Here’s a quick roundup of today’s top stories:
Sara Duterte visits detained chief of staff, spends night at House
Vice President Sara Duterte went to the House of Representatives on Thursday night to visit her chief of staff, Undersecretary Zuleika Lopez, and spent the night in her brother’s office.
Secretary General Reginald Velasco disclosed this information during a phone interview with reporters covering the House on Friday morning, adding that Duterte stayed with Lopez until the end of visiting hours at 10:00 p.m.
Pentagon, AFP on Task Force Ayungin: US troops limited to supporting role
The United States Department of Defense has confirmed that American troops are supporting Philippine operations in the South China Sea through the “US Task Force Ayungin,” whose existence only came to light when US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin III mentioned it on social media.
But Philippine security officials stressed that the little-known unit was limited to providing support for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance, among others, and that the Americans had no “direct participation” in operations such as resupply missions to Ayungin (Second Thomas) Shoal.
Abalos files counter-affidavit vs Duterte mischief complaint
Former Interior chief Benhur Abalos Jr. on Friday sought the dismissal of the mischief complaint that ex-President Rodrigo Duterte filed against him.
Appearing at the Department of Justice, Abalos filed his counter-affidavit defending the government raid on the Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KJC) compound in Davao City that led to the arrest of its then-fugitive founder, Apollo Quiboloy.