News Roundup 12 December 2023
Dec 12, 2023 • 4 min Read
UK condemns China’s ‘unsafe, escalatory’ actions in West Philippine Sea | PHILSTAR.COM – MANILA, Philippines — The United Kingdom called out China for what it called “unsafe and escalatory tactics” against the Philippines over the weekend.
Britain’s foreign office said in a statement Monday that it “opposes any action which raises tensions, including harassment, unsafe conduct and intimidation tactics which increase the risk of miscalculation and threaten regional peace and stability.”
“Both China and the Philippines must adhere to the findings of the 2016 Arbitral Award proceedings, which are legally binding on both parties,” it added.
China claims almost the entire South China Sea, including waters to the immediate west of the Philippines. It has ignored the arbitral tribunal’s ruling that its assertions have no legal basis.
In response, China’s embassy in the UK said Beijing “firmly opposes and strongly condemns” Britain’s remarks, and has lodged “stern” representations with the UK side on this.
The Philippines said Monday it had summoned China’s envoy to Manila following a spike in tensions in the disputed waterway over the weekend. National Security Council spokesperson Jonathan Malaya called the actions of Chinese vessels a “serious escalation.”
Manila said Sunday that the China Coast Guard (CCG) rammed and fired water cannons at Philippine vessels during a resupply mission to BRP Sierra Madre at Ayungin Shoal. The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said China’s actions left one of its ships with “severe engine damage” and put the lives of crew members at risk.
Full Story at: UK condemns China’s ‘unsafe, escalatory’ actions in West Philippine Sea | Philstar.com
DOJ urged to place Quiboloy under lookout bulletin to prevent his ‘escape’ | PHILSTAR.COM – MANILA, Philippines — A senator has called on the Department of Justice to issue an immigration lookout bulletin for controversial preacher Apollo Quiboloy amid a pending Senate probe into child abuse allegations against him and his religious group.
After filing a Senate resolution calling to investigate Quiboloy and the Kingdom of Jesus Christ, Sen. Risa Hontiveros said that the justice department must prevent him from leaving the country and “(escaping) accountability.”
“I urge the Department of Justice to issue an immigration lookout bulletin order, which they can do motu proprio, to prevent Quiboloy from leaving the country,” Hontiveros said in a press conference.
The senator added that Quiboloy’s alleged crimes are “global in breadth” because of his wanted status in the United States.
The DOJ and the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) should also “work with their counterparts in the US … to make sure Quiboloy does not escape the hand of justice if the allegations against him are true,” Hontiveros said in a mix of English and Filipino.
Full Story at: DOJ urged to place Quiboloy under lookout bulletin to prevent his ‘escape’ | Philstar.com
House allows release of SMNI hosts Badoy, Celiz on humanitarian grounds | INQUIRER.NET – MANILA, Philippines — Sonshine Media Network International (SMNI) hosts Jeffrey Celiz and Lorraine Badoy, who were both cited for contempt, have been allowed to leave the House premises on humanitarian considerations.
After an ambush interview with reporters on Tuesday, House committee on legislative franchises chairperson and Parañaque 2nd District Rep. Gus Tambunting, Senior Deputy Speaker Aurelio Gonzales Jr., and House Secretary General Reginald Velasco signed the release orders for Badoy and Celiz.
Tambunting said that there was a long discussion among members of the panel as to whether they should let the two SMNI hosts leave, with some contesting this move. However, the committee eventually unanimously allowed the release of Badoy and Celiz, as both have been apologetic over their actions.
Full Story at: House allows release of SMNI hosts Badoy, Celiz on humanitarian grounds | Inquirer News
Gunman in Nueva Ecija bus shooting arrested | INQUIRER.NET – MANILA, Philippines — One of the gunmen who shot and killed two bus passengers while in transit in Carranglan, Nueva Ecija last month has been arrested, police said on Tuesday.
In a report, Police Regional Office 3 (Central Luzon) identified the suspect as Allan Delos Santos, who was arrested in Dilasag, Aurora, on November 20.
According to authorities, Delos Santos is a known gun-for-hire group member in Nueva Ecija and Isabela and has delivered his extra-judicial confession revealing his involvement in killing victims Gloria Atilano and Arman Bautista.
Citing the confession, Nueva Ecija Provincial director Col. Richard Caballero said in an earlier briefing that Delos Santos was hired by Atilano’s son to shoot the victims.
Full Story at: Gunman in Nueva Ecija bus shooting arrested | Inquirer News
