PHILIPPINE MILITARY PLANE CRASH SEES DEATH TOLL CLIMB TO 50

MANILA - Fifty people have died and dozens more have been injured after a military plane crashed in the Philippines.

The Lockheed C-130 transport aircraft was carrying 96 people, mostly troops, when it overshot a runway at Jolo airport in Sulu province on Sunday.

The soldiers were among reinforcements sent to combat Islamist militants such as the Abu Sayyaf group.

The 47 dead are mainly military personnel, but three civilians on the ground were also killed, the defence ministry said.

Five people were initially listed as missing, but all passengers onboard have now been accounted for.

A spokesperson from the Armed Forces of the Philippines told news site ABS-CBN that they were looking for the flight data recorder to find out why exactly the plane might have crashed.

Major Gen Edgard Arevalo said there was no sign of any attack on the plane.

The plane, which came down at 11:30 local time (03:30 GMT) a few kilometres from the town of Jolo, was carrying troops from Cagayan de Oro, on the southern island of Mindanao.

"It missed the runway, trying to regain power but it didn't make it," armed forces chief Gen Sobejana told reporters.

A statement from the regional military force, Joint Task Force Sulu, said "a number of soldiers were seen jumping out of the aircraft before it hit the ground, sparing them from the explosion caused by the crash".

No details about how they managed to get out of the plane or their condition were given.

Many of those on board had only recently completed basic military training, AFP reports.

The plane, previously in service with the US Air Force, was handed to the Philippines in January.

It was the first of two used Hercules to be delivered by the US under a defence co-operation scheme.

PH MILITARY SEARCHES FOR CRASHED C-130'S FLIGHT DATA RECORDER

MANILA - The military is searching for a crashed C-130 plane's flight data recorder to unravel the cause of the incident that killed 47 soldiers on board, its spokesperson said Monday.

The Philippine Air Force C-130 aircraft, carrying troops bound for counter-insurgency operations, crashed in Patikul, Sulu Sunday. A total of 49 soldiers survived the crash.

"We are looking for the flight data recorder for us to be able to identify and determine with technical specifications kung ano ang nangyari dito sa pag-crash nito ng ating C-130 aircraft (on why the C-130 crashed)," Major Gen. Edgard Arevalo, spokesperson of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, told ANC.

Based on initial information, the aircraft overshot the runway at Jolo airport then crashed into the nearby town of Patikul.

"Tama ang kaniyang speed paglapag (The speed was correct when it landed). The gears landed on the right spot. Subalit (However), for unknown reason, ay nag-overshoot ito sa runway kaya ito ang aalamin sa investigation (it overshot and that's what we'll be investigating)," Arevalo said.

He said there was no sign of any attack on the plane.

Arevalo said the 3 pilots and 5 crew, who also died in the crash, were "all seasoned and experienced and with appropriate credentials."

Meanwhile, The United States expressed sympathy to the Philippines following the deadly crash of a C-130 plane on Sunday in Sulu, killing dozens of soldiers and some civilians.

"On behalf of the United States, I offer our deep condolences to the people of the Philippines regarding the tragic plane crash in which several dozen service members were killed," US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan said in a statement.

"Our thoughts are with those who were injured and the families of those who were lost," he added.

US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin III shared a similar message.

‘PHILIPPINES-US TIES REMAIN VIBRANT’

MANILA — Despite pressing issues on the West Philippine Sea and the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA), the relationship between the Philippines and the United States remains vibrant and vital today, according to a top official of the US embassy in Manila.

The three pillars of Philippine-US ties military alliance, economic partnership and heartfelt friendship remain alive today, US embassy Charge d’Affaires John Law said in his speech marking the 245th year of American Independence on Thursday, during which the 75th year of Philippine-US diplomatic relations was also celebrated.

“I assure you, the United States is and will forever remain dedicated. Ang tunay na magkaibigan, walang iwanan (True friends don’t leave each other),” Law said.

“Everything that we do together are the bonds of family and friendship that span generations and are reflected in the millions of Filipinos and Americans who call each other’s country their second home,” Law said.

He said he believes that the two countries’ alliance would continue because “it is in the hearts” of both the American and Filipino people.

The US is also hopeful that Manila and Washington can arrive at a “satisfactory” arrangement to continue the VFA, Law said.

He stressed that the US-Philippine alliance is more than merely a defense agreement, with the US having enormous faith in the future of the relations between the two countries.

TAAL SHOWS 'CONTINUOUS STEAMING,' ANOTHER PHREATOMAGMATIC ERUPTION POSSIBLE: PHIVOLCS

MANILA - Taal Volcano shows continuous steaming a day after it recorded its "highest ever" sulfur dioxide emission at 22,628 tons, Phivolcs said Monday.

The steaming is due to an upwelling of volcanic gas on the main crater lake of Taal Volcano, said Phivolcs officer-in-charge Renato Solidum.

"This means there’s a possibility that a similar phreatomagmatic eruption last Thursday may occur in Taal Volcano area," he told ANC's Headstart.

"The explosion can trigger pyroclastic density current that can move horizontally and move across lake water."

Phivolcs could see a scenario where the eruption "might generate the base surge which can cross the waters and that can generate base surge on the mainland and volcanic tsunami," according to Solidum. A base surge is a deadly lateral blast of hot gas, ash, and volcanic debris.

"It is also possible that when the lake water dries up, we can see if there will be continued eruption, there can be fountaining or fireworks of molten rocks and lava flow would ensue. That would be a better type of eruption because it will not be as dangerous," he said.

"Of course at some point, the other scenario would be the volcano would cease to erupt."

The local government and national agencies need to come up with a long-term development plan for the area to address the livelihood of displaced residents, Solidum said.

Solidum cited as an example where residents went back to the volcano island in the 1970s following the 1965 eruption of Taal, which left some 200 people dead.

EVACUATION CONTINUES IN BATANGAS AFTER TAAL'S RECORD-HIGH SULFUR DIOXIDE EMITTANCE

MANILA - The evacuation of residents in Batangas continues following Taal Volcano's record-high sulfur dioxide emittance, an official said Monday.

The volcano on Sunday released 22,628 tons of sulfur dioxide, which Phivolcs said was "anomalously high."

At least 15,000 residents have fled their homes following last week's eruption, Batangas Governor Hermilando Mandanas earlier said.

In evacuation sites, only up to two families are placed in a single room and additional facilities were opened in several towns, said Joselito Castro, chief of the provincial disaster management office.

"Ang mga bayan naman sa lalawigan ay nakahanda sa worst-case scenario. Nakahanda rin ang evacuation centers sa iba’t ibang bayan, distrito," he told ABS-CBN's Teleradyo.

Meantime, tourists are safe in other parts of the province which are not considered "high-risk," said Castro.

"Ang bilin po ng national (government), mahigpit na ipatutupad po ang s-pass," he said, referring to the country's travel management system.

TRILLANES ACCUSES DUTERTE, GO OF PLUNDERING P6.6-BILLION

MANILA - Former Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV on Monday accused President Rodrigo Duterte and his longtime aide of corruption worth P6.6 billion of public works contracts in Davao Region.

In a 9-minute video uploaded on YouTube, Trillanes bared that construction firms owned by Sen. Bong Go's family had won multibillion-peso government projects since Duterte was mayor in Davao City.

The CLTG Builders and Alfrego Builders, both Davao-based construction firms, are owned by Go's father Deciderio and half-brother Alfredo, respectively.

"Maliwanag na ginamit ni Bong Go ang kaniyang posisyon, in connivance with and obvious consent of Duterte as mayor and later on as President para makinabang ang kaniyang pamilya," he said.

"Kaya naman pala sinabi ni Duterte sa isang presscon na bilyonaryo si Bong Go. Kasi bilyon-bilyon na pala ang ninakaw nila sa kaban ng bayan," he added.

SARA DUTERTE'S HNP IN TALKS WITH 5 NATIONAL PARTIES TO FORM COALITION

MANILA - Davao City mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio's Hugpong ng Pagbabago is negotiating with five national parties to form a coalition, its spokesman said Monday.

The national parties are Lakas-CMD, National Unity Party, Nacionalista Party, Pwersa ng Masang Pilipino (PMP) and People's Reform Party (PRP), said Anthony del Rosario.

"Those are the 5 parties that have signified their interest to join this so-called coalition we’re building," he told ANC's Headstart.

"As for the moment, everything is on hold because there has to be a memorandum of agreement between and among all parties. Currently, each party is reviewing the document and we’re still trying to come up with an agreement that is acceptable to all parties."

Under a draft agreement, HNP will choose the candidates for the presidential, vice presidential, and senatorial race, according to the party spokesman.

The Davao City mayor's party will remain regional as she did not have any intention of running for president when it was created, said Del Rosario.

"We already decided HNP will stay on as a regional party. Besides, we already missed deadline. It's one year before the elections. It's already July, even if we wanted, 'di po 'puwede (it's not allowed)," he said.

Anyone who would like to join the party must be a resident of Davao region, Del Rosario added.

The mayor will "probably support whoever the president will endorse," according to Del Rosario.

"If Senator Bong Go is to be chosen as standard bearer of PDP, I don’t see why Mayor Sara would oppose that part tandem," he said.

In Mindanao, "most of the people favor" Duterte-Carpio over Senator Manny Pacquiao as a presidential candidate, said Del Rosario, citing surveys.

"Yes, it could divide the votes, but I don’t think it would be that significant. Hopefully, we'll gain it in Luzon in next year's elections," he said.

When asked about Duterte-Carpio's running mate, Del Rosario said "anything is possible."

DENR WINS INTERNATIONAL AWARD FOR POLICY VS LEAD

MANILA — The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has won an international award for its policy against the use of lead and lead compounds.

In a virtual announcement on June 29, the Germany-based international body World Future Council (WFC) named the Philippines, through the DENR, among the five winners of the Future Policy Award 2021.

A total of 55 policies from 36 countries were nominated for the award. Only 12 were shortlisted by the WFC in May. The awardees were later narrowed down to five.

The Philippines is the first Southeast Asian country to receive the award.

“We cannot be any happier with this news. This is a landmark achievement of the DENR as we campaign for a lead-free country,” Environment Secretary Roy Cimatu said yesterday.

Cimatu said the award is an indication that the Philippines is on the right track in regulating, phasing out and banning chemicals that pose threats to human health and the environment.

The WFC recognized the DENR for its Administrative Order No. 2013-24 or the Chemical Control Order for Lead and Lead Compounds.

The order mandates the prohibition on the use of lead and lead compounds in the production of packaging for food and drink, fuel additives, water pipes, school supplies, cosmetics and paints.

The policy specifically ordered the phaseout of lead in architectural, decorative and household paints on Jan. 1, 2017. The use of lead in industrial paints was phased out on Jan. 1, 2020.

The DENR has also banned the production of paints as a pigment, drying agent or for some other uses with more than 90 parts per million, which is set as the threshold limit.

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VACCINATION CARDS IN LIEU OF TESTING OK’D FOR TRAVEL

MANILA — The government has eased the local travel and quarantine protocols for individuals fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and their vaccine cards used as exemption for testing.

The “finalized” protocols for fully vaccinated persons are contained in Resolution no. 124-B issued by the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) last July 2.

Under the resolution, a person shall be considered as having been fully vaccinated against COVID-19 two weeks after having received a single-dose vaccine or the second dose of a two-dose series.

The vaccine administered should be included in the emergency use authorization list, or compassionate special permit, issued by the Food and Drug Administration or the emergency use listing of the World Health Organization.

For interzonal travel allowed under government guidelines, a fully vaccinated person’s COVID-19 domestic vaccination card, signed by a legitimate vaccinating establishment, or a quarantine completion certificate showing the holder’s vaccination status are now considered sufficient alternatives to any testing requirement the local government of destination may require.

The protocol applies to testing requirements before travel or upon arrival, and to fully vaccinated senior citizens. Fully vaccinated travelers still have to undergo health and exposure screening upon arrival at their destination.

PNP: BUYERS OF COVID-19 VACCINES TO FACE RAPS

MANILA — The Philippine National Police (PNP) has warned that people caught buying COVID-19 vaccines would face criminal charges.

PNP chief Gen. Guillermo Eleazar said both buyers and sellers of COVID-19 vaccines should be held criminally liable.

Eleazar said COVID-19 vaccines should not be used for profit as these are free for qualified Filipinos.

He said the willingness of some people to obtain vaccines in exchange for cash is emboldening illegal sellers.

“We will make sure that they are held accountable. But they will not be emboldened if there are no buyers,” Eleazar said.

GO LAUNCHES MALASAKIT CENTER IN SIARGAO

MANILA — Sen. Bong Go personally attended the launch of the country’s 125th Malasakit Center on Siargao Island in Surigao del Norte on Saturday.

Go said the event was a major step toward improving access to public health services in far-flung communities.

The Malasakit Center was established at the Siargao District Hospital in Dapa town, which was recently upgraded and converted into Siargao Island Medical Center following the enactment of a law that Go sponsored in the Senate last year.

The new Malasakit Center was the third to be established in Caraga region, next to those at the Caraga Regional Hospital in Surigao City and Butuan Medical Center in Butuan City.

In his message, Go lamented that many Filipinos do not have health insurance coverage and are often left alone to pay for their medical bills.

Go said patients could obtain the treatment and medications they need without worrying about the cost as medical assistance from the government are now conveniently available at the Malasakit Center

The Malasakit Center brings under one roof all medical assistance programs offered by the Department of Health, Department of Social Welfare and Development, Philippine Health Insurance Corp. and Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office.

ENTERTAINMENT & LIFESTYLE

TONI GONZAGA DECLARES: 'I'M DONE FEEDING MY EGO'

MANILA – “I am done feeding my ego.”

This was the statement made by Toni Gonzaga when she explained to Wil Dasovich her process of choosing projects after being in the entertainment industry for over two decades now.

The topic came up after Dasovich candidly asked Gonzaga which between her TV job and YouTube work is paying her more.

“I profited a lot on television so I was very grateful for that. Everything that I was able to provide for my family, [it came from my earnings on TV]. I was able to build a house for my family, I was able to travel the world because of that. So I am very, very grateful for that,” she said.

However, Gonzaga said she is now at a stage in her life where she no longer chooses projects based on how much she would earn from them.

“I’ve reached that because in my 20-plus years in the industry, I was able naman to save for myself. So I am not deciding anymore for money. If I do something, it’s not because it’s money-driven or because ‘This is what they are gonna pay you.’ It’s not about that anymore,” she said.

Rather, she chooses those projects which feeds her soul.

“I am done feeding my ego. I fed my ego for 20-plus years in the industry. I realized that was my biggest enemy, my ego. Because the ego is the idea that you have of yourself, that you’re carrying around you and that’s not helping you,” she said.

“The day that you wear your title -- Bob Iger said this in ‘The Ride of a Lifetime,’ he’s the former president of Walt Disney -- he said that the moment you wear your title is the day you lose it. Because it’s the one running your life. That’s not who you are anymore. You are not what the people call you or what the people think of you. That’s just your ego. Who you are is the inner core, the inner being, what’s in your heart, what you believe in, what you stand for, your principles in life,” she added.

More than the profit, the award-winning TV host said she is more after the things which give her the drive and a certain surge of energy.

“Last night, before sleeping, I was very excited to go to the studio today because I know I’m gonna be able to talk to you, I’m gonna talk to another person again later. I miss that feeling of being excited to go to work because I realized that I’ve been doing my job on TV. I love it, but I was on autopilot. It became a routine. I’d wake up, I’d do the show, I will do it all over again. Nawala na 'yung dating excitement na ‘Oh, I am doing this tomorrow.’ 'Yun 'yung nahanap ko ngayon sa ginagawa ko.”

SPORTS

NBA SCORES JULY 3

NOTE: NEXT GAME WILL RESUME ON 6TH JULY

FINAL

1          2          3          4          T

3 Bucks4-2       28        19        44        27        118

5 Hawks2-4       24        19        29        35        107

GAME 6: MIL LEADS 4-2, STATE FARM ARENA, ATLANTA, GA

ECF Highlights: Bucks at Hawks (Game 6)

K. Middleton MIL

32 PTS 4 REB 7 AST

C. Reddish ATL

21 PTS 3 REB 3 AST

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

True happiness is to enjoy the present, without anxious dependence upon the future. - Lucius Annaeus Seneca