Local News

COTABATO CITY -– A soldier was killed while five of his
companions were injured in yet another improvised bomb blast by outlawed Bangsamoro
Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) in Datu Salibo, Maguindanao, the Army today said.The slain soldier, belonging to the 57th Infantry battalion,
was among a group of soldiers conducting clearing operations in a remote
village of Datu Salibo when suspected BIFF set off a cellphone detonated bomb
Saturday morning.

MANILA (PNA) -- The peaceful People Power Revolution 30 years ago could have been bloody and thrown the country into chaos were it not for three ranking military officials who defied orders to crush the uprising that would result in the killing of not only rebel soldiers holed up in Camp Crame, but also countless of innocent civilians barricading along E. Delos Santos Avenue (EDSA) in Quezon City.Former Defense Secretary Eduardo R. Ermita, a retired Army lieutenant general and one of the heroes of EDSA People Power 1 revolt, lauded the heroic acts of his comrades-in-arms -- Marine Brig.

View the digital edition of The Mindanao Cross Feb. 19, 2016 issue at and//www.ndbcnews.com.ph www.ndbcnews.com.ph

KORONADAL CITY -- Residents of two upland towns in South Cotabato have been alerted against possible snake attacks as the carnivorous reptiles have gone out of the comfort zones due to drought, officials here said. Quoting reports from the towns of Lake Sebu and T'boli, South Cotabato, Mila Lorca, South Cotabato provincial disaster risk reduction and management officer, said snakes, including diamondback rattle snakes and cobras were seen in areas that they do not inhabit in the past. In Barangay Desawo, T'boli, four carabaos have been killed after being attacked by king cobra.

CAMP SIONGCO, Maguindanao – An Army corporal was
killed and seven other soldiers were wounded as fighting continues between
government forces and outlawed Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) in
Maguindanao, the Army here said today.

Capt. Joan Petinglay, 6th Infantry
Division spokesperson, said the slain Army corporal belonged to the 7th
Infantry Battalion, one of the composite forces, pursuing BIFF elements in
Barangay Tee, Datu Salibo Maguindanao.

COTABATO CITY (Feb. 19) –- The outlawed Bangsamoro
Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) have brought the war zone to the borders of
Maguindanao and North Cotabato, particularly in Aleosan town, police said.

Senior Inspector Jun Napat, Aleosan town police
chief, said the attack on para-military detachment in Barangay Pagangan,
Aleosan, North Cotabato at 10:30 p.m. could be a diversionary tactic by lawless
group now being pursued by government forces.

KIDAPAWAN CITY – Cotabato Governor Lala Mendoza has ordered a massive manhunt on those responsible for the brutal murder in Lanao del Suron Thursday of Banisilan former mayor and mayoralty aspirant. Mendoza, in a statement, has condemned, in strongest terms, the killing of Floro Allado, 55,former municipal mayor of Bansilan who was also seeking for the same post in May elections. Allado was gunned down while refueling at MMJ4 gas station in Barangay Eastern Wao, Lanao del Sur at 12:45 p.m.

KORONADAL CITY - A woman from Colombio, Sultan Kudarat has survived a diamondback snake attack in her village and is now recuperating at a government hospital here.Mary May Sebanes, 33,told DXOM-AM that she was walking home with her children when she felt something has pierced her feet. She then she saw the diamondback rattlesnake striking on her feet with its tail rattling.As she chuckled, the snake fled, crawling past her child's feet.

KORONADAL CITY – An unidentified gunman shot dead Thursday
afternoon in Wao, Lanao del Sur a North Cotabato mayoralty candidate, police
said today.

PIGCAWAYAN,
North Cotabato – Arson investigators here said electrical short circuit
triggered the fire that destroyed the old municipal gymnasium and the business
establishments on its side.

Senior Fire
Officer Rene Villarma, investigator on case, said the fire which started at
past 1 a.m. was triggered when electrical connections from the Cotabato
Electric Cooperative (Cotelco) electric post to one of the establishments
suddenly sparked.