INQToday: ‘Excessive, unnecessary force’ used in bid to get Quiboloy – Ex-Pres. Duterte

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

‘Excessive, unnecessary force’ used in bid to get Quiboloy – Ex-Pres. Duterte

Former President Rodrigo Duterte has condemned what he called “excessive and unnecessary force” allegedly implemented by police in serving arrest warrants against fugitive televangelist Apollo Quiboloy and five others.

In a statement on Monday evening, Duterte likewise questioned the administration’s actions “in dealing with individuals merely accused of committing a crime.”

Surge of Chinese warships noted in Ayungin Shoal – Philippine Navy

There is a surge of Chinese warships in Ayungin (Second Thomas) Shoal in the West Philippine Sea, according to Philippine Navy data shared on Tuesday.

There were eight People’s Liberation Army-Navy (PLAN) warships monitored from June 4 to 10. This was a threefold increase in the previous monitoring period, when there were only two PLAN vessels.

Pogo raid in Pampanga yields suspected Chinese military uniforms, pins

Authorities found on Monday what appears to be Chinese military uniforms and pins from the raided Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (Pogo) hub in Pampanga, according to the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC).

PAOCC spokesperson Winston John Casio said the uniforms were found all over the establishment’s dorms, villas, and offices.

House bill filed to ban Pogos, revoke licenses

A bill seeking to revoke licenses and ban all Philippine Offshore Gaming Operations (Pogos) in the country has been filed by Makabayan bloc lawmakers in the House of Representatives.

ACT Teachers party-list Rep. France Castro on Tuesday led the filing of House Bill (HB) No. 10525 or the proposed Anti-Pogo Act of 2024, which is in response to the alleged proliferation of illegal activities connected to Pogos.

Teves ‘release from detention’ in Timor Leste not false – lawyer

Arnolfo Teves Jr.’s legal counsel stood firm on his statement that his client has been released from detention in Timor Leste, asserting there was “nothing misleading” about it.

Atty. Ferdinand Topacio said he was presented with a court order “to the effect that the detention of Rep. Teves was illegal because the extradition request of the PH, in legal parlance, was one big camoteng cajoy na may ulalo pa (cassava with worm).”