Thursday, June 15, 2006 (Philippines)

Militants wave flags in all shades of red as they rage against the administration of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo with the Monument for Peace and Unity in front of the City Council building. (Sun.Star Davao/Seth Delos Reyes) THE Mines and Geosciences Bureau in Davao Region is expected to declare "Minahan ng Bayan" in the provinces of Compostela Valley and Davao Oriental to address the lingering issue on illegal small scale mining in these areas. Mines bureau director for Southern Mindanao Ed Arreza said they have proposed to legalize the operation of small-scale miners in areas like Pantukan, Nabunturan, Maco, and Mati. Arroyo Watch: Sun.Star blog on President Arroyo [full story]