PH, JAPAN AGREE TO BOLSTER SECURITY AMID CHINA ASSERTIVENESS

TOKYO—The foreign ministers of Japan and the Philippines agreed Tuesday to deepen their security cooperation in the face of China's growing maritime assertiveness in the Indo-Pacific region.

Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi and his Filipino counterpart, Enrique Manalo, also agreed to bolster trilateral cooperation involving the United States, the Japanese Foreign Ministry said after the two met in Tokyo.

The ministers welcomed progress in Japan's defense equipment transfer to the Philippines, according to the ministry.

In April, Japan decided to provide equipment to the armed forces of "like-minded" countries that share its values to improve their defense capabilities in a framework called official security assistance, or OSA.

It plans to provide the Philippines with equipment for coastal surveillance in fiscal 2023.

According to the Japanese Embassy in Manila, Manalo also expressed appreciation for Toyko's efforts to include the perspective of the Indo-Pacific and areas of concern for non-G7 countries in its preparation for the G7 Hiroshima Summit.

Japan holds the G7 presidency this year.

"The two ministers went on to exchange views on matters of mutual interest in the region and the international community, and affirmed to work together closely on such issues as the situation in the East and South China Seas, economic coercion, the situation in Ukraine, and dealing with North Korea, including on the nuclear and missile issues, and the abductions issue," the embassy said in a statement.

Hayashi, meanwhile, reiterated Japan’s intention to support the Philippines' attainment of being an upper middle-income country.

CHINESE FISHING VESSEL CAPSIZES IN INDIAN OCEAN WITH 39 MISSING, INCLUDING 5 FILIPINOS

BEIJING — A Chinese fishing vessel has capsized in the central Indian Ocean, state media reported Wednesday, with its crew of 17 Chinese, 17 Indonesian and five Filipino sailors missing.

"So far, no missing persons have been found," state broadcaster CCTV said, adding President Xi Jinping had ordered a search and rescue operation.

The vessel, named the Lu Peng Yuan Yu 028 and owned by Penglai Jinglu Fishery Co, capsized at about 3 am Beijing time Tuesday (1900 GMT Monday), CCTV said.

Search and rescue teams from around the region have arrived on the scene and China has deployed two vessels to assist in the operation, the broadcaster reported.

Beijing's Ministry of Foreign Affairs launched an "emergency mechanism for consular protection" involving embassies and consulates in Australia, Sri Lanka, Maldives, Indonesia, the Philippines and other countries, according to CCTV.

PHILIPPINE AIRSPACE SHUTDOWN ENDS, FLIGHTS RESUME

Airport operations resumed Wednesday after a 2-hour scheduled shutdown of Philippine airspace due to maintenance work.

The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines replaced the uninterruptible power supply (UPS) units at its air traffic management center from 2 a.m. to 4 a.m. on Wednesday, May 17, to avoid a repeat of the New Year's Day aviation meltdown last January.

CAAP said shutting down the Philippine airspace was necessary to ensure the safety of all aircraft and passengers flying to and from the country.

UPS units regulate the voltage that enters air traffic management’s load side, and can also supply power to the air traffic system in the event of a power outage. CAAP noted that its UPS units were old and need replacement.

CAAP said the critical part of the system upgrade was finished by 3:20 a.m.

One Cebu Pacific flight was delayed during the airspace shutdown while 6 AirAsia flights were canceled in advance while 2 more were given adjusted hours.

PHILIPPINE GOV'T MAY 'TAKE BACK CONTROL' OF NGCP 'IF NECESSARY': PALACE

MANILA — The government may take back control of the National Grid Corp of the Philippines if proven that there are national security concerns and if it's ineffective in its mandate, the Presidential Communications Office said on Wednesday.

The Palace released the statement after Sen. Raffy Tulfo, Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Energy, met with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on May 15 to express his intent to investigate the situation at NGCP.

"Firstly, Senator Tulfo expressed his desire to assess the performance of the NGCP, which has also raised concerns among several other senators. Secondly, Senator Tulfo aimed to examine the security aspect, particularly on who truly controls the corporation," the PCO said in a statement.

"The President agreed with the Senator's proposal to conduct a comprehensive study or hold hearings to determine the actual situation. If necessary, the government will take back control of the entity," it added.

Forty percent of NGCP is owned by the State Grid Corporation of China, while the remaining 60 percent is Filipino-owned. Tulfo said the Chinese ownership "poses a serious national security threat", considering the conflict over the West Philippine Sea.

Sen. JV Ejercito also expressed concerns over the State Grid Corporation of China's 40 percent stake in NGCP.

Sen. Grace Poe, chairperson of the Senate Committee on Public Services, backed by Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian, also said the panel was open to "reviewing" the NGCP franchise, citing the recurring power outages.

Meanwhile, Sen. Risa Hontiveros earlier renewed her call for the government to regain control of the NGCP.

NGCP is the country's core grid system operator.

US AMBASSADOR CARLSON: EDCA SITES CAN ONLY BE USED WITH PHILIPPINE INVITATION

MANILA — The Philippine bases that American troops have access to under the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement are not US military bases, Washington's envoy to Manila clarified on Wednesday.

"These are not US bases," US Ambassador to the Philippines MaryKay Carlson told ANC's "Headstart".

"These are Philippine military bases where we provide funding and insert capital to make improvements that are to the benefit of both the Philippine military and [will] also be helpful to the US military in the event that any threat against either 1 of the 2 members of this mutual defense treaty alliance."

Asked if the EDCA sites can be used for offensive operations, Carlson said these facilities could be used "for whatever the Philippine government invites the US to do".

"These are not our sites. We do not have any rights to these sites," she said. "Everything that we do in the Philippines is at the invitation of the Philippine government."

FACE MASKS TO REMAIN OPTIONAL IN METRO MANILA FOR NOW

MANILA — The chair of the Metro Manila Council said Wednesday that wearing face masks in the National Capital Region will remain optional for now, as the cities remain in low-risk category amid a rise in COVID-19 cases in the country.

In an interview with TeleRadyo on Wednesday, San Juan Mayor Francis Zamora said the Department of Health presented data on COVID-19 cases in Metro Manila in the mayors’ last meeting.

“But because we are in low-risk category, there are no changes right now when it comes to wearing face masks,” Zamora said in Filipino.

He said that based on DOH data, hospitalization rate in Metro Manila remains at 29%, which puts the capital region within the low-risk category. Positivity rate is 25%—which means one out of four people who tested for COVID-19 turns out to be positive—but most of these are mild cases.

“Vaccination is key,” the San Juan City mayor said, as he also urged the public to get their vaccines and booster jabs

But Zamora stressed that local government units also have autonomy and they can resume the face mask mandate in their locality, through issuing an ordinance or executive order.

GOVERNMENT READIES PHILIPPINE TOURISM REBRANDING

MANILA — The government is set to roll out a rebranding of the tourism campaign after President Marcos approved a five-year plan to promote and transform the Philippines into a “tourism powerhouse.”

At a Palace briefing yesterday, Tourism Secretary Christina Frasco said the administration would unveil the country’s “enhanced” tourism slogan in the coming weeks, which will showcase the “heart and soul” of the Filipinos.

“But we will engage in consultation with our tourism stakeholders first, as their opinions matter to us,” Frasco told Malacañang reporters. “We are putting forth the best of the best of the Philippines to the world because it cannot be denied that we do give the world our best, and while the DOT (Department of Tourism) has not yet come out with an enhanced tourism slogan of that as a country brand, I assure you, you’ll love it.”

Earlier this month, Frasco said the DOT would come up with a tourism brand that would enhance the country’s present slogan, “It’s more fun in the Philippines,” which was conceptualized during the time of the late president Benigno Aquino III.

The rebranding campaign, which was rolled out by the office of President Marcos’ creative communications adviser Paul Soriano late last year, was used in an advertisement on London buses that came out during the coronation of King Charles III.

The advertisement, “We give the world our best. The Philippines,” featured May Parsons, the Filipina-British nurse who administered the first COVID jab.

Critics have questioned the connection between vaccination and tourism, but Soriano has clarified that the ad was not meant to promote the country’ tourist destinations.

Meaqnwhile, President Marcos Jr. on Tuesday approved the National Tourism Development Plan for 2023-2028, which will serve as a blueprint for the country’s tourism industry.

6.9 MILLION KIDS GET MEASLES, RUBELLA, POLIO JABS

MANILA — More than 6.9 million children have been vaccinated under the “Chikiting Ligtas” campaign of the Department of Health (DOH).

“Based on our quick count as of May 15, more than 5.3 million children were immunized against measles and rubella,” DOH officer-in-charge Maria Rosario Vergeire said at a press conference yesterday.

She said these children represent 55.47 percent of those targeted for immunization against measles and rubella.

Vergeire said more than 1.6 million children or 52.12 percent of the total eligible population received polio drops.

She said more than 2.2 million children received Vitamin A supplement.

The Chikiting Ligtas campaign aims to immunize 9.5 million children against measles and rubella and give bivalent oral polio vaccine to 11.5 million children.

The nationwide supplemental immunization drive will run until May 31.

THE REST

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PUBLIC TRANSPORT SHIFT TO ELECTRIC VEHICLES NEEDED SOON, SAYS DOTR CHIEF

MANILA — The shift from gas-fueled transportation to electric vehicles is needed now more than ever, said Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista.

“We want a green transport system to be in place sooner, and we are working on a roadmap to transition public transport system to EVs,” Bautista said in a business club forum.

In fact, the transportation agency was reportedly studying the possibility of requiring public transportation to shift to electric vehicles due to its contribution to both government and non-government efforts to decarbonize the country’s road network and improve air quality.

Reports say that the Department of Transportation was also considering giving incentives, like tax breaks and “soft loans,” to the country’s transport operators to help them jumpstart their shift to EVs.

“We are also asking the transport operators that instead of running on Euro 5 and Euro 6 engines which are of less air hazard emissions, they can go on full electric since such would be our way to a total green transport system,” Bautista said.

BANTAG, ZULUETA INDICTED FOR 2 INMATES’ TORTURE

MANILA — Former Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) chief Gerald Bantag and his deputy, Ricardo Zulueta, have been indicted for allegedly torturing two New Bilibid Prison (NBP) inmates, the Department of Justice (DOJ) said yesterday.

In a press briefing, Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla said prosecutors found probable cause to take Bantag and Zulueta to trial on charges of torture and serious physical injuries in connection with the allegations of inmates Ronald Usman and Jonathan Escopete, who are serving life sentences.

Bantag is facing two counts of physical and mental torture under the Anti-Torture Act of 2009 while Zulueta is facing similar charges as an accessory.

Bantag is also facing two counts of serious physical injuries.

The former BuCor chief allegedly summoned the two inmates to his office at the NBP in February 2022.

The former BuCor chief allegedly summoned the two inmates to his office at the NBP in February 2022.

Escopete accused Bantag of stabbing him in the left thigh. Usman said he was stabbed in the right hand, paralyzing his middle finger.

Remulla said the cases would be filed before the Muntinlupa City regional trial court.

FISHING BOAT CATCHES FIRE, SINKS OFF PALAWAN

MANILA — A fishing boat reportedly caught fire then sank in the waters off Cuyo Island in Palawan yesterday morning.

Initial information received by the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) showed that two of the five crewmembers of the fishing boat Victory 89 suffered first degree burns.

The PCG said the fire started at around 4 a.m. The vessel sank at about 9:40 a.m.

Personnel of the PCG-Eastern Palawan and Cuyo police as well as fishermen from Frabelle Fishing Corp. helped put out the fire.

The PCG laid out oil spill booms in the area where the fishing boat sank in case of an oil slick.

The cause of the fire has yet to be determined.

DICT: SCAMMERS ADAPT TO SIM REGISTRATION ACT

MANILA — Scammers have “re-programmed” their approach to text scams, from sending messages to putting up fake SIM registration sites to capture personal information online, the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) warned the public yesterday.

At a Palace briefing, DICT Secretary Ivan John Uy said the scammers provide a fake site where subscribers supposedly can register their SIM cards.

“So the text scams are rising, and most of them have redirected or re-program their approach,” Uy said when asked to comment about the text scams despite the implementation of Republic Act 11934 or the SIM Registration Act.

“They are asking people if they have already registered their SIM card and if not, they tell them to click this link and go to their site, which is fake,” the DICT chief said.

Uy said the text scammers would be able to capture subscribers’ data if they key in their information on the provided bogus link.

“Subscribers will receive a text coming from e-wallet provider telling them that if they registered their SIM card they still need to re-register in the e-wallet to be able to activate it,” he said.

Uy said once a SIM card is registered there is no need for the user to have it registered for their e-wallet accounts.

“Do not fall for those scams,” he said.

President Marcos has approved a 90-day extension of the mandatory SIM registration deadline originally set on April 26.

ENTERTAINMENT & LIFESTYLE

JOHNNY DEPP RECEIVES WARM WELCOME AS COMEBACK FILM OPENS CANNES

CANNES—Johnny Depp was feted by fans on Tuesday as he arrived on the red carpet for the screening of his comeback movie at the opening of the Cannes Film Festival, which has sparked anger over the choice to celebrate the divisive megastar.

Depp, 59, sporting a ponytail and shades, spent several minutes schmoozing with screaming fans, posing for selfies and signing autographs, before the screening of French period drama "Jeanne du Barry", in which he plays King Louis XV.

He joined stars such as Uma Thurman, Helen Mirren -- her hair a witchy stack of blue and velvet -- and Elle Fanning, for the first night of the industry shindig on the French Riviera.

Michael Douglas also received an honorary Palme d'Or, with the 78-year-old joking about the fact he is two years older than the festival.

"This means so much to me because there are hundreds of festivals around the world but there's only one Cannes," he said.

While 21 films from around the globe are competing for the Palme d'Or -- the festival's top prize -- there have repeated questions over its choice of opening film.

Depp remains a controversial figure since toxic court battles with ex-wife Amber Heard that revealed a turbulent private life involving alcohol, drugs and domestic abuse allegations.

But he is a long way from being "canceled", securing a record $20 million deal to remain the face of Dior fragrance, according to Variety last week, and set to direct Al Pacino in a biopic of artist Amedeo Modigliani later this year.

SPORTS

NOTE: MEDALS TALLY TABLE WILL BE SENT TOMORROW.

GILAS PILIPINAS GETS BACK AT CAMBODIA, REGAINS SEA GAMES GOLD

Gilas Pilipinas has regained its crown as kings of Southeast Asian basketball, and they did so in vengeful fashion.

The Philippines avenged a group stage loss to Cambodia with an 80-69 triumph in the final to claim the gold medal in the 32nd Southeast Asian Games, in front of a packed crowd at the Morodok Techo Elephant Hall 2 in Phnom Penh on Tuesday evening.

Gilas dealt the host nation -- reinforced by several naturalized players -- its lone loss of the competition and relegated them to the silver medal.

An outstanding defensive effort in the second quarter proved pivotal for the Filipinos. They out-scored Cambodia, 23-11, in the period to take a 44-33 lead at the break -- one that they would not relinquish despite the hosts' repeated rallies in the second half.

"Siyempre masaya, pero more than anything, happy for the players dahil 'yung pinaghirapan nila, nagbunga," said Gilas Pilipinas coach Chot Reyes after their win.

Justin Brownlee starred anew for the Philippines with 23 points, seven rebounds and four assists. The much-loved Barangay Ginebra import was tireless in the game, even after lifting Gilas to the gold medal game with a clutch performance against Indonesia less than 24 hours ago.

Chris Newsome added 16 points, Marcio Lassiter had 10, and the Philippines buckled down defensively to limit Cambodia to just 4-of-19 shooting from long range.

The hosts had stunned Gilas, 79-68, when they met in the group stage last week with the host country firing 12 3-pointers. But Gilas' defense was on point in the gold-medal game, limiting Cambodia's looks from long-range.

It was the Philippines' 56th gold medal in the Cambodia SEA Games.

Gilas Pilipinas had dethroned Indonesia on Monday, with Brownlee delivering in the clutch for a come-from-behind 84-76 triumph.

All of the Philippines' basketball teams will head home with medals, after the men's and women's 3x3 squads got silvers, and the Gilas Pilipinas Women also finished in second place.

The scores:

Philippines (80) - Brownlee 23, Newsome 16, Lassiter 10, Standhardinger 9, Perez 9, Ganuelas-Rosser 9, Lastimosa 4, Ross 0, Tolentino 0, Phillips 0, Amos 0.

Cambodia (69) - Peterson 18, Dorsey 17, Pridgett 13, Morgan 13, Henderson 6, Lopes 2, Hoeup 0.

Quarterscores: 21-22, 44-33, 64-51, 80-69.

INDICATORS

FOREX $1 = P 56.03

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

Perfection is attained by slow degrees; it requires the hand of time. – Voltaire