Farmer-activist abducted, says group
MANILA, Philippines—Obito Marquez, 31, member of a militant farmer’s group, believed abducted by military agents, has been missing since Sunday night, the Katipunan ng mga Samahang Magbubukid sa Timog Katagalugan (Kasama-TK, Organization of Farmers in Southern Tagalog), reported Monday. Niña Catherine Calleja
Capsized ‘Princess’ owner, captain charged
MANILA, Philippines—The Department of Justice (DoJ) filed criminal charges against the owner and captain of the M/V Princess of the Stars, a year after it capsized in stormy seas off Sibuyan Island, killing hundreds of people. Sulpicio Lines first vice president Edgar Go and the ship’s captain Florencio Marimon were charged with reckless imprudence resulting in multiple homicide at the Manila City regional trial court shortly before noon Monday. Justice Secretary Agnes Devanadera said: “The delay in filing charges is caused by a long time of gathering evidence.” The DoJ recommended P320,000 bail each for the two accused. An investigation on other people linked to the sinking will continue. The M/V Princess of the Stars was carrying over 800 passengers and crew when it capsized in the evening of June 21, 2008, as typhoon “Frank (international codename: Fengshen) battered central Philippines. Tetch Torres
Gov’t mulls halt in Sulu pursuit for Vagni
MANILA, Philippines—The government is considering a temporary halt to pursuit operations against the al Qaeda-linked Abu Sayyaf to pave the way for the resumption of negotiations for the release of an Italian Red Cross worker, who had been in captivity for five months, Interior Secretary Ronaldo Puno said. “We are willing to consider the temporary cessation of pursuit operations in favor of some communication just so that we can try to explore other means to resolve this,” he said. But Puno maintained that no ransom would be paid for Vagni’s release. In recent days, government troops have been clashing with the Abu Sayyaf in the southern island of Jolo, where the bandits are reportedly holding Vagni. Although the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) earlier reported that contact with Vagni had ceased, Puno said reliable sources revealed Vagni was still alive. Abigail Kwok
