippine Sea undermine regional peace – Blinken

The recent aggressive actions of China in Ayungin  (Second Thomas) Shoal in the West Philippine Sea “undermine regional peace and stability,” said US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken.

According to the US Embassy in the Philippines on Thursday, Blinken, during a meeting with Foreign Affairs Sec. Enrique Manolo, also reiterated the US’ “ironclad commitments” to the country under its mutual defense treaty.

VP Sara as new opposition leader? De Lima doesn’t think so

Vice President Sara Duterte as the new opposition leader? Not so fast, said former senator and Liberal Party (LP) spokesperson Leila de Lima on Thursday.

Former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque heralded Duterte as the new opposition leader after she resigned as education secretary on Wednesday.