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COASTcalls GUARD SPOKES QUESTIONS CHINA ENVOY’S BATANES VISIT ASEAN for freedom of navigation in all SCS By Katrina Manubay
By Katrina Manubay FOREIGN ministers from fuel-stressed Southeast Asia called for freedom of navigation in and overflight above the South China Sea at the end of their meeting in Manila.
PHILIPPINE Coast Guard spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea Rear Adm. Jay Tarriela on Sunday questioned the purpose of Chinese Ambassador Jing Quan’s recent visit to Batanes, saying it should be viewed in the
ASEAN pushes for COC okay this year NEWS / A2 “We reaffirmed the importance of maintaining and promoting peace, se-
context of recent claims by Chinese scholars challenging Philippine sovereignty over the island province. In a media interview, Tarriela called on the Chinese Embassy to explain the envoy’s visit, noting that it has denied any connection between the trip and Next page
VOL. XL • NO. 160 • 3 SECTIONS 16 PAGES • P20 • FRIDAY, JULY 24, 2026
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China water cannon at PH ship 13 nations joinfires PH in affirming tribunal’s SCS ruling VOL. XL • NO. 149 • 4 SECTIONS 22 PAGES • P20 • MONDAY, JULY 13, 2026
Beijing’s Coast Guard uses ‘dangerous maneuver’ in Panatag By Katrina Manubay and Rex Espiritu
THE Philippines and 13 allied countries reaffirmed on Sunday that
the Arbitral Ruling is “final and legally binding,” rejecting China’s expansive maritime claims and calling for adherence to international law to maintain peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific. Meanwhile, the Department of Na-
tional Defense (DND) said Philippines has emerged as a global convergence hub for upholding international law, particularly the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea Next page
CONTROVERSIAL VISIT. China’s Amb. Jing Quan calls on Batanes Gov. Ronald Aguto during his visit to Batanes last month. Philippine Coast Guard spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea Rear Adm. Jay Tarriela has questioned the purpose of Chinese Ambassador Jing Quan’s recent visit to Batanes, saying it should be viewed in the context of recent claims by By Rex Espiritu, Katrina Chinese scholars challenging Philippine sovereignty over the island province. Jay Tarriela FB
Manubay and Charles Dantes
C NBI’s Lotoc takes stand;
HINA’S coast guard fired water cannon and used a “dangerous maneuver” against Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) vessels on a fuel subsidy mission for Filipino fisherfolk at Bajo de Masinloc (Panatag Shoal) on Thursday, the Philippine Coast Guard said.
Ping: Don’t open BIR box
Lacson wants PBBM okay to unseal evidence vs. VP By Rio Araja, Maricel Cruz, and Ram Superable
EALA BACK IN MANILA
H
OUSE prosecutors are set to present a second witness from the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) when the Senate impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte resumes on Monday.
Lawyer Jeremy Lotoc, NBI regional director for the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), is expected to testify on the bureau’s investigation into Duterte’s alleged threats against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., First Lady
SPORTSThis / C1handout screengrab taken on July 23, 2026 and released by the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) shows a Chinese Coast Guard ship (back) NO RESPITE. water cannoning a Philippines’ Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) ship near Scarborough Shoal, in the disputed South China Sea. The Philippines accused China’s coast guard of firing water cannon and using a ‘dangerous maneuver’ on July 23 to block vessels bringing aid to Filipino fishermen near a disputed South China Sea reef. AFP
The incident took place hours before Manila hosted a regional security forum attended by the top diplomats of both ChinaAraneta-Marcos, and the United States and three Liza and then-Speakdays after China Coast Guard personnel er Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez. clubbed a Filipino soldier on thePanfilo head Meanwhile, Senator-Judge on Ayungin Shoal. Lacson said he will oppose the unsealing Spokesperson West Philof PCG the Bureau of Internalfor Revenue (BIR) ippine Sea (WPS) Rear Admiral Jay “green box” containing Vice President Tarriela said China Coast Guard ship Next page (CCG vessel 3302) closed to within 50 meters (164 feet) of the BRP Datu Dumangsil and fired water cannon at it for two minutes. Half an hour later, a second Chinese coast guard vessel (CCG 21579) crossed 500 meters across the bow of Dumangsil’s sister vessel BRP Datu Paiburong in what the PCG called a “dangerous maneuver.”
Tehran shuts down Strait Impeach courtof Gerville to Robin: Prosecution is out to prove raps vs. Sara Hormuz anew subpoenas two ex-LB officials By Maricel V. Cruz and Ram Superable
By Vito Barcelo
TEHRAN announced it was clos-
ingMaricel the StraitV. of Cruz Hormuz Sunday and By launched missiles and drones at its and Charles Dantes
Gulf neighbors, in retaliation for new US strikesimpeachment following an attack IraSENATE courtbyprenian forces on a merchant vessel that siding officer Senator Francis Escuwas abandoned in flames by its dero on Wednesday ordered thecrew. isSirens explosions were heard suance of and subpoenas for two former in Qatar, the United Arab Bank Emirates branch managers of Land of andPhilippines. Bahrain, Agence France Presse the Meanwhile, said (AFP) journalistsMalacañang and local authoriPresident Ferdinand Marcos Jr. willto ties reported, the latest escalation follow legal an procedures should quesundermine interim agreement betions over theand release of aimed Vice tweenarise Washington Tehran President Duterte’s records at ending Sara the Middle Easttax war. in her impeachment trial. Meanwhile, around 2,500 Filipino Violeta remain Constantino seafarers stranded and in theNenita Persian Camposano, former managers of the Gulf as renewed hostilities between Landbank-Shaw (Mandathe United StatesBoulevard and Iran have again luyong City) branch and the Departdisrupted commercial shipping in the ment of Education (DepEd) branch, Strait of Hormuz, the Department of respectively, are summoned to testify Migrant Workers (DMW) said. in Vice President Sara Duterte’s imNext page peachment trial next Wednesday. They are to be presented by the Next page
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their constitutional duties with impartiality as the impeachment trial continues under close public attention. Luistro made the clarification after Senator-judge Robin Padilla remarked during the proceedings that the prosecution appeared “one-sided.” “With all due respect to Senator-judge Robin Padilla, apparently this impeachment trial is adversarial,” Luistro said during a press briefing. Luistro explained that the very nature of impeachment is for the prosecution to prove the charges, while the defense
THE House prosecution panel on Wednesday rejected suggestions that it should be neutral during the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Zimmerman Duterte, saying its role under the Constitution is to advocate for the impeachment case while the senator-judges remain impartial. At the same time, lead prosecutor Batangas Rep. Gerville Luistro expressed confidence that the senaFISH MART. President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. is delighted by the buckets of fish available will for sale at the Navotas Fish Port Complex in Navotas City, Metro tor-judges faithfully discharge Next page
Manila, which is undergoing rehabilitation to ensure that its facilities are keeping pace with the needs of the fishing industry.The President’s inspection yesterday is part of the administration’s ongoing efforts to develop public infrastructure that supports the fishing sector and helps ensure an adequate and continuous supply of various seafood products for Filipinos. PCO
Risa asks NBI to uncover CBCP: No position on impeachment; Azcuna: Case far from resolved identities of socmed bashers
By Vito Barcelo, Pot Chavez, and Maricel Cruz
dent Sara Duterte as her impeachment trial continues, emphasizing that the proceedings highlight the constitutionTHE Catholic Bishops’ Conference of al principle that all public officials are the Philippines (CBCP) said it is taking accountable to the people. WORTHY OFfor LAPU LAPU. President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. confers theAssociate Order of JusFormer Supreme Court no position or against Vice PresiLapu Lapu on one of the two Navy soldiers injured in the clash with Chinese Coast Guard personnel in Ayungin Shoal. The President visited them at the Camp Ricarte Station Hospital in Puerto Princesa City. He also gave them a financial assistance of PhP 100,000 each. At the same time, the President expressed the government’s full support to the members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines who continue to defend the sovereignty and rights of the country. PCO By Jasper Valdez
tice Adolf Azcuna, meanwhile, clarified that the case involving Duterte’s alleged By Joel E. isZurbano death threats far from resolved despite and Vince Lopez his earlier opinion that the prosecution had established criminal intent. SEN. Risa Hontiveros on Thursday said Also, House prosecution spokespershe requested assistance from the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to uncover the identities of hundreds of social media users who threatened to kill her in the comments section of her Facebook page.
son and Lanao del Sur Rep. Zia Alonto Adiong said the impeachment trial She also the by wave of death serves the condemned public interest helping dethreats and pro-killing sentiments that fine the standards of conduct expected surfaced online after the death of politiof the country’s highest officials. cal vlogger “Mima” Alicia Lipata. Next page The senator said these alarming threats intensified following her visit to the funeral of the anti-Duterte vlogger, who gunmen recently killed in her residence in Caloocan.
Children’s book features MS editor’s pet advocacy
Senate to push for social media PBBM confident about loyalty of the armed forces despite plot ban for minors
ANIMAL-welfare advocates convey their message to the children through books that urge them to see animals not as creatures whose needs can be ignored, but as living things that deserve By Charles Dantes and Vince Lopez KEY STAKEHOLDERS. A high-level conference gathers key stakeholders from the care, protection and respect. government, diplomatic community, defense and security sectors, academe, civil society, on July 12 at the Ferdinand Marcos Jr. continues toLaunched have confidence and media to exchange insights on the continuingPRESIDENT importance of the Arbitral Award and the University Hotel in UP Diliman, in theon Armed Forces of the Philippines By Joel E. Zurbano imperative of building credible deterrence in its defense July 10, 2026. Stratbase Institute (AFP) despite testimony beQuezon City, the books entitled fore the Senate impeachment court that some active-duty soldiers “Desiree Carlos: Ang are among persons of interest in an alleged plot to assassinate him, Journalist THE Senate will prioritize legislation na Tagapagligtas ng mga Strays” Malacañang said Wednesday. prohibiting social media use by and “Tahol sa Katahimikan: Mga Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary Claire minors when Congress reconvenes. Tula at Kuwento” were written Castro said she was not informed whether the testimony presentSenate President Sherwin by Lalaine ed by National Bureau of Investigation Director MelvinManaog-Danao. Matibag Gatchalian made the announcement, publications had been relayed directly to the President, butBoth confirmed that it were tied stressing the need for the Philippines had reached his security team. to her broader effort to use storyto follow the emerging global Secretary Recto as ordered a way seto teach children 18,Meanwhile, the Office ofExecutive Civil Defense (OCD)Ralph telling By Rex Espiritu consensus on restricting social media curity and transport agencies to tighten coordination ahead of animals. about kindness toward said Sunday. and Rio Arajaciting France’s access for N. minors, theThe President’s Statefatality of the was Nation Address (SONA) on Manaog-Danao said she chose to OCD saidfifth one more recent move to enforce such a ban. July 27, in focusing on public management, on childrenand because values are recorded Calanogas, Lanao safety, del Sur,trafficfocus THE death toll from the combined Gatchalian expressed concern rapid response to possible disruptions. easier to shape early. effects of Typhoon “Inday” and the where a deadly rain-induced landslide Next rose page to Next page Next page Next page enhanced southwest monsoon
‘Inday’ deaths now 18; Habagat to bring rains to Luzon, Visayas
Nextanimals page BOOKS ON PEOPLE AND PETS. Two books that ask children to see not as creatures whose needs can be ignored, but as lives that deserve care, protection and respect, were launched yesterday at the University Hotel in UP Diliman, Quezon City. Desiree Carlos: Ang Journalist na Tagapagligtas ng mga Strays and Tahol sa Katahimikan: Mga Tula at Kuwento were writted by 3rd from left, Lalain ManaogDanao. Both books are tied to her broader effort to use storytelling as a way to teach children about kindness toward animals. Jasper Valdez
ALL SET. The House of Representatives is all set for the 5th and penultimate State of the Nation Address of President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr on Monday. Joan Bondoc