CHINA SAYS PHILIPPINE BOAT'S 'PROVOCATIVE ACTION' CAUSED NEAR-CRASH

BEIJING, China — China said Friday that a near-collision in the South China Sea between a Chinese coast guard ship and a Philippine patrol vessel carrying journalists was caused by the latter's "premeditated and provocative action".

The latest row comes days before Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos is due to meet with US President Joe Biden at the White House to discuss growing regional tensions.

AFP was one of several media outlets invited to join two Philippine Coast Guard boats on a six-day patrol of the waters, visiting a dozen islands and reefs.

Sunday's incident happened after the Philippine vessels approached Second Thomas Shoal, known in China as Ren'ai Jiao, in the Spratly archipelago.

The Malapascua's commanding officer said the Chinese ship came within 45 metres (50 yards) of his boat and only his quick actions avoided the steel-hulled vessels crashing into each other.

Asked about the incident on Friday at a regular press briefing, the Chinese foreign ministry said the Philippine boats had "intruded" without China's permission.

"The Chinese coast guard vessel safeguarded China's territorial sovereignty and maritime order, in accordance with the law, while taking timely measures to avoid the dangerous approach of Philippine vessels and to avoid a collision," said spokeswoman Mao Ning.

"It was a premeditated and provocative action for the Philippine vessel to barge into the waters of Ren'ai Jiao with journalists on board, the aim was to deliberately find fault and take the opportunity to hype up the incident," she added.

Mao said the crew of the Chinese vessel had acted "professionally and with restraint".

PH NOT BACKING DOWN IN WPS

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Friday declared that the Philippine government will not back down from what it described as “intrusions” and “illegal actions” in the West Philippine Sea after a Chinese coast guard ship caused a near-collision with a Philippine Coast Guard vessel on Sunday.

But China said Friday that the near-collision was caused by the Philippine ship’s “premeditated and provocative action.”

The near-miss off the Spratly Islands on Sunday was the latest in a steady string of incidents between China and the Philippines in the contested waterway.

The PCG said on Friday it was seeking international condemnation of the latest swarming of Chinese militia ships near Julian Felipe Reef,which is part of the West Philippine Sea.

The Coast Guard earlier said that more than 100 Chinese militia shipsfrom April 18 to 24 swarmed several areas in the West Philippine Sea and ignored Filipino authorities who told them to leave.

The PCG said it deployed two vessels to patrol the waterway from April 18 to 24, during which it spotted more than 100 Chinese maritime militia (CMM) vessels near Julian Felipe Reef.

“The PCG vessels deployed their Rigid Hull Inflatable Boats (RHIB) todisperse the large CMM gathering. However, no CMM vessels reacted ormade any attempts to vacate the area,” the coast guard said in a statement.

Eighteen Chinese militia ships were also detected near Sabina Shoal,which “did not respond or comply with the order to leave the area immediately,” the PCG said.

Four other Chinese ships which appeared to be engaged in fishing activities “were successfully driven away by the PCG vessels from the territorial sea of Pag-asa, at a distance of 4 nautical miles,” the coast guard added.

DFA spokesperson Ma. Teresita Daza said an investigation into the near collision between the Philippine and Chinese vessels is already ongoing and appropriate diplomatic action will then be taken.

OVER 18,000 COPS TO BE DEPLOYED ON LABOR DAY; PNP ASSURES MAXIMUM TOLERANCE

MANILA — More than 18,000 cops will be deployed nationwide to monitor and secure participants of planned Labor Day protests on Monday, Philippine National Police spokesperson Col. Jean Fajardo said Saturday.

"Ang kabilin-bilinan ng ating chief PNP ay we exercise maximum tolerance. At yung ating paramount consideration, yung respect for human rights, and freedom of expression and speech," Fajardo told ABS-CBN's TeleRadyo.

The PNP is maintaining its normal alert status on Labor Day, although regional directors and other field commanders have the discretion to raise the level depending on the situation on the ground, she said.

Fajardo said the deployed PNP personnel will focus on freedom parks and other authorized places of convergence where rallies and other protest actions will be held.

Some personnel are also assigned in major thoroughfares and transport hubs to provide security for people traveling this long weekend.

Labor groups are appealing for a P150 to P750 minimum wage hike, according to Cainglet, which he said is computed based on current estimates for a living wage.

Different labor groups will gather in España, Manila as early as 7 a.m. on May 1, he said.

They will march toward Mendiola for a short program that will end before noon to avoid heat exhaustion.

Cainglet urged the government to resolve trade union killings in the country, which he said has reached 69 since 2016.

The latest trade union killing happened in Region 6 just a few days ago, he said.

1 CHINESE CREW MEMBER DIES AFTER 2 VESSELS COLLIDE NEAR CORREGIDOR ISLAND

MANILA — A Chinese crew member died while 18 more were rescued after two vessels MV Hong Hai 189 and MT Petite Soeur collided at the vicinity waters of Corregidor Island last Friday, according to the Philippine Coast Guard.

The incident left one missing crew member from the MV Hong Hai 189, with search and rescue operations still ongoing.

"The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) responds to a collision between MV Hong Hai 189 and MT Petite Soeur at the vicinity waters off Corregidor Island yesterday, 28 April 2023," the PCG said on Saturday.

"The Coast Guard Sub-Station Corregidor was informed that MV Hong Hai 189 already capsized. The PCG vessel, BRP Capones, was directed to proceed to the incident area."

MV Hong Hai 189 is a dredger type vessel which bears the flag of Sierra Leone while the MT Petite Soeur is a chemical/oil product tanker bearing the flag of Marsall Island.

The former's last port was recorded in Botolan, Zambales while the latter was in Mariveles, Bataan.

Rescue vessel Heng Da 19, which was near the vinicity of the incident, came to the rescue of the 16 out of 20 crew members of MV Hong Hai 189.

The PCG on Saturday likewise responded and dispatched another vessel, plus aminimum and rubber boats to assist in the rescue operations.

"As of 7:30AM, the SAR team recovered one cadaver (Chinese crew)," the Coast Guard said.

"They also rescued two more crew who were immediately brought to the nearest hospital for identification and medical assistance," it added.

Members of the Coast Guard Aviation Force is currently conducting an aerial survey to augment the search and rescue operations.

All 21 crew members of the MT Petite Soeur are said to be in good physical condition.

"The authorities will conduct a port state control inspection to MT Petite Soeur to hold and detain the vessel," the PCG said.

PH TO PUSH FOOD, ENERGY IN ASEAN

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. will advance the Philippines’ priorities through regional and multilateral cooperation in various areas during his attendance at the 42nd Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit in Indonesia in May, a foreign affairs official said on Friday.

Among the key issues that will be pushed by President Marcos include long-term food and energy security, efforts toward economic recovery, combatting transnational crimes, and upgrading of technical and vocational education and training, among others.

During a pre-departure briefing in Malacañang, Department of Foreign Affairs-Office of ASEAN Affairs (DFA-OAA) Deputy Assistant Secretary Angelito Nayan said Mr. Marcos would also raise the issues regarding the adoption of climate and disaster resilient technologies, transitioning to renewable and alternative energy technologies, and the protection of migrant workers, among others.

President Marcos is also expected assert the importance of demonstrating ASEAN’s centrality in the region amid geopolitical issues, the DFA official said.

Meanwhile, DFA spokesperson Ma. Terersita Daza said the opening ceremony of the 42nd ASEAN Summit will be held on the morning of May 10.

NEARLY 60 MILLION PINOYS HAVE NATIONAL IDS – PSA

MANILA — The government has issued nearly 60 million physical and digital versions of the Philippine identification (PhilID) or national IDs this month.

The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) reported yesterday that 29,119,471 PhilIDs have been delivered nationwide while 30,738,330 electronic IDs (ePhilID) have been issued as of April 21.

“This milestone serves as an impetus for the PSA as we continue working toward our goal of creating a Makabagong Pilipinas where services are more accessible to all Filipinos,” Dennis Mapa, national statistician and civil registrar general, said.

“We at the PSA are making sure that everyone registered with the PhilSys (Philippine Identification System) will have a PhilID and ePhilID,” Mapa said.

The PhilID and ePhilID have the same functionality and validity.

The ePhilID is available in printable and downloadable versions.

The PSA issues the printable version through registration centers as well as house-to-house and plaza-type distribution.

The digital version can be accessed after receiving a text message from the PSA.

Registered individuals can  check if their electronic PhilIDs are available through the website https://appt.philsys.gov.ph.

SPEAKER: HELP OFW FAMILIES REGISTER SIMS

Speaker Martin G. Romualdez on Friday called for a simpler, more convenient, and faster process of registering subscriber identity modules (SIMs) by millions of still unregistered legitimate mobile phone users.

“In particular, let us assist overseas Filipino workers and their families to register. Their mobile phones are their principal means of communicating and

connecting to each other. The thought that they could instantly make audio-video calls eases the pain of being thousands of miles away from home and from their loved ones,” Romualdez said.

He said the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) and the threetelecommunications companies or telcos providing cellular phone services should work jointly on such a process.

“I suspect that OFW families in the provinces are finding it difficultto comply with the registration requirement. Some may even be unaware of it,” he said.

AZCONA TAKES SRA HELM, DEFENDS BIG SUGAR SHIPMENT

The Palace appointed Friday Pablo Luis Azcona as the acting administrator and chief executive officer of the Sugar Regulatory Administration.

This was contained in a press release from the Presidential Communications Office, released today, but the appointment was on April 20, 2023.

In a Zoom interview, Azcona said he would prioritize donating the seized smuggled sugar supplies to Kadiwa, helping sugar farmers prepare for El Niño, and briefing the Palace about sugar industry.

At the same time, Azcona maintained the controversial importation of 440,000 metric tons of sugar underwent the proper procedures, saying

“All that [SRA] did was above board and practically following the procedures,” Azcona told reporters in the Zoom interview.

Azcona’s statement was seen as a reply to Senator Risa Hontiveros who continues to question the legality of the importation since it was not covered by previous sugar orders from the SRA.

“An SRA sugar order is our very imperfect instrument for balancing the welfare of farmers, planters and millers on the one hand and of consumers and food manufacturers, on the other hand, who must also rely on imports to augment the limited supply,” said Hontiveros.

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COURT WRAPS UP DE LIMA DRUG CASE

MANILA — A Muntinlupa City court yesterday wrapped up its trial of one of three drug cases against detained former senator Leila de Lima.

Regional Trial Court Branch 204 Judge Joseph Alcantara set the promulgation of De Lima’s case, which involves an allegation of conspiracy to commit drug trading, on May 12 at around 8:30 a.m. as earlier scheduled.

The court yesterday heard the testimony of lawyer Demiteer Huerta of the Public Attorney’s Office, the rebuttal witness of a panel of prosecutors from the Department of Justice.

De Lima appealed for prayers from her supporters as she was escorted out of the court building after the hearing.

De Lima’s lawyer, Filibon Tacardon, said they are hopeful the court would rule in their favor. One case has been dismissed.

METRO MANILA'S WEEKLY COVID-19 POSITIVITY RATE RISES TO 14.3% — OCTA

MANILA — The weekly COVID-19 positivity rate in Metro Manila rose to 14.3 percent as of April 27, pandemic monitor OCTA Research Group said Saturday.

OCTA fellow Guido David said that the latest positivity rate, or the percentage of tests turning out positive for the coronavirus, is up from 9 percent on April 20.

But he said that deaths and hospitalizations in the capital region due to COVID-19 remained low at 22 percent, adding that "NCR has reported close to zero deaths."

Aside from Metro Manila, the positivity rates in Calabarzon and Central Luzon are also rising, as well as in Central and Western Visayas, said David.

The increase in COVID cases comes amid the possible spread of omicron subvariant XBB.1.16, known as "Arcturus," in the country.

XBB.1.16 is a descendent lineage of XBB, a recombinant of two BA.2 descendent lineages.

The new COVID-19 variant has the ability to evade immunity and is believed to be more transmissible, the Department of Health said.

BIRD FLU CUTS PHILIPPINE EGG PRODUCTION BY 20 PERCENT

MANILA — Egg producers confirmed yesterday that their production has dropped by 20 percent due to the culling of at least 10 million chicken layers amid the bird flu outbreak.

Based on the Department of Agriculture (DA)’s estimate, the entire population of chicken layers is at 45 million, but industry estimates peg it at around 60 million.

“If a total 10 million were culled, that’s big,” Gregorio San Diego, who chairs both the United Broiler Raisers Association and the Philippine Egg Board, told The STAR.

However, that’s not just the problem of the local industry. San Diego said there is a flooding of eggs in the market due to the abrupt decline in Filipinos’ daily consumption.

“We have so many stocks of eggs in the farms because of low demand for eggs as consumers don’t buy (as much as before), because of limited budgets,” he said.

San Diego added that producers suffer losses as traders buy their eggs at below P4 per piece, compared to the P5 daily budget for feeds of each chicken layer.

Action sought Amid the prevailing situation, San Diego criticized the DA for its failure to act on the approval of the avian flu vaccine.

He cited how neighboring countries are already using vaccines against bird flu, including Indonesia, Malaysia and Vietnam.

“We have been urging the DA to act. Our fear is if the virus further mutates, it will be very difficult for the industry to recover,” he said.

MAGNITUDE 5.2 QUAKE STRIKES OCCIDENTAL MINDORO AT MIDNIGHT, FELT IN NCR

MANILA — A magnitude 5.2 earthquake struck Occidental Mindoro at midnight and was felt in Metro Manila, state seismology agency Phivolcs said.

In its 2nd bulletin on the quake, Phivolcs said the epicenter of the tectonic tremor was 19 kilometers southeast of Looc town.

It hit 28 seconds past midnight on Saturday at a depth of 74 kilometers.

The quake was felt at Intensity 5 in Sablayan, and Rizal, Occidental Mindoro, and Intensity 4 in Puerto Galera, San Jose and Paluan, Occidental Mindoro, including the City of Calapan and San Teodoro Oriental Mindoro.

Earthquakes this strong could awaken sleeping people, state seismologists said.

These are the other reported intensities, according to Phivolcs:

Although aftershocks could be expected, damage to properties is unlikely from the quake, said Phivolcs.

ENTERTAINMENT & LIFESTYLE

PATRICK GARCIA, KAYE ABAD, PAOLO CONTIS TO REUNITE FOR NEW FILM

MANILA -- Former "Tabing Ilog" stars Patrick Garcia, Kaye Abad, and Paolo Contis will be reunited for an upcoming film.

In a clip posted by Mavx Productions, Contis he and Abad will play a couple, while Garcia plays a celebrity. The three characters' friendship will then be tested.

"Dream come true 'to na makatrabaho ko sila ulit kasi 'yung mga katrabaho ko ngayon, masasabi ko na iba na 'yung work ethics. Iba lang talagang makatrabaho 'tong mga 'to," Contis said.

Abad is glad to be included in the film, noting that movie has a different take on drama.

"Nung pinitch sa 'kin 'yung istorya na-excite ako kasi ito 'yung isa sa mga pelikula na matagal ko nang gustong gawin. Since nag-pandemic, doon nag-start 'yung hindi mainstream, 'yung hindi sinunod 'yung gusto ng tao," she said.

"Hindi nila kinunan na super drama pero masakit sa puso 'yung eksena. Kasi sa mga soap opera, away, drama talaga 'yung eksena. Nung nabasa ko 'yung script isa 'to sa mga ganoong pelikula, excited ako. Masakit 'yung eksena pero 'di ko kailangang umiyak."

The film will be produced by Mavx Productions, whose films include "Doll House," "A Faraway Land," and the recently released "Unravel."

SPORTS

FINAL PHASE OF FIBA WORLD CUP MOVED TO MOA ARENA

MANILA – FIBA has changed the venue of the Final Phase and Opening Round games of the 2023 FIBA World Cup to be held in the Philippines.

The Philippine Arena was originally set to host the Final Phase of the World Cup in Bulacan, but the event has since been moved to the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.

Instead, the Philippine Arena will be hosting the first two games of the Opening Round for the group of Gilas Pilipinas.

FIBA said that the decision was made primarily because of the requirement to provide consistent and swift transfer of the teams and fans to multiple games over the six days of the Final Phase.

The federation said that they were able to identify "serious traffic and transport concerns" during events held at the Philippine Arena — including the last window of the World Cup qualifiers.

"Despite improvements tested with transport and traffic engineers, the Board came to the conclusion that an event with multiple sessions in one day, like the Final Phase of the World Cup, couldn’t be delivered to the standards required for the players and fans experience," FIBA said on their website.

"In order to keep a key component of the bid, which was to establish a record of attendance at the World Cup, the Board decided to play the two games of the Opening Round for the group of the Philippines in the Philippines Arena," it added.

Apart from the Philippine Arena and the Mall of Asia Arena, the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City will also host the World Cup games.

Also happening at the Big Dome is the FIBA World Cup draw on Saturday, April 29, where Gilas Pilipinas and the rest of the participating teams will find out their foes in the group stage.

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THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

Being right too soon is socially unacceptable. - Robert Heinlein