United States forces will hold two-week-long military exercises in the Philippines despite a controversy over four US Marines accused of raping a Filipina after the last such exercises, officials said yesterday.

The exercises, involving some 5,500 US personnel, will be conducted from Feb. 20-March 5 in different locations, including the southern islands of Sulu, a known haunt of Muslim extremists linked to the al-Qaeda network.

US Embassy spokesman Matt Lussenhop said the exercises had been planned for some time and "nobody from either government has proposed stopping or postponing them" despite the rape allegations.

He said the scheduled "Balikatan" (arm-in-arm) exercises would not be affected by charges that four US Marines raped a Filipina on Nov. 1, just after taking part in exercises in the former US naval base of Subic, north of Manila.

Under a bilateral agreement covering the legal status of US troops, the four were turned over to the custody of the US Embassy pending trial. But many prominent Filipinos are demanding they be turned over to the Philippines while the legal proceedings continue. (AFP)

Mayor joins Eid’l Adha

BAYAMBANG, Pangasinan — Mayor Leocadio "Boy" C. de Vera Jr. of this municipality joined Muslims yesterday in celebrating Eid’l Adha or the Feast of Sacrifice.

De Vera said Muslims here are peace-loving people and are considered brothers and sisters who invoke unity, peace, and harmony.

He said that Eid’l Adha is one of Islam’s holiest holidays, which commemorate the noble act of Prophet Abraham (Ibrahim in Islam) of sacrificing his son Ismael to obey God’s command.

De Vera emphasized that the observance of Eid’l Adha is very important to Islam because it strengthens the faith of Muslims, bringing them closer as one family towards brotherhood and cooperation.

"I join you in this holy celebration as I believe that Prophet Abraham is a great model to us towards a harmonious relationship between Muslim and Christian Filipinos," he said. (Fa Sison Almazan)

3 buried alive in landslide

DIPOLOG CITY — The driver of a "habal-habal" (an improvised motorcycle) and his two passengers were buried alive in a landslide at the height of heavy rains last Sunday afternoon in Sibuco, Zamboanga del Norte, it was learned here yesterday.

A sketchy police report received here identified two of the fatalities as Mukim Addam, 30, the habal-habal" driver, and Aldam Sanaya, 35, one of the passengers, both of Poblacion, Sibuco.

The report said Addam and his passengers left the habal-habal parking area at the national highway in Barangay Limpapa, Zamboanga City in the afternoon.

Reports said they were negotiating a mountainside rough road in Barangay Binayang, Sibuco, at the height of heavy rains when a portion of the mountain collapsed, burying alive Addam and his passengers. (Tony Pe. Rimando)

‘Gift of Health’ launched

The "Gift of Health" penned by Mariandy Fricke was launched at Ciboney Café in Malate, Manila last Jan. 5, with owner Mae Oblifias as one of the main sponsors.

The Filipino writer and her German husband, Dr. Hans Joachim Fricke, and their three children reside in Berlin, Germany.

She participated in mind and body seminars and holistic health constancy in Germany.

Having specialized in Guidance and Counseling for her Master’s in Education, her programs are geared to a holistic approach which taps not only the physical side of an individual but also his mental and psychological health.

Gift of Health is available at Powerbooks Greenbelt 4 and Alabang Town Center and National Book Store Glorietta 1, Fiesta Mall, and Alabang Town Center.