ISABELA PROVINCE–Bubot Donato and members of his Agta family, trekked the Sierra Madre ranges from Palanan town to Cabiseria 10-Lupigui in Ilagan City, for three days before Christmas Day, along with 33 other families.
Their journey was rewarded with gifts and cash and other Christmas treats provided by teachers in Cauayan City. “We are so happy because the treats are a big help to us,” said Donato. Members of the Agta community in Palanan engage in fishing and hunting as well as offer their services as guides for tourists.
Agta children expressed their appreciation by singing holiday songs and performing a dance. Racquel Tabaday, principal of the University of Perpetual Help-Isabela High School, said the outreach program to the Agta has been an annual activity with her fellow educators. “Sharing our blessings to people who are in need warms our hearts,” she said. Villamor Visaya Jr, Inquirer Northern Luzon
Dolphin rescued
ILOCOS NORTE–Villagers rescued a female spinner dolphin which they found in shallow waters of coastal Barangay Victoria in Currimao town, on Christmas Day.
The dolphin, which spanned 1.67 meters and weighed 45 kilograms, was named “Jesusa Victoria” by the villagers. This was the 15th stranding case since January, according to Arthur Valente, fishery regulatory officer of the provincial agriculture office and Ilocos Norte team leader of the Philippine Marine Mammal Stranding Network.
The dolphin was described as suffering from a “depressed” state. It had no wounds or bruises but did not display any sign of buoyancy, Valente said. He said the dolphin was stranded as it searched for food. Leilanie Adriano, Inquirer Northern Luzon
Marine kills colleague
ZAMBOANGA CITY–A Marine soldier attacked and killed a colleague in Maluso, Basilan on Christmas eve.
Chief Insp. Edwin Placio, Basilan police operations chief, said that both the victim identified as Sgt. Errol Molin Chavez of Bingwan, Iloilo, and perpetrator Private First Class Dave Bryan Cervito Abang of Tacurong City, are members of the Marine Battalion Landing Team 11 based in Maluso.
“The victim suffered multiple [bullet] wounds on his chest, right and left arms. The suspect used his own service weapon, an M16 rifle,” Placio said, adding that police still have to determine the reason for the attack. Lt. Gen. Rustico Guerrero, chief of the Western Mindanao Command, said initial reports showed that the two had a “personal rift” prior to the incident. Julie S. Alipala, Inquirer Mindanao
Trader freed
SULU–A businesswoman here was released by her abductors in Talipao town in Sulu, on December 24.
Navy Ensign Ian Chester Ramos, spokesperson of the Naval Forces Western Mindanao, said the abductors of Michelle Panes, a businesswoman of Purok 4, Barangay Labuan in Zamboanga City, were forced to free their victim due to military pressure.
Ramos said a resident found Panes and brought her to the Joint Task Group headquarters in Jolo town. He said Panes underwent a medical checkup and debriefing before her transfer to this city.
Panes was abducted by five armed men clad in military uniforms inside her market stall in Labuan on Aug. 18. On Dec. 22, Senior Supt Angelito Casimiro, the city police director, said the Panes family was negotiating for the release of the victim. Julie S. Alipala, Inquirer Mindanao