INQToday: DFA chief urges China: ‘Stop harassing us’

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

Gasoline prices up 50¢ per liter due to Russia export ban

The pump price of gasoline will climb by P0.50 per liter on Tuesday, March 5, following Russia’s implementation of a six-month export ban.

Meanwhile, the price per liter of diesel and kerosene will go down by P0.40 and P0.35, respectively, according to local oil firms.

DFA chief urges China: ‘Stop harassing us’

Philippine Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo told AFP on Monday that his country wants to solve maritime disputes with China peacefully – but delivered a simple message to Beijing: “Stop harassing us.”

Speaking on the sidelines of an ASEAN-Australia summit in Melbourne, Manalo defended his government’s policy of publicizing Chinese maneuvers in contested maritime territory – including the recent passage of warships near Scarborough Shoal.

PH conducts marine patrols to check presence of Chinese research ships

The Philippines on Monday deployed a coastguard vessel to carry out a two-week patrol mission in waters north and east of the country to intensify its maritime presence and check on Chinese research vessels that were spotted in Benham Rise.

Benham Rise, which sits off the Philippines’ east coast, is a vast area declared by the United Nations in 2012 as part of the country’s continental shelf. Manila in 2017 renamed it “Philippine Rise.”