PHILIPPINES TO SEND VFA TERMINATION NOTICE TO US; DUTERTE TO TALK TO TRUMPMANILA - President Rodrigo Duterte has issued orders to send to the UnitedStates a notice to terminate the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA),Presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo said Friday."He said, and I quote him, 'I will instruct the Executive Secretary(Salvador Medialdea) to tell the DFA Secretary (Teodoro Locsin Jr) to sendnotice of termination to the US government,'" Panelo said.The President is also set to speak by phone with US President Donalt Trump,Panelo said.But according to Panelo, it isn't clear yet what the agenda is for thatconversation and who brought it up.Locsin earlier said he had already prepared the notice and send it onDuterte's direct orders.The Palace previously said that Manila had begun the process of terminatingthe agreement late last month.Under the agreement, the treaty will be deemed terminated 180 days from thedate on which either party gives the other a notice in writing.CHINA VIRUS DEATH TOLL SOARS TO 722, SURPASSES SARS COUNT: OFFICIALBEIJING, China - The number of deaths from China's new coronavirus epidemicjumped to 722 on Saturday, surpassing the toll from the SARS outbreak on themainland and Hong Kong almost two decades ago.Another 86 people died from the virus, according to the national healthcommission, with all but five in hard-hit Hubei province, where the diseaseemerged in December.In its daily update, the commission also confirmed another 3,399 new cases.There are now more than 34,500 confirmed infections across the country.Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS), a disease in the same family asthe new coronavirus, left nearly 650 people dead in mainland China and HongKong in 2002 and 2003.More than 120 others died around the world.China has struggled to contain the current virus despite having placed some56 million people under effective lockdown in Hubei and its provincialcapital, Wuhan.Other cities far from the epicenter have also taken measures to keep peopleindoors, limiting the number of individuals who can leave their home.Friday's death of a 34-year-old Wuhan doctor who was punished for raisingthe alarm about the virus in December sparked an outpouring of grief andanger over the government's handling of the crisis.Major airlines have suspended flights to and from China.At least 61 people aboard a cruise ship off Japan have tested positive forthe new coronavirus, with thousands of passengers and crew facing a two-weekquarantine.PHILIPPINES' FIRST CONFIRMED CASE OF NCOV TESTS NEGATIVE, SAYS DOHMANILA - The country's first confirmed case of 2019 Novel Coronavirus AcuteRespiratory Disease is recovering and recently tested negative for thedisease, according to the Department of Health."The patient is still stable. No symptoms. Our reports indicate that thelast test niya done on...February 6, I think 'yung latest niya was negativealready," Health Department spokesperson Eric Domingo said in a Fridayafternoon press briefing.The health official clarified, however, that the patient is still classifiedas a confirmed case."But we already sent sample for the second test kasi we need two consecutivetests to be negative before we discharge the patient."As of Thursday, the Epidemiology Bureau and the Philippine NationalPolice-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group have identified all the441 contacts of the first and second case of the 2019 nCoV ARD in thePhilippines.This figure includes the couple's fellow airline passengers as well as thepeople they encountered in hotels, resorts and other places they visited.Of the 235 contacts reached so far, 203 were placed on home quarantine. Theyhad no reported signs or symptoms but the remaining 32 contacts whoexhibited symptoms were categorized as patients under investigation (PUIs).There are a total of 215 cumulative PUIs for 2019 nCoV ARD in thePhilippines, according to the Health Department's situational report onFriday noon.At least 57 PUIs have tested negative, while 155 test results are stillpending.A total of 184 PUIs are currently admitted and isolated while 17 have beendischarged under strict monitoring.PH TOURISM SECTOR LOSES P10 BILLION OVER TRAVEL RESTRICTIONS DUE TOCORONAVIRUS SPREAD: TOUR OPERATORSMANILA - The Philippine tourism industry has lost at least P10 billion pesosas government continues to impose a travel ban to and from China, thecountry's second largest tourism market and epicenter of the deadly 2019novel coronavirus, an official from a tour operators' group said Friday.About 50 percent of reservations in Boracay, Bohol, Cebu, and Palawan havebeen canceled, Philippine Tour Operators Association President Cesar Cruztold reporters."Both for inbound and outbound [travel], it would really have a very bigeffect," he said."It hit us during the peakest of the peak, which is the Chinese New Year,"he said.The tourism industry may continue to feel the effects of the 2019 NovelCoronavirus Acute Respiratory Disease (2019-nCoV ARD) until August, he said.The Department of Tourism (DOT) is eyeing to boost promotions in South Koreaand the United States, the Philippines' top and 3rd largest tourist markets,respectively, Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat said.The DOT is also coordinating with hotels and airline companies to givediscounts to attract more visitors, she said.Stopping the spread of the virus is the government's primary concern, shesaid.DILG 14-DAY QUARANTINE MEMO NOW ONLY APPLIES TO CHINA, HONG KONG, MACAUMANILA - The Department of the Interior and Local Government modified itsearlier memorandum ordering a two-week quarantine period for all travelersfrom countries affected by the 2019 Novel Coronavirus Acute RespiratoryDisease outbreak.As of Friday, the department's Memo Circular 2020-023 (Amended Guide toAction against the 2019 Novel Coronavirus) now only refers to travelerscoming from China, Hong Kong and Macau."All other travelers from other nCoV-affected countries may undergovoluntary quarantine," Interior Undersecretary and official spokespersonJonathan Malaya announced on Friday.DUTERTE ORDERS MILE LONG PROPERTY DEVELOPMENTMANILA - President Duterte has given the go-signal for the development ofthe two-hectare Mile Long property in the Makati Central Business District.In his two-page Administrative Order No. 21 signed last Jan. 29, thePresident ordered the Privatization and Management Office (PMO) to lead thedevelopment of the property as its administrator.Previously operated by the Sunvar Realty Development Corp., the Mile Longproperty is now controlled by the government.The Court of Appeals issued a resolution on Aug. 14, 2017 upholding theorder of Makati Metropolitan Trial Court (MeTC) Branch 61 on June 10, 2015which directs Sunvar to leave the 2.9-hectare lot on Dela Rosa street.The President noted that the development of the Mile Long property, "willgreatly contribute to the generation of revenues for priority programs ofthe government, including among others, the pension program of military anduniformed personnel."LENI HITS 'FAKE NEWS' ON OFFICE, RENTMANILA - Vice President Leni Robredo has denied an opinion piece accusingher of living a luxurious lifestyle supposedly paid for by the government.Robredo described as "fake news" the allegation that the government pays P1million every month as rent for a "luxury mansion" she lives in at NewManila, Quezon City."Fake news. (Quezon City) Reception House serves as our office, NOT myresidence. Our monthly rent is not P1 million, but only half of what theOffice of the Vice President (OVP) used to pay for rent at Coconut Palace,"she said in a post on Twitter."And no separate mansion for our security personnel," she added, calling onher followers to report fake news peddlers.Robredo lives in a condominium in Quezon City.Earlier, her chief of staff Philip Francisco Dy said their P12 millionannual budget for rent is divided between the QC Reception House and theirextension office at Ben-lor Building, also in Quezon City.He said this is similar to the previous setup under former vice presidentJejomar Binay, who had his main office at the Coconut Palace in Pasay and anextension office at the PNB Financial Center.Dy said the rental expense for the main office under Robredo decreased by 36percent from P5.280 million to P3.360 million during the first year of thelease.NO FILIPINOS IN NEW BATCH OF CONFIRMED NCOV PATIENTS IN JAPANESE CRUISE SHIPNo Filipinos are included in another group of 41 people aboard Japanesecruise ship Diamond Princess that tested positive for the novel coronavirus,the Department of Foreign Affairs said.Only one Filipino onboard the ship has tested positive for the SARS-likevirus and is now undergoing treatment at a hospital.The new batch that tested positive for the deadly virus includs 21 Japanesenationals and 20 foreigners."The Philippine Embassy is currently working with both Philippine andJapanese Government agencies to provide assistance to all Filipinos onboardthe cruise ship," the DFA said in a statement.All 273 suspected cases onboard the cruise ship have been tested. TheJapanese Health Ministry said the ship will undergo mandatory 14-dayquarantine period until February 19.36 CHINESE TRAVELERS TURNED AWAY AT MANILA AIRPORT AMID TRAVEL BAN OVERVIRUS SPREADMANILA - Philippine immigration authorities on Friday barred 36 Chinesetravelers from entry to Manila amid a ban on travel to and from China andits territories due to the spread of the 2019 Novel Coronavirus.The foreigners, who flew in via a Philippine Airlines flight from PhnomPenh, Cambodia, were denied entry at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport(NAIA) Terminal 1 as immigration officers found out they had come fromMacau, among cities covered by the travel ban."They were denied entry after our officers discovered upon inspection thatthey were traveling as a group and that they have been to Macau last Feb.1," said Bureau of Immigrations (BI) port operations division chief GriftonMedina in a statement.The Chinese passengers were booked on the first available flight back toPhnom Penh.DAVAO OCCIDENTAL GOV: CULL 100,000 PIGSDAVAO CITY - Davao Occidental Gov. Claude Bautista yesterday said the morethan 100,000 pigs in the province should be culled after it was confirmedthat hogs in San Marcelino and Jose Abad Santos towns died of the swinedisease.Bautista said culling would ensure that the hog industry could start with aclean slate, adding that it is necessary even though required quarantineprotocols have been followed.However, a team of the Department of Agriculture (DA) said it is onlycapable of killing 25,000 pigs.The DA said more than 1,000 pigs raised in backyard piggeries also died dueto ASF in Barangays Dominga and Lamanan in Calinan district in this city.Samples of the dead pigs tested positive for ASF, according to the office ofthe city veterinarian.5 ALLEGED NPA REBELS ARRESTED IN LEYTELEYTE - Five alleged members of the New People's Army in Leyte were arrestedyesterday.Reports reaching Camp Aguinaldo identified one of those apprehended asFrenchie Mae Cumpio, alias Pen, said to be the secretary of the RegionalWhite Area Committee-Eastern Visayas Regional Party Committee.Also arrested were UP graduate Mira Dalla Legion, alias Lira, chairperson ofAnakbayan in Eastern Visayas; Alexander Philip Abinguna, Marielle Domequiland Marissa Cabaljao, secretary-general of People Surge Alliance-EasternVisayas.The suspects reportedly yielded four caliber .45 pistols, various types ofammunition, two fragmentation grenades, a KG9 rifle and subversive documentsduring raids on their safehouses in Barangays 77 and 96 in Tacloban City."They are victimizing young innocent students... pinalalakas nila angrecruitment sa mga schools natin," Brig. Gen. Lope Dagoy, 8th InfantryDivision commander, said.BONG GO OPENS NEW MALASAKIT CENTERMANILA - Sen. Christopher "Bong" Go visited Ilagan City in Isabela onWednesday for the opening of the 62nd Malasakit Center."Dito sa Malasakit Center, pinagsama-sama natin ang apat na ahensiya nggobyerno," Go said in his speech during the launch, referring to thePhilippine Health Insurance Corp., Department of Health (DOH), Department ofSocial Welfare and Development and Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office.The Malasakit Center is within the premises of the Gov. Faustino N. Dy Sr.Memorial Hospital in Barangay Calamagui 2nd."Hindi na ninyo kailangang pumila sa iba't ibang opisina. Palalagyan dinnatin ito ng express lane para sa senior citizens at persons withdisabilities," Go said."Tuloy-tuloy po ito sa lahat ng mga DOH-run hospitals dahil napirmahan na niPangulo ang Malasakit Center Act. Ayon po sa batas, 73 na DOH-run hospitalsay lalagyan ng Malasakit Center," Go said.The senator also witnessed the turnover of financial assistance from theOffice of the President to victims of Typhoons Ramon, Rosita and Tisoy atthe Ilagan City Community Center.The Department of Agriculture conducted a ceremonial turnover of farmequipment to farmers' associations and financial assistance to 1,000 farmersfrom Ilagan City and 732 others from Jones town.8 METRO MANILA POLICE OFFICIALS SACKED OVER ILLEGAL GAMBLINGManila - Eight police commanders in Metro Manila who failed to curb illegalgambling operations in their areas were relieved from their posts yesterday.The police officials failed to comply with the directive of PhilippineNational Police chief Gen. Archie Francisco Gamboa to address the rampantillegal gambling activities in their jurisdictions.These reports were validated by the police Integrity Monitoring andEnforcement Group through raids of gambling dens and seizure of video kareramachines.BOX OFFICE ENTERTAINMENT AWARDS: KATHRYN, ALDEN NAMED 'PHENOMENAL STARS'MANILA - Kathryn Bernardo and Alden Richards were named "Phenomenal Stars ofPhilippine Cinema" by the Guillermo Mendoza Memorial Scholarship Foundationon Friday, following the record-breaking success of their 2019 film, "Hello,Love, Goodbye."They will be personally given the recognition at the 51st Box OfficeEntertainment Awards, to be held on March 15 at Newport Performing ArtsTheater in Pasay.Bernardo and Richards also won the top film acting prizes.Aga Muhlach, meanwhile, was named Box Office King for his lead role in the2019 Metro Manila Film Festival entry "Miracle inCell. No. 7," while his co-star, child actress Xia Vigor, won the Box OfficeQueen title.Muhlach also tied with Richards for the Film Actor of the Year award.Meanwhile, "FPJ's Ang Probinsyano" star Coco Martin won the TVActor of the Year (Primetime Drama) award, while Angel Locsin was named TVActress of the Year (Primetime Drama) for the series "The General'sDaughter."Here's the list of winners for the 51st Box Office EntertainmentAwards:Phenomenal Stars of Philippine Cinema - Kathryn Bernardo andAlden RichardsBox Office King - Aga MuhlachBox Office Queen - Xia VigorFilm Actors of the Year - Alden Richards and Aga MuhlachFilm Actress of the Year - Kathryn BernardoTV Actor of the Year (Primetime Drama) - Coco MartinTV Actor of the Year (Daytime Drama) - JM de GuzmanTV Actress of the Year (Primetime Drama) - Angel LocsinTV Actress of the Year (Daytime Drama) - Dimples RomanaPrince of Philippine Movies - Enrique GilPrincess of Philippine Movies - Liza SoberanoPrince of Philippine Television - Joshua GarciaPrincess of Philippine Television - Janella SalvadorMovie Supporting Actor of the Year - Joel TorreMovie Supporting Actress of the Year - Bela PadillaTV Supporting Actor of the Year - Tirso Cruz IIITV Supporting Actress of the Year - Yassi PressmanMost Popular Loveteam for Movies - Enrique Gil and LizaSoberanoMost Popular Loveteam for Television - Bianca Umali and MiguelTanfelixMost Promising Loveteam - Andrea Brillantes and Seth FedelinMost Promising Male Star for Movies - JC SantosMost Promising Female Star for Movies - Kim MolinaMost Promising Male Star for Television - Kyle EcharriMost Promising Female Star for Television - Francine DiazMale Concert Performer of the Year - Martin NieveraFemale Concert Performer of the Year - Lea SalongaGroup Concert Performer of the Year - AegisMale Recording Artist of the Year - Gary ValencianoFemale Recording Artist of the Year - Regine Velasquez-AlcasidMost Popular Recording/Performing Group - December AvenuePromising Male Recording Artist of the Year - Anthony RosaldoPromising Female Recording Artist of the Year - Maris RacalNew Male Concert Performer of the Year - Ian VeneracionNew Female Concert Performer of the Year - Kiana ValencianoPromising Recording/Performing Group - SB19Most Popular Male Child Performer - Kenken NuyadMost Popular Female Child Performer - Sophia ReolaAll-Time Favorite Actor - Christopher de LeonAll-Time Favorite Actress - Lorna TolentinoMost Popular Film Producer - ABS CBN Film Production/StarCinemaMost Popular Screenwriter/s - Carmi Raymundo, Rona Go, andCathy Garcia MolinaMost Popular Film Director - Cathy Garcia MolinaPopular TV Program (News & Public Affairs) - 24 OrasPopular TV Program (Primetime Drama) - FPJ's Ang ProbinsyanoPopular TV Program (Daytime Drama) - Kadenang GintoPopular TV Program (Talent Search/Reality/Talk/Game Show) -Magandang BuhayPopular TV Program (Musical Variety/Noontime/Primetime) - ASAPMale TV Host of the Year - Jose Manalo / Wally Bayola / PaoloBallesteros (JoWaPao)Female TV Host of the Year - Toni GonzagaBest Acting Ensemble in a Drama Series - The General's DaughterBest Acting Ensemble in a Movie - Miracle in Cell No. 7Comedy Actor of the Year - Paolo BallesterosComedy Actress of the Year - Maine MendozaPopular Male Influencer of the Year - Raffy TulfoPopular Female Influencer of the Year - Alex GonzagaNBA SCORES FEB 6FINAL    1    2    3    4    Tteam logo Magic 22-30    19    28    36    20    103team logo Knicks 16-36    30    24    22    29    105SCORING LEADERS    N. Vucevic ORL25 PTS, 8 REB, 3 AST    J. Randle NY22 PTS, 8 REB, 4 ASTFINAL    1    2    3    4    Tteam logo 76ers 31-21    26    25    23    27    101team logo Bucks 44-7    22    32    32    26    112SCORING LEADERS    T. Harris PHI25 PTS, 7 REB, 4 AST    G. Antetokounmpo MIL36 PTS, 20 REB, 6 ASTFINAL    1    2    3    4    Tteam logo Pelicans 21-31    32    40    31    22    125team logo Bulls 19-34    25    37    19    38    119SCORING LEADERSZ. Williamson NO21 PTS, 4 REB, 1 ASTZ. LaVine CHI22 PTS, 3 REB, 3 ASTFINAL    1    2    3    4    Tteam logo Spurs 22-29    35    25    32    25    117team logo Trail Blazers 24-28    27    32    27    39    125SCORING LEADERST. Lyles SA23 PTS, 10 REB, 0 ASTD. Lillard POR26 PTS, 2 REB, 10 ASTFINAL    1    2    3    4    Tteam logo Rockets 33-18    28    35    34    24    121team logo Lakers 38-12    29    34    30    18    111SCORING LEADERSR. Westbrook HOU41 PTS, 8 REB, 5 ASTA. Davis LAL32 PTS, 13 REB, 3 AST