Negros marines
return in coffins
KILLED BY ABU SAYYAF IN BASILAN
BY GILBERT BAYORAN

Two more Negrense marines killed in an attack on an Abu Sayyaf camp in Basilan on August 18 returned yesterday to their birth places in Negros Occidental and Oriental Negros, in coffins.

Corporals Eril Labares of Brgy. Old Sagay, Sagay City, and Danilo Vergara of Bayawan, Oriental Negros, both assigned at the Force Reconnaissance Class No. 13 of the Philippine Marine Corps, were among the 15 Philippine Marines killed in that attack on an Abu Sayyaf camp occupied by about 80 Muslim extremists in Ungkaya Pukan town, in Basilan.

The military had claimed that at least 42 Abu Sayyaf bandits were also killed by the Marines in a close-quarter and bunker-to-bunker gunbattle. Among those killed were brothers Furuji and Umair Indama, leaders of the bandit group.

I won't let you down:
world boxing champ
BY CEDELF TUPAS

SAN CARLOS CITY --- Less than two weeks into his reign as world boxing champion, Gerry Peñalosa perked up his hometown and vowed to continue to make his city and country proud with his exploits in the ring.

"I will not let you down," he said in Cebuano, drawing cheers from city government employees who had gathered at the Sangguniang Panlungsod session hall.

"Every fight is for my family, my city and my country," Peñalosa said.

Arriving from Cebu, the boxer who has earned the moniker "Fearless" because of his uncanny ability to overcome the odds inside the ring braved the sweltering midmorning heat and waved at residents in a motorcade that evoked memories of his childhood.

Brgy captains support bid
to retain airport in Bacolod
BY CHRYSEE SAMILLAMO

The Association of Barangay Captains in Bacolod City passed a unanimous resolution yesterday supporting the Retain the Bacolod Airport Movement in their crusade to retain the existing airport in Bacolod City.

The resolution was moved by Brgy. Captain Rommel Sanson of Brgy. Taculing. RBAM convenor Rodolfo "Babes" Alvarez said the barangay captains committed to help in the signature drive in their barangays.

Brgy. Captain El Cid Familiaran of Brgy. 13 suggested that the proponents lobby for the donation of the property of the national government to the city.