Ficus Elastica

A farm worker saps a rubber tree (Ficus Elastica) at a plantation in North Cotabato’s Makilala town in Mindanao. The Department of Agriculture urges farmers to also plant rubber trees to augment their income. Rubber was once the country’s top export earner in Mindanao. (Mindanao Examiner Photo – Arlene Solmerano)

7 soldiers wounded in roadside bombing in South RP

KIDAPAWAN CITY, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / January 26, 2010) – A roadside bombing on Tuesday wounded 7 government soldiers in North Cotabato province in the southern Philippines, reports said.

It said the explosion occurred at around 6:30 p.m. on a village in Makilala town. The soldiers, who belong to the Army’s 57th Infantry Battalion, were rushed to hospital because of shrapnel wounds.

The soldiers were patrolling when the bomb exploded near them.

No group or individual claimed responsibility for the attack, but Moro and communist rebels are actively operating in North Cotabato province in Mindanao Island.

There was no immediate statement from the military about the attack. (Geo Solmerano)

The Vega House in North Cotabato

Residents watch in awe as colored lights and Christmas decors adorn this bungalow in North Cotabato’s Makilala town. House owner Exequiel Vega, the 2008 Model OFW (Overseas Filipino Worker) Family of the Year Awardee, says the beautiful light display has been a tradition for many years now. (Mindanao Examiner Photo / Geo Solmerano)

6 hurt in North Cotabato road accident

Civilians help push a van which overturned on a highway in North Cotabato province on Sunday, August 9, 2009. (Mindanao Examiner Photo / Geo Solmerano)

NORTH COTABATO, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / August 9, 2009) – Six people were injured on Sunday afternoon after the passenger van they were riding overturned on a highway in Makilala town in North Cotabato province in the southern Philippines, police said.

Police said the van was traveling on the when one of its front tire burst. The van, which came from Davao City, rolled six times and landed on a bushy area.

The wounded, including the van’s driver, were rushed to hospital. (Geo Solmerano)