INQToday: 4 Chinese Navy warships monitored off Balabac, Palawan

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

4 Chinese Navy warships monitored off Balabac, Palawan

Four Chinese Navy warships were monitored in Balabac Strait off Palawan on Wednesday afternoon, according to the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).

AFP public affairs chief Col. Xerxes Trinidad, however, quickly clarified that the maritime area is a common passage of international vessels.

Rescue of injured personnel in Ayungin Shoal took 12 hours

The rescue of injured military personnel in Ayungin Shoal took 12 hours, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said on Friday.

Commodore Jay Tarriela, the agency’s spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea, said they received news of the injured Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) personnel as early as 10 am.

Robredo says running for senator already out of her options

Former vice president Leni Robredo has ruled out running for senator in the 2025 midterm elections.

In an interview with local reporters in Naga City, Camarines Sur, Robredo said she has informed the Liberal Party (LP) about her decision.

Filipina on hajj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia dies of heatstroke

A Filipina based in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, who was on a hajj pilgrimage, died of heatstroke, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said on Friday.

According to DFA Undersecretary Eduardo de Vega, the Filipina, who was unnamed, was buried in Saudi Arabia following Islamic practices.

Mayor Alice Guo, others face human trafficking complaint

A non-bailable offense of qualified human trafficking was filed before the Department of Justice (DOJ) against suspended Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo on Friday over her link to a raided Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (Pogo) hub in the province.

The Philippine National Police-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group and the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission also included in the complaint former Technology Resource Center Dennis Cunanan, Chinese national Huang Zhiyang, and the corporate officers of the Zun Yuan Technology Center.

NBI arrests media outlet’s data officer, 2 others for hacking gov’t website

The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) has arrested three individuals who were involved in hacking private and government websites, as well as banks and Facebook accounts.

In a press conference on Friday, the NBI said the three are members of hacking groups Philippine Lulzzec and Globalzec. One of the hackers is a data officer for a media outlet. The two others are a cybersecurity researcher at a company in BGC and a graduating student.