Sun.Star - Latest Philippine Community News, Blogs, Multimedia

Oklahoma tornado death toll down to 24; no Filipino killed

laureenjean — Tue, 21 May 2013 15:14:50 +0000

MOORE, Oklahoma -- Authorities lowered the death toll from a massive tornado that devastated a town outside Oklahoma City, saying it killed at least 24 people, down from 51 -- none of them were Filipinos.

Spokeswoman Amy Elliot said she believes some victims were counted twice in the early chaos of the storm, adding downed communication lines and problems sharing information with officers exacerbated the problem.

Aquino advises Jun Lozada to just face charges

arielbcatubig — Tue, 21 May 2013 12:23:08 +0000

MANILA -- President Benigno Aquino III denied Tuesday that his administration was harassing whistleblower Rodolfo Noel "Jun" Lozada, who is facing graft charges before the Sandiganbayan.

Aquino told reporters that the NBN-ZTE deal whistleblower during the time of former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo should instead face the charges against him.

"That harassment (issue), the cases that he's facing now were filed against him even before I assumed (office), it's in the record. If he thinks he should not be harassed by absolving him from his cases, it's not in my jurisdiction," he said.

‘Rebels’ raid security agency, abduct 6 in Tagum

laureenjean — Tue, 21 May 2013 10:36:55 +0000

Ex-agriculture official faces jail term for faking meal receipts

arielbcatubig — Tue, 21 May 2013 10:24:12 +0000

MANILA -- A former official of an attached agency of the Department of Agriculture will spend between six months and more than two years in jail for tampering with meal receipts in 2000, the Office of the Ombudsman said Tuesday.

Raul Montemayor, ex-chairman of the Philippine Crop Insurance Corp. (PCIC), was also ordered by Sandiganbayan Third Division to pay a fine of P9,000 for being guilty of three counts of falsification of public document under the Revised Penal Code.

Philippines files protest vs Chinese incursions

arielbcatubig — Tue, 21 May 2013 09:42:00 +0000

MANILA -- The Philippine government has protested the latest Chinese incursions in Ayungin Shoal in the disputed West Philippine Sea and asked Beijing to respect Manila's sovereign rights and jurisdiction over its continental shelf, including waters around the shoal.

Raul Hernandez, Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) spokesman, said on Tuesday that the protest was filed against China on May 10.

Quezon City shooting victim dies at hospital

arielbcatubig — Tue, 21 May 2013 09:05:28 +0000

MANILA -- A 19-year-old man shot in front of an Iglesia ni Cristo Church in Quezon City on Monday night died at a hospital several hours later, police said.

John Desiree Reyes, a resident of Bahay Caridad, Barangay Dona Imelda, Quezon City, was found with gunshot wound by responding village authorities around 10 p.m. Monday.

The victim was taken to the University of the East Ramon Magsaysay Memorial Medical Center in Quezon City but died from fatal gunshot wound in the back around 5 a.m. Tuesday.

Asia stocks fall ahead of Fed statements

laureenjean — Tue, 21 May 2013 08:55:53 +0000

BANGKOK -- Asian stock markets fell Tuesday as investors waited for the US Federal Reserve to telegraph what it plans to do next with its economic stimulus program.

The Fed is conducting its third round of massive bond purchases known as quantitative easing to help drive down interest rates and spur lending. But recently improving data on the US economy has led to speculation that the Fed might consider scaling back the program or winding it down earlier than expected.

‘Brigada Eskwela’ in Metro Cebu extended

laureenjean — Tue, 21 May 2013 08:39:49 +0000

DEPARTMENT of Education (DepEd)-Central Visayas Director Carmelita Dulangon said Tuesday that the “Brigada Eskwela” or the National Schools Maintenance Week will be extended in Metro Cebu until the last week of May this year.

The brigada was originally scheduled from May 20 to 25, but Dulangon said in a radio interview that there are still lots of cleaning, repainting and repairing to be done to complete the preparation of school facilities in the metro.

NPA commander surrenders in Kalinga

arielbcatubig — Tue, 21 May 2013 08:39:48 +0000

MANILA -- A unit commander of the communist New People's Army (NPA), wanted by a local criminal court for multiple counts of murder and robbery, surrendered to police authorities last Sunday.

In a statement released Monday, provincial police chief Froilan Perez identified the rebel leader as Benigno Conggas Cagwayan, 48, who used the aliases Dukang, Mel, and Garcia.

Aquino thumbs down proposal to postpone barangay, youth polls

arielbcatubig — Tue, 21 May 2013 07:35:39 +0000

MANILA -- President Benigno Aquino III rejected Tuesday proposal to postpone the scheduled barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) elections in October this year.

The Chief Executive, in an interview in Cavite where he attended the 115th anniversary of the Philippine Navy, said he would only favor the postponement of the October polls if there were good reasons to do so.

"On the postponement, I'm nervous of that...we have to secure the mandate of the people periodically," he said.

No Filipino casualty in Oklahoma tornadoes

arielbcatubig — Tue, 21 May 2013 06:18:41 +0000

MANILA (2nd Update, 2:18 p.m.) -- The foreign affairs department in Chicago assured Tuesday that no Filipino casualty was reported when a tornado roared through Oklahoma City, killing 51 people.

A monstrous tornado at least 800 meters wide roared through the Oklahoma City suburbs Monday, flattening entire neighborhoods and destroying an elementary school with a direct blow as children and teachers huddled against winds up to 320 kph.

Taiwanese tourists cancel flights to Boracay

jsclamohoy — Tue, 21 May 2013 05:16:56 +0000

BORACAY ISLAND, Aklan -- Taiwanese, who are bound for Boracay resort island, have started cancelling their hotel reservations causing worry to the stakeholders.

Percy Malonesio, head of the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) at the Kalibo International Airport (KIA), announced Tuesday that several airline companies had notified cancellation of flights to and from Taiwan beginning May 22.

9 Team PNoy senators 'expected' to back admin

aaminoza — Tue, 21 May 2013 04:13:38 +0000

MANILA -- The nine Team PNoy candidates who were recently declared winners in the Senate race are "expected" to support the programs of the Aquino administration, Senator Franklin Drilon said.

This is despite the fact that only one of the new senators is a member of the ruling Liberal Party (LP), where President Benigno Aquino III is chairman.

Petron, Shell, PTT implement price hike

jsclamohoy — Tue, 21 May 2013 04:04:42 +0000

MANILA -- At least three oil companies on Tuesday implemented another round of price increase on their fuel products.

Major oil players Petron Corp., and Pilipinas Shell along with independent oil player PTT Philippines implemented an increase of P.35 per liter for gasoline products and P.25 for diesel. The movement was effective at 6 a.m. Tuesday.

Petron, in its price advisory sent to the Philippines News Agency, said the price hike “reflects movements in the international oil market.”

Other oil companies have yet to announce their respective adjustments.

2 disqualified party-list groups want votes counted

aaminoza — Tue, 21 May 2013 03:56:21 +0000

MANILA -- Two party-list groups who were disqualified to run in last week’s polls asked the Supreme Court on Monday to include their votes in the ongoing canvassing by the Commission on Elections (Comelec).

These are the Binhi-Partido ng mga Magsasaka Para sa mga Magsasaka (Binhi) and Alliance for Nationalism and Democracy (Anad), who maintained that their disqualification was made without hearing their side.

The groups believe that they will get a seat in the House of Representatives based on unofficial tallies as it asked the SC to issue a temporary restraining order (TRO).

51 dead as tornado hits US suburb

jsclamohoy — Tue, 21 May 2013 03:22:55 +0000

MOORE, Oklahoma — A tornado of rare power roared through an Oklahoma City suburb, killing at least 51, flattening neighborhoods with winds up to 200 mph (320 kilometers) and destroying at least one school. Officials said children from the school were among the dead.

The death toll was expected to rise, an Oklahoma Medical Examiner's Office spokeswoman said. Rescuers swarmed the debris as darkness fell and rain began to fall. More than 140 people were being treated at hospitals, including about 70 children. Some were in critical condition.

Philippines, Saudi ink ‘historic’ agreement on HSWs

arielbcatubig — Mon, 20 May 2013 11:45:17 +0000

MANILA -- The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) and the Philippines signed Sunday the Agreement on Domestic Worker Recruitment in a simple ceremony at the Hilton Jeddah hotel in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

The deal was signed by Philippine Labor and Employment Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz and Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Labor Minister Engineer Adel Bin Mohammed Fakeih.

Fire hits coconut oil mill in Iligan City

daryl_anunciado — Mon, 20 May 2013 11:35:41 +0000

A FIRE hits Granexport Manufacturing Corporation, a coconut oil mill located in Kiwalan, nine kilometers from Iligan City proper.

Radio reports said firefighters had difficulty containing the blaze, which started around 5 p.m., burning the firm's copra warehouse.

Brillantes wants 2013 barangay, youth elections postponed

arielbcatubig — Mon, 20 May 2013 11:07:04 +0000

MANILA -- Commission on Elections (Comelec) Chairman Sixto Brillantes said Monday the poll body will not oppose any move to postpone the October 2013 barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) elections.

He said the Comelec needs time to resolve all the remaining issues stemming from last week's electoral exercise.

He believes that October 2014 or January 2015 would be the perfect time for the next barangay and SK elections.

"By that time, naayos na yung mga problema (ng 2013) tapos malayo pa yung preparation sa 2016. We expect protest cases at this time," he said.

Aquino welcomes new Egypt's envoy

arielbcatubig — Mon, 20 May 2013 10:05:48 +0000

MANILA -- President Benigno Aquino III welcomed the new envoy of the Arab Republic of Egypt to the Philippines who called on him in Malacañang on Monday.

Egypt's Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Mahmoud Mostafa Ahmed met with Aquino at the Music Room of Malacañang to present his credentials before settling down to work as his country's representative.

In a short message, Mahmoud assured the President of the continued friendship and cooperation of the people and Egypt and said that he would work towards strengthening the good bilateral relations with the Philippines.

Palace denies joint probe with Taiwan

arielbcatubig — Mon, 20 May 2013 09:56:38 +0000

MANILA (Updated) -- Malacañang clarified Monday that there was no Philippines-Taiwan joint investigation authorized by the government with regard the May 9 incident that resulted in the death of a Taiwanese fisherman.

Brillantes keen to reuse PCOS for 2016 polls

arielbcatubig — Mon, 20 May 2013 09:38:29 +0000

MANILA -- Commission on Elections (Comelec) Chairman Sixto Brillantes said Monday that he will push for the continued use of the precinct count optical scan (PCOS) machines in the 2016 general elections.

"I think we can still use this for another one," he said.

SKorea analyzing NKorea's 4 projectile launches

jsclamohoy — Mon, 20 May 2013 06:02:24 +0000

SEOUL, South Korea — South Korea is analyzing whether projectiles North Korea fired into its eastern waters over the weekend are short-range missiles or a new type of artillery the country may be developing, officials said Monday.

North Korea fired what Seoul officials called a short-range projectile Sunday, a day after conducting three similar launches. South Korean officials earlier said the weapons fired on Saturday were guided missiles, but later clarified that they may not be missiles, referring to the objects as "projectiles."

China asks NKorea to release fishing boat, crew

jsclamohoy — Mon, 20 May 2013 04:48:18 +0000

BEIJING — China is urging North Korea to release a Chinese fishing boat whose owner says it was seized by gun-toting North Koreans earlier this month and held for ransom, in the latest irritant in relations between the neighboring allies.

The seizure of the Liaoning-based boat adds to China's frustration with North Korea over its recent tests of nuclear and rocket technologies in defiance of international efforts to curb the country's nuclear ambitions.

Cebu's Public Enemy 1 falls

mvgalarpe — Mon, 20 May 2013 02:52:51 +0000

CEBU CITY (Updated) -- Joavan Fernandez, the number one public enemy in Cebu province, was arrested Monday morning in a resort in Moalboal town, 12 days after he bolted from detention in Talisay City.

A tip from a concerned citizen led to the arrest of Joavan in a resort in Barangay Saavedra, Moalboal, 85.4 kilometers southwest of Cebu City.

Ms Olongapo crowned Miss Philippines Earth 2013

laureenjean — Sun, 19 May 2013 16:35:19 +0000

MANILA -- A 25-year-old marketing head from Olongapo City won this year's Miss Philippines Earth, besting 46 other candidates in the prestigious pageant held Sunday night at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.

Angelee Claudett delos Reyes, who is said to be a beauty pageant veteran, wowed the judges not just with how she carried herself during the competition, but with her answer to the final question: “If you could add another criteria to pick a beauty queen, what would it be?”

Ai-Ai confirms separation from husband

laureenjean — Sun, 19 May 2013 12:42:02 +0000

Palace: Visit of Hollywood stars in Manila can boost tourism

laureenjean — Sun, 19 May 2013 11:06:33 +0000

A PALACE official welcomed on Sunday the recent visit to the Philippines by some Hollywood stars as this could result in more tourist visits and further spur the country’s economic progress.

Hollywood’s A-list celebrities Vin Diesel and Sarah Jessica Parker were in Manila last week to lead the Asian premiere of the sixth installment of the action movie “Fast and the Furious” and formally open SM’s newest mall in Taguig City, respectively.

North Korea fires projectile into eastern waters

laureenjean — Sun, 19 May 2013 10:29:38 +0000

SEOUL, South Korea -- South Korea said North Korea has fired a projectile into waters off its eastern coast a day after launching three short-range missiles in the same area.

The South's Defense Ministry said the firing occurred Sunday afternoon. It did not say whether it was a missile or artillery.

North Korea routinely test-launches short-range missiles.

High pay in tourism, entertainment industries lures OFWs back home

laureenjean — Sun, 19 May 2013 09:11:58 +0000

FILIPINO entertainers and others who work in the tourism industry abroad have been encouraged to return home because of competitive salaries and benefits being offered in the country, a government official said Sunday.

“They are attracting our OFWs (overseas Filipino workers) to come home because they are being paid the same salaries and compensation that they are receiving in their place of work outside the country,” said Labor Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz.

Proclamation eyed for party-list winners in 10 days

laureenjean — Sun, 19 May 2013 09:10:13 +0000

MANILA -- The Commission on Elections (Comelec) gave a self-imposed deadline of 10 days to finish the canvassing and proclamation of the 58 duly-elected party-list representatives.

But Comelec Chairman Sixto Brillantes said the poll body, which is also acting as the National Board of Canvassers (NBOC), must settle what to do with the votes received by the 12 party-list groups that they disqualified under the new accreditation guidelines issued by the Supreme Court.

Bella Flores dies

laureenjean — Sun, 19 May 2013 08:59:25 +0000

Alaska volcano shoots lava up hundreds of feet

armiesheila — Sun, 19 May 2013 03:43:35 +0000

ALASKA'S remote Pavlof Volcano was shooting lava hundreds of feet into the air, but its ash plume was thinning Saturday and no longer making it dangerous for airplanes to fly nearby.

A narrow ash plume extends a couple of hundred miles southeast from the volcano, which is 625 miles (1,000 kilometers) southwest of Anchorage, said Geologist Chris Waythomas of the Alaska Volcano Observatory.

The eruption that began Monday seemed to be slowing on Saturday, but Waythomas said that could change at any time.

"Things could ramp up quickly," he said.

Beckham walks off in tears after last home game

armiesheila — Sun, 19 May 2013 00:28:59 +0000

PARIS — David Beckham hugged his teammates with tears in his eyes, then walked off the pitch to a standing ovation — for the last time in front of a home crowd at a football game.

A clearly emotional Beckham was mobbed by his teammates on the field when coach Carlo Ancelotti decided to substitute him in the 81st minute of a 3-1 win over Brest on Saturday, giving him a customary sendoff in his last home game before retiring. Even goalkeeper Salvatore Sirigu ran out to congratulate the former England captain on his career, while Brazil winger Lucas bowed in reverence.

'The Voice' brings back Aguilera, Cee Lo Green

daryl_anunciado — Sat, 18 May 2013 15:12:16 +0000

NEW YORK — "The Voice" is leaving the judging drama to its rivals.

The NBC singing contest said Friday that Christina Aguilera and Cee Lo Green will return for "The Voice" Season 5, joining Adam Levine and Blake Shelton.

Their midseason replacements — Shakira and Usher — will be back for Season 6, which will air in midseason 2014.

Meanwhile Fox is scrambling to revive "American Idol" after record low ratings for Thursday's finale, with 14.3 million viewers. Original judge Randy Jackson has already announced his exit and Fox is making yet-to-be detailed format changes.

SKorea says NKorea fires 3 short-range missiles

jsclamohoy — Sat, 18 May 2013 14:22:51 +0000

SEOUL, South Korea — North Korea fired three short-range guided missiles into its eastern waters on Saturday, a South Korean official said.

North Korea routinely tests such missiles, but the latest launches came during a period of tentative diplomacy aimed at easing tensions.

The North fired two missiles Saturday morning and another in the afternoon, South Korean Defense Ministry spokesman Kim Min-seok said by phone. He said the North's intent was unclear. His ministry said it is watching North Korea carefully in case it conducts a provocation against South Korea.

Comelec chief asks critics to shut up

arielbcatubig — Sat, 18 May 2013 14:00:33 +0000

MANILA -- With the proclamation of 12 newly-elected senators, Commission on Elections (Comelec) Chairman Sixto Brillantes is hoping that critics of the conduct of the second automated polls in the Philippines will simmer down.

“My only problem now is people making noise outside. They really want to sabotage elections in this country. Now that we have been able to show positive developments, I hope they will just keep silent,” he told reporters after the proclamation of three other winning senatorial bets on Saturday night.

12 senators proclaimed

arielbcatubig — Sat, 18 May 2013 11:56:45 +0000

MANILA (Updated) -- The Commission on Elections (Comelec) proclaimed Saturday night the final set of winners of the May 13 senatorial race.

Completing the so-called "Magic 12" are Team PNoy's Cynthia Villar and United Nationalist Alliance's (UNA) JV Ejercito Estrada and Gregorio Honasan.

Villar, Estrada, Honasan to be proclaimed tonight

arielbcatubig — Sat, 18 May 2013 10:36:28 +0000

MANILA -- All 12 winning senatorial candidates have already been proclaimed by Saturday evening after the recent tally showed Cynthia Villar, JV Ejercito Estrada, and Gregorio Honasan firmly holding on the last three spots.

This developed after the National Board of Canvassers (NBOC), composed of members of the Commission on Elections (Comelec), received the last provincial certificate of canvass from Lanao del Norte, which has nearly 500,000 voters for the May 13 polls.

"It's over. All of them will already be proclaimed," said Comelec Chairman Sixto Brillantes.

Official tally as of 5:45 p.m., May 18, 2013 (Senatorial race)

arielbcatubig — Sat, 18 May 2013 10:12:58 +0000

129 out of 304 COCs reported
Total registered voters: 52,695,140

1. Poe, Grace -- 20,147,423

2. Legarda, Loren -- 18,482,961

3. Cayetano, Alan Peter -- 17,408,543

4. Escudero, Chiz -- 17,332,952

5. Binay, Nancy -- 16,645,515

6. Angara, Edgardo -- 15,858,995

7. Aquino, Benigno "Bam" -- 15,388,992

8. Pimentel, Koko -- 14,584,612

9. Trillanes, Antonio IV -- 13,696,120

10. Villar, Cynthia -- 13,552,991

11. Ejercito Estrada, JV -- 13,552,991

12. Honasan, Gringo -- 13,070,031

13. Gordon, Dick -- 12,364,091

Comelec assures proclamation of winning Senate bets tonight

arielbcatubig — Sat, 18 May 2013 08:33:22 +0000

MANILA -- The Commission on Elections (Comelec) is not yet sure if it can proclaim all the three remaining winning senatorial candidates on Saturday night.

"We will push through with the proclamation tonight. But I don't know how many," he told reporters at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC) in Pasay City.

The Comelec, sitting as the National Board of Canvassers, has already tallied 39.66 million votes from 52.7 million registered voters in the May 13 polls.

Official tally as of 4 p.m., May 18, 2013 (Senatorial race)

arielbcatubig — Sat, 18 May 2013 08:28:44 +0000

128 out of 304 COCs reported
Total registered voters: 52,695,140

1. Poe, Grace -- 20,029,370

2. Legarda, Loren -- 18,387,850

3. Cayetano, Alan Peter -- 17,318,674

4. Escudero, Chiz -- 17,246,756

5. Binay, Nancy -- 16,554,119

6. Angara, Edgardo -- 15,770,821

7. Aquino, Benigno "Bam" -- 15,280,039

8. Pimentel, Koko -- 14,492,401

9. Trillanes, Antonio IV -- 13,911,783

10. Villar, Cynthia -- 13,625,351

11. Ejercito Estrada, JV -- 13,476,446

12. Honasan, Gringo -- 13,019,299

13. Gordon, Dick -- 12,324,291

14. Zubiri, Migz -- 11,617,336

Taiwanese investigators end Philippine visit

jsclamohoy — Sat, 18 May 2013 08:20:43 +0000

MANILA — Taiwanese investigators left the Philippines Saturday, expressing dissatisfaction with Manila's cooperation in probing the shooting death of a Taiwanese fisherman by the Philippine coast guard.

Investigating team leader Chen Wen-chi, director of Taiwan's Department of International and Cross-strait Legal Affairs, read a statement Saturday that said evidence showed the May 9 shooting was intentional. It also said Philippine law enforcers ignored international protocol, including warning the Taiwanese vessel.

US commuter trains collide; 60 go to hospitals

armiesheila — Sat, 18 May 2013 05:16:39 +0000

FAIRFIELD, Connecticut — Two commuter trains serving New York City collided in Connecticut during Friday's evening rush hour, sending 60 people to the hospital, including five with critical injuries, Gov. Dannel Malloy said.

About 700 people were on board the Metro-North trains when one heading east from New York City's Grand Central Station to New Haven derailed about 6:10 p.m. just outside Bridgeport, officials said.

Official tally as of 11:30 a.m., May 18, 2013 (Senatorial race)

arielbcatubig — Sat, 18 May 2013 04:23:46 +0000

126 out of 304 COCs reported
Total registered voters: 52,695,140

1. Poe, Grace -- 19,828,262

2. Legarda, Loren -- 18,197,504

3. Cayetano, Alan Peter -- 17,153,733

4. Escudero, Chiz -- 17,071,568

5. Binay, Nancy -- 16,399,739

6. Angara, Edgardo -- 15,626,960

7. Aquino, Benigno "Bam" -- 15,123,026

8. Pimentel, Koko -- 14,365,080

9. Trillanes, Antonio IV -- 13,785,975

10. Villar, Cynthia -- 13,494,702

11. Ejercito Estrada, JV -- 13,360,579

12. Honasan, Gringo -- 12,909,206

13. Gordon, Dick -- 12,252,317

14. Zubiri, Migz -- 11,544,658

Charges filed vs ex-bank president

arielbcatubig — Sat, 18 May 2013 03:02:12 +0000

MANILA -- Criminal charges were recently filed against the former president of closed First Country Rural Bank, Inc. (First Country Bank) for conducting business in an unsafe and unsound manner.

The complaint, which was filed with the Department of Justice, alleged that Hans Paulo Bulos, made unrecorded back-to-back loans worth P10 million from December 2009 to May 2010 with third party banks to increase the bank's capital.

However, he settled these loans by withdrawing money from the long-term deposits of its clients without their consent.

Comelec: Nothing wrong with early proclamation

arielbcatubig — Sat, 18 May 2013 02:57:05 +0000

MANILA -- Commission on Elections (Comelec) Chairman Sixto Brillantes said there is nothing irregular with proclaiming nine of the 12 winners of last Monday’s senatorial elections even if there are still millions of uncanvassed votes.

"There is nothing wrong if we advance the proclamation, which is actually better," he said on the sidelines of the proclamation of three other senatorial bets on Friday night.

Nancy Binay and Aquilino Pimentel III skipped their proclamation, saying they want to see the final tally as proof of their election.

OAS drug study eyes marijuana legalization

bjandrade — Fri, 17 May 2013 22:37:42 +0000

LIMA, Peru -- An Organization of American States study released Friday is calling for a serious discussion on legalizing marijuana.

Drug policy reform advocates called the report historic, even though it made no specific proposals and said there was "no significant support" among the OAS' 35 member states for legalizing cocaine, the drug that most directly affects South America.

Kalayaan mayor claims ‘harassment from Chinese ships’

bjandrade — Fri, 17 May 2013 21:48:34 +0000

PUERTO PRINCESA CITY -– While on his way back to mainland Palawan early Wednesday morning, Kalayaan Mayor Joel Bito-onon said they were harassed by two foreign vessels in the disputed West Philippines Sea near Ayungin Shoal.

In an interview Friday, Bito-onon told the Philippines News Agency (PNA) that around 1 a.m. on May 15, while on board M/V Queen Seagull, the vessel owned by the Municipal Government of Kalayaan, two foreign vessels which he believes are owned by the Chinese harassed them near Ayungin while they were sailing back to mainland Palawan through the municipality of Balabac.

'Mother's instincts': US woman chased abductor

daryl_anunciado — Fri, 17 May 2013 19:04:20 +0000

ALBUQUERQUE, New Mexico — A U.S. woman is citing her "mother's instincts" after she chased down a man who grabbed her four-year-old daughter and ran into his car.

Melissa Torrez told The Associated Press on Friday she was focused only on getting her daughter back during a high-speed chase Wednesday in New Mexico. Her accidental crash into him triggered a manhunt, and police arrested 31-year-old David Hernandez the next day.

Her daughter was found unharmed after being pushed out of the man's car.