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[♪ Heroic music box intro music ♪

[♪ Piano music with piano feature and keyboard comes in sido ♪

Sa pag-uuso nenge madali,

naartmentaano kong pag-ato

sabi niya tumogPeter,

kita ating gugali nahani

kayo sa lokas ng kenteng

ng maybe pangagawa.

Ano fre e-getahan ito na

pang sasakay-sasakay.

Ang kanyag alam namin

sila mahalo,

sya langabyang pagpapantam

at zaka-abote may nag-abotsentos.

Salamat sa pagbanallan!

[♪ Piano music with piano feature and keyboard comes in sido ♪

[♪ Piano music with piano feature and keyboard comes in sido ♪

[♪ Piano music with piano feature and keyboard comes in sido ♪

[♪ Instrumental Music plays in the background ♪

[♪ Instrumental Music plays in the background ♪

[♪ Instrumental Music plays in the background ♪

[♪ Instrumental Music plays in the background ♪

[♪ Instrumental music plays in background ♪

[♪ Instrumental Music plays in the background ♪

"... with several leaders of economies today...

...reminded APEC leaders to focus on economic synergy and cooperation on this year's APEC..."

"...Welcome to Boracay, the Philippines' most famous beach."

"...We have covered the journey of our young democracy.

In ANC, we were witnesses to the defining moments of Philippine history that influenced the world."

"...Sa pag-living food sa bansa."

"...We talk to leaders. We don't shy away from difficult conversations."

"...ANC Leadership Series."

"...We report about disruption and how the latest technology and innovation have changed the way we live."

[♪ Instrumental music plays in the background ♪

"...We told stories about crisis, but also about opportunities that came with it."

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"...This is the Philippines..."

"...and we are ANC."

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[♪ Upbeat music plays in the background ♪

"...The Philippine province of Albay is set to declare a state of calamity this afternoon..."

"...as it braces for the possible eruption of Mayon Volcano."

"...Scientists in the U.S. declare the climate phenomenon known as El Niño has arrived."

"...The Philippines' unemployment rate eases in April, but underemployment went up."

"...And former U.S. President Donald Trump indicted by a grand jury..."

"...for alleged mishandling of classified government documents and obstruction of justice."

"...I'm Stanley Palisada, Dateline Philippines begins right now."

"...For those of you watching us on YouTube and Facebook, glad you could join us."

"...We begin with Albay's provincial government set to declare a state of calamity..."

"...due to a possible eruption of Mayon Volcano."

"...Bright orange lava flow was seen on the volcano Thursday night."

"...The latest unrest comes after authorities raised the volcano's alert level to three..."

"...signaling an increased likelihood of a hazardous eruption."

"...State volcanologists say Mayon Volcano is already ripe for another eruption this year."

"...But they still hope the imminent eruption will change its course."

"...The difference right now is that we don't see a high amount of sulfur dioxide."

"...So we are actually hoping for a 2014 scenario, which is just rockfall events..."

"...followed by a short lava flow and then it's stopped."

"...Hopefully it will not go the way of the 2018 activity."

"...The magma is being replenished and Mayon Volcano is actually..."

"...the earliest would be three years after the last eruption..."

"...and the latest would be ten years after the last eruption."

"...So the last time it erupted was 2018 and it's been five years now."

"...So again, we're on the range."

Let's get an update on the situation near Mayon Volcano from our correspondent Jose Carretero.

Good afternoon, Jose. What's the situation at Mayon right now?

Good afternoon, Stanley.

Some local government units in Albay surrounding Mayon Volcano...

...have already mobilized preemptive evacuation.

In Kamalig Town, the evacuation of residents in six barangays...

...within the six and seven-kilometer danger zone will start anytime today.

These are the villages of Sua, Tumpa, Cabaangan, Salugan, Kirangay, and Anuling.

Around 3,545 families will be evacuated...

...according to Tim Florese, the spokesperson of Kamalig LGU.

The evacuees will be housed in schools.

Quarry activities inside the six-kilometer permanent danger zone will be suspended also...

...and some activities like orchid-peaking will be suspended.

Farmers, especially those with crops and vegetables peering harvest...

...will be allowed to visit from time to time...

...but should the activity of Mayon Volcano escalates...

...they will be prohibited to enter the danger zone.

In Albay, according to Eugen Escobar, the head of the research division...

...of Albay Public Safety and Emergency Management Office or APSIMO...

...there are about 10,000 to 14,000 individuals or 4,000 families living...

...inside the six-kilometer permanent danger zone of the volcano will be evacuated.

These are from the cities and municipalities around Mayon...

...like the municipalities of Daraga, Kamalig, Binubatan...

...and the cities of Ligao, Tabaco, and the municipality of Malinipot.

The city of Legazpi and the town of Santo Domingo, however, will not mobilize evacuation...

...as there are no residents living inside the six-kilometer permanent danger zone.

Escobar said the needs of the evacuees will be provided by the local government unit.

During the briefing yesterday, Escobar said the fund of the LGUs...

...would last for like two to three days.

After this, the provincial government of Albay will step in...

...which according to Escobar, the fund will last for 10 to 14 days.

But this will depend on the status of the volcano.

Should alert level will be raised to four, more residents will be evacuated...

...according to APSIMO, which will entail additional funds.

Once the funds are consumed, the provincial government will ask...

...the help of the national government through the Office of Civil Defense.

Meanwhile, classes are now suspended in some parts of Albay...

...especially those schools being used as evacuation centers.

All right, Jose, you've been covering Mayon Volcano extensively for the past years.

What's the mood when, say, you raise the alert level to three?

What is usually the mood of our residents?

We know for a fact that they are even used to this kind of occurrence...

...but still, how are they feeling about this?

Actually, sadly, some residents told us that they're used to the activities of Mayon Volcano...

...especially those residents who've been staying here for quite some time...

...at the foot slopes of Mayon Volcano.

I've talked to some residents here.

Though they are used to the abnormalities of Mayon Volcano...

...they're still afraid.

Once the provincial government or the municipal government will order evacuation...

...they will follow the order of evacuation, Stanley.

All right. On that note, we thank you so much for joining us this afternoon, Jose Carretero.

Thanks for the report.

Joining us now is Albay Governor Edsel Grex Lagman.

Good afternoon, Governor Lagman, and welcome to Dateline Philippines.

Good afternoon, Stanley.

All right. We do hope you're coping well with the tense situation there in Albay right now...

...with Mayon Volcano alert levels raised to three.

We're also learning about some plans to declare a state of calamity this afternoon.

Please walk us through this process.

Yes. Yesterday, I wrote a letter to the vice governor.

And today, she will be presiding over a special session.

We'll have for its main agenda the declaration of a state of calamity.

Legally, this is needed for the governor to access the quick response fund.

Okay.

So, with this development, I see that we can actually provide for the needs of the evacuation centers...

...even as, at present, evacuees have already been housed in the municipalities of Camalig and Unubatan...

...in the 3rd District of Albay.

All right. How many evacuees are we looking at and how much funds do you need?

With respect to the number of evacuees, at present, there have been 1,000 evacuees coming from the municipality of Camalig...

...and 2,000 families were evacuated from the municipality of Unubatan.

Okay.

And this roughly translates to 12,000 individuals.

Okay. Is this already a mandatory evacuation?

Yes, it is. The APSIMO has been doing this not only with respect to these kinds of calamities...

...or with the calamities because, at this point, level 3 is not yet a calamity, so to speak...

...but there are parameters that have been breached that would justify the calling of a calamity.

Okay.

Point being is that the APSIMO, which is the head agency of the local government, is on board...

...and people have been very compliant, evacuees for that matter, in voluntarily, actually, even this is mandatory.

This has been done many, many times before in other calamities.

Very compliant naman po sila.

And we've made sure that this time around, there are concerns about their livestock...

...because most of those living within the 6-kilometer radius or danger zone are farmers.

And as farmers, they have livestock like pigs, goats, even carabaos and cows.

So the province now has an evacuation site for their livestock...

...so that it would be easier for them to comply with the evacuation...

...knowing that their source of livelihood will be protected.

Okay. So you're saying there are about a thousand now.

How many more are you expecting?

What are your projections when you go full swing with the evacuations in all the towns...

...that are near the 6-kilometer danger zone at Mayon?

Well, we're expecting other municipalities to actually also undertake their own evacuation plans.

And we're expecting around 5,000 to 6,000 families to be eventually evacuated.

Okay. Now, another complexion to this challenge, Governor Lagman, is of course COVID-19.

We cannot negate the fact that the pandemic is still here. We're not yet over with it.

Are there special safety measures that are now being imposed in evacuation centers...

...considering you'll be anticipating big crowds there?

Yes. The Provincial Health Office has been very much on board.

And they have provisions for face masks.

So we're only talking about the minimum health standards that have to be complied with.

But of course, another thing that's important is the supply of water, potable water.

There should be also provisions for toilets.

What they're using right now, Stanley, are DepEd buildings that also...

I was about to ask, because our class is still ongoing, and how do you manage this?

Actually, classes in the grade school and high school levels are already concluded.

So right now, it's vacation time for the students.

But what's important is that we have constant monitoring of these evacuation centers.

And the province also has its own evacuation centers nearby.

We have Boy Scouts Park.

It's a very big area wherein many infrastructures are in place to accommodate additional evacuees.

We have a drug rehabilitation center that was used for COVID-19 purposes...

...that can also accommodate many evacuees.

Okay. Governor, we were talking to PHIVOX in the past few newscasts...

...because there are actually three volcanoes acting up right now.

You have Mayon and then you have Mt. Canlaon in Negros and Taal.

The situation in Taal, of course, is a bit concerning, particularly the emissions of sulfur dioxide.

Is this the same experience in Mayon?

Yes. There has been a rise in the amount of sulfur dioxide in the air.

So that's why it's important for residents, even if not living within the six-kilometer danger zone...

...to wear face masks as a proactive health measure.

Visually, when one goes through the highways here in Albay, we can see a lot of ash fall.

So I think it's best that our constituents wear face masks as a precautionary measure.

Okay. Please give us an idea.

How is the situation in 2023 different from the 2018 and 2014 episodes of Mayon?

Okay. The 2014 and 2018 episodes in Mayon did not actually result in an eruption.

It was just a very protracted period of time that Alerts Level 4 was implemented.

And, of course, all the things that have to be done when Alert Level 4 is up was actually done.

But we're still hoping that it will go the same route.

Meaning to say, it does not mean that we're on Alert Level 3.

It's automatic that we'll be on Alert Level 4.

We're still hoping and praying that the alert level will soon de-escalate and be lowered to Alert Level 2.

Okay.

And even Alert Level 1.

Yeah, because Phevox was on the show this morning here on ANC.

And, well, there are observations that, of course, Mayon is now ripe for an eruption.

Could be hazardous at that.

What kinds of preparations and perhaps what do you want from national government?

How can they help?

Okay.

I'm happy to note that only three days ago,

DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian has committed to actually deliver 102,000 family food packs for the evacuees.

And as we have at present, we have around 30,000 food packs already in our three warehouses.

So it's good that, on hindsight, the Talabay government invested on building these warehouses.

Otherwise, the DSWD would have been hard-pressed where to actually deliver their food packs.

We're also calling on a very important partner that we just had convergence with.

It's the Philippine Disaster Resilience Foundation, which is made up of top-notch corporations.

And they're willing to also provide technical as well as logistical help to our evacuees.

Yes, please continue.

And at present, the representatives are already here in Albay.

The OCP will eventually be called upon to also help.

And tomorrow, Secretary Gatchalian will be meeting with me together with all the affected LGU mayors.

Okay. Now, Governor Lagman, based on your experience, how long does the crisis situation usually last and what's the plan?

How are you planning to sustain relief operations, the evacuation centers? Should this prolong?

Actually, at this point, we're still awaiting for more updates from PHIVOX.

We have, of course, a line agency here from PHIVOX.

And so far, so good naman po.

They said that they cannot really say for sure what will happen in the next few days.

So it's a day-to-day thing with respect to what developments we can expect from this Mayon situation.

All right. Lastly, what is your advice to your constituents, to the residents of Albay as regards safety during this activity of Mayon while we await the outcome?

Yeah. Well, the very basic principle here is that if a person, if an Albayano or his family is not within the six-kilometer danger zone, they're safe.

That's actually why there's even a welcome mindset among people here in government to welcome tourists who would want to see Mayon.

Because as long as the tourists are beyond that six-kilometer danger zone, they are perfectly safe.

What is important is that we continue on with our zero casualty principle because we pride ourselves with that.

And the compliance that's continuing right now with respect to evacuees voluntarily going to the evacuation centers that being forced, even if the same is mandatory, should continue.

So I would like to thank all Albayanos who have this mindset.

I think it's second nature to us Albayanos to really comply whenever they need to be evacuated.

They willingly do so.

And are tourists really coming? Because I heard the sites last night were awesome.

Yes, yes. Actually, I've heard from our tourism officer that tourists are expected to come over and watch how this event will unfold.

All right. On that note, good luck with your efforts, Governor Edsel Greggs-Legman.

Thanks for talking to us. Stay safe.

Thank you so much, Danny.

Moving on, PHIVOX meanwhile appeals for calm as three volcanoes simultaneously show signs of increased activity.

Aside from Mayon, Taal and Mt. Canlaon are both placed under alert level one.

But PHIVOX says this scenario is not out of the ordinary.

The public, though, is still advised to remain vigilant and heed calls for evacuation.

We have 24 active volcanoes and there's always this possibility that, you know, one or two volcanoes would be restive and would show some activity simultaneously.

So this is not surprising.

Mt. Canlaon volcano, again, as I've said, has always been active on alert level one since 2020.

And yesterday, we only record one low-frequency volcanic earthquake, which is lower than the nine volcanic earthquakes that we saw the day before.

The Philippine Environment Chief urging local manufacturers to do more in reducing plastic pollutants.

This, as a recent study showed, plastic waste is even present in Metro Manila's air.

Rafael Bozano reports.

A quick look at this creek in Manila shows it's choked by plastic waste.

But many scavengers usually ignore it.

There are a lot of junkshops.

Aside from us, there's a lot of waste because you have to clean it.

And when you look at it, there's a lot.

There might be no barrier.

Maybe it's just for storage.

Trash from creeks flows to rivers and eventually the ocean.

To mark World Oceans Day on June 8, different sectors simultaneously collected trash along Manila Bay.

Aside from reducing pollutants from the coastline, the activity aims to identify the type of waste that ends up in bodies of water.

Environment Secretary Tony Yuloloy-Zaga reminds manufacturers they have a part to play.

If we can profile kung saan po nanggaling itong mga ito, we can trace back where the prevention should actually happen.

They must also take responsibility for the impact noong ginagawa po nila.

Hindi po lang yung fence line nila talagang ipoprotecta nila.

We need to go beyond the fence line because the ecosystem that supports their business is beyond their fence line.

And the communities that are supporting their business is also beyond their fence line.

Plastic pollutants are everywhere.

A study by the Mindanao State University Iligan Institute of Technology shows microplastics is present in Metro Manila's air.

Microplastics are a result of the degradation of larger pieces of plastic.

It is 0.5 millimeters or smaller in size, making it possible to be inhaled.

Aside from bacteria, viruses and other chemicals can latch on to microplastics.

Inhaling a large amount will stress the respiratory system.

Microplastics, hindi lang sa water, pati napansin niyo, pati sa hangin.

To address that microplastics, dapat sa source natin sasagutin.

Hindi natin kagad malilinis dahil napakaliit. Wala tayong equipment to recover those microplastics.

Governments around the world have enacted laws and implemented initiatives such as restricting or banning single-use plastics to reduce plastic pollution.

However, there is also a need to encourage a shifted behavior for more people to recycle or consciously use more sustainable materials.

Rafael Bozano, ABS-CBN News.

Up next, scientists from the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration says the El Niño phenomenon has begun.

Details of that story and more when Dateline Philippines returns.

DATELINE PHILIPPINES PRESENTS

The El Niño Phenomenon

The El Niño Phenomenon

DATELINE PHILIPPINES PRESENTS

The El Niño Phenomenon

The El Niño Phenomenon

DATELINE PHILIPPINES PRESENTS

The El Niño Phenomenon

Mobility will be key to recovery

because we have relaxed some of our quarantine methods

and we have allowed more transportation to come out.

That's going to prove to be better for demand.

If we do follow the health protocols,

the ability of people to move around will likely contribute better to growth.

DATELINE PHILIPPINES PRESENTS

THE EL NIÑO PHENOMENON

The El Niño Phenomenon

The El Niño Phenomenon

The El Niño Phenomenon

The El Niño Phenomenon

The El Niño Phenomenon

The El Niño Phenomenon

The El Niño Phenomenon

The El Niño Phenomenon

The El Niño Phenomenon

The El Niño Phenomenon

The greatest disruptor of all time is actually COVID-19.

Because of limited mobility, people are also not being able to go to physical branches, etc.

It further accelerated the adoption of consumers of digital channels.

We are now being able to provide the services needed by our citizens, by our consumers.

The El Niño Phenomenon

The El Niño Phenomenon

The El Niño Phenomenon

The El Niño Phenomenon

The El Niño Phenomenon

The El Niño Phenomenon

The El Niño Phenomenon

The El Niño Phenomenon

The El Niño Phenomenon

The El Niño Phenomenon

The El Niño Phenomenon

The El Niño Phenomenon

The El Niño Phenomenon

Thank you so much for the update, Pia Gutierrez.

Moving on, over now to the Philippine labor market.

The country's unemployment rate eased to 4.5% in April from 4.7% in March.

This translates to 2.26 million jobless Filipinos compared with the 2.42 million the previous month.

The National Economic and Development Authority vows to sustain the improvements in the labor market

by implementing crucial economic reforms that will also enhance the employability of workers.

The statement comes as the underemployment rate in April rose to 12.9% from 11.2% in March.

This means more Filipinos are seeking for work for longer hours.

For April, the sectors that added the most jobs include wholesale, retail trade, and accommodation and food services.

Meanwhile, agriculture, manufacturing, and construction lost the most jobs during the same period.

The Philippines' trade deficit narrows to 4.53 billion dollars in April as imports and exports fell sharply.

Total export sales slumped more than 20% from a year ago as the country's top export item, electronics, posted the highest decline among the commodity groups.

Import, on the other hand, fell by 17% on a drop in shipments of mineral fuels, lubricants, and related materials.

Power distributor Meralko hikes rates for a second straight month.

Consumers can expect a 42 centavo per kilowatt hour increase in their June bills,

which will translate to an 84 to 209 peso additional charge for regular household consumers.

The higher rates reflect the end of the 90 centavo monthly deduction from the Energy Regulatory Commission's refund order.

The Philippine Energy Chief challenges the World Bank to do more for energy, pointing out how little it has done so far in this sector.

Jeky Pascual tells us more.

Energy Secretary Rafael Lotilla calls out the World Bank for the apparent lack of support for the Philippines' energy sector.

Delivering the keynote speech at the World Bank's own forum,

Lotilla lamented how the Philippines is still not a beneficiary of World Bank financing for energy transition projects.

He says this is making the Philippines' shift to cleaner energy more difficult.

The green transition or the climate transition or securing a clean energy future must be a just and fair transition.

And that means that transition financing or climate financing or call it by any other name,

such financing should be available to the country.

Lotilla also wonders why the Philippines is not benefiting from the World Bank's Just Energy Transition Partnership or JETP,

designed to support developing nations and coal-dependent nations,

even though the Philippines has already accomplished a substantial amount of energy sector reform.

In the case of the Philippines, which reformed its power industry 20 years ago

by privatization and by unbundling,

unfortunately we are not part of any of the Just Energy Transition Partnerships that have already been put in place.

In order to avoid any accusations of perverse incentives

that those who have remained centralized, government-owned and not market-driven

should be the ones to receive the support of the international community,

I challenge the brain trusts that we have in the room to develop precisely alternatives

that are meaningful for those who have undertaken that particular reform a decade or a generation ago.

Lotilla says the Philippines needs financial support and investment,

particularly for transmission projects in order for electricity to reach areas that need it most.

His call for more help is backed by the Danish ambassador to the Philippines.

Denmark is already providing support for renewable energy development here.

I challenge particularly World Bank,

because I know that they have enough brains in the institution as well as among our development partners

to put to work in order to provide solutions for this great challenge.

I want to make sure that countries where you do not have a state-owned, state-governed energy system

also can become applicable.

And Denmark strongly favors that there should be a just transition

that also includes help to the Philippines to move towards cleaner energy.

One World Bank representative says they will work to answer Lotilla's call.

Thank you Secretary Lotilla for that exciting keynote address

and the challenges you raised to the World Bank and other development partners.

Without the permission of my country director,

I would say we are ready to work with the government to address those challenges.

According to the World Bank, its active portfolio in the Philippines

consists of 14 operations with net commitments of 5.44 billion dollars.

Projects are mostly in urban resilience and land, health, nutrition and population,

agriculture and food, and social sustainability and inclusion, among others.

Jackie Pascual, ABS-CBN News.

Typhoon Chedeng maintains its strength as it moves over the Philippine Sea.

Let's get more details on the weather now from ABS-CBN resident meteorologist Ariel Rojas.

Good afternoon Ariel.

Good afternoon Stanley.

Tropical cyclone Chedeng intensified further into a typhoon yesterday

and at 10 this morning it was located 920 kilometers east of northern Luzon

with maximum winds of 130 kilometers per hour near its center

and gustiness up to 160 kilometers per hour.

It is currently moving north-northwestward at a speed of 10 kilometers per hour.

Chedeng is about to slow down as it starts to recurve.

It will pick up speed on Saturday and leave the Philippine area of responsibility on Monday morning.

While it will not directly impact the country's weather,

Chedeng will start enhancing the southwest monsoon or habaga today.

Palawan and occidental Mindoro will be rainy today

and intense thunderstorms are also expected later over parts of Cordillera,

Central Luzon, Panay and most of Mindanao.

The Independence Day long weekend will see rains over most of Luzon and Western Visayas.

Scattered rains will prevail tomorrow until early afternoon

over the western parts of Central Luzon and Calabarzon,

Mimaropa and Western Visayas,

Masbata, Central Visayas, Zamboanga Peninsula at noontime

and Northern Luzon, Eastern Visayas, Misamis Oriental and Caraga in the afternoon.

And some localities will still have rain in the evening.

On Sunday, the western sections of Central and Southern Luzon and Western Visayas will still experience rains.

Around noontime, Ilocos, Bicol Region, Sulu Archipelago and Zamboanga Peninsula as well.

And heavier rains are expected in the afternoon over Northern Luzon and Mimaropa.

Rayan Valley will still have rains in the evening.

And Ilocos Region, Cordillera, Zambales and Bataan will still have some rains on Monday.

Metro Manila will remain sunny until early afternoon today and tomorrow

with some chance of thunderstorm mid-afternoon to early evening.

And it will be rainy on Sunday and on Monday.

For localities around the rest of volcanoes around Taal Volcano,

Saturday will be cloudy in the afternoon with some chance of rain until nighttime,

rainy on Sunday and cloudy again on Monday.

Volcanic smog or vog tends to be more concentrated near the ground when the sky is cloudy,

which will mean more hazardous for residents without breathing protection.

Around Mayon Volcano, thunderstorms are expected in the afternoon.

But once the habaga strengthens, localities west of the volcano,

including Ligao City, Dinubatan, Tamalig and Daraga, will have more rains.

That's the latest on the weather.

Happy weekend and stay dry and safe everyone. And back to you, Stanley.

All right. Thank you so much, Ariel Rojas. Happy weekend.

Moving on, the driver's license backlog in the Philippines has ballooned to nearly 700,000.

The backlog almost tripled from 234,000 last month.

Because of the massive card shortage,

the Land Transportation Office has resorted to issuing driver's licenses printed on paper.

It also extended the validity of licenses that have expired starting April 24 until October 31.

The agency also considered launching a digital driver's license,

which earned the ire of a Philippine senator.

We all know that digitalization is the future of government transactions.

Ngunit ang digitalization ng LTO ay katat pa rin ng lumang problema

gaya ng backlog sa vehicle plates at license cards,

mabagal at unserviceable na portal, mahabang bila, at matagal na turnover ng servisyo.

Ang LTO digitalization plan ay chaotic pa rin.

Kung paga sa computer software, nasa beta phase pa rin.

The Land Transportation Office is also facing a probe over undue payments to its contractor,

as well as corruption involving road transportation infrastructure projects.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. denies he's pushing away China

while he's boosting ties with other countries.

Marcos spoke at an event hosted by a group that aims to promote better Philippine-China relations.

The president insists these relations remain fundamentally unchanged

despite recent maritime tensions between the two countries.

He noticed Beijing has agreed to establish communication lines with Manila

to tackle their disputes in the West Philippine Sea.

We continue to foster the friendship, the relationship, the partnership

that we have been developing with China since 1974 and 1975 when it became official.

So that's how I describe it.

It is a continuing search to find solutions to the challenges that we face jointly with China.

Marcos' remarks followed his earlier statement declaring his administration's neutral foreign policy.

Debris suspected to be part of a Chinese rocket recovered in waters near the Philippine province of Bataan.

The Philippine Coast Guard says the wreckage resembles the top section of China's Tianzhou rocket.

The debris is now in the safekeeping of the Coast Guard in Limay, Bataan.

China launched its Long March 7 rocket on May 10 in Hainan province.

The Philippine Space Agency had warned rocket debris might fall into the waters near Zambales.

Southeast Asian nations set for their first ever joint military drills in the South China Sea.

The exercise, which will take place in the North Natuna Sea in September,

comes amid Beijing's increasing aggression in the disputed waters.

ASEAN bloc observer Timor-Leste will also be participating.

Indonesia says the drills will focus on maritime security and rescue and will not involve combat operations.

The ASEAN nations have held naval drills with the U.S. before, but never as a bloc on its own.

Beijing asserts ownership of most of the South China Sea despite competing claims from other Southeast Asian nations, including the Philippines.

World News now. Former U.S. President Donald Trump indicted by a grand jury for alleged mishandling of classified government documents and obstruction of justice.

Now, Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform the Biden administration informed him of the indictment over what he called was the boxes hoax.

He even claimed President Joe Biden has over 1,800 boxes of documents himself in several locations.

Trump has been summoned to appear at a courthouse in Miami on Tuesday.

Now, sources said Trump is facing seven criminal cases.

The criminal case brought by the U.S. Justice Department stems from roughly 13,000 documents seized from Trump's Florida home nearly a year ago.

Biden asserted he did not interfere in the investigation.

Trump's indictment draws mixed reactions from both sides of the political spectrum.

Republican House Speaker Kevin McCarthy says this is a dark day for the U.S. as he accused President Biden of indicting the leading candidate opposing him in the upcoming elections.

Another Republican, Florida Senator Marco Rubio, said there is no limit to what people can do to protect their power and destroy those who threaten it.

Meanwhile, Democrat House lawmaker Adam Schiff says Trump's indictment is an affirmation of the rule of law, adding the former president should be treated like any other lawbreaker.

A U.S. constitutional professor explains just how significant this indictment is.

that a former president had been indicted on state charges.

The walls around former President Trump are closing in from a legal perspective.

These are very serious charges, and they're also the kind of charges that, if the federal prosecutors and the Department of Justice are bringing them, are likely to be particularly easy to prove.

Pope Francis' recovery from his abdominal surgery is going well as expected.

The Vatican says the 86-year-old is on a liquid diet and is well enough to receive communion and make a phone call.

The Pope underwent a three-hour operation in Rome to repair a hernia.

His doctor said Francis will remain in the hospital for about five to seven days.

The Pope has two upcoming trips in August, and his doctor said no changes are necessary to this travel schedule.

Heavy smoke from Canadian wildfires continue to choke U.S. cities, halting flights and disrupting outdoor events.

In Washington, the air quality alert was raised to code maroon, the highest category, signaling hazardous conditions.

This prompted the White House to postpone an outdoor pride event.

A major league baseball game in the afternoon was also paused due to the noxious heavy smoke.

Meanwhile in New York, Governor Kathy Hochul reminds residents not to be complacent as air quality levels continue to reach unprecedented numbers.

The message is this is not over.

We might get a little respite, but I don't want people to let down their guard and to become complacent about this,

because we have to be prepared for the winds to shift.

This is the unknown.

We're tracking the large plume that is originating from primarily Nova Scotia and also Quebec,

but also knowing that this is going to continue to have a negative impact on our health.

In sports, a crucial game four of the NBA finals set to go down in Miami tomorrow.

Now a win for the Heat will level the best of seven series while a victory by the Denver Nuggets

will have them on the cusp of their first ever NBA championship.

Steve Angeles tells us more.

Back to the practice course for film. Head coach Eric Spoelstra in the Miami Heat on Thursday morning.

After suffering a 109-94 game three defeat to the Denver Nuggets in the NBA finals on Wednesday night.

Spoelstra says despite the two games to one deficit, the Heat's competitive spirit remains strong.

Yeah, like a lot of these games, there are certain things that you like,

and you think that you can continue to do those things.

I liked our aggressive attacking mentality.

And then there's things that, you know, we feel like we have to do.

And this is great competition.

You know, those two guys can manipulate your defense in different ways.

And one of the biggest strengths we have is our competitive spirit, nature,

you know, just to overcome whatever, even if players play well or team plays well,

that we figure out how to get the win at the end.

We were not able to do that. You do have to credit them.

One big question, Mark, for the Miami Heat.

Is there a 2020 NBA season plan?

One big question, Mark, for the Miami Heat.

Is there a 2022 Sixth Man of the Year, Tyler Hero,

who has been injured for most of the playoff run?

Hero has been participating in practices throughout the finals.

Yeah, this is just part of the process.

You know, you have to go through stages.

First part of it was just shooting, then movement, then contact versus coaches.

And then the next level of contact in practice.

He has not been cleared for a game.

And he's still not cleared yet.

Now with a home court advantage,

the Nuggets are focusing on the Series one game at a time

and are looking to continue correcting some of their mistakes from Game 3.

We're addressing all the areas where we have to be better.

Too many turnovers, too many offensive rebounds.

And so, yeah, it was nothing celebrating the great nights that Nicole and Jamal had.

More importantly, it's about how can we find a way to come out tomorrow night

and get another one here in Miami heading home to Denver for Game 5.

We go into every game trying to win.

We try to win every game.

Home or away, we try to win every game.

We don't plan on losing the game.

So, whether home or away, we're trying to win and just kind of react off that.

Game 4 will tip off on Friday night in Miami

and returns to Denver on Monday for Game 5.

Steve Angeles, ABS-CBN News.

Still on the NBA, four-time MVP LeBron James has been named

the honorary starter of the iconic 24 Hours of Le Mans,

which is celebrating its 100th year.

As the official starter, the king will be tasked to wave the French flag

to start the prestigious race on Saturday.

Some of the prominent personalities that have been given the role of honorary starter

include tennis legend Rafael Nadal,

and Hollywood star Brad Pitt.

For more on this story, head on over to news.abs-cbn.com.

ABS-CBN News' OB Ranger Project bags the Broadcast Innovation Trophy

at the Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Awards in Singapore.

The OB Ranger Project stemmed from the challenges faced by ABS-CBN News

amid the non-renewal of its franchise.

It's an innovation to operate multi-camera live coverage

without the usual equipment that relied on the franchise.

Also recognized in the awards is ABS-CBN Global,

which nabbed the Excellence Award for OTT Platform

for its live streaming app, I Want TFC.

ABS-CBN's Big Dipper also earned the Innovation Award

for Audio Description, providing an inclusive viewing experience

for hearing-impaired audiences.

And before we go, the Transformers film franchise

has switched gears in its latest installment

by adding more diversity to its lead roles.

Yung Chavez talks to the stars of Transformers Rise of the Beasts.

In Transformers Rise of the Beast, Anthony Ramos plays Noah,

a former soldier struggling to find employment,

as a civilian who's desperate to support the medical needs

of his younger brother.

In the middle of this, he meets Optimus Prime

and other Transformers Autobots.

Ramos, who starred in A Star is Born with Lady Gaga

and who first gained notice on stage

through Broadway hits In the Heights and Hamilton,

says that, like his character, he knew firsthand

what it means to go up against the glass ceiling.

Not many Latino talents have had a chance to lead

a huge Hollywood franchise like Transformers,

so he's mindful of its significance.

What does it mean to you to be the lead of a franchise

as you just did?

And how did you relate to the struggles of Noah?

It means a lot.

You know, it means a lot that we get to, you know,

that me and Dom come from similar neighbourhoods

in Brooklyn, New York.

You know, we get to do this movie together

and we get to infuse our flavour into a franchise like this

that is usually in a specific kind of neighbourhood

with a specific kind of family.

You know, my mom was a single parent.

I'm a little brother, right?

So in our movie, it's the opposite.

I'm the big brother.

I relate to that relationship a lot.

The home team handshake they have,

that's the thing that my dad used to say to me.

The movie, which is set in the 90s

and features the era's iconic music,

also stars Dominic Fishback,

who plays a brilliant archaeology researcher

who found the important object

that the Autobots and their enemies were looking for.

The struggles of your character, you know,

the way that she was not being recognised

for her brilliance initially.

It resonates for sure.

I think you work so hard, you give everything you have

and, like, obviously they talk about how acting

is, like, mostly rejection.

You know what I mean?

So you go hard for things or you feel like,

okay, your team might be like,

okay, this is the one that's gonna bubble up

that's gonna get you to be able to do X, Y, Z

and then you get it and you do it

and it's, like, still crickets.

And it's okay.

As long as they see the work, you know,

that's what matters.

Fishback bonded with Ramos on set

and even sang his songs to him.

You're improved to rap with Anthony Mack.

It was, like, iconic.

Did you try one with...

Oh, oh, I'm so...

First of all, Inner Heights was my...

the first musical I ever saw.

I love that musical.

And then getting to see...

I got to see Anthony do it

at the 10-year anniversary of Inner Heights.

And then I watched the movie, obviously,

and so we'd be on set and I'd be like,

like, I'll just throw a line of light stuff

or something like that.

Start singing different parts.

The only room with the view

was the room with you in it.

Transformers Rise of the Beast

also features the voice talents

of Michelle Yeoh, Pete Davidson,

Christo Fernandez, and Peter Cullen

as the iconic voice of Optimus Prime.

Yong Chavez, ABS-CBN News,

here in Hollywood.

And that'll do it for today.

Thanks for joining us.

I'm Stanley Palisada.

If you want to revisit today's episode,

you can play back this newscast

on the YouTube channel of ABS-CBN News

and on ANC 24-7 on Facebook.

Keep safe, everyone,

as you keep it here on the News Channel.

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Mobility will be key to recovery

because we have relaxed

some of our quarantine methods

and we have allowed more transportation

to come out.

That's going to prove to be better for demand.

If we do follow the health protocols,

the ability of people to move around

will likely contribute better to growth.

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