The half-day debate held by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), Philippine Red Cross (PRC) and MSU-IIT produced lively discussions from the six teams fielded by the General Santos, Marawi and Iligan MSU campuses, during deliberations on the relevance of IHL or the law of armed conflict.

BUTUAN CITY (OP-Mindanao) -- New Zealand Ambassador Andrew Matheson and Presidential Adviser on Mindanao Jesus Dureza will meet with key leaders and visit communities in Agusan del Sur and Butuan City starting today (March 3) as part of efforts to reaffirm New Zealand’s commitment peace and development in the region.

The anguish brought by the recent violence that rocked Maguindanao has somewhat subsided as seen on the faces of civilians trying to live normal lives now. But the surrounding countryside is displaying worrying signs.

Leaves and grasses are slowly turning yellowish due to the extreme heat brought by El Niño to the province. A creek about two kilometers away from Malangit Elementary School in Buluan is drying up. In good times, school kids go there to catch mudfish and tilapia for food.

Gabriela Women’s Party expressed today grave concern on the reported power crisis badly hitting Mindanao. Power failure in the island on election day would mean failure of the procedure.  Malacañang allies in the House of the Representatives have proposed granting Gloria Macapagal Arroyo emergency powers based on this alarming report.

Liezl Bacalso, a MAAS member from Sirib in Calinan District,  questioned the logic behind the decision since there were already previous studies conducted by government experts on the negative effects caused by the aerial spray on the lives of the people living near  banana plantations.  “Bakit kailangan pa ng experts from other countries? Bakit kailangan pa ng studies , eh meron na ang DOH at DA; may recommendation na sila. Bakit hindi ito sundin?”, (Why is there a need for experts from other countries when the DOH and DA experts have already made their recommendations? Why are these not being followed?), she asked.

DAVAO CITY (Katribu/18 Feb) -- Katribu Partylist, an Indigenous People's sectoral party, kicked off its pro-Davaoeno, pro-Lumad campaign mantra with a motorcade - float parade which passed through the city’s  major thoroughfares leading to People's Park today.