Author: DAVAO TODAY

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Reds Exonerate, Release Cafgu Member

Captive says he was forced to become Cafgu member; TFD?s del Rosario calls NPA move ?propaganda?

From left: Councilor Leo Avila, Ka Parago, Rodolfo Adang and Councilor Jimmy Dureza during the turnover Adang on Wednesday. (DAVAOTODAY.COM PHOTO)

By Cheryll D. Fiel
davaotoday.com

DAVAO CITY (March 10, 2006) — “We have no basis to punish him with death.?

These were the words of New People’s Army leader Ka Parago in explaining the release last Wednesday afternoon of Rodolfo Adang, a Lumad member of a paramilitary group who was captured by the Communists in January.

Adang was released to Councilor Jimmy Dureza, who heads the City Council?s Committee on Peace and Public Safety, and Councilor Leo Avila III, who said Parago himself had requested him to be with the group that received Adang from the rebels.

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1,000 Tausugs Who Fought Americans Declared ?Martyrs of Freedom?

MANILA (March 7, 2006) — The Senate approved Tuesday night a resolution recommending that about 1,000 men, women and children from the Tausug tribe in Sulu who died in defense of their homeland against American colonial troops a hundred years ago be honored as ?martyrs of freedom.?

The senators in Senate Resolution No. 70, said the Tausug warriors and members of their families who fought the foreign invaders in the Battle of Bud Dajo deserve to be recognized for their courage and heroism.

?Seldom in history do we find such bravery as that displayed by the Tausugs at Bud Dajo,? said Senate minority leader Aquilino ?Nene? Pimentel, Jr., principal author of the resolution.

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Women Councilors Block Move to Laud Davaoe?a Beauty Queen

By Cheryll D. Fiel
davaotoday.com

DAVAO CITY (March 8, 2006) — Two women legislators blocked on Wednesday a proposal for the City Council to pass a resolution congratulating Lian Andrea Ramos, the Davaoe?a who won the Binibining Pilipinas-Universe title last week.

Lian Andrea Ramos (PHOTO BY REUTERSCouncilor Angela Librado, who heads the Committee on Women and Children at the City Council, and Councilor Suzabel Reta, chairperson of the Committee on Tourism, convinced their colleagues to shelve the idea, which they deem offensive to women, particularly during the celebration today of the International Women?s day.

“I don’t like the idea,” said Reta in a televised interview Wednesday.

The resolution was proposed by Councilor Leo Avila during a City Council the day before International Women’s Day.

Ramos, who was educated at the Ateneo de Davao University, was reported to have been invited to grace the Araw ng Dabaw celebration on March 16. Librado said she would be willing discuss her views with Ramos if given the opportunity during the beauty queen?s visit.

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