Santosh Digal

For years Lt Col Johnny Macanas was involved in the fight between Christians and Muslims. Affected by the militarisation of the conflict, he decided to take the lead in the struggle for “peace and mutual understanding. Cardinal Rosales appeals for prayers to “end the war.”

According to the agency, the poor live on less than US$ 1.35 a day, the new benchmark which takes into account the quality of family purchases and shopping frequency. If the current trend continues, there will be more than 31 million poor in the country.

The archbishop of Manila, back from a trip to the island, calls upon the joint Christian-Muslim commission to work to restore stability to the area, and to promote an agreement between the MILF and the government. Chemical materials discovered, used by Islamic rebels to make explosives.

The failure to achieve an agreement between the MILP and the government has increased tensions in the southern province. According to a UN agency there are hundreds of thousands of refugees. There is the danger that another bloody conflict might break out. The Church begins to provide assistance to the civilian population.

The army is advancing, but more than 160,000 people have fled from their homes, leaving everything behind. Catholic bishops and Islamic leaders ask the government and rebels to resume talks.

More than 800 guerrillas are ensconced in 15 majority Christian villages in North Cotabato. The violence has created an enormous humanitarian crisis, and the Red Cross is preparing to send food and water. Part of the Filipino Church is in favor of the agreement on regional autonomy in Mindanao.

Two congressional committees back the Reproductive Health bill, triggering the bishops’ reaction against the ‘pro-abortion” bill. The prelates want the government to come up with policies that focus on “education, agricultural development and help to the poor.”

The Catholic Church is hailing the stop to the agreement between the government and the MILF, charging it with "lacking transparency" and "failing to involve the people". Analysts speak of a move by Arroyo to win approval in view of the presidential elections in 2010.

The number of cases in the Asian country rises by 14 per cent. Government and Catholic Church promote educational and prevention campaigns to fight the spread of the disease, in schools as well. International conference in Mexico City seeks more funds for research.

Court’s decision is intended to placate protest. Public opinion is largely against an expanded Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao. Both Christians and Muslims are against the deal.

The presentation ceremony for Asia’s Nobel Prize, the Ramon Magsaysay Award, will take place on August 31 in Manila. Celebrating the memory of the third president of the Philippines, this year’s prize goes to seven people and one organization from India, Indonesia, Japan, the Philippines, Thailand and Sri Lanka.

Yesterday an armed group ambushed a bus in Lanao del Sur, stronghold of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front. The group robbed passengers and then shot the men. The Philippine Church urges an accord between the government and MILF to avoid an escalation in violent attacks.