DUTERTE: MANY WILL DIE FROM WEST PH SEA 'KUNSUMISYON', BUT NOT ME

President Rodrigo Duterte said on Thursday that he would not die from "kunsumisyon" or exasperation over the West Philippine Sea, a flashpoint in relations between Manila and Beijing.

Duterte in a taped speech said he would discuss only 2 things, namely the COVID-19 crisis and the resource-rich waterway, parts of which China claims.

Ang COVID-19, nakakamatay. Ang West Philippine Sea, hindi—maraming mamatay sa kunsumisyon. Pero hindi ako."

A government task force on the West Philippine Sea reported this week what it said were "incursions" within and outside the country's exclusive economic zone (EEZ) of 287 maritime militia vessels from China.

The Philippines has recently boosted its presence in the South China Sea through "sovereignty patrols", in a show of defiance that critics say has been lacking under pro-China Duterte, who has drawn domestic flak for his refusal to stand up to Beijing.

Experts say China's fleet fishing boats and coastguard are central to its strategic ambitions in the South China Sea, maintaining a constant presence that complicates fishing and offshore energy activities by other coastal states.

GCQ 'WITH HEIGHTENED RESTRICTIONS' IN 'NCR PLUS' UNTIL MAY 31

MANILA — President Rodrigo Duterte on Thursday said the 'NCR Plus' bubble will shift to General Community Quarantine beginning May 15 until the end of the month.

The government in the last two months has sought to contain the surge in COVID-19 cases within Metro Manila, Cavite, Laguna, Rizal and Bulacan.

Palace this week did not dismiss the possibility of NCR Plus shifting to a less stricter quarantine status citing improved capacity in hospitals.

Duterte's approval of the coronavirus task force's recommendation comes amid the country still reporting over 5,000 daily COVID-19 cases.

GCQ, but with 'heightened restrictions'

NCR Plus will shift to the said quarantine status, but presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said some curbs will remain.

Only essential travel into and out of the bubble is allowed and public transportation will continue to operate.

Capacity on in-door dine-in services was increased to 20%, and al fresco dining at 50% seating capacity.

Personal care services not requiring face mask removal can operate at a 30% capacity, along with non-contact sports in outdoor contact sports, games and scrimmages.

Tourist spots within the bubble can open at 30% capacity, with strict adherence to minimum public health protocols.

"Further allowed in the NCR Plus are specialized markets of the Department of Tourism (DOT) following the minimum public health standards and implementation of protocols and restrictions as set by the DOT," Roque said.

Religious gatherings as well as necrological services for those who died of causes other than COVID-19 are allowed at 10% venue capacity.

The Palace spokesperson added that individuals between 18 to 65 years of age can leave their homes in GCQ areas with the heightened restrictions.

Duterte said Santiago City in Isabela, Quirino, Ifugao and Zamboanga City will be under MECQ, while rest of the Philippines will be under modified GCQ.

The country has among the worst COVID-19 outbreaks in Southeast Asia. On May 13, health authorities reported 6,385 new infections.

Overall, the Philippines has tallied 1,124,724 cases, along with 18,821 deaths.

PHILIPPINES EXTENDS, EXPANDS TRAVEL BAN VS COVID-19 VARIANT FROM INDIA

MANILA — The Philippines on Thursday extended its ban on travelers from India until the end of May, to arrest the spread of a COVID-19 first detected in the South Asian nation, and expanded the restriction to two more countries.

Effective "0001H of May 15, 2021 until 2359H of May 31, 2021," travelers from Oman and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), or those with travel history to these two countries within 14 days preceding arrival, will be banned from entering the Philippines, sad Malacañang spokesman Harry Roque.

But travelers already in transit from these countries and all those who arrive before "0001 H" of May 15 can enter the Philippines. They will, however, be required to undergo a 14-day quarantine, notwithstanding a negative RT-PCR test result for the novel coronavirus, Roque said in a statement.

The health and foreign affairs departments recommended this, he said.

The Philippines earlier suspended the entry of travelers from India and surrounding Bangladesh, Pakistan, Nepal and Sri Lanka.

"All existing travel restrictions of passengers coming from India, Pakistan, Nepal, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka are extended until 2359H of May 31, 2021," Roque said.

The Department of Transportation should ensure that airlines prohibit the boarding of passengers covered by restrictions, "except if they are part of the repatriation efforts of the national government," he added.

LAWYERS: TERRORIST DESIGNATION GIVES PETITIONER LEGAL STANDING TO QUESTION ATA

MANILA — The Anti-Terrorism Council’s designation of peace consultant Rey Claro Casmabre as a terrorist has strengthened parties’ case against the Anti-Terrorism Act at the Supreme Court, lawyers said, noting that it has given him the legal standing that government lawyers say petitioners lack.

In a resolution on Thursday, the ATC designated Casambre and 18 other alleged “Central Committee members” of the Communist Party of the Philippines as terrorists.

But the Public Interest Law Center, who represented Casambre in a separate case, pointed out that the government’s move only boosted petitioners’ case against the ATA.

Asserting that the Anti-Terrorism Council’s move is baseless and dangerous, the PILC said: "The ATC regurgitating false assertions has been a most dangerous weapon especially in the heat of oral arguments on the terror law. With Casambre designated and ‘injured’ by the ATC, the terror law petitions now have a surer footing in court with his established legal standing to file suit."

The Office of the Solicitor General, which is defending the ATA and the government, argued that the legal challenges against the law should be junked due to the petitioners’ lack of direct injury sustained from the law.

DUTERTE SEEKS PEACE AS MUSLIMS MARK END OF RAMADAN

MANILA — President Duterte called for peace and healing as the Muslim community yesterday celebrated Eid’l Fitr to mark the end of Ramadan.

“In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful, I join our Muslim brothers and sisters in the solemn observance of Eid’l Fitr,” said the President, who has claimed to be the first chief executive from Mindanao.

“May this event also inspire us to continue promoting peace, unity and goodwill among our fellow Filipinos,” Duterte said in a one-page statement.

Duterte urged the Muslim community to support the government in working for peace and development.

“Let us welcome a new hope that this Eid brings – for peace, prosperity, healing and strength as we build a progressive and brighter future for our people. I wish you a blessed and joyous celebration. Eid Mubarak!” he said.

“As you mark the end of a month-long journey of reflection, prayer and fasting, may Allah continue to instill in you the virtues of generosity and compassion for others,” he said. “This joyous occasion celebrating personal sacrifice and unity is made more relevant as the country makes a significant step closer to beating the COVID-19 pandemic.”

Meanwhile, Presidential Communications Operations Office chief Secretary Martin Andanar also extended his “greetings of peace, joy and harmony to our Muslim brothers and sisters in the Philippines and across the globe.”

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LACK OF QUARANTINE FACILITIES FORCES CEBU TO LIMIT INTERNATIONAL ARRIVALS

The Mactan-Cebu International Airport (MCIA) on Friday said it will limit the number of arriving international passengers to 300 beginning Saturday until the end of May due to lack of quarantine facilities.

“Sa succeeding days, ang ginawa natin, nag pa issue tayo ng advisory sa Civil Aeronautics Board, ililimit natin yung capacity to 300 per day. Kung dalawa yung flights for that day hati sila, 150 each,” MCIA Officer in Charge Glenn Napuli told ABS-CBN's TeleRadyo.

MCIA has canceled international flights from May 14 to 15 as the city’s 2,500 capacity quarantine facilities for returning overseas Filipinos are full.

“Ang recommendation ng regional IATF namin to limit into 1 flight a day. Ang nangyari doon, ibang flights maka-cancel, ayaw i-cancel so ang ginawa ng Civil Aeronautics Board ina-allocate na which is better kasi meron silang pasahero, maron pa rin makakauwi, walang maka-cancel na flight pero nga ang total per day is 300 lang muna,” he said.

Napuli assured the public that they will immediately adjust once there’s a change in policy.

“Sa lahat ng mga OFWs, returning at saka 'yung mga gustong pumunta ng Pilipinas, pasensiya na talaga, last minute namin ginawa ang desisyon na yun to cancel the flights kasi wala na talagang ibang option. Yung mga bagong hotels binubuksan na natin, sagad na talaga. Sorry talaga in behalf of MCIA, in behalf of government of Cebu,” he said.

BICOL INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT POSIBLENG MAGBUBUKAS SA DARATING NA DISYEMBRE: TUGADE

BICOL - Posibleng magsimula ang operasyon ng Bicol International Airport bago matapos ang taon, pahayag ni Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade ngayong Biyernes matapos maginspeksyon sa pasilidad.

Ipinag-utos na ni Tugade ang 24/7 na konstruksiyon ng Bicol International Airport sa Daraga, Albay. Inihayag ito ni Secretary Tugade matapos ang isinagawang onsite inspection sa BIA kaninang umaga.

Kabilang sa mga binisita ng opisyal ang dalawang project packages para sa BIA.

Ang Package 2A na sumasakop sa konstruksyon ng landslide facilities, site development at iba pang gusali ay nasa 94.40 percent complete na, at tinatayang matatapos ngayong buwan.

Ang Package 2B naman, na sumasakop sa konstruksyon ng Passenger Terminal Building, runway extension, taxiway, drainage, at iba pang site development works, ay kasalukuyang nasa 68.14 percent completion rate, ani Tugade.

"Ang plano ho namin dito 'yung actual na konstruksiyon, 'yung pisikal na konstruksiyon matapos ng buwan ng Hunyo at Hulyo itong taon na to. Hangarin po namin na pag natapos ang actual at pisikal na konstruksiyon, maging operational ito by December," pahayag ni Tugade.

ALLIANCE GLOBAL LENDS LEASED LAND TO RAZON IN SUPPORT OF MEGA-VACCINATION FACILITY

MANILA – Alliance Global Inc said Friday it has allowed Enrique Razon’s firm to use a parcel of its leased land within the Nayong Pilipino Foundation property as “temporary construction staging area” to show support in the proposed mega-vaccination site.

“We fully support Mr. Enrique Razon’s plan to build the Mega Vaccination Center, and in fact, we have already allowed the ITCSI Foundation to use our company’s property as their temporary construction staging area,” said AGI chief executive officer Kevin L. Tan in a disclosure to the stock exchange.

Razon has proposed to build a P250-million temporary mega-vaccination facility on an idle land within the NPF property to aid the country’s inoculation drive.

However, former Nayong Pilipino executive director Atty. Lucille Karen Malilong-Isberto claimed the proposed land is an urban forest.

Alliance Global, through its real estate unit Megaworld, is also leasing a part of the NPF property, which is on the other side of a water channel and not on the part where the agency is planning to build a theme park, Andrew Tan’s holding company said.

Its leased area forms part of Westside City being jointly developed by Megaworld and Westside City Resorts World Inc, AGI said.

For its part, Megaworld has also allocated 10 different sites in Metro Manila and Laguna for additional vaccination centers, Alliance Global said.

Razon's vaccination site would have a capacity to inoculate at least 10,000 per day.

At least 70,000 or 1 percent of the private sector's Moderna COVID-19 vaccine order will arrive in June. Razon said they plan to use the vaccines 24 hours after they arrive.

GOVERNMENT IN CONTROL OF MAGUINDANAO – PNP

MANILA — Government security forces remain in control of the situation in Maguindanao despite recent attacks by members of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF), Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Guillermo Eleazar has assured the public.

Eleazar said the police and military prevented BIFF bandits, including those who stormed Datu Paglas town on May 8, from sowing chaos in the province.

“The AFP (Armed Forces of the Philippines) and the PNP have joined forces in the intensified manhunt for BIFF members behind the attack,” Eleazar said.

He said government forces would not stop until the BIFF and other threat groups are neutralized.

“I assure our Muslim brothers and sisters that we will not let our guard down to ensure a peaceful and blessed celebration of Eid’l Fitr,” Eleazar said.

MEET THE AWESOME FILIPINO WHO JUST WON A ‘NURSE OF THE YEAR’ AWARD IN THE UK

An Ilonggo nurse breaks the glass ceiling for the black, Asian, minority ethnic group in the UK’s National Health Services

The past year has been incredibly challenging for healthcare workers all over the world. But while many were heavily impacted by the pandemic, it was also a time when real leadership and community service were given the spotlight.

One such leader who displayed real concern for others, and whose achievements in the healthcare profession serve only to make his community efforts stand out, is Jose Ariel Lañada. The Filipino nurse was recently hailed as UK’s Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic (BAME) Nurse of the Year in the National BAME Health and Care Awards.

According to an announcement published on the UK’s NHS website, Lañada “has been instrumental in supporting his colleagues and the Filipino community in Oxfordshire through what has been an extremely difficult period.”

The award was launched in 2019 by a group of volunteers from the health and care sector. It was in collaboration with Colourful Healthcare, “a not-for profit company dedicated to encouraging the aspirations and improving the professional development opportunities of black, Asian and minority ethnic staff in the health and care fields.”

Lañada, who’s been working as a nurse in the UK for a good 19 years, says the award is very humbling because there are about thousands of BAME workers all over UK—in England, Scotland, Northern Island, Wales—who are also deserving of the recognition.

The award, adds Lañada, is very meaningful especially since 2021 has been designated by the World Health Organization as the Year of Health and Care Workers (YHCW). “I am dedicating this award to all the Filipino nurses, all the BAME nurses all over the world who are at the frontlines, risking their lives to keep the healthcare service going and to be responsive to the needs of the people,” he tells ANCX. “I’m also dedicating this to our colleagues who died in the battlefield—those who cared for the Covid patients during this pandemic. They are also heroes that deserve to be recognized, and should never be forgotten.”

CRISING WEAKENS FURTHER, AS IT TRAVERSES MINDANAO

MANILA—Tropical depression Crising weakened further, as it traversed Mindanao, state weather bureau PAGASA said Friday.

The state weather bureau, in its 5 a.m. weather bulletin, said Crising weakened further as it neared the Pantaron Mountain Range.

Crising, the country's third storm this year, made landfall over Baganga town, Davao Oriental at 8:20 p.m. Thursday.

It was packing maximum sustained winds of 45 kilometers per hour (kph) near the center, with gusts of up to 75 kph.

It was last located at 4 p.m. near New Kapalong, Davao del Norte, moving slowly west northwestward.

Isolated to scattered flooding, including flash floods, and rain-induced landslides may be experienced during heavy and prolonged rainfall in landslide and flood-prone areas, PAGASA added.

Crising is expected to move westward and cross Mindanao before emerging over Sulu Sea Friday night. It is expected to further weaken as it traverses the island due to the rugged terrain of Mindanao before it makes another landfall over Palawan by Saturday.

It is also forecast to weaken into a "remnant low" by Saturday prior or during its landfall over Palawan, dissipating afterwards. PAGASA, however, said Crising may be reduced to a remnant low Friday while traversing Mindanao.

ENTERTAINMENT & LIFESTYLE

#ARIBARABIYA: RABIYA MATEO ROCKS IN ROCKY GATHERCOLE MASTERPIECE AT MISS UNIVERSE NATIONAL COSTUME CONTEST

MANILA — The Philippines’ bet Rabiya Mateo drew cheers from the crowd at the 69th Miss Universe National Costume contest, wearing a feathery Vegas-like ensemble inspired by the country’s flag.

Rabiya looked stunning in her national costume designed by the late Filipino international designer Rocky Gathercole.

“This outfit is inspired by the Philippine flag. The blue represents royalty, red stands for the courage and strength for an independent woman and yellow, the color of sun and stars, symbolizes freedom to choose whoever you want to be,” the host said while Rabiya walked on the stage.

“You'll get far, just be who you are like Philippines,” he added.

According to reports, Miss Universe-Philippines Design Council head Albert Andrada said that Rabiya’s national costume was inspired by the logo of the Miss Universe-Philippines pageant.

It was also reported earlier that Furne One of Amato Couture will be the designer of Rabiya's evening gowns for the preliminary and final shows.

SPORTS

NBA SCORES MAY 12

FINAL

1          2          3          4          T

Wizards32-38    30        29        32        25        116

Hawks39-31      35        21        27        37        120

SCORING LEADERS

R. Westbrook WAS

34 PTS 5 REB 15 AST

T. Young ATL

33 PTS 8 REB 9 AST

FINAL

1          2          3          4          T

Celtics35-35      17        22        30        25        94

Cavaliers22-48  22        20        25        35        102

SCORING LEADERS

J. Tatum BOS

29 PTS 8 REB 1 AST

K. Love CLE

30 PTS 14 REB 3 AST

FINAL

1          2          3          4          T

Spurs33-36       20        31        30        35        116

Nets46-24         35        22        39        32        128

SCORING LEADERS

D. DeRozan SA

21 PTS 2 REB 5 AST

L. Shamet BKN

21 PTS 3 REB 1 AST

FINAL

1          2          3          4          T

Pelicans31-39   30        28        22        27        107

Mavericks41-29 32        45        34        14        125

SCORING LEADERS

J. Hayes NO

15 PTS 6 REBL. Doncic DAL

33 PTS 8 REB 8 AST

FINAL

1          2          3          4          T

Trail Blazers41-29         24        35        25        21        105

Jazz50-20         31        25        20        22        98

SCORING LEADERS

D. Lillard POR

30 PTS 2 REB 6 AST

J. Clarkson UTA

29 PTS 4 REB 3 AST

FINAL

1          2          3          4          T

Rockets16-54    26        27        43        26        122

Lakers40-30      34        25        41        24        124

SCORING LEADERS

A. Brooks HOU

24 PTS 6 REB 1 AST

T. Horton-Tucker LAL

23 PTS 2 REB 10 AST

INDICATORS

FOREX $1 = P 47.81

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

He who joyfully marches to music in rank and file has already earned my contempt. He has been given a large brain by mistake, since for him the spinal cord would suffice. - Albert Einstein