Tuesday, July 05, 2005 (Philippines)

A man is sharpening a butcher knife with stone wheel clamped to a bicycle to make a living in Zamboanga City. A Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey says poverty rate in RP is high because of unemployment and that majority of Filipinos are pessimistic about the state of the economy with prices of fuel and basic commodities continue to rise. (Sun.Star Zamboanga/Al Jacinto) GOVERNMENT security forces mounted fresh operation Monday against members of the al-Qaeda-linked Abu Sayyaf group in Jolo island, about 950 km south of the Philippine capital, a day after a kidnapped restaurant owner was freed unharmed, officials said. Officials said soldiers were dispatched to pursue the bandits in the hinterland of Sulu province, where they freed Renato Yanga after more than two months in captivity. "There is an ongoing operation against the Abu Sayyaf and troops are tracking down the kidnappers," the commander of the military's anti-terror task force Brig. Gen. Alexander Aleo said. [full story]