MANILA, Dec 16 (Reuters) - 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.

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.

According to the Philippine National Police, 119 rallies were organized by the Catholic Church, civil society movements, and others,

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

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.

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.

Two gunmen opened fire during a Hanukkah celebration on Sydney’s Bondi beach, killing 15 people, including a child, officials said Monday, in what Prime Minister Anthony Albanese called an act of antisemitic terrorism that struck at the heart of the nation.