No Yuletide break in clashes

KIDAPAWAN CITY—Just hours after President Duterte declared a halt in military offensives against communist rebels in observance of the Yuletide season, clashes erupted between government forces and rebels in Magpet, North Cotabato, early on Tuesday, according to the military. Capt. Silver Belvis, 39th Infantry Battalion spokesperson, said soldiers were checking reports of harassment by armed men in a Manobo village at the foot of Mt. Apo when they were fired upon by at least 30 members of the New People’s Army. —EDWIN FERNANDEZ

Rebels free cops after a month

DAVAO CITY—Communist rebels on Wednesday released two policemen they took as prisoners of war in Placer, Surigao del Norte, more than a month ago, authorities said. Chief Supt. Noli Romana, regional police director of Caraga, said the policemen—PO2 Alfredo Degamon Jr. and PO2 John Paul Doverte—were freed with the help of security forces and civilian officials of the town and province. The captives were released to top officials of Surigao del Norte. The release followed President Duterte’s declaration of a halt in military offensives against the rebels. The policemen were on duty in Placer when they were taken by the rebels on Nov. 13. —FRINSTON LIM

A bombed-out mosque was barely standing in Marawi City, which was left in ruins by terrorists. —INQUIRER PHOTO

Power utility gets help in Marawi

ILIGAN CITY—The Lanao del Sur Electric Cooperative (Lasureco) got a much-needed boost in its aim to restore power in war-torn areas in Marawi City and towns nearby. Nordjiana Dipatuan-Ducol, Lasureco manager, said Manila Electric Co. (Meralco), through the One Meralco Foundation, donated tools and other items to help Lasureco fully restore power in Marawi, which Islamic State and the war to flush it out left in ruins. Ducol said the donated items included transformers and were worth at least P3 million. The war destroyed transformers and electric posts in the predominantly Muslim city. Ducol said lack of equipment bogged down the full restoration of power. When the first batch of residents returned to the village of Malutlut, where the war started, they found transformers busted. “It was a big challenge for us because we were alone,” she said. Not anymore. Ducol said other electric cooperatives were helping restore power and had sent linemen to help. —DIVINA SUSON

Tesda regional chief found dead at home

PAGADIAN CITY—The regional director of the Technical Educational Skills Development Authority (Tesda) in Western Mindanao was found dead inside his house in Balangasan, a village here, according to police who ruled no foul play in the case. Chief Supt. Billy Beltran, Western Mindanao police director, said Edgar Aposaga Sales, 59, and regional Tesda chief, apparently died of cardiac arrest. His body bore no wound, abrasions or contusion which indicated there was no foul play, Beltran said. —JULIE ALIPALA

Heavily armed policemen secure the site where 18 fireworks stalls were closed in Cebu City. —JUNJIE MENDOZA/CDN

Cops close stores selling illegal fireworks

CEBU CITY—The Central Visayas police shuttered at least 18 pyrotechnic stores at the reclaimed South Road Properties (SRP) in this city on Wednesday for failure to comply with safety regulations. Chief. Supt. Jose Mario Espino, regional police director, said the stores were found selling illegal imported pyrotechnics. Espino told the vendors to make sure their products carried manufacturers’ names, warning signs and instructions. Many of the imported pyrotechnics were from China. “That’s illegal,” Espino said. He said names of manufacturers should be on the products because “in case something bad happens, we know who to hold accountable.” “We aim for zero pyro-related injuries,” said the police chief. Products without the Philippine Standard mark at the SRP stalls were also confiscated by policemen. —ADOR VINCENT MAYOL

Eva delos Santos —CEBU DAILY NEWS

NBI probes singer for realty fraud

CEBU CITY—The National Bureau of Investigation has started a probe of a complaint of fraud against a popular singer who allegedly sold a townhouse that was not hers. The regional office of the NBI set a hearing yesterday on the complaint filed by businesswoman Prisca Nina Mabatid against Eva delos Santos, who was famous here for winning the second prize in a Finnish singing contest in 1994 and reaching the finals in 2013 in the ABS-CBN talent search “The Voice of the Philippines.” Louie Arma, lawyer of Mabatid, said Delos Santos sold a townhouse in Banilad village to his client on June 6 but it turned out it was owned by someone else. —ADOR VINCENT MAYOL