Local News

COTABATO CITY –
Unidentified men tossed a hand grenade inside the residential compound of
Maguindanao schools division superintendent Meriam Kawit in Shariff Aguak,
Maguindanao Thursday.

The grenade
failed to explode and was safely defused by police and Army bomb experts.

Kawit found
the grenade at about 6 a.m. while she was on her way to the Maguindanao
provincial peace and order council meeting.

KIDAPAWAN CITY -Whoever it was who brought out the issue of the alleged Malaysian citizenship of at least two of the top officials of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), Chairman Murad Ebrahim Al Haj and chief negotiator Mohaqher Iqbal, could be a victim of what is referred to in Philippine journalism as kuryente, or simply taken for a ride.Following the publication of the report on the alleged Malaysian citizenship of Murad and Iqbal, an issue which was swallowed hook, line and sinker by some politicians who immediately asked for a Congressional investigation, I made my own inquiry

COTABATO CITY
(March 18) – The chair of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) peace panel
today maintained that MILF fighters who clashed with police commandos in
Mamasapano acted on their own and without sanctions from MILF leadership.

Mohaqher Iqbal
issued the statement in reaction to the Senate report that was made public
Tuesday by Sen. Grace Poe.

BAGUIO CITY, March 15 (PNA) -- President Benigno Aquino III awarded on Sunday a Philippine Army second lieutenant with Distinguished Conduct Star for defeating communist rebels in Sarangani province.Lt. Jerson Sanchez received his award during the commencement exercises of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) Sinaglahi Class at Fort General Gregorio del Pilar in Baguio City.During his speech in the PMA graduation rites, President Aquino said the new graduates or mistah should follow the footsteps of Lt. Sanchez.

KORONADAL CITY - Police authorities in Tantangan, South Cotabato today reminded motorists along a well-paved road linking Tantangan town and Koronadal City to simply obey road signs and save lives. Be watchful of road signs, always on alert and drive safely, Senior Inspector John Eric Medel, Tantangan town police chief, told motorists in an interview by DXOM-AM Radyo Bida Koronadal.Medel noted that the Tantangan-Koronadal roads are well paved and asphalted.

KIDAPAWAN CITY - To help prevent criminality and record events happening in public places here, the Kidapawan City government is installing more close circuit TV cameras in pubic places.

MANILA -- Sajid Ampatuan, one of the accused in the Ampatuan massacre is barred from leaving the country after he has been placed under the Hold Departure Order (HDO).Atty. Elaine Tan, Bureau of Immigration (BI) spokesperson, confirmed that Ampatuan is not allowed to travel abroad.She said the order will be circulated and BI personnel in airports all over the country will be advised on the HDO within the day. If he (Ampatuan) would be seen at the airport, hindi siya paalisin.

COTABATO CITY– The Bureau of Madaris Education (BME) of the Department of Education-Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (DepEd-ARMM) conducted a two-day seminar to improve the judging skills in Qur’an reading competitions of 35 ulama and asatidz from different parts of the region.The seminar was held over the weekend in this city.Madaris Education Undersecretary Alzad Sattar said it was meant to improve the skills and knowledge of the participants and prepare them for this year’s annual National Qur’an Reading Competition scheduled in April.

MANILA-- Another 72-hours have been granted to military forces conducting pursuit and clearing operations against the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) in Maguindanao.This was disclosed by Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) spokesperson Brig. Gen. Joselito Kakilala Sunday.He added that the 72-hour extension was requested by 6th Infantry Division Major Gen.

COTABATO CITY -- More than 150 assorted open-pipe motorcycle mufflers, confiscated by the Cotabato City Traffic Management Unit (TMU) were destroyed by the city government. This is to send the message that we are serious in our campaign against open pipe mufflers that produce irritating sounds, Mayor Japal Guiani Jr said as he led city TMU officials in destroying the mufflers using a backhoe.