CEBU CITY

About a third of more than 600 inmates of the Mandaue City Jail have suffered from flu-like symptoms since last week, and a health official warned the ailments could spread faster in such congested quarters. Officials from the Department of Health (DOH) in Central Visayas visited the jail Sunday to collect swab samples from about 177 inmates, as a precaution against influenza A (H1N1). Most of these inmates suffer from pre-existing conditions, one factor that has turned an otherwise mild flu into a potentially fatal illness.

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Tell your friends and family to register also on our forum – more members more topics – more reasons for you to raise your postcount and win P2000!

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Tacloban City

The number of A(H1N1) positive cases in Eastern Visayas has reached the hundred mark, has affected about 19 schools in the Region and is about to drain the P1-Million funding of DOH. Department of Health Regional Director Edgardo Gonzaga informed the members of the local media during the special Tuesday episode of Harampang Ha PIA, that the number of A(H1N1) cases under observation, as of July 14, is now 256.

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GENERAL SANTOS CITY

Police authorities in Sarangani province on Thursday said the manhunt for the killers of a cousin of boxing icon Manny Pacquiao in Maasim town was continuing. Senior Superintendent Danilo Peralta, Sarangani provincial police chief, however admitted that they have yet to establish the identity of the assailants who shot dead 43-year-old Rogelio Pacquiao.
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The news of the Bamboo Taxis is running through the whole world – and they come from? LEYTE – Tabontabon. Read the full article for pictures of this new vehicle!

In the search for a low-cost, fuel-efficient, safe, and environmentally friendly alternative to motorcycles, the mayor of a city in the Philippines recently rolled out two incredible taxis crafted from one of our favorite renewable materials – bamboo! Rustico Balderian, mayor of Tabontabon, has commissioned the construction of two taxis made from 90% bamboo that are powered by coconut biodiesel – take that steel-based cars!

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MANILA, Philippines

Despite the massive government campaign abroad, most of the Filipinos overseas have not bothered to register for the 2010 fully automated elections due to worries that their votes won’t be counted properly anyway. Senate Minority Leader Aquilino Pimentel Jr. made this statement following a recent trip to Switzerland and The Netherlands, where he met with Filipino communities.

Pimentel lamented the prevailing apathy among overseas Filipinos toward their right of suffrage. The senator was among the lawmakers that pushed for the extension of the right of suffrage to Filipinos overseas, including dual citizen Filipinos, due to their clamor.

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DAVAO CITY

Human rights officials have linked some members of the Davao City Police Office-Heinous Crime Investigation Section (DCPO-HCIS) to summary killings in the city. Commission on Human Rights (CHR) chief Leila de Lima said an informant, who confessed to be a former member of the so-called Davao Death Squad, told them that some members of the HCIS were responsible for the abduction and death of some victims of summary executions in the city.

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MANILA

Italian Red Cross worker Eugenio Vagni, who was released by the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) in Maimbung, Sulu after holding him captive for nearly six months, arrived Sunday morning here from Zamboanga City.

The plane carrying Vagni, 62,   landed at the Villamor Air Base in Pasay City past 11 a.m. Accompanied by the crisis committee that negotiated with the bandits for his release, the Italian was welcomed by members of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and Italian ambassador Rubens Anna Fedele.

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COTABATO CITY

The Cotabato City council has offered a P1-million reward for anyone who could provide information leading to the identities and arrest of persons responsible in the bombing on Sunday.

City Council presiding officer and Vice Mayor Japal Guiani Jr. said the amount would be given to anyone who could inform authorities about the people behind what he described as an “evil act,” which killed six people and wounded 52 others.

“We believe the attacker or attackers are still here, whoever he is he should face the bar of justice,” Guiani said.

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COTABATO CITY, Philippines
The man who was seen leaving a backpack at the roast pig store in front of the Cotabato Immaculate Conception Cathedral before the explosion that left five people dead and at least 40 wounded has been identified.

Rico Aburva, 34, was arrested inside the compound of the Cotabato Immaculate Conception Cathedral right before the bomb went off, said Chief Superintendent Josefino Cataluña, director of Central Mindanao region police. Aburva is now undergoing police interrogation to determine his involvement in the incident. Cataluña said that police will also be looking at footage from the closed circuit television camera from the nearby Central Bank office to possibly identify those responsible for the brutal attack.

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