INQToday: US, PH begin joint patrols in West Philippine Sea

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

Marcos: US, PH begin joint patrols in West Philippine Sea

Philippines and United States on Tuesday began joint patrols in West Philippine Sea, according to President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.

“Today marks the beginning of joint maritime and air patrols — a collaborative effort between the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the United States Indo-Pacific Command in the West Philippine Sea,” Marcos said on X (formerly Twitter).

LTFRB willing to meet three of Piston’s demands

The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) on Tuesday said that it is willing to give in to three of Pinagkaisang Samahan ng mga Tsuper at Operators Nationwide’s (Piston) demands amid a three-day transportation strike.

In a press conference on Tuesday, LTFRB spokesperson Cieline Pialago listed a total of three demands that the agency said were “doable.”

1,263 persons evacuated due to flooding in Northern Samar

Several areas in Northern Samar, including its provincial capital of Catarman, were hit by massive flooding on Tuesday due to nonstop rains spawned by a low-pressure area and shear line.

In Catarman, at least 1,263 persons evacuated after their houses were flooded, a report from its municipal information office said.

Hair strands in abandoned car match missing beauty queen’s parents’ DNA

DNA samples from the hair strands found in the abandoned car in Batangas City match the DNA samples of the parents of missing beauty queen Catherine Camilon, the Philippine National Police (PNP) announced Tuesday.

Authorities previously retrieved hair strands and swabbed blood stains from the Honda CR-V.

Ex-President Duterte: I’ll run for senator or VP if Sara is impeached

Former President Rodrigo Duterte said he will be forced to run for vice president or senator if his daughter Vice President Sara Duterte is impeached.

Reports have circulated that there are members of the House of Representatives who want to impeach the Vice President. However, House Speaker Martin Romualdez has already denied such rumors, with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. insisting that he does not want Sara Duterte to be impeached.

Hunger among Filipino families slightly falls in 3rd quarter of 2023 – SWS

A Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey revealed the number of Filipino families who faced involuntary hunger at least once in the last three months dropped to 9.8 percent in September 2023.

The figure dipped below the 10.4 percent reported in June 2023.