A MILITARY helicopter from the American hospital ship USNS Mercy was shot by still-unidentified armed men while it was flying over Cotabato City on Monday, the military said.

The helicopter, which was ferrying patients and medical staff, was hovering above the city’s Polloc Port when it was fired upon by the gunmen at about 3:30 p.m., the Army’s 6th Infantry Division spokesman, Lt. Col. Julieto Ando, said.

He said no one among the passengers of the helicopter was wounded. He did not reveal the extent of the damage to the helicopter.

Ando, however, said that despite the damage sustained, the helicopter managed to land on the hospital ship, which was berthed a kilometer away from the port.

USNS Mercy is on a medical mission in the country, particularly in Mindanao.

House panel endorses NGCP franchise

THE House Committee on Legislative Franchises approved on Tuesday a bill paving the way for the grant of a 25-year franchise for the national transmission system to the National Grid Corp. of the Philippines (NGCP).

GOVERNMENT Service Insurance System (GSIS) president Winston Garcia presented to Filipino business leaders his formula in bringing down the cost of electricity in areas covered by the Manila Electric Co. (Meralco).

ELEVEN of the remaining 17 junior officers who are facing charges before a general court martial for their involvement in the July 2003 occupation of the Oakwood Premier Hotel in Makati City pleaded guilty Tuesday and said they are willing to face the consequences of their admission of guilt.

ZAMBOANGA CITY—Kidnappers who seized a businessman last month freed their captive Monday night in this city.

Immigration Commissioner Marcelino Libanan advised all departing passengers using the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (Naia) terminals 1 and 2 to check-in earlier because the airline counters will be closed 20 minutes before the scheduled flights.

A BILL seeking to grant retiring government personnel with an automatic one-step promotion has been filed in the House of Representatives.

A MILITARY helicopter from the American hospital ship USNS Mercy was shot by still-unidentified armed men while it was flying over Cotabato City on Monday, the military said.