01:11.0
Three research vessels from China are still at Escoda or Sabina Shoal where what appears to be marine scientists are seemingly conducting underwater surveys in the area.
01:21.1
These activities are visible to Coast Guard personnel aboard the BRP Teresa Magbanwa.
01:25.5
The ship has been keeping watch at Escoda for at least a month.
01:30.0
This is the first ever deployment of a PCG vessel in the West Philippine Sea.
01:34.9
Filipino Coast Guard divers scan the waters daily to check for any changes in the piles of crushed corals believed to have been dumped by China.
01:42.7
Our mere presence there have already deterred the People's Republic of China in continuing their illegal reclamation because we haven't noticed any progress dito sa reclamation nila.
01:57.3
China has denied conducting reclamation activities.
02:00.0
China has denied conducting reclamation activities in Escoda, calling the allegations sheer rumor.
02:03.3
But for the Coast Guard, Beijing's denial does not hold water.
02:07.2
Tariella recently released a journal from Chinese scholars showing how Beijing used crushed corals in its reclamation similar to what's observed in Escoda.
02:15.9
Ang bilis nilang mag-deny, ang bilis nilang mag-sinunghaling sa mga bagay-bagay.
02:19.8
Pero our transparency strategy has always been founded on the truth.
02:24.1
Lahat ng sinasabi natin, lahat ng inire-release natin sa publiko, lagi tayong may resibo.
02:30.0
It's not enough that we just say things. It's always supported by videos and images.
02:35.8
Experts say Manila should prevent China from putting up an outpost in Escoda, which is close to resource-rich Recto Reef.
02:43.3
Escoda is also just over 70 nautical miles off the coast of the main Palawan Island.
02:48.8
China had already built military bases in Panganiban or Mischief Reef, which is within the Philippines' exclusive economic zone,
02:55.9
and Zamora or Subi Reef, which is within the country's continental shelf.
03:00.0
Mischief Reef is actually the naval base na nire-reclaim na nila ng People's Republic of China.
03:07.0
Kung sakaling magiging successful sila in doing this reclamation in Sabina Shoal,
03:12.4
it will be easier for them na tuluyang harangan ang ating resupply operation sa Ayungin.
03:20.9
Dahil pinapagitna na siya ng dalawang area kung sakaling ma-re-reclaim nila ang Sabina Shoal.
03:26.3
They used giant dredgers to be able to move sand.
03:30.0
And build up on, not Sabina, to build up on Mischief, on Subi Reef, Cuarteron Reef, Panganiban Reef.
03:40.5
They were able to build military bases there.
03:42.8
This time around, there was no noticed presence of those dredgers.
03:46.4
But we saw the result. A lot of crushed coral. So it's as if that Sabina Shoal is growing.
03:52.5
We would like to prevent a repeat of what happened.
03:55.1
The PCG said supplies are being sent to their personnel on board BRP Teresa Magbanua.
04:00.0
The Philippine Navy is also on standby near the area should the PCG call for assistance.
04:06.0
The Philippines said it will not build the structures or even plant its flag in Escoda.
04:10.5
Tayo pong mga Pilipino, we are looking at sustainable development.
04:17.9
Hindi po tayo naninira ng natural features natin.
04:22.6
We are only limited in maintaining our presence.
04:25.5
Our mandate there is to patrol the area, dive those areas,
04:30.0
na sinasabi nating may possibility of small-scale reclamation.
04:34.8
And that's the only thing that we can do.
04:39.4
The PCG plans to bring experts from the University of the Philippines Marine Science Institute to Escoda
04:45.3
this May or next month to further study changes in the Shoal.
04:49.6
Meanwhile, Tariela brushed off a Chinese media report of Filipino fishermen urinating,
04:55.2
spitting and littering in the West Philippine Sea,
04:57.3
calling it a cover-up to Beijing's massive dam.
05:00.0
It's a major damage to the marine environment.
05:02.0
Hindi ko alam kung gaano kalinis sa mga Chinese fishermen.
05:06.4
Again, I won't also lie na totoo rin naman na nakikita rin naman natin yan.
05:14.5
But again, these are small things compared with the damage to the marine environment na ginawa nila.
05:20.6
Compared with the crushed corals that they are dumping in the entire South China Sea.
05:25.9
Kumpara naman sa mga giant clumps na pinag-harvest nila,
05:30.0
ipapatay nilang corals para makagawa ng isang isla.
05:34.4
Ano ba naman ang ihi ng isang Pilipino?
05:36.7
Michael Delizo, ABS-CBN News.
05:41.2
The second civilian mission to the West Philippine Sea continues
05:45.0
despite being shadowed by two Chinese Coast Guard vessels.
05:49.3
The convoy also reports receiving radio challenges from Chinese ships in the disputed waters.
05:55.8
Jervis Manahan joins us live from the West Philippine Sea.
06:03.7
Two ships from the Chinese Coast Guard shadowed the Atinto Civilian Supply Mission Convoy earlier today.
06:10.4
The first one was identified to be CCG ship vessel 4109
06:15.6
and it was seen around 5.30 in the afternoon going the opposite direction.
06:20.7
It was seen merely 50 nautical miles from mainland Zambales.
06:24.9
Based on organizers' monitoring, the ship was moving slowly
06:29.1
so mission was not successful.
06:30.0
The second ship was asked to proceed.
06:31.7
By 6.15 in the evening, another ship identified as CCG vessel 4108
06:37.5
moved close to the FBCA patty, one of the main civilian vessels of the Atinto Coalition.
06:43.9
The Philippine Coast Guard vessel moved closer to the Atinto Convoy when that happened.
06:49.1
But earlier today, we have seen Bayanihan in the conduct of the civilian mission.
06:59.9
200 volunteers, media and international observers gathered in Matalvisport
07:05.0
in the town of Masinloc, Zambales early Wednesday.
07:08.4
They embarked on five main vessels for the second Atinito civilian mission in the West Philippine Sea.
07:16.2
A hundred smaller boats also joined the regatta, hoisting flags of the Atintong mission.
07:22.8
Despite threats of huge blockade from China,
07:25.6
one can easily feel the courageous spirit of people joining the mission.
07:29.8
Masaya po kasi isa po ako sa mga ka-experience ng expedition na gagawin.
07:35.2
Kaya po ako sumali dito para magkaroon po ng ambag po sa gagawin expedition po ngayon.
07:41.4
Bukod po doon, gusto ko rin po mabawi po natin maging atin po talaga yung Skalboro Pusol po.
07:49.1
Early into the voyage, the vessels deployed the symbolic markers begging their battle cry
07:54.2
that the West Philippine Sea belongs to the Philippines.
08:29.8
Marinig at irespeto, igalang ang desisyon mismo lalo na sa usapin ng karagatan.
08:37.0
Even youth leaders who joined the first mission volunteered again for the second round.
08:42.0
Kung ito po araw-araw nilang naranasan, sino po tayo kung hindi?
08:44.7
Sabi nga po ng isang quote, okay lang po matakot, basta huwag pong magpakain sa kaduwagan.
08:52.3
Meanwhile, the Philippine Coast Guard has deployed one of its vessels to assist the mission.
08:58.1
Commodore J. Tariella also asserts, the civilian mission is not an act of provocation,
09:03.6
but an exercise of Filipinos' right to sail in Philippine waters.
09:07.3
Are we provoking them? Are we escalating the tension? No.
09:11.1
They are the ones escalating the tension.
09:13.1
I think it's a wrong lens to see that the civil society is the one provoking China.
09:19.1
This is a civil society movement.
09:21.7
And they are just enjoying what is written on the international law
09:26.8
and what are entitled to them as Filipino people.
09:30.6
Only four main civilian vessels went to proceed to the Scarborough Shoal.
09:35.3
Meanwhile, the Philippine Coast Guard, which conducted a maritime domain awareness flight,
09:40.6
confirmed the presence of 19 Chinese men.
09:43.1
A Chinese vessel issued a radio challenge to the PCG Cessna plane.
09:53.1
The PCG, in response, issued at least five radio challenges to the Chinese warship.
10:02.4
Even the Atinto organizers are reporting that they have been receiving radio challenges
10:07.9
in another vote here at the Atinto Civilian Supply Mission.
10:13.1
Meanwhile, we are still en route to the Scarborough Shoal.
10:17.4
Okay, so Jervis, could you tell us how is the mood there right now?
10:20.7
And are the participants bothered at all by the presence of the Chinese ships,
10:25.1
especially those near the Scarborough Shoal?
10:30.6
Pia, initially, some were really bothered
10:33.0
because some of the ships of the Chinese Coast Guard really went close to our vessel.
10:37.9
But right now, they have been pacified and they are in high spirits.
10:42.3
The morale is so high.
10:43.1
And they are determined to make it to the Scarborough Shoal.
10:46.8
Yeah, and if you would recall, Jervis, the first mission,
10:50.7
we're forced to go back precisely because of the presence of the Chinese Coast Guard ships.
10:58.9
Is there something different or what's different this time in terms of strategy
11:03.6
to ensure that this mission will be a success?
11:10.6
Pia, we are using different vessels.
11:13.1
Now, we are using fishing boats instead of a large ship.
11:16.9
So, I think that is one of the main factors why we can still go and proceed
11:21.4
and that we have also an escort from the PCG.
11:24.9
So, the captain, the organizers, they are all resolved to make it.
11:29.1
Although, they may declare that safety will be the priority,
11:31.9
but as long as it is safe, they will be proceeding to the destination,
11:35.5
which is, again, the Scarborough Shoal.
11:38.5
All right, Jervis, it's pretty dark now where you are.
11:43.1
We can't obviously tell exactly where in the West Philippine Sea
11:47.4
your ship is now traveling through,
11:50.5
but are you actually allowed to tell us
11:53.3
where your specific or exact position is as of this moment?
12:01.0
Tony, we have been advised by the organizers
12:03.7
not to publicly disclose our exact location for our own safety.
12:09.7
But to give you an idea, we have been traveling,
12:13.1
we have been voyaging for more than 14 hours now
12:16.9
and it has been said here that we are nearing the Scarborough Shoal.
12:22.8
We wish you all a safe journey.
12:24.5
Jervis Marahan reporting.
12:25.7
Thank you so much.
12:29.0
A Philippine Senator Francis Tolentino says Manila must expel the Chinese diplomat
12:34.7
who allegedly wiretapped a senior Philippine military official.
12:38.8
Tolentino's sentiment is shared by Philippine Coast Guard Spokesperson
12:42.0
Commander Jay Tariela.
12:43.1
The Philippine Senate will probe the alleged wiretapping of a phone call
12:47.4
between the unnamed Chinese diplomat and Philippine Vice Admiral Alberto Carlos.
12:53.0
The Chinese Embassy earlier claimed it had an audio recording off the call
12:56.8
about a supposed deal on the Ayungin Shoal.
13:00.1
Philippine officials have denied such a conversation took place.
13:05.0
This can be proven that there was indeed wiretapping.
13:08.8
We can expel the diplomat concerned.
13:13.1
We can ask the Chinese Embassy to expel the said diplomat
13:18.5
and we can even declare him as a persona non grata
13:23.1
and we can, and this is very serious,
13:26.1
we can expel even non-diplomatic staff members of the Chinese Embassy.
13:32.7
We can reduce their staff.
13:36.5
Anonymous Chinese citizens are sending hate emails to the Philippine consulate in Beijing.
13:42.1
Anonymous Chinese citizens are sending hate emails to the Philippine consulate in Beijing.
13:42.5
Anonymous Chinese citizens are sending hate emails to the Philippine consulate in Beijing.
13:43.1
General Arnel Talisayan disclosed
13:45.4
this Wednesday to the Commission
13:47.1
on Appointments during their confirmation
13:49.3
hearing. He was responding
13:51.3
to a question by Senator Ronald
13:53.1
de la Rosa whether any Filipinos
13:55.3
were being harassed in China
13:57.0
over the West Philippine Sea dispute.
13:59.9
Talisayan described his
14:01.2
interactions with the Chinese Foreign Ministry
14:03.2
as professional and cordial.
14:07.0
Philippine diplomats in Beijing to watch
14:09.3
over the welfare of Filipinos in China,
14:11.5
especially if tensions escalate
14:13.7
in the West Philippine Sea.
14:17.3
Philippine Embassy, we would also
14:19.3
sometimes get hate
14:23.1
pending Chinese citizens.
14:25.5
But for the Filipino community po, so far
14:27.4
wala namang kaming naririnig na balita.
14:31.9
Ex-Philippine Senator
14:33.4
Antonio Pilianes is tagged by
14:35.3
former Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque
14:37.7
as an enemy of freedom
14:39.6
of expression. Roque says
14:41.4
this was proven by the cyber-libel
14:43.3
cases filed against him by Pilianes.
14:46.0
Roque disputes the former
14:47.3
Senator's claim that he was defamed
14:49.3
after being blamed for the loss
14:51.3
of the Scarborough Shoal to China.
14:53.5
He notes that this is the history
14:55.1
behind the role of Pilianes as
14:57.3
President Noynay Aquino's designated
14:59.1
negotiator with China.
15:01.1
Pilianes is confident he has enough proof
15:03.0
to pin Roque and several others
15:05.1
for libel and cyber-libel.
15:07.3
He has accused Roque and several
15:09.1
bloggers of falsely accusing him
15:11.4
of selling the Scarborough Shoal
15:13.0
to China in 2012.
15:31.2
It was totally baseless
15:33.1
pero siya sinabi niya
15:45.0
milan with China. Doon
15:49.0
Ang sinabi ng China, ang secret
15:51.2
agreement namin, doon
15:53.2
with the Duterte administration.
15:59.6
lawyer working with the International
16:01.4
Criminal Court believes it's only
16:03.5
a matter of time before the
16:05.5
tribunal orders the arrest of
16:07.4
former President Rodrigo Duterte.
16:11.4
Counsel Christina Conti says
16:13.2
the court is trying to determine
16:15.0
who is the most responsible for
16:17.0
Duterte's bloody anti-narcotics campaign.
16:20.1
Earlier reports said
16:21.2
former police chiefs under the Duterte
16:23.2
administration are also being
16:25.2
probed by the ICC.
16:28.5
We've already established during the
16:31.0
preliminary examination that crimes
16:33.2
against humanity occur in the Philippines.
16:35.6
The Philippine government said,
16:38.9
forgo the investigation, defer it
16:41.4
because we will investigate.
16:43.3
Later on, the ICC says, what kind
16:45.4
of investigation are you doing? You're doing
16:49.3
step in again. And so it started
16:51.3
technically in September 2021,
16:54.3
re-approved again
16:59.4
been too long. So I
17:01.3
think at this point, they have
17:03.3
their finger on things already.
17:06.0
And the name of President
17:08.4
there in the OTP, in the
17:11.3
Office of the Prosecutor documents
17:16.1
He's been named as someone
17:17.5
who has enabled, at the least,
17:21.4
even ordered or encouraged
17:23.6
his killings. And so
17:25.6
it's not just me who's saying
17:27.4
that President Duterte
17:28.8
will likely be looked into.
17:31.3
At the minimum, there would be
17:33.2
someone's issue. But at the maximum,
17:35.4
I think really, there would be a warrant
17:39.6
Meanwhile, Conti denies
17:41.3
the claim of columnist Rigoberto Tiglao
17:43.7
that she's being paid
17:45.0
8 million pesos per year to help
17:47.4
the ICC gather evidence
17:52.0
I am not gathering
17:53.5
dirt specifically against
17:55.3
President Duterte.
17:57.2
I was asked by the victims to
17:59.3
figure out what happened to the killings
18:01.5
and how to connect the killings
18:03.3
to the statements of President
18:05.3
Duterte. What I will admit
18:07.3
is, when we first submitted
18:09.3
a communication to the
18:10.9
ICC, we didn't know what was going to happen.
18:11.3
At the International Criminal Court,
18:12.3
this was in August 2018,
18:14.2
we submitted transcripts
18:16.1
of the statements of the President
18:18.1
with regard to the war on drugs.
18:19.7
This is publicly available.
18:21.7
And, I mean, if there is dirt at all,
18:24.0
it comes from Duterte's side.
18:25.7
What we just did was put together
18:28.2
all this information and
18:29.8
make it available to the Office of the Prosecutor.
18:36.3
I think they're just reading too many novels.
18:41.3
The Philippine Interior Secretary
18:43.2
touts the minimal loss of life
18:45.2
in the anti-narcotics campaign
18:47.1
of the Marcos Jr. Administration.
18:49.5
Ben-Hur Abalo spoke in Vienna
18:51.2
during the 33rd session
18:52.8
of the UN Commission on Crime Prevention
18:55.1
and Criminal Justice.
18:57.1
Abalo said the first two years of the
18:58.9
Marcos Jr. Administration achieved
19:01.1
a 700% improvement
19:03.0
in drug seizures, amounting
19:05.1
to over 587 million US dollars.
19:08.2
He highlighted how
19:09.1
this was done with much less bloodshed
19:11.3
compared to the over 6,000
19:13.2
killed in the Duterte drug war.
19:17.2
The rescue of a kidnapped
19:19.1
pogo worker in the Philippines
19:20.8
raises the alarm over crimes
19:22.8
linked to illegal offshore gaming
19:24.8
operators in the country.
19:26.6
This exclusive report from Jeff Caparaz.
19:31.4
A 28-year-old Indonesian
19:33.0
national is rescued in the province of
19:35.0
Cavite after being held for 10 days.
19:38.8
he's a supervisor at a pogo hub in Makati,
19:41.3
He believes pogo enforcers
19:43.5
were behind his abduction.
19:45.4
The Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission
19:47.3
says Jerry showed signs of torture.
19:50.1
Found out na itong
19:51.2
Indonesian national is
19:52.7
kinidnap pa nung may force sa Makati.
19:55.8
Then from Makati,
19:57.0
biniyahin siya sa Tagaytay.
19:58.4
Binibidyohan siya at pinipilit
20:00.9
yung mga magulang niya na magbigay
20:04.9
So yung video na yun pinapadala
20:08.9
para makita na tinotorture siya
20:12.7
Ang iniisip nila marami siyang pera
20:14.3
dahil meron daw siyang business
20:17.5
The victim said he was able to sleep out
20:19.8
when his kidnappers fell asleep
20:21.5
after a drinking spree.
20:23.4
He walked for four hours until reaching this church
20:25.8
in Malabag Village
20:27.0
where he was found by a resident
20:28.7
sleeping inside a van.
20:30.6
Doon po siya nakatulog.
20:31.9
Nakangatal po siya sa takot.
20:34.3
Tapos nagpakilala po naman yung bayaw ko
20:36.1
na siya po ay wag matakot.
20:37.7
Nihina siya and also nahihilok.
20:40.3
Tubig lang talagang.
20:41.2
Ang binigay sa kanya sa loob ng 10 days.
20:44.1
Medyo natutong ba siya?
20:45.4
Jerry believes he was sold out by his friend.
20:51.2
ang kumuha sa kanya
20:55.5
isang kaibigan niya
20:56.8
I mean yung isang pinagdududahan niya
20:59.8
kaya alam niya na yun lang
21:01.4
ang pinagsabihan niya about yung
21:03.3
business nila doon sa Indonesia.
21:05.6
The PAOK says most of Jerry's
21:07.8
captors are Chinese nationals.
21:11.2
those behind these kind of activities
21:12.8
are getting more sophisticated
21:16.2
Nagiging eksperto na sila
21:21.8
Nagkakaroon na sila nung
21:22.8
parang modus operandi
21:24.5
na mamaster na nila.
21:26.4
Ayun ang nakakatakot.
21:28.3
Jerry is now in the custody of the PNP
21:30.2
anti-kidnapping group as authorities continue
21:32.5
to pursue the suspects.
21:34.7
The Anti-Crime Commission has expressed alarm
21:36.4
over Pogo-related crimes.
21:38.1
They recently arrested unlicensed foreigners
21:40.0
running an underground medical facility
21:42.3
in Pasay City, catering to Pogo workers.
21:45.4
The PAOK reveals they are looking at more
21:47.7
fake hospitals believed to be linked
21:49.5
to illegal Pogo operations.
21:52.2
PAOK spokesperson Dr. Winston John Cascio
21:54.7
said that they already have information
21:56.8
on one of the owner of the hospital
21:58.6
raided earlier this week.
22:00.2
Ang aming legal officer ay nakikapag-meeting na po
22:03.1
sa Department of Justice
22:04.3
para sa pagsampan ng kaukulan pang
22:06.8
demand ng kriminal. Kasalukuyan na rin po kami
22:09.3
nag-iimbestigate.
22:10.0
Para malaman kung sino yung iba pang
22:13.0
mga beneficial owners.
22:15.0
According to information received by authorities,
22:18.0
the unregistered hospital also offered
22:19.9
abortion services.
22:21.8
Jeff Caparaz, ABS-CBN News.
22:25.3
Philippine President Marcos Jr.
22:27.5
called for a strategy to improve
22:29.3
the state of higher education in the country.
22:32.0
He spoke during the National Higher Education Day
22:34.8
Summit in Manila.
22:36.2
The President regrets how no
22:37.9
Philippine university was included.
22:40.0
In the top 100 list of the Times Higher Education
22:43.4
Asia University Rankings for 2024.
22:46.8
This judges universities across core missions
22:49.2
such as teaching, knowledge transfer,
22:51.5
and international outlook.
22:54.6
We must pursue a comprehensive
22:57.1
and all-encompassing strategy
22:59.1
that will turn this trend around.
23:02.0
The state of our education today
23:04.2
shapes the future of the nation.
23:07.1
The battle to win the future is waged
23:09.5
in today's society.
23:10.0
Where we should arm our young men and women
23:13.2
with the right skills to not only survive
23:17.1
but to thrive in a rapidly changing world
23:21.2
that does not wait for anyone.
23:26.1
Coming up, Russia's troop advance in Kharkiv
23:29.2
forces Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky
23:31.5
to cancel all his upcoming foreign trips.
23:34.8
More stories when The World Tonight returns.
23:40.0
We're back on The World Tonight.
24:06.8
Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky
24:08.8
cancels all his foreign trips.
24:10.0
He also cancels all his upcoming foreign trips
24:11.3
as Russian troops advance on Ukraine's Kharkiv region.
24:15.2
The Russian advance has forced Ukrainian troops
24:17.4
to withdraw from several villages in Kharkiv.
24:20.7
Moscow claims its forces have already taken control
24:23.8
of two more settlements in the region.
24:28.4
Meanwhile, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken
24:31.0
announces a $2 billion financing for Ukraine
24:34.0
to help in its fight against Russian invaders.
24:37.0
He also praises the resilience
24:38.5
of Ukraine's grain production.
24:40.0
Despite ongoing Russian attacks,
24:43.0
Blinken spoke after touring
24:44.4
a U.S.-supported transhipment facility
24:46.7
on the outskirts of Kyiv.
24:50.3
I think one of the things that we've seen
24:52.2
since Russia's reinvasion of Ukraine in 2022
24:55.7
was a full-on assault on its agricultural production,
25:00.3
transportation capacity,
25:02.8
attacking production facilities,
25:04.5
attacking fields, farmers,
25:07.0
and ports and other shipment routes.
25:10.0
And Ukraine has had to adapt and adjust to this.
25:13.5
And it's done so remarkably.
25:16.3
Russia has struck Ukrainian ports and infrastructure
25:19.3
since its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
25:24.4
The United Nations is alarmed by the escalation
25:27.9
of Israel's military activity in Rafah.
25:31.0
Residents say Israeli tanks have pushed deeper
25:33.9
into the city's eastern neighborhoods.
25:36.8
Israeli operations in Rafah have already closed.
25:40.0
The main crossing point for aid
25:41.8
entering through Egypt.
25:50.3
The Philippine government prepares to turn over
25:53.0
Manila's international airport to its new operator.
25:56.6
It also announced at least two provincial airports
25:58.7
may be privatized this year.
26:01.0
Jackie Pascual reports.
26:05.6
The Department of Transportation
26:07.7
and the San Miguel de New Nia Infra,
26:09.9
have formed a joint steering committee
26:12.3
as part of the transition
26:14.0
before the turnover of Ninoy Aquino International Airport
26:18.7
Undersecretary for Aviation Roberto Lim says
26:21.7
contracts of concessionaires at the terminal
26:24.1
are among the things being discussed
26:26.1
as well as plans on what they will initially do
26:30.8
The enlargement of some space within Terminal 3
26:34.5
so that we can create more space for the passengers
26:38.6
and convenience for the passengers.
26:39.9
There is some open spaces that can be redone
26:47.5
in terms of layout change
26:49.2
so that there are more functionalities.
26:53.4
Lim also confirms the possible demolition
26:55.9
of the Philippine Village Hotel
26:57.5
to be replaced by a new terminal.
27:00.2
Many in the aviation sector are excited
27:02.7
for the NIA upgrade.
27:04.8
There are a couple of game changers
27:06.5
with regards to aviation sector.
27:09.2
There are a couple of game changers
27:09.3
with regards to aviation sector.
27:09.4
There are a couple of game changers
27:09.9
with regards to aviation sector.
27:09.9
These developments will dramatically alter
27:13.3
the landscape for aviation.
27:15.5
We remain supportive of all of the government's
27:17.8
initiatives in the sector,
27:19.5
including the move to privatize NIA,
27:21.8
and we look forward to working with the consortium
27:24.7
led by San Miguel Corporation.
27:27.5
Some European businesses are also confident
27:29.9
of the growth of the aviation sector in the Philippines,
27:32.7
which has a direct link to other sectors
27:34.9
such as tourism, trade, and more.
27:37.5
They will hold an aviation summit
27:41.4
Philippines being a strategic location
27:43.1
with potential to become a major aviation hub
27:45.9
with a unique opportunity to embrace
27:49.8
a sustainable aviation pool or staff.
27:53.8
And because of the success of the NIA
27:55.6
public-private partnership,
27:57.3
the DOTR is looking to privatize
27:59.2
the operations of all provincial airports.
28:02.4
Lim says the operations of the airports
28:04.7
in Lagindingan, Cagayan de Oro,
28:06.3
and Panglao Bohol may be privatized
28:09.8
at the end of the year.
28:11.2
Aboiti's Infra Capital is the original
28:13.5
proponent status of both airports.
28:16.1
Villar's Prime Assets Venture Inc.
28:18.4
is the OPS of the Iloilo Airport
28:20.8
and Puerto Princesa.
28:22.7
Lim says other airports may be bundled
28:25.0
for PPP similar to the proposal
28:29.6
Other airports that remain candidates
28:33.0
would be of course General Santos,
28:42.9
These are the bigger airports.
28:46.6
These are big airports by themselves
28:48.8
and they can be the central airport
28:58.4
They have engaged the International Finance Corporation
29:00.9
for an economic study
29:02.1
on what airports to bundle.
29:04.2
They aim to eventually make
29:05.4
the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines
29:07.2
a purely regulatory body.
29:09.8
Jackie Pascual, ABS-CBN News.
29:13.3
Philippine shares fall further
29:15.4
as investors weigh the prospects
29:17.4
of delayed rate cuts by the central bank.
29:20.7
Details in this report.
29:23.8
Asian markets joined global equities
29:26.2
higher on Wednesday
29:27.3
on expectations U.S. inflation
29:31.9
Adding to optimism,
29:33.1
fresh comments from U.S. Federal Reserve
29:35.2
Chairman Jerome Powell
29:36.4
that their inflation outlook remains intact.
29:39.8
Keeping hopes of rate cuts this year.
29:43.8
Philippine shares closed in the red and new
29:46.3
as traders await the central bank's
29:48.6
policy decision on Thursday.
29:51.2
Moody's Analytics,
29:52.2
citing the weaker peso
29:53.3
and elevated inflation,
29:55.7
says the Banco Central could even delay
29:58.2
its monetary easing to next year.
30:01.0
Rate cuts are only going to come to pass
30:03.6
if we actually see the peso remaining steady
30:07.0
and even seeing some sort of appreciation
30:09.3
as well as food prices
30:11.0
continuing to come down
30:12.9
and also on a sustained basis coming down.
30:16.9
Also, the latest MSCI quarterly review of stocks is out
30:21.0
showing ASIN Corporation in the list
30:23.6
while Cebu Air, SP New Energy,
30:26.5
and Aboites Equity Ventures
30:28.2
are out by May 31st.
30:30.8
In corporate stories,
30:32.0
the SM Group opens this Friday
30:33.6
its latest mall in Kalaokan.
30:35.7
The 94,000 square meter mall
30:38.2
is the third of its...
30:40.3
and the first in the northern part of Kalaokan.
30:44.2
The C-Family small chain says
30:45.9
this is among the four branches
30:48.0
it will open this year
30:49.9
aside from one in Mandaue, Cebu,
30:52.7
in San Fernando, La Union,
30:54.3
and in Lawag, Ilocos Norte.
30:57.7
Shell Philippines' first quarter net income
30:59.7
zooms to 1.4 billion pesos
31:02.0
on cost and supply chain efficiencies
31:04.7
and inventory holding gains.
31:07.6
Core earnings and net sales,
31:09.8
were both down on weaker volumes.
31:12.3
The local oil giant
31:13.4
is also earmarking up to 3 billion pesos this year
31:17.1
for capital expenditures.
31:21.7
Our final word tonight
31:23.2
is a quote from Elvis Presley.
31:26.3
Truth is like the sun.
31:28.3
You can shut it out for a time,
31:30.0
but it ain't going away.
31:33.4
And that is The World Tonight,
31:35.2
the 15th of May, 2024.
31:38.9
Tony Velasquez from the Philippines.
