News Roundup 07 July 2024
Jul 07, 2024 • 4 min Read
West PH Sea: CCG, militia vessels intercept 2 PCG boats near Ayungin | INQUIRER.NET – MANILA, Philippines — A 102-meter-long Chinese Coast Guard (CCG) ship, along with at least six maritime militia vessels, reportedly intercepted two Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) boats near Ayungin (Second Thomas) Shoal in the West Philippine Sea.
In a post on X (formerly known as Twitter) on Sunday, West Philippine Sea monitor Ray Powell said two PCG ships were intercepted by CCG and are now passing through 14 nautical miles east of Second Thomas Shoal.
“Philippines Coast Guard BRP Cabra and BRP Cape Engano now passing, 14 nautical miles (nm) east of Second Thomas Shoal. They have been intercepted by China Coast Guard 5203 and at least six China maritime militia vessels, now closely shadowing,” Powell wrote on X.
“PCG’s BRP Cabra and BRP Cape Engano illuminated their AIS (Automatic Identification System) broadcasts around midnight, 18 nm south of Second Thomas Shoal. China reacted by dispatching seven more militia to bolster blockade around 2TS (Second Thomas Shoal) while CCG 5203 went south & first interdicted the two ships at 7:00,” he added.
“They have been intercepted by China Coast Guard 5203 and at least six China maritime militia vessels, now closely shadowing,” he added.
Full Story at: West PH Sea: CCG, militia vessels intercept 2 PCG boats near Ayungin | INQUIRER.net
Over 7,000 Filipinos join advocacy run ‘Takbo para sa West PH Sea’ | INQUIRER.NET – MANILA, Philippines — More than 7,000 Filipinos participated in the advocacy run “Takbo para sa West Philippine Sea” in Pasay City on Sunday, according to the Presidential Communications Office (PCO).
In a statement, the PCO said the event was organized by the RUNRIO Inc, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), the National Task Force-West Philippine Sea, the Philippine Information Agency (PIA), and the PCO.
PCG spokesman for WPS Commodore Jay Tarriela said the “high turnout of participants is indicative of ordinary Fiipinos’ support for the government’s advocacy” in the region, adding that it also helped boost the morale of the country’s uniformed personnel.
The event’s second leg will be held in Cebu on Aug. 4, while Cagayan de Oro will host the third leg on Sept. 8, according to the PCO.
“Our intention for this activity is to [raise] awareness on the efforts done by the national government to fight for the West Philippine Sea,” Tarriela said in Filipino.
Other local governments also plan to facilitate the same event in their respective areas, he added.
Story at: Over 7,000 Filipinos join advocacy run ‘Takbo para sa West PH Sea’ | INQUIRER.net
Beauty pageant candidate, Israeli fiancé die from gunshot wounds | PHILSTAR.COM – MANILA, Philippines — The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) on Sunday reported that beauty pageant candidate Geneva Lopez and her Israeli partner Yitshak Cohen died from gunshot wounds.
Both victims sustained two gunshot wounds each, according to the autopsy results obtained by GMA News.
Lopez was shot in the back of her torso and her left thigh, resulting in a fracture.
Cohen, on the other hand, sustained gunshot wounds to his left chest and near his armpit.
A bullet was found in Lopez’s body and will be tested for ballistics.
DNA analysis by the Scene of the Crime Operation (SOCO) is still pending.
Relatives reported Geneva Lopez, 27, a candidate in the Mutya ng Pilipinas Pampanga 2023, and her partner, Yitshak Cohen, 37, missing on June 22, a day after the couple went to Capas, Tarlac to check a property that they planned to buy.
A sport utility vehicle used by the couple was found burned in Barangay Cristo Rey in Capas on June 24.
Last Saturday, two decomposing bodies discovered in Barangay Sta. Lucia, Capas, Tarlac, were confirmed to be the victims based on their clothing and items found with them.
Full Story at: Beauty pageant candidate, Israeli fiancé die from gunshot wounds | Philstar.com
Substandard building constructions discovered at Baguio General Hospital | PHILSTAR.COM – BAGUIO CITY, Philippines — Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong has called on Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa to order an investigation into the poor construction standards of three buildings at the Baguio General Hospital and Medical Center (BGHMC) compound.
In a letter dated June 17, 2024, Magalong expressed his “profound frustration and concern” over the subpar construction of the Trauma Center, Outpatient Department and Flavier buildings.
“Over the past few months, we have received numerous complaints from both hospital staff and patients about the quality of the construction. These substandard conditions have not only inconvenienced many but have also compromised the safety and well-being of those who rely on BGHMC for critical emergency services,” Magalong said in his letter to Herbosa.
Despite the allocation of substantial funds and resources for the projects, the mayor said that the expected improvements have not been realized.
Magalong also highlighted concerns about the processes involved in the construction projects, suggesting that they “may have led to inferior outputs that are not acceptable by the city’s standards.”
“Given the gravity of these concerns, I respectfully request that a thorough investigation be conducted into the procedures and execution of these projects,” Magalong asked Herbosa.
Full Story at: Substandard building constructions discovered at Baguio General Hospital | Philstar.com
