Thursday, March 06, 2008 (Philippines)

Army Major General Jose T. Barbieto, former commanding general of the Army 4th Infantry Division, was placed under a six-month preventive suspension by the Office of the Ombudsman Wednesday, along with his driver, Staff Sergeant Roseller Echepare, over their alleged involvement in an extortion racket. (Sun.Star Cagayan de Oro photo) SAYING they are fighting not only for their family's health but for everybody as well, farmers and affected residents from Davao City are set to stage another round of protest to press their case against aerial spraying before the Court of Appeals (CA) in Cagayan de Oro City. Cecilia Olmo-Moran, Mamamayan Ayaw sa Aerial Spraying (Maas) spokesperson, said that about 400 farmers and residents will stage a caravan to prod the CA magistrates to reconsider an earlier decision granting appeal a preliminary injunction on a local ordinance banning aerial spraying in Davao City. Arroyo Watch: Sun.Star blog on President Arroyo [full story]