Thursday, June 08, 2006 (Philippines)

Erwin "Pastor" Emata is welcomed by well-wishers and kin at the Davao International Airport Wednesday morning en route to Tagum. Pastor poses with wife, son, and Davao City Tourism Officer Id Acaylar (at bottom left). Fellow mountaineer Rey Sumagaysay (at right), who is set to join the next Philippine Mt. Everest expedition, gives a thumbs-up before the send-off. (Sun.Star Davao/Tommy Iñigo) HOUSE Majority Leader Prospero Nograles is more fearful of being in the hit list of the Davao Death Squad (DDS) than being in the order of battle of the New People's Army (NPA). Nograles made the reaction after the NPA hit list was made public and the names of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and 15 other public officials including him were in it. Arroyo Watch: Sun.Star blog on President Arroyo [full story]