News Roundup 27 April 2023
Apr 27, 2023 • 4 min Read
Chinese, Philippine vessels in ‘David and Goliath’ near-crash | PHILSTAR.COM – Aboard the BRP Malabrigo, Undefined — A Chinese coast guard ship cut off a Philippine patrol vessel carrying journalists in the disputed South China Sea, causing a near-collision, an AFP team on board another boat saw.
The near-miss off the Spratly Islands on Sunday was the latest in a steady string of incidents between China and the Philippines in the contested waterway.
AFP was one of several media outlets invited to join two Philippine Coast Guard boats on a 1,670-kilometre (1,040-mile) patrol of the South China Sea, visiting a dozen islands and reefs.
The BRP Malapascua and BRP Malabrigo were shadowed by Chinese navy and coast guard ships, and ordered to leave the waters several times during the six-day journey.
“We would have collided on the bow had I not cut the engine and thrown it in reverse,” Malapascua commanding officer Rodel Hernandez told reporters of Sunday’s close call, describing it as an encounter between “David and Goliath”.
The incident happened after the Philippine coast guard boats approached Second Thomas Shoal, where Philippine marines are stationed in a run-down navy ship grounded to assert Manila’s territorial claim in the waters.
As the 44-metre (144-feet) Malapascua neared the shoal, a Chinese Coast Guard vessel more than twice its size sailed into its path.
Hernandez said the Chinese ship came within 45 metres of his boat and only his quick actions avoided the steel-hulled vessels crashing into each other.
Full Story at: Chinese, Philippine vessels in ‘David and Goliath’ near-crash | Philstar.com
House urged to make LTO explain shortage of plastic driver’s license cards | PHILSTAR.COM – MANILA, Philippines — Rep. Bernadette Herrera (Bagong Henerasyon party-list) is asking the House of Representatives to investigate what the Land Transportation Office described as a “shortage” of plastic cards for drivers’ licenses, a development that has led to temporary licenses printed on paper.
Herrera said Thursday she has filed a resolution urging the appropriate House panel to look into the alleged shortage, which has led the LTO to issue temporary licenses printed on paper.
“We want to know specifically and in detail where during the procurement process the Land Transportation Office keeps encountering problems over and over again,” she said in a statement.
She added, “We will welcome suggestions from the LTO and the Department of Transportation on what changes can be made to the procurement process by removing unnecessary documents and stages.”
Herrera said she also wants the probe to hold accountable those who were “incompetent, negligent and grossly negligent.”
“If they are not the right fit for their jobs, then maybe they could be transferred to positions, roles, or offices which are not critical as the procurement process,” she said.
Senate public services panel chairperson Sen. Grace Poe scored the LTO for its “notorious reputation of delivering short of what is expected,” citing previous issues with motorcycle and car plates.
Full Story at: House urged to make LTO explain shortage of plastic driver’s license cards | Philstar.com
COVID-19 positivity rises in PH further to 13.5%, says Octa Research | INQUIRER.NET – MANILA, Philippines — The COVID-19 positivity rate in the country significantly increased to 13.5 percent, independent pandemic monitor Octa Research said Thursday.
The positivity rate is almost thrice the ideal threshold the World Health Organization set.
Octa Research fellow Guido David noted the latest COVID-19 count of the Department of Health – 781 new cases – higher than the 506 new infections registered on Wednesday, April 26, and almost double the 450 daily average cases recorded from April 17-23.
Full Story at: COVID-19 positivity rises in PH further to 13.5%, says Octa Research | Inquirer News
Muntinlupa City court bars Bantag, Zulueta from leaving PH | INQUIRER.NET – MANILA, Philippines — A Muntinlupa City Regional Trial Court has issued a hold departure order (HDO) against former Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) chief Gerald Bantag and his former deputy Sr. Supt. Ricardo Zulueta.
Any person subject to an HDO is not allowed to leave the country.
The court issued the HDO upon the request of government prosecutors.
Bantag and Zulueta are facing a case of murder before a Muntinlupa City court over the death of Bilibid inmate Jun Villamor, the alleged middleman in the ambush slaying of broadcaster Percival Mabasa or Percy Lapid.
Full Story at: Muntinlupa City court bars Bantag, Zulueta from leaving PH | Inquirer News
