Davao Authorities Checking Reports of ?New? Terror Group
DAVAO CITY ? The authorities said today that they are verifying the reported existence of a new terror group that calls itself "Tanzim Qaidat Al Jihad." Jose Maria Cuerpo II,…
Church Groups to Hold Rally Vs GMA, Killings
By Cheryll D. Fiel
davaotoday.com
DAVAO CITY — As President Gloria Arroyo met with Pope Benedict XVI in the Vatican today, several members of the religious sector in this city were busy preparing for a prayer rally tomorrow, Tuesday, to demand justice for the victims of the continuing killings, particularly of church workers.
The Promotion of Church People’s Response (PCPR), the ecumenical political organization, organized the activity, which will be held tomorrow at 2:00 to 5:00 in the afternoon at the Centennial Park, in front of the San Pedro Church.
US to Focus on ?Peace, Prosperity? in Mindanao — Envoy
By Cheryll D. Fiel
davaotoday.com
DAVAO CITY — “Peace and prosperity” are the focus of the US government’s efforts in Mindanao, US ambassador Kristie A. Kenney said during her visit to Davao City this week.
“We continue to work,? Kenney replied to a question regarding the US government’s financial and military assistance to the Philippines during a brief meeting with the media at the Marco Polo Hotel. ?I think our real focus at this point is on peace and prosperity.”
She emphasized that, on the security side, the US government is not working only with the armed forces and the police. The US is doing this, she said, “in a variety of ways,” such as through development, agricultural, education and health assistance programs.
?Mega-Region? Concept Excites Execs
TAGUM CITY ? Clustering provinces into a ?mega-region? enables one to support the other and could prove beneficial to Mindanao, officials said this week.
Davao del Norte Vice Governor Antonio Rafael ?Anthony? del Rosario praised the plan of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to lump provinces and regions into mega- or? supra-regions as an economic and development strategy,? a concept which the province of Davao del Norte implemented during the time of former Rodolfo del Rosario.
NPA Extortion Must Be Stopped ? Senga
DAVAO CITY ? The alleged extortion by the New People?s Army (NPAs) must be stopped by increasing pressure and keeping them on the run, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP)…