by anyajulia | Sep 24, 2008 | Headlines, National News
PRESIDENT Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo (PGMA) has declared Oct. 1 as a regular holiday nationwide.
Such is to promote cultural understanding and give Filipinos the opportunity to join their Muslim brothers and sisters worldwide in the observance of the Eid’l Fitr or the end of the Feast of Ramadhan.
The President signed Proclamation No. 1625 last Friday (Sept. 19) declaring Oct. 1, 2008 (Wednesday), as a regular holiday throughout the country “to promote national consciousness on the religious and cultural significance of the Eid’l Fitr.
A three-day festival known as “Eid” or “Eid ul-Fitr,” which literally means “the feast to break the fast,” ends the observance of the holy month of Ramadhan.
Eid’l Fitr is the first day marking the end of the 30-day fasting period of Ramadhan.
The Office of Muslim Affairs (OMA) has determined Oct. 1, 2008 as the main date for the celebration of the Eid’l Fitr in accordance with the lunar calendar or the Islamic calendar (Hijra).
As part of her efforts to promote interfaith dialogue and understanding, the President graced the 4th Iftar sponsored by the World Islamic Call Society (WICS) last Sept. 20 at the Sofitel Philippine Plaza Hotel in Manila.
Last year, the President also joined the celebration of the Iftar, the evening meal which breaks the daily fast from sunrise to sunset during the Islamic month of Ramadan that started last Sept. 1 this year.
The Eid’l Fitr is the culmination of the month long Muslim struggle towards spiritual purification which is achieved through fasting, self-sacrifice and prayers. (PIA)
by anyajulia | Sep 24, 2008 | Headlines, National News
Hundreds of residents at the coastal highway from Maasim towards Kiamba and Maitum waved on a column of truckloads of soldiers and armored personnel carriers passing by.
Children lining the road were clapping and saluting. People filled the national highway to look at the next arriving military truck or armored personnel carrier.
A resident said “their (military) presence boosts security. I am happy. I feel secured and we can sleep now.”
For his part, Mayor Elsie Perrett was also very pleased of the troops and welcomed them to the municipality of Maitum.
In June 25, civilians in Maitum were held hostage by rogue elements of Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF). (PIA/Bohol)
by anyajulia | Sep 24, 2008 | Headlines, National News
Operating elements of the 6th Marine Battalion Landing Team rescued two (2) kidnapped infants, who were held in captivity for five days.
They also captured two suspects in a rescue operation launched in the vicinity of Brgy Anuling, Patikul, Sulu, prompting the kidnappers to release their victims.
3rd Marine Brigade Commander Col Eugenio N Clemen PN (M) said that the rescue operation was launched after the parents of the kidnapped victims sought military assistance and provided the authorities with information on the possible whereabouts of the victims.
According to the parents, who are businessmen here, their children – Ben Austine and Benedict, with ages three and two years old respectively, were purportedly snatched by Hajal Hatae’s group at the victims’ residence in Kakuyagan Village in the morning of September 16.
The kids were accordingly brought by Hajal at his residence in Brgy Anuling, Patikul. He demanded for the amount of one million pesos (P 1,000,000.00) in exchange for the safe release of the children.
Clemen attributed the success of the said operation to the trust and cooperation by the parents towards the military. (PIA/Bohol)
by anyajulia | Sep 24, 2008 | Headlines, National News
The Department of Justice (DOJ)’s Task Force 211’s success rate in resolving media-related killings or violence can be attributed to the unit’s `quick response team’.
According to Justice Undersecretary Ricardo Blancaflor, TF 211’s `Quick Response Team’ is composed of highly trained investigators, forensic and prosecutors from the PNP and NBI. It is headed by DOJ Assistant Secretary Ian Norman Dato.
Due to quick response, the team recently apprehended Rodento Boy Acheron, as one of the gunman of the brutal slaying of DXMD-RMN program director Dennis Escueta in General Santos last August 4. Acheron is the is the nephew of the Gen San incumbent mayor. (PIA/Bohol)
by anyajulia | Sep 24, 2008 | Headlines, National News
There will peace in Mindanao. President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo expressed confidence that peace will finally come before a gathering of Islamic communities sponsored by the World Islamic Call Society (WICS).
The President pointed out that since early in her administration, she has been working hard to forge an agreement with the MILF. But described as temporary setbacks in the peace process are the attacks of civilian populations by the renegade forces of the MILF.
“There is no alternative to peace. With the help of friends like WICS, and other friends from the Islamic countries, we will bring peace to Mindanao’, said the president.
She stressed however the Mindanao cannot full realized its potential as the country’s main food basket without peace and development.
The President likewise reiterated her framework for peace which is also UN-accepted is disarmament, demobilization and reintegration or DDR. (PIA/Bohol)
