INQToday: US escort offer stands but PH still lead in resupply missions – Pentagon

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

Pentagon: US escort offer stands but PH still lead in resupply missions

The Philippines would continue to be “the lead for its own operations” in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) even after the chief of the US Indo-Pacific Command said American ships could escort Filipino vessels on resupply missions, the Pentagon said on Wednesday.

Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder, Pentagon Press Secretary, said at a press briefing in Washington that the US would continue to support Manila’s supply run to its troops in Philippine-occupied features in the WPS.

DOJ files charges vs Shiela Guo, Cassandra Ong

The Department of Justice (DOJ) has filed charges before a Pasay City court against Shiela Guo — earlier identified as the sister of dismissed Bamban Mayor Alice Guo — and Cassandra Li Ong.

Shiela is facing charges for violations of Article 150 of the Revised Penal Code for Disobedience to Summons issued by the Senate and Section 22, paragraph (b)(2) of Republic Act (RA) No. 11983 for allegedly using a false Philippine passport.

Cassandra Ong: Alice Guo neither my friend nor business partner

Whirlwind Corporation stakeholder Cassandra Ong has clarified that dismissed Bamban, Tarlac mayor Alice Guo is neither her friend nor business partner, saying that she only knew the controversial figure through Guo’s brother.

Ong admitted before the House of Representatives’ quad-committee that Guo’s brother Wesley Guo is her boyfriend, while denying having any ties with Guo outside of that.