11 killed in fierce clashes in South RP

ILIGAN CITY, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / December 15, 2009) – Eleven communist rebels and government soldiers were killed in fierce clashes Tuesday in the southern Philippines, officials said.

Officials said two more soldiers were wounded in the fighting that broke out in the village of Banlag in Valencia City in Bukidnon province.

“Troops engaged the New People’s Army rebels in a series of encounter that left the communists with nine dead and a still undetermined number of wounded fighters. Government troops suffered two killed-in-actions,” said Major Michele Anayron, a spokesman for the Army’s 4th Infantry Division.

He said the fighting erupted after soldiers under the 8th Infantry Battalion tracked down the rebels in the village. He said the fighting started at around 12.20 p.m. and continued sporadically later in the day.

Troops were pursuing some 60 rebels under Abelardo Navarro, he said, adding, soldiers recovered at least nine rifles left behind by gunmen.

“As of this writing, heavy exchange of fire is still continuing in the area,” Anayron said late Tuesday.

The NPA is the armed wing of the outlawed Communist Party of the Philippines which broke off peace talks with Manila in 2004 after accusing President Gloria Arroyo of reneging on several agreements and among them was the release of all political detainees being held across the country. (Mindanao Examiner)

Peste nagbabanta sa Negros!

Photo of mealybug - from Answers.com

NEGROS ORIENTAL – Nanganganib ang mga taniman ng niyog at sagingan dahil sa mga pesteng sumisira ngayon sa mahigit 200 ektarya sa lalawigan ng Negros.

Ayon sa mga magsasaka ay napeste ng husto ang kanilang mga tanim ng mga insektong mealybug. Ilang barangay na ang apekatdo ng peste at dahil dito ay natatakot ang mga magsasaka at kooperatiba na tuluyang buimagsak ang ani ng niyog at saging, partikular sa bayan ng Valencia.

Ipinarating na rin umano kay Valencia Mayor Rodolfo Gonzales ang naturang problema at ito ngayon ang pinagtutunan ng atensyon ng punong-ehekutibo. Maging lokal na agriculture office at ang Philippine Coconut Authority ay umaksyon na rin upang pigilin ang pagkalat o paglaganap ng mealybug sa ibang mga bayan.

Sa ulat naman ng pahayagang Sunstar sa Negros ay sinabi umano ni Valencia agriculturist Rescil Vincoy na halos lahat ng mga taniman ng niyog sa Barangay Lunga at Apolong ay na-expose na sa mga peste at maging mga sagingan at ibang taniman sa Barangays Sagbang, Bongbong, Jawa, West Balabag at Mampas ay nahagip na rin ng peste. (Mindanao Examiner)