PNoy’s sisters help
earthquake hit areas
BY CARLA GOMEZ

Presidential-sister Pinky Aquino Abellada yesterday called for prayers for the residents of earthquake hit areas in Negros Oriental where continuing aftershocks are still causing damage.

“Up to now, damage is still happening, let us pray for our brothers in Guihulngan, La Libertad, Jimalalud and areas near the epicenter (of the magnitude 6.9 earthquake),” said Abellada, who was in Negros Occidental for the inauguration of classrooms.

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology recorded 13 new aftershocks yesterday in Negros Oriental ranging from magnitude 1.9 to 4.6 with La Libertad, Mabinay Tayasan, Ayungon, Guihulngan, Jimalalud and Canlaon City as their epicenters.

Presidential-sister Pinky Aquino Abellada inaugurated four classrooms for kindergarten pupils in Bacolod and Kabankalan cities yesterday.

The classrooms were constructed with donations solicited by AGAPP, which Abellada heads, and built under the supervision of the Negrense Volunteers for Change Foundation.

The two-classroom building inaugurated at the Estefania Elementary School was funded by San Miguel Corp., which was represented yesterday by SMC Foundation executive director Camille Buenaventura and SMC Bacolod Brewery manager Noel Villanueva.

Army soldiers pursuing New People’s Army

Col. Oscar Lactao, 303rd Infantry Brigade commander, said last night that the gunbattle lasted for about 40 minutes, and the fleeing rebels abandoned their personal belongings and camp, which could accommodate about 30 persons.

The NPA camp has four outposts with a fresh water source, Lactao said.