In Ormoc City, firefighters sift through the burnt remains of Unitop, a one-story department store, a day after a fire blamed on illegally sold firecrackers swept through on Christmas Day killing 24 people who tried to escape in a comfort room, police said. (AP photo)
CEBU CITY -- A display of firecrackers exploded and began a fire that killed 26 shoppers, including children, and razed a warehouse-type supermarket in Ormoc City at 4:30 p.m. on Christmas Day.
Fourteen others were injured in the fire that swiftly reminded local officials to enforce rules limiting the sale of pyrotechnic devices, such as by designating firecracker zones.
CEBU CITY -- Cebu's officials still need to make the Asean summit ceremonial route more beautiful before next month's event, but overall, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo was impressed with the summit venues here.
DAVAO CITY -- The demolition team of the Davao City government, with the full backing of the San Pedro Police Precinct, is no match to a tiny group of squatters who have built illegal structures a stone's throw away from City Hall.
