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3 suspected rebels killed in clash in Philippines Batangas
MANILA, March 26 (Xinhua) -- Three suspected rebels were killed in a clash with government forces in Batangas province, south of Manila, on Tuesday, the Philippine military said. The military said a 30-minute gunfight broke out around 6:30 a.m. local time after the troops ran into a group of New People's Army (NPA) rebels in Rosario town. The troops recovered three rifles, six jungle packs, and some mater.....»»
Xinhua world news summary at 1530 GMT, March 26
MANILA -- Three suspected rebels were killed in a clash with government forces in Batangas province, south of Manila, on Tuesday, the Philippine military said. The military said a 30-minute gunfight broke out around 6:30 a.m. local time after the troops ran into a group of New People's Army (NPA) rebels in Rosario town. (Philippines-Clash) - - - - BEIRUT -- Two people were killed and nine other civ.....»»
13 killed in vehicles collision in southern Philippines
MANILA, March 25 (Xinhua) -- Thirteen people were killed after a passenger van and a dump truck collided on a highway in Cotabato province in the southern Philippines on Monday, police and local media said. Police said the van, with about 15 passengers aboard, was negotiating a sloping curve when it was hit by the speeding dump truck in the opposite lane. The accident happened after 12 noon local time. In.....»»
Philippine road crash kills woman, injures man
MANILA, March 18 (Xinhua) -- A woman was killed after the motorcycle she and her husband were riding was hit by an overtaking bus along a highway in Rizal province of the Philippines at dawn on Monday, police said. Police said the accident occurred around 4 a.m. while the couple traveled along a highway in Taytay town. The woman died at the crash site, while her husband sustained injuries in the left arm......»»
P400M+ income lost due to Mindoro oil spill
Seawater around Oriental Mindoro still showed low-level contaminants or pollycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon, while seaweed collected and analyzed from select sites in Catluys, Antique on 9 March showed low-level contaminants or PAH, the Department of Agriculture's Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources reported over the weekend. PAH, according to DA-BFAR, are "harmful to humans and other living organisms, and may accumulate in the flesh of marine organisms over time. Seaweeds and other sessile organism have greater chances of accumulating PAH due to their immobility." Thus, the BFAR is still keeping the fishing ban in oil-spill hit municipalities of Oriental Mindoro, which has accumulated P441.25 million losses in income in 22 fishing days. The agency said the amount came from the more than 26,000 fishermen who have been directly affected by the oil spill as of March 31, based on a daily income of P714. The damage in terms of inputs and produce, fishing gear and paraphernalia, and facilities and equipment was placed at P445,333,928.00. These include: Fisheries Production Losses from MIMAROPA’s Commercial and Municipal Fisheries valued at P14,138,400.00, and damage to 119 metric tons of seaweed production in Western Visayas valued at almost P3 million. The "DA-BFAR detected minimal levels of PAH, including benzo(a)pyrene or B(a)p, from the initial samples collected," BFAR director Demosthenes Escoto said. He added that 86 fish and other marine samples were taken on 10-11 March from seven municipalities in Mindoro (Bongabong, Bulalacao, Gloria, Mansalay, Najuan, Pinamalayan and San Jose) for testing. "These did not show the presence of petroleum-related products," Escoto said. However, from seven seaweed samples collected on 31 March in Caluya, Antique, three showed the presence of petroleum-related products. Some 23 water samples collected from 9 March to 4 April from 10 municipalities of Oriental Mindoro (Bansud, Bongabong, Bulalacao, Calapan, Gloria, Mansalay, Naujan, Pinamalayan, Pola, and Roxas) and Caluya in Antique had minimal levels of oil and grease, within the standard set by the Department of the Environment and Natural Resources. BFAR also said 15 fish samples collected from Oriental Mindoro from March 4 to 10 showed low levels of PAH. Likewise, seaweed taken from Caluya, Antique on March 4 yielded low-level PAH. 'Since the Bureau found low-levels of PAH in seafood samples, it recommended keeping fishing bans in areas concerned while the time-series analyses are still ongoing," BFAR said in its Bulletin No.2 . The Bureau meanwhile, added that a total of P22 million worth of livelihood assistance has been allocated to affected fishing communities. This includes P4.4 million worth of post-harvest technology packages for 10 fisherfolk associations and cooperatives or 689 families. It also includes P12 million worth of fuel subsidy for fisherfolk who had to seek alternative fishing grounds. The BFAR said it is considering providing affected fisherfolk some fiberglass-reinforced plastic boats. As for food and relief goods, the BFAR said it has earmarked P1.5 million for food assistance to 5,689 affected fisherfolk in Mimaropa. Meanwhile, P580,500 has been used to help displaced fishing groups in Western Visayas, the BFAR said. For cleanup operations in Oriental Mindoro, the agency said it deployed P720,945 worth of PPE, ropes and other materials. The MT Princess Empress sank on 28 February off Najuan, Oriental Mindoro while carrying 900,000 liters of industrial fuel. The post P400M+ income lost due to Mindoro oil spill appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Danao City ‘gun maker’ nabbed in raid
CEBU CITY, Philippines – A 39-year-old man, who was accused of the illegal manufacture of guns, was arrested in a raid in his residence in Sitio Sapangdako, Barangay Matija, Danao City in northern Cebu, Tuesday dawn, March 26. In a report, the Cebu Police Provincial Office (CPPO) said that the raid was based on a.....»»
Philippines declares 'strategic defeat' of NPA rebels
MANILA, March 26 (Xinhua) -- The Philippines declared on Tuesday a "strategic defeat" of the New People's Army (NPA) rebels, who have been fighting against the government since the 1960s, saying there is no more active guerilla fronts in the country. Eduardo Ano, National Security Adviser and former chief of staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, said "thousands" of NPA insurgents have decided to return t.....»»
Army troops kill BIFF training officer in Maguindanao clash
CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (MindaNews / 25 March) – Philippine Army troops killed an alleged ranking member of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) during an encounter in Maguindanao del Sur last Friday. Brig. General Jose Vlademir Cagara, commander of the Army’s 1st Brigade Combat team, said troops killed Abu Halil, a training officer of the […].....»»
17 killed as truck loaded with sand collides with passenger van
COTABATO CITY (MindaNews /25 March) – Seventeen persons were killed when a truck loaded with sand collided with a passenger van in Antipas, North Cotabato Monday noon. Captain Godofredo Tupas, Chief of Police of Antipas town said the collision happened along a curve at the boundary of Barangay Greenhills and Lohong at 12:48 p.m. The van […].....»»
Philippines declares 'strategic defeat' of NPA rebels
MANILA, March 26 (Xinhua) -- The Philippines declared on Tuesday a "strategic defeat" of the New People's Army (NPA) rebels, who have been fighting against the government since the 1960s, saying there is no more active guerilla fronts in the country. Eduardo Ano, National Security Adviser and former chief of staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, said "thousands" of NPA insurgents have decided to return t.....»»
2 dead, 34 injured in road crashes in Philippines over weekend
MANILA, March 24 (Xinhua) -- Two people died and 34 others were hurt in two separate road crashes in the Philippines over the weekend, local authorities said Sunday. A municipal disaster prevention official said a female bus collector was killed after a passenger bus rammed into a trailer truck parked on the roadside in a town in Davao de Oro province in the southern Philippines around 4 a.m. local time on Sunda.....»»
2 dead, 34 injured in road crashes in Philippines over weekend
MANILA, March 24 (Xinhua) -- Two people died and 34 others were hurt in two separate road crashes in the Philippines over the weekend, local authorities said Sunday. A municipal disaster prevention official said a female bus collector was killed after a passenger bus rammed into a trailer truck parked on the roadside in a town in Davao de Oro province in the southern Philippines around 4 a.m. local time on Sunda.....»»
1 dead, 2 hurt in truck smashup
A trailer truck driver was killed while two others were injured in a collision with a dump truck along Mel Lopez Boulevard in Tondo, Manila on Friday morning......»»
Wanted for high-profile crimes killed in Bangsamoro police operation
A suspect in a series of motorcycle theft, multiple murder, extortion and operation of a drug den, who has links with local terrorist groups, was killed while his companion was wounded in a shootout with policemen in Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao del Norte on Thursday......»»
PAGASA monitors 2 LPAs off Northern Samar, Pangasinan
The state weather bureau on Saturday said it is monitoring two low-pressure areas or LPAs inside the Philippine Area of Responsibility. In its latest weather bulletin, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration, said the first LPA was last tracked over 530 kilometers east of Catarman, Northern Samar. The second LPA was spotted 235 kilometers west of Dagupan City, Pangasinan. PAGASA hoisted rainfall advisory as southwest monsoon or ‘habagat’ affects Southern Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. The weather system will particularly bring light to moderate with at times heavy rains in Antique, Iloilo, and Negros Occidental. The Yellow warning level was earlier raised over the Guimaras (Sibunag, San Lorenzo, Nueva Valencia, Jordan, Buenavista); Antique (Anini-Y, Hamtic, Tobias Fornier, San Jose, Sibalom); Iloilo (San Joaquin, Miagao, Igbaras, Guimbal, Oton, Tigbauan, Pavia, Iloilo City, Leganes, Zarraga, Dumangas); Negros Occidental (Silay City, Talisay City, Bacolod City, Pulupandan, Bago City, Valladolid, San Enrique, Pontevedra, Hinigaran, Himamaylan City, Binalbagan, Kabankalan City, Ilog, Cauayan, Sipalay City, Candoni, Hinoba-An). With this weather condition, PAGASA warned flooding is possible in low-lying areas and rain-induced landslides must be expected in mountainous areas. PAGASA said Metro Manila, the rest of Luzon, and Visayas will experience cloudy skies with scattered rain showers and thunderstorms. While Mindanao will have partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rain showers or thunderstorms. PAGASA said light to moderate winds and slight to moderate coastal waters are forecast for the whole country. The post PAGASA monitors 2 LPAs off Northern Samar, Pangasinan appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Legarda seeks support over P1-B ‘Egay’ damages
Senate President Pro Tempore Loren Legarda calls for support for the country’s agriculture sector after typhoon “Egay” left over P1 billion worth of damages in agricultural products. In its situation bulletin issued 2 p.m. Saturday, the Department of Agriculture or DA reported that typhoon “Egay” has left P1.36 billion worth of damage to agriculture, with a volume of production loss of 62,259 metric tons, affecting 98,969 hectares of agricultural land and 91,268 farmers. Affected farms included those planted with rice, corn, high-value crops, livestock and poultry. Fishermen were also displaced. The increase in the value of damages is due to the updated reports from the Cordillera Administrative Region, Ilocos Region, Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon and Western Visayas. Antique, Legarda’s home province, has sustained P5.5 million losses in rice crops due to the typhoon, the Office of the Provincial Agriculture said Friday. Do better “We need to do better in helping our farmers deal with typhoons and other disasters. Our efforts need to be crop-specific, site-level, and continuous. We also need to look at systemic and ecosystem-based resilience measures,” she remarked, adding that the ecosystem damage, perennially unaccounted for in disasters, contributes to lessening the sector’s capacity to rebound from disasters. Legarda said that while the government is always ready to provide emergency relief assistance for farmers, they need help with resilient varieties to plant, advice on better timing, and ecosystem-based protections like windbreaks and watersheds. She strongly supports technological advancements and science-based analysis as a key method to develop a modern, resilient, and sustainable agriculture industry to provide the most appropriate, specific, and well-directed support pre- and post-disaster. The post Legarda seeks support over P1-B ‘Egay’ damages appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
TD Dodong continues to reorganize over the WPS
The state weather bureau PAGASA said the Tropical Depression Dodong continues to reorganize over the West Philippine Sea as it is forecast to exit the Philippine area of responsibility on Saturday evening or on Sunday morning. In its 11 p.m. weather bulletin, PAGASA said TD Dodong is expected to track generally northwestward until Sunday morning, while gradually accelerating before turning more west-northwestward going towards southern China. PAGASA said accumulated rainfall today will be around 50 to 100 millimeters in La Union and Pangasinan. Flooding and rain-induced landslides are possible during these weather conditions. A strong breeze to near gale strength winds is expected within any of the areas where Wind Signal No.1 is currently in effect. Meanwhile, an enhanced Southwest Monsoon may bring gusty conditions over the areas of Ilocos Region—not under any wind signal, Cordillera Administrative Region, Batanes, Isabela, Quirino, Nueva Vizcaya, Central Luzon, Metro Manila, CALABARZON, MIMAROPA, Bicol Region, and Western Visayas. Gusty conditions will prevail over the Ilocos Region, Zambales, Bataan, Cavite, MIMAROPA, Bicol Region, Western Visayas, and the southern portion of Quezon on Sunday. Similar conditions will be experienced by Ilocos Region, Zambales, Bataan, Cavite, Oriental Mindoro, Palawan, Romblon, and Antique on Monday. PAGASA said TD Dodong and the enhanced Southwest Monsoon may bring moderate to rough seas, ranging from 1.5 to 2.5 meters over the eastern and 2.0 to 3.5 m in western seaboards of Northern Luzon, and the western seaboards of Central and Southern Luzon will have 2.0 to 3.5 m. The state weather bureau advised mariners of small seacrafts to take precautionary measures when venturing out to sea. PAGASA said TD Dodong may reach tropical storm category on Saturday and may be upgraded into a severe tropical storm on Monday over the waters south of Hong Kong. The post TD Dodong continues to reorganize over the WPS appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Why we need to save our coral reefs
“Coral damage feared as vessel grounded,” said the headline of a recent issue of Daily Tribune. “Extensive damage to the coral reefs that serve as a marine habitat is feared with the incident raising concerns anew about the environmental impact of mining in the country,” the news report stated. Three days after the sinking of the MT Princess Empress tanker off Naujan, Occidental Mindoro in February this year, the resulting oil slick reached the shores of the coastal towns of Naujan, Pola and Pinamalayan. “Among the coastal sites that may be at risk are several marine protected areas, including but not limited to the reefs in Bulalacao, Oriental Mindoro, amounting to some 1,100 hectares of coral reefs,” said the bulletin issued by the University of the Philippines-Diliman College of Science Marine Science Institute. According to the United Nations Environment Program, oil, a complex mixture of many chemicals, can kill corals, depending on species and exposure. Once soil comes into contact with corals, it can kill them or impede their reproduction, growth, behavior and development. Various threats Oil spills are not the only incidents that threaten the country’s coral reefs. Most of these threats are caused by human activities. As marine scientist Don McAllister, who once studied the cost of coral reef destruction in the country, lamented: “Nowhere else in the world are coral reefs abused as much as the reefs in the Philippines.” Sedimentation — the process of soils settling to the bottom of the sea — is said to be the most important single cause of reef degradation. Sediments that wash over reefs have a number of negative effects on corals, marine scientists claim. Deforestation is the most common source of sediments. “When trees are cut down and the underbrush burned, the mountainsides become bare and the soil are defenseless against strong wind and rain,” said the Coral Research Project of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources. “During rains, runoff carries eroded soil down to the rivers that deposit it in the sea.” On its website, the BFAR singled out destructive fishing techniques as among the largest contributors to reef degradation. “Muro-ami, a technique that involved sending a line of divers to depths of 10-30 meters with metal weights to knock on corals in order to drive fish out and into waiting nets, was extremely damaging to reefs, leading to its ban in 1986,” the BFAR reported. But that’s just one. “Rampant blast fishing and sedimentation from land-based sources have destroyed 70 percent of fisheries within 15 square kilometers of the shore in the Philippines, which were some of the most productive habitats in the world,” the BFAR said. Cyanide fishing, employed since 1962 to collect aquarium fish, is another destructive fishing method, while coastal development, farming, aquaculture and land-cover change have also threatened the country’s coral reef ecosystem. Aside from human activities, natural causes of destruction among coral reefs also occur. These include extremely low tide, high temperature of surface water, predation and the mechanical action of currents and waves. Climate change is increasing the ocean’s temperature. The result: Coral bleaching. Explains John Ryan of the Washington-based Worldwatch Institute: “When subjected to extreme stress, they jettison the colorful algae they live in symbiosis with, exposing the white skeleton of dead coral beneath a single layer of clear living tissue. If the stress persists, the coral dies.” Marine rainforests Coral reefs are the marine equivalent of rainforests and considered one of the planet’s essential life-support systems. These “biological wonders,” as American environmental author Don Hinrichsen called them, are among the largest and oldest living communities of plants and animals on earth, having evolved between 200 and 450 million years ago. The Philippines holds one of the most extensive coral reefs in the world with a sprawling area of 27,000 square kilometers strategically located in Palawan (37.8 percent), Sulu (27.8 percent), Visayas (21.7 percent), Northern Luzon (7.6 percent), Central and Southern Mindanao (3.2 percent) and the Turtle Islands (1.7 percent). There are about 400 species of reef-forming corals in the country, comparable with those found in the Great Barrier Reef of Australia. Coral reefs provide habitat for a large variety of marine life, including various sponges, oysters, clams, crabs, sea stars, sea urchins and many species of fish. They are also linked ecologically to nearby seagrass, mangrove and mudflat communities. Coral reefs are so valued because they serve as a center of activity for marine life. The World Atlas of Coral Reefs, compiled by the United Nations Environment Program, reported that 97 percent of reefs in the Philippines are under threat. And Reef Check, an international organization assessing the health of reefs in 82 countries, stated that only five percent of the country’s coral reefs are in “excellent condition.” These are the Tubbataha Reef Marine Park in Palawan, Apo Island in Negros Oriental, Apo Reef in Puerto Galera, Mindoro and Verde Island Passage off Batangas. “Despite its high biodiversity, the Philippines’ reefs are very badly damaged. It’s one of the worst-damaged in the world, on average,” said George Hodgson, founder of the California-based organization. The Philippine government has introduced many laws in an attempt to protect and save coral reefs from annihilation. But the government cannot do it alone; help from individuals is also needed to save the coral reefs. “We are the stewards of our nation’s resources,” Guerrero said. “We should take care of our national heritage so that future generations can enjoy them. Let’s do our best to save our coral reefs. Our children’s children will thank us for the effort.” The post Why we need to save our coral reefs appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Livelihood assured for slick victims
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. announced on Saturday that the government is taking steps to move beyond the oil spill cleanup operation and help the victims find new livelihood opportunities as they work to contain the remaining oil spill in Mindoro. During a media briefing, the Chief Executive mentioned that the cleanup operation is now focusing on the oil that has reached the beaches and shorelines and that this has become a temporary “cash-for-work” initiative. Once the oil spill is under control and all possible sources of oil leaks have been closed, Marcos said the government would address the livelihood issues of the affected communities. “It may take some time to solve the oil spill. That’s why we are planning for livelihood options for the people. We need to provide them with options for income,” Marcos said. “But I told them that the livelihood program is not just for the oil spill. Even if the oil spill is resolved, the livelihood program should continue so that residents can try other livelihoods to supplement their income,” he added. He acknowledged that many barangays were affected by the oil spill and recognized that the spill significantly impacted the livelihood of people living in those areas. The Department of Trade and Industry and the Department of Social Welfare and Development, he said, are leading the efforts to provide assistance and livelihood support, including funding and training, to small business owners affected by the oil spill. He added that the Department of Labor and Employment, in collaboration with the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, has several plans for the province to aid in its recovery efforts. Marcos vowed to resolve the issues that emerged during the crisis, including access to clean water and livelihood opportunities for the affected communities. He emphasized that his administration would take advantage of the assistance being provided to develop the province’s infrastructure, businesses and industries. “The immediate danger, the immediate situation has already been attended to. Now is the time and what you’re saying is right, let’s take advantage of it. Let’s install a new water system and create new livelihood opportunities,” Marcos said. With the assistance of foreign partners from Japan, the United States, South Korea, and international disaster agencies and organizations, the government has improved its response to the oil spill after more than a month of containment and rehabilitation efforts. The Department of Environment and Natural earlier said 12 of the 14 municipalities in Oriental Mindoro have been affected by the oil spill caused by MT Princess Empress that sank off Balingawan Point, Naujan, Oriental Mindoro, on 28 February carrying 900,000 liters of fuel oil. The oil slick has reportedly reached the towns and cities of Bansud, Bongabong, Bulalacao, Calapan, Gloria, Magsaysay, Mansalay, Naujan, Pinamalayan and Pola. Other affected areas are Agutaya and Taytay towns in Palawan Caluya town in Antique, and Batangas City and Tingloy town in Batangas. The post Livelihood assured for slick victims appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
‘Paeng’ to exit Luzon landmass within 6 to 12 hours; out of PAR by Monday – PAGASA
The state weather bureau, on Saturday evening, Oct. 29, said severe tropical storm Paeng (international name: Nalgae) will likely exit the Luzon landmass within 6 to 12 hours, adding that based on the latest forecast track, it may leave the Philippine area of responsibility (PAR) on Monday, Oct. 31. The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), in its bulletin issued at 11 p.m., said Paeng has crossed the Laguna de Bay and the Metro Manila-Rizal-Bulacan area and is now in the vicinity of Baliuag, Bulacan. Paeng has maximum sustained winds of 95 kilometers per hour (kph) and gustiness of up to 160 kph. “Paeng may maintain its strength from the remainder of its traverse of the Luzon landmass, although the possibility of slight weakening is not ruled out within the next 6 hours,” said PAGASA. (MB Visual Content Group) Hazards affecting PH The weather disturbance, before it emerges over the West Philippine Sea, will continue to bring heavy to intense rains in Metro Manila, Zambales, Bataan, Tarlac, Pampanga, Bulacan, Rizal, Laguna, Cavite, Batangas, and the northern portion of mainland Quezon until Sunday, Oct. 30. Meanwhile, moderate to at times intense rains may be experienced over mainland Cagayan Valley, Cordillera Administrative Region, Mindoro Provinces, the central portion of Quezon including Polillo islands, and the rest of Central Luzon. “Under these conditions, widespread flooding and rain-induced landslides are expected,” PAGASA said. Wind Signals in effect Tropical Cyclone Wind Signals (TCWS) are still raised due to the weather disturbance. Wind Signal no. 3 remained hoisted in the northern portion of Metro Manila, Bataan, the southern portion of Zambales, Pampanga, Bulacan, and the southern portion of Tarlac. Areas placed under Signal No. 2 were Pangasinan, the southern portion of Aurora, the rest of Tarlac, Nueva Ecija, the rest of Zambales, Laguna, Batangas, the northern and central portions of Quezon including Polillo Islands, Rizal, Cavite, the rest of Metro Manila, Cavite, the northern portion of Oriental Mindoro, and the northern portion of Occidental Mindoro including Lubang Islands. Meanwhile, Signal No. 1 was hoisted over La Union, Kalinga, Abra, Benguet, Ifugao, Ilocos Sur, Mountain Province, Nueva Vizcaya, Quirino, Isabela, the rest of Aurora, the rest of Quezon, Catanduanes, Camarines Sur, Camarines Norte, Albay, Sorsogon, the western portion of Masbate including Burias and Ticao Islands, the rest of Occidental Mindoro, the rest of Oriental Mindoro, Palawan including Calamian Islands, Cuyo Islands, Romblon, and Marinduque, Capiz, Aklan, and the northern portion of Antique including Caluya Islands. Wind Signals in other areas were lifted by PAGASA......»»