bouncingball8 INQToday: China urges PH to protect Chinese nat’ls rights after ‘sleeper agent’ arrest

Here’s a quick roundup of today’s top stories:

China urges PH to protect Chinese nat’ls rights after ‘sleeper agent’ arrest

The government of China expressed hope that the Philippines would “protect the lawful rights and interests” of Chinese nationals in the country following the arrest of a suspected “sleeper agent” involved in espionage activities.

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The spokesperson for the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mao Ning, made this statement when asked for a comment on the case.

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The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said it is ready to work with law enforcement agencies regarding the alleged espionage operations in the Philippines supposedly conducted by a foreign national.

“In accordance with its mandate to help protect national security, the Department takes any indication of espionage operations by foreign nationals seriously, and stands ready to support the Department of Justice, the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), the Armed Forces of the Philippines, and other relevant government agencies as they undertake their respective mandates in accordance with the law,” said the DFA in a statement on Thursday.

Article continues after this advertisement 5.8 earthquake in Southern Leyte: Roads damaged, classes suspended

The 5.8-magnitude earthquake that hit waters off a Southern Leyte town on Thursday morning caused damage to roads and prompted local government units to suspend classes.

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The provincial government of Southern Leyte reported that several roads, including those in Barangays Amaga and Himay-angan, as well as roads in Liloan town, were rendered impassable due to fallen debris and severe cracks caused by the quake.

Article continues after this advertisement Hontiveros upbeat on fate of anti-teen pregnancy substitute bill

Following her filing of a substitute bill amending controversial provisions of Senate Bill No. 1979, otherwise known as the Prevention of Adolescent Pregnancy Act of 2023, Sen. Risa Hontiveros said hopes are high that the measure would finally gain her colleagues’ approval, and appealed that the matter be discussed in an “urgent” manner.

“Fears? Higit sa fears, malakas ang pag asa ko sa ngayon sa bisa ng substitute bill — sa bisa ng hindi talaga ito binibitawan ng advocates ng pag-iwas sa teenage pregnancy para sa ating mga adolescents,” Hontiveros said at a Kapihan sa Senado forum on Thursday.

Article continues after this advertisement Francis Leo Marcos withdraws from Senate race; backs Sen. Imee’s reelection bid

Francis Leo Marcos on Thursday withdrew from the 2025 Senate race.

Marcos, who is Norman Mangusin in real life, went to Palacio Del Gobernador personally to file his certificate of withdrawal.

In a document posted on its website, the DOE said the projects were endorsed to the National Grid Corp. of the Philippines (NGCP) for a system impact study.

In a stock exchange filing on Thursday, October 17, the Ayala-led bank said its net income expanded by 24.3 percent to P48 billion.

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