GOVERNMENT EYES PHASED, TARGETED LIFTING OF COVID QUARANTINE

MANILA — The government is eyeing a phase-by-phase lifting of the Luzon-wide

enhanced community quarantine as it considers heeding the advice of the

World Health Organization (WHO) against abruptly lifting lockdowns around

the world to contain the spread of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

Members of the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) on Emerging Infectious

Diseases will meet today to discuss possible scenarios and measures to be

enforced once quarantine ends.

While the task force has yet to decide whether to extend or lift the

quarantine, its spokesman, Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles, said the

Philippines has to consider the WHOÂ’s reminder about the risks of lifting

lockdowns prematurely.

“We have to follow, if ever, the advice of the WHO, that we cannot be abrupt

on this. So one of the options being eyed is phase-by-phase (lifting). Maybe

it should be targeted. We have to choose (which establishments) should

reopen and what workforce would be allowed to work, what transport systems

would be allowed,” Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles told radio station dzBB

yesterday.

“We have these kinds of guidelines that should be imposed and once they are

approved by President Duterte, we would have new dos and don’ts,” said

Nograles, who heads the Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious

Diseases (IATF).

GOV'T PARTNERS WITH TECH FIRMS TO CREATE COVID-19 DATA PLATFORM APP:

OFFICIAL

MANILA - Several tech companies have offered to create an app that would

collate all coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) data in the Philippines, a

task force official said Monday.

The government has partnered with several companies to launch a system where

data from hospital and local governments would be reported to a "common

platform" so that officials can base decisions on a "single collection

point," National Task Force against COVID-19 spokesperson retired Gen.

Restituto Padilla told DZMM.

Padilla did not give further details about the development of the app, but

said that it was important to ensure that government officials would make

"informed decisions."

"Napakaimportante ng accuracy ng data kasi dito napupunta 'yung gagawin

natin hakbang pagkatapos ng enhance community quarantine," he said.

"Hindi tayong puwedeng padalos-dalos sa pagdedesisyon sa mga bagay na hindi

natin naiintindihan ng husto," he said.

Several health experts earlier requested to extend the lockdown of Luzon -

the Philippines' most populous island - to gather more accurate data about

COVID-19 transmissions in the country, Padilla said.

"Bagamat kulang pa at hindi ganun ka-accurate, nagkakaroon naman ng

assessment," he said.

ARMY RESERVISTS EYED TO IMPLEMENT STRICT QUARANTINE MEASURES: MILITARY

MANILA - The military is considering calling army reservists to help in the

stricter implementation of quarantine measures in the country, its spokesman

said Monday.

Armed Forces spokesperson Brig Gen. Edgard Arevalo reiterated that the

public has "nothing to worry about" after he earlier confirmed a leaked

document online that the Philippine Air Force is preparing for the police

and military's "martial law-type" role in the tighter enforcement of

quarantine measures.

"Ang dapat po nating ikabahala ay hindi ang implementation nito, ang AFP

kailangan mangalap pa ng additional personnel. WeÂ’re looking at the

possibility of calling on our reservists upang tulungan tayo sa pagpapatupad

ng stricter implementation," he told radio DZMM.

"We may have to call on the reservists sapagkat ang inyo pong AFP ay

napakarami naming deployment at hindi naman tayo tumitigil sa ating combat

operations."

The deployment of additional policemen and soldiers would mean increased

visibility of uniformed personnel on "foot patrols," not just at

checkpoints, Arevalo said.

"Kailangan po makipagtulungan ang ating mga kababayan. Wag na po tayo maging

pasaway upang sa ganoon hindi na po tayo dumating sa punto na we would have

to deploy more AFP and PNP personnel," he said.

“We want the people to be aware on the graveness of this problem,” he told

ANC Sunday. “We are increasing actually policemen and soldiers to implement

the remaining days of the lockdown.”

PHILIPPINES REPORTS 172 NEW COVID-19 CASES, TOTAL NOW AT 6,259; RECOVERIES

AT 572

MANILA - The Philippines on Sunday reported 172 new confirmed cases of

COVID-19, bringing the country's total to 6,259.

The Department of Health said there were also 56 new recoveries, bringing

the total to 572. The disease meanwhile also claimed another 12 lives,

bringing the death toll to 409.

PHILIPPINES ENVOY IN SWEDEN DIES OF COVID-19

MANILA — The Philippines’ honorary consul general in Stockholm, Sweden died

on Saturday after contracting the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

A report of Swedish news site Aftonbladet said Erik Belfrage, 74, died at

the Sankt Goran Hospital where he was confined for less than two weeks.

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) confirmed the death of Belfrage.

“Deeply saddened at losing Erik Belfrage PHL Honorary Consul General in

Stockholm,” Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. tweeted.

He said Belfrage “held the fort for us there when we cut out.”

“Phl-Sweden relations thrived in his seven-year term. He helped many

Filipinos. Sincere condolences to his wife Anna and family. He will be

missed a lot,” Locsin said.

Belfrage was appointed honorary consul general of the Philippines in

Stockholm in 2013.

COVID-19 also claimed the life of Philippine ambassador to Lebanon,

Bernardita Catalla.

Catalla, a senior career diplomat from La Union, passed away on April 2 in a

hospital in Beirut where she was confined.

QUEZON CITY OPENS MORE COVID-19 TESTING SITES

The Quezon City government on Monday opened additional sites for testing for

the novel coronavirus.

The screening hubs in Districts 4, 5 and 6 can each run 50 tests a day.

The city government on Tuesday will identify the locations of additional

testing sites for Districts 1, 2 and 3, said Mayor Joy Belmonte.

COPS ALLEGEDLY TRESPASS INTO TAGUIG CONDO, ACCOST RESIDENTS OVER COVID-19

LOCKDOWN VIOLATIONS

MANILA - The management of a Taguig City condominium on Monday threatened

legal action against “uniformed, armed, and apparently agitated policemen”

who allegedly entered the property and “accosted and shouted” at residents.

In a letter to his fellow residents and unit owners, Pacific Plaza Towers

Condominium Corp. president Erwin Elechicon said 4 police officers entered

the compound on Sunday afternoon "without some form or warrant or

authorization, which would be trespassing."

The "uniformed, armed and apparently agitated" policemen supposedly received

information that the Pacific Plaza Towers failed to practice quarantine

measures to contain the COVID-19 pandemic, Elechicon said.

Led by Maj. Gen. Joseph Austria, the policemen entered the premises over the

objections of security guards who were threatened with arrest, and proceeded

to the garden and pool area where 6 to 8 residents were "all practicing

social distancing, none of them using the pool facilities, and just walking

or sitting away from each other," Elechicon said.

"The armed policemen, and particularly the Major (who did not wear a mask)

accosted some of the residents there, berated them loudly for not following

the guidelines, and curtly shouted at them to go away," he said in a letter

to unit owners.

These actions "were extremely upsetting, clearly inappropriate, and possibly

illegal," he said.

The incident was caught on video and was widely shared online on Sunday

night, and came on the heels of the militaryÂ’s admission it was preparing

for a “Martial Law-syle” enforcement of the ongoing COVID-19 lockdown.

He said management sought the barangay's guidance on keeping the area open

"for people to walk and sunbathe as gym is closed and swimming is not

allowed."

"The 'enemy' is out there, and it is called COVID-19. It is certainly not us

at Pacific Plaza Towers, where we all feel that we are part of the same

team, with the same objective -- to remove the scourge of COVID-19 from our

lives," said Elchicon.

"We do not deserve this; and we certainly should expect an explanation, an

assurance of our safety, and due respect from authorities."

The condominium's legal counsel "is already working on the appropriate legal

action" -- including a restraining order, criminal complaint and civil

action -- which "we will immediately bring to court (or to whichever

appropriate authority, possibly in the next 2 days," Elechicon said.

The Pacific Plaza Towers also notified the embassies and security groups of

the residents, some of whom are foreigners, about the incident, he said.

The management will also double its security staff at entrances, Elechicon

said.

SANOFI WORKING ON COVID-19 VACCINE, TEST KITS WITH PARTNERS

MANILA – Sanofi Pasteur Philippines said Monday it was collaborating with

other pharmaceutical firms to develop COVID-19 vaccines and testing kits

while ensuring the continued supply of of medicine in the country.

At least 80 percent of its products are listed as essential medicines that

can save lives, said Sanofi Pasteur Philippines general manager Jean-Antoine

Zinsou.

PHILIPPINES NEEDS LONG-TERM SOLUTIONS TO IMPROVE 'PRIMITIVE' HEALTHCARE

SYSTEM: EX-HEALTH CHIEF

The COVID-19 pandemic should change the mentality of local and national

government officials about the importance of preventive healthcare, a former

health secretary said, adding that the pandemic has exposed the Philippine

healthcare system as "primitive."

"We see very clearly how we fell short in the face of a threat such as

this," Dr. Manuel Dayrit told ANC.

"Given that this is not the only threat, there are going to be similar

threats in the future after COVID-19, then, we better be ready," he added.

He said any plan against future health threats should have proper funding.

EDUCATION IN THE TIME OF CORONAVIRUS: DEPED EYES LESSONS VIA TV, RADIO NEXT

SCHOOL YEAR

MANILA - Students in some parts of the country might get their lessons

through television and radio next school year if travel in their area

remains restricted to stem COVID-19 cases, the Department of Education said

Monday.

The opening of school year 2020-2021 "does not mean necessarily that

students will be coming to school", said DepEd Undersecretary Nepomuceno

Malaluan.

"Kundi, malamang ay multi-modal ito dahil base sa mga forecast at

projections na nakikita natin, itong full containment ng COVID-19 ay hindi

magiging madali globally," he told DZMM.

"Sa mga lugar na hindi posible ang classroom-based instruction, tinitingnan

natin itong ICT (information and communication technology) platforms saka

ang telebisyon, radyo," he added.

The agency "within the week" will announce the schedule of the opening of

the school year, which typically starts in June, said Malaluan.

The DepEd will also present to an inter-agency task force on COVID in the

first week of May the results of a survey on the preferred teaching platform

of students and schools, he said.

PALACE: REPORT LGUSÂ’ VIOLATIONS OF QUARANTINE VIOLATORSÂ’ RIGHTS

MANILA — Malacañang yesterday urged the public to report human rights

violations during the Luzon-wide enhanced community quarantine and reminded

local governments to ensure that human dignity and rule of law are respected

as they implement coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) containment measures.

Presidential spokesman Harry Roque said that while the Palace gives credit

to local governmentsÂ’ efforts to contain the spread of the coronavirus,

there have been concerns on alleged human rights violations against those

who disobeyed rules and health protocols.

“As we are not fully aware of the details of such violations, we will

appreciate receipt of detailed information of the same for proper action by

the appropriate agencies,” Roque said in a statement.

“Under the current circumstances we are in, the (local government units)

enforce the law as reasonably strict as possible for the full protection of

our people. While such protection measures spell the difference between life

and death, they are implemented well within the rule of law, and are

respectful of the human dignity and human rights of everyone,” he added.

The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), which supervises

LGUs and the Philippine National Police (PNP), is committed to uphold human

rights at all times and will not tolerate any violation during the

quarantine period, according to the Palace spokesman.

300 OFWS ALL WELL ON COVID-19 QUARANTINE SHIPS: COAST GUARD

All 344 repatriated migrant workers are in good condition onboard 2 ships

that are serving as quarantine facilities in Manila, the Philippine Coast

Guard said Monday.

None of the Filipino workers have developed COVID-19 symptoms after they

arrived from the US, South Korea, Indonesia, Qatar, Taiwan, UAE, Brunei and

Europe, said the PCG.

ENTERTAINMENT & LIFESTYLE

'I LOVE YOU SON': JAMES YAP GREETS BIMBY ON HIS BIRTHDAY

MANILA – They may not spend a lot of time together but James Yap has his son

in his mind on his special day.

On Sunday, Yap greeted Bimby a happy birthday as he officially became a

teenager.

Posting old photos of them together, Yap wrote on Instagram: “Happy Happy

13th Birthday Bimb! May God continue to bless you with many more years of

health and life. I love you son!”

Bimby is currently in self-isolation with his mother Kris Aquino and brother

Joshua in Puerto Galera as they observe the enhanced community quarantine.

In a separate post on Sunday, Aquino shared a video of how they celebrated

BimbyÂ’s birthday in the company of the people they are with at the resort

they are staying.

JOHN LLOYD, BEA SEND FANS ABUZZ AFTER SOCIAL MEDIA EXCHANGE

MANILA – “Kayo na lang, kayo na lang ulit.”

Several Instagram users could not help but make a reference to a line in the

movie “One More Chance” after John Lloyd Cruz and Bea Alonzo had an exchange

on social media that left their fans abuzz.

Out of the blue, Cruz browsed through AlonzoÂ’s Instagram page and left a

comment in one of her posts in 2019.

Puzzled herself, Alonzo asked her longtime onscreen partner: “2019 pa tong

post ko ah, bakit ka nagbbrowse sa ig ko?”

To which, Cruz replied: “Napindot lang.”

As if this exchange wasnÂ’t enough to elicit feelings among their fans, Cruz

and AlonzoÂ’s next replies to each other seemed to have made their supporters

lose their composure.

Fans of Cruz and Alonzo last saw them together on February 14 when they

brought to life the indie blockbuster “That Thing Called Tadhana” through a

live script reading at an outdoor venue.

The live script reading marked CruzÂ’s first major public appearance in a

showbiz setting since his return from his two-year hiatus.

The last time Cruz and Alonzo starred in a project was in 2015 for the Cathy

Garcia-Molina-directed film “A Second Chance.”

More recently, however, they appeared together for a common endorsement of a

shawarma brand.

Last week, they also teased a project, which appears to be in collaboration

with directors Antoinette Jadaone and Dan Villegas. No other details about

it were revealed.

Following their recent public sightings, a lot of their fans have been

wishing for the two to reunite in another big screen project.

HOW MOIRA, HUSBAND WENT ON 'DATE NIGHT' AMID QUARANTINE

MANILA – There’s no stopping Jason Marvin Hernandez from taking her wife,

Moira dela Torre, on a date even if there is a Luzon-wide lockdown being

implemented due to the coronavirus pandemic.

On Instagram, dela Torre shared how her husband improvised just so they

could have a romantic moment together.

“Last night, Jason took me out on a date on my lolo's truck right on our

driveway, with drive thru chicken joy and snacks from our parent's kitchen.

It started with flowers and a letter for me (and my stepmom) and ended with

a romcom at sunset,” she said.

Touched by Hernandez’s gesture, dela Torre described it as their “best date

night ever.”

She then thanked her husband for being her greatest blessing in life.

“Losing you has easily become my greatest fear. But my fear is taken away by

my thankfulness that I get to spend all my days with you, whether in

normalcy or quarantined, whether it be 10 years or a hundred,” she said.

To end her post, dela Torre professed her love for Hernandez.

The couple tied the knot on Jan. 15, 2019.

SPORTS

NBA: CELTICS' BROWN PENS MESSAGE OF UNITY AMID COVID-19 CRISIS

LOS ANGELES -- Boston Celtics guard Jaylen Brown urged people to "come

together" amid the coronavirus pandemic, even as he used an essay in The

Guardian to point out that the virus has highlighted inequality in America.

Noting that more than 30,000 have died from COVID-19 in the United States --

it was 40,000 by Sunday afternoon -- the Georgia native added that of "those

heart-wrenching numbers, the percentage of African Americans and people of

color is both alarming and disproportionate.

"Our healthcare system could be potentially highlighting injustices this

beautiful nation has composed and suppressed since its establishment," he

wrote.

Data on COVID-19 cases by race show a pattern of over-representation by

black Americans in states or jurisdictions that are sharing the numbers.

When it was shown in early April that 68 percent of coronavirus deaths in

Chicago had been among African Americans, who make up just 30 percent of the

city's population, mayor Lori Lightfoot said the numbers "take your breath

away."

Brown sympathized with anyone feeling frustrated or confused at seemingly

conflicting information coming from different leaders.

But he said he believed a calm, concerted response could make the pandemic

an opportunity for change.

"I hope that our nation not only consolidates over the next few weeks but

also heals," he wrote. "Let's use this time to look for solution based

answers and cooperative efforts for those (societal) problems.

"My intention in writing this editorial is to hopefully inspire our society

to come together rather than drift farther and farther apart," he said,

urging those able to reach out with aid to food banks and homeless shelters

as well as healthcare workers.

He offered condolences to Minnesota Timberwolves star Karl-Anthony Towns,

whose mother died of COVID-19 complications after weeks in an induced coma,

and said he was proud of the NBA's response to the pandemic.

"It's Game 7," Brown wrote -- a reference to the do-or-die game in an NBA

championship series -- "and how we perform down the stretch is going to

determine our outcome. LetÂ’s lean in and get this done together as a team."

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

Life is an echo. What you send out, comes back. What you sow, you reap. What

you give you get. What you see in others exists in you. - Zig Ziglar