9 CHINESE SHIPS SPOTTED AROUND AYUNGIN SHOAL: AFP

MANILA — The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Thursday confirmed the presence of Chinese ships on Ayungin Shoal in the West Philippine Sea.

Five Chinese maritime militia vessels (CMMV) were inside Ayungin, while four others were outside the shoal, according to AFP Western Command commander Vice Admiral Alberto Carlos

Carlos said CMMVs started entering the shoal—where the BRP Sierra Madre is grounded—this year.

“Every time makita namin sila sa loob ng shoal, we deploy our rubber boats to non-confrontationally drive them away. Pinapaalis namin,” Carlos told ABS-CBN News in a phone interview.

“The term always is non-confrontationally driving them away because it’s a calibrated response and we do not want to escalate the situation there anymore,” he added.

Carlos and AFP chief General Romeo Brawner, Jr. personally joined Sunday’s mission to Ayungin Shoal. They were on board the supply boat Unaizah Mae 1.

The officials witnessed how Chinese coast guard and maritime militia vessels shadowed, blocked with water cannons and conducted dangerous maneuvers against the Philippine resupply team.

According to Carlos, they monitored some 40 Chinese vessels in the vicinity of Ayungin Shoal during the mission.

CHINA BLASTS US FOR BACKING PH IN SEA DISPUTE

MANILA — China on Wednesday lashed out at the United States over its support to the Philippines with regard to the West Philippine Sea dispute, accusing it of preserving its own "selfish geopolitical interests."

"For some time, out of selfish geopolitical interests, the US has incited, supported and assisted in the Philippines’ infringement and provocation at sea, and repeatedly made threats by citing the US Philippines Mutual Defense Treaty," China Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning claimed.

The US State Department on Sunday released a statement calling on China to halt its "dangerous and destabilizing" actions in the West Philippine Sea following a fresh confrontation between Manila and Beijing vessels in the disputed waters.

"The statement is an attempt to endorse the Philippines’ infringement of Chinese sovereignty and provocation. We firmly reject it," Mao said.

Mao said Beijing does not recognize the 2016 arbitral award by a UN-backed court invalidating its 9-dash nine claim.

"China has made clear that the so-called arbitral award on the South China Sea is illegal, null and void, and has no binding effect whatsoever," Mao claimed.

Mao added that the US itself do not honor arbitral awards.

"The US itself would not implement the judgement of the International Court of Justice and international arbitral awards. In what position is the US to tell China that it should implement an illegal arbitral award?" Mao said.

PHILIPPINES SECURES BOARD SEAT IN INAUGURAL LOSS AND DAMAGE FUND

MANILA — The Philippines secures a seat on the board of the "Loss and Damage" fund initiated by COP28 to assist vulnerable nations facing climate disaster impacts.

Environment Secretary Antonia Yulo Loyzaga reveals that the Philippines will be a full member of the board in 2024 and 2026, serving as an alternate member with Pakistan in 2025.

The fund receives approximately $792 million in pledges during COP28, hosted by the United Arab Emirates, falling short of the $100 billion annually needed by developing nations for climate-related losses.

Loyzaga expresses hope for the Philippines to host the fund, enabling representation of climate-vulnerable developing countries and advocating for appropriate financing tailored to each nation's unique needs.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr welcomes the development, emphasizing the significance of having a voice in managing global funds to address climate change effects.

The Philippines aspires for the Loss and Damage Fund's operationalization once its structure and organization for management are established.

BERSAMIN TELLS UN: PHILIPPINE ACTIVELY PROMOTING HUMAN RIGHTS

Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin represents the Philippines at the UDHR75 commemoration in Switzerland, emphasizing the country's commitment to human rights.

Philippine Permanent Representative Carlos Sorreta hosts Bersamin at events, including a virtual meet-and-greet with Philippine ambassadors in Europe and a town hall meeting with Filipino community associations in Geneva and Vaud.

Sorreta highlights the importance of participative dialogue with the Filipino community, addressing their concerns and promoting personal freedoms.

Bersamin assures community members of the government's active promotion of human rights through the Joint Program on Human Rights in partnership with the United Nations.

Bersamin emphasizes the strength of democratic institutions in the Philippines, ensuring justice without fear or discrimination, based on equality, integrity, gender responsiveness, and human rights.

Migrant welfare is a priority, focusing on securing employment benefits and protection for migrants, with the Philippines championing safe, orderly, and regular migration in the United Nations.

During the online meeting with Philippine ambassadors in Europe, presentations cover political, economic, and security considerations, enhancing bilateral relations, economic opportunities, and concerns for overseas Filipinos.

The Philippine delegation includes Department of Justice Undersecretary Raul Vasquez, Assistant Secretary Al-Azree Mohammadsali, and Director Naereeza Bainto.

PHILIPPINES DEPORTS 180 CHINESE DETAINED IN ANTI-TRAFFICKING RAID

MANILA — The Philippines deported 180 Chinese nationals on Thursday after they were detained in a raid on a suspected sex-trafficking and online scam operation in the capital Manila, officials said.

Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese and Filipino nationals were among the nearly 600 people found inside a compound during the operation in October.

Sex toys, a massage parlor, karaoke rooms and a restaurant were found in the building operated by a business that authorities said was licensed as an internet gaming company.

Several women were "rescued" during the raid, police said.

The Chinese nationals deported did not have work permits and had been "engaging in online scams", Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission Undersecretary Gilberto Cruz told AFP.

Cruz said more foreigners detained in the raid would be deported in the coming weeks.

NEDA BOARD OKS EXTENSION OF TARIFF CUTS ON RICE, CORN, PORK

Tariff rates for pork, corn, and rice in the Philippines will remain unchanged for an extended period, with pork at 15% in-quota and 25% out-quota, corn at 5% in-quota and 15% out-quota, and rice at 35% for both in-quota and out-quota. This extension aims to ensure an adequate supply of agricultural commodities and stabilize prices, managing potential inflationary pressures. The economic managers proposed the extension due to global supply challenges, such as the spread of African swine fever, shortages in corn and rice production, and elevated world prices. The reduced tariffs, initially set to lapse on December 31, 2023, aim to mitigate the impact of high prices from imports on local markets. The NEDA Board also approved modifying the review period for the tariff rate on coal from semestral to an annual basis, while tariffs on pork, corn, and rice will be reviewed semi-annually.

MOTORISTS TOLD: EXPECT HEAVY TRAFFIC STARTING PAYDAY FRIDAY, DEFER WEEKEND SHOPPING

MANILA — The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) urged motorists to refrain from shopping this weekend due to heavy traffic expected in major thoroughfares starting payday Friday.

"Ngayon pong payday Friday hanggang buong weekend, ini-expect po namin na talagang magsisikip ang daloy ng traffic o mas sisikip pa dahil...mamimili ang ating mga kababayan dahil may suweldo, yung bonuses pumasok na," MMDA Chairman Romando Artes said.

"Sa atin pong mga kababayan, kung puwede pong mag-defer muna ng shopping nang weekday next week, mas maganda po at ‘wag nang sumabay ngayong weekend. We have to plan yung ating pagsa-shopping," he said in a TeleRadyo Serbisyo interview.

Some 409,000 vehicles passed through EDSA on Thursday. Traffic typically gets heavier between 5 and 10 p.m., Artes noted.

He said the MMDA was coordinating with the managers of malls along EDSA to assist with traffic and passenger queues.

Meanwhile, a jeepney transport strike opposing the franchise consolidation requirement of the PUV modernization program has caused "very minimal" disruption on public transport this week, Artes said.

"In fact, ang tingin po namin, ito po yung regular Friday na rush hour traffic lamang," he said of reports that some passengers had difficulty with their commute due to the transport strike.

Only 1,200 passengers on Thursday needed the free rides that MMDA prepared to counter the transport strike's impact, the official said.

CHRISTMAS TRAVEL REBOUND: MIAA SEES 10,000 ADDITIONAL PASSENGERS DAILY

The Manila International Airport Authority is predicting an additional 10,000 passengers daily this Christmas season due to a travel rebound.

MIAA Officer-in-Charge Bryan Co said he expects an increase in both domestic and international travelers as early as December 21, 2023.

Flight activity at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport will reach 45 million passengers this year.

"This is the first full year without travel restrictions," he said in a TeleRadyo Serbisyo interview.

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COVID-19 BEDS IN 3 METRO MANILA HOSPITALS ALMOST FULLY OCCUPIED

MANILA — Beds allocated for COVID patients in three Metro Manila hospitals are almost fully occupied, the Department of Health (DOH) reported yesterday.

Health Undersecretary Eric Tayag said the Philippine Children’s Medical Center, National Kidney Transplant Institute (NKTI) and The Medical City recorded an increase in COVID admissions.

“Halos sagad na ‘yung mga kaso ng COVID nila. Sa ibang rehiyon naman ay hindi pa umaabot sa ganong sitwasyon,” Tayag said in a television interview.

From Dec. 2 to 11, Tayag said the DOH recorded 1,810 COVID cases or a daily average of 260 new infections.

The figure is higher compared to the previous week’s daily average of 100 COVID cases, the DOH said.

According to Tayag, the DOH has been assessing if the patients admitted for COVID are not fully vaccinated.

Amid the rising cases of COVID nationwide, Tayag said the DOH is still not inclined to revive mandatory masking.

He encouraged the public to wear face masks and avoid going to crowded places.

DOE SEES OIL PRICE CUTS WEEK BEFORE CHRISTMAS

Merry Christmas, Kapamilya! The Department of Energy is predicting another oil price rollback a week before Christmas based on the first 4 days of trading on the Mean of Platts Singapore.

Rodela Romero, Director 3 of the DOE Oil Industry Management Bureau, said the range of pump price reductions is as follows:

Gasoline - P0.25-P0.40 per liter

Diesel - P0.10-P0.35 per liter

Kerosene - P0.80-1 peso per liter

Romero said December forecast on global demand sees 1 million barrels per day excess. Short term outlook also predicts possible excess on world supply until the second quarter of 2024.

"The projection is mas mataas ang supply kaysa demand," she said.

MGA JEEPNEY NA HINDI SUMALI SA TIGIL-PASADA, HINAGISAN NG PAKO

Hinagisan ng mga pako ang mga jeepney na hindi umano sumali sa tigil-pasada sa Taguig City nitong Huwebes.

Kuha sa CCTV ang paghahagis ng mga pako sa mga namamasadang jeep ng dalawang lalaking nakatambay sa Barangay Hagonoy sa Taguig.

At bukod sa tradisyunal na mga dyip, target umano ng mga suspek ang modern jeepneys.

Nagreklamo sa Taguig City Police Station ang isang kooperatiba matapos masiraan ng mga gulong ang higit sampu nilang units.

“Kasi naramdaman nila bumigat na ‘yung jeep dahil flat na nga e. Pumapalo na ‘yung wheel niya sa pinakailalim,” ayon kay PCol. Robert Baesa, hepe ng Taguig CPS.

“Improvised siya na parang merong cardboard na ‘pag nadaanan, tatayo talaga ‘yung pako para talagang tumusok sa mga gulong. So talagang masisira ‘yung mga gulong,” dagdag ni PCol. Baesa.

Malaking abala ang naidulot nito hindi lang sa mga biyahe ng jeep kundi maging sa mga pasahero.

“Syempre nahihirapan ‘yung driver, ‘yung pasahero pa na nakasakay sa loob diba? Na pupunta sila sa trabaho nila or uuwi sila, bumaba sila. Kasi kelangan palitan ‘yung gulong. Hindi naman tatakbo ng flat ‘yun e, delikado,” sabi ni Charrize San Jose, liaison officer ng Taguig Transport Service Cooperative.

“Sa gastos kung ‘yung gulong, umaabot na sa more or less P90,000, sa gulong pa lang tapos ‘yung naabala pa na biyahe syempre,” dagdag ni San Jose.

Agad namang naaresto ang dalawang suspek matapos mamukhaan sa CCTV.

Inamin ng mga ito ang nagawa at sinabing napag-utusan lang sila ng isang jeepney driver kapalit ng P100.

“Ayun po, magbutas po ng gulong, ‘yung mga hindi daw sumama sa strike. Humihingi lang po ako ng pasensya,” ayon sa isang suspek.

Mahaharap ang dalawang suspek sa reklamong malicious mischief.

GO, BELMONTE LEAD CHRISTMAS GIFT-GIVING IN QUEZON CITY

MANILA — Sen. Bong Go’s Malasakit team and Quezon City District 2 Councilor Mikey Belmonte provided assistance to indigent residents from Dec. 6 to 9 as part of Christmas gift-giving program.

In a video message, Go commended Belmonte for his Pamaskong Handog initiative.

Belmonte gave grocery packs to 2,800 residents. Some received shirts and balls for basketball and volleyball from Go.

Go, who chairs the Senate committee on health and demography, reiterated the importance of prioritizing one’s health, especially during the Christmas season.

PARAÑAQUE RESIDENTS RECEIVE GIFTS

MANILA — More than 250,000 residents in Parañaque have received Christmas packages from the city government.

Each “Pamaskong Handog” package contains a pack of spaghetti sauce and pasta, a can of fruit cocktail, canned goods, milk cream and coffee.

Mayor Eric Olivarez led the 12th day of distribution in Barangay Marcelo Green yesterday.

City hall personnel will continue going around every barangay to distribute gift packs.

“The Pamaskong Handog is our little gift to every Parañaqueño,” Olivarez said.

WARM WEATHER AT START OF SIMBANG GABI; POTENTIAL STORM TO DRENCH EASTERN VISMIN

The start of Simbang Gabi on Saturday will still be dry over most parts of the country as the low pressure area (LPA) that may develop into storm Kabayan will only begin bringing rains in the eastern sections of Visayas and Mindanao on Sunday, weather bureau PAGASA said Friday.

The LPA was spotted 1,595 km east of Southeastern Mindanao at 3:00 a.m. Friday and has no effect yet on the weather.

It may enter the Philippine area of responsibility on Saturday and develop into a tropical depression, which will be assigned the local name Kabayan and the first storm this December.

State forecaster Robert Badrina, however, warned that the rains will persist regardless if the LPA will develop into a storm or not.

"Maging bagyo man o hindi man itong low pressure area, asahan ninyo pagdating ng araw ng Linggo malaki 'yung tsansa na magiging maulan dahil sa pagkilos nitong low pressure area na ating minomonitor," he said.

Bicol Region and more areas in Visayas and Mindanao will also be rainy by Monday, Badrina added.

This Friday and Saturday, the weakening northeast monsoon or Amihan and the humid easterlies blowing from the Pacific will affect the country.

Generally fair conditions with some isolated light rains will be experienced in Ilocos Region, Cordillera, Cagayan Valley, and Central Luzon.

Meanwhile, Metro Manila and the rest of the country will be hot and humid in the same period with some chance of afternoon or evening rain showers due to localized thunderstorms.

Amihan is also seen to surge and bring cooler temperatures over most of Luzon starting Sunday.

ENTERTAINMENT & LIFESTYLE

DANIEL PADILLA REMOVES BREAKUP STATEMENT FROM INSTAGRAM

MANILA -- Two weeks after he and actress Kathryn Bernardo announced their separation, actor Daniel Padilla has removed his breakup statement on social media.

Eagle-eyed fans were quick to notice that Padilla's statement on his Instagram account can no longer be seen. The actor left the photo which shows him and Bernardo and a snap of the actress with their adorable fur babies.

Padilla also retained the words "Ikaw at ako," which were part of his original breakup statement post.

Bernardo and Padilla separately took to Instagram to announce that they have ended their 11-year relationship last November 30.

"Deej, you gave me 11 beautiful years and the kind of love that I will forever cherish. I will always be grateful for you," Bernardo said in her statement.

Padilla, for his part, told his former girlfriend: "Our lives may drift away, but our love will still ride that tide."

Last Wednesday, the former couple felt the love and support of their fans as they shared stage and sang the "Friends" theme "I'll Be There for You" at the Araneta Coliseum in Cubao, Quezon City.

Their performance is part of the ABS-CBN Christmas Special, which will be aired this coming weekend.

SPORTS

NBA SCORES OF GAMES PLAYED ON DEC 13, 2023

Final

1          2          3          4          T

Pelicans

14-11

28        47        35        32        142

Wizards

3-20

30        34        29        29        122

Capital One Arena, Washington, DC

PLAYERS OF THE GAME

B. Ingram NO SF

40 PTS , 2 REB , 3 AST

K. Kuzma WAS PF

27 PTS , 7 REB , 4 AST

Final

1          2          3          4          T

76ers

16-7

39        31        34        25        129

Pistons

2-22

26        30        24        31        111

Little Caesars Arena, Detroit, MI

PLAYERS OF THE GAME

J. Embiid PHI C

41 PTS , 11 REB , 5 AST

B. Bogdanovic DET SF

33 PTS , 1 REB , 2 AST

Final

1          2          3          4          T

Hawks

9-14

39        27        29        33        128

Raptors

10-14

31        33        39        32        135

Scotiabank Arena, Toronto, ON

PLAYERS OF THE GAME

T. Young ATL PG

35 PTS , 4 REB , 17 AST

P. Siakam TOR PF

33 PTS , 7 REB , 7 AST

Final

1          2          3          4          T

Hornets

7-15

23        22        25        34        104

Heat

14-10

22        34        35        24        115

Kaseya Center, Miami, FL

PLAYERS OF THE GAME

T. Rozier CHA SG

28 PTS , 3 REB , 7 AST

D. Robinson MIA SG

23 PTS , 2 REB , 3 AST

Final

1          2          3          4          T

Pacers

13-9

33        30        31        32        126

Bucks

17-7

36        34        31        39        140

Fiserv Forum, Milwaukee, WI

PLAYERS OF THE GAME

T. Haliburton IND PG

22 PTS , 5 REB , 7 AST

G. Antetokounmpo MIL PF

64 PTS , 14 REB , 3 AST

Final

1          2          3          4          T

Lakers

15-10

34        29        29        30        122

Spurs

3-20

26        24        24        45        119

Frost Bank Center, San Antonio, TX

PLAYERS OF THE GAME

A. Davis LAL PF

37 PTS , 10 REB , 1 AST

V. Wembanyama SA PF

30 PTS , 13 REB , 2 AST

Final

1          2          3          4          T

Grizzlies

6-17

23        20        38        23        104

Rockets

12-9

29        28        25        35        117

Toyota Center, Houston, TX

PLAYERS OF THE GAME

J. Jackson Jr. MEM PF

44 PTS , 7 REB , 2 AST

T. Eason HOU PF

25 PTS , 14 REB , 1 AST

Final

1          2          3          4          T

Nets

13-10

31        33        22        30        116

Suns

13-11

22        34        32        24        112

Footprint Center, Phoenix, AZ

PLAYERS OF THE GAME

C. Thomas BKN SG

24 PTS , 2 REB , 4 AST

D. Booker PHO SG

34 PTS , 6 REB , 12 AST

Final

1          2          3          4          T

Knicks

13-10

31        19        34        29        113

Jazz

8-16

22        30        37        28        117

Delta Center, Salt Lake City, UT

PLAYERS OF THE GAME

J. Randle NY PF

32 PTS , 12 REB , 6 AST

C. Sexton UTA SG

26 PTS , 4 REB , 7 AST

INDICATORS

FOREX $1 = P 55.79

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

Great perils have this beauty, that they bring to light the fraternity of strangers.- Victor Hugo