BEST EFFORTS. A young participant gives his best during the Baruto Race 2011 of the ongoing 19th Naliyagan Festival in Patin-ay, Prosperidad town in Agusan del Sur. MindaNews photo contributed by Daina Jones P. Rivera
MALAYBALAY CITY (16 June) – More than half a century after its nominal independence from the United States, the Philippines is in no better shape in as far as its national defense policies are concerned. The nervous, knee-jerk reactions from
DAY FOUR – “THE ASSAULT” — March 8, Sunday. After hearing Sunday mass with my family, I was ready to fly back to Dapecol earlier than usual that morning. But the chopper taking MILF’S Atty Lanang Ali from Cotabato was delayed. I was in constant touch by phone with some operatives who stayed vigil in Dapecol to monitor things. While waiting to rendezvous with my friend Atty Lanang, I got word that the atmosphere at the hostage area had radically changed overnight. There were also notes smuggled out by hostages through food couriers that night warning that “mag sample sila” meaning they would harm or kill hostages that morning to force us to allow them to leave the prison compound for their escape. Then another information was received saying that the prisoners were overheard planning to take me hostage that morning the moment I would enter the room, then demand that they be flown by helicopter to Camp Abubakar or somewhere else. They would also order the prison gates opened and in their escape, other prisoners would make a rush to escape. A possible mass jailbreak in the offing. I did not anticipate that scenario.
DAVAO CITY (MindaNews/16 June) — Lo and behold, I saw a glimpse of greatness… I would admit that I am an avid fan of Manny Pacquiao. Although I am not as rabid as the late Crispin “Ka Bel” Beltran was,
CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (MindaNews/16 June) — Twenty-three years since the passage of the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Law (Republic Act 6657) which aims “to promote social justice” through the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program, seven of every 10 farmers in Northern
ZAMBOANGA CITY (MindaNews/15 June) – The National Electrification Administration Board of Administrators, after an exhaustive investigation, has dismissed the general manager of the Zamboanga City Electric Cooperative (Zamcelco) and members of its board of directors for alleged repeated violations of
GENERAL SANTOS CITY (MindaNews/16 June) – Health authorities here have raised anew the alert level against the deadly dengue fever, which already claimed at least four lives during the last five months. Dr. Jacinto Makilang, City Integrated Health Services Office
DAVAO CITY (MindaNews/16 June) — Judges and prosecutors are ill-prepared to handle cases of human trafficking, participants to a seminar on how to combat the crime said. Muntinlupa Regional Trial Court Branch 207 Judge Philip Aguinaldo admitted there is difficulty
GENERAL SANTOS CITY (MindaNews/16 June) – Police authorities in Sultan Kudarat province released for supposed lack of evidence a suspected bomber who was earlier arrested in connection with a foiled bombing attempt in Tacurong City last June 1. Senior Supt.
MAKATI CITY (MindaNews/16 June) — Smart Communications, Inc. is rolling out later this year a high-speed internet service in Mindanao, which could download high-density movies in just several minutes, company officials said on Tuesday. Anne Binuya, Smart Bro prepaid product
DAVAO CITY (MindaNews/16 June) – The regional office of the Department of Education (DepEd) is getting ready for the simultaneous nationwide fun run on June 19 in celebration of the 150th birth anniversary of national hero Dr. Jose Rizal, an
