INQToday: China used ‘very fatal’ water cannon pressure in latest assault — PCG

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

China used ‘very fatal’ water cannon pressure in latest assault—PCG

China Coast Guard (CCG) used a “very fatal” water cannon pressure in the latest Scarborough (Panatag) Shoal incident, according to Commodore Jay Tarriela, Philippine Coast Guard spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea.

According to Tarriela, the water cannon attack on April 30 also marked China’s increased aggression against Filipino vessels in the West Philippine Sea (WPS).

Tarriela: Latest water cannon incident in Scarborough not an armed attack

The latest water cannon incident in Scarborough (Panatag) Shoal does not count as an “armed attack,” a Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) official said on Wednesday, referring to a move that could trigger the Mutual Defense Treaty (MDT) between Manila and Washington.

Commodore Jay Tarriela, PCG spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea, clarified this even as he noted that the China Coast Guard’s (CCG) actions are escalating.

PCG yet to send ship to check on Chinese vessel near Benham Rise

The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) has yet to deploy a ship to check on the Chinese research vessel in the eastern section of the country as most of its assets are concentrated in the West Philippine Sea.

Commodore Jay Tarriela, PCG spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea, on Wednesday said that they are still waiting for an available vessel to check on “Shen Kuo” which was found “loitering” near Philippine (Benham) Rise since last week.

SWS: Families who suffer from hunger rises to over 14%; highest rate in NCR

Filipino families who experienced “involuntary hunger” rose to 14.2 percent in March 2024, based on the Social Weather Stations’ (SWS) latest survey results.

According to the SWS, “involuntary hunger” refers to experiencing hunger and not having access to food at least once in the past three months.

Dela Rosa: Documents linking Marcos to alleged drug use not fabricated

Former top cop turned Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa is convinced that the “leaked” documents supposedly linking President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. and actress Maricel Soriano to alleged drug use are not fabricated.

The documents in question are the Philippine Drug Enforcement Act’s (PDEA) Authority to Operate and a Pre-Operation Report dated March 11, 2012.

Pagasa forecasts 1 to 2 storms in May

One or two storms may enter or form within the Philippine area of responsibility (PAR) for May, said the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa).

“Ngayong buwan ng Mayo, isa o hanggang sa dalawang bagyo ang maaring pumasok ng ating PAR (this month of May, one or two typhoons may enter our PAR),” said Pagasa weather specialist Rhea Torres in Pagasa’s latest forecast.