Suspect in Jolo cathedral bombing killed, others escaped

ONE was killed while two others, including the alleged suspect in the Jolo cathedral bombing Sunday, escaped in a hot pursuit operation conducted by the police on Tuesday evening, 29 January, authorities said.

Army releases images of teen suspects in Jolo bombing

The Army released Monday night the images of three of the four suspects in the bombings on Sunday of the Jolo Cathedral, that left 20 people killed and at least 100 others injured, as captured by a nearby closed-circuit television camera (CCTV camera).

27 killed, 77 others hurt in Jolo cathedral blasts Sunday - PNP

After earlier reports that the number of casualties of the twin blasts that rocked the Mount Carmel Cathedral in the town of Jolo in Sulu province on Sunday morning had gone up to 27 dead and 77 wounded, the police has revised the number of those killed to at least 19 as of 2 p.m.

President Duterte to seek Misuari's help to end conflict in Mindanao

MANILA - President Rodrigo Roa Duterte considers the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) founding chairman, Nur Misuari, as someone who can help in resolving the conflict in Mindanao, Malacanang said on Thursday.

Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo, in a Palace media briefing, was responding to a question if the President counts Misuari as a threat to the success of the new Bangsamoro Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).



"Not really a threat.  He (Duterte) considers Nur Misuari as someone -- with his group -- who can help in ending the conflict in Mindanao," Panelo said.

Panelo said Misuari had told him that the MNLF leader wanted to talk with the President to share many ideas that he can contribute for the peace, prosperity, and progress in Mindanao.

"I relayed that to the President.  And so, the President is wanting or open to talking to him with respect to whatever suggestions he has in mind," Panelo said.

Asked to comment on Sulu's 'no' votes in the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL) plebiscite, Panelo clarified that other leaders in Sulu prefer federalism than the BOL.

"The President will respect the sovereign will of a particular electorate.  But winning doesn't mean that they will go against the law," Panelo said.

"I talked with [Sulu governor] Abdusakur Tan and he said he is not really against Bangsamoro Organic Law.  They want, just like Nur Misuari, they want federalism better.  Oh, ibig sabihin (which means), if federalism is better, Bangsamoro Organic Law is good; kaya lang may (but there is something) better," he said.

Reports said about 163,500 voted against the BOL, while 137,630 supported the measure in Sulu during last Monday's plebiscite for the BOL ratification.

A second plebiscite is set on February 6 in six Lanao del Norte towns and in 67 villages in North Cotabato. [Earl Jed Roque, PNA]

Army troops seize Maute camp, but leader Abu Dar, men flee

GOVERNMENT troops seized a camp held by Maute-ISIS group following heavy fighting in Lanao del Sur, Friday, the military said.

Sulu province, Isabela City reject Bangsamoro Organic Law

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Cotabato City votes 'YES' to inclusion in Bangsamoro autonomous region

COTABATO CITY - At around 9 p.m. on Tuesday, chants of "Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar" reverberated in different parts in the city after it made history with majority of the votes favoring the inclusion of the area in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).

NHA turns over 550 shelters to displaced families in Marawi

MARAWI CITY - The National Housing Authority (NHA) has turned over 550 units of transitory shelters at Barangay Boganga here to families who lost their homes during the five-month war between government forces and Islamic State-inspired armed groups in Marawi City in 2017.

Filipino Muslims vote in referendum to give them control over land, resources

A Muslim woman casts her ballot in a referendum at the Marawi Sagonsongan elementary school-turned polling station in Marawi, Lanao del Sur province, southern Philippines, Monday, Jan. 21, 2019. (Photo: Bogie Calupitan/AP.)

Nearly three million minority Muslims in southern Philippines voted on Monday in a referendum on autonomy, a move that is aimed at ending decades of deadly conflict and granting them greater control over their land and natural resources.

Phil. Coffee Board eyes 5-K hectares coffee expansion in Cavite town

AMADEO, Cavite - This town's coffee industry is expected to receive a big boost after a private sector-led group vowed to provide local coffee farmers with training and machinery to cultivate 5,000 hectares of plantation.

Malagos Chocolates gains another international recognition

DAVAO CITY - The cacao grown by Davao City-based Puentespina Farms, maker of award-winning Malagos Chocolates, has been recognized as "Heirloom Cacao" by the US-based non-profit organization Heirloom Cacao Preservation (HCP) Fund.

3 NPA rebels surrender in Iligan City hinterland

CHECKPOINT.  Members of the Iligan City Police Office and the 51st Infantry Battalion, Philippine Army,
intensify their checkpoints after the encounter between government troops and the New People's Army in
Barangay Mainit, Iligan City, Tuesday morning (January 15). (Photo by Divina Suson)

ILIGAN CITY - One active member and two NPA militias have surrendered to the military's 51st Infantry Battalion, in the hinterland barangay of Rogongon, Iligan City, Saturday.

DTI opens 'One Town, One Product' hub in Iligan City

Assistant Secretary Demphna Du-Naga (second from left), Regional Operations Group (ROG), DTI Central 
Office, leads the ceremonial lighting and unveiling of the hub, together with DTI-10 Regional Director Linda Boniao, and 
Provincial Director Ruel Paclipan, DTI-Iligan/Lanao del Norte. (Photo courtesy of PIA Iligan)

ILIGAN CITY - Paving opportunities for Micro, Small, Medium Enterprise (MSME) entrepreneurs is the Department of Trade and Industry's (DTI) launching of "One Town, One Product Philippines (OTOP.Ph) Hub in Iligan City to push quality products and services rooted in local culture into the market.

Dimaporo, Commander Bravo meet in MILF camp

LINAMON, Lanao del Norte (MindaNews) - "As part of our mandate to bring peace by building relationships, I am happy to announce the successful meeting between Lanao del Norte 2nd District Congressman Abdullah 'Bobby' Dimakuta Dimaporo and Hadji Abdullah G. Makapaar, alias 'Commander Bravo,' commander of the North Western Mindanao Front of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) at Camp Bilal in Tamparan of Munai in Lanao del Norte on Sunday, January 13, 2019," Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr., Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process announced in a press statement Sunday night.

Maute-ISIS gunmen surrender in Lanao del Sur

LANAO DEL SUR - Another three Maute-ISIS gunmen, all of whom belonged to the terror leader Abu Dar's group, surrendered to the 82nd Infantry Battalion in Piagapo, Lanao del Sur at 12 p.m., Saturday.

Two other gunmen had earlier surrendered to the 55th Infantry Battalion in Lanao del Sur's Pagayawan town, at about 9 a.m. Friday.

'No cause for worry on Duterte's health': Malacanang

MANILA - Malacanang on Thursday reassured the public that there is no cause for worry about the well-being of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte following a survey, which showed that more Filipinos are worried about the chief executive's health.

Police to start crackdown vs. poll gun ban violators Sunday

DAVAO CITY - Police authorities will start arresting violators of the gun ban starting on Sunday, January 13, in connection with the upcoming May 2019 midterm elections.

Iligan cops hunt homicide suspect in love triangle

ILIGAN CITY - Operatives of the Iligan City Police are now conducting a pursuit operation against a suspect who stabbed a "trisikad " public tri-pedal cycle transport) driver to death.

HEAD Int'l Holdings to relocate China plant to Misamis Oriental

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY - The world's leading manufacturer of HEAD tennis balls, racquets and other leading international sports products, would relocate its manufacturing plant from China to Misamis Oriental starting 2019 at a cost of P2.4-billion.

Iligan City tightens security after the long weekend

ILIGAN CITY - Bus terminals here have tightened its security starting Wednesday, 3 January 2019, as commuters arrive or exit after the long vacation during the holiday season.

2 dead, 34 hurt in Cotabato City mall blast

COTABATO CITY - At least 2 people died while 34 others were injured in a blast at a department store here, as shoppers were busy preparing for new year revelries, authorities said Monday.

PRRD orders probe into Glenn Chong's aide slay

MANILA - President Rodrigo Roa Duterte has ordered a probe on the killing of Richard 'Red' Santillan, security aide of former Biliran Representatvie Glenn Chong.