DAVAO CITY

The other story of Luisito Bustamante


Tortured. Luisito Bustamante shows the burns on his neck and marks of the metal chain on his his feet which were used by his captors to bind him. (davaotoday.com photo by Barry Ohaylan)


By GERMELINA A. LACORTE | Davao Today

Luisito Bustamante, 22, admitted during a court hearing that he was a member of the Communist New People?s Army (NPA). He told the court that not even his fingertips was touched when he was in military captivity, belying any possibility of torture. But an hour after the hearing, Luisito told a different story. He showed his mother and friends the burn marks on his neck and back, the scars on his ankles that had been, days before, tied with wires.

Continue ReadingThe other story of Luisito Bustamante

Duterte says rape, not poverty, could be behind Mariannet’s suicide

By CHERYLL D. FIEL | Davao Today

Mayor Rodrigo Duterte suspected the 12-year-old Mariannet Amper could have been raped, based on the findings bared by the medico legal officer who conducted the autopsy. The mayor, who ordered the girl?s body exhumed five days after burial, said it was possible that rape could have driven the girl to kill herself. He also said that it?s also possible that someone could have killed her.

Continue ReadingDuterte says rape, not poverty, could be behind Mariannet’s suicide

Duterte backs decriminalization of libel; planning to help Adonis?

By GERMELINA A. LACORTE | Davao Today

Mayor Rodrigo Duterte vowed to help the Davao broadcaster jailed for libel now that a full blown war has erupted between him and close administration ally Congressman Prospero Nograles over what people perceive as the first salvo of their fight for the 2010 elections.

Continue ReadingDuterte backs decriminalization of libel; planning to help Adonis?

Suicide of 12-year-old girl moves pastor to paint, child worker to compose verses

"My Diary" by Pastor Jurie Jaime. (davaotoday.com photo by Cheryll D. Fiel)

By CHERYLL D. FIEL | Davao Today

The suicide of the 12-year-old girl has moved a pastor to paint; a child?s advocacy group volunteer to write verses, and government and civil society group to press the government for more attention to children?s rights. The night after he heard about the girl?s death from the television news, Pastor Jurie Jaime, of the United Christ of the Philippines (UCCP) in Tibungco, stayed up in his parsonage throughout the wee hours in the morning, crying and angrily splashing paint on his canvass.

Continue ReadingSuicide of 12-year-old girl moves pastor to paint, child worker to compose verses

Davao’s Luz Ilagan survives Congress blast


Rep. Luz Ilagan at a recent rally in Davao City(davaotoday.com photo by Barry Ohaylan)


Representative Luzviminda Ilagan survived the blast that rocked the House of Representatives shortly after the session adjourned Tuesday night. Ilagan was reportedly bleeding due to shrapnel injuries when brought to Malvar hospital. She was declared in stable condition a few hours later. Ilagan was hurt in her right thigh and legs; and part of her hair also got burned.

Continue ReadingDavao’s Luz Ilagan survives Congress blast