Fire hits 19 houses,
aid for victims urged
BY ADRIAN NEMES III

Fire destroyed 15 houses and damaged four others in Purok Katilingban, Brgy. 40, Bacolod City, yesterday morning leaving at least 21 families homeless.

Deputy City Fire marshal Fire Insp. Publio Ploteña said that they received the fire call at about 10:55 a.m. from a concerned citizen and immediately dispatched ten fire trucks to the area.

Ploteña said the fire that was put out at about 11 a.m., caused an estimated P500,000 damage to properties.

The Supreme Court order to extend voters registration until Jan. 9, 2010 will slow down the voters education campaign of the Commission on Elections, Provincial Election Supervisor Jessie Suarez said yesterday.

The COMELEC is currently conducting a voters education campaign on the use of its Precinct Count Optical Scan machines in next year’s polls that will allow for the swift proclamation of winners.

“We have completed our list of voters and number of clustered precincts; with the extension of registration we will have to start all over again,” Suarez said.

CAMP MAJ. NELSON GERONA, Murcia – Armed Forces of the Philippines chief Gen. Victor Ibrado yesterday said he is inclined to recommend to President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo the suspension of military operations against the New People’s Army, in keeping the spirit of the Yuletide season.

Ibrado, however, said he and members of the National Security Council will have to determine yet the duration of the unilateral ceasefire and when it will be implemented.

Traditionally, the AFP declares a four-day holiday truce on Dec. 24 and 25, and Dec. 31 and January 1. In the past, the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army also observed a unilateral ceasefire before Christmas and New Year’s Eve celebrations.