Friday, February 18, 2005 (Philippines)

Davao City Mayor Rodrigo R. Duterte warmly welcomes US Ambassador Francis J. Ricciardone Jr. at the start of the closing ceremonies of Baker Piston 05-1 Counter-Drug Training at the Philippine Public Safety College, Regional Training School 11 in Mintal, Davao City Thursday. (Sun.Star Davao/Rene B. Lumawag) DAVAO City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte sees no need to place Mindanao in a state of emergency following a series of explosions that rocked the cities of Davao, General Santos and Makati on Valentine's Day. The mayor appealed to Dabawenyos to give him ample time to run after the suspects behind the bombing of the Davao City Overland Transport Terminal in Ecoland on February 14, which killed a 12-year-old boy and wounded seven others. [full story]