Tuesday, August 28, 2007 (Philippines)

A bomb expert peeps through a water conduit to make sure there is no explosive hidden inside the contraption, in the busy commercial district of Zamboanga City, where a box suspected to have contained explosives was detonated by EOD personnel Monday. (Sunnex/Cheng Ordoñez) THE military offensive against the al Qaeda-linked Abu Sayyaf group was hampered by inclement weather Monday, a day after fresh clashes ensued in Basilan, where punitive actions continue. Military reports disclosed that the latest reported firing of guns was heard around 9:00 p.m. Sunday in Barangay Selangkun in the newly created town of Ungkaya Pukan. Arroyo Watch: Sun.Star blog on President Arroyo [full story]