01:02.6
We begin with China giving its Coast Guard powers to detain foreigners suspected of illegally crossing Chinese borders.
01:11.1
The regulatory document was released Wednesday just as a group of Filipino civilians and fishermen sailed to the Scarborough Shoal to assert a Philippine sovereign rights.
01:20.6
The regulations stipulate suspects can be held.
01:23.8
For up to 60 days without trial.
01:26.9
This is the first time China specified the Coast Guard's law enforcement procedure for administrative detentions.
01:33.7
The policy takes effect in June.
01:35.9
Also on Wednesday, the Chinese foreign ministry warned it will take what it called necessary measures if the Philippines continues provocations.
01:45.9
We once again urge the Philippines to face up to the facts, honor its promise, immediately stop infringements and provocations.
01:53.3
We once again urge the Philippines to face up to the facts, honor its promise, immediately stop infringements and provocations.
01:53.8
And return to the right track of properly handling maritime disputes in the South China Sea through negotiation as soon as possible.
02:02.5
If the Philippines insists on going ahead with it, China will take necessary measures to firmly defend its legitimate rights and interests.
02:13.3
China also insisting on the veracity of the conversation between its diplomat and a Philippine military official regarding a supposed new deal on Ayungin Shoal.
02:23.8
China's foreign ministry says Manila must honor its word on managing the situation in disputed waters.
02:31.7
All the relevant contents released by the Chinese embassy to the Philippines are objective facts.
02:37.7
Nobody can deny the existence of the gentleman's agreement reached by China and the Philippines for properly handling the situation in the South China Sea,
02:46.0
the current Philippine administration's understanding with China, and the new model arrangement.
02:51.5
All of which are based on a clear...
02:53.8
...timeline, hard facts, and solid evidence.
02:59.4
Philippine officials have denied such a conversation ever took place.
03:03.4
Despite this, the Philippine Senate will probe China's possible violation of the anti-wiretapping law.
03:12.2
Philippine senators witnessed firsthand China's encroachment in the West Philippine Sea during their visit to Pagasa Island.
03:19.3
Victoria Tulad reports.
03:23.8
Before landing in Pagasa Village in Kalayaan Island in the Philippine province of Palawan,
03:28.7
Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri and his party received a radio challenge from China.
03:34.1
Zubiri, accompanied by Senate Majority Floor Leader Joel Villanueva and Senator Javier Gersito
03:39.3
all expressed alarm over the considerable Chinese presence in the West Philippine Sea.
03:44.5
They spotted more than 10 Chinese vessels near Pagasa Island.
03:48.7
So sad na nandito tayo sa loob ng ating bansa. Talagang nakakagulat.
03:53.8
Alarma at nakakagalit.
03:55.5
Gusto ko lang pong sabihin kung nakikinig po sila.
03:58.5
Ito po ang teritoryo ng Republika ng Pilipinas.
04:03.6
Hindi po inyo ito.
04:05.6
Kaya kung pwede, lumayas na kayo.
04:07.3
Talagang nakakabahala na sa dyang napakalapit na po talaga ng mga militia vessels at Chinese Coast Guard.
04:15.4
It was the first time the three senators went to Pagasa Island for the groundbreaking ceremony of the Philippine Navy's barracks
04:21.9
to show support for the armed forces of the Philippines.
04:23.8
Philippine Coast Guard and local government of Kalayaan.
04:28.0
Zubiri says they also gave funds for other projects.
04:31.7
2.5 billion for the buying of two ships for the Philippine Coast Guard.
04:35.5
They're already under negotiations.
04:37.2
Ang missile systems, weapon systems na ibigay po natin sa armed forces.
04:42.1
Ang importante dito, hindi tayo nagpapalupig.
04:45.1
Ang importante dito, buo ang suporta ng bawat isa sa atin
04:49.9
at mali ang China sa kanilang mga narratives na nagkakawat-akwat.
04:53.8
It was their first time to see the encroaching presence of Chinese maritime militia and China Coast Guard ships near Pagasa.
05:02.2
But for the island's residents, it's nothing new.
05:09.3
According to Defense Secretary Gilberto Chodoro Jr., about 22 Chinese vessels are about an hour away from Pagasa.
05:19.6
He believes China will not attack, but if this happens,
05:23.8
they have a contingency plan.
05:27.7
The senators also led the groundbreaking of a rural health unit in Pagasa.
05:36.2
The construction is set to finish in December this year,
05:38.9
and it is expected to be a big help for residents.
05:41.2
Sa ngayon kasi we don't allow na mga anak sila sa isla.
05:46.1
So under third trimester, pinabababa natin sa isla, sa mainland.
05:50.6
Kapag na-install po itong RHU natin,
05:53.8
magkakaroon po ito ng birthing facility.
05:56.4
Abasal said they still don't have a doctor, a problem that Zubiri promised to address.
06:01.8
Meanwhile, senators will have a closed-door meeting with the Defense Department
06:05.3
to discuss the alleged war-tapping of China with an official of the AFP.
06:10.2
Chodoro said they will have to consult the Department of Foreign Affairs.
06:14.1
Victoria Tulad, ABS-CBN News, Pagasa Island.
06:19.0
Well, let's discuss China's move empowering its Coast Guard to detain trespassers.
06:23.8
Up to 60 days without trial.
06:25.9
We're now joined by security analyst Dr. Chester Cabalza.
06:29.5
He is the founding president of the International Development and Security Cooperation.
06:34.1
Chester, nice to see you again. Thanks for joining us. Welcome to the program.
06:37.6
Good afternoon, Ms. Christy. Yes, ma'am.
06:41.4
Yeah, this is Carmina. Hi.
06:43.2
Yeah, for me. Yes, for me.
06:44.4
Sure. So how do you describe now Beijing's move threshing out the powers of its Coast Guard
06:51.0
to detain trespassers for up to 60 days?
06:53.8
How do you see this? How would you describe it?
06:58.0
Well, this is a preposterous, illegal, and retaliative because of what happened
07:03.3
in the Flotilla Parade and the regatta chauffeurs of our civilian fishermen.
07:14.2
And basically, this is their call to prevent any massacre that would happen at sea.
07:21.8
Remember that China feared...
07:23.8
This kind of actions they had in the past, the Chinaman Massacre,
07:30.8
where civilians were protesting against their aggression.
07:35.5
And we are seeing right now in our own waters, in our own backyard, in our own territory,
07:41.2
Filipinos fighting against the aggression of the China Coast Guard.
07:46.2
And we commend their bravery and their mission was very successful.
07:52.0
And the reason...
07:53.8
The reason why China is imposing this new kind of law is for them to protect their fears
08:01.6
because they know that the Filipinos will still continue this kind of mission.
08:07.4
Now, you're calling it preposterous, this move by China.
08:11.8
But do you see this as well as a threat?
08:14.2
And if you do, would you consider this as an empty threat?
08:17.7
Do you think China will actually do what it says it will do?
08:23.8
We are not honoring the 2016 Hague ruling.
08:30.4
That is a rules-based, a facts-based decision.
08:35.8
And now they are telling to us that we are not obliging to the kind of agreement
08:42.7
that they have plotted recently with the military officers and with our government.
08:51.3
I think they are trying to revert.
08:53.8
This story, they are giving us false information about this.
08:58.3
And the resort is to offer a new law where I think this will be judged by the international community.
09:06.5
If in case they will push for this new law of trial for 60 days for any aggressors on their part,
09:17.7
then definitely it's the international community that will have to decide.
09:21.7
This is a call also for our...
09:23.7
The Philippine government to raise this to any international court
09:27.4
because we think that this is illegal and this is not acceptable.
09:31.9
If China is consistent with use of lawfare,
09:35.0
then they have to recognize the 2016 arbitration award that the Philippines has won.
09:41.4
How come that they are trying to give an upper hand in what is happening in the West Philippine Sea
09:50.9
when in fact, Scarborough Shoal,
09:53.7
was the harbinger of the legal actions of the Philippines in 2013
09:60.0
where we filed a case against them
10:02.5
and the world has spoken because of the 2016 arbitration award.
10:08.4
And now they're changing the narrative.
10:10.8
They wanted to enforce their own domestic law.
10:14.5
And in fact, that is contrary because in the 2016 decision,
10:20.8
it says that Scarborough Shoal,
10:23.7
within the internal waters of the Philippines,
10:25.8
it's within the exclusive economic zone of the Philippines.
10:29.2
This is our territory.
10:31.1
So it's unfair for them to enforce their law inside our territory.
10:38.6
I mean, that's very clear.
10:41.8
I mean, that's what the convoy has said repeatedly time and again.
10:49.4
That's how we see it.
10:52.1
But China, as you know,
10:53.7
sees it differently.
10:55.5
They see it as theirs, right?
10:57.6
But do you actually think that they will put action behind this ruling of theirs,
11:06.0
fleshing out the powers of the Chinese Coast Guard?
11:08.9
Will it do them well if they actually put action behind these words?
11:14.4
This is going to be a litmus test of the two versions of narratives
11:21.2
coming from the Philippines and China.
11:23.7
And this will also become a new debate
11:28.0
in the international community using lawfare.
11:33.4
Because right now, we have several domestic laws also.
11:40.3
That's the reason why, remember, in 2013,
11:43.7
when we called off the attention of China because of their illegal fishing,
11:49.2
it's because we are enforcing our own domestic law.
11:52.1
And they violate it.
11:53.7
And they use the art of deception.
11:56.9
The Americans intercepted.
11:59.4
And the decision is for both parties, the Philippines and China,
12:03.1
to leave Scarborough Shoal.
12:05.2
And they deceived us.
12:06.8
They said that they could not leave because of the weather.
12:09.8
Until such a time, now they are controlling the Scarborough Shoal,
12:13.9
which is a famous wreck right now in the West Philippine Sea.
12:19.6
they want to implement their own law,
12:23.3
their own domestic law inside the Philippine territory,
12:27.1
which they think it's part of their territory.
12:30.0
So it's going to be a contestation of domestic laws
12:33.8
between and against the Philippines and China.
12:37.9
And I think this is the best opportunity for the Philippines
12:41.5
to raise it up to the international court again.
12:44.2
Because the validity and enforceability of these laws
12:47.3
will have to be decided by the international community.
12:50.3
We have to understand that international law,
12:53.3
and international relations are evolving and changing
12:58.2
because of what is happening in the West Philippine Sea.
13:01.8
And we are hoping that these kind of actions coming from China,
13:07.4
once they implement this domestic law,
13:09.8
that they think is for their best interest,
13:13.4
it's up now to the international court
13:16.8
and for our leaders on how we will try to defy.
13:21.8
And at the same time,
13:23.3
try to justify our own laws within our wits and bounds in our territory.
13:29.1
How does this change things though internally, Dr. Cabalza?
13:34.2
I mean, they can do this,
13:35.8
they can put even action behind those words that they just released,
13:41.0
the regulation fleshing out the powers of the Coast Guard,
13:43.9
but internally, our fisher folk, even our Philippine Coast Guard,
13:49.2
will it change things for them because of this regulation?
13:53.3
That's a very good question, Ma'am Carmina.
13:58.5
I think the strength of the Philippines right now,
14:02.3
of our government right now,
14:04.4
is our collective deterrence and unified narrative.
14:09.1
Although China is trying to debunk that
14:12.1
because they have tried to influence our politicians
14:19.4
because of this political coercion.
14:22.0
Remember that there will be a lot of political coercion.
14:23.2
There will be upcoming elections next year for our midterm elections.
14:27.2
Definitely, they will try to influence those who will run for office.
14:33.7
Secondly, they've been trying to intimidate our fishermen
14:37.6
and we saw the bravery and courage of our fisher folks.
14:43.3
It's good that the narrative,
14:45.9
the Philippine narrative has cascaded to the grassroots.
14:48.3
Now, the initiatives are coming from the fisher,
14:53.2
the fisher folks themselves and from the civil society that we command.
14:57.6
And that's working because of the pool of society
15:00.4
that the government is trying to teach to all of us.
15:04.3
That everyone and every sector has a say when it comes to our national security.
15:10.7
So the Philippine Coast Guard,
15:12.9
the armed forces of the Philippines will not be deferred.
15:16.0
They will try to continue with their fight on this narrative
15:21.3
that our government,
15:23.2
our government is fighting for right now.
15:25.7
But for the fisher folk, Dr. Cabalza,
15:29.0
the ones who go out to sea
15:32.8
and now it seems like they're going to risk their freedom each time they do so.
15:38.9
Do you think that the latest pronouncement of China
15:43.2
will strike the fear of God in them
15:46.3
and this would now affect their livelihood
15:49.1
and their lives eventually?
15:51.2
Is that what's going to happen?
15:55.0
That we will see.
15:56.8
You know, we see the defiance of the Filipino fisher folks.
16:00.9
The main reason why they went to Scarborough Shore
16:03.4
is to fight for their fishing rights and sovereignty rights of our country.
16:07.9
The mere fact that China has pronounced that new law
16:11.3
which they will implement by June,
16:13.2
that means that they are afraid.
16:15.2
The fear is here in China right now
16:18.4
because they've seen civilians coming to their end.
16:23.2
And that brings back the memory of the Tiananmen Massacre
16:27.3
where they saw civilians fighting their party and their government.
16:32.4
And we'll see what would be the reaction of China later on with that.
16:37.3
We should not be afraid of that new law
16:41.5
that China would want to use to contain us,
16:45.1
to stop us in our mission
16:46.6
because they have their own hidden agenda.
16:50.1
They have their own national interest.
16:52.5
We have to proclaim to them that this is farce
16:55.7
and that is for the interest of the Philippines.
16:58.9
All right. We're going to have to leave it at that.
17:00.4
Dr. Chester Cabal said there he is the founding president
17:03.2
of the International Development and Security Cooperation.
17:06.5
Great insights. Thanks for talking to us today.
17:09.2
Really appreciate it, Chester. Take care.
17:11.3
Thank you, Ma'am Carmina.
17:12.7
All right. From there, we're going to talk now to the Philippine Coast Guard
17:15.8
joining us for a reaction to China ordering its Coast Guard
17:19.4
to arrest foreign trespassers.
17:21.0
Thank you, Chester.
17:21.5
Thank you, Chester.
17:21.9
Thank you, Chester.
17:21.9
Thank you, Chester.
17:22.0
Thank you, Chester.
17:22.5
Commodore J. Tarriela, he is the Philippine Coast Guard
17:25.1
spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea Commodore.
17:27.9
Nice to have you on the show today.
17:29.5
Thanks for joining us and welcome to the program.
17:32.5
Hello, Mr. Carmina. Good afternoon.
17:34.0
And it's my pleasure to be here.
17:36.3
All right. Commodore, tell us what you think.
17:37.9
Tell us what the Coast Guard is thinking.
17:39.4
How will this change things for you?
17:41.8
Beijing now fleshing out the power of their own Coast Guard
17:45.1
saying they can actually arrest trespassers
17:47.6
and detain them for some 60 days
17:50.0
without the benefit of a trial.
17:51.9
How does this affect the Philippine Coast Guard
17:54.2
and your watch over the West Philippine Sea?
17:57.8
Go ahead, Commodore.
17:59.4
Well, you know, Ms. Carmina,
18:00.5
they can enact all domestic laws all they want.
18:04.7
But on our perspective,
18:08.6
this is just an MP threat, you know,
18:11.3
considering that this is a domestic law
18:13.6
that they want to enforce
18:15.0
within our own exclusive economic zone.
18:17.9
Then, therefore, this is considered to be illegal.
18:20.4
It doesn't conform...
18:21.9
It doesn't conform with international law.
18:23.8
It doesn't conform with the United Nations Convention of the Law of the Sea
18:28.9
and the 2016 Arbitral Award
18:31.1
was very clear in invalidating the 9-9 claim of China.
18:35.9
Therefore, they do not have sovereignty over these waters.
18:39.3
So, as to their domestic law
18:41.3
saying that they can arrest anybody
18:43.7
that enters these waters in 9-9,
18:48.0
my own interpretation is that
18:49.6
this is just a way for China
18:51.9
to threaten other civil society,
18:54.9
not just here in the Philippines,
18:56.3
but among other claimant states.
18:58.3
Like, what would happen
19:00.4
if this kind of initiative
19:02.2
that we have been doing here in the Philippines
19:04.0
will also be replicated by the Vietnamese,
19:08.4
and also the Indonesian in Natuna
19:10.1
to counter their presence?
19:12.0
This will be a very big problem for them
19:14.4
if not just in the Philippines
19:16.1
was going to take the lead
19:18.1
in allowing the civil society
19:21.9
to fight for our own sovereignty
19:23.7
and sovereign rights in these waters.
19:26.8
this is just an empty threat
19:28.3
trying to threaten the civil society
19:32.2
not just here in the Philippines
19:33.6
but across Southeast Asia
19:35.5
that they're not supposed to sail
19:38.3
and enter these waters
19:39.6
because they're threatening
19:41.1
that they're going to be arrested
19:42.6
and detained for 60 days.
19:44.3
Commodore, if you say that it is an empty threat,
19:47.1
is that tantamount to the Philippine Coast Guard
19:50.2
not doing anything?
19:51.9
Because what if it's not an empty threat?
19:54.2
What if they actually put action
19:56.0
behind the threat?
19:58.8
Well, Ms. Carmina,
19:59.7
we have been mentioning
20:00.5
that the Philippine Coast Guard
20:01.6
has been sending our vessels
20:03.1
in the West Philippine Sea
20:04.9
with our commitment
20:06.6
of ensuring the safety and security
20:08.4
of the Filipino fishermen.
20:10.0
The Commandant of the Philippine Coast Guard,
20:11.8
Admiral Loniel Gavon,
20:13.3
has increased the number
20:14.6
of Coast Guard deployment
20:15.8
in this side of the Philippine waters
20:18.8
to make sure that our fishermen
20:21.8
can freely be doing fishing activities
20:25.5
within our own exclusive collapse zone.
20:28.1
What do you say to those
20:29.2
who might fear for their lives,
20:30.9
for their freedom
20:31.6
if they go out to sea
20:34.6
when Beijing says
20:36.5
that this is a time
20:37.5
when they will enact this regulation?
20:41.5
Well, on our part,
20:43.5
the only assurance
20:44.6
that the Philippine Coast Guard can have
20:46.4
is that you can rely on our presence
20:50.2
that we have to make sure
20:51.6
that our fishermen
20:53.7
and the sovereign rights
20:56.9
we still maintain our sovereign rights
20:58.9
over these waters
20:59.7
and that we're not,
21:01.2
we should not be deterred
21:02.5
in allowing our Filipino fishermen
21:04.8
to enjoy the resources
21:06.6
of our exclusive economic zone.
21:10.1
the National Task Force
21:11.0
West Philippine Sea,
21:12.4
not just the Coast Guard,
21:13.6
but even the Bureau of Fisheries
21:14.7
and Aquatic Resources,
21:16.1
together with the Armed Forces of the Philippines,
21:18.4
definitely would do everything
21:21.6
that the Filipino fishermen's rights
21:24.3
and fishing in these waters
21:25.9
will always be safeguarded.
21:28.4
You've heard it mentioned many times,
21:31.4
Commodore Tariala,
21:32.5
about the situation
21:33.6
in the West Philippine Sea
21:34.8
that if anything should erupt,
21:36.9
that it's going to be due
21:38.2
to a miscalculation.
21:40.3
With this regulation
21:41.6
and with the pushback coming
21:43.3
from the Philippine government,
21:45.3
from the Philippine Coast Guard,
21:47.0
from Filipino civilians,
21:49.4
do you think that the situation
21:51.6
is ripe for some kind
21:53.0
of a miscalculation to happen?
21:56.6
Well, that's the other point
21:58.0
why we look at this
21:59.2
as an empty trip.
22:00.7
Because I know that China
22:02.2
would also have to understand
22:05.4
once they implement
22:07.6
this law that they're saying now,
22:11.3
it is not just the Philippines
22:12.8
who will be affected by this.
22:14.7
They have to implement it also
22:19.4
where Vietnamese laws
22:21.6
Malaysian, Indonesian,
22:22.9
and other Southeast Asian
22:23.9
are fishing within
22:25.7
the nine-dash line claim of China.
22:28.4
So it's a very big problem for them.
22:31.0
And it would really, you know,
22:33.0
result to a much more
22:34.0
bigger miscalculation.
22:35.7
Because it's not just the Philippines
22:36.9
who's going to challenge
22:39.5
such domestic law of China,
22:41.8
but all of those countries
22:43.2
that will be affected.
22:45.0
In other words, you're saying,
22:47.2
that if they put action
22:48.7
behind those words,
22:51.6
then it will not do them any good.
22:55.0
Yes, it will not do them any good.
23:00.1
it's only the Philippines
23:01.0
who has been very vocal
23:02.2
in exposing their aggression
23:03.6
in the West Philippine Sea.
23:05.6
If ever they're going to
23:07.4
no longer hesitate
23:08.8
to implement this
23:10.0
domestic law of China,
23:12.4
they have to deal with
23:13.6
more countries in Southeast Asia
23:16.8
their illegal action
23:18.6
and provocative behavior
23:21.0
going to implement
23:23.5
concerned nationals
23:25.6
who are also fishermen.
23:27.9
Commodore J. Tariela there.
23:30.2
He's the spokesperson
23:31.7
of the Philippine Coast Guards
23:33.1
or the spokesperson
23:35.5
for the West Philippine Sea
23:39.5
Department of the
23:41.1
Philippine Coast Guard.
23:42.5
Appreciate you joining us this noon.
23:44.0
Thanks for giving us your insights.
23:45.9
Really appreciate it.
23:48.0
Thank you, Ms. Carmina.
23:49.9
That was Commodore J.
23:51.0
Tariela of the Philippine Coast Guards
23:52.8
or the spokesperson
23:54.6
for the Philippine Coast Guards
23:56.1
for the West Philippine Sea.
23:57.3
Thank you so much again
23:58.0
for joining us this noon.
23:59.9
Well, the Philippine civilian mission
24:01.0
to Scarborough Shoal
24:02.1
back home after being harassed
24:04.7
during their voyage.
24:06.3
Our very own Jervis Manahan
24:07.4
joined that successful mission
24:08.6
and he joins us now
24:09.6
live with an update.
24:10.9
Jervis, what more can you tell us?
24:15.9
Leaders of the advance team
24:17.2
of the Atinto Coalition
24:18.4
described how they got past
24:20.3
the Chinese government
24:21.0
blockade at the general vicinity
24:22.7
of the Scarborough Shoal.
24:24.8
Mark Figueras, the team leader,
24:26.8
said they had to disguise
24:28.5
as fishermen in the area.
24:30.9
They did not show
24:31.8
tarpaulins and cameras
24:33.0
so they got as close
24:34.5
as 20 nautical miles
24:36.5
from the Bajo de Masinloc.
24:38.4
However, a Chinese Navy ship
24:41.3
Chinese Navy Vessel 175
24:43.0
kept on shadowing them
24:46.6
a chopper kept on encircling them
24:48.5
but they pushed through
24:49.9
with the distribution
24:52.4
food packs and fuel
24:53.5
to Filipino fishermen there.
24:56.0
They said Filipino fishermen
24:57.2
cannot go inside the lagoon
24:58.8
of the Scarborough Shoal anymore
25:00.6
and they fished just nearby
25:02.6
as Chinese vessels
25:04.3
keep close watch.
25:06.2
Figueras said he wanted
25:07.4
to come closer to the shoal
25:09.0
but he received a message
25:10.6
from one of the fishermen
25:11.8
saying that six Chinese ships
25:13.9
were about to block them.
25:16.1
Erring on the side of caution,
25:17.3
they decided to stay
25:18.4
further from the shoal.
25:20.8
Fishermen in the area
25:21.9
were also driven away
25:23.1
by Chinese vessels.
25:25.3
We also got to talk
25:26.3
to international observers
25:27.7
and they said they found
25:28.8
China's actions concerning.
25:31.0
They felt sorry for the fishermen
25:32.5
in the area who were being
25:34.2
driven away from their own waters.
25:37.7
the co-convener of
25:38.9
Atinito Coalition,
25:40.2
said there are no definite plans
25:42.0
for a third mission
25:43.1
but they said their goal
25:44.7
is to normalize civilian missions
25:46.5
in the West Philippine Sea.
25:50.0
All right, Jervis.
25:50.8
As you were with the convoy,
25:52.8
we were discussing here
25:54.7
with Commodore J. Tariela,
25:56.4
the Philippine Coast Guard
25:57.8
spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea
25:59.8
and also security analyst
26:03.1
We were talking about
26:03.9
the regulation of Beijing
26:07.8
the powers of their Coast Guard.
26:15.5
the Filipino fisherfolk there
26:17.5
and what do they have to say about this?
26:19.4
Will they now be scared
26:22.6
knowing that they will be facing
26:24.4
if they're apprehended
26:25.9
some 60 days behind bars
26:29.4
without the benefit
26:30.2
of a trial, Jervis?
26:36.1
We also got to talk
26:36.9
to Filipino fishermen
26:38.0
going to the vicinity
26:39.8
of the Scarborough Shoal
26:41.1
and the Filipino fishermen
26:42.6
kept on describing
26:43.5
how they are very cautious
26:46.6
that they have to push through
26:48.0
with their livelihood
26:48.7
but they have to push through
26:49.2
and they have to be careful
26:50.2
not to be driven away
26:51.7
or not to escalate tensions
26:53.1
caused by Chinese vessels
26:54.6
in the Scarborough Shoal.
26:56.3
So far, a lot of Filipino fishermen
26:58.3
are still trying or attempting
27:00.4
to sail around the vicinity
27:03.7
but they cannot go inside.
27:05.4
But they said that
27:06.6
they are very, very cautious
27:07.7
in dealing with Chinese vessels.
27:11.6
Thanks again, Jervis Manahan there
27:17.1
we're going to take a quick break.
27:18.4
Up ahead, President,
27:19.2
Marco sees no reason
27:20.4
to abolish government's
27:21.5
controversial anti-insurgency task force.
27:24.0
Details when we return.
27:26.2
Dateline Philippines
27:49.2
We'll be right back after this.
28:19.2
Thank you for watching!
28:49.2
Thank you for watching!
29:19.2
Thank you for watching!
29:49.2
Thank you for watching!
30:19.2
Thank you for watching!
30:49.2
Thank you for watching!
31:19.2
Givara adds, the OSG is currently gathering relevant information from the Commission on Elections, Bureau of Immigration, and other government agencies.
31:28.0
The Comelec meanwhile defends its decision to accept Guo's Certificate of Candidacy.
31:33.3
Una po, nung nag-file po ng Application for Registration as voter po si Mayor Guo sometime in 2018,
31:40.6
ay lumalabas po na wala pong nag-obose sa kanyang Application for Registration.
31:46.3
Ganon din po ang nangyari nung siya po ay tumakbo.
31:49.2
Nag-sumite ng Certificate of Candidacy.
31:51.8
Nung 2021, wala pong natanggap ang Comelec na either nag-petition for cancel or deny due course to the COC
31:58.6
kung meron mang material misrepresentation mismo sa Certificate of Candidacy.
32:03.5
At wala rin pong natanggap ang Comelec na petition for disqualification.
32:07.6
The Comelec says, Guo can face charges for providing false information in her COC if it is proven that she is not a Filipino citizen.
32:16.0
An election law professor meanwhile says,
32:19.2
all cases against Guo should be filed before regional trial courts.
32:22.8
Anong pwedeng kaso after mo ma-proclama?
32:25.7
Sa tulad ngayon, no?
32:26.9
Ang isang nga is yung tinatawag natin ko-warrant to,
32:30.4
pero dahil munisipal official siya,
32:32.6
ang may jurisdiction hindi Comelec,
32:34.7
ang may jurisdiction regional trial court.
32:36.8
Ang ilawang isang kaso, yung tinatawag na perjury,
32:39.8
dahil kung nagsinuwaling siya sa kanyang Certificate of Candidacy.
32:44.5
Pero hindi yan Comelec.
32:46.0
Ang sampabon ng kaso sa prosecutor's office,
32:48.4
tapos ang trial niyan, sa regional trial court.
32:52.1
Some residents meanwhile assert, Guo has been a long-time resident of Mamban.
32:57.2
Sa pagkakaalam ko po, ismong magkatagbay kami niyan eh.
33:01.2
Since 2005, siguro mga nasa dalagitan niya si Mama Liz.
33:06.0
Nagita ko na yan.
33:07.5
Tapos noong 2008, nakakausap ko na yan dahil tagawad na ako noon.
33:13.1
May portrait siya dyan.
33:14.7
ABS-CBN News has been trying to get Guo's side for days now.
33:18.4
But she has yet to make a public appearance.
33:21.4
Ara Perez, ABS-CBN News.
33:48.4
Prove is being conducted on the mayor's citizenship.
33:53.4
Karoon na kami ng ano rito ng investigasyon at binigay na namin sa ombudsman.
33:57.7
Parang ombudsman na ang umaksyon dito sa ating mga local government.
34:01.2
Kine-question na ngayon yung pagiging Filipino citizenship ni Mayor.
34:06.2
At dahil diyan, uli ni Secretary Abalos yung task force.
34:09.9
May 10 to, may 10.
34:11.0
Na tulog into it yung Filipino citizenship.
34:13.8
Which is now, ginagawa ngayon ng ating task force na kumakalap ulit ng mga,
34:18.4
informasyon tungkol dito.
34:23.4
President Marcos clarifies government's stand on enforcing visa rules.
34:27.5
Marcos says he only wants stricter implementation of visa policies for all foreigners
34:32.3
in order to curb abuses.
34:34.9
He adds government would improve its regulations on the examination for visa applicants
34:39.6
and for those who convert their tourist visas to student visas.
34:47.4
Walang stricter rules.
34:48.4
Rules kahit sa kanino.
34:50.2
Pare-pareho lang ang rules sa lahat ng ating mga kaibigan nang gagaling.
34:55.6
Ang problema lang, dahil maliwanag na maliwanag at lumalabas ang mga report
35:01.3
na meron nag-aabuso nito.
35:04.2
Kaya't mapantayan namin ito.
35:09.0
The Foreign Affairs Department earlier said it is crafting a stricter visa policy
35:14.2
amid growing concerns on Chinese nationals submitting fraudulent documents.
35:18.4
There are also concerns on the rising number of Chinese nationals studying in Kagayan.
35:25.2
President Marcos rejecting calls to abolish the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict
35:33.0
The President insists the Anti-Insurgency Task Force is still relevant.
35:37.4
His remarks come amid renewed calls to dismantle the task force following a Supreme Court decision
35:43.3
which describes red-tagging as a threat to people's life and security.
35:47.5
The task force has repeatedly been accused of red-tagging government critics.
36:17.5
May ilang pa na mga returnees na hindi pa nabigyan ng tulong.
36:25.6
Kaya nakuha ako ng report kanina.
36:28.0
Tatapusin namin lahat yan bago natin pag-isipan na yung NTF kakit,
36:33.6
tanggalin na natin yung NTF pagka hindi na kailangan.
36:36.3
Sa ngayon, kailangan pa rin.
36:41.3
In other news, President Marcos says an alternative scheme to bring down the rice
36:45.8
make that the price of rice.
36:47.5
It has been determined by Congress.
36:49.4
See, discussions are ongoing to amend the rice tarification law,
36:52.9
but while the push is gaining ground in the lower chamber,
36:55.8
the Senate is opposed to reinstating the power of the National Food Authority
36:59.7
to import and sell rice over fears of corruption.
37:04.1
Details of the new price management plan have yet to be announced,
37:07.1
but Marcos believes it will be effective in bringing down rice prices.
37:13.5
Well, I don't want to preempt the Bicameral Committee,
37:17.3
but I don't want to preempt the Bicameral Committee.
37:17.5
I don't want to preempt the Bicameral Committee.
37:17.5
But I think we have found a solution already.
37:20.5
So that kahit papano, maybe the mechanism will be different from that which was proposed.
37:26.0
But in the end, ang net effect pareho pa rin.
37:28.7
Makakapag-import ang national government.
37:32.9
I don't know through which agency first.
37:35.3
They will have to decide which is best.
37:37.3
Pagka mataas ang presyo ng bigas, magbibitaw tayo ng bigas,
37:40.5
magbibenta tayo ng mababa para sumunod ang merkado.
37:46.5
The Philippine Empire is a country that has been fighting for a long time.
37:47.5
Energy regulators studying the possibility of ordering power distributors
37:51.4
not to cut electricity to consumers who are unable to pay their electricity bills this month.
37:57.4
Alvin El Chico tells us more.
38:01.0
Consumer Cecil Manlan at Smeralco bill in May has arrived,
38:05.4
and it is higher than last month's charge.
38:07.8
Her problem is, the money allotted for her electricity payment
38:11.2
won't arrive until the end of the month,
38:13.5
which is past the due date of May 23rd.
38:16.3
Bago magkatapusan, mamumutol na sila.
38:19.5
Ikatapusan pa namin makukuha yung perang pambayad namin sa bayaran na yan.
38:25.0
Huwag na mo ng putulan, di ba?
38:27.1
Kung makiusap ka, dapat pagbigyan.
38:29.3
Kasi obligado namang bayaran namin, di naman namin sila tatakbuhan.
38:32.9
But the Energy Regulatory Commission may just save consumers like Cecil from disconnection.
38:38.0
ERC Chairperson Monalisa Dimalanta says,
38:40.6
the Commission is studying the possibility of ordering distribution utilities
38:45.4
and cooperatives to hold off disconnection this month
38:49.1
due to the rise in power rates in Luzon and Visayas.
38:52.7
Smeralco announced a 46 centavo per kilowatt hour increase this month,
38:57.1
while some cooperatives in the Visayas implemented more than 3 pesos.
39:02.2
Kung hirap ka in terms of cash flow, gusto mo sana deferred, di ba?
39:06.6
Installment yung payment.
39:07.9
Pero kung hindi kasi binigay sa iyo yung deferral,
39:10.2
huwag ka naman sanang putulan, di ba?
39:13.8
Ang bilis kasi ni...
39:15.4
Sa mga de-use na mag-enforce ng disconnection.
39:18.8
Smeralco will comply if there is an ERC order,
39:21.9
but cooperatives ask,
39:23.4
if the consumers will not pay,
39:25.6
how will they handle energy suppliers?
39:28.4
Kung papayagan ang mga co-op na huwag mo nang mamutol or may mandato,
39:33.7
sana meron din mandato sa mga power suppliers na
39:36.2
ibigay pa rin yung prime payment discount,
39:38.8
tapos magbigay pa rin sila ng time to pay.
39:42.2
Meanwhile, the National Grid confirms,
39:43.6
consumers will feel the impact of ERC's order,
39:48.1
allowing a 30% recovery of generating plants in the reserve market.
39:53.3
Translate it into a peso per kilowatt hour,
39:58.5
corresponding to the...
40:01.8
sa aming mga customers, sa mga de-use,
40:05.1
is about more than 10 centavos per kilowatt hour.
40:09.6
The NGCP is also alarmed over the series of thefts,
40:13.6
of power parts in the Cebu-Negros-Panay backbone lines.
40:29.3
The system operator says,
40:35.9
power flow may be affected in the three islands
40:38.8
once the pilferage affects the integrity of major transmission lines.
40:43.6
Alvin Olchico, ABS-CBN News.
40:48.5
Meanwhile, women's groups led by Gabriela held a protest action
40:52.3
to express their strong opposition to the latest power rate hike.
40:56.6
Andrea Taguinas joins us now with that story.
41:02.2
Members of Gabriela Women's Party and other women's groups
41:05.5
held a protest in front of the Miralco Business Center
41:08.5
in Camunin, Quezon City this morning
41:10.3
to express their dismay over the latest increase
41:13.5
in power rates in Metro Manila.
41:15.6
Utility for Miralco announced last Tuesday
41:17.7
that power rates in May went up by 46 centavos per kilowatt hour
41:22.4
to more than 11 pesos per kilowatt hour.
41:25.0
This means that a residential customer
41:27.4
consuming 200 kilowatts per hour a month
41:30.3
can expect an increase of 92 pesos in their electricity bill for May.
41:35.2
Gabriela Party List representative Arlene Brosa said,
41:38.3
this is unacceptable, especially after the series of brownouts
41:41.7
some customers have been experiencing
41:43.5
recently whenever the Luzon grade
41:45.8
would be put on yellow or red alert.
41:48.1
Rosa has called on her colleagues in Congress
41:50.2
to join her in moving to repeal
41:52.6
the Electric Power Industry Reform Act
41:54.8
or the EPIRA Law of 2001
41:57.0
which privatized the Philippines' power sector.
42:02.5
Habang ganun na nagkakaroon ng mga brownouts,
42:06.2
tumataas yung presyo ng kuryente.
42:09.3
Yan po ang nireklamo ng Gabriela Women's Party
42:13.0
at ng mga kananayan ngayon.
42:14.7
Dahil na may EPIRA Law po tayo,
42:17.6
deregulasyon, privatization at liberalization po
42:23.4
So, ibig sabihin, hindi nare-regulate
42:26.3
ng kasalukuyang pamahalaan
42:29.0
yung presyo ng kuryente.
42:31.7
So, ang nangyayari, para siyang negosyo.
42:35.7
Electric cooperatives in some provinces
42:39.0
have also announced a hike in power rates
42:41.3
like in Iloilo and Negros.
42:43.0
Where electricity rates had gone up
42:45.6
by more than 3 pesos per kilowatt hour this month.
42:48.9
The Energy Regulatory Commission earlier said
42:50.9
it is studying the possibility
42:52.3
of ordering electric cooperatives and utilities
42:55.1
not to disconnect consumers
42:56.8
who are unable to pay their electricity bills
42:59.4
amid the extreme summer heat.
43:02.4
Thanks a lot, Andrea.
43:03.3
Taguinas there joining us on the line
43:04.9
and back here in the newsroom.
43:07.6
the floating pier built by the U.S. military
43:10.1
to boost aid deliveries
43:11.4
is now docked in Gaza.
43:13.0
U.S. President Joe Biden announced plans
43:15.3
for the temporary structure in March
43:17.2
as aid officials implored Israel
43:19.4
to improve access to relief supplies
43:21.4
into the besieged enclave.
43:24.3
The purpose of this temporary pier
43:26.5
is to deliver critical humanitarian assistance
43:28.9
to the Palestinian people.
43:31.3
The pier is temporary
43:32.5
and not meant to replace land routes into Gaza.
43:37.3
this is an internationally backed effort
43:39.5
coordinated with the United Nations.
43:41.8
The U.S. military
43:43.0
is clearly providing the logistical support
43:44.8
to enable humanitarian aid
43:46.4
to flow into Gaza from the sea.
43:51.2
The United Nations has stressed
43:53.0
delivering aid by land
43:54.3
is still the most viable method.
43:56.8
The U.S. State Department
43:57.6
also urging Israel
43:58.7
to allow sustained access for aid
44:00.9
as the humanitarian situation there
44:03.0
continues to deteriorate.
44:06.7
North Korea again denies
44:08.7
any arms exchanges with Russia.
44:10.7
The U.S. and South Korea
44:12.4
have accused the North
44:13.4
of transferring weapons to Russia
44:15.0
for use in its war against Ukraine.
44:18.0
Moscow and Pyongyang have,
44:20.0
or which have vowed to deepen military relations,
44:22.5
have denied the accusations.
44:25.5
the sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un,
44:28.0
also calling it the most absurd theory.
44:31.1
North Korea's weapons development
44:32.5
is not meant for exports
44:34.2
but for defense against South Korea.
44:40.2
U.S. President Joe Biden
44:41.8
announced that North Korea's weapons development is not meant for exports but for defense against South Korea.
44:42.4
U.S. President Joe Biden
44:42.9
announced that North Korea's weapons development is not meant for exports against South Korea.
44:43.0
South Korea's weapons development is not meant for exports against South Korea.
44:48.9
North Korea's weapons development is not meant for exports against South Korea.
44:49.3
The proposal first announced in April
44:51.4
would reclassify cannabis
44:56.8
with a low-to-moderate potential
45:00.1
Penalties for use of Schedule 3 drugs
45:03.1
under federal law.
45:05.8
Today, my administration
45:07.4
took a major step
45:08.6
to reclassify marijuana
45:10.7
from a Schedule 1 drug to a Schedule 3 drug.
45:10.8
from a Schedule 3 drug
45:11.2
from a Schedule 1 drug
45:12.4
It's an important move toward reversing long-standing inequities.
45:17.5
Today's announcement builds on the work we've already done to pardon a record number of federal offenses for simple possession of marijuana.
45:27.2
The reclassification also allows for more research into the medicinal benefits of cannabis.
45:32.8
Thank you for watching.
46:02.8
...after erupting for 40 in their previous meeting.
46:05.6
The winner-go-home game make that Game 7 takes place Sunday in Denver.
46:12.0
Another Filipino-American hoping to fulfill his hoop dreams of playing in the NBA, Steve Angeles has more on Boogie Ellis.
46:29.0
A Filipino-American is making his case for a shot at the NBA.
46:32.8
After not initially invited to the NBA Draft Combine, University of Southern California grad Boogie Ellis impressed at the NBA's G-League Elite Camp and eventually earned an invite to the Draft Combine in Chicago.
46:44.6
You're coming to Combine, baby. Yeah, man.
46:49.6
I thank God and I appreciate it and my family is the reason why I'm here today and I thank them as well.
46:58.0
Since arriving at the Draft Combine, the Phil M. Guard has been putting on a shooting display helping his team.
47:03.5
Standing at just under 6 feet 1 inches, Ellis also impressed in the vertical jump, finishing at the top 10 by jumping 39 and a half inches.
47:12.0
We had a great performance as a team. We got a great win. You know, I felt like I did well, you know, coming off the bench, you know, leading the team, talking, being there, having, being a great teammate, having good energy.
47:22.1
You know, overall, we just came out with the win and I'm glad that we did that. So I'm 3-0 this week.
47:27.4
Last year, as a fifth-year senior, Ellis averaged 16 and a half points per game for the USC Troops.
47:33.5
On 42.7% field goal shooting.
47:36.2
The San Diego native began his career with two years at Memphis, winning an NIT Championship and the ACC Sixth Man of the Year in 2021.
47:45.3
He then transferred closer to home and spent three years at USC, where he earned first-team All-Pac-12 honors in 2023 and second-team honors earlier this year.
47:54.1
The NBA Draft Combine, which NBA teams use to scout talents, will last through the end of this week.
47:59.5
The NBA Draft takes place in June.
48:06.4
And that'll do it for today.
48:07.8
Thanks for joining us.
48:08.8
I'm Carmina Constantino.
48:10.0
If you want to revisit today's episode, you can play back this newscast on our YouTube channel and on ANC 24-7 on Facebook.
48:17.5
Keep it to you on the news channel.
48:32.8
We'll see you next time.
