Archive for December 25th, 2012

MANILA, Philippines—Tropical storm Quinta (international name Wukong) has left over 5,000 passengers stranded in several ports nationwide, the Philippine Coast Guard said early Wednesday.

A total of 5,144 passengers were stranded in the following ports: Manila 2,550, Carbalogan Samar 82, Maasin Leyte 454, Bicol 223, Tagbilaran 715, Dumaguete 31, Cagayan de Oro 200, Ozamis 625, Butuan 75, Dapitan 44 and Iloilo with 145, the PCG said in a statement.

Meanwhile, 40 vessels and 10 motor bancas with 150 rolling cargoes were stuck on the said ports while 10 vessels took shelter in other ports.

The PCG said it remained on heightened alert and continuously…Keep on reading: ‘Quinta’ leaves over 5,000 passengers stranded
Source: Inquirer.net

MANILA, Philippines—Tropical Storm “Quinta” (international name Wukong) has slightly weakened after it made landfall in Leyte but storm signals remained in 31 areas, the weather bureau said early Wednesday.

Quinta made landfall over Abuyog, Leyte around midnight and is now traversing Camotes Island, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said.

Placed under Signal No. 2 were Sorsogon, Masbate including Ticao Island, Northern Samar, Eastern Samar, Western Samar, Leyte, Southern Leyte, Biliran, Bohol, Cebu including Camotes Island, northern part of Negros Occidental, and Dinagat Province.

Sig…Keep on reading: ‘Quinta’ slightly weakens after making landfall
Source: Inquirer.net

BETHLEHEM, West Bank—Pilgrims and locals celebrated Christmas Day on Tuesday in the ancient Bethlehem church where tradition holds Jesus was born, candles illuminating the sacred site and the joyous sound of prayer filling its overflowing halls.

Overcast skies and a cold wind didn’t dampen the spirits of worshipers who came dressed in holiday finery and the traditional attire of foreign lands to mark the holy day in this biblical West Bank town.

Bells pealed and long lines formed inside the fourth-century Church of the Nativity complex as Christian faithful waited eagerly to see the grotto that is Jesus’ traditional birthplace.

Duncan Hardock,…Keep on reading: Worshipers rejoice in Bethlehem
Source: Inquirer.net

Combines military and police operations led to the arrest Tuesday of an alleged leader of the communist New People’s Army (NPA) who had a P5.25-million bounty on his head.

A statement from the Philippine Army said suspected communist rebel leader Filemon Mendrez was arrested at around 10 a.m. in Barangay (village) Tubod, Manjuyod town, in Negros Oriental.

The military said Mendrez, alias “Tatay” and “Edon,” was the leader of the armed group of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) in Negros.

The military recently turned over a total of P22 million in reward money to 10 informants who led the military to ranking communist leaders and…Keep on reading: One of most wanted NPA leaders captured
Source: Inquirer.net