INQToday: PH needs to brace for external threats – Marcos

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

PH needs to brace for external threats – Marcos

The Philippines needs to prepare for “external threats” due to heightened geopolitical tension in the Indo-Pacific, from the country’s proximity to Taiwan to its dispute with China in the West Philippine Sea (WPS), President Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos Jr. stressed.

Marcos made the remark when he met with members of the Philippine Army’s 5th Infantry Division (ID) at Camp Melchor dela Cruz in Gamu, Isabela on Monday, the Presidential Communications Office said in a statement on Tuesday.

Marcos skipping Ukraine Peace Summit, Galvez to attend

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. won’t be attending the Ukraine Peace Summit in Switzerland and will instead be represented by Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity Carlito Galvez Jr.

According to the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) on Tuesday, Marcos designated Galvez to represent the Philippines in the summit.

Teves rearrested, says DOJ

Expelled lawmaker Arnolfo Teves Jr. was released but subsequently rearrested, the Department of Justice (DOJ) clarified Monday.

DOJ Assistant Secretary and spokesperson Jose Dominic Clavano IV said Teves was rearrested by the Policia Nacional of Timor Leste.

New anti-colorum rule requires court order to release impounded vehicle

Drivers and operators of vehicles caught operating without necessary permits (colorum) must now present a court order to claim their impounded cars, jeepneys, vans, or buses.

This is because the Land Transportation Office (LTO) started on Tuesday the implementation of a new policy that aims to intensify its nationwide anti-colorum campaign and assist drivers who assert losing 30 percent of their daily income to colorum vehicles.