Manila - Philippine President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo on Tuesday announced a fresh 4-billion-peso (88.88-million-dollar) subsidy programme to help poor Filipinos cope with higher prices.

Arroyo said 1 billion pesos would help poor consumers pay their electricity bills while another 1 billion pesos would be used to fund microfinancing projects for wives of public transport workers.

The rest of the money would finance the upgrade of government hospitals to accommodate more indigent patients, a programme for senior citizens and the rehabilitation of typhoon-devastated areas, she said.

"We will continue to provide funds to help sectors who are severely affected by the rising oil prices," Arroyo said at a cabinet meeting where she ordered the allocation of the funds.

Manila - Communist rebels attacked on Tuesday a group of soldiers in an eastern Philippine province ahead of a visit of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.

Manila - The Philippine military's intelligence chief warned Friday that spiraling food and fuel prices could threaten national security as he accused anti-government groups of exploiting the issue

Manila - Four suspected kidnappers, including a former vice mayor and a policeman, have been arrested in the Philippines after they collected ransom for hostages they already killed, police officia

Manila - The Philippine Army has launched carless days in all its camps throughout the country to conserve fuel amid spiralling prices, officials said Thursday.