Terrorist Abdul Basit Usman is dead - local officials confirmed

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">MANILA, Philippines - Filipino bombmaker Ahmad Akmad Usman y Batabol known as Abdul Basit Usman was killed in an encounter with members of the MILF’s 118th base command at 11:50 am on Sunday, May 3, local officials have confirmed to media.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIyn5Q7qRsc9T_SL6is-RtdVoCvrDK3GiJZfXIPflBrNy0Bzv6VV7GdN5hEFoeDkl9mzt-8PFnp8MbAXVFeWeE06nXEyzUODBhBNThUtTkDi3LhOV_5KFqt2t2iCpooJZS_NyYjDksyeRH/s1600/abdul-basit-usman-dead.jpg" imageanchor="1" rel="nofollow" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Terrorist Abdul Basit Usman is dead - local officials confirmed" border="0" height="404" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIyn5Q7qRsc9T_SL6is-RtdVoCvrDK3GiJZfXIPflBrNy0Bzv6VV7GdN5hEFoeDkl9mzt-8PFnp8MbAXVFeWeE06nXEyzUODBhBNThUtTkDi3LhOV_5KFqt2t2iCpooJZS_NyYjDksyeRH/s1600/abdul-basit-usman-dead.jpg" title="Terrorist Abdul Basit Usman is dead - local officials confirmed" width="560" /></a></div><br /><br />Usman was shot dead in the mountainous barangay Muti, Guindulungan town of Maguindanao.<br /><br />Senior Supt. Nickson Muksan, police chief for Maguindanao told to Inquirer.net the death of Usman as confirmed with Muti chairman Gayak Midtimbang and Guindulungan mayor Midpantao Midtimbang.<br /><br />Reports said that the government forces are now trying to secure the body of Usman from the MILF’s 118th Base Command.<br /><br />Usman, born in Labo-Labo village in Shariff Aguak, Maguindanao is the subject of an all-out offensive attack which the military began weeks after the Mamasapano incident on January 25, which led to the deaths of 44 Special Action Force troopers, 17 members of the MILF, and several civilians.<br /><br />Usman and another Jemaah Islamiyah-linked bomb maker, Zulkifli bin Hir alias Marwan, were the subjects of the Mamasapano operation called Oplan Exodus. Marwan died in the incident but Usman was able to escape.<br /><br />Usman was the suspect with the FitMart Mall bombing in General Santos City in April 21, 2002 which killed at least 15 people and injuring 55 others. He is on the US Rewards for Justice program list, offering US $1 Million for his capture.</div>

Terrorist Abdul Basit Usman is dead - local officials confirmed

MANILA, Philippines - Filipino bombmaker Ahmad Akmad Usman y Batabol known as Abdul Basit Usman was killed in an encounter with members of t...

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Mamasapano massacre, 'SAF 44' latest news updates, videos

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">MANILA, Philippines - The Board of Inquiry created by President Aquino to investigate on Mamasapano, Maguindanao clash that killed 44 Special Action Force (SAF) members, 18 Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) fighters and 2 civilians has started its probe into the incident.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL_-8-UEWupzULk8ihqDDzOKa_hOlQSzexoEhNgT_GptH2s7xnywF-qYd7YjYeizBzKx5w26PJLRMC-u5E11o5xhprpGojl-7MXqrjwsg07vidkPfnIEgMXi8p2eSK0v-ek0tOjXKl4Hs-/s1600/SAF44.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="TAGAPAGLIGTAS: The 44 brave commandos of PNP-SAF" border="0" height="600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL_-8-UEWupzULk8ihqDDzOKa_hOlQSzexoEhNgT_GptH2s7xnywF-qYd7YjYeizBzKx5w26PJLRMC-u5E11o5xhprpGojl-7MXqrjwsg07vidkPfnIEgMXi8p2eSK0v-ek0tOjXKl4Hs-/s1600/SAF44.jpg" title="TAGAPAGLIGTAS: The 44 brave commandos of PNP-SAF" width="600" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">TAGAPAGLIGTAS: The 44 brave commandos of  PNP-SAF</td></tr></tbody></table><br />Check out the latest news updates and videos on Mamasapano clash here:<br /><br />Aquino on his televised national address on Wednesday said PNP Director General Alan Purisima was involved in the planning of the operation to arrest suspected Jemaah Islamiya leader Zulkifli bin Hir, alias Commander Marwan though he's suspended on his post due to graft charge.<br /><br />The Board of Inquiry (BOI) is headed by Directorate for Integrated Police Operations (DIPO) head Chief Superintendent Edgardo Ingking and includes Criminal Investigation and Detection Group chief Police Director Benjamin Magalong and Directorate for Research and Development head Chief Superintendent Catalino Rodriguez Jr.<br /><br />Meanwhile, International Monitoring Team (IMT) and the Coordinating Committee on the Cessation of Hostilities (CCCH) visited Wahid Tundok, the commander of the MILF's 118th Base Command at his house in Dauti Saudi Ampatuan in Maguindanao to check details related to the massacre.<br /><br /><center><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="370" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/wAyuvLJY1CY" width="600"></iframe></center><br /><b><br /></b> <b>Malacañang says burial ground not an issue for fallen SAF 44 families</b><br /><br />Malacañang Palace said on Saturday that burial ground for the fallen elite cops is not an issue for their kin. Presidential Communications Operations Office head Herminio Coloma Jr. said the kin of the 44 did not bring up to bury the killed personnel at the Libingan ng Mga Bayani.<br /><br />Coloma said it will be incovenient for the families to visit their loved ones at the Libingan ng Mga Bayani since they are living outside Metro Manila.<br /><br />Meanwhile, remains of Fallen 44 were already brought out of Camp Bagong Diwa before dawn on Sunday. On Thursday, arrival honors were rendered to them and the nation mourned as Aquino declared January 30 a day of national mourning.<br /><br /><b>WATCH: Arrival Honors for Fallen PNP-SAF Heroes (video courtesy of PNP-PIO)</b><br /><br /><center><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="370" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/tJ0PIz2wECQ" width="600"></iframe></center><br />Here are some of the touching photos on National Day of Mourning:<br /><center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">Today, Jan. 30, 2015, is the National Day of Mourning for our 44 fallen heroes. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Fallen44?src=hash">#Fallen44</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CSCNationWatch?src=hash">#CSCNationWatch</a> <a href="http://t.co/YFzLRYeOVI">pic.twitter.com/YFzLRYeOVI</a><span style="text-align: left;"> </span></blockquote><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">— UST CSC (@UST_CSC) <a href="https://twitter.com/UST_CSC/status/560997530192707585">January 30, 2015</a></blockquote><br /><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script></center><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU0DqNsPgDxvWvL93cYxI-j9nPOO1mc4bnMqggvWExqlOgRwa-rG5OFSVGoOGV8abaChtMzRUBnrNB8hiRznfiZyZv5lv3kXgrcgN4zvclgs1FmAb1j8g8a0h8XPoKZqDkoNt4lYyB5_Ae/s1600/PNoy-prays-saf44.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="President Noy offers a moment of silent prayer before the remains of the fallen PNP-SAF Troopers." border="0" height="370" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU0DqNsPgDxvWvL93cYxI-j9nPOO1mc4bnMqggvWExqlOgRwa-rG5OFSVGoOGV8abaChtMzRUBnrNB8hiRznfiZyZv5lv3kXgrcgN4zvclgs1FmAb1j8g8a0h8XPoKZqDkoNt4lYyB5_Ae/s1600/PNoy-prays-saf44.jpg" title="President Noy offers a moment of silent prayer before the remains of the fallen PNP-SAF Troopers." width="560" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">President Noy offers a moment of silent prayer before the remains of the fallen PNP-SAF Troopers. Credit: Noynoy Aquino on Twitter</td></tr></tbody></table><center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">Children cry at the coffin of one of the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SAF44?src=hash">#SAF44</a>. Photo by Noel Celis/AFP <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RStream?src=hash">#RStream</a> <a href="http://t.co/HstTwv4Z4n">pic.twitter.com/HstTwv4Z4n</a><br />— Rappler (@rapplerdotcom) <a href="https://twitter.com/rapplerdotcom/status/561144429894172672">January 30, 2015</a></blockquote><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script></center><br /><center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">Look at the faces of these young men...and WEEP The <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SAF44?src=hash">#SAF44</a>: Our sons, our heroes by <a href="https://twitter.com/beacupin">@beacupin</a> <a href="http://t.co/qLwMFN1EXe">http://t.co/qLwMFN1EXe</a> <a href="http://t.co/a3IbBbJozu">pic.twitter.com/a3IbBbJozu</a><br />— Miss Go (@miriamgracego) <a href="https://twitter.com/miriamgracego/status/560757341990043648">January 29, 2015</a></blockquote><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script></center><br /><center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">A fallen SAF who died viewing his family's photos on his phone. 💔 <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Fallen44?src=hash">#Fallen44</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RIPSAF44?src=hash">#RIPSAF44</a> 🙏 (ctto) <a href="http://t.co/FrX9QqFO6E">pic.twitter.com/FrX9QqFO6E</a><br />— Pinoy Quotation (@Pinoy_Quotation) <a href="https://twitter.com/Pinoy_Quotation/status/561162513882947584">January 30, 2015</a></blockquote><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script></center><br /><center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">Our Cordilleran brothers are home. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SAF44?src=hash">#SAF44</a> <a href="http://t.co/E96uJshPhX">pic.twitter.com/E96uJshPhX</a><br />— PIA Cordillera (@PIA_Cordillera) <a href="https://twitter.com/PIA_Cordillera/status/561331226963750914">January 31, 2015</a></blockquote><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script></center><br /><br /><b>Militant group says PNoy to blame for the death of 44 policemen</b><br /><br />Anakpawis Rep. Fernando Hicap on Saturday said that PNoy should be held responsible for the deaths of 44 police commandos. He said it was the President’s actions that led to the tragic end of SAF men, who entered MILF territory in a clandestine operation to arrest two international terrorists.<br /><br />Hicap noted that Malaysian bomb-maker Zulkifli Abdhir “Marwan” was listed on Federal Bureau of Investigation list of Most Wanted Terrorists. FBI had offered $5 million for the arrest of Marwan.<br /><br />Marwan was reportedly killed in the SAF operation, but the other target, the Filipino Basit Usman, commander of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters, escaped.<br /><br /><br /><b>FBI claims no prior knowledge of PNP raid for 2 terrorists</b><br /><br />Reuters reported claims of United States counterterrorism agency Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) that it have no prior knowledge of a police raid in the southern part of the country last Sunday.<br /><br />"The FBI was not involved in the planning or execution of the operation. We do express our deepest condolences to the brave officers of the Philippine National Police who lost their lives in the line of duty," FBI spokesman Josh Campbell said.<br /><br />The Mamasapano clash, which the Philippine government has described as a "misencounter," seems to affect the three-year ceasefire between Philippines police and Muslim rebels in Mindanao.</div>

Mamasapano massacre, 'SAF 44' latest news updates, videos

MANILA, Philippines - The Board of Inquiry created by President Aquino to investigate on Mamasapano, Maguindanao clash that killed 44 Specia...

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PNoy declares January 30 a 'National Day of Mourning' after Mamasapano encounter

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">MANILA, Philippines - President Benigno Aquino III on Wednesday officially declared a "National Day of Mourning" on Friday, January 30 to symbolize the sorrow and empathy of the entire country after the bloody encounter which killed 44 policemen in Mamasapano, Maguindanao Sunday morning.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaLQ340AF-QJXtvYTq0NJq-OhbYaznoevdkhqtFfmOSO2cSeBAIBr-07yg-fdnAfMeKHgEJM6Ox3TKnxXRatny6ZMmZ3Rzqeml3lQ-GzEeb2o22xNzDAS4UnOKJLHu0GE1bpt6edxqXhMS/s1600/Mamasapano-incident.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Mamasapano, Maguindanao clash" border="0" height="380" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaLQ340AF-QJXtvYTq0NJq-OhbYaznoevdkhqtFfmOSO2cSeBAIBr-07yg-fdnAfMeKHgEJM6Ox3TKnxXRatny6ZMmZ3Rzqeml3lQ-GzEeb2o22xNzDAS4UnOKJLHu0GE1bpt6edxqXhMS/s1600/Mamasapano-incident.jpg" title="Mamasapano, Maguindanao clash" width="560" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">44 cops died in Mamasapano, Maguindanao clash</td></tr></tbody></table><br />"As President and as father of this country, I am greatly saddened that our policemen had to lay down their lives for this mission. Without question, these people are heroes; they who willingly put themselves in danger to address threats to our security; they who were wounded; they who gave their lives in the name of peace. To honor those who perished, I am declaring a National Day of Mourning to symbolize the sorrow and empathy of our entire country."<br /><br /><b>UPDATE</b>: Aquino signed on Wednesday the <a href="http://www.gov.ph/2015/01/28/proclamation-no-953-s-2015/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Proclamation No. 953 s. 2015</a> declaring January 30 as a national day of mourning.  Note: There's no announcement of work or class suspension for Friday.<br /><br />"The entire nation is requested to offer prayers for the eternal repose of the souls of the victims and for our people to reclaim our sense of humanity. Further, I instruct all public institutions and military installations in the Philippines to lower the Philippines flag to half-mast," Aquino said in a statement.<br />Aquino on a televised speech from Malacanang Palace has addressed the national concern on the outcome of Philippine National Police’s Special Action Force (PNP-SAF) mission to arrest two notorious terrorists namely Abdulbasit Usman and Zulkipli Bin Hir, alias Abu Marwan.<br /><br />The NDRRMC has reported to Aquino that aside from 44 policemen who have died in the process of fulfilling their duties, 16 others were injured, including 3 civilians.<br /><br />PNoy emphasized that Marwan and Usman are not common criminals. <br /><br />"There is a long string of outstanding warrants for their arrest. There are no less than 8 outstanding warrants against Usman alone, while there are no less than 2 for Marwan. One of the earliest warrants was issued in 2002, which means that they were already being pursued when I was a member of Congress. Allow me to clarify: When a warrant is issued against an individual, all officers of the law are obligated to serve it. This is precisely why, since long ago, our security sector, including the AFP, PNP, and NBI, has undertaken multiple operations to capture Marwan, Usman, and other terrorists."<br /><br />PNoy also clarified that approval from him for the said mission to proceed is not required.<br /><br />"These agencies are not always required to obtain my approval for each and every one of their operations, because it would be impractical for them to wait for my clearance before proceeding. My duty: to make certain that they are carrying out their responsibilities. There are times when certain matters are elevated to my desk so that I may give guidance, give a more holistic view of the situation, or explain its wider implications."<br /><br />"I emphasize: It is stated in Article II, Section 4 of our Constitution that “The primary duty of government is to serve and protect the people.” This is why, when our police force uncovered the precise location of Marwan and Usman, they decided to take action and serve the warrants of the two individuals."<br /><br />It was past 4 in the morning when the SAF reached the stronghold in which Marwan and Usman were hiding. In the encounter that followed, the primary target, Marwan, was allegedly killed. Upon hearing the gunshots, Usman and his cohorts fought back. There were also non-combatants spotted in the houses in which Marwan and Usman were located; it was necessary for our forces to close the distance to avoid involving the innocent. Marwan’s house was the first attacked; Usman responded, and the element of surprise, which was necessary to avoid detection, was lost. This is why the SAF decided to withdraw and rendezvous with their companions, who were securing their exit route from the area where the encounter occurred. It appears that it was during this withdrawal when the bloodiest part of the clash happened.<br /><br />PNoy before the end of his speech called out the attention of Filipinos to show a single aspiration for peace and ensure that the ultimate sacrifice made by some members of the SAF does not go to waste.<br /><br />"We will gain justice, in time, through the right processes, and without letting go of our dreams to realize a widespread and lasting peace."<br /><br /><b>WATCH: President Aquino's Message to the Nation Delivered on January 28, 2015</b><br /><br /><center><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="400" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/SWDsbdkLW9Q" width="600"></iframe></center><br /></div>

PNoy declares January 30 a 'National Day of Mourning' after Mamasapano encounter

MANILA, Philippines - President Benigno Aquino III on Wednesday officially declared a "National Day of Mourning" on Friday, Januar...

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PNoy declares January 30 a 'National Day of Mourning' after Mamasapano encounter

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">MANILA, Philippines - President Benigno Aquino III on Wednesday officially declared a "National Day of Mourning" on Friday, January 30 to symbolize the sorrow and empathy of the entire country after the bloody encounter which killed 44 policemen in Mamasapano, Maguindanao Sunday morning.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaLQ340AF-QJXtvYTq0NJq-OhbYaznoevdkhqtFfmOSO2cSeBAIBr-07yg-fdnAfMeKHgEJM6Ox3TKnxXRatny6ZMmZ3Rzqeml3lQ-GzEeb2o22xNzDAS4UnOKJLHu0GE1bpt6edxqXhMS/s1600/Mamasapano-incident.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Mamasapano, Maguindanao clash" border="0" height="380" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaLQ340AF-QJXtvYTq0NJq-OhbYaznoevdkhqtFfmOSO2cSeBAIBr-07yg-fdnAfMeKHgEJM6Ox3TKnxXRatny6ZMmZ3Rzqeml3lQ-GzEeb2o22xNzDAS4UnOKJLHu0GE1bpt6edxqXhMS/s1600/Mamasapano-incident.jpg" title="Mamasapano, Maguindanao clash" width="560" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">44 cops died in Mamasapano, Maguindanao clash</td></tr></tbody></table><br />"As President and as father of this country, I am greatly saddened that our policemen had to lay down their lives for this mission. Without question, these people are heroes; they who willingly put themselves in danger to address threats to our security; they who were wounded; they who gave their lives in the name of peace. To honor those who perished, I am declaring a National Day of Mourning to symbolize the sorrow and empathy of our entire country."<br /><br />Aquino on a televised speech from Malacanang Palace has addressed the national concern on the outcome of Philippine National Police’s Special Action Force (PNP-SAF) mission to arrest two notorious terrorists namely Abdulbasit Usman and Zulkipli Bin Hir, alias Abu Marwan.<br /><br />The NDRRMC has reported to Aquino that aside from 44 policemen who have died in the process of fulfilling their duties, 16 others were injured, including 3 civilians.<br /><br />PNoy emphasized that Marwan and Usman are not common criminals. <br /><br />"There is a long string of outstanding warrants for their arrest. There are no less than 8 outstanding warrants against Usman alone, while there are no less than 2 for Marwan. One of the earliest warrants was issued in 2002, which means that they were already being pursued when I was a member of Congress. Allow me to clarify: When a warrant is issued against an individual, all officers of the law are obligated to serve it. This is precisely why, since long ago, our security sector, including the AFP, PNP, and NBI, has undertaken multiple operations to capture Marwan, Usman, and other terrorists."<br /><br />PNoy also clarified that approval from him for the said mission to proceed is not required.<br /><br />"These agencies are not always required to obtain my approval for each and every one of their operations, because it would be impractical for them to wait for my clearance before proceeding. My duty: to make certain that they are carrying out their responsibilities. There are times when certain matters are elevated to my desk so that I may give guidance, give a more holistic view of the situation, or explain its wider implications."<br /><br />"I emphasize: It is stated in Article II, Section 4 of our Constitution that “The primary duty of government is to serve and protect the people.” This is why, when our police force uncovered the precise location of Marwan and Usman, they decided to take action and serve the warrants of the two individuals."<br /><br />It was past 4 in the morning when the SAF reached the stronghold in which Marwan and Usman were hiding. In the encounter that followed, the primary target, Marwan, was allegedly killed. Upon hearing the gunshots, Usman and his cohorts fought back. There were also non-combatants spotted in the houses in which Marwan and Usman were located; it was necessary for our forces to close the distance to avoid involving the innocent. Marwan’s house was the first attacked; Usman responded, and the element of surprise, which was necessary to avoid detection, was lost. This is why the SAF decided to withdraw and rendezvous with their companions, who were securing their exit route from the area where the encounter occurred. It appears that it was during this withdrawal when the bloodiest part of the clash happened.<br /><br />PNoy before the end of his speech called out the attention of Filipinos to show a single aspiration for peace and ensure that the ultimate sacrifice made by some members of the SAF does not go to waste.<br /><br />"We will gain justice, in time, through the right processes, and without letting go of our dreams to realize a widespread and lasting peace."<br /><br /><b>WATCH: President Aquino's Message to the Nation Delivered on January 28, 2015</b><br /><br /><center><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="400" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/SWDsbdkLW9Q" width="600"></iframe></center><br /></div>

PNoy declares January 30 a 'National Day of Mourning' after Mamasapano encounter

MANILA, Philippines - President Benigno Aquino III on Wednesday officially declared a "National Day of Mourning" on Friday, Januar...

Read more »