DUTERTE CREATES TASK FORCE ON COVID-19 IMMUNIZATION

MANILA — The government is setting up a task force to manage the

distribution of a COVID-19 vaccine once it becomes available, as well as the

conduct of nationwide immunization.

Presidential spokesman Harry Roque Jr. yesterday said the new task force the

creation of which was prescribed by the Inter-Agency Task Force for the

Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) would work on mechanisms

for effective distribution of vaccines as well as orderly immunization

activities.

“The creation of a task force is to ensure the successful and efficient

deployment of COVID-19 vaccines to target population,” Roque said in a

statement.

Through Resolution No. 82 adopted last Thursday, the IATF designated the

National Task Force Against COVID-19 – with the Department of Health (DOH)

as its lead agency – to supervise the COVID-19 Immunization Program

Management Organizational Structure.

“First of all, it’s part of the preparations for our acquisition of vaccines

for COVID-19,” Roque said in Filipino in a television interview.

CAYETANO TO REMAIN DUTERTE ‘PARTNER FOR CHANGE’

MANILA — Taguig Rep. Alan Peter Cayetano has vowed to remain an ally of

President Duterte despite his ouster as House speaker earlier this month.

In a Facebook post on his 50th birthday last Wednesday, the former speaker

said he will remain a “partner for change” of Duterte who brokered the

takeover of Marinduque Rep. Lord Allan Velasco of the House leadership

pursuant to the term-sharing agreement they forged at the outset of the 18th

Congress last year.

“There is still a long way to go in this journey before we see your vision

of a safe and comfortable life for all Filipinos become a reality – but rest

assured that through God’s grace we will be your partners for change, every

step of the way,” Cayetano said.

He also thanked the President for trusting him and reminding him that “in

public service – there are no regrets.”

“I am proud to serve God and country. Proud to have stood beside you from

the very beginning, and I continue to appreciate all the opportunities that

have been given me – in Congress, in the Department of Foreign Affairs and

in organizing the very successful SEA (Southeast Asian) Games. It is truly a

blessing to be of help to our kababayans and to the government, especially

during the darkest times of the pandemic,” the lawmaker stressed.

FDA TO DECIDE ON FIRST COVID-19 VACCINE TRIAL APPLICATION IN 1-2 WEEKS

MANILA — The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) might release its decision

on the application of COVID-19 vaccine developer Sinovac Biotech Ltd. in a

few weeks, an official said Friday.

The Chinese company is the first to have its application for a clinical

trial in the Philippines reviewed by the FDA.

“The most advanced is still undergoing evaluation,” FDA Director General

Eric Domingo said referring to Sinovac, which is represented by its

manufacturing company IP Biotech and is already undergoing an ethics review

and FDA’s regulatory review.

“And we hope to have a decision on that within 1 to 2 weeks para malaman

kung pasado siya o hindi (to see if they will pass or not). We can give an

approval or denial,” Domingo added.

Sinovac is among the several frontrunners in the race for a COVID-19

vaccine.

Domingo said that even if the government would prioritize the World Health

Organization’s Solidarity Trial, the Sinovac trial, once it is approved, may

push through first.

The Solidarity Trial, which will involve testing several different COVID-19

vaccines in a number of countries, is slated to start in December.

Besides Sinovac, the Philippines is also evaluating two more applications

for clinical trials. One is from Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen Pharmaceutical.

“There’s a #3 na company that has shown interest in doing clinical trials

here in the Philippines. And they are now undergoing pre-screening with the

vaccine expert panel,” he said, referring to Clover Biopharmaceuticals.

Both Janssen and Clover Biopharmaceuticals are undergoing assessment by the

vaccine expert panel of the Philippines.

Meanwhile, Domingo said they have not yet formally considered the

application of Russia’s Gamaleya Institute because it has yet to respond to

the expert panel’s request for more data.

In a tweet, Foreign Affairs Secretary Teddy Locsin Jr. said he would be

meeting the European pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca with the FDA on

Friday.

PAGASA: ‘ROLLY’ MAY BECOME A SUPER TYPHOON IN 12 HOURS

MANILA — Typhoon “Rolly,” the strongest storm on earth so far this year, may

strengthen into a super typhoon in the next 12 hours, PAGASA warned

Saturday.

“Owing to very favorable conditions, there remains a possibility that this

typhoon will reach super typhoon category over the next 12 hours,” the state

weather bureau said in its 8 a.m. bulletin. A storm is classified as a super

typhoon once its winds reach 220 kilometers per hour (kph).

But the state weather bureau said that it is more likely that “Rolly” is

near super typhoon strength, packing winds between 185 to 215 kph, by the

time it grazes Bicol region and makes landfall over Quezon Sunday afternoon

or early evening.

“Rolly,” which was last spotted 540 kilometers east northeast of Virac,

Catanduanes, currently packs winds of up to 215 kph near the center and

gusts of up to 265 kph. It is moving westward at 20 kph.

PAGASA forecasts that the eye of the typhoon will pass very close to

Catanduanes early Sunday morning, over Calaguas Islands. It will then pass

very close to mainland Camarines provinces, over Polillo Islands and

mainland Quezon.

A landfall over Catanduanes is not yet ruled out due to the proximity of the

forecast track to the Bicol region.

The state weather bureau is warning of “violent winds and intense rainfall”

over Catanduanes, Camarines Norte, and the northern portion of Camarines Sur

beginning early Sunday morning until afternoon.

The same conditions are expected over Quezon and the southern portion of

Aurora beginning Sunday afternoon until evening.

Heavy to intense rains are expected beginning this evening until tomorrow

over Catanduanes, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Albay, Burias Island,

Calabarzon, Metro Manila, Bulacan, Pampanga, Bataan, Zambales and Tarlac.

QUINTA-HIT ORIENTAL MINDORO BRACES FOR TYPHOON ROLLY

MANILA - The province of Oriental Mindoro is once again bracing itself for

the possible impact of typhoon Rolly while still reeling from the effects of

the previous typhoon.

“Mabigat sa amin kasi katatapos lang nung isa at ongoing pa rehabilitation

at relief operations namin pero we have to face the fact na mayroong

parating ulit na bagyo,” said Gov. Humerlito Dolor.

Oriental Mindoro is among areas on the path of the storm, the world's

strongest of the year that is expected to intensify into a super typhoon.

The province is currently under typhoon warning signal No. 1, along with

several parts of Luzon.

On Friday, Dolor said the response cluster of the Provincial Disaster Risk

Reduction and Management Council had a meeting to check on the readiness of

the province, including ensuring that evacuation centers are ready and that

food supplies are available.

In an interview on TeleRadyo, Dolor said Typhoon Quinta had destroyed 2,660

houses and damaged more than 32,000 others when it struck a few days ago.

“Most of our evacuees nakauwi naman kasi may mga kamag- anak naman sila na

tinitirahan,” he said.

PHIVOLCS: TYPHOON ROLLY MAY TRIGGER LAHAR FLOWS NEAR MAYON, PINATUBO, TAAL

VOLCANOES

MANILA — The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs)

warned Friday that Typhoon Rolly’s expected heavy rainfall could cause lahar

flows in rivers and drainage areas near 3 volcanoes in Luzon, and urged

residents near the areas to be prepared.

Communities near Mayon, Pinatubo, and Taal volcanoes must increase their

vigilance and must take necessary precautions amid Typhoon Rolly’s intense

rains, Phivolcs said.

“Due to its trajectory, current severe intensity and potentially high-volume

rainfall, Rolly can be expected to generate volcanic sediment flows or

lahars, muddy stream flows or muddy run-off in rivers and drainage areas on

the monitored active volcanoes,” state seismologists said.

Potential lahar flows from the Mayon volcano, Phivolcs said, may occur along

Miisi, Binaan, Anoling, Quirangay, Maninila, Masarawag, Muladbucad, Nasisi,

Mabinit, Matan-ag, and Basud Channels in Albay Province.

“Mayon lahars can threaten communities downstream of the above channels with

inundation, burial and wash away,” it said.

Mt. Pinatubo’s lahars, meanwhile, are likely to be “channel-confined” and

may occur on the upper to middle reaches of the Sto. Tomas-Marella and Bucao

River systems.

METRO MANILA BIGGEST QUARANTINE FACILITY OPENS IN MARIKINA

MANILA — The biggest quarantine facility for COVID-19 patients in Metro

Manila funded by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) opened

yesterday.

DPWH Secretary Mark Villar and Marikina Mayor Marcelino Teodoro led the

inauguration of the 136-bed facility, which is expected to boost the city’s

COVID-19 response.

The facility, located in Barangay Nangka, was built using 37 shipping

containers that were converted into isolation rooms. Each container has four

rooms, all equipped with an air-conditioning system, beds and bathrooms.

The facility also has rooms for doctors, healthcare workers, medical

equipment and nurses’ stations.

Marikina now has seven COVID-19 emergency quarantine facilities, including

three at the Amang Rodriguez Memorial Medical Center.

The Marikina Hotel, Marikina Convention Center and Marikina Sports Center

have one facility each. The city also has a bunker that was also converted

into an isolation facility.

“With this facility, we will further lessen the number of cases of

COVID-19,” Villar said in a statement.

ABUSED OFW BACK HOME; AMBASSADOR RETURNS NOVEMBER 2

MANILA — The Filipina housemaid captured on video being maltreated by the

Philippine ambassador to Brazil has returned home to Cotabato, while

Ambassador Marichu Mauro is expected to be back in the country on Nov. 2 to

face investigation by the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA).

Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri, who is also from Mindanao, said

yesterday he had spoken to the overseas Filipino worker (OFW)’s daughter,

who said her mother is willing to execute an affidavit to the DFA on the

abuses she allegedly suffered at the hands of the ambassador.

“The daughter has spoken to us and told us that her mom is in better spirits

now. She is happy that she is home safe and sound,” Zubiri said.

The senator also commended the DFA and Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. for

quickly recalling the ambassador from Brazil; and President Duterte for

giving the go-signal to place Mauro under investigation.

Yesterday, Locsin said the DFA’s fact-finding team has started its

investigation into the alleged maltreatment of the Filipino household helper

and that the President had sent him a directive on the matter.

Locsin tweeted: “I received Presidential Directive No. 2020-196 directing

the DFA to investigate the alleged abusive conduct of the Philippine

Ambassador to Brazil. We have 15 days to report to the Presidential

Management Staff. It starts NOW.”

THE REST

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PHILIPPINES LOGS 2,006 NEW CASES; TOTAL NOW AT 378,933

MANILA — The Philippines reported 2,006 new coronavirus infections Friday,

pushing the nationwide caseload to 378,933.

Of the additional cases, 1,865 or 93% occurred within the past two weeks,

data from the Department of Health showed.

With 124 new positive cases, Batangas recorded the highest increase in

infections. It was followed by Cavite with 121, Quezon City with 105, Rizal

with 89 and Bulacan with 81.

Total recoveries climbed to 330,457, up by 636. But there were 38 more

coronavirus-related fatalities, taking the death toll to 7,185.

DAVAO BANS PUBLIC DRINKING UNTIL DECEMBER 31

DAVAO CITY — Residents of this city flocked to supermarkets and grocery

stores yesterday to stock up on alcoholic drinks ahead of the imposition of

a liquor ban from Nov. 2 until the end of the year.

Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio said the liquor ban aims to prevent the spread of

coronavirus disease 2019 or COVID-19 cases.

Carpio said COVID patients admitted that they could have contracted the

virus in drinking sessions.

Under an executive order Carpio issued on Thursday, the round-the-clock

liquor ban will be in effect until Dec. 31. It was reimposed along with

curfew hours from 7 p.m. to 5 a.m.

“No liquor and any other alcoholic or intoxicating drinks shall be sold,

served or consumed in public 24 hours of the day,” the EO read.

“The Vices Regulation Unit and Barangay Council shall conduct vigorous

surveillance of restaurants, fastfood, sari-sari stores and similar

establishments and must immediately move for the closure of an establishment

after a single violation is properly documented,” it added.

NASA P1.6-B HINIHINALANG DROGA, NASABAT SA 2 CHINESE SA CABANATUAN

MAYNILA — Nasa higit P1.6 bilyon na halaga ng hinihinalang droga na

nakasilid sa mga umano’y tea bags ang nasabat ng mga awtoridad sa dalawang

Chinese sa Cabanatuan City sa Nueva Ecija nitong Biyernes.

Ayon sa Bureau of Customs (BOC) sa Ninoy Aquino International Airport

(NAIA), may mga dumating na cargo sa paliparan noong October 24 na

idineklara umanong “work bench tables” galing Selangor sa Malaysia.

Pero nang dumating anila ang mga naturang cargo sa x-ray scanning at

physical examination ng paliparan, nakita ng mga awtoridad na hinihinalang

shabu umano ang laman ng mga ito.

May kabuuang bigat na 240 kilos at street value na higit P1.6 bilyon ang

nasabat na droga.

Nakalagay ang mga droga sa transparent plastic na nakalagay pa sa isang

lalagyan na may Chinese characters sa mga umano’y Chinese tea bags na

nasabat na dati sa mga operasyon ng pulis.

Dalawang Chinese ang inaresto sa Cabanatuan City sa pamamagitan ng ikinasang

joint-controlled delivery operation ng BOC-NAIA, PDEA, at NAIA Inter-Agency

Drug Interdiction Task Group (IADITG).

Nai-turn over na ang mga droga sa PDEA para sa imbestigasyon at case build

up laban sa importer at iba pang sangkot sa malakihang illegal drug

transaction.

Ngayong taon lang, nasa 42 shipments ng illegal drugs ang na-intercept ng

BOC NAIA sa tulong ng PDEA at NAIA-IADITG.

AFP: ABU LEADER INDAMA KILLED IN BASILAN CLASH

ZAMBOANGA CITY — The remaining Abu Sayyaf leader based in Basilan, Furuji

Indama, has been killed in an encounter with government troopers.

Lt. Gen. Corleto Vinluan, Western Mindanao Command chief, confirmed Indama’s

death after a follower of the Abu Sayyaf leader was killed in an encounter

with government forces in Ungkaya Pukan town on Thursday.

Vinluan said Indama was killed on Sept. 9 as soldiers of the 44th Infantry

Battalion launched an offensive against the Abu Sayyaf leader in the coastal

town of R.T Lim in Zamboanga Sibugay.

He said soldiers initially encountered the group of Indama in Alicia town on

Sept. 6. A bandit was killed and an undetermined number of his comrades were

wounded in the clash.

Vinluan said Indama was among the five Abu Sayyaf bandits killed in a

follow-up operation that left two soldiers wounded.

Indama was an associate of Isnilon Hapilon, the Islamic State’s emir in

Southeast Asia, who was killed at the height of the Marawi siege in 2017

along with the Maute rothers.

Indama, who was groomed to succeed Hapilon, was tagged in kidnappings.

10 BIFF MEN SURRENDER

MAGUINDANAO — Ten members of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF)

surrendered in Sultan sa Barongis town on Thursday.

Maj. Gen. Juvymax Uy, 6th Infantry Division (ID) commander, said Narix

Saligan, Ting Dadin, Kamarudin and Mosanip Maguid, Nana Makalimpas, Walid

Milikano, Allan Bagel, Macky Sandigan, Bastih Usman and Datukan Palaguyan

turned over their rifles as well as bomb materials.

More than 200 BIFF members have surrendered to the 6th ID since 2017.

Uy thanked local government units for initiating dialogues with BIFF leaders

to convince them and their followers to return to the fold of the law.

ENTERTAINMENT & LIFESTYLE

MADAM AURING DIES AT 80

Celebrity fortune teller Madam Auring, whose real name is Aurea Erfelo, has

died at the age of 80.

The news was confirmed by her grandson Simon Pecson, who posted a photo of

her dining with family on Facebook on Friday, October 30.

"[Rest in Peace] my Lola," Pecson wrote in the post, sharing how he visited

her only a few days prior.

"Grabe ang pinagdaanan mo (You went through a lot) during your senior years

pero (but) you still worked hard for your family," he wrote.

He ended his post by saying: "You shall always be in our hearts. Love you."

Madam Auring gained fame as a fortune teller when she predicted the win of

Spanish beauty queen Amparo Muñoz in the 1974 Miss Universe pageant.

Later on, she predicted that boxer Muhammad Ali would win against Joe

Frazier in the famous "Thrilla in Manila" fight of 1975.

Among her other notable predictions were the presidential win of Fidel V.

Ramos, the full term of former president Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, and the

breakup of former president Noynoy Aquino and then girlfriend Shalani

Soledad.

SPORTS

PBA GAMES SUSPENDED WHILE AWAITING INSTRUCTION FROM IATF

MANILA -- The Philippines Basketball Association (PBA) has decided to

postpone its live games starting Friday, October 30, as ordered by the

Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) on COVID-19.

"In compliance with the recommendation of the IATF-EID Technical Working

Group and the DOH Advisory Group of Experts and to ensure the integrity and

safety of the PBA bubble, the league is postponing the games starting TODAY,

October 30, until the new protocols proposed by the IATF and DOH are out in

place," the league said in a statement.

"The PBA would like to thank the IATF, DOH and Clark Development Corporation

(CDC) for their continuous support and guidance."

The PBA was supposed to stage the games between NorthPort and Magnolia at 4

p.m. and Barangay Ginebra against defending San Miguel Beer at 6:45 p.m.

inside the league bubble in Pampanga.

Last Sunday, a Blackwater player was extracted from the bubble and

transferred to the Athletes' Village in New Clark City, after testing

positive for the novel coronavirus.

The player's positive test came three days after a referee was tagged as a

suspected positive case.

This affected the PBA's schedule, particularly games involving Blackwater

Elite.

INDICATORS

FOREX $1 = P 48.40

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

Not only is the universe stranger than we imagine, it is stranger than we

can imagine. - Arthur Eddington