10 Mindanao bishops say no to Charter change
CAGAYAN DE ORO (MindaNews / 17 February) — Ten bishops from Mindanao, mostly of the Iglesia Filipina Independiente (IFI), signed a joint statement opposing attempts to amend the 1987 Constitution.
The religious leaders convened at the IFI center in Barangay Bulua, Cagayan de Oro last weekend to form the NO-TO-CHACHA COALITION- Northwestern Mindanao.
“This is a sham, as this initiative does not emanate voluntarily from us, nor is it new to us,” the bishops said.
The bishops who signed the statement are Archbishop Jose Cabantan of the Archdiocese of Cagayan de Oro; Bishop Felixberto Calang of the IFI Diocese in Cagayan de Oro; Bishop Ligaya Flores-San Francisco of the UCCP-Northern Mindanao Jurisdiction; Bishop Julius Dacera, president of the IFI Mindanao Eastern Bishops’ Conference;
Bishop Gil Dinapo of the IFI Diocese of Bukidnon; Bishop Dave Bitos of the IFI Diocese of Pagadian; Bishop Romel Tagud of the IFI Diocese of Sugbongcogon; Bishop Victom Bitoy of the IFI Diocese of Oroquieta City; Bishop Giomary Neri of the IFI Diocese of Koronadal and Bishop Redeemer Yanez of the IFI, Cagayan de Oro. (Froilan Gallardo/MindaNews)
78 boat passengers rescued in Tawi-Tawi
A lansa loaded with passengers and cargo maneuvers to dock at the Chinese Pier in Bongao, Tawi-Tawi.MindaNews photo by BONG S. SARMIENTO
CAGAYAN DE ORO (MindaNews / 17 February) – A Philippine Navy ship rescued on Tuesday 78 passengers and seven crew members from a vessel that had an engine failure in waters off Tawi-Tawi.
Naval Forces Western Mindanao commander Rear Admiral Donn Anthony Miraflor said Navy patrol craft BRP Jose Loor Sr. responded to a distress call from motor launch Dhiemal, which was drifting nine nautical miles off Bukalao Point in the Sibutu Passage.
Miraflor said Dhiemal was bound for Bongao, Tawi-Tawi from Tandu Banak in Sibutu when it had engine trouble.
“Upon receiving the distress call from the motor launch, the BRP Jose Loor Sr. was deployed to rescue the distressed passenger boat,” he said in a statement.
He said the Navy boat established contact with Dhiemal and towed the motor launch to the port of Bongao where the local authorities gave the passengers food and medical treatment. (Froilan Gallardo/MindaNews)
School in Gingoog City evacuated after receiving online bomb hoax
CAGAYAN DE ORO (MindaNews / 17 February) — Students of the Gingoog City Comprehensive National High School were evacuated after the school received an online bomb threat Friday, Mayor Erick Cañosa said.
Authorities in the city went on full alert and bomb-sniffing dogs were sent to the school in Barangay 23.
The Gingoog City Police Office said school officials received the bomb threat online about 10:30 a.m. and police officers were sent to assist in the evacuation of students.
Cañosa said the threat turned out to be a hoax. (Froilan Gallardo/MindaNews)
Free wi-fi installed in all towns in Siargao
CAGAYAN DE ORO (MindaNews / 17 February) – The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) has activated free wi-fi connection for all the nine towns in Siargao Island in Surigao del Norte.
The DICT’s free wi-fi program is designed to provide access to all Siargao residents and help tourists connect to the world via the internet.
Presently, residents and tourists spend a minimum of P1,000 monthly for internet or data connection from commercial mobile phone companies. (Froilan Gallardo/MindaNews)
