Here’s a quick roundup of today’s top stories:
Vietnam, PCG uses water cannon in WPS sea drills
The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) and their counterparts in Vietnam employed water cannons during their drills in the West Philippine Sea on Friday, a move that an expert said sends a strong message against China.
But unlike Beijing, which has used water cannons to derail the maritime operations of Manila and Hanoi, the coast guard of both nations employed it for fire and explosion prevention purposes.
PNP says reported tunnels in Quiboloy compound an ‘open secret’
The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Friday called the reported tunnels inside the Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) compound in Davao City an “open secret.”
PNP spokesperson Col. Jean Fajardo said this was one of the factors the police are considering when planning the serving of the warrant against embattled religious leader Pastor Apollo Quiboloy, who is believed to be hiding in the sprawling 30-hectare compound.
VP Duterte hits Marcos gov’t on flood control, ‘motivation’
Vice President Sara Duterte on Friday criticized the national government for its failure to fund a flood control program in Davao City and seemingly blasted President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. by alluding to issues hounding him.
In a statement, Duterte cited her personal experiences dealing with calamities and then questioned why the master plan and feasibility study for flood control for Davao City, formulated during the time of her father former President Rodrigo Duterte’s administration, has yet to be funded.
Sara Duterte’s rant vs government baffles Escudero: Her dad had 6 yrs
Vice President Sara Duterte has the right to point out societal problems just like any other Filipino, but Senate President Francis Escudero is finding it “perplexing,” noting her father’s alleged failure to address some of the issues during his term.
Escudero said Duterte’s actions were not surprising “following her resignation from the Cabinet” of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., who was her running mate in the 2022 elections under UniTeam.
Transport groups call for increase in vehicular liability insurance
Various groups on Friday called on the Insurance Commission (IC) and Land Transportation Office (LTO) to increase the insurance for vehicular accidents to ensure the safety and well-being of motorists and victims.
In a press conference, Pasang Masda National President Roberto Martin said that the Magnificent 7 and other transport groups wrote a formal letter dated Thursday, August 8 to Commissioner Atty. Reynaldo Regalado of IC and LTO Chief Atty. Vigor Mendoza.