INQToday: Roque’s asylum request in Netherlands denied — Remulla

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

Roque’s asylum request in Netherlands denied — Remulla

Former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque’s application for asylum in the Netherlands has been denied, said Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla on Wednesday.

The latest update on Roque’s whereabouts and status came after he continues to refuse to return to the country despite being the subject of an arrest warrant issued by a Pampanga court for qualified human trafficking.

Comelec 2nd Division cancels Duterte Youth Party-list’s registration

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) Second Division has decided to cancel the registration of the Duterte Youth party-list.

According to Comelec Chairman George Erwin Garcia, the decision will be promulgated on Wednesday.

Marcos orders crackdown on recycling of seized drugs: ‘PH still has drug problem’

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Wednesday instructed the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) to ensure confiscated illegal drugs do not find their way back into the market.

The President made this statement during Part 2 of the BBM Podcast Episode 2, when asked about his marching orders to newly appointed PNP Chief Gen. Nicolas Torre III.

Marcos expresses confidence in sustaining P20/kg rice

The Malacañang Palace on Wednesday laid out plans for the national government to fully fund the Kadiwa ng Pangulo program to further expand its reach.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. did so amid calls to increase the number of Kadiwa centers nationwide so more people can access affordable food items.

China ships challenge PCG, BFAR vessels setting fishing devices

Four China Coast Guard (CCG) vessels challenged several Filipino ships deploying fishing devices in the West Philippine Sea (WPS), according to the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG).

The Filipino vessels’ operation ran from Monday to Wednesday, deploying 20 floating aggregate devices (FADs) in the Hasa Hasa (Half Moon) and Kanduli Shoals, the PCG said in a statement on Wednesday.

21 PH officials stuck in Israel to return to PH by weekend — DFA

The 21 Filipino government officials stranded in Israel are set to travel back home to the Philippines this weekend, said the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA).

The 21 officials were stranded after Israel closed its airspace and airports due to Iran’s retaliatory air raids.