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Here’s what you need to know on Tuesday, August 8.
Reah Mae Tocmo’s friend, Jewel Smith, denies knowledge on killing
Jewel Smith, Reah Mae Tocmo’s friend, denied allegations that she had any knowledge on her friend’s brutal killing. | Contributed Photo
Jewel Smith, one of Reah Mae Tocmo’s closest friends, denied that she had any knowledge of her brutal death.
Smith went to the Cebu City Police Office (CCPO) on Monday, August 7, 2023, to clear her name following claims from a taxi driver that she and a foreigner boarded his taxi with a huge box on July 17.
In an interview with reporters, Smith said she did not go out of her boarding house in Brgy. Looc, Mandaue City since clocking out of her work from a bar in A.S. Fortuna on July 16.
Diesel price up by P4 per liter effective Aug 8
Motorists have yet to get a reprieve from weeks of fuel price hikes, as local oil companies announced price increases of as much as P4 per liter—the highest such increase this year—effective on Tuesday, Aug. 8, 2023.
In separate advisories, the oil firms said they would increase the price of diesel by P4 per liter and gasoline by 50 centavos per liter. The price of kerosene likewise rose by P2.75 per liter.
Marcos says another note verbale sent to China after water cannon attack
President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. on Monday revealed another note verbale was sent to China following the water cannon attack on Philippine Coast Guard (PCG).
He also said Department of Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo had paid Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Huang Xilian a visit to discuss the incident.
A note verbale is diplomatic message from one government to another done through official representatives.
Robin Padilla revives call for mandatory ROTC after China’s water cannon attack
The latest water cannon attack by the China Coast Guard against Philippine vessels has prompted Senator Robinhood Padilla to revive his call for a mandatory Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC) program.
At a hearing in the Senate on Monday, Padilla questioned the readiness of the Philippines to defend itself from enemies.
He said it is very clear in the Constitution that all Filipinos should be prepared to defend the country at all times.
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