Philippine and US forces held joint maritime drills in the West Philippine Sea, according to an official statement issued on Tuesday.

Chinese coast guard ships have used powerful water cannons and blocking maneuvers against 20 Philippine fishing boats off a disputed South China Sea shoal.

Manila's coast guard said nearly two dozen Filipino fishing boats near Sabina Shoal were targeted with water cannon and blocking manoeuvres.

China accused the Philippines of provoking a confrontation in the South China Sea after an incident last week that left Filipino fishermen injured, reviving tensions in the long-disputed waters.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has been scrambling to quell public outrage over the massive corruption blamed for substandard, defective or nonexistent flood control projects.

The Philippines said on Monday it will protest the Chinese coast guard's "harassment and endangerment" of Filipino fishermen in a South China Sea shoal last week. Three Filipino fishermen were injured and two fishing vessels damaged when Chinese coast guard ships blasted water cannon and cut their anchor lines near Sabina Shoal on Friday,

A group of civilians including two former government officials filed a graft complaint against Philippine Vice President Sara Duterte, in a fresh political challenge for the estranged deputy of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

Many Filipinos say floods are worse than ever — and now, the government has admitted that vast sums were embezzled from a program meant to fight the problem.

Philippine Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro on Tuesday denounced what he described as "dangerous" and "inhumane" actions by Chinese maritime forces against Filipino fishermen in a contested South China Sea shoal last week.

Prior to the temple’s May 31 dedication, the Bacolod temple will first open its doors to the media on April 13, after which invited guests will tour the building April 14-15.

ICTSI has been expanding at home and overseas, amassing 34 terminals spread in 20 countries. It recently signed a 25-year joint venture agreement to operate the Port of Durban in South Africa.