PHILIPPINES, CHINA VESSELS COLLIDE OFF AYUNGIN

MANILA — Chinese vessels executing “dangerous blocking maneuvers” collided with Philippine boats en route to deliver supplies to the BRP Sierra Madre in Ayungin Shoal, according to the National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea.

NTF-WPS said Unaiza May 2, an Armed Forces of the Philippines-contracted supply boat, was on a regular rotation and resupply mission to the Filipino military detachment manning the Sierra Madre at 6:04 a.m. yesterday when it was blocked by China Coast Guard (CCG) vessel 5203.

The resupply boat was 13.5 nautical miles east-northeast from the grounded warship – the Sierra Madre – when the “provocative, irresponsible and illegal action of CCGV 5203 imperiled the safety of the crew of (Unaiza May 2),” the NTF-WPS said.

China state broadcaster CCTV, citing the foreign ministry, said the “slight collision” happened after Unaiza May 2 allegedly ignored “multiple warnings and deliberately passed through law enforcement in an unprofessional and dangerous manner.”

Video released by the Armed Forces of the Philippines, which was posted on the AFP’s official Twitter account, showed the bow of the CCG ship and the stern of the resupply vessel briefly touching. The Philippine vessel continues on its course, but it is not clear if there was any damage.

In the same resupply mission, Chinese Maritime Militia vessel 00003 jolted the port side of Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) vessel MRRV 4409 while it was hovering 6.4 nautical miles northeast of Ayungin Shoal.

However, China has accused the PCG vessel of “deliberately” stirring up trouble by reversing in a “premeditated manner” into a Chinese fishing vessel.

The NTF-WPS said the resupply missions were still ongoing, with Unaiza May 1 successfully reaching Sierra Madre and delivering supplies to troops stationed in the detachment.

Lt. Col Enrico Gil Ileto, chief of the AFP Public Affairs Office, said that Unaiza May 2 remained afloat after the collision.

The Chinese coast guard released videos on Sunday showing its vessel blocking a Philippine boat supplying forces in the West Philippine Sea.

China's coast guard said in a statement the Philippine vessel had ignored repeated warnings, crossed the bow of the Chinese ship and "deliberately provoked trouble," causing the collision.

Manila responded by condemning "in the strongest degree" the "dangerous blocking maneuvers" of the Chinese vessel.

China said “responsibility lies entirely with the Philippines” for Sunday’s incidents.

The task force condemned the latest acts of “dangerous, irresponsible and illegal” aggression of the CCG and the Chinese Maritime Militia.

“The National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea condemns in the strongest degree the latest dangerous, irresponsible, and illegal actions of the CCG and the Chinese Maritime Militia done this morning, in violation of Philippine sovereignty, sovereign rights and jurisdiction, and in utter blatant disregard of the United Nations Charter, the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, Convention on the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea and relevant international maritime conventions, and the 2016 Arbitral Award,” it said.

PHILIPPINES FILES DIPLOMATIC PROTEST OVER CHINESE ACTIONS IN WEST PHILIPPINE SEA

MANILA — The Philippines has lodged a diplomatic protest with China in response to maneuvers by Chinese vessels on Sunday that led to collisions with Philippine ships on a resupply mission to the BRP Sierra Madre on Ayungin Shoal.

Foreign Affairs spokesperson Ma. Teresita Daza said at a press conference that the Philippines had also summoned Chinese Ambassador Huang Xilian over the incident but that he is out of town.

The diplomatic protest was handed to the Chinese Embassy's deputy chief of mission, she said.

'WE WILL NOT BE DETERRED': PH REITERATES LEGITIMACY OF RESUPPLY MISSION TO AYUNGIN SHOAL

MANILA - The Philippines will continue to protect its national interests amid provocations, the country's national security adviser said, following two incidents of dangerous maneuvering by China in the West Philippine Sea.

In a statement, Secretary Eduardo Año reiterated the legitimacy of the government's resupply mission to the BRP Sierra Madre, stationed at Ayungin Shoal.

"We will not be deterred and we will continue to resupply our troops in BRP Sierra Madre despite provocations," he said on Sunday night.

Earlier on Sunday, a Chinese coast guard vessel conducted "dangerous blocking maneuvers" against a resupply boat headed to BRP Sierra Madre on Ayungin

Newly-appointed PCG Commandant Admiral Ronnie Gil Gavan also lauded the troops' "capability to manage and overcome provocative, irresponsible, and reckless conduct from their Chinese counterparts in a professional and resolute manner, without escalating tensions.”

The officials urged China to adhere to the maritime safety provisions of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and the Convention on the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea to ensure the safety of both parties.

"The professionalism, restraint, and gallantry of our officers and personnel put them to shame every time we go out there," Año also said.

In an alert on its website, the Chinese Coast Guard said it had "blocked vessels from the Philippines delivering illegal construction materials to the illegally grounded warship on the Ren’ai Reef in accordance with the law."

In a follow-up statement, it also put the blame on the collisions on the Philippine ships, saying Unaiza May 2 had ignored multiple warnings while BRP Cabra had "deliberately provoked trouble and reversed its vehicle on its own initiative."

The Chinese Coast Guard has been attempting to block Philippine resupply missions, with the Philippine Coast Guard reporting aggressive and dangerous maneuvers by Chinese ships in recent months.

US STANDS WITH PH AMID CHINESE MANEUVERS IN WEST PHILIPPINE SEA

MANILA — The United States said it "stands with our Philippine allies" after Chinese ships trying to block a resupply mission to BRP Sierra Madre on Ayungin (Second Thomas) Shoal led to collisions with a Philippine Coast Guard patrol ship and a civilian vessel chartered for the trip.

China has accused the Philippine vessels of causing the collisions, saying they "deliberately provoked trouble" and were "delivering illegal construction materials" to the grounded Sierra Madre. The incident prompted condemnation and concern from the diplomatic community.

"By conducting dangerous maneuvers that caused collisions with Philippine resupply and Coast Guard ships, the [People's Republic of China] Coast Guard and maritime militia violated international law by intentionally interfering with the Philippine vessels' exercise of high seas freedom of navigation," the US Department of State said.

SENATORS CONDEMN CHINESE AGGRESSION IN WEST PHILIPPINE SEA

Philippine lawmakers have condemned China's latest act of aggression in the West Philippine Sea, which saw two ship collisions in Philippine territory over the weekend.

In a statement, Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri condemned "this latest abhorrent actions of the China Coast Guard and Chinese maritime militia that put in danger the lives of our brave countrymen who were on a routine resupply mission to our troops in Ayungin Shoal."

He praised the Philippine Coast Guard and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) for displaying courage and restraint in continuing their resupply missions and called on the China Coast Guard to respect human lives and abide by the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and other international laws governing safe maritime travel.

"Our freedom of navigation in our own exclusive economic zone within our own continental shelf should be recognized and upheld," he said.

He also reiterated his support for efforts to increase the budget for the PCG and AFP "to better capacitate them in safeguarding our exclusive economic zones from illegal foreign intrusions."

"As leader of the Senate, I will make sure that our troops will get sufficient funds under the 2024 national budget to bankroll the much-needed upgrade of their equipment."

Sen. Jinggoy Estrada noted it was not the first time that Chinese vessels had tried to block a Philippine resupply mission in its own territory.

Sen. JV Ejercito said China "has gone too far in disrespecting the Philippines."

Sen. Risa Hontiveros said the latest incident is a clear violation of international law after the 2016 arbitral award invalidated Beijing's claims in the West Philippine Sea.

Sen. Francis Tolentino said the collisions show China's disregard for international law and basic maritime safety and called for an investigation under the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) and the Code for Investigation of Marine Casualties and Incidents of the International Maritime Organization.

Sen. Grace Poe warned China's latest act of aggression "could be a potential flashpoint in the region."

BACK TO PAPER: COURT BLOCKS PROCUREMENT OF PLASTIC DRIVERS' LICENSES

It's back to paper driver's licenses for now after a local court issued a preliminary injunction to the government's procurement of plastic cards for driver's license.

Land Transportation Office chief Asec. Vigor Mendoza confirmed the issuance of the preliminary injunction, which would stop deliveries of the plastic cards.

"Once effective, mahihinto ang supplier natin. Hindi na siya pwedeng magdeliver...Dati goodbye papel, eto welcome back although the injunction is not yet effective," he said in a TeleRadyo Serbisyo interview.

Petitioner AllCard Inc. earlier questioned the procurement contract awarded to Banner Plastic Card Inc., which submitted a bid of P219 million inclusive of taxes for procuring the license cards, higher than the P177-million bid of AllCard Inc.

A post-qualification evaluation disqualified AllCard due to "delays" in another project involving the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) and other government agencies.

Mendoza said if the injunction goes into effect, the LTO will only be able to address the backlogs going back to April of this year.

"Ang maaapektuhan 'yung current usage, 'yung dapat kasi nung Oktubre if you filed a icense in October you would get it automatically. Ngayon mapapahinto natin 'yan dahil magkukulang tayo ng card," he said, adding he expects a 2-month delay.

One workaround LTO is looking at is starting the bidding process early for some 4-5 million cards scheduled for procurement in 2024.

MORE QUAKES, LAVA SPEWS FROM MAYON

LEGAZPI CITY — State volcanologists are seeing a longer eruption episode from Mayon Volcano after they recorded volcanic earthquakes lasting more than four hours and thicker lava spews in the past 24 hours.

The quakes triggered and sped up the release of lava last night than in the previous observation periods, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said yesterday.

Paul Alanis, Phivolcs resident volcanologist at the Lignon Hill Observatory in this city, said the lava spews were larger and thicker.

The resurgence of more tremors and volcanic earthquakes is likely to prolong Mayon’s abnormal condition, Alanis said.

“These revived abnormal parameters are likely to extend the more than four-month eruption activities of Mayon. This volcano is really very unpredictable,” Alanis said.

He said the longer tremors indicated faster ascent of fresh magma to the surface as massive magmatic degassing activities continue inside Mayon.

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3 'HIGH-TICKET' EDUCATION BILLS FILED AT BARMM PARLIAMENT

Local sectors are expressing their support for three bills filed in the Bangsamoro parliament, which propose the establishment of high schools in every barangay, technical skills facilities, and institutions for "special children" in municipal centers across the autonomous region. However, local officials are urging the 80-seat Bangsamoro Transition Authority to first conduct a comprehensive audit and evaluation of dilapidated schools in all 116 municipalities to ensure cost-efficiency in implementing these measures once they become law. Bill 252 aims to set up at least one high school in each barangay within the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, covering multiple provinces and cities. Bill 253 seeks to establish technical skills learning centers in each municipality, while Bill 255 focuses on facilities for "special children." Local educators and officials view these proposals as vital interventions to improve the quality of education and accessibility to secondary schools, particularly in underserved areas like Lamitan City and Maguindanao del Norte.

MMDA TO DEPLOY 1,400 ENFORCERS FOR UNDAS BREAK

MANILA — Over 1,400 Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) enforcers will be deployed during the Undas break, ensuring their presence with a "no leave, no absent" policy, according to acting MMDA Chairman Romando Artes. The Undas holiday covers All Souls' and Saints' Days on November 1 and 2 when people visit cemeteries to remember their loved ones. Due to a special non-working day declared for the barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections on October 30, there will be a three-day weekend from October 28 to 30, with November 1 and 2 also designated as holidays. To enhance safety and traffic management, deployment hours will be extended late into the night. There will also be stringent inspections at bus terminals, including random drug testing to ensure drivers are not under the influence of drugs. Artes emphasized the importance of improving the public transportation system to efficiently handle the holiday season's influx of passengers.

CHED OPENS SATELLITE OFFICE IN NEGROS

MANILA — The Commission on Higher Education (CHED) has opened a satellite office in Talisay, Negros Occidental to better serve higher education institutions (HEIs) in Western Visayas.

CHED Chairman Prospero de Vera III said the office would issue certificates, special orders, scholarships and other pertinent transactions needed by the residents.

The satellite office will provide easy access to HEIs in Negros Occidental as well as ensure client satisfaction through efficient, effective and inclusive delivery of frontline services, De Vera said.

MANILA CARDINAL TO FILIPINOS ABROAD: KEEP MISSIONARY SPIRIT

Cardinal Jose Advincula, head of the Roman Catholic Church in Manila, used World Mission Day to urge Filipinos abroad to continue serving as examples of the universal call to mission. During Mass at Rome's Pontificio Collegio Filippino, he encouraged the Filipino community to keep "embracing the call to mission, bear witness to Christ's love, and be steadfast in prayer." He emphasized that their mission was not confined by borders since Christ's love knows no boundaries. The cardinal, who attended the Synod on Synodality in Rome for three weeks, noted that mission is a responsibility and privilege for every Christian, not just a select few.

Bishop Mylo Hubert Vergara of Pasig also highlighted the role of Filipinos worldwide as exemplary witnesses of faith, emphasizing the value of prayer in missionary and Christian life. World Mission Day, initiated by Pope Pius XI in 1926, promotes the recognition of Catholics as missionary disciples. Pope Francis, under the theme "Hearts on Fire, Feet on the Move," encouraged Catholics to embark on their mission illuminated by their encounter with the risen Lord, seeking to share God's love and invite others to the path of peace and salvation.

ENTERTAINMENT & LIFESTYLE

AFTER TRIUMPH IN PARIS FILM AWARDS, KRYSTAL MEJES HOPES TO WORK WITH VILMA SANTOS

MANILA -- After winning Best Actress honors at the Paris Film Awards, Star Magic freshie Krystal Mejes is looking forward to more projects.

Mejes, 15, got the nod for her performance in the short film "Matapang," where she took on the role of Mary Ann, a daughter of sex worker (Alessandra de Rossi), searching for her real father.

Mejes says "Matapang" is in the process of being made into a full-length film, while she is in line for a new project.

"Next year, you have something to look forward to," she teased.

A fan of old Filipino films, Mejes says dreams of working with Vilma Santos.

"Ang dami po, mostly mga veteran actors kasi mahilig talaga ako manood ng mga old films ‘saka because I grew up in a traditional Filipino household na alam mong pinapanood si FPJ, gano’n. So siguro po it would be Ms. Vilma Santos," she shared.

The young actress is thankful for the foundation, training, and support ABS-CBN had given her in her career.

"ABS-CBN has always been there for me, kahit ano'ng gawin ko in my life they're always alongside me, they're always behind me and I just feel very, very, grateful," Mejes explained.

"My heart is overflowing with joy and gratitude to be just so blessed to have people supporting me, loving me, trusting me, especially with this big recognition, of course. I can't explain it, my heart is just so happy to have them in my life, I just feel so blessed and grateful," she added.

Mejes hopes her triumph will open more for Filipino talents.

"It is a way of opening Philippine cinema again. This gives us all the recognition para in the future we also get incorporation with other countries about films and stuff about how we should be as an actor," she said.

SPORTS

PBA 3X3: VOSOTROS RETURNS AS TNT GUNS FOR GOLDEN FOLLOW UP

MANILA -- PBA 3x3 scoring champion Almond Vosotros returns on Monday for the TNT Triple Giga as they gun for the back-to-back title wins in Leg 2 of the PBA 3x3 Season 3 Second Conference at the Ayala Mall Circuit in Makati.

The 33-year-old feisty guard came back from the reserve list after taking a week's break.

He will beef up the Triple GIGA that claimed the P100,000 championship last week when they carved out an 18-16 win over Cavitex in the finals.

They will kick off their quest in Pool A against No. 6 Purefoods TJ Titans and No. 7 Blackwater Smooth Razor.

Teaming up with Vosotros in TNT’s bid for a back-to-back are Ping Exciminiano, Matt Salem, and Chester Saldua, who will make his debut with the team.

Meanwhile, Cavitex retained the core composed of Jorey Napoles, Tonino Gonzaga, Marion Magat, and Kenneth Ighalo as it tries to get back against TNT, that also beat them for the First Conference championship last July.

The Braves of coach Kyles Lao spearhead Pool B together with Barangay Ginebra, San Miguel, and Pioneer Elastoseal Katibays.

Third placer Meralco, handled by Patrick Fran, also returns the quartet of Alfred Batino, Joseph Sedurifa, Jeff Manday, and JJ Manlangit to lead Pool C that also includes Northport, Terrafirma 3x3, and guest team MCFASolver.

Barangay Ginebra led by First Conference holdovers Ralph Salcedo and John Espanola, opens hostilities at 10:30 a.m. against John Apacible and the San Miguel Beermen.

Eight teams – two from Pool A and three each in Pool B and C – are going to advance in the knockout stage on Tuesday, where a prize money of P100,000 awaits the leg champion.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

Everything is worth what its purchaser will pay for it. - Publius Syrus (1st century BC)