00:50.9
U.S. President Joe Biden launched the summit by reaffirming Washington's commitment
00:55.8
to defend the Philippines.
00:56.9
Under the 1950s-era Mutual Defense Treaty.
01:01.0
Biden is expected to announce new joint military efforts and infrastructure spending for the Philippines
01:07.0
as he hosts President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. alongside Japanese Prime Minister Humeo Kishida in Washington.
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Today we mark a historic moment.
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The first-ever leaders' summit between the United States, Japan, and the Philippines.
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And it's truly an honor.
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To have you both here as we begin this new era of partnership.
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Today we commit to writing that story in the future together.
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To building an Indo-Pacific that is free, open, prosperous, and secure for all.
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And I want to be clear.
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The United States' defense commitments to Japan and to the Philippines are ironclad.
01:54.2
They're ironclad.
01:56.0
As I've said before,
01:56.9
any attack on Philippine aircraft, vessels, or armed forces in the South China Sea
02:03.4
would invoke our Mutual Defense Treaty.
02:08.1
We meet today as friends and partners.
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President Marcos meanwhile thanked both the U.S. and Japan for their support
02:14.3
in helping the Philippines counter China's growing aggression.
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We meet today as friends and partners bound by a shared vision and pursuit
02:24.4
of a peaceful, stable, and prosperous future.
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It is a partnership born not out of convenience nor of expediency,
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but as a natural progression
02:36.1
of a deepening relation and robust cooperation
02:39.0
amongst our three countries.
02:41.5
This is a meeting that looks ahead.
02:44.2
As we deepen our ties and enhance our coordination,
02:48.7
we seek to identify ways of growing our economies and making them
02:53.5
climate-proofing our cities and societies,
02:56.9
sustaining our development progress and forging a peaceful world for the next generation.
03:05.1
Beijing claims almost the entire South China Sea despite Manila's 2016 arbitral victory
03:11.4
which invalidated China's historical claims.
03:14.4
Japan also has a dispute with China over islands in the East China Sea.
03:19.7
Former President Rodrigo Duterte is setting the record straight on his alleged gentleman's agreement with China.
03:29.4
During a press conference aired on SMNI's Facebook page,
03:33.2
Duterte said he conceded nothing to China during his administration.
03:37.2
But he says Manila and Beijing did agree to maintain the status quo in the West Philippine Sea
03:43.4
meaning no movement, no armed patrols, and no bringing of rebels.
03:49.7
He also said he will prepare materials to BRP Sierra Madre to manage tensions.
03:54.1
A Senate probe on the alleged deal has been sought
03:56.8
with some critics of the former president calling the agreement treasonous and unconstitutional.
04:02.8
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. also said he was horrified by the deal.
04:10.7
China again calling on the Philippines to honor a supposed promise and agreement in their maritime row.
04:17.0
Beijing insists the Philippines reneged.
04:19.7
On its promise to tow away the BRP Sierra Madre from the Ayungin Shoal.
04:25.1
It also slams the Philippine government for denying reaching an agreement with China during the Duterte administration.
04:31.9
China continues to claim Manila is the one provoking Beijing
04:35.6
by bringing construction materials to the BRP Sierra Madre,
04:39.9
the lone navy outpost of the Philippines in the West Philippine Sea.
04:45.9
China has been working with the Philippines to manage the situation.
04:49.7
The Philippines has been working with the Philippines to manage the situation under a Naireef through dialogue and consultation.
04:53.7
The reasons for the current situation under a Naireef are clear and obvious.
04:59.0
If the Philippines truly wants to ease the situation under a Naireef through dialogue and communication,
05:05.0
it should honor its promise, abide by consensus, and stop provocations.
05:13.8
The U.S. Air Force insists its going aerial combat exercises with the Philippines are not necessary.
05:19.7
It is not meant to target any current threats.
05:22.0
Bianca Dava has more.
05:24.7
The Philippine Air Force on Thursday trained side-by-side with the United States Pacific Air Forces
05:30.5
as part of the first iteration of their bilateral COPE Thunder exercise this year.
05:36.0
Members of the two air forces conducted basic fighter maneuvers at the BASA airbase in Pampanga.
05:42.2
The drills allowed them to show their capability and readiness to respond to possible threats in the region.
05:48.7
In the drills, the Philippines has been working with the Philippines to manage the situation under a Naireef through dialogue and consultation.
05:49.7
In the drills conducted today, Americans flew four of their F-16 fighter aircraft,
05:54.2
while Filipinos also used four of our F-A-50 lead-in fighter aircraft.
05:59.1
The air operation drills were conducted over waters in the western side of Zambales.
06:04.3
For today, for this week, we have air-to-air exercises up until next week.
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It will be composed of basic fighter maneuvers to air combat maneuvers up until tactical intercept.
06:15.0
And then after that, after which, we'll be having some limited air-to-surface.
06:19.3
We'll be doing some air-to-surface exercises up until next week.
06:19.7
We'll be doing some practice interoperability here.
06:22.5
So we're trying to prepare our pilots in terms of the communication standards, in terms of tactics, techniques and procedures.
06:30.2
Philippine Air Force Spokesperson Colonel Maria Consuelo Castillo said
06:34.4
the COPE Thunder training is part of the country's preparations for participating in international exercises,
06:41.1
specifically the Australian-led Pitch Black Warfare exercise scheduled in July.
06:46.0
For the first time, the PATH will send its F-A-50 lead-in fighters to the Philippines.
06:49.3
For the first time, the PATH will send its F-A-50 lead-in fighters to the Philippines.
06:49.6
For the first time, the PATH will send its F-A-50 lead-in fighters to the Philippines.
06:49.6
For the first time, the PATH will send its F-A-50 lead-in fighters to the Philippines.
06:49.7
and trainer fighter aircraft to the drills.
06:51.9
We're going to have our biggest participation so far
06:55.3
in the pitch black exercise which is expected to happen in Australia
06:59.0
by July, July to August.
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And kung previous years ng pitch black exercise sa Australia,
07:08.8
normally nagpapadala lang tayo ng observers.
07:11.4
This time we are planning to send fighter aircraft
07:15.7
so magkakaroon tayo ng large force deployment.
07:18.5
The U.S. Air Force stressed COPE Thunder is not directed
07:22.4
towards the Philippines' challenges to its territory and sovereign rights.
07:26.9
Instead, the exercise aims to strengthen the two air forces' bilateral partnership
07:31.6
to maintain a free and open Indo-Pacific.
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We've been doing exercises like this for many years now
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and we'll continue to do so.
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And not because of any current things going on in the world right now
07:47.2
but just because.
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Both the U.S. and the Philippine Air Force believe that as we work together
07:52.5
to make a free and open Indo-Pacific,
07:55.8
we prepare ourselves to operate in a joint environment one day
08:00.5
for not any current present threat but potentially future threats
08:05.2
that we might even not know about yet.
08:07.3
Aside from field exercises,
08:09.6
the Filipino and American airmen also conducted subject matter expert exchanges
08:13.6
on maritime strike and anti-ship tactics.
08:17.0
The first iteration of the U.S. Air Force's mission to protect the Philippines' territory is the first iteration of the U.S. Air Force's mission to protect the Philippines' territory.
08:18.5
The second iteration of COPE Thunder will run until April 19.
08:21.6
A second iteration is scheduled in June.
08:26.5
Meanwhile, the Philippine Air Force is expecting the arrival of more air assets
08:30.8
in the next two years as part of Horizon 2 of the AFP modernization program.
08:35.9
This year, we are expecting more aircraft coming in
08:40.7
as part of our acquisition and modernization program under the Horizon 2.
08:46.0
So, may mga contracts,
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For the next one to two years, we are expecting them to come in.
08:54.0
We are expecting more blackhawk helicopters.
08:57.3
We are expecting C-130s.
09:00.0
Multi-role fighters, which have been on the PAF's wish list for quite some time now,
09:04.9
are expected to be acquired under Horizon 3.
09:08.4
Bianca Dava, ABS-CBN News, Florida, Blanca, Pampanga.
09:13.3
Meanwhile, more investment pledges pouring into the Philippines
09:18.9
as the trilateral summit in Washington takes place.
09:22.7
The White House announced Japan and the U.S. will open a string of investments
09:27.0
across the Philippine island of Luzon
09:29.5
to accelerate the creation of high-impact infrastructure projects there.
09:34.5
The so-called Luzon Corridor will be part of the U.S. Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment,
09:40.8
will connect Subic Bay, Clark, Manila,
09:44.8
It will also include investments in transportation, clean energy, and semiconductors, among others.
09:50.6
Philippine Ambassador to the U.S., Jose Manuel Romualdez, earlier said,
09:55.1
the country is expected to receive at least $100 billion in investments
09:59.2
from Washington and Tokyo in the next five to ten years.
10:05.7
In other news, former President Rodrigo Duterte
10:09.1
revealing the possible location of fugitive pastor Apollo Kibuloy.
10:13.3
In a press conference Thursday, Duterte said,
10:16.6
Kibuloy might be hiding in the Kingdom of Jesus Christ properties
10:20.3
in Tamayong Village in Kalinan, Davao City.
10:23.9
But Duterte warned it may be challenging for authorities to search the area
10:27.9
given its vast size.
10:30.0
Duterte's revelation came after he denied he is cuddling and hiding Kibuloy in his house.
10:36.0
The former president also said he would not accept the pastor if he will surrender to him.
10:43.3
Meanwhile, another arrest warrant has been issued against Apollo Kibuloy.
10:48.6
The Pasig Regional Trial Court ordered Kibuloy's arrest for qualified human trafficking,
10:54.4
which is a non-bailable case.
10:56.3
The court also denied the motion of Kibuloy's camp to defer the proceedings.
11:00.6
The Kingdom of Jesus Christ leader has been in hiding
11:03.2
since a Davao court ordered his arrest on charges of sexual abuse of minors.
11:11.8
Now here's a look at other stories.
11:13.3
We're tracking today at 8.30 in the morning,
11:16.4
Climate Advocates and the Philippine Coast Guard will hold a forum
11:20.1
tackling environmental destruction in the Philippine seas.
11:24.3
While at 9 in the morning,
11:25.6
the Franchise Asia Philippines Expo 2024 will kick off
11:29.8
with over 700 franchise brands expected to attend.
11:35.0
At 10 a.m., the Metro Manila Council will discuss
11:38.6
the adjustment of working hours in government offices in the region
11:43.3
We will also monitor today the historic trilateral summit
11:50.6
between the Philippines, Japan, and the U.S.
11:56.0
We're taking a quick break.
11:57.7
Up ahead, the leader of the militant group Hamas says
12:00.6
they are still seeking for a ceasefire deal in Gaza
12:03.7
despite the killing of his sons in an Israeli airstrike.
12:07.4
Details of that story and more when the Rundown returns.
12:13.3
We'll be right back.
12:43.3
We'll be right back.
13:13.3
We'll be right back.
13:43.3
The Philippine Education Department says
13:45.5
nearly 6,000 out of 47,000 schools across the country
13:49.9
have suspended face-to-face classes due to extreme heat.
13:55.3
Philippine Star's top story,
13:57.2
President Marcos revives a policy prohibiting government officials
14:00.7
from using sirens, blinkers, and other similar signaling or flashing devices.
14:07.5
In Manila Bulletin's headline,
14:09.4
the Philippine House of Representatives eyeing to probe
14:13.3
a gentleman's agreement between China and former President Rodrigo Duterte.
14:18.8
And topping GMA News website,
14:20.9
the Land Transportation, Franchising, and Regulatory Board says
14:24.5
it will offer free rides to commuters
14:26.9
who will be affected by the two-day transport strike
14:30.4
beginning Monday, April 15th.
14:34.9
More news overseas.
14:37.1
Hamas leader Ismail Haniya denies his sons
14:40.2
who were killed in an Israeli strike Wednesday
14:43.2
were fighters in the group's armed wing.
14:45.8
But when asked whether their deaths would impact ceasefire talks,
14:49.6
Haniya says the interests of the Palestinian people
14:52.4
are placed ahead of everything.
14:54.9
He adds they are still seeking a deal,
14:57.1
but Israel has been evading a response to their demands.
15:01.0
The killing of Haniya's sons was coordinated
15:03.1
by Israel's military and intelligence service.
15:06.0
Without consulting top commanders or political leaders,
15:09.7
an action seen to complicate efforts to free hostages,
15:13.2
still held in Gaza.
15:17.4
Israel bracing for possible retaliation
15:20.3
for the killing of a senior general
15:22.6
and six other Iranian officers
15:24.4
in an airstrike in Damascus on April 1st.
15:28.0
Israel's military spokesman says
15:30.0
civilians were not being told to make any special preparations,
15:33.8
but adds Israel is highly prepared for a range of scenarios.
15:38.7
Most Israeli troops have been pulled out of Gaza
15:41.1
in preparation for an assault,
15:43.2
on the southern city of Rafah,
15:45.7
where more than a million Palestinians are sheltering.
15:48.7
But fighting continues in various areas of the enclave.
15:54.6
The U.S. remains concerned about the risk of escalation
15:58.5
in the Middle East following threats made by Iran towards Israel.
16:03.2
The U.S. State Department says
16:04.9
Secretary of State Antony Blinken has asked counterparts
16:08.5
in Turkey, China and Saudi Arabia
16:10.9
to use their influence to stop Israel's attack.
16:13.2
Iran, from attacking Israel.
16:17.4
We continue to be concerned about the risk of escalation in the Middle East,
16:21.1
something we have been working to mitigate and contain
16:24.1
since the attacks of October 7th,
16:26.1
and specifically about the threats made in recent days
16:29.4
by Iran against the State of Israel and the Israeli people.
16:32.5
We have been engaged in a series of contacts,
16:35.4
not just at his level, but at other levels too,
16:37.4
to talk to foreign counterparts to send this very clear message to Iran
16:40.6
that they should not escalate this conflict.
16:43.2
Russia also calling on all countries in the Middle East
16:46.7
to show restraint and prevent the region from slipping into chaos.
16:50.8
The Kremlin says there has been no requests for Russia
16:53.9
to mediate between Israel and Iran.
16:56.5
But it notes the Damascus strike was a violation
16:59.6
of all the principles of international law.
17:05.4
American football star and actor O.J. Simpson,
17:08.7
who was acquitted in 1995 of murdering his former wife,
17:13.2
has died at the age of 76 after a battle with cancer.
17:17.2
Simpson was one of the best and most popular athletes
17:20.2
of the late 1960s and the 1970s.
17:24.2
He parlayed his football stardom into a career as a sportscaster,
17:28.2
advertising pitchman, and a Hollywood actor.
17:31.2
But things took a turn after Nicole Brown Simpson
17:34.2
and her friend Ron Goldman were found fatally stabbed
17:38.2
outside her Los Angeles home in June of 1994.
17:43.2
While considered the prime suspect,
17:45.2
Simpson was cleared by a Los Angeles jury
17:48.2
in what U.S. media called the trial of the century.
17:52.2
But he was found responsible for her death in a civil suit
17:55.2
and later imprisoned for armed robbery and kidnapping.
18:01.2
It's kind of tragic and sad for such a talented guy.
18:07.2
He was a lovely guy when he was at SC and previous to that.
18:12.2
So whatever happened with the drugs and the relationship
18:17.2
and the trial and everything else,
18:21.2
it's just kind of a sad, tragic end to his life,
18:26.2
which could have been so much more.
18:28.2
Not going to miss him.
18:30.2
I don't have any personal animus.
18:34.2
I don't have any hatred toward him,
18:39.2
but I think he murdered his wife and he got away with it.
18:42.2
And before we go,
18:47.2
let's find out what stories our North America Bureau
18:49.2
is pursuing right now from our correspondent,
18:54.2
Hey guys, here are news making headlines
18:57.2
for Filipinos in North America.
19:01.2
We begin in Irvine, California,
19:03.2
where the police are looking for a car
19:05.2
with a license plate that reads BASTOS,
19:08.2
accusing the driver, now suspect of BASTOS,
19:13.2
The Irvine Police Department has issued a wanted poster
19:16.2
for 58-year-old Robert de la Cruz of Dustin, California.
19:20.2
De la Cruz, a counselor and caretaker
19:22.2
at a day program for adults with disabilities,
19:25.2
is accused of sexually assaulting his patient
19:28.2
and coercing her into sex acts from June 2022
19:32.2
until March of this year.
19:34.2
Police have executed a search warrant in his home
19:37.2
and found additional evidence.
19:39.2
However, they have been unable to find the suspect.
19:42.2
Police who believe de la Cruz is Filipino
19:45.2
says that he is known to drive a blue Toyota FJ Cruiser
19:49.2
with a license plate that reads BASTOS II.
19:52.2
Those with information on his whereabouts
19:55.2
are asked to contact Detective Craig Vorce
20:02.2
or email through cvorce at cityofirvine.org.
20:09.2
Meanwhile, if you are a San Francisco Bay Area resident
20:13.2
and you take public transportation,
20:15.2
you may qualify for a massive discount on fares.
20:19.2
The Metropolitan Transportation Commission
20:22.2
and Bay Area Transit Agencies
20:24.2
have expanded the Clipper Start Pilot Program
20:27.2
which provides transit fare discounts
20:30.2
for lower income adults ages 19 to 64
20:34.2
to now include VTA buses and light rail trains
20:37.2
and to include a uniform 50% discount
20:40.2
for rides on all systems
20:42.2
that take the Clipper for fare payment.
20:45.2
There are no costs to apply
20:47.2
or be part of the Clipper Program.
20:49.2
After riders tap their Clipper Start Card,
20:52.2
they immediately receive 50% of the single ride fare
20:55.2
if they are eligible.
20:57.2
To qualify, you must be a resident
20:59.2
of the San Francisco Bay Area,
21:01.2
be 19 to 64 years old,
21:03.2
not have an RTC Clipper Card
21:05.2
for people with disabilities,
21:07.2
and have a household income of 200%
21:09.2
of the federal poverty level or less.
21:12.2
For more information,
21:13.2
visit clipperstartcard.com.
21:20.2
let's check out Cine Film Fest,
21:23.2
the very first Filipino film festival in Canada.
21:27.2
which will roll out the red carpet
21:29.2
on April 13th and 14th
21:31.2
at the prestigious Hotel X in Toronto,
21:33.2
was organized by the Cine Institute
21:36.2
in partnership with ABS-CBN International
21:39.2
to showcase the best of Filipino talents
21:41.2
in the world of cinema.
21:43.2
The Cine Institute is a non-for-profit organization
21:46.2
that we created to allow for collaboration
21:51.2
between emerging and established creative people
21:56.2
to do projects that are meant for creatives,
22:01.2
whether it be in the arts, theater,
22:06.2
but anything that promotes creative endeavors.
22:11.2
ABS-CBN's heart and soul
22:13.2
is really in storytelling.
22:15.2
So this aligns with our mission
22:17.2
of bringing the Filipino content
22:19.2
to the world stage.
22:22.2
the festival will feature
22:23.2
a carefully curated selection
22:25.2
of ten feature films
22:27.2
and seven short films.
22:31.2
And those are the news making headlines today.
22:33.2
You can catch more TFC news
22:35.2
on the ABS-CBN News website,
22:39.2
I'm Henia Espinosa.
22:40.2
Back to you guys at The Rundown.
22:44.2
And that's The Rundown today.
22:45.2
I'm Bettina Magsaysay.
22:46.2
Subscribe to the ANC YouTube channel,
22:48.2
like us on Facebook,
22:49.2
and follow us on X.
22:51.2
Head Start comes your way at 8.
23:03.2
We'll see you next time.
