The power supply in the Luzon grid is again in a precarious state, contrary to claims of the Department of Energy (DOE) that power supply is more than enough to provide electricity to households up to June.  Read the whole story.

Meanwhile, the Manila Times reports on the Mindanao power crisis:

THE House Energy Committee on Monday has greenlighted the passage of a resolution calling for a special joint session that will grant President Gloria Arroyo additional powers, aiming to address the Mindanao power crisis.  Read the whole story.

DAVAO CITY – (UPDATE 3) At least four soldiers, including a junior officer, were killed when communist rebels set off a landmine in Veruela, Agusan del Sur, the military said Thursday.

Major Randolph Cabangbang, spokesman of the military’s Eastern Mindanao Command based here, said three other government troopers and a 10-year old girl were wounded in the incident, which took place in Barangay (village) La Fortuna around 6 p.m., and the clash that ensued between soldiers and New People’s Army rebels…  Read the whole story.

For the second time in three months, a grenade has exploded at the cathedral of the Vicariate Apostolic of Jolo in the southern Philippines. No one was injured in the blast, which took place before the first Sunday morning Mass, though some of the cathedral windows were shattered.

Catholic Culture has the rest of the story.

The group was seized on the southern island of Mindanao.

The military said they were taken by armed men as they tried to file nomination papers for a candidate in local elections next May.

Elections in the Philippines are often marred by violence, particularly in the south, where clashes connected to local rivalries and insurgencies erupt.