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Burma: Reject Constitutional Referendum

Government’s Poor Cyclone Response Shows Need for Democratic Reform (New York, May 17, 2008) – Governments should not endorse the results of Burma’s fatally flawed constitutional referendum, but instead renew pressure for genuine democratic reform in Burma, Human Rights Watch said today. On May 15, 2008, Burma’s ruling State Peace and Development Council (SPDC) announced that 99 [...]

Fr. Shay Cullen: What You Do to Them You Do to Me

By Fr. Shay Cullen A group of German visitors went with the staff of Preda Foundation last 5 and 6 of May, 2008 to visit the children at the Reception and Action Center (RAC) and the Manila Youth Reception Center (MYRC) to bring snacks and drinks and see the condition of the children detained as prisoners. [...]

Philippines’s San Miguel Posts Strong Q1 Results

San Miguel Corporation reported a strong start this year with first quarter consolidated revenues of P39.2 billion, up 11% over last year, driven by good results across the majority of its businesses. Consolidated operating income of P3.85 billion is up 40% and net income of P11.0 billion is over four times [...]

San Miguel Pure Foods Q1 Revenues Up 18%

San Miguel Pure Foods Company, Inc. (SMPFC) today reported both its 2008 first quarter and 2007 full-year results reflecting accelerated revenue growth, restructuring efforts and more efficient operations following a greater focus on innovation, productivity and cost controls. Consolidated San Miguel Pure Foods revenues for the first three months grew by 18% to P16.05 billion [...]

Satur Slams Arroyo for Killing of Davao Peasant Leader

House Deputy Minority Leader and Bayan Muna party-list Rep. Satur C. Ocampo today condemned the killing of an official of the Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas on Thursday in Davao City and blamed it on President Macapagal-Arroyo’s order to carry on counter-insurgency program Oplan Bantay Laya 2 that includes extra-judicial killings. The KMP identified the victim as [...]

Leader of Farmers’ Group Shot Dead in Davao City

BREAKING NEWS | Celso Pojas was the secretary-general of the Farmers' Association of Davao City and spokesman of the KMP in Davao.

Pojas during a press conference in October last year. The words on his hat reads "Land, not bullet." (davaotoday.com file photo by Barry Ohaylan)
Related story: Satur Slams Arroyo for Killing of Davao Peasant Leader

iPhone to Invade Philippines Through Globe

iPhone will soon be available in the Philippines, thanks to Globe Telecom and its partner, SingTel. In a short statement on Monday, Globe said "Globe, SingTel, Bharti Airtel and Optus today announced that they have signed an agreement with Apple to bring the iPhone to the Philippines, Singapore, India, and Australia later this year. More information will be released at a later date." This, of course, is great news to Filipinos who've been holding their breaths since iPhone's launch.

The Philippines: Counter-Insurgency Vs. Counter-Terrorism in Mindanao

Asia Report N° TK 14 May 2008 The Philippines: COUNTER-INSURGENCY VS. COUNTER-TERRORISM IN MINDANAO Executive Summary and recommendations U.S.-backed security operations in the southern Philippines are making progress but are also confusing counter-terrorism and counter-insurgency with dangerous implications for conflict in the region. The “Mindanao Model” — using classic counter-insurgency techniques to achieve counter-terror goals [...]

Philippines ‘Confused’ in War Vs. Terror, Separatism

Read the ICG's report here.

The International Crisis Group says the U.S. and the Philippines "need to refocus energies on peace processes in Mindanao or they risk new hostilities between government forces and insurgents." In a report today, it warns that security operations in Mindanao "are confusing counterinsurgency and counter-terrorism and risk pushing the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) – their target -- into the arms of the broader insurgencies."

Meralco, Gov’t Pocketed Billions from ‘System Loss’

A consumer group estimates that electricity customers in Metro Manila paid P84.6 billion to Meralco for so-called "system losses" from the period of 2003-2007. It says Meralco should not be passing on the cost of system losses to consumers and the government should not even be taxing it.