I really like this photo of Mindanews’ reporter Froilan Gallardo. The composition is great. Everything is there. The quality of light is good, it adds drama to the photo especially inside this mosque.

This is the caption of the photo:
Moro Islamic Liberation Front fighters leave their shoes and sandals as they pray inside the mosque of Imam Al-Kanul, the 69-year-old leader killed along with 14 Philippine Marines and five rebels in Barangay Guinanta, Al-Barkah, Basilan last July 10. The beheading of 10 of the 14 Marines and the killing of the Imam is being investigated by a joint fact-finding team composed of government and MILF representatives.

Despite of the efforts of the peace groups to stop the violence in Basilan, it seems that there is a looming war in the war-torn island. Thousands have already left their homes, fearing that they might be trapped in the crossfire.

Although the court has released the arrest warrants for the killers of the 14 Marine soldiers, yet they (police) don’t have idea how do the suspects look like. Let’s hope that no more fall guys, again. Although this has been the trend, let’s keep our fingers crossed. Like in the past, suspected Abu Sayyaf members were picked up but in the end they turned out to be fall guys.

Again, this is another pattern of violence. Not just in Basilan, but also the in the entire Mindanao.

Sun.Star: Pattern seen in Basilan crisis
By Ryan Rosauro
(1st of two parts)

The pattern leading to the all-out war of 2000 has become apparent in the current Basilan crisis that has the potential of pitting once again the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) in armed hostilities unless both are willing to settle things in the negotiating table. Just like seven years ago, the string of events start with the commission of a high-profile crime, which is attributed to the rebel group. A word war erupts between the AFP and MILF leaderships. Government pursues legal charges against the suspects meantime as the emotionalism of the event is used to drum up blame.

Newsdesk one of the journalists’ favorite spots in Quezon City. I wonder what went wrong and they mispelled their own profession. I’ve learned that this bar is also owned by journalists. What happened to copy editor?

Two weeks ago, t’was my first time to enter the former US military base — Subic. The US’ color is still very evident — the structures and even culture. What I love in the former base is its forest resereve area. There were signs of “monkey crossing” but I failed to see even one monkey. Instead, we saw bats soaring over the sky.

Modern monkey that ever came out from the jungles of Subic.