Photo: Philippine President Marcos (right) and Vice President Sara attended a public event together in January this year. \Internet photo

South China Sea trouble

•In recent years, the Philippines has repeatedly caused trouble in the South China Sea, constantly infringing and provoking in the waters of Ren’ai Reef in China’s Nansha Islands, and continuously spreading false information to smear China. The United States not only encouraged and supported the Philippines’ provocative behavior, but also reversed right and wrong and made unwarranted accusations against China, seriously endangering peace and stability in the South China Sea.

High inflation

•The Philippines’ inflation rate rose for the fourth consecutive month in May, hitting the central bank’s upper target of 4%. Moody’s Analytics said that due to the soaring temperatures in the Philippines in May, retailers passed on the high costs of the wholesale electricity market to consumers, and the rising electricity prices pushed up the inflation rate; although the rice inflation rate fell slightly, it still remained at a high level of 23%.

Drug abuse

•In April this year, the Philippine police seized more than 2 tons of methamphetamine, known as “shabu” by locals, in Batangas Province, with a total value of more than 230 million US dollars. This is the largest illegal drug case ever seized in the Philippines. Former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte said in January this year that the current President Marcos was addicted to drugs.

Compiled by Ta Kung Pao