DUTERTE THREATENS TO END VFA IF US FAILS TO 'CORRECT' BATO VISA CANCELLATIONMANILA - President Rodrigo Duterte on Thursday threatened to terminate theVisiting Forces Agreement with the United States unless Washington"corrects" the cancellation of Sen. Bato dela Rosa's visa in one month."I'm warning you, this is the first time. Kapag hindi ninyo ginawa angcorrection diyan. One, I will terminate the Visiting Forces Agreement.Tapusin ko yang p***** *** na 'yan," Duterte said in a speech in San Isidro,Leyte."I am giving notice and they begin to count. I am giving government and theAmerican government one month from now."Signed in 1998, the VFA allows American and Filipino troops to conduct jointtrainings in Philippine soil.Dela Rosa confirmed to media Wednesday that the US canceled his visa butdid not specify why it was revoked. He said, however, that he was informedthat he could apply again.The senator believes the cancellation was due to allegations ofextrajudicial killings during his stint as the chief of the PhilippineNational Police.'UNFORTUNATE, UNNECESSARY': LACSON FROWNS ON DUTERTE'S THREAT TO CANCELPH-US VFAMANILA - President Rodrigo Duterte's threat to terminate the Philippines'Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) with the United States over Washington'scancellation of Sen. Ronald "Bato" Dela Rosa's visa is "difficult tounderstand," Sen. Panfilo Lacson said Thursday."Visa is a conditional authorization given by a country to visitingforeigners which may be granted, cancelled, and even denied. The VFA is abilateral agreement between the Philippines and the US that went throughsome back and forth discussions prior to Senate ratification but not withoutintense plenary deliberation," Lacson told reporters in a text message."It is therefore difficult to understand the connection between the two."Asked when how Duterte's threat will affect the relations of the twocountries, Lacson said: "It will depend on how the US will react to thePresident's threat which would say is unfortunate and unnecessary."Duterte earlier Thursday gave US a month to reverse the visa cancellation ofDela Rosa, who spearheaded his bloody war on drugs during his stint asPhilippine National Police chief."I am warning you, kapag hindi ninyo ginawa ang correction diyan (if youdon't issue a correction), I will terminate the Visiting Forces Agreement,"the President said in a speech in San Isidro, Leyte.Meanwhile, Senate President Vicente "Tito" Sotto III said in a statementthat the President's threat "can make the US Senate rethink their wrongperception about our justice system.""He is the President, the buck stops with him."Dela Rosa on Wednesday confirmed the US revoked his 10-year multiple entryvisa but noted that Washington gave no explanation as to when and why hisvisa was cancelled.He, however, said the cancellation might be linked to his supposedinvolvement in the extrajudicial killings (EJK) allegedly perpetrated bypolice under Duterte's intensified campaign against narcotics.DUTERTE: WE SHOULD KILL 'CRAZY RICH PEOPLE'MANILA - President Rodrigo Duterte lashed out again on Thursday againstbusiness tycoons.Duterte accused leaders of Metro Manila's water distributors of being"thieves" and said "crazy rich" people should be killed, as he spoke withformer rebels in San Isidro, Leyte."But Philippines has been gravely fooled by the rich people in thePhilippines. Just like Ayala and Pangilinan who own Globe and Smart. Theyare all thieves, those sons of b******. That's the whole truth," thePresident said in Visayan."There are rich people in the Philippines who are crazy. They're the oneswhom we should kill," Duterte said."They are listening now because this is being broadcasted nationwide. Wellit's good for them to hear this. They have violated the rights of people.They are just distributors of water yet they have become millionairesbecause they overpowered the Filipino. That's why I am angry at them," headded.Duterte has repeatedly lashed out against water concessionaires Maynilad andManila Water, saying the two firms' contracts with the government "rip off"the public.Manila Water is part of the Ayala group of companies, while Maynilad isjointly owned by DMCI Holdings Inc and Metro Pacific Investments Corp., thelatter headed by Manny Pangilinan."Just wait for my go signal. Behind a killing is a leader, especially if hisfollowers are stupid and would just fire whenever they are told to."The President previously said he wanted to send billionaires to jail."Pag nagkamali yang g*g*ng yan, ipakukulong ko talaga sila," he said inspeech last Dec. 30.CHINA VIRUS DEATH TOLL MOUNTS TO 25, MORE THAN 800 INFECTEDBEIJING - A new coronavirus has killed 25 people in China and infected morethan 800, the government said on Friday, as the World Health Organisationdeclared it an emergency but stopped short of declaring the epidemic ofinternational concern.China's National Health Commission said 830 cases had been confirmed so farand 25 people had died as of Thursday. Most of the cases are in the centralChinese city of Wuhan, where the virus is believed to have originated latelast year.Non-fatal cases have been found in at least seven other countries.Health officials fear the transmission rate could accelerate as hundreds ofmillions of Chinese travel at home and abroad during week-long holidays forthe Lunar New Year, which begins on Saturday.Nonetheless, it was a "bit too early" to consider the outbreak a "PublicHealth Emergency of International Concern," WHO Emergency Committee panelchair Didier Houssin said after the body met in Geneva. Such a designationwould have required countries to step up the international response."Make no mistake, though, this is an emergency in China," said WHO chiefTedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus."It has not yet become a global health emergency. It may yet become one," hesaid.Meanwhile, Wuhan is rapidly building a new 1,000-bed hospital to treatvictims of a new coronavirus, mobilizing machinery to get it ready by earlynext week, state media said.The new hospital is being built around a holiday complex originally intendedfor local workers, set in gardens by a lake on the outskirts of the city,the official Changjiang Daily reported on Friday. Prefabricated buildings,which will have 1,000 beds, will be put up, it said.135 CHINESE TOURISTS FROM WUHAN TO RETURN HOME: AVIATION OFFICIALMANILA - All 135 tourists from Wuhan province in China who arrived inKalibo, Aklan on Thursday will be returned to their point of origin, anaviation official said Friday, as more countries record cases of themysterious new coronavirus.Philippine carriers Royal Air Charter and Pan Pacific Airline will launch 4flights to take the tourists back to Wuhan, according to Wyrlou Samodio,chief of Civil Aeronautics Board's legal division.Samodio did not give details about the schedule of the flights."Kailangan po nilang bumalik dahil sila po ay turista lang dito," he toldradio DZMM.The passengers arrived in Aklan before the Philippines announced that it washalting flights to and from the central Chinese city where the virusoriginated.Health officials earlier cleared from the illness 3 Chinese tourists withinfluenza-like symptoms who arrived in Kalibo. A flight attendant alsoplaced herself in "self-quarantine" after exhibiting symptoms ofcoronavirus.The illness has been reported in Beijing, Shanghai, and Hong Kong andreached other countries like Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, and theUS.HUMAN RIGHTS WATCH SAYS DELA ROSA MAY FACE 'BIGGER' PROBLEMS THAN CANCELEDUS VISA SOONMANILA - Sen. Ronald "Bato" dela Rosa, one of the architects of PresidentRodrigo Duterte's bloody drug war, may soon face "far bigger" problems thana canceled US visa, the Human Rights Watch said Thursday.HRW's Asia Advocacy Director John Sifton said that former top cop Dela Rosa"may still have a date with justice" and "may soon enough face far biggerproblems than trouble with his visa to the United States."Dela Rosa said the US embassy did not specify why his visa was revoked buthe was informed that he could apply again.The senator believed the cancellation of his visa was due to allegations ofextrajudicial killings during his stint as the chief of the PhilippineNational Police.Sifton said that with the revocation of Dela Rosa's visa, the US StateDepartment "has exercised its authority to deny visas to persons implicatedin gross human rights abuses.""The next step is for the US government to make clear that this policyextends to all members of the government who are implicated in mass killingsassociated with the 'drug war,'" Sifton added.PH SETS 2 CONDITIONS FOR LIFTING OF KUWAIT DEPLOYMENT BANMANILA - The Philippines will lift its total deployment ban of migrantworkers to Kuwait on 2 conditions: the signing of a template contract forFilipino workers and when the Gulf State shows "earnest efforts" to deliverjustice to slain household worker Jeanelyn Villavende, Labor SecretarySilvestre Bello III said Friday.Bello said he would receive Friday the official autopsy report conducted byKuwait's Ministry of Interior on Villavende's remains.The labor chief initially received a two-sentence report of Kuwait's autopsysaying Villavende died of "physical injuries," prompting Philippineauthorities to conduct its own autopsy, which then showed the migrant workerwas sexually abused and tortured.The initial report was done by Kuwait's Ministry of Health, which did notconduct the autopsy, Bello said, citing information from Kuwait AmbassadorAhmad Althwaikh."Sa'kin naman, di naman importante kung aling minister, ang gusto ko lang'yung tamang report," he told radio DZMM."Sinabi ko naman noon na 2 kondisyon ang kailangan (para ma-lift angdeployment ban). Hopefully makukuha natin 'yung standard employment contractand hopefully we can also see na merong earnest effort on their part namabigyan ng katarungan si Jeanelyn."Villavende's employers, who are behind the murder, have been detained, whilethe agency who sent her to Kuwait has been suspended, Bello said.The country last imposed a total deployment ban to the Gulf state in 2018after Filipina migrant worker Joanna Demafelis was slain and discoveredinside a freezer at an abandoned apartment there. Her employer was foundguilty for her slay.DOH: STILL NO CONFIRMED CASE OF NCOV IN PHILIPPINESMANILA - While the Philippines still has no case of the new viral illnessthat has infected hundreds of people, the Department of Health (DOH)admitted yesterday that the deadly novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) couldspread to the country."So far we don't have any confirmed cases of 2019-nCov," HealthUndersecretary Eric Domingo told reporters.Domingo noted that cases of 2019-nCoV were recorded in several countries,including the United States, so the possibility of the virus spreading tothe Philippines is no longer theoretical."We have a case waiting for confirmation and there is a case in the US,which is farther and supposedly at lower risk," he said.Domingo said the strategy adopted by the World Health Organization (WHO) isto enable every country to identify, isolate, contain and manage cases of2019-nCoV.As of last night, Domingo said the DOH was still waiting for the results ofthe swab samples taken from the five-year-old Chinese boy in Cebu City, whotested positive for coronavirus."The laboratory results from Melbourne, Australia may come out today orSaturday at the earliest," he said.Domingo said the boy is recovering and doing well, but remains confined in aCebu hospital.'STRONGEST' ASH EMISSION IN PAST FEW DAYS SHOWS TAAL STILL ACTIVE: PHIVOLCSMANILA - Taal Volcano spewed more ash on Friday morning, proof that magmacontinued to churn beneath its volcano's surface, state seismologists said.The ash emission, which started at 5:11 a.m. was the "strongest in the pastfew days," Taal resident volcanologist Paolo Reniva said.Taal has a 30-percent chance of a hazardous eruption and residents shouldstay out of danger zones, especially the volcano island where steam-drivenor phreatic eruptions could occur, said Phivolcs officer-in-charge RenatoSolidum."Ito ay patunay na may aktibidad pa sa ilalim kasi nandyan pa po ang magmaat 'yung tubig diyan ay napapakuluan. Wala lang masyadong puwersa paramagkaroon ng pagsabog pero 'yung steaming eh nag-increase nang konti,"Phivolcs officer-in-charge Renato Solidum told radio DZMM."Pag nabara 'yung usok na 'yan, s'yempre magkakaroon ng pressure. Bakasumabog," he said."'Yung 3 out of 10 chances or 30 percent, mataas po yun. Kung angpag-uusapan ay mas maliit na pagsabog, mas mataas pa po ang tiyansa.The volcano remains under alert level 4, the second-highest in a 5-stepwarning system, meaning a "hazardous explosive eruption is possible withinhours to days," according to Phivolcs.Towns and cities under lockdown could change as authorities identify areasin danger of base surge, or volcanic particles that rush down from volcano'sslopes, said Col. Edwin Quilates, Batangas provincial police chief."Magre-readjust po kami ng control points at lockdown area," Quilates toldradio DZMM."Maaaring magbago ang terminology natin ngayong araw. Maaaring bitawan nanatin yung terminology na 14-km danger zone. Baka gamitin na natin yung basesurge dun sa mapping ng Phivolcs."The Taal Volcano Network, which can record small earthquakes undetectable bythe PSN, recorded 486 volcanic earthquakes in the past 24 hours.BIFF AMBUSH IN NORTH COTABATO LEAVES SOLDIER DEAD, ANOTHER WOUNDEDCOTABATO CITY - Security officials believe members of the Dawlah Islamiyah,also called the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters, are behind the murderof an off-duty and the wounding of another in Midsayap town in NorthCotabato on Thursday.PFC Meljay Bernal and his companion, Cpl. Earl Tabaranza, both of the 34thInfantry Battalion, were riding a motorcycle to the town proper of Midsayapfrom their base in an interior area of the town when they were attacked.Police Lt. Col. John Calinga, chief of the Midsayap municipal police, saidFriday that Bernal died on the spot.The group has killed more than 20 off-duty soldiers and police officers inretaliatory attacks in the past four years.The Dawlah Islamiya also has a reputation for bombing non-military targets,including commercial establishments, in response to military operationsagainst them.NEW PNP DIRECTORIAL STAFF CHIEF NAMEDMANILA - A former director of the Western Visayas police was promoted aschief of the directorial staff of the Philippine National Police.PNP chief Gen. Archie Francisco Gamboa designated Maj. Gen. Cesar HawthorneBinag to the fourth highest position in the PNP."He will supervise and synchronize the functions of the PNP directorialstaff offices in support of the operations of police regional offices andnational support units," Gamboa told a press briefing yesterday.Binag, a member of Philippine Military Academy Hinirang Class of 1987,served as police director of Central Visayas for a year before he was namedhead of the Western Visayas police.Prior to his new appointment, Binag headed the Directorate for Informationand Communication Technology Management (DICTM).Brig. Gen. Dionardo Carlos, former commander of the Highway Patrol Group(HPG) will replace Binag at the DICTM.Brig. Gen. Eliseo Cruz was appointed HPG director.JAMES REID, MAY PROYEKTO KASAMA ANG GRAMMY AWARD-WINNING PRODUCER NA SIILLMINDMagkakaroon ng project si James Reid kasama ang Grammy-award winning Fil-Amproducer na si Illmind.Nagkita ang dalawa sa Los Angeles, California para pag-usapan ang gagawingproyekto.Ibinahagi ni James ang meeting nila ni Illmind sa kanyang Instagram.MAYMAY ENTRATA, SUPERMODEL ANG PEG SA BAGONG LARAWANSupermodel ang peg at aura ni Maymay Entrata sa larawan na ibinahagi niya sakanyang Instagram.Sa kanyang post, makikitang nakasuot si Maymay ng violet dress at may rosaspa na nakatali sa kanyang buhok.Palaisipan naman sa mga netizen kung para saan ang bagong larawan naibinahagi ni Maymay.NBA SCORES JAN 22FINAL    1    2    3    4    Tteam logo 76ers 29-17    35    15    22    23    95team logo Raptors 30-14    26    24    26    31    107SCORING LEADERST. Harris PHI22 PTS, 6 REB, 4 ASTF. VanVleet TOR22 PTS, 5 REB, 8 ASTFINAL    1    2    3    4    Tteam logo Thunder 26-19    24    36    32    28    120team logo Magic 21-24    21    30    38    25    114SCORING LEADERS    D. Schroder OKC31 PTS, 3 REB, 9 AST    T. Ross ORL26 PTS, 3 REB, 2 ASTFINAL    1    2    3    4    Tteam logo Kings 15-29    27    23    25    31    106team logo Pistons 17-28    26    31    36    34    127SCORING LEADERS    D. Fox SAC22 PTS, 3 REB, 3 AST    C. Wood DET23 PTS, 3 REB, 1 ASTFINAL    1    2    3    4    Tteam logo Lakers 35-9    28    20    28    24    100team logo Knicks 12-33    25    23    22    22    92SCORING LEADERSA. Davis LAL28 PTS, 5 REB, 5 ASTM. Morris NY20 PTS, 6 REB, 1 ASTFINAL/OT    1    2    3    4    OT    Tteam logo Wizards 14-29    27    23    33    35    11    129team logo Heat 31-13    30    39    21    28    16    134SCORING LEADERSB. Beal WAS38 PTS, 9 REB, 5 ASTT. Herro MIA25 PTS, 3 REB, 2 ASTFINAL    1    2    3    4    Tteam logo Clippers 31-14    32    28    15    20    95team logo Hawks 11-34    16    25    28    33    102SCORING LEADERSM. Harrell LAC30 PTS, 7 REB, 0 ASTJ. Collins ATL33 PTS, 16 REB, 2 ASTFINAL    1    2    3    4    Tteam logo Grizzlies 20-24    27    17    19    32    95team logo Celtics 29-14    25    33    41    20    119SCORING LEADERSJ. Valanciunas MEM16 PTS, 13 REB, 1 ASTJ. Tatum BOS23 PTS, 7 REB, 4 ASTFINAL    1    2    3    4    Tteam logo Nuggets 30-14    28    15    28    34    105team logo Rockets 27-16    35    25    32    29    121SCORING LEADERSN. Jokic DEN19 PTS, 12 REB, 10 ASTR. Westbrook HOU28 PTS, 16 REB, 8 ASTFINAL    1    2    3    4    Tteam logo Timberwolves 15-29    26    26    27    31    110team logo Bulls 17-29    35    24    22    36    117SCORING LEADERS    K. Towns MIN40 PTS, 6 REB, 2 AST    Z. LaVine CHI25 PTS, 5 REB, 1 ASTFINAL    1    2    3    4    Tteam logo Pacers 29-16    30    24    29    29    112team logo Suns 18-26    24    24    17    22    87SCORING LEADERS    T. Warren IND25 PTS, 3 REB, 0 AST    K. Oubre Jr. PHO17 PTS, 9 REB, 0 ASTFINAL    1    2    3    4    Tteam logo Spurs 20-23    31    29    34    27    121team logo Pelicans 17-28    24    27    31    35    117SCORING LEADERSL. Aldridge SA32 PTS, 14 REB, 2 ASTZ. Williamson NO22 PTS, 7 REB, 3 ASTFINAL    1    2    3    4    Tteam logo Jazz 31-13    31    34    35    29    129team logo Warriors 10-36    17    26    26    27    96SCORING LEADERS    D. Mitchell UTA23 PTS, 4 REB, 3 AST    D. Russell GS26 PTS, 3 REB, 3 AST