Here鈥檚 a quick roundup of today鈥檚 top stories:
China Coast Guard (CCG) used a 鈥渧ery fatal鈥� 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鈥檚 increased aggression against Filipino vessels in the West Philippine Sea (WPS).
The latest water cannon incident in Scarborough (Panatag) Shoal does not count as an 鈥渁rmed attack,鈥� 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鈥檚 (CCG) actions are escalating.
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 鈥淪hen Kuo鈥� which was found 鈥渓oitering鈥� 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 鈥渋nvoluntary hunger鈥� rose to 14.2 percent in March 2024, based on the Social Weather Stations鈥� (SWS) latest survey results.
According to the SWS, 鈥渋nvoluntary hunger鈥� refers to experiencing hunger and not having access to food at least once in the past three months.
Former top cop turned Senator Ronald 鈥淏ato鈥� dela Rosa is convinced that the 鈥渓eaked鈥� documents supposedly linking President Ferdinand 鈥淏ongbong鈥� Marcos Jr. and actress Maricel Soriano to alleged drug use are not fabricated.
The documents in question are the Philippine Drug Enforcement Act鈥檚 (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).
鈥淣gayong 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),鈥� said Pagasa weather specialist Rhea Torres in Pagasa鈥檚 latest forecast.