1 killed, 32 wounded in twin grenade blasts in Mindanao

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2 fishers wounded in MILF attack in South RP

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Proposed coal-fired power plant in Mindanao opposed

DAVAO CITY, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / Feb. 18, 2009) – Filipino environmentalists on Wednesday said the construction of a 200-megawatt power plant in the Mindanao province of Sarangani is threatening the world-renowned Tinoto-Tampuan Reef.

They said the proposed coal-fired Kamanga power plant announced by the Conal Holdings Corporation is near the 140-hectare protected reef in Maasim town.

The Catholic Church is also opposing the plan. “We will continue to oppose the project and there will be no let up in our campaign until they will abandon the plan of putting up the coal-fired power plant anywhere in the region,” said Fr Romy Catedral, of the Social Action Center –Diocese of Marbel.

Environment officials have allayed fears of pollution.

“There is no such thing as clean coal technology. They just want to make it sound good to convince the people. Coal Fired Power Plants remain the number one source of carbon dioxide emissions that cause global warming throughout the world, which resulted to climate disasters that have taken 150,000 lives every year,” said Erwin Quiñones, LRC-KsK/FoE Phils Campaigns Paralegal.

“The environmental threat of climate change due to global warming is real, and phasing out of coal fired power plants should be done soon. Other countries like Greece have already cancelled all plans for new coal-fired power plants and even ruled out the introduction of nuclear energy into the country and considers to moved to a cleaner mix of energy sources,” Quiñones said, adding, that the government should invest more on renewable and sustainable sources including wind and solar energy.

Dr Winifreda Olbes, lead-convener of the church-based Sta. Cruz Parish against Pollution (SCPAP) in Maasim town, vowed to continue campaigning against the proposed power plant.

“We will continue with our information-education campaign so that the people will realize that the project will do more harm than good for the people of Maasim", she said, citing environmental and health impacts brought about by coal-power power plants in other areas.
“The potential contamination of our waters and coasts from KPP wastes will affect the livelihood of the majority of our population – the fisher folks,” Olbes said.

RP Troops Assault Mosque Where MILF Rebels Pray, Military Denies Accusations

COTABATO CITY, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / September 13, 2008) –

Philippine troops attacked a mosque where rebels were praying in the restive region of Mindanao, the Moro Islamic Liberation Front said, but the army denied the accusations Saturday.

The MILF said security forces launched the attack while rebels were praying Friday in the village of Daliao in Sarangani's Maasim town where the MILF maintains several encampments.

The MILF said one rebel was killed in the noontime assault and condemned the attack on the mosque. The assault triggered a fire fight that killed ten government soldiers, the MILF said. A military said at least 20 rebels died in the clash.

"Firing at mosque, a sacred religious symbol of the Muslims, is an attack to all the Muslims the world over. This is an act totally disrespectful of the cultural and religious symbols of the Muslims," the MILF said in a statement.

It was not the first time that government forces attacked mosques while battling rebels in Mindanao, the MILF said. It said security forces also attacked mosques in 2003 during an offensive against the MILF.

Army Lt. Col. Roland Bautista, spokesman for the 10th Infantry Division, said two soldiers were wounded in the clash with about 100 rebels. He also denied troops attacked any mosque in the village.

"The rebels were advancing toward civilian areas and soldiers stopped them from getting near those areas. We deny MILF accusations that troops attacked the mosque," Bautista told the Mindanao Examiner.

He said troops also overran a rebel encampment in the village and destroyed several bunkers.

Manila suspended peace talks with the MILF after rebel forces mounted a series of deadly attacks last month in Mindanao that left dozens of civilians dead. The rebels launched the attacks after the aborted signing of the homeland deal which would have granted some four million Muslims their homeland in more than 700 villages in Mindanao.

President Gloria Arroyo eventually scrapped the deal and abolished the government team negotiating peace with the MILF.

Although the seven-year old peace talks were stalled, a fragile cease-fire still exists in the restive region, but sporadic clashes between rebels and troops are also threatening the fragile truce accord. (With a report from Romy Bwaga)