Thursday, June 29, 2006 (Philippines)

President Arroyo met with Romano Prodi, president of the Council of Ministers of the Italian Republic, after her arrival at the Palazzo Chigi. It was Prodi who reportedly made the President wait because he was watching a football game. The Palace clarified that the meeting was merely rescheduled.(PCPO Photos) The attack on a Cebu City policeman last Tuesday night appeared that it was planned, said a top police official. Although Cebu City Police Office (CCPO) Director Melvin Gayotin said the shooting of PO3 Allan Magalso was not the work of vigilantes or the New People’s Army (NPA) hit squad, they cannot also rule these out. Right now, CCPO’s strongest lead is that the attack may be linked to a transport-related incident last June 19. That day, a protesting jeepney driver almost ran over Magalso and threatened the traffic policeman. [full story]