CHINA VIRUS DEATH TOLL TOPS 200 AS WHO DECLARES GLOBAL EMERGENCYSHANGHAI - The death toll in China from the new corona virus reached 213 onFriday, with overall cases worldwide rising rapidly in an outbreak that theWorld Health Organization (WHO) declared a global health emergency.The death toll in Hubei, the Chinese province at the center of the epidemic,had risen to 204 and there were 9,692 cases of infection nationally as ofThursday, Chinese health authorities said. About 100 cases have beenreported in at least 18 other countries, with no deaths outside China.Even as the WHO said cases had spread to 18 countries, Italy announced itsfirst confirmed cases, in two Chinese tourists.Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO director-general, told a news conference inGeneva that recent weeks have witnessed an unprecedented outbreak which hasbeen met by an unprecedented response."Let me be clear, this declaration is not a vote of no confidence in China,"he said. "Our greatest concern is the potential for the virus to spread tocountries with weaker health systems."The declaration of a global emergency triggers recommendations to allcountries. It is aimed at preventing or reducing cross-border spread ofdisease, while avoiding unnecessary interference with trade and travel.Tedros said, the organization "doesn't recommend - and actually opposes"restrictions on travel or trade with China.Nonetheless, foreign governments have been flying home their citizens fromHubei and holding them in quarantine, while airlines including Air France,American Airlines and British Airways have stopped flying to mainland China.Airlines are facing mounting pressure by cabin crew to stop all flights dueto unease about exposure to the virus.Stocks around the world have tumbled on fears of the economic fallout fromthe outbreak in the world's second-biggest economy.Some 60 million people in Hubei province are living under virtual lockdown.FIRST CONFIRMED NCOV PATIENT ISOLATED AT SAN LAZARO HOSPITALMANILA — The Department of Health has confirmed the first case of the 2019Novel (new) Coronavirus or 2019 nCoV in the Philippines.The patient, said to be asymptomatic or displaying no symptoms, is a38-year-old woman who arrived in the Philippines on January 21 from Wuhan inChina, the ground of the newly discovered strain of coronavirus.“She is currently asymptomatic...she has no fever and no other signs andsymptoms suggesting illness at this point,” Health Secretary Francisco DuqueIII said in a Thursday afternoon press briefing.“DOH assures health facilities are equipped and prepared to receive and carefor PUIs [patients under investigation] and confirmed 2019-nCoV cases.”The patient’s test results returned Thursday from the Australia-basedVictorian Infectious Disease Reference Laboratory.“The confirmed case arrived in the Philippines from Wuhan, China via HongKong last Jan. 21, 2020. The patient sought consult and was admitted in oneof the country's government hospitals last January 25 after experiencingmild cough,” the Health department said in a release.There are a total of 29 patients under investigation as of writing.Eighteen of which are in Metro Manila, while four are in Central Visayas andthree are in Western Visayas. One PUI each was recorded in Mimaropa, EasternVisayas, Northern Mindanao and in Davao.Of the 29 PUIs, 23 patients are currently admitted while five have beendischarged under strict monitoring.The Health department assured that it is on top of the situation and workingclosely with the World Health Organization.DUTERTE BANS TRAVELERS FROM PARTS OF CHINA AFTER NCOV REACHES PHILIPPINESMANILA — President Rodrigo Duterte issued a travel ban on Chinese nationalscoming from Hubei province after the health department confirmed the firstcase of the Novel Coronavirus in the Philippines.Presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo said the president has instructedthe Department of Health to implement the protocols it has prepared tocontain the disease and stop its transmission."Upon the recommendation of [Health] Secretary Francisco Duque, thePresident has issued a travel ban to Chinese nationals coming from the Hubeiprovince of China where the nCoV originated, as well in other places inChina where there is a spread of the disease," Panelo said in a statementFriday.The travel ban will remain in place until the threat of the SARS-likeillness is over, according to the Malacañang spokesman."The DOH assures us that every measure is being undertaken to to contain thespread of the dreadful virus as well as monitoring and placing in quarantinethose showing of symptoms of having nCov," Panelo said.‘DON’T WASTE TIME’: ROBREDO SAYS GOV’T MUST ACT QUICKLY VS SPREAD OFCORONAVIRUSMANILA — Vice President Leni Robredo said the government should fast-trackmeasures to limit the spread of novel coronavirus after the World HealthOrganization declared a global emergency over the SARS-like illness.“Wala na tayong panahon para sa mahabang usapan. Buhay ng tao angnakasalalay kaya agarang aksyon, tamang impormasyon at mabilisang desisyonang kailangan,” Robredo said in a statement Friday.The vice president called on the administration of President Rodrigo Duterteto heed recommendations to ban all flights coming from China and put inplace support systems for Filipinos in areas with confirmed cases, whichinclude their possible evacuation.Robredo said early Friday that the government should not waste time inensuring the safety of Filipinos.“Bawat minutong ipapagbukas pa ang pag-aksyon sa mga rekomendasyong ito,lalong nailalagay sa panganib ang kapakanan at kalusugan ng ating mgamamamayan,” she said.PHILIPPINES TRACING TRAVELERS WHO FLEW WITH FIRST NOVEL CORONAVIRUS PATIENTMANILA - Authorities are looking for flight passengers who came in closecontact with the Philippines' first case of a novel coronavirus outbreakfrom China, the health ministry said Friday.The patient, a 38-year-old woman, came from the Chinese central city ofWuhan, where the virus was first detected. From Wuhan, she took flights toHong Kong, then Cebu and Dumaguete, before arriving in Manila on Jan. 21,said Health Secretary Francisco Duque III.For each of these flights, authorities have to trace the passengers who wereup to 4 seats away from the patient, he said."Iyong mga tao natin sa surveillane office, nagsasagawa ng contacttracing... And'yan naman ang mga sistema for containment measures," he said.DOH WAITS FOR RISK ASSESSMENT BEFORE BACKING TOTAL TRAVEL BAN TO CHINAMANILA - The country's top health official on Friday said they will wait forthe latest risk assessment from the World Health Organization before pushingfor a total ban on travelers coming from mainland China.For now, Health Secretary Francisco Duque III said the travel restriction isonly for travelers coming from Hubei province."I strongly recommended that a temporary restriction of travelers going toManila from Hubei province, China within the possibility that as soon as weget the risk assessment by the WHO that many other provinces are in factreporting, increasing numbers of novel coronavirus infection, we willinclude them in the travel restrictions," Duque said.On ANC's Headstart, Duque said President Rodrigo Duterte has alreadyapproved the recommendation.Duque earlier said banning tourists from mainland China may causerepercussions since it is not the only country with confirmed cases of2019-nCoV.He said China might question why the Philippines is not doing the same forall the other countries with reported confirmed cases of nCoV.US JUDGE ORDERS DETENTION FOR ARRESTED QUIBOLOY CHURCH MEMBERSSANTA ANA, California - A US judge has ordered the detention of 2 leaders ofPastor Apollo Quiboloy's Kingdom of Jesus Christ who are facing charges foralleged conspiracy to commit immigration fraud.US Magistrate Judge Autumn D Spaeth ordered the detention of Guia Cabactulanand Marissa Duenas upon the request of government prosecutors who said theypose a flight risk.Cabactulan, 59, was earlier described as a "top official" of Quiboloy'schurch who had direct communications with its Philippines' leadership; whileDuenas, 41, allegedly handled immigration documents and kept passports ofvictims of an alleged human trafficking ring.The two were arrested in a raid at the Van Nuys, California compound of theKingdom of Jesus Christ church.A third church administrator, Amanda Estopare, 48, who handled "financialaspects" and fundraising of the church, was also arrested in Virginia.Lawyers for Cabactulan and Duenas unsuccessfully argued that health issuesand lack of criminal records would prevent them from fleeing.Federal prosecutors said the three leaders — Cabactulan, Duenas, andEstopare — brought church members to the United States under falsepretenses, often telling them that they were invited to be special guests ata concert supporting the church’s ministry.But once the church members arrived in the United States, their passportswere immediately taken away by the three church administrators, who thenforced them to collect donations for the Children’s Joy Foundation, anonprofit run by the church that claims to help impoverished children in thePhilippines, according to a criminal complaint.DFA TO BRING HOME FILIPINOS IN HUBEI STARTING NEXT WEEKMANILA — The Department of Foreign Affairs is ready to repatriate Filipinosin Wuhan City and the rest of Hubei province amid the novel coronavirusoutbreak in China.The DFA said it will prioritize Filipinos in Hubei province in the firstbatch of repatriates, which are expected to arrive by next week.The repatriation of Filipinos in China will be subject to the country'srules on disease containment, including immigration clearances andquarantine process."Filipinos who wish to be included in the first batch should contact thePhilippine Embassy in Beijing or the nearest Consulate General in their areaby [February 3, 2020], Monday," the DFA said in an advisory.Filipinos repatriated from China will undergo a 14-day mandatory quarantineperiod upon arriving in the Philippines.HOUSE VOWS TO PASS LAW ON MOTORCYCLE TAXIS BY MARCHMANILA — The House of Representatives has vowed to come up by March with alegislative measure that would legitimize and regulate motorcycleride-hailing services in the country.The committees on Metro Manila development and transportation have committedto complete deliberations on bills seeking to amend Republic Act 4136 (LandTransportation and Traffic Code) to make motorcycle taxi services legal intwo months.Metro Manila development panel chair and Manila District 1 Rep. Manny Lopezsaid they plan to pass the measure and have the law signed in time for theconclusion of the pilot study of the technical working group (TWG) of theDepartment of Transportation on the services of Angkas, JoyRide and Move It.Lopez said the measure is considered urgent as it would provide the legalbacking for operations of the motorcycle taxi services that benefit theriding public.He explained that the law would legitimize and regulate motorcycles as apublic utility vehicle, pointing out that RA 4136 does not allow motorcyclesto be used as PUVs.13 FOREIGN WOMEN RESCUED FROM MAKATI SEX DENMAKATI— Thirteen women, all foreigners, were rescued during a raid on aprostitution den at a hotel in Makati City on Wednesday night.The women – two Russians, two Vietnamese and nine Chinese – were found inthe rooms at the Golden Dragon Hotel in Barangay Pio del Pilar at around10:35 p.m., city police chief Col. Rogelio Simon said.Police also “invited” five of the hotel’s Filipino employees for furtherinvestigation.A Chinese informant and a police officer staged a sting, paying P22,000 inmarked money, to the suspects.It is the fifth prostitution den the city police raided this month. Three ofthem are in Barangay Palanan while one is in Barangay Bel-Air.Philippine National Police chief Gen. Archie Gamboa has ordered the PNP toraid more establishments that might be used as sex dens catering toemployees of Philippine offshore gaming operators (POGO).This was after Sen. Risa Hontiveros bared in a recent Senate hearing thatprostitution dens catering to POGO employees have become rampant, addingthat the women were being ordered like food.27 TONS OF ‘HOT’ MEAT SEIZED IN MANILAMANILA — Following a tip, the Manila Veterinary Inspection Board (VIB) andthe Manila Police District-Special Mayor’s Reaction Team (MPD-SMaRT) raidedthe warehouse of Ecosafe Agro-Product Manufacturing and found a truck and areefer van containing at least 25 tons of pork celery dumplings as well asthousands of cartons of chicken products.The city government, which said it is the largest shipment of ASF-positivemeat products confiscated since Mayor Isko Moreno took office last year,later shut down the company.Ecosafe is a logistics firm and does not have a permit to import meat or forcold storage.Recycled?Sources said the meat products at Ecosafe’s warehouse are allegedly part ofa shipment consigned to Dynamic M. International that was seized by theBureau of Customs (BOC) from a building in Kawit, Cavite several days ago.Documents obtained by The STAR showed that Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI)chief Reynaldo Raquilang alerted Manila International Container Portdistrict collector Guillermo Pedro Francia on Jan. 20 and 23 regarding foodproducts that arrived from China and were consigned to Dynamic M.Raquilang told Francia that samples of the dumplings taken from one ofDynamic M.’s reefer vans tested positive for ASF.The BAI recommended that all the food products that were shipped along withthe dumplings “be immediately disposed by burying at the importer’swarehouse compound under the supervision of the BOC examiner and ourpersonnel.”The ASF-contaminated food products are supposed to be buried at least 25feet underground, the BAI said.ENTERTAINMENT & LIFESTYLENADINE OPENS UP ABOUT JAMES, VIVA, UPCOMING PROJECTSMANILA - There’s no hint of sadness in Nadine Lustre’s eyes when she madeher first public appearance on Wednesday night despite being the subject ofheadlines in the past weeks.Apart from the shocking news of her breakup with James Reid, Lustre is alsocurrently in the middle of a controversy involving her management contractwith Viva Artists Agency (VAA).In an interview with ABS-CBN News’ MJ Felipe, Lustre assured her fans thatshe is doing fine.“I am good. I am okay. I’m working on a lot of stuff now. I am reallyexcited, also working on my music na. Finally, it’s going to happen thisyear. A lot of surprises for you guys, I’m not allowed to say a lot. Peroabangan niyo na lang,” she said.But how is she coping exactly?“You know it’s weird because people would think na these challenges willreally hurt you and it’s really gonna put you down and make you feel superdepressed na parang I don’t want to go out,” she began.“It’s hard at first. Believe me, it was really hard. But at the end of theday kasi, I think to myself na parang, okay what is going to come out ofthis? After all this, when I’m done with this challenge, when I’m done withthis heartache or whatever it is, I’m gonna be a stronger and better person.I would learn so much from that,” she added.Right now, Lustre chooses to keep an optimistic attitude believing that shecan overcome any challenge by living through her mantra that “there’s no wayaround it, only through it.”“There’s no other way. There’s no shortcut. All the challenges that willcome into your life, all the hardships, walang shortcut 'yun. You have to gothrough it. And after you go through it, there’s so much growth. You learn alot of stuff about yourself and it makes you a stronger person,” she said.Meanwhile, Lustre also talked about her current relationship with Reidfollowing their split.This after they were recently spotted partying together at a bar in Makati.They also spent the weekend together having pasta with their friends.“We are good. That’s all everyone needs to know. I think the social mediakasi just blew it out of proportion. Talagang medyo naging OA lang, but weare super good,” she said.Would she be willing to do another television series with him again in thefuture?“Of course. Maybe in the future. But right now kasi, the goal talaga is towork on other stuff separately. We’ll see. Baka naman in the future,mangyari ulit iyan. But yeah, I am super open. It’s going to be a reunionteleserye for the both of us,” she said.Lustre, however, kept mum when asked to react about the statement of Viva’sbig boss, Vic del Rosario, that he wants to sit down and talk to her.“No comment. Pass,” she said smiling.Without giving details, Lustre's camp on Monday announced that she has"decided to terminate" her VAA contract, and that she is currently"self-managed."VAA contradicted this, saying the actress remains its "exclusive artist,"and that "any dealings or professional engagements entered into by Nadine,without the consent or approval of Viva constitutes breach of contract."SPORTSNBA SCORES JAN 29FINAL    1    2    3    4    Tteam logo Knicks 13-35    26    24    16    26    92team logo Hornets 16-31    15    32    21    29    97SCORING LEADERS    J. Randle NY24 PTS, 5 REB, 2 AST    T. Rozier CHA30 PTS, 10 REB, 1 ASTFINAL    1    2    3    4    Tteam logo Warriors 10-38    27    27    28    22    104team logo 76ers 31-17    26    33    27    29    115SCORING LEADERSD. Russell GS28 PTS, 5 REB, 7 ASTJ. Embiid PHI24 PTS, 10 REB, 1 ASTFINAL    1    2    3    4    Tteam logo Hawks 12-36    23    33    27    31    114team logo Raptors 33-14    33    35    29    33    130SCORING LEADERS    J. Collins ATL28 PTS, 12 REB, 0 AST    P. Siakam TOR24 PTS, 9 REB, 2 ASTFINAL    1    2    3    4    Tteam logo Pelicans 19-29    40    34    30    21    125team logo Cavaliers 13-35    34    31    25    21    111SCORING LEADERSJ. Holiday NO28 PTS, 2 REB, 8 ASTC. Sexton CLE24 PTS, 3 REB, 4 ASTFINAL    1    2    3    4    Tteam logo Wizards 15-31    28    35    41    27    131team logo Bucks 41-6    42    46    29    34    151SCORING LEADERSB. Beal WAS47 PTS, 0 REB, 6 ASTK. Middleton MIL51 PTS, 10 REB, 6 ASTFINAL    1    2    3    4    Tteam logo Celtics 31-15    36    17    27    29    109team logo Heat 32-15    28    20    28    25    101SCORING LEADERSG. Hayward BOS29 PTS, 9 REB, 2 ASTG. Dragic MIA23 PTS, 2 REB, 4 ASTFINAL    1    2    3    4    Tteam logo Nuggets 32-15    18    32    16    30    96team logo Grizzlies 23-24    31    32    19    22    104SCORING LEADERSN. Jokic DEN25 PTS, 13 REB, 5 ASTD. Brooks MEM24 PTS, 1 REB, 3 ASTFINAL    1    2    3    4    Tteam logo Suns 20-27    32    28    48    25    133team logo Mavericks 29-18    19    36    22    27    104SCORING LEADERSD. Booker PHO32 PTS, 6 REB, 9 ASTL. Doncic DAL21 PTS, 6 REB, 2 AST