Friday, July 25, 2008 (Philippines)

Houses on stilts continue to sprout along Malamawi channel leading to the port of Isabela City, the capital of Basilan, an indication of the growing population of the Badjaos in the province. (Sunnex/Bong Garcia) LOCAL health officials will coordinate with the Malaysian health minister to ensure that no one among the deportees being sent home is afflicted with any diseases. City Health Officer Rodel Agbulos said health officials are apprehensive some of the deportees might be afflicted with Human Immuno-Virus-Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (HIV-AIDS) and would spread such dreaded disease here. Arroyo Watch: Sun.Star blog on President Arroyo [full story]