BFP: Oil mill fire in Iligan under control

THE raging fire that burned the million dollar coconut oil mill of Granexport Manufacturing Corporation (Granex) in Barangay Kiwalan, Iligan city, on Monday is now under control.

Chief Inspector Richard Arbutante of the Bureau of Fire and Protection (BFP) in Northern Mindanao, however, told Sun.Star Cagayan de Oro that declaring a fire out is not yet possible at press time but it is under control.

Aquino asks for regular updates on 2 Palace guards accused of robbery

MANILA -- President Benigno Aquino III has sought for regular updates from the Presidential Security Group (PSG) in the case of two of its member who reportedly figured in a robbery incident in Quezon City this week.

PSG Commander Brigadier General Ramon Mateo Dizon said in a press briefing that the PSG is cooperating with the Quezon City Police District (QCPD) in its investigation, adding that the PSG leadership will not tolerate wrongdoing among its members.

Being President not the easiest job: Aquino

MANILA -- President Benigno Aquino III admitted on Friday that being the leader of the country is not the easiest job in the world as he prayed for protection from his enemies.

In his message during the "2013 Care for Philippines Prayer Assembly at the Global Discipleship Congress" held at the Christ Commission Fellowship Auditorium, Frontera Verde Drive, in Pasig City, the Chief Executive said that aside from taking care of the welfare of the more than 92 million Filipinos in the country, he has to look also on the welfare of the 10 million Filipinos abroad.

Comelec makes disqualification of 5 party-list groups final

MANILA -- The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has disqualified with finality five party-list groups included in the 12 organizations earlier disqualified but remanded by the Supreme Court (SC).

8.2 quake hits Russia's Far East

MOSCOW — A powerful earthquake hit Russia's Far East on Friday with tremors felt as far away as Moscow, about 7,000 kilometers (4,400 miles) west of the epicenter.

Marina Kolomiyets, spokeswoman for Obninsk's seismic station of the Russian Academy of Sciences, told The Associated Press the epicenter was in the Sea of Okhotsk, east of the Russian coast and north of Japan. She said the quake registered 8.0 on the Richter scale.

NPA releases 2 militiamen in Surigao

MANILA -- Two militiamen abducted by the New People's Army (NPA) rebels in Bislig City last month have been freed unharmed on Thursday.

Major Leo Bongosia, spokesman of the Army's 4th Infantry Division, identified the two victims as Ronaldo Isaga and Noel Martinez, both members of the Citizen Armed Force Geographical Unit (Cafgu) in Surigao del Sur.

Group delays filing of SC petition against tuition hikes

MANILA -- Party-list group Kabataan moved to Tuesday next week the filing of a petition with the Supreme Court seeking to stop the implementation of higher tuition in some universities and colleges.

The group was supposed to file the petition on Friday to nullify the Commission on Higher Education (Ched) Memorandum 3 issued last year but it opted to wait for the official release of the list of schools that will be allowed to hike tuition for school year 2013-2014.

Maguindanao accountant sentenced for not remitting GSIS dues

MANILA -- An accountant in the town of Paglat in Maguindanao will be jailed for a year for refusing and delaying the remittance of contributions of municipal employees to the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS).

In a 12-page decision by Associate Justice Alex Quiroz of the Sandiganbayan Third Division, the court said Monawara Kiga must also pay a fine of P10,000 and is now disqualified from holding public office and from practicing any profession or calling licensed by the government.

Cessna crash-lands at Davao airport after engine fails

MANILA -- A Cessna plane crash landed at the Davao International Airport Friday morning.

The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) said the plane went down around 8 a.m. after it experienced engine trouble during a test flight.

Abu Sayyaf bandits free social worker

ZAMBOANGA (Updated) -- Suspected Abu Sayyaf bandits released Thursday night a social worker they kidnapped last Wednesday in Ungkaya Pukan town in Basilan, a military spokesman said.

Colonel Rodrigo Gregorio, spokesman of the military's Western Mindanao Command, said Jenelyn Entera, was freed around 7:30 p.m. Thursday at Marang village in Sumisip town through negotiations.