Wednesday, March 12, 2008 (Philippines)

Island Garden City of Samal Vice Mayor Orly A. Amit (in black wetsuit) and Samal Tourism Council's Araceli Ayuste oversee the counting of crown of thorns seastars gathered during the Nestea Mission: Love the Beach crown of thorns clean-up held in barangays Linosotan and Babusanta last Saturday. (Contributed photo) KIDAPAWAN CITY -- A public school in a town in North Cotabato was deserted for one day when parents and guardians rushed to fetch their children before classes ended after hearing a report that a black Toyota van tried to snatch a Grade Two pupil, Monday morning. The seven-year-old girl identified only as "Bai" told reporters that a lady, wearing white hospital uniform, who alighted from the van tried to snatch her while she was waiting for her uncle outside Marbel Elementary School in Barangay Marbel, Matalam town around 10:30 a.m. Monday. Arroyo Watch: Sun.Star blog on President Arroyo [full story]