* Released Irish priest jokes about ordeal Nov 13, 2009
Speaking in a mixed local Filipino dialect and a thick Irish brogue after being released yesterday, the 79-year-old priest chuckled as he recalled his time in the rough jungles of Mindanao island. In a nationally televised press conference, Sinnott said he was raring to return to his parish in Pagadian city, where he has served for decades and runs a foundation helping disabled children from impoverished families. (Taipei Times, Taiwan -- World)
Irish priest freed in Philippines Nov 12, 2009
Fr Michael Sinnott was seized by gunmen from his mission office in Pagadian on Mindanao island on 11 October. The Irish government said it had not paid a ransom for the release of the Columban missionary. (BBC News -- Asia-Pacific)
Massive mango Nov 1, 2009
But a 7-pound, 7-ounce mango was reported Aug. 27 on Mindanao island in the Philippines ... But a 7-pound, 7-ounce mango was reported Aug. 27 on Mindanao island in the Philippines. (Honolulu Star-Bulletin)
Priest's kidnappers release video Nov 1, 2009
Gunmen seized the Columban missionary from his mission office in Pagadian on Mindanao island on 11 October. In the video, Fr Sinnott is pictured standing in front of a sheet or tablecloth in a forest. (BBC News -- UK)
Kidnapped priest alive but unwell, says mission Oct 26, 2009
Father Michael Sinnott was taken at gunpoint from his mission office in the city of Pagadian, on Mindanao island, on October 11, two months before his 80th birthday. Last week the government dismissed rumours that the missionary, who underwent heart surgery recently, had died in captivity. (Yahoo! Asia News)
Estrada says he wants war in Philippines Oct 21, 2009
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Irish priest seized in Mindanao Oct 12, 2009
They say six attackers, said to be Islamic militants, took Father Michael Sinnott, 78, at gunpoint in Pagadian City, on Mindanao island. They then fled with the priest in a minivan before boarding a boat. (BBC News -- Asia-Pacific)
Philippines approves peace brokers Sep 16, 2009
The previous round of talks was halted last year after two senior MILF commanders launched co-ordinated attacks across several mostly Christian towns and provinces on Mindanao island in the southern Philippines. They did so after the Supreme Court rejected a proposed deal granting the rebels control over their so-called "ancestral domain" that covers more than 700 towns and villages. (Sydney Morning Herald -- World)
Two dead as ferry sinks Sep 6, 2009
The ship sank about six nautical miles off the west coast of Zamboanga peninsula on Mindanao island, Defence Secretary Gilberto Teodoro said. Rescuers were five hours into an operation to evacuate 847 passengers listed on board the Philippines-flagged Superferry 9, which was on its way to the central port of Iloilo from General Santos City in the south. (iAfrica.com)
Three dead, dozens missing as Philippines ferry sinks Sep 6, 2009
We are searching for all possible areas like the coastal areas," near the site of the sinking, said Tamayo in a radio interview. "Navy ships, airforce aircraft are still scouring the area," he said. The ferry got into trouble before dawn and issued a distress call around 4:00 am (2000 GMT Saturday), six nautical miles off the coast of Zamboanga peninsula in southern Mindanao island. The boat sank several hours later as rescue operations were under way. Three people were known to have died,... (Channelnewsasia.com)
Madhatta Haipe Extradited to U.S. for 1995 Hostage Taking Involving U.S. and Philippine Citizens Aug 29, 2009
The indictment alleges that defendant Madhatta Haipe, also known as Commander Haipe, led a group of armed individuals on Dec. 27, 1995 in the kidnapping of 16 individuals, including four U.S. citizens, in the rugged area around Trankini Falls, Mindanao Island, in the Philippines. Haipe, who was a Professor of Islamic Studies at Mindanao State University, and his well-armed group of unidentified co-conspirators allegedly made threats to kill all the hostages if any of them attempted to escape. (PR Newswire)
Alleged leader of 1995 kidnapping in Philippines extradited to U.S. Aug 29, 2009
An indictment alleges Haipe led an armed group in the kidnapping of 16 people, including four U.S. citizens, in a rugged area of Mindanao Island, and held them until a ransom was paid. lect> Add your comment (max {maxchars} characters) You must be logged in to leave a comment. (Honolulu Advertiser)
PHILIPPINES: "Rebels and troops violated rights" Aug 27, 2009
"There really is so much anxiety and insecurity on Mindanao island. We call this a human rights crisis," Amnesty section head for the Philippines, Aurora Parong, told IRIN in Manila. Both the MILF and members of the Philippine Army have been blamed for torching civilian houses, forcing tens of thousands to "live in fear and uncertainty in overcrowded camps, with their relatives or in makeshift shelters on roadsides". (AlertNet)
* Arroyo vows she will not seek to extend her term Jul 29, 2009
Meanwhile, New Peoples Army guerrillas detonated a roadside bomb, killing two soldiers and wounding five on Mindanao island, the military said yesterday. The guerrillas planted the device on a highway in a remote village outside Davao city. (Taipei Times, Taiwan -- World Business)
Philippines Bombs Kill Six People, Injure 46 in Mindanao, Jolo in South Jul 7, 2009
July 7 (Bloomberg) -- A bomb exploded in the southern Philippine island of Jolo today killing at least six people while a blast in Iligan City on Mindanao Island injured six, authorities said. About 40 people were hurt when an explosion occurred near a gasoline station in Jolo after 8 a.m. local time, police spokesman Jose Bayani Gucela said in a mobile phone message today. (Bloomberg -- Germany)
Country profile: The Philippines Jul 5, 2009
Reporters Without Borders noted in 2008 that "constant threats and physical attacks make some regions, particularly Mindanao island, dangerous areas". By 2007 there were 14 million internet users (ITU). (BBC News -- Asia-Pacific)
Philippines captures 'rebel base' Jul 5, 2009
Troops in the Philippines have seized a separatist camp and killed 30 rebels on Mindanao island, the military says. The army said its soldiers found large caches of weapons and ammunition when they entered the base at the end of days of fighting. (BBC News -- Asia-Pacific)
Philippines blast kills 3 Jun 29, 2009
The three dead included a man seen placing one of the devices in a garbage bin at a coffee shop near the town of Datu Saudi Ampatuan on Monday, an overwhelmingly Muslim section of Mindanao island, one witness said, quoting local police. "(One) bomb exploded prematurely. Among those killed was the bomb courier," said Major Randolph Cabangbang, military spokesperson for the region. (iAfrica.com)
* Philippine troops, rebels work together to free tourist Jun 1, 2009
The Pentagon group has been blamed for several abductions in recent years in the central region of southern Mindanao Island, where the Moro rebels maintain strongholds. But there has been no indication the crimes were linked to a spike in kidnappings for ransom blamed on the Abu Sayyaf, a smaller but more violent al-Qaeda-linked group. (Taipei Times, Taiwan -- Business)
Bloody clash in south Philippines Mar 28, 2009
The MILF blamed the army for the battle, on Mindanao island. Hundreds have died and many thousands have been displaced on Mindanao since August, when peace talks foundered. (BBC News)
PHOTO IN THE NEWS: Hairy-Tailed Rat Is New Species Feb 20, 2009
The yellow-brown rodent was discovered in 2006 in pygmy forests of Mount Hamiguitan on the ' Mindanao island, but was only recently identified as a new species. The mammal was so distinctive that DNA testing was not needed to determine it as a new species. (National Geographic)
