Wednesday, August 02, 2006 (Philippines)

Child wails as she and her family clutch their belongings to flee from the fire that struck Sitio Lawis in Barangay Mambaling, Cebu City. Last night’s fire was considered among the biggest to hit the city this year. (Sun.star photo/Allan Defensor) Suspecting something anomalous in an offer to set up a P90-million surveillance system in Cebu City, Mayor Tomas Osmeña flew to Manila yesterday to confront certain officials and government agencies. Although he did not mention names, and even declined to give details of his unscheduled trip, he said he will do so upon his return today “if there is something to report.” He did not confirm whether the proposal has something to do with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) summit in December. [full story]