5 cops wounded in Surigao gunbattle

BUTUAN CITY ­- Five government troopers were wounded while undetermined number of communist insurgents were believed either killed or wounded when a fierce gunbattle erupted between government police Special Action Force (SAF) and heavily armed communist-New People’s Army (NPA) rebels in a far-flung remote village in Southern Philip pines, police reported on Sunday. var addthis_config... 

Payumos, Gordons suffer defeat

All four members of the once powerful Payumo political clan in Dinalupihan, Bataan, and four also of the Gordons of the highly urbanized City of Olongapo and Zambales province suffered embarrassing defeat in the May 13 local polls. In Bataan, former Subic (SBMA) chairman and three-term congressman Felicito “Tong” Payumo lost for the second time around to reelectionist Herminia Roman... 

Former VP Guingona’s wife ambushed

Gingoog City, Misamis Oriental – Mayor Ruth de Lara Guingona, the wife of former Vice President Teofi sto Guingona, Jr., survived an ambush by sus- pected communist rebels on Saturday night but two of her civilian companions were killed while a police escort was wounded.  Read More »

New life for 5 rebels

Philippines – All they did was to lay down their arms, and got easy money in return. Not only more than P10,000 cash each, the five communist rebels who decided to go back to government folds will also be given livelihood assistance and free scholarship for their kids as part of the social integration program, according to Lt. Col. Noel Vestuir, commanding officer of the 20th Infantry... 

Seven rebels, two state militias dead

COTABATO, Philippines – At least seven leftist rebels and two government militias were killed in separate clashes on Saturday in the volatile southern Philippines. Fierce fighting broke out between government troops and New People’s Army rebels in remote village of Bunacao, San Fernando township in the province of Bukidnon, police commander Rustom Duran said Sunday.  Read More »

NPA attack in Albay shows insincerity to forge peace – PH gov’t

MANILA, Philippines – The Philippine government said on Sunday that the attack of leftist rebels on an airport construction site in Albay indicates their “lack of sincerity” in pursuing peace talks with the government. “It certainly does not do well that while we speak, while we speak with them, they do other actions which would indicate their lack of sincerity... 

Soldier dead in Agusan clash

Philippines – A rookie soldier died in a clash with suspected communist rebels in Tubay, Agusan del Norte on Saturday, police reported yesterday. Supt. Martin Gamba, chief information officer of the CARAGA regional police, said the soldiers from the 14th Scout Rangers Company were conducting combat patrol in Barangay Tagmamarkay when they chanced upon at least 20 rebels at around... 

Two soldiers killed in clash

MANILA, Philippines (Xinhua) – At least two government soldiers were killed while another was wounded as they clashed with leftist rebels Tuesday in the central Philippine province of Negros Occidental, an Army official said. Colonel Isabelo Delos Reyes, spokesman for the military’s 303rd Brigade, said those killed in the gun battle in the village of Andres Bonifacio, Cadiz... 

Libya’s 1st independence day in 42 yrs from Italy, France

TRIPOLI, Libya (AP) – For the first time in more than four decades, Libyans on Saturday celebrated the 60th anniversary of the country’s independence from Italy and France. Under Moammar Khaddafy’s 42-year rule, the celebration was scrapped and instead, only the 1969 date of his coup was marked. Thousands of people flocked to the capital from around the country but the... 

Landmine blast kills woman, hurts 7 soldiers in Surigao Sur

By AARON RECUENCO A 63-year-old woman died while seven soldiers, including a junior military officer, were wounded in a landmine attack allegedly perpetrated by the communist rebels in Bislig City in Surigao del Sur. The attack occurred on the third day of the government’s 18-day Christmas truce with the communist rebels. Five soldiers were also killed by the rebels the very day the...