Santosh Digal

The ninth "Week of Peace" opened yesterday in Zamboanga, urging the government and separatist rebels of the Islamic Front to put an end to hostilities in the southern archipelago.

In an event promoted by evangelical churches, Christians and Muslims marched through the city's streets praying for it to be rid of violence.

Malnourishment and lack of assistance are the main problem. An entire generation is at risk of growing up underdeveloped. Multi-faith NGO Akap-Bata provides physical, moral and legal aid to the "poorest of the poor".

The second International Conference of Muslim Leaders starts today as part of the ASEAN summit, aiming to give a voice to the peaceful but silent Muslim majority.

The bishop of Dumaguete, Mgr Du, said poverty and not enough promotion of priestly life were to blame for a drop in vocations.

A meeting in Manila of Muslim leaders of ASEAN is about to be held. The man behind the meeting underlined the urgent need of giving space to and expanding the stands of moderates against terrorist ploys.

The diplomatic representatives of the United States, Japan, the United Kingdom, Canada, New Zealand and Australia arrived in the southern archipelago yesterday to show their commitment to peace and cease-fire.

The mayor of Iloilo said around 300 people have returned to their villages on the islands, which were stricken three months ago by an oil spill. Another 600 residents are still in evacuation centres.

Benedict XVI sent a message to youth gathered for the 10th National Youth Day under way in Davao in the south of the Philippines. He exhorted them to model their lives on bible precepts and to keep their gaze firmly fixed on Christ, the light for the journey of mankind.

The event begins today till November 12. Prayers, reflections and singing will bring together some 10,000 young people in Davao.

The congregation was set up by two missionaries of Mary Immaculate with the aim of supporting education in the archipelago, torn apart by years of separatist struggle. With time, peace and interfaith dialogue became the foremost mission of these sisters.

The bishop, Mgr Juan de Dios Pueblos, intends to ask the Melo Commission, which is tasked to probe human rights abuses, to investigate. The sisters said the attack shows the soldiers' disrespect for the law.