MANILA: The Philippine government hopes to deploy its new ambassador to China by February, President Benigno S Aquino said yesterday.
Aquino told reporters in Cebu that he will meet on Monday the candidate for the position of Manila’s envoy to Beijing to replace Ambassador Sonia Brady, who suffered a stroke last August while on her tour of duty in China.
He described the new diplomat to China as “very capable.”
“With a little luck, hopefully, by February, she will be in Beijing,” the president said, adding that the candidate has to first get a nod from the Commission on Appointments.
Department of Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario has recommended to Aquino Brady’s replacement.
2 rebels killed in Compostela Valley
DAVAO CITY: Two alleged leftist rebels were killed following an encounter with government troops in Compostela early yesterday, the military said.
Major Jacob Obligado, commander of the army’s 10th civil- military operations battalion said the clash occurred on 3am at Lebanon village, Montevista town in Compostela Valley province.
He said troops from the army’s 66th Infantry Battalion were conducting combat patrol at the village’s hinterland area when they chanced upon a group of armed men believed to be New People’s Army guerrillas.
“A firefight ensued, which resulted to the death (of two rebels), “ Obligado stated in a text message.
The military official said troops also recover an improvised landmine on the scene, and they are now pursuing the fleeing rebels.
Compostela Valley is a province of the Philippines located in the Davao Region in Mindanao. Also called Comval, the province used to be part of Davao del Norte until it became independent in 1998.
The Philippine star
