DAVAO CITY: The first and only crocodile slaughterhouse in Mindanao finally started operation on Wednesday in the town of Kapalong, Davao del Norte, with the skins to be sold to luxury bag maker Louis Vuitton. Vicente Mercado, Chairman of the board of JK Mercado and Sons Agricultural Enterprises, Inc (JKMSAE) that owns the crocodile farm and slaughterhouse, said that other premium bag makers also buy the skins that they get from the slaughtered saltwater crocodiles or the Crocodylus porosus species. Quality crocodile skin commands a very high price and is said to be sold per centimetre.
Peacekeepers to stay in Golan
MANILA: The Philippine government will continue to deploy Filipino peacekeepers to Golan Heights provided that the United Nations will improve the security measures for them, a senior government official said yesterday. Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario said this was the condition set by President Benigno S Aquino III after an assessment team, of which he is a member, submitted its recommendation to him. “Subject to meeting considerations which the Philippines has made to enhance the security and safety of our peacekeepers, the President has expressed the Philippines is prepared to continue its United Nations Disengagement Observer Force participation,” he said. He added that the president has agreed to continue with the deployment of the 340 contingent until August 11.
Councillor shot dead in Abra
MANILA: A councillor was killed and robbed after he bought cattle in Abra province, police said yesterday. Police identified the victim as Rogelio Talingdan, 52, a businessman of Sitio Naguilian, Brgy San Gregorio, Lapaz, Abra. Investigation showed that a gunman approached and shot the victim twice on the head after he negotiated to buy cattle at Brgy Talogtog, Dolores last July 4 at the porch of the cattle market office. The assailant grabbed the victim’s jacket which reportedly contained P500,000 then ran toward Brgy Kimmalaba also in Dolores, police said. Investigators recovered from the scene two slugs of still unknown gun calibre. Police also recovered from the victim’s pocket a mobile phone, P27,000, and a certificate of ownership of large cattle.
Agencies
