News Update PAGASA: 'Quiel' enters PHL territory but won't be felt yet

A tropical storm approaching intensified as it entered Philippine territory before dawn Thursday, with state weather forecasters saying it may threaten Northern Luzon this weekend.

Department of Science and Technology undersecretary Graciano Yumul Jr. said there is a chance the tropical storm, locally codenamed "Quiel," may intensify into a typhoon before making landfall.

"Si Tropical Storm Quiel ay nasa loob ng Philippine area of responsibility. Lumakas na siya, with maximum sustained winds of 105 kph na may dalang bugso ng 135 kph," he said in a 5:30 a.m. interview on dzBB radio.

But he said Quiel is still too far to directly affect any part of the country, saying it is not likely to affect the archipelago until Sunday.

Yumul also said it is likely Quiel may intensify into a typhoon while inside Philippine territory.

He pointed out the cyclone can still gather strength as it is still at sea.

"If its winds are greater by just 13 kph it would reach typhoon category," he said.

Yumul said Quiel is likely to head for the Aparri-Cagayan area, adding their consensus forecast indicates it may affect Cagayan and Isabela.

PAGASA's 5 a.m. advisory said that as of 4 a.m., Quiel was estimated at 1,240 km east of Aparri, Cagayan.

It packed maximum sustained winds of 105 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 135 kph.

PAGASA said Quiel is expected to move west at 10 kph and be 1,050 km east of Aparri, Cagayan Friday morning; and 750 km east of Aparri, Cagayan Saturday morning.

By Sunday morning it is expected to be 400 km east of Aparri, Cagayan.

However, no storm signals have been raised yet as Quiel is still too far to directly affect any part of the country, PAGASA said. — LBG

News Update DOJ-Comelec panel to present 'poll fraud' witnesses next week

The joint panel of the Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Commission and Elections (Comelec) will begin presenting witnesses who will substantiate allegations of the supposed massive cheating during the 2007 polls next week, Comelec chairman Sixto Brillantes Jr. said Thursday.

"Kami naman ang (mag)lalabas... with our own set of witnesses. High-profile or not, we don't know yet as we are still on the validation process. But, I'm sure somebody will come out next week," he told reporters at the Comelec headquarters in Manila on Thursday.

Last Wednesday, Justice Sec. Leila de Lima said the DOJ is in touch with a "high-profile witness" who will testify about supposed election cheating.

"For the last several days, we have been interviewing witnesses. Hindi ko alam kung high profile or not. Definitely, the long and short of it is, by next week we have something," said the poll body chief.

The DOJ-Comelec joint fact-finding team is expected to fly to Maguindanao soon to interview at least 12 election supervisors who may have participated in the alleged election fraud in 2004 and 2007.

"They are available. They are still incumbents. Some are retired... we are going to bring them in for the formal investigation," Brillantes said.

After the fact-finding stage, Brillantes said the preliminary investigation panel will then determine if there is probable cause that warrants the filing of criminal cases before the proper courts.

"We are trying to do is to have the implementation of the electoral sabotage, which imposes (a) penalty of life imprisonment," he said.

Also, Brillantes noted that for the moment, the joint body will leave to the Senate the probe into the alleged 2004 poll fraud.

"Our arrangement is Senate yung sa supposed 2004 cheating, then the findings will be turned over to joint committee," he said.

The Senate blue ribbon and electoral reforms committees are expected to conduct a series of hearings on alleged cheating during the 2004 polls. — LBG

News Update Ailing Lomu 'in really bad shape' - report

All Blacks legend Jonah Lomu is "in really bad shape" as he battles kidney problems in an Auckland hospital, it was reported Friday.

Lomu, who suffers from a rare kidney condition, was admitted to Auckland Hospital's renal unit last week suffering from an undisclosed illness.

The hospital and Lomu's representatives have released no official word on his condition but the Dominion Post on Friday quoted unnamed sources close to the 36-year-old as saying there were fears major complications had set in.

The source described Lomu as "seriously ill".

Lomu, who played a starring role in the Rugby World Cup opening ceremony on September 9, was diagnosed in 1995 with the rare kidney disorder nephrotic syndrome, which causes fatigue, weakness and kidney failure over the long term.

The devastating winger still ignited the 1995 and 1999 World Cups, becoming rugby union's first global superstar, but the illness eventually cut short his playing career.

He underwent a kidney transplant in 2004, receiving an organ donated by New Zealand radio announcer Grant Kereama.

The extent of Lomu's health woes have been kept under wraps after his management reportedly signed an exclusive deal with a women's magazine for the story of his illness.

His former All Blacks team-mate Kees Meeuws urged Lomu to tell fans about his condition Friday, complaining to TVNZ that they were being kept in the dark.

News Update U.S. tech firm TxVia eyes PH for global software development

Stressing the competitive advantage of Filipinos when it comes to information technology skills and creativity, U.S.-based financial technology company TxVia has expanded its facilities in the country in a bid to develop most of its software solutions in the Philippines.

"We're not just a call center. We can be a one-stop shop for our clients,” said TxVia managing director for the Philippines Rori Geronimo. She stressed that the company’s most valuable asset is its human resources, expressing pride in the Philippine office’s rapid growth.

The company unveiled a bigger local office in Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City last week. Just a year after TxVia invested in the Philippines, the local office has already grown into 80 employees, with further expansion seen.

“This will just be the first of multiple contact centers here,” said Ray Iglesias III, TxVia EVP of Services and Administration, who is based in the company’s New York headquarters.

According to Iglesias, the firm is looking to outsource services in the Philippines that are higher up in the business process outsourcing value chain. He said the company is bullish that the country can be its global software development center.

“We are investing here so that most of what will be built for our clients will be built in the Philippines,” Iglesias said in his speech.

At the media briefing, Geronimo explained that at present, half of the company’s headcount is accounted for by tech support. She said, however, that they expect to see more growth in the customer service sector, including training and software development.

As a financial technology company, TxVia’s goal is to provide the payment operating system for emerging payment and financial services systems, as well as helping companies migrate from legacy systems.

Unlike other solutions providers which rely on SaaS (software as a service), in which software and data are hosted centrally and delivered to clients on demand, TxVia offers the PaaS (platform as a service) model.

The idea in PaaS is not to rely on a common platform, with software that will then be customized for different clients, but rather to tailor-fit a platform to the actual needs of a client.

“Every TxVia client will have its own platform,” Iglesias said. He explained that while the platforms may have “similar aspects,” companies will get features which are unique to their own needs.

This PaaS model, according to Matthew Nyren, TxVia SVP of Services, helps accelerate speed of implementation, as clients are not “forced” to spend time customizing a common platform with features they may not need.

In response to a question from Yahoo! Southeast Asia, Nyren also said that the explosion of social media and social commerce is accelerating the growth of emerging payment facilities. This means that now, more than ever, companies need to be more flexible and react faster to the changing needs of the market.

“We are moving away from traditional institutional-led payment systems to more to peer-to-peer transactions,” Nyren said. This can be seen in the rise of different online micro-transactions over the years, from people selling and bidding online for different goods and services, to in-game purchases in different social and mobile games.

“All this is happening in the cloud. All of this is happening democratically,” Nyren pointed out, emphasizing the need for speedy implementation.

At the end of the day, TxVia expects its Philippine office to shape the solutions that it will tailor for the current and emerging needs of customers.

"Our core systems have been already built. What were looking for are business uses, and the Philippine office will address this need for model developers, quality assurance, and other customer services,” Iglesias said.

“The facilities and services here will eclipse what have in other offices,” Nyren added. “This just goes to show the rich talent and resources in this market.”

News Update Philippines struggles in wake of killer typhoon

Slum dwellers in the Philippine capital rummaged through their flattened homes Thursday as villagers on remote farms battled floods, two days after a monster typhoon killed at least 39 people.

Authorities warned the death toll from Typhoon Nesat would continue to climb, with dozens of people still missing and more accidents likely as tens of thousands of others struggled with the storm's aftermath.

"Rescuers are using rubber boats and canoes to help those in areas still flooded," Office of Civil Defence chief Benito Ramos told AFP.

"Many are marooned on rooftops, mostly menfolk who refused to join pre-emptive evacuations so they could guard their homes."

Ramos said many of the missing were fishermen who set sail ahead of the storm despite warnings to remain on land.

"We are just praying that we will find them still alive, but realistically speaking, the number of deaths may still rise," he said.

Four more people were reported dead on Thursday evening, bringing the official death toll to 39. However 14 fishermen were found safely, reducing the number of missing to 31.

The Philippines endures an average of 20 storms annually, many of them deadly, but Nesat was one of the worst of the year largely due to an enormous rain band that pummelled virtually all of the main island of Luzon.

Nesat was approaching southern China on Thursday, forcing Hong Kong authorities to order a lockdown in the Chinese territory with the closure of financial markets, schools and transport services.

Manila had been brought to a similar standstill on Tuesday as rain flooded large parts of the Philippine capital and storm surges smashed sea walls protecting the city's historic bayside area.

Officials said it would take many days to clear fallen trees, billboards and other debris across the city.

In one shantytown district, flooding remained thigh-deep, forcing the elderly to simply wait for the waters to recede.

"We just have to bear it because we don't have anywhere else to go," 69-year-old widow Lorena De Lima said from the second floor of an abandoned factory where she makes her home.

In Luzon's vast agricultural plains that stretch hundreds of kilometres (miles) to the north of Manila, farmers struggled to deal with the destruction of rice that was primed for harvest.

Television news broadcasts showed aerial footage of high water covering large areas of the northern provinces of Bulacan, Nueva Ecija and Pampanga, where many of the country's large rice producing plains are located.

Many of those areas remained without power or cut off because highways and farms had been turned into virtual rivers.

Nearly 170,000 people were inside evacuation centres across Luzon, according to the government's disaster relief agency.

Amid the clean-up operation, civil defence chief Ramos warned Typhoon Nalgae, bearing gusts of 140 kilometres (miles) per hour, could hit the country by Saturday, bringing renewed misery to the northern part of Luzon.

"Those people in evacuation centres should just stay in evacuation centres because they might be hit again," Ramos told AFP.

News Update Shell sells Philippine LPG business

Anglo-Dutch energy giant Shell's Philippine unit said on Wednesday it would sell its local liquefied petroleum gas business to a Japanese-Filipino consortium for an undisclosed price.

"The sale of Shell's share in the Philippines LPG business is consistent with Shell's strategy to concentrate its global downstream footprint into fewer, larger markets," it said in a statement.

Shell Gas Philippines is to be sold to a consortium called Isla Petroleum and Gas Corp., it said, adding that Shell's other downstream businesses would not be affected by the deal.

Shell spokesmen declined to comment on reports that valued the transaction at $131 million nor identify Isla's Japanese partner, which the reports named as Itochu Petroleum Co.

The date of the sale was also not disclosed.

Shell Gas is a leading player in the importation and distribution of LPG in the Philippines, where it is widely used for cooking.

Isla Petroleum representatives in the Philippines could not be reached for comment.

News Update China 'shadow-boxing' US at sea: Philippines' Ramos

Philippine ex-president Fidel Ramos said Wednesday that China's recent assertiveness over sea disputes was motivated by a desire to challenge US power, as he predicted more tensions to come.
On a visit to Washington, Ramos described China and the United States as "shadow-boxing" over the South China Sea and East China Sea where Beijing has growing friction with countries including the Philippines, Vietnam and Japan.
"China's proximate aim, it seems to me, is to limit American freedom of access" and "erode the credibility of Washington's security guarantees to the East Asian states, including and especially the Philippines," Ramos, who was president from 1992 to 1998, said at the Heritage Foundation think-tank.
"We, where we come from, expect South China Sea tensions to continue because the root cause is really China's perceived need to break out from under the strategic dominance of the Western allies," Ramos said.
However, Ramos said he did not expect military confrontation due to the vast US military superiority over China. He called for governments to shift away spending from the military to fighting "real enemies" such as poverty.
Ramos was visiting Washington as part of 60th anniversary commemorations of the Mutual Defense Treaty between Washington and its former colony. Elsewhere in the region, the United States also has security pacts with Australia, Japan, South Korea and Thailand.
Ramos welcomed the role of the US military in Asia, saying it had provided security to Asia and allowed it to grow economically.
Amid the tension with China, Philippine President Benigno Aquino has allocated 11 billion pesos ($252 million) to upgrade his country's navy, whose flagship vessel dates from World War II.

News Update China 'shadow-boxing' US at sea: Philippines' Ramos

Philippine ex-president Fidel Ramos said Wednesday that China's recent assertiveness over sea disputes was motivated by a desire to challenge US power, as he predicted more tensions to come.
On a visit to Washington, Ramos described China and the United States as "shadow-boxing" over the South China Sea and East China Sea where Beijing has growing friction with countries including the Philippines, Vietnam and Japan.
"China's proximate aim, it seems to me, is to limit American freedom of access" and "erode the credibility of Washington's security guarantees to the East Asian states, including and especially the Philippines," Ramos, who was president from 1992 to 1998, said at the Heritage Foundation think-tank.
"We, where we come from, expect South China Sea tensions to continue because the root cause is really China's perceived need to break out from under the strategic dominance of the Western allies," Ramos said.
However, Ramos said he did not expect military confrontation due to the vast US military superiority over China. He called for governments to shift away spending from the military to fighting "real enemies" such as poverty.
Ramos was visiting Washington as part of 60th anniversary commemorations of the Mutual Defense Treaty between Washington and its former colony. Elsewhere in the region, the United States also has security pacts with Australia, Japan, South Korea and Thailand.
Ramos welcomed the role of the US military in Asia, saying it had provided security to Asia and allowed it to grow economically.
Amid the tension with China, Philippine President Benigno Aquino has allocated 11 billion pesos ($252 million) to upgrade his country's navy, whose flagship vessel dates from World War II.

News Update Motorcycles involved in half of PH transport injuries

The Department of Health’s injury surveillance system revealed that half of the vehicular injuries recorded during the first quarter of 2011 involved motorcycles.

Of the 3,901 total cases of transport accidents, 47% involved motorcycles. Moreover, only 8.5% of the injured motorcycle riders were wearing helmets while only 14.4% of injured car occupants were wearing seatbelts, the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System (NEISS) showed.

“The DOH urges everyone, especially motorcycle riders, to always take safety precaution seriously and follow the law,” said Health Undersecretary Teodora Herbosa in a press statement.

He strongly advised motorists to wear helmets and seatbelts at all times to protect themselves from fatal injuries.

The first quarter data of NEISS also revealed that almost half (48.5%) of the transport accidents were non-collision, while 14.7% of vehicular injuries involved pedestrians.

Central Luzon had the highest reported incidence at 22.4%, followed by Davao Region at 21.6%. The Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao and CARAGA region registered the lowest cases at 0.4%.

According to DOH, there were more males (72.4%) than females (27.6%) involved in accidents, and that alcohol intake was the top risk factor in transport accidents.

Herbosa emphasized in his statement the need to employ safety precautions such as defensive driving and observing traffic rules and regulations to reduce the risk of injuries.

NEISS, a web-based system developed by DOH to electronically capture injury-related data from health facilities, recorded a total of 12,729 injury cases in the first quarter of 2011.

While transport accidents ranked as the primary cause of injuries, other cases reported were caused by mauling (2,374), falls (1,693), contact with sharp objects (1,364) and bites/stings (644).

News Update Philippine Airlines flies again, but huge backlog

Philippine Airlines took to the air again on Wednesday a day after being paralysed by a wildcat strike, but thousands of passengers remained stranded amid a skeleton flight schedule, the carrier said.
Asia's oldest airline, known as PAL, said it would need several days to get back to normal as outsourced workers replaced the strikers who staged a protest on Tuesday in a last-ditch effort to keep their jobs.
"We're only operating at 35-40 percent of capacity," PAL spokeswoman Cielo Villaluna told AFP.
PAL said another 102 flights had been cancelled on Wednesday, affecting 14,000 passengers.
They include 17 regional flights to such areas as Bangkok, Beijing, and Singapore, as well as Guam, another PAL spokesperson, Jonathan Gesmundo, told AFP.
"We're giving priority to trans-continental flights so these would not be affected," he said, referring to daily flights to Los Angeles and San Francisco.
Tuesday's strike was the culmination of a tortuous programme by loss-making PAL to outsource 2,600 in-flight catering, airport services and call centre reservation jobs on October 1.
The affected workers staged a sit-in at Manila's airport, but PAL responded by bringing forward its outsourcing plan by a few days and immediately replaced the strikers with the cheaper labour.
After calling in the police, who carried many of the striking workers from the check-in counters, the sit-in ended and the airline finally dispatched seven flights late on Tuesday night.
PAL sent termination notices to its ground staff last month, saying it needed to trim its workforce to 5,000 and save up to $15 million in annual operating costs.
The airline, which incurred losses of $312 million in the 2008-2009 fiscal year, said local rivals already outsourced their ground services.
Villaluna accused the protesters of disabling vehicles such as push-back trucks used to bring aircraft from the passenger tubes to the runway, and deck loaders used for loading cargo onto the plane, as well as computer servers.
She said they would not be allowed back onto their work premises.
"The strikers cannot return to work. They will be paid up to September 30. They are considered on holiday leave with pay," she said.
The strikers also face disciplinary action for abandoning their posts without a formal strike notice, which may affect their separation pay, Villaluna warned.
Ground crew union president Gerry Rivera rejected the allegations of sabotage, and accused the airline of illegally locking out its own employees.
"They (protesters) just stood there, they did not touch the equipment. If the replacement personnel now say they cannot operate them, that only means they are not trained," Rivera told AFP.
He said the union would picket the airline operations centre on Wednesday while its lawyers studied legal options over the company's refusal to give the protesters back to their old jobs.
They were holding out hope that the Court of Appeals would declare the outsourcing plan illegal, even though it had not given any indication it would deliver its verdict before their contracts were officially terminated.
The union said just seven percent of the ground crew staff had applied for work with the service providers, since they were being offered salaries that less than half their current pay with PAL in some circumstances.

News Update Pedring moves away but new storm brewing

Typhoon "Pedring" steadily moves away from the Philippine area of responsibility (Par), the state weather bureau said.

However, a new storm may be brewing, according to reports.
A GMANews.tv report, quoting the United States’ National Aeronautics and Space Administration, said the U.S. Joint Typhoon Warning Center has detected a new tropical depression near the Philippines.

U.S. Joint Typhoon Warning Center “currently forecasts Tropical Depression 22W to make landfall by October 2nd in northern Luzon, Philippines, following in the footsteps of Typhoon Nesat" (Pedring).

Meanwhile, with a maximum sustained winds of 130 kph near the center and a gustiness of up to 160 kph, Pedring gained strength as it continues to leave PH, according to the 11 am bulletin of the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa).

Signal # 1 is still up in Zambales, La Union, and Pangasinan.

As of 10:00 am Wednesday, Pedring was located 380 km West Northwest of Baguio City, Pagasa added.

Pedring, whose wrath was felt in almost whole of Luzon, left at least 18 dead, with 35 people missing, according to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC).

At least 171, 570 people were affected by typhoon Pedring, 47,709 of which are still seeking refuge in evacuation centers.

The typhoon also stranded some "3,365 passengers; 121 trucks; 31 cars; 45 buses; 212 rolling cargoes; while 38 vessels and 20 Mbcs are still stranded in 22 ports while 20 vehicles/ Mbcs are taking shelter in sea ports of affected areas," said NDRMMC.

Pedring's estimated agricultural damage cost was placed at P16,204,840.63, and damage to crops and school buildings amounted to P100, 264, 840.64, NDRRMC added.

While Pedring moves away, over a million or 20.95 percent of Meralco consumers are still suffering from power outages, NDRRMC added.

News Update PH finds an ally in Japan in West PH Sea dispute

Philippines has found an ally in Japan in seeking for a peaceful resolution of disputes surrounding the ownership of the West Philippine Sea.

In a joint statement issued by the Philippine and Japanese governments, President Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III and Japan Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda have agreed to develop a "strategic partnership."

"The two leaders welcomed the adoption of the Guidelines for the Implementation of the DOC [Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea] and expressed their hope for the early formulation of a legally-binding Code of Conduct (COC) that is consistent with established international law," according to the statement.

Aquino is in Japan for a four-day state visit.

Citing the West Philippine Sea as "vital" for connecting "the world and the Asia Pacific Region," Aquino and Noda agreed that "peace and stability therein is of common interest to the international community."

The two leaders also "confirmed that freedom of navigation, unimpeded commerce, and compliance with established international law including the UNCLOS and the peaceful settlement of disputes serve the interests of the two countries and the whole region," and these should also be "advanced and protected in the South China Sea."

China is among the staunchest claimants of the oil-rich disputed islands. Apart from China and the Philippines, Brunei, Malaysia, Taiwan, and Vietnam also claim parts of the West Philippine Sea.

Apart from maritime safety, Japan and the Philippines are also keen on "strategic partnership in the Japan-Philippines Economic Partnership Agreement; disaster prevention and management; environment and climate change; peace in Mindanao; tourism exchange, among other things.

While in Japan, Aquino also pledged US $1-million to aid in the reconstruction of parts of Ishinomaki and assist those affected in the massive earthquake and tsunami.

"We would like to assist to the extent we are able to," the President said, through an interpreter, adding that the monetary assistance "is the pledge of the Filipino people and the government," Aquino had said.

Aquino also thanked Japanese officials for "taking good care of our Filipino nationals here."

DID YOU KNOW THAT ? Rat-eating plant discovered in Philippines

A carnivorous pitcher plant that eats rats and insects has been discovered in the Philippines and named after Sir David Attenborough.

Rat-eating plant: The team of botanists, led by British experts Stewart McPherson and Alastair Robinson, found the plant on Mount Victoria in the Philippines 

By Chris Irvine

11:52AM BST 17 Aug 2009

Comment

The plant is among the largest of all pitchers and is believed to be the largest meat-eating shrub, dissolving rats with acid-like enzymes.

The team of botanists, led by British experts Stewart McPherson and Alastair Robinson, found the plant on Mount Victoria in the Philippines.

They were inspired to search for the plant after word that it is existed came from two Christian missionaries who described seeing a large carnivorous pitcher in 2000 after they climbed the mountain.

Mr McPherson, of Poole Dorset, said: "The plant produces spectacular traps which catch not only insects, but also rodents. It is remarkable that it remained undiscovered until the 21st century."

The team, which found the plant in 2007 following a two-month expedition, published details of their discovery in the Botanical Journal of Linnean Society earlier this year following a three-year study of all 120 species of pitcher plant.

News Update Marikina City river water level beyond critical; La Mesa dam overflow seen

A forced evacuation was ordered in parts of Marikina City after the Sto Nina Marikina river water level went beyond the critical level Tuesday night.

As typhoon Pedring continue to bring heavy rains, Marikina river's water level went up to 19.3 meters, over a meter higher than the dangerous, critical level of 18 meters, according to a report in ABS-CBN's TV Patrol.

But as of 10:30pm, Sto Nino Marikina River water level is 18.60 meters, or down 0.13 meters since its 10 pm level, according to the Metro Manila Development Authority.

Local officials have earlier raised a "third alarm" in the Marikina river when water level reached 16.9 meters around 11:00 am.

An official at the La Mesa Dam has earlier warned nearby communities of an expected spill over as water level rises due to typhoon Pedring.

Earlier, La Mesa Dam headworks manager Engineer Teddy Angeles said in a dzBB interview that the level is at 79.61, just a few meters short of the 80.15-spilling level, when the dam is expected to overflow.

As of 11 A.M., the Flood Forecasting and Weather Section of the weather bureau said water level is at 79.62.

A dzMM report says that as of 2:00 pm, the La Mesa dam water level is at 79.79.

The spill over will likely affect the Tullahan River, Fairview, Forest Hill, Quirino Highway, Capri, Goodwill and Sta. Quitera, San Bartome, barangay Ligon North Expressway in Valenzuela, Malabon.

Residents in these areas were advised to stay alert.

In a twitter message, the Department of Science and Technology said the La Mesa dam has no gate. "It just overflows," it stressed.

In a briefer issued by Malacanang, it said gates of other dams have been opened as of 12:00 noon Tuesday.

Malacanang said two gates of Ipo Dam, two gates of Ambuklao Dam, and three gates of Binga Dam, and five gates of Magat Dam have been opened.

Pagasa said Sto Nino water level as of 1pm is 17.88meters, several meters above the normal level of 13.8meters.

Video Scoop "Typhoon right at the doorstep guibang gamu"

News Update Emergency hotlines

hilippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services (Pagasa): 4338526

NDRRMC 9111873, 9125296, 9122665, 9125668, 9111406

Red Cross 143, 5270000

MMDA 136, 0917-5615711 8824151 to 77

Philippine Coast Guard 5273877, 5276136, 328-1098, 527-8481

Meralco 16211
TEXT HOTLINES - 09175516211, 09209716211 and 09088808576.

DILG Hotline 117

Bureau of Fire Protection 4106254, 4138859

DSWD Hotline - Disaster Response Operations Monitoring and Information Center(CO)= 951-7435; 951-7119; 931-8101 to 07 locals 506 & 507

DepEd 6361663, 6331942, 6373743, 6340222, 6356550, 6387529, 6387530

Batangas PDRRMC Hotlines: (043)3001957, 0437234246, 09997051996

News Update Emergency hotlines

hilippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services (Pagasa): 4338526

NDRRMC 9111873, 9125296, 9122665, 9125668, 9111406

Red Cross 143, 5270000

MMDA 136, 0917-5615711 8824151 to 77

Philippine Coast Guard 5273877, 5276136, 328-1098, 527-8481

Meralco 16211
TEXT HOTLINES - 09175516211, 09209716211 and 09088808576.

DILG Hotline 117

Bureau of Fire Protection 4106254, 4138859

DSWD Hotline - Disaster Response Operations Monitoring and Information Center(CO)= 951-7435; 951-7119; 931-8101 to 07 locals 506 & 507

DepEd 6361663, 6331942, 6373743, 6340222, 6356550, 6387529, 6387530

Batangas PDRRMC Hotlines: (043)3001957, 0437234246, 09997051996

News Update Huge floods in Manila as typhoon hits Philippines

MANILA, Philippines (AP) — Manila residents waded through waist-deep floodwaters and dodged flying debris Tuesday as a powerful typhoon struck the Philippines, killing at least 12 people and sending waves as tall as palm trees crashing over seawalls.
Most deaths occurred in metropolitan Manila, which already was soaked by heavy monsoon rains ahead of Typhoon Nesat's arrival with more downpours and wind gusts of up to 93 mph (150 kph). Downtown areas along Manila Bay suffered their worst flooding in decades.
Pounding rains obscured the view of anyone on the streets as soldiers and police scrambled to safely evacuate thousands of people in low-lying areas, where rivers and the sea spilled into shanties, hospitals, swanky hotels and even the seaside U.S. Embassy compound.
"It's flooded everywhere. We don't have a place to go for shelter. Even my motorcycle got filled with water," said motorist Ray Gonzales, one of thousands stranded by fast-rising floodwaters.
The massive flooding came exactly a day after this sprawling, coastal city of 12 million held two-year commemorations for the nearly 500 people killed during a 2009 cyclone, which dumped a month's rainfall in just 12 hours. The geography of the archipelago makes it a welcome mat for about 20 storms and typhoons from the Pacific each year.
Some residents acted more quickly this time to evacuate homes as waters rose, including in the Manila suburb of Marikina where 2,000 people escaped the swelling river by flocking to an elementary school, carrying pets, TV sets, bags of clothes and bottled water.
"We can replace things, but not people's lives," said janitor Banny Domanais, arriving at the school with his wife and three young daughters.
Typhoon Nesat hit ashore before dawn Tuesday in eastern provinces and headed inland just north of Manila with up to an inch of rain per hour, half that of the storm two years ago, said government forecaster Samuel Duran.
Emergency workers evacuated river areas in Manila that are notorious for flooding. In all, authorities ordered more than 100,000 people across the country to shelter from the storm's sustained winds of up to 75 mph (120 kph) and its rains — dropping from an immense 400-mile (650-kilometer) cloud band.
Along downtown Manila's historic baywalk, cars and buses were stuck and residents struggled through floodwaters as waves washed over the seawall, turning a six-lane highway into a huge brown river. Sidewalks and buildings entrances were swamped.
In the financial district of Makati, a billboard fell on two cars and a bus, causing injuries.
Neck-deep waters on the ground floor of the Manila Hospital forced staff to move patients to higher floors and flooded generators left the facility without power, spokeswoman Evangeline Morales said.
Soldiers and police in trucks moved thousands of residents, mostly women and children, from the Baseco shanty facing Manila port after many houses were washed away. Male family members were reluctant to leave, saying they wanted to guard their property.
The Philippine Stock Exchange and U.S. Embassy were closed.
Waters at the gates of the embassy compound reached chest-deep, and staff were told to stay home, spokeswoman Tina Malone said.
"There was some flooding in the embassy. I don't know the extent. I'm not there right now," Malone said.
The Sofitel Philippine Plaza relocated its guests after flooding damaged areas of the high-end hotel on the shores of Manila Bay. Sirinate Meenakul, the hotel's regional communications director, said no guests or staff were injured. She did not say how many guests were there.
Benito Ramos, a retired army general who heads the Office of Civil Defense, said authorities were still assessing the damage as the typhoon continued to pummel some areas of the country. He said it was heartwarming to see Filipinos remaining calm amid the unfolding crisis.
"We see people on the roofs of their houses drinking gin and smiling and waving," Ramos said. "Such resiliency helps them get by in stressful times."
Seasonal monsoon rains ahead of the typhoon plus winds pushing seawater inland had worsened the situation, forecaster Duran told the AP. "Land is saturated with rain so the next rain became run-off and was already floodwater," he said.
The wind sent storm surges over an embankment that then trapped water on the city side so that it "couldn't flow back to the bay," said Francis Tolentino, chairman of Metro Manila Development Authority.
President Benigno Aquino III, on a state visit to Japan, told Associated Press Television News he was confident that authorities were adequately responding to flooding. He said he believed power would be restored to most of the Philippine capital by Tuesday afternoon.
He said in an earlier statement that the government had carried out preventive evacuations, and that nearly half of the Luzon areas served by the main power distributor were without electricity due to short circuits caused by high winds.
The first reported death was a 1-year-old boy who drowned in the central island province of Catanduanes after falling into a creek, the government disaster agency reported. As the typhoon's winds lashed metropolitan Manila, a mother and child were killed when their house was hit by a falling tree, and four were reported killed by a collapsing wall.
Two others drowned, while a man was buried in a landslide in Olongapo west of Manila and another died in traffic collision. A 9-year-old girl was pinned to death when a tree fell on a house in Pampanga province, north of Manila, said regional disaster-response official Josefina Timeteo said.
Four fishermen were missing while more than 50 others were rescued along eastern shores after their boats overturned in choppy seas. Forecasters warned of 12-foot-high (4-meter-high) waves.
The storm was expected to leave the Philippines late Tuesday and head into the South China Sea toward southern China.
___
Associated Press writers Oliver Teves, Bullit Marquez and Joeal Calupitan in Manila and Malcolm J. Foster in Tokyo contributed to this report.

News Update 'Pedring' maintains strength; Pagasa lowers storm signals

Typhoon "Pedring" (International name: Nesat) has maintained its strength with maximum sustained winds of 120 kph near the center and a gustiness of up to 150 kph, but may be out of the Philippine area of responsibility (Par) by Wednesday, the state weather bureau said.

Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services (Pagasa) has already lowered public storm signals in several areas, noting that a "gradual improving weather" may be seen late Wednesday afternoon.
The weather bureau is however monitoring a new weather disturbance, which may be named "Quiel" once it enters the Par.
At least seven people have been killed due to Pedring, according to reports.

Signal # 3 is up in Ilocos Sur, La Union, Benguet, and Pangasinan

Signal # 2 in Ilocos Norte, Abra, Apayao, Kalinga, Mt. Province, Ifugao, Nueva Viscaya, Nueva Ecija, Tarlac, and Zambales.

Metro Manila is now under Signal # 1, along with the following areas: Babuyan Cagayan including Babuyan and Calayan group of islands, Isabela, Quirino, Aurora, Bulacan, Pampanga, Bataan and Metro Manila.

News Update Pinoys seek news online as ‘Pedring’ batters PH

With a major portion of Metro Manila suffering from a power outage, Filipinos are once more seeking information from online sources such as news sites, blogs and social networks.
Just a day after Filipinos commemorated the second anniversary of the Ondoy (international name: Ketsana) tragedy, another typhoon is battering North Luzon, with Pedring (international name: Nesat) making landfall between Aurora and Isabela on Tuesday.
Yahoo! readers shared the situation in their area while monitoring Pedring updates on the Storm Watch page of Yahoo! Philippines. Classes in all levels, from pre-school to college, as well as work in government offices, have been suspended in the National Capital Region.
On Twitter, readers talked about the power outages that have affected many areas in the metropolis.
"Power cut in Quintin Paredes Binondo," tweeted @bmabbagu, while @CeejayAgbayani said "no electricity on proj8 area."
@Meralco has assured customers that it is on 24-hour alert and will work on restoring power, but could give no definite timeline as this will be dependent on weather conditions.
On the Yahoo! Philippines Facebook Page, readers also gave updates on the situation outside Metro Manila.
"Lakas din ng ulan at hangin dito sa San Quintin, Pangasinan (It's raining hard and very windy here in San Quintin, Pangasinan). Be safe everyone," said Arlene Estrada Opina.
"Malakas lang ang hangin dito Marawi City (Strong winds here in Marawi City)," said Jireh Jude B. Ladera.
Meanwhile, celebrities also turned to Twitter to express their wishes for the safety of Filipinos.
Here are some videos of Pedring that users have uploaded on YouTube.

News Update DOH on Code White alert for 'Pedring' casualties

The Department of Health (DOH) declared on Tuesday a Code White alert in all hospitals and health facilities in the National Capital Region and other areas threatened by Typhoon Pedring.

"All hospitals and health facilities and offices in Metro Manila will be on Code White alert to provide assistance to residents who will be directly affected by the typhoon," said DOH Center for Health Development Regional Director Eduardo Janairo in a statement.

A Code White alert ensures the availability of emergency medicines and medical personnel in hospitals and health facilities during a typhoon or other emergency situation.

Doctors, nurses, and other health care providers will be ready to provide immediate health care service to casualties who will be injured during the course of a typhoon.

Health providers are also exempted from the work suspension in government offices announced by Malacañang early Tuesday.

"I call on my fellow health workers to be prepared in their respective areas to take appropriate action and provide emergency assistance and related services to all residents who will be affected by typhoon Pedring," Janairo said. — RSJ,

News Update Thousands stranded, two dead as Pedring whips several areas

Thousands of families were affected as typhoon Pedring whipped through several provinces and cities in the northern Philippines on Tuesday.

Typhoon Pedring has killed at least two people in areas where there was severe flooding, President Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino said in a statement.

"I am in constant touch with these members of my Cabinet and the Executive Secretary has been instructed to keep me and the public informed of conditions pertaining as well as mitigation efforts," said Aquino who is currently in Japan for a State visit.

In a briefer issued by the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC), at least 3,186 passengers were stranded in areas affected by typhoon Pedring.

The Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) has issued a flight advisory cancelling at least 41 domestic flights.

"A total of 1,355 families/6,112 persons were affected in 38 barangays, 12 municipalities, 1 city, 5 provinces in Regions II, III, IV-A, and V," it added.

In Albay alone, pre-emptive evacuation had 21,547 families or 111,930 persons fleeing for safety.

NDRMMC said at least one was injured, while four people went missing in areas affected by the typhoon.

In Bicol region, a landslide was reported in barangay (village) Laganac, Balatan, Camarines Sur Monday while a tornado hit barangay Fely, Maconacon, Isabela and left at least six houses damaged.

At least three roads in Catanduanes are impassable because of landslides.

Power outages were also reported in Central and Northern Aurora in Region IV and areas in Region IV-A.

Aquino said 37 percent of Meralco service area is "without power due to tripping caused by high winds." He, however, assured that the power firm is working to restore power.

In a separate statement, Globe telecoms said "typhoon affected areas in Luzon such as Albay, Batangas, Camarines Sur, Catanduanes, Masbate, Romblon, Quezon, Sorsogon, Isabela, Kalinga, Quirino, Aurora, Benguet, Ifugao, Zambales and Mountain Province may experience pocket service interruption due to lack of commercial power.

News Update Pedring slows down but floods continue to hit several areas

After crossing the rugged Sierra Madre terrain, typhoon, 'Pedring' (International name: NESAT) has slowed down but will continue to batter several parts of the country.

In its 11:00 am Tuesday bulletin, the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services (Pagasa) says Pedring is located 100 kilometers east of Baguio City, with maximum sustained winds of 120 kph, 20 kilometers less its previous strength, and now with gustiness of 150, moving at 19 kph.

Pagasa said rainfall estimate is 15-25 mm per hour.

Signal # 3 is raised in the following areas:
Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, Abra, Kalinga, Mt. Province, Ifugao, Benguet, La Union, Nueva Viscaya, Pangasinan.

Meanwhile, the following are under Signal # 2: Apayao Cagayan, Isabela, Quirino, Nueva Ecija, Zambales, Pampanga, Tarlac, Bulacan, Bataan, Metro Manila

Signal # 1: Babuyan, Calayan group of Islands, Northern Quezon, Polillo Island, Rizal, Laguna, Batangas, Lubang Island, Cavite

"Residents in low lying and mountainous areas under Public Storm Warning Signals are alerted against possible flashfloods and landslides. Likewise, those living in coastal areas are alerted against big waves or storm surges generated by this tropical cyclone," Pagasa said in its advisory.

Manila floods

A dzMM news report said at least 30 vehicles were affected as basement parking area in Sofitel hotel gets flooded. A forced evacuation is in place, following the collapse of a seawall behind the hotel premises, the dzMM report added.

In Manila, floods have been reported along major thoroughfare Roxas boulevard and is no longer passable to all types of vehicles. Floods reach chest-high near the Luneta park, a radio dzMM report said.

Employees of the U.S. embassy are already for evacuation, the report added.

Leg-high flood waters were also reported inside Ospital ng Maynila, according to dzMM. The hospital has also appealed for portable generators after a power interruption hit the area.

Deputy presidential spokesman Abigail Valte earlier announced the suspension of work in all government offices Tuesday.

Palace spokesman Edwin Lacierda said the suspension covers NCR, Regions 1, 2, 3, CAR, Batangas Cavite, Rizal and Laguna.

Classes from preschool to college have been suspended in the said areas.

News Update Powerful Typhoon Nesat hits Philippines

Kate McGeown reports from the island of Luzon
Continue reading the main story
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Animated guide: Hurricanes
Philippines reels at deadly storm

A powerful typhoon has struck the Philippines, triggering floods, cutting power and halting work in the capital Manila.

Typhoon Nesat also forced the closure of the Philippine Stock Exchange and the US embassy in the city.

At least two people were killed and another four were reported missing.

As the storm approached, the authorities ordered the evacuation of more than 100,000 people in the central Albay province.

The typhoon is expected to continue across the country, before blowing across the South China Sea towards southern China on Thursday.
Big damage feared

Nesat made landfall just before dawn on Tuesday in the eastern Isabela and Aurora provinces on the Pacific coast.
Continue reading the main story
“Start Quote

We can't manage typhoons, but we can manage their effects”

Joey Salceda Albay province governor

The storm - with wind gusts of up to 170km/h (105mph) - is now making its way across the island of Luzon, which is home to more than half the Philippine population, the BBC's Kate McGeown in the Philippines reports.

Many roads have been flooded and flights cancelled, and local media are urging people against non-essential travel, our correspondent says.

In Manila, government offices, schools and universities were closed, as the authorities urged city residents to stay indoors.

Officials warn that low-lying areas of the capital are particularly vulnerable to flooding and landslides
Pupils walk home in strong rain in Quezon City, the Philippines Typhoon Nesat brought strong rains and forced many schools to close

At least two people died, including a baby who fell into a swollen river in the central province of Catanduanes.

Four fishermen are missing, and more than 50 more have been rescued after their boats capsized in rough seas.

There are fears that the death toll would rise further.

Meteorologists also warn that huge - 12ft (4m) - waves are expected to slam the shoreline.

"The damage is expected to be big," Richard Gordon, head of the Philippines National Red Cross, told the BBC.

"Right now there are already power interruptions. Our agriculture will again be damaged here. And certainly in terms of infrastructure there are some bridges that are flooded right now."

Earlier, about 110,000 people in several towns of the Albay province were ordered to leave their homes and seek shelter elsewhere.

"We can't manage typhoons, but we can manage their effects," provincial Governor Joey Salceda was quoted as saying by the Associated Press.

The Philippines suffers frequent typhoons - but Nesat is thought to be the largest this year.

"This typhoon is very wide in diameter, about 650km, and covers most of Luzon," Graciano Yumul, who supervises the country's weather bureau, told reporters.

It comes almost exactly two years after Typhoon Ketsana killed more than 400 people

News Update La Mesa Dam overflow seen, alert up in nearby communities

An official at the La Mesa Dam has warned nearby communities of an expected spill over as water level rises due to typhoon Pedring, a spokesperson said in a radio interview.

La Mesa Dam headworks manager Engineer Teddy Angeles said in a dzBB interview that the level is at 79.61 as of this writing, just a few meters short of the 80.15-spilling level, when the dam is expected to overflow.

In another report over dzMM, the "red alert" status has been raised quoting La Mesa dam officials.

In a twitter message, the Department of Science and Technology said the La Mesa dam has no gate. "It just overflows," it stressed.

Marikina river meanwhile is under 3rd alarm. As of 11:00 am, Marikina river is at 16.9 meters, few notches short for the forced evacuation at 18 meters, according to news reports.

News Update Can PH become the next Asian Tiger?

Industry leaders of the Association of Southeast Asian Nation (ASEAN) will discuss how the Philippines can become the next Asian Tiger in its largest business conference to be held on Wednesday and Thursday at the Shangri-La Hotel in Makati City.

Asian Tiger is a term used in reference to the highly developed economies of Hong Kong, Singapore, South Korea and Taiwan.

Rising above ranking

Philippines is currently placed in the lower half of the economic ranking of the 10 member countries of ASEAN.

Despite the low ranking, the ASEAN can see a potential in the country with its new leadership, said Dato Timothy Ong, a leading Brunei businessman, during the launch of the ASEAN 100 Leadership Forum on Monday.

He added that President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III’s promise of a new Philippines free of corruption has resulted to a degree of optimism in the economic aspect.

Earlier in September, the World Economic Forum reported that the Philippines has moved 10 places up – from 85th to 75th in the world – in the 2011-2012 Global Competitiveness Report.

Dato Ong, who is the founder of Asia Inc. Forum and convenor of the ASEAN meet, also commended the wealth of human resources in the Philippines and its world-class companies such as Jollibee and Ayala Land.

“Filipinos are the most talented in the world. They are good, hardworking, skillful workers,” he said.

The Brunei businessman said he was convinced that the country can be the next Asian Tiger especially with its centers of excellence.

“Philippines has become the most competitive destination for Business Process Outsourcing (BPO), even better than India,” Dato Ong said.

ASEAN as an integrated economy

Aside from establishing the Philippines as the next Asian Tiger, the industry leaders will also tackle the challenges of integrating the economies of Southeast Asian nations or also known as the One ASEAN.

“ASEAN speaks with one voice in diplomatic issues but not on the economic arena,” Dato Ong said.

In order to achieve One ASEAN, he urged the member countries to put the region above national interests especially now in a world of globalization.

“A One ASEAN is important to accelerate the economic growth, social progress and economic stability in the region,” the businessman said.

News Update Typhoon hits northern Philippines, 100,000 flee

MANILA, Philippines (AP) — A powerful typhoon slammed ashore Tuesday in the eastern Philippines where authorities ordered more than 100,000 people to seek shelter from heavy rains and wind gusts of up to 106 miles (170 kilometers) per hour.

Typhoon Nesat made landfall before dawn Tuesday over eastern mountainous Isabela and Aurora provinces facing the Pacific Ocean, packing sustained winds of 87 mph (140 kph), the government weather bureau said.

With its immense 400-mile (650-kilometer) cloud band, the typhoon threatened to foul weather across the entire main Luzon Island as it moves across the Philippines toward the South China Sea late Wednesday or early Thursday and then heads toward southern China.

Heavy downpours and wind prompted the closure of schools and universities in the capital, Manila, while scores of domestic flights were canceled and inter-island ferries grounded, stranding thousands.

One person was injured in a tornado and more than 50 fishermen rescued along eastern shores when their boats overturned in choppy seas, the government disaster agency reported. Forecasters warned of 12-foot-high (4-meter-high) waves.

Power was cut in many parts of Luzon, including in Manila, where hospitals, hotels and emergency services used generators. Tree branches and torn tarpaulins littered the flooded streets. Traffic was light as most people stayed indoors.

About 112,000 people were ordered to leave their homes in five towns prone to flash floods and landslides in central Albay province. By Monday, more than 50,000 had moved to government-run evacuation centers and relatives' homes, officials said.

"We can't manage typhoons, but we can manage their effects," Albay Gov. Joey Salceda said.

Authorities were monitoring farming communities at the base of Mayon volcano in Albay, about 212 miles (340 kilometers) southeast of Manila.

Tons of ash have been deposited on Mayon's slopes by past eruptions, and mudslides caused by a typhoon in 2006 buried entire villages, leaving about 1,600 people dead and missing.

The typhoon bore down on the Philippines exactly two years after nearly 500 people died in the worst flooding in decades in Manila, a city of 12 million, when a tropical storm hit.

Residents commemorated the anniversary by offering prayers and planting trees Monday.

Nesat is the 16th cyclone to lash the Philippines this year. The geography of the archipelago makes it a welcome mat for about 20 storms and typhoons forming in the Pacific each year.

News Update City might close landfill in 2016

SHOULD the Davao City Government pushes through with its planned US$ 1.2-billion worth of waste-to-energy this year, the city's sanitary land fill might be closed by 2016, an environment official said.
Lawyer Joseph Dominic Felizarta, City Environment and Natural Resources Office (Cenro) chief, said the closure will be for the better since the city will save at least P20 million in keeping the sanitary landfill idle for years.
Felizarta told Sun.Star Friday the waste-to-energy facility to be built by German firm, Herhof, is set to be completed within five years.
"Kung naa na ning facility sa Herhof, dako jud kaayo ang ma save sa city (The city will be saving a lot with the Herhof facility)," Felizarta said.
Felizarta said as soon as the facility becomes operational, the city will be using it as an eco-park and a decomposing site.
He said without the waste-to-energy facility, the lifespan of the city's landfill will be at least 15 years. The facility will extend the lifespan of the landfill by decades.
Felizarta said the city spent approximately P300 million for the landfill. He said the city will not spend anything on the Herhof project.
The project is also expected to bring in at least P107 million in terms of tax revenues and savings.
He said that for tax revenues alone, the facility will probably be paying at least P87 million if the city will be producing 500 tons of garbage per day.
Based on the proposed contract between Herhof and the City Government, the city must comply with the minimum requirement of 500-1000 tons per day.

News Update Philippines grounds air, sea travel as typhoon Nesat nears

MANILA (Reuters) - The Philippines halted all ferries and fishing boats in its central provinces on Monday as typhoon Nesat intensified and moved closer to the country, threatening coconut-growing regions, with typhoon alerts raised in nearly all provinces on the country's main Luzon island.
More than 100,000 people in Albay province in the central Bicol region were ordered to move to safer areas, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council said.
Flights to Bicol were suspended, and schools in the capital Manila closed in the afternoon in response to heavy rains and strong winds brought by Nesat, expected to reach category 3 typhoon before making landfall on Tuesday.
The disaster agency said hundreds of motorists and ferry passengers were stranded in ports, while soldiers and rescue workers were put on alert to help move residents to safety from areas at risk of flood and landslide.
Packing winds of 120 kph (75 mph) with gusts of up to 150 kph, Nesat was 350 km (217 miles) east by southeast of Casiguran town in northern Aurora province on the main island of Luzon, moving west by northwest.
Nesat was expected to hit land in rice- and corn-growing provinces of Aurora and Isabela in the north on Tuesday, crossing mountain regions before exiting via the northwestern Ilocos provinces, weather forecaster Robert Sawi told reporters.
Nesat, known locally as Pedring, could cause landslides, flash floods and storm surges in coastal areas, Sawi said.
"Almost all parts of Luzon will experience rains, with weather conditions to worsen," he said, estimating heavy rainfall due to the prevailing monsoon.
Graciano Yumul, head of the weather bureau, said 25 ml per hour of rainfall was expected, less than half the amount dumped in 2009 by Ketsana, which submerged large parts of the capital, killing hundreds.

News Update EM ASIA FX-Fund redemptions hit baht, Philippine peso

* Equity market outflows hurt baht, peso
* Won gives up Friday's gains on lack of intervention
* Intervention from Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia spotted (Updates text, prices)
SINGAPORE, Sept 26 (Reuters) - The Thai baht and Philippine peso fell on Monday, with talk of equity fund redemptions driving investors to sell off what had been two outperforming Asian currencies earlier in the year.
Authorities in Thailand, Indonesia and Malaysia were battling the market on Monday, selling U.S. dollars from their reserve stockpiles to protect their currencies, though South Korea notably did not intervene.
The outlook on emerging markets globally is dark as most dealers are looking for chances to sell those units on rebounds on persistent worries about the euro zone's sovereign crisis. A sharp decline in emerging market currencies has preceded broader weakness in risky assets.
"I will keep buying dollar/Asia on dips as we have not seen signs of an end in the crisis yet," said a senior currency dealer at a European bank in Singapore.
"Asian authorities are expected to keep intervening, but their intervention would be a just temporary tool, which will not be able to stop the trend."
Emerging Asian currencies have been pressured by dollar-demand in non-deliverable forwards (NDFs) from leveraged and institutional investors, who have over the past few weeks rushed to hedge against more local currency weakness. Some funds were building up dollar-long positions against the regional units.
Last week, the Singapore dollar, once the safe-haven in Asia, posted the largest weekly percentage fall by losing 4.6 percent against the U.S. dollar, according to Reuters' calculation based on the central bank data. The Indian rupee also saw the worst week in more than 15 years.
The losses came as other emerging currencies and growth-linked units broadly fell. The Brazil's real lost 7.5 percent last week, although the central bank's sale of $2.75 billion of currency swaps limited its falls.
On Monday, the Australian dollar also fell to a 10-month low against the U.S. dollar.
WON
The won slid to a one-year low versus the greenback, wiping out Friday's intervention-driven gains, without signs of dollar-selling by the authorities.
The South Korean currency ended local trade at 1,195.8, slightly stronger than Friday's 1,196.0, the softest since early Sept last year.
Earlier, the won had found some relief from bond inflows, but investors dumped the unit again with no sign of authorities.
"There is a consensus that the authorities will defend 1,200 after last week's intervention. But people are using strategies to buy it (dollar/won) until levels where the BOK is seen and sell it there, given no sellers except the BOK," said a trading head of a foreign bank in Seoul.
After domestic market closed, Deputy Finance Minister Choi Jong-ku said the country will closely monitor any speculative trade behind the recent won's falls.
SINGAPORE DOLLAR
Macro funds, leveraged accounts and U.S. investment banks pushed the Singapore dollar down to near the 50 percent retracement level of its appreciation between June 2010 and July this year.
The city-state's currency also suffered from stops in U.S. dollar/Singapore dollar above 1.3050, while macro funds bought the pair from 1.2915, dealers said.
BAHT, PHILIPPINE PESO
The Thai baht and the Philippine peso suffered from fund redemption, which hit local stocks, and the currencies are expected to weaken more.
Thai stocks and Philippine shares tumbled a near 9 percent and more 4 percent, respectively.
The baht weakened to as soft as 31.26 per dollar, the softest since late January, breaching the support of 31.00, the level which was where a rejection of dollar/baht's rally was seen just ahead of the Thai election earlier this year.
If the Thai currency stays weaker than that 31.00, it is seen weakening to 31.21-31.29. The 31.29 is the low of Jan 31 and 31.21 is a 100-week moving average.
The Thai central bank was spotted selling dollars from 31.05 level, dealers said, while real money funds kept selling it.
A deputy governor said the central bank is ready to act on excessive move in the baht.
The Philippine peso shed as much as 0.7 percent, weakening past the 61.8 percent retracement of its appreciation between January and August.
The peso may head to 44.02, the session's low of 44.02 per dollar on March 17, while it also has the 76.4 percent retracement around the level.
RINGGIT
The ringgit lost 0.7 percent against the dollar as interbank speculators continued to build up dollar-long positions.
"We stay long as the euro is below 1.3460," said a Kuala Lumpur-based dealer.
But the Malaysian central bank was spotted selling dollars to limit falls in its currency, dealers said.
The central bank was seen at 3.1820 per dollar earlier and it moved dollar offers to 3.1880 and 3.1900 later, they added.
CURRENCIES VS U.S. DOLLAR Change on the day at 0725 GMT Currency Latest bid Previous day Pct Move Japan yen 76.25 76.58 +0.43 Sing dlr 1.3057 1.2979 -0.60 Taiwan dlr 30.586 30.388 -0.65 Korean won 1194.40 1166.00 -2.38 Baht 31.13 30.86 -0.87 Peso 43.83 43.58 -0.57 Rupiah 9100.00 8870.00 -2.53 Rupee 49.61 49.44 -0.33 Ringgit 3.1890 3.1662 -0.71 Yuan 6.3892 6.3889 -0.00 Change so far in 2011 Currency Latest bid End prev year Pct Move Japan yen 76.25 81.15 +6.43 Sing dlr 1.3057 1.2820 -1.82 Taiwan dlr 30.586 30.368 -0.71 Korean won 1194.40 1134.80 -4.99 Baht 31.13 30.14 -3.18 Peso 43.83 43.84 +0.02 Rupiah 9100.00 9005.00 -1.04 Rupee 49.61 44.70 -9.89 Ringgit 3.1890 3.0820 -3.36 Yuan 6.3892 6.5897 +3.14 (Additional reporting by Lim Seunggyu in SEOUL, Reuters FX Analysts Krishna Kumar, Rick Lloyd, and Catherine Tan of IFR Markets; Editing by Kevin Plumberg)
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News Update Union fights Philippine Airlines outsourcing plan

MANILA, Philippines (AP) — An employees' union says it will fight a plan by Philippine Airlines to outsource thousands of jobs in catering, ground handling and telephone reservations.
Union leader Gerry Rivera said Sunday only a small number of workers have accepted separation packages offered by the airline.
PAL President Jaime Bautista announced last month that about 2,600 employees will be laid off by Sept. 30 but could seek employment with companies contracted to take over the airline services.
PAL says it will proceed with the outsourcing plan and will temporarily reduce domestic and international flights during the transition.
The layoffs will cut PAL's staff to 5,000 and are part of a survival plan launched in 2010 after it lost $312 million in the previous two years.

News Update Pagasa warns of heavy rains as "Pedring" intensifies, signal # 3 up in some areas

The Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services (Pagasa) has placed several provinces under Signal # 3, as Pedring (International name: NESA) slightly intensifies with a maximum sustained winds of 130 kilometers per hour, moving West NorthWest at 19kph.

Signal # 3 is up in the following areas: Catanduanes, Camarines Sur, Camarines Norte, Northern Quezon including Polillo Island, Aurora, Quirino and Isabela.

Signal # 2: Albay including Burias Island, Sorsogon, Rest of Quezon, Rizal, Bulacan, Nueva Ecija, Nueva Vizcaya, Ifugao, Benguet, Mt. Province, Kalinga, Cagayan and Metro Manila.

Signal # 1: Ticao Island, Masbate, Marinduque, Batangas, Cavite, Bataan, Pampanga, Zambales, Tarlac, Pangasinan, La Union, Ilocos Sur, Ilocos Norte, Abra, Apayao and Calayan and Babuyan Group of Islands; and Northern Samar.

Nathaniel Servando, Pagasa administrator said in a press conference 5:00 pm Monday that Pedring is expected to make landfall between Isabela and Aurora areas Tuesday dawn.

"Inaasahan na lalakas pa ito," he told reporters, noting that Pedring might have "25-30 percent ng rainfall" of September 2009's devastating typhoon, Ondoy (Ketsana).

A Pagasa bulletin says Signal # 3 may mean "heavy damage to agriculture, some large trees uprooted, majority of nipa and cogon houses unroofed or destroyed, considerable damage to structures of light to medium construction, moderate to heavy disruption of electrical power and communication services.

Travel by land, sea and air is dangerous, Pagasa added.

Pagasa said classes up to highschool level are automatically suspended in areas under Signal # 2.

News Update Typhoon nears Philippines, shuts schools, flights

MANILA, Philippines (AP) - Schools in the Philippine capital have suspended classes and many local flights are cancelled as the country's main island braces for heavy rains and winds brought by fast-moving Typhoon Nesat.

Forecasters say Nesat will make landfall in eastern Aurora province in the next 24 hours and cross Luzon Island north of Manila with winds of up to 215kmh.

Heavy downpours and wind on Monday prompted the government to shut schools in Manila while airlines cancelled flights to central and eastern parts of the country.

The coast guard also grounded inter-island ferries, stranding hundreds of travellers. The typhoon bore down on the Philippines exactly two years after nearly 500 people died in the worst flooding in decades in Manila.

News Update Road in Cebu named after iconic sports writer

CEBU City Mayor Michael Rama and Pachico A. Seares, executive director of the Cebu Citizens-Press Council (CCPC), led the unveiling yesterday of the M. Oyson Jr. Road, crossing Tambis Circle in Barangay Sambag 2.

City Councilor Noel Eleuterio Wenceslao, a former barangay captain of Sambag 2 and a neighbor of the honoree, authored City Ordinance 2279 that officially named the road after the sports writer.

The council approved the ordinance last Aug. 31 yet, but the unveiling was conducted yesterday to coincide with the culmination of the Cebu Press Freedom Week.

Wenceslao said the council and the City Government have been paying tribute to Cebuanos who made exemplary contributions to the city.

“It is for this reason that we are having today’s unveiling ceremony, naming this street in honor of our brother, a fellow Sambag 2 resident, the late Manuel Oyson Jr. recognizing his contribution in the field of journalism, particularly sports writing,” Wenceslao said.

Background

Oyson was a veteran sports columnist of Sun.Star Cebu, publisher of the defunct Money Saver magazine, a leader of the defunct National Press Club Cebu chapter and assistant director of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) 7.

Linda Gabuya of the council’s committee on tourism, local and international relations and arts and culture said that last May 9, Wenceslao’s ordinance was referred to the committee for comments and recommendations.

Gabuya said the committee recommended approval of the ordinance to honor Oyson, who died in February 2006, leaving behind a legacy of achievements and valuable contributions to Cebuano culture and history in the field of sports.

“This is consistent with the policy of the City Government of Cebu, to honor its distinguished citizens who have contributed to the growth and prosperity of the city to perpetuate their memory,” Gabuya said.

Praises

Former SK chairperson (ex-officio city councilor) Rengel Pelayo and incumbent Councilors Edgar Labella, Sisinio Andales and Alvin Dizon praised Oyson for his good deeds.

Rama said Oyson is listed in the Cebu Hall of Fame and his recognition, naming a road after him, is long overdue.

Dr. Katherine Oyson, an educator and newspaper columnist, thanked the Cebu City Government, Atty. Seares and other media leaders for honoring the legacy of her late husband.

“We are delighted. I know he (Oyson) is with us here today with much delight. We are very grateful for naming this street in honor of my husband,” she said.

Seares, in an interview, said the mandate of the CCPC is to remember deceased journalists who left legacies that benefit the Cebuanos, among them Concepcion Briones, Jose Logarta, Orlando C. Sanchez and Pedro Calomarde, who were already honored with streets named after them.

News Update Construction booming in Central Visayas: Neda

THE construction industry is booming, according to the Regional Economic Situationer.

Cebu City appears to affirm this with over 30 planned medium- and high-rise buildings set to be built between 2011 and 2015. But this also means officials have to face the challenges in traffic, parking and waste management that these new buildings will entail.

According to the situationer, prepared by the National Economic Development Authority (Neda) 7, construction and real estate activities in Central Visayas thrived in the first half of 2011.

The biggest among the construction projects is the P20- billion integrated development project of SM Prime Holdings in Cebu City.

Demand

All the condominium construction projects noted in the situationer are within Cebu City.

“The continued growth of the construction and real estate sectors was due to strong demand for business process outsourcing (BPO) and tourism-related facilities and services, growing demand for residential units particularly in the urban centers, and demand required by the MICE (meetings, incentives, conferences, exhibition) market,” the situationer read.

The online forum skyscrapercity.com has documented at least 34 medium and high-rise buildings to rise in Cebu by 2015. About 30 are in Cebu City.

The highest buildings projected are the Horizons 101 Towers 1 and 2 along Gen. Maxilom Ave. by Taft Properties. The first tower will have 55 floors and the second tower will have 46 floors.

The first tower is already under construction with building permit application number 436 at the Cebu City Office of the Building Official (OBO).

OBO has been bombarded with applications for building permits lately.

Monitoring

Medium-rise buildings are those with six to 10 floors while high-rise buildings are those above 11 floors, said OBO Chief Josefa Ylanan.

In the case of Cebu City, according to the website, five buildings are over 30 floors and these are Horizons’ two towers, 30-storey GT Tower in Fuente Osmeña, 33-storey Ultima Residences Tower 4 and the 30-storey Calyx Residences at the Cebu Business Park.

All five are already under construction but only Taft Properties has records for building permit in OBO, while developers of the three other buildings have none.

Ylanan, though, said that it is impossible that these buildings don’t have permits; it could be that the contractors or the owners, themselves, applied for the building permit and not the developers.

“Everybody can see construction of high-rise buildings. Definitely, the respective barangays will call their attention,” said Ylanan.

A barangay permit is the first requirement in order to construct a building and this means revenue for the said barangay. There are 16 buildings that have over 20 floors and less than 30.

Recharging

Most of the 30 medium and high-rise buildings are condominiums. A short walk through Cebu City’s urban center would show that medium-rise and high-rise condominiums are sprouting.

Cebu City Councilor Michael Ralota, an architect, deems it necessary to control the waste management of condominiums. He plans to pen an ordinance for condominiums to have separate waste management for solid and liquid wastes.

Solid wastes can be used as fertilizer while liquid waste can be used for recharging the aquifer, he said.

More residential buildings also entail heavier traffic. Cebu City Traffic Operations Management (Citom) Executive Director Rafael Yap said the short-term solution for heavier traffic caused by massive urbanization is the strict enforcement of the City’s zoning regulations.

Among the regulations are for residential buildings to follow the parking requirements and the regulation for sidewalks.

“The long-term solution is the mass transport system and the bus rapid transport (BRT) is very timely,” said Yap.

Control

While the 30 buildings are expected to be completed in 2015, the final phase for the BRT is also expected to be finished at that time. The estimate is that the BRT will be implemented at the end of 2013.

Ylanan also said that the City has the power to control growth and development, through the City Planning and Development Office (CPDO).

CPDO issues locational and development clearances, which are requirements after the barangay clearance and before the building permit.

The Cebu City Council even exercised its power by passing an ordinance amending the 1996 Zoning Ordinance of Cebu City so that development in the north zone will be controlled because of traffic considerations.

Drainage is another issue to be looked into, which is why there is more development in the uptown area rather than the downtown. Officials are concerned that the drainage system downtown won’t handle the strain of additional development.

News Update 'Pedring' intensifies; 3 areas in Bicol under storm signal 1

At least three areas in Bicol Region were placed under Storm Signal No. 1 as tropical storm "Pedring" (Nesat) intensified further before noon Sunday, the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration said.

"Yung kanyang diameter ngayon ay 600 km ang diameter (Its diameter has expanded to 600 km)," PAGASA forecaster Aldczar Aurelio said in an interview on dzBB radio.

PAGASA estimated 10 to 20 mm per hour of rain within Pedring's 600-km diameter.

Under Storm Signal No. 1 are Catanduanes, Albay, and Camarines Sur.

On the other hand, PAGASA said in its Twitter account that all its models show Pedring "will make landfall."

But Aurelio said there is a possibility Pedring may exit Philippine territory by Wednesday or Thursday.

As of 10 a.m., Pedring was estimated at 600 km east-northeast of Virac, Catanduanes.

It packed maximum sustained winds of 95 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 120 kph.

PAGASA said Pedring was moving west at 22 kph and is expected to be 420 km east of Baler, Aurora Sunday evening.

By Monday evening, it is expected to be 20 km southeast of Tuguegarao City. By Tuesday evening it is expected to be 240 km northwest of Laoag City.

PAGASA reminded residents in low-lying and mountainous areas under Signal 1 to be alert against possible flash floods and landslides. — LBG

News Update Lawmaker hospitalized

CEBU CITY -- Representative Tomas Osmeña (Cebu City, south district) was rushed to the hospital on Saturday after suffering from fever, chills and stomach pains, an official said.
Vice Mayor Joy Augustus Young said the former mayor was already having fever and stomach trouble Saturday morning but still went out for lunch with barangay officials.
“So he had chills. I insisted that he go to Chong Hua Hospital and rest. It’s just really precautionary,” the vice mayor said.
In a text message to Sun.Star Cebu, Young said Osmeña was already doing fine but decided to stay overnight for several check-ups.
Osmeña was having his feet massaged when reporters arrived in his hospital room upon the congressman’s invitation to have lechon with him.
Among his visitors were his son Miguel, Vice Mayor Young and Sto. Niño Barangay Captain Pancho Ramirez Sr.
Osmeña confirmed he had high fever and chills Saturday.
He and Young were in Barangay Taptap meeting with captains of the mountain barangays when he felt so cold that he couldn’t finish the meeting.
At the hospital, Osmeña was told he had an infection.
A blood culture was done to determine what infected him and what specific antibiotic is needed.
Results of the laboratory tests will be known in a couple of days.
In the meantime, the congressman received intravenous fluids to prevent dehydration, along with general antibiotics.
His wife, Councilor Margarita Osmeña, who was in Macau, will be arriving on Sunday.
The congressman told reporters he feels fine but “cannot run around.”
In 2002, Osmeña was rushed to the hospital after he collapsed inside the Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral while attending a wedding, due to the sudden rise of his blood pressure.
In 2007, Osmeña was rushed to the hospital and had to undergo a minor surgery after complaining of extreme pain in his upper right thigh.
He went under the knife to ease the swelling on his thigh, which was caused by the punctures made during the angiogram. An angiogram is an X-ray test that uses fluoroscopy to take pictures of the blood flow within an artery or vein. It can detect a bulge, narrowing or blockage in a blood vessel that affects blood flow.
In 2008, Osmeña was diagnosed with urinary bladder cancer. He went on medical leave for about five months, ending in mid-2009, to undergo surgery and treatment in the United States. He first ran for Congress in May 2010.

News Update 9 areas under storm signals as 'Pedring' nears north PHL

At least nine areas were placed under storm signals - one of them under Signal No. 2 - as Tropical Storm Pedring (Nesat) intensified further and accelerated towards he Isabela-Auroral area Sunday afternoon.
The Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration also hinted Pedring may affect Metro Manila by Monday evening.
In its 5 p.m. advisory, PAGASA said Pedring was about 460 km east-northeast of Virac, Catanduanes, with maximum sustained winds of 105 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 135 kph.
PAGASA said Pedring is forecast to move west at 28 kph and be 190 km east of Baler, Aurora Monday afternoon.
By Tuesday afternoon, it is expected to be 140 km west-northwest of Sinait, Ilocos Sur; and 510 km northwest of Sinait, Ilocos Sur or at 540 km west of Basco, Batanes by Wednesday afternoon.
Placed under Storm Signal No. 2 was Catanduanes. Areas under Storm Signal No. 1 were: Camarines Sur
Camarines Norte
Albay
Burias Island
Sorsogon
Quezon
Polillo Island
AuroraPAGASA reminded residents in low-lying and mountainous areas under storm signals to be alert against possible flash floods and landslides.
It estimated about 10 to 20 mm per hour of rainfall within the 600-km diameter of Pedring.
Metro Manila to feel effects?
In its Twitter account, PAGASA said Pedring may affect Metro Manila by Monday evening, even as it may hit Aurora and Isabela.
PAGASA also said Pedring may already be making itself felt indirectly in parts of Leyte, with strong winds and rain.
"[May] indirect effect ni Pedring kaya maulan diyan [sa mga area na yan]... inaasahan... na may malakas na hangin [din]," it said in reply to a resident who reported the rain and winds.
Also, it said Pedring may be felt in Bicol as early as Sunday night. — LBG

News Update Palace backs De Lima in 'word war' vs ex-Comelec chief

Malacañang on Sunday backed Justice Secretary Leila de Lima in advising former Commission on Elections Chairman Benjamin Abalos to prepare his defense in an upcoming investigation on poll fraud in 2004 and 2007, instead of doubting the witnesses who linked him to the mess.
Deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said preparing for one’s defense is the “logical" thing for anyone to do in any case.
“Secretary De Lima put it right the first time, focus on your defense instead of discussing in media. Prepare for your defense, that is the logical thing for anyone to do in any case," she said on government-run dzRB radio.
But Valte declined to comment on Abalos’ reported claims that De Lima was “harboring a fugitive" when she took in provincial election supervisors Lilia Radam (South Cotabato) and Yogie Martirizar (North Cotabato) as witnesses.
Radam and Martirizar had been charged with election sabotage after they failed to appear before the Comelec en banc sitting as the National Board of Canvassers to explain discrepancies in election documents during the 2007 elections.
“We will leave that to the better judgment of Sec. De Lima. Alam niya ginagawa niya sa field na yan (She knows what she is doing)," Valte said.
“This is nothing personal. This is pursuant to the investigation of the joint committee formed by the Department of Justice and the Commission on Elections," she added.
The Philippine Daily Inquirer newspaper quoted De Lima as saying last Saturday that Abalos should prepare to defend himself before the government fact-finding panel investigating fraud allegations in the 2004 and 2007 elections, instead of maligning her and the witnesses who linked him to the irregularities.
De Lima was also quoted as saying it was neither criminal nor contemptuous if “the purpose of ‘harboring’ is to protect or have custody of the persons with warrants of arrest to be utilized by the prosecution branch as witnesses for the state." — LBG

News Update Southeast Asia sets up fund in integration step

Southeast Asian nations launched a nearly $500 million fund to build infrastructure, pooling resources in hopes of closing the gap between the dynamic region and major wealthy economies.
In a step toward an ambitious goal of regional economic integration by 2015, finance ministers of the ASEAN bloc on Saturday said the fund would offer loans to build roads, railways and other projects without direct foreign assistance.
"Our community is now being built with speed. This is a milestone," ASEAN Secretary-General Surin Pitsuwan said after ministers signed the pact in Washington on the sidelines of annual World Bank and IMF meetings.
"The time for donations, the time for just gifts, is over. We have to be very innovative, we have to be very collaborative in our approach."
Despite booming growth rates and world-famous buildings, ASEAN on a per capita basis lags behind major advanced nations in access to highways, railways, clean water and electricity.
The ASEAN Infrastructure Fund will start with $485.2 million and aims to finance six projects a year. By 2020, ASEAN hopes the fund will offer $4 billion in loans and that its total leverage will be worth more than $13 billion.
The fund will be based in Malaysia, the biggest contributor with a $150 million initial investment. Indonesia is the second-largest contributor with $120 million.
The Asian Development Bank, the Manila-based regional financial institution to which Japan and the United States are the largest contributors, will provide $150 million and eventually offer 70 percent of financing for the fund.
The ADB will administer the fund and ensure that all investments are financially sound, the bank's president Haruhiko Kuroda said.
Myanmar will not initially participate in the fund but may join in the future, ASEAN officials said. Myanmar, earlier known as Burma, is one of the least developed members of the bloc and its military-backed government has long posed a dilemma for regional integration.
Thailand will not take part immediately as it must go through domestic procedures but it is expected to join, said ASEAN chief Surin, who is Thai.
ASEAN, or the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, also includes Brunei, Cambodia, Laos, the Philippines, Singapore and Vietnam.
The initiative comes as China, which has uneasy political relations with a number of Southeast Asian nations, increasingly looks to exert influence through infrastructure projects -- long a hallmark of Japanese foreign policy.
ASEAN officials said that China, Japan and South Korea had voiced interest in taking part in the initiative but that the region decided to keep it internal for now.
"Our position is that at the initial stage it should be in ASEAN," Malaysia's Second Finance Minister Ahmad Husni Hanadzlah said.
In creating the fund, ASEAN members studied developed nations and understood that "one of the main ingredients for a successful economy is a sufficient, reliable, appropriate and well-maintained infrastructure," said Indonesian Finance Minister Agus Martowardojo, whose country is the current ASEAN chair.
The fund "will help ensure that the 600 million people who call our region home will have greater access to energy, clean water and sanitation and better forms of transportation," he said.

News Update 14 killed as Filipino troops clash with militants

MANILA, Philippines (AP) — Suspected Muslim militants attacked government troops guarding a school construction site in a rebel stronghold in the southern Philippines on Sunday, igniting a clash that killed 12 gunmen and two soldiers, a marine commander said.
About 50 gunmen attacked a marine detachment in hilly Talipao town in Sulu province at dawn, setting off two hours of fierce fighting that killed 12 suspected militants and two soldiers, marine commander Col. Romeo Tanalgo said. Six other military personnel were wounded before the gunmen split and withdrew into the forest, he said.
It was not immediately clear if the attackers belonged to the notoriously violent Abu Sayyaf, an al-Qaida-linked group regarded as a terrorist organization by the U.S. and the Philippines. A larger Islamic rebel group, the Moro National Liberation Front, has a presence in the impoverished, far-flung community.
Government troops recovered seven rebel firearms at the scene of the fighting and were checking if there were more bodies of slain gunmen in the area. Reinforcement troops were pursuing the fleeting militants, Tanalgo said.
Washington has blacklisted the Abu Sayyaf as a terrorist organization, blaming it for many bomb attacks, kidnappings for ransom and beheadings. The militants have attacked and killed American citizens in the past.
The Moro National Liberation Front signed a peace accord with the government in 1996 after it dropped its secessionist bid and settled for limited Muslim autonomy in the south, homeland of minority Muslims in the predominantly Roman Catholic Philippines.
Most of the Moro rebels, however, did not lay down their arms and now complain that the Philippine government reneged on many political and economic promises under the 1996 pact. They have occasionally been blamed for launching attacks against government forces and have been suspected of harboring Abu Sayyaf militants in Sulu, about 610 miles (980 kilometers) south of the capital, Manila.

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News Update 'Small’ delegation to accompany PNoy to Japan

A “small" delegation of 63 people will accompany President Benigno Aquino III in his upcoming four-day visit to Japan, Malacañang said Saturday.
Deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte also said the Philippines can expect to gain lessons from the Japanese people's civic-mindedness and disaster preparedness.
“The official delegation is composed of 63 people, so including the president, it’s 64," Valte said on government-run dzRB radio.
She did not disclose the names of those accompanying Aquino to the Japan visit, which is aimed at “fostering stronger relations" between the two countries.
Aquino is to leave the country on Sunday.
Meanwhile, Valte said Filipinos can expect to learn from the Japanese people civic-mindedness, a virtue "that should be followed by everyone."
According to her, the Japanese struggled to pay their taxes days after a devastating magnitude-9 quake and a 10-meter-high tsunami that hit the country last March 11.
Another lesson Filipinos should learn is disaster preparedness. She said “President Aquino is mainly interested in disaster preparedness, particularly in how the Japanese managed to cope with the twin tragedies that hit them." — LBG