Loreto in ‘state of calamity’ over militarization

JOHN RIZLE L. SALIGUMBA Davao Today The Agusanons endured a grueling two-day travel circuiting two provinces. Starting Thursday, they walked four hours from their evacuation center in Barangay Kauswagan, Loreto, Agusan del Sur, crossed a river to reach the neighboring Laak, Compostela Valley. Then they took a bus that brought them to Tagum City in Davao del Norte at night. Friday morning they traveled to Prosperidad and held a camp-in until provincial officials responded.The Agusanons took this circuitous route to steer clear of the military.

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Officials, child advocates debate on youth offenders in wake of student slay

TYRONE A. VELEZ Davao Today Bernard Mondragon, spokesperson of Child Alert Mindanao, asked “What did ‘Tokhang’ accomplish?” He said government’s view of ‘gangsterism’ as a peace and order concern shows government failure “to look at why poverty pushes them towards it.”

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Abuses, then and now, for Agusanons

By JOHN RIZLE L. SALIGUMBA Davao Today Juanita Loreto said prior to the military operation, the Bagani members had been going around the community forcing them to sign a "tie-up" agreement with a company to build a plantation for tuba-tuba (jathropa) and biograss."We refused their demand for us to ask to sign a blank paper that would sell-off our land to the company," she said.

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Council racing to stop mining in Davao

City Councilor Danny Dayanghirang said the Council needs to firm up a resolution in the next two weeks before it's too late to oppose the entry of two mining companies in Paquibato district, this city. Otherwise, "(M)aybe we will wake up and see the companies excavating the mountains," he said.

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Hundreds flee Agusan village due to intensified military ops

by John Rizle Saligumba Davao Today Initial reports from Karapatan Southern Mindanao showed that Agusanon residents fled on Sunday from Barangays Kauswagan, Sabud, Mansanitas and San Mariano. The residents along with 224 children evacuated to Barangay Kauswagan Elementary School.

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