ZAMBOANGA: A sentry soldier was killed while his comrade was severely hurt when lightning struck their post yesterday while they were on guard duty in a village in Zamboanga Sibugay, military officials said yesterday.
Captain Jefferson Somera, Spokesman for the Philippine Army’s 1st Division, said the two victims were designated to guard their battalion post located at Barangay Libertad, Tungawan town, when lightning struck the post after 7am yesterday.
He said the incident occurred during bad weather in the area yesterday. “The powerful charge of the lightning caught the two soldiers inside, causing severe shock,” said Somera.
Philippines gives €5,000 to WHF
MANILA: The Philippines has contributed €5,000 to the World Heritage Fund as a symbolic gesture of the country’s commitment to the conservation and preservation of natural and cultural heritage.
The Department of Foreign Affairs said the contribution would help support the World Heritage Education Programme, one of the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organisation’s most successful flagship programmes for youth.
The programme is designed to mobilise young people to actively participate in the promotion of world heritage.
Its activities promote knowledge, skills and commitment to heritage protection.
Manila gets credit ratings upgrade
MANILA: The Philippines received its second investment grade credit rating with Standard and Poor’s following Fitch in giving an upbeat assessment of the Southeast Asian country’s economy.
S&P said the outlook on the Philippines was stable, and raised its rating to BBB- from BB+.
“The upgrade on the Philippines reflects a strengthening external profile, moderating inflation and the government’s reliance on foreign currency debt,” S&P credit analyst Agost Benard said in a statement.
“We expect the country to move into near-balanced external position because of persistent account surpluses, in which large net transfers from Filipinos working abroad more than offset ongoing trade deficits.”
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