Freed Norwegian, Indonesian hostages headed home

From Rappler (Sep 19): Freed Norwegian, Indonesian hostages headed home

(UPDATED) The hostages, released by the Abu Sayyaf group two days apart, are finally homebound after their ordeal

FREE. Lieutenant General Mayoralgo dela Cruz, Westmincom chief (2nd from right); with the freed Indonesian hostages (in blue) and Indonesian Defense Minister Ryamizard Ryacudu in Zamboanga City on September 18, 2016. Rappler sourced photo

The Norwegian and Indonesian captives recently freed by the Abu Sayyaf in Sulu province headed home Sunday night, September 18, after they were turned over to representatives of their respective governments.

Former captives Norwegian Kjartan Sekkingstad and Indonesians Lorence Koten, Theorus Kopong, and Emanuel Arakain were turned over by the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) to Chief Peace Adviser Jesus Dureza and former Sulu vice governor Sakur Tan in Sulu on Sunday afternoon, September 18.

Indonesian Defense Minister Ryamizard Ryacudu was in Zamboanga City to bring back home the 3 Indonesians who were released that day. The Abu Sayyaf kidnapped them – reportedly in Lahad Datu, Sabah – in July.
Sekkingstad was turned over to Norwegian Ambassador to the Philippines Erik Førner in Davao City. He was abducted from a high-end tourist resort in September 2015 along with two Canadians who were later beheaded, and a Filipina woman, Marites Flor, who was released earlier.

Canadians John Ridsdel and Robert Hall were executed after a ransom demand of about 300 million pesos ($6.5 million) was not met.

The Abu Sayyaf is a loose network of a militants formed in the 1990s with seed money from Osama bin Laden's Al-Qaeda network.

It is based in remote Muslim populated southern islands of the mainly Catholic Philippines, and has earned millions of dollars from kidnap-for-ransoms, often targeting foreigners.

While its leaders have in recent years pledged allegiance to the Islamic State (ISIS) group, analysts say the group is mainly focused on a lucrative kidnapping business rather than religious ideology.

The group, which is blamed for the worst terror attacks in Philippine history and listed by the United States as a terrorist organization, has been the target of a military operation since August.

http://www.rappler.com/nation/146576-freed-norwegian-kidnap-victim-set-meet-duterte

Freed Norwegian hostage: 'Lucky to be alive'

From Rappler (Sep 18): Freed Norwegian hostage: 'Lucky to be alive'

(UPDATED) Freed Norwegian hostage Kjartan Sekkingstad thanks President Rodrigo Duterte after his release. The Norwegian government maintains it did not pay ransom to the Abu Sayyaf.



FREE. Kjartan Sekkingstad prepares to board a helicopter bound for Davao City to meet with President Rodrigo Duterte. The Abu Sayyaf freed him after a year in captivity. Photo by Nickee Butlangan/AFP

A freed Norwegian hostage said he was "lucky to be alive" Sunday, after being kidnapped by Islamic militants and held in the southern Philippine jungle for more than a year.

Kjartan Sekkingstad appeared gaunt and frail as he was handed over to a government envoy along with 3 Indonesian seamen who had been held captive with him.

"I am so very happy and lucky to be alive," Sekkingstad, heavily bearded and wearing a camouflage jacket, told reporters in the town of Indanan on Jolo island before being flown to meet the Philippine president in Davao City.
Sekkingstad was abducted from a high-end tourist resort he managed in September 2015 by notorious kidnappers-for-ransom the Abu Sayyaf.

Two Canadians taken hostage at the same time, John Ridsdel and Robert Hall, were later beheaded by the group after a ransom demand of about P300 million ($6.5 million) was not met.

Sekkingstad showed the media his backpack with his rubber slippers, plastic water jug and other items he used during confinement, saying that he would never lose these "souvenirs."

He also thanked Philippine leader Rodrigo Duterte.

The Abu Sayyaf freed the Norwegian on Friday, handing him over to another Muslim rebel leader, Nur Misuari, whose group assisted in the release and at whose camp he spent the night, according to the government.

Escorted by a small contingent of Jolo police on Sunday, Misuari, Philippine Chief Peace Adviser Jesus Dureza, the freed captives, and local officials met in a building surrounded by hundreds of Misuari's fighters from the Moro National Liberation Front before leaving for a military camp.

Sekkingstad and Dureza were then transported to an airbase in Zamboanga City where a plane flew them out to the southern city of Davao for a meeting with Duterte.

The 3 freed Indonesians were taken to the nearby city of Zamboanga where Indonesian Defense Minister Ryamizard Ryacudu was waiting to pick them up and bring them back home to Jakarta.

It was still unclear if they were the same seamen kidnapped by armed men off a fishing trawler in Malaysian waters in July.

'Treated like a slave'

Sekkingstad also narrated how he narrowly survived military attacks against his captors, with a bullet piercing his backpack. He said he was treated like a "slave" by the Abu Sayyaf.

"Basically, I've been treated like a slave, carrying their stuff around, time to time abused," he said.

Sekkingstad also told reporters he endured "psychological pressure," with the Abu Sayyaf threatening several times to behead him.

He added that during the separate killings of the Canadian hostages in April and June, the two handcuffed Canadians were escorted out of sight, "but still close enough that you could hear their cries when it happened."

"It was devastating," the visibly shaken Norwegian said.

At a press forum with Duterte later, a now-clean shaven Sekkingstad thanked the President and all those who helped obtain his freedom.

It was unclear if any ransom was paid and, if so, by whom.

'No ransom'

Norwegian foreign affairs communications chief Frode Andersen told Agence France-Presse by phone that "the Norwegian government does not pay ransom in this case or any other case."

Duterte's spokesman Martin Andanar also said in Manila that "the government maintains the no-ransom policy."

"Now, if there is a third party like [Sekkingstad's] family that paid, we do not know anything about that," he told reporters.

However, a spokesman for the Abu Sayyaf was quoted in a local newspaper on Sunday as saying the group received P30 million (about $625,000) for the Norwegian.

Duterte himself had said in late August that P50 million was paid to secure the release of Sekkingstad.

The Abu Sayyaf is a loose network of militants formed in the 1990s with seed money from Osama bin Laden's Al-Qaeda network.

It is based in remote Muslim-populated southern islands in the mainly Catholic Philippines, and has earned millions of dollars in ransom from kidnappings -- often targeting foreigners.

While its leaders have in recent years pledged allegiance to the Islamic State group, analysts say the Abu Sayyaf is mainly focused on a lucrative kidnapping business rather than religious ideology.

The group, which is blamed for the worst terror attacks in Philippine history and is listed by the United States as a terrorist organisation, has been the target of a military operation since August.

http://www.rappler.com/nation/146603-lucky-freed-norwegian-hostage-abu-sayyaf

Duterte on freed hostage: We kept our promise to Norway

From Rappler (Sep 18): Duterte on freed hostage: We kept our promise to Norway

'The President's personal commitment even before he took office has been crucial to solve this issue,' says Norwegian Ambassador to the Philippines Erik Førner



FREED HOSTAGE. Kjartan Sekkingstad (seated, 2nd from left) is presented to President Rodrigo Duterte in Davao City on September 18, 2016. Photo by Manman Dejeto/Rappler

President Rodrigo Duterte on Sunday, September 18, said the safe release of a Norwegian held hostage by the Abu Sayyaf for a year fulfills a promise he made to the Norwegian government even before he officially assumed office.

"The best thing that happened to us this week is really the release of Kjartan because we were able to complete our promise to Norway which is giving us the good offices for space to talk vis-a-vis with the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP)," Duterte said in a news briefing in Davao City, after Kjartan Sekkingstad was presented to him.

Norway is the third party facilitator of peace negotiations between the Philippine government and the National Democratic Front, the political wing of the CPP.
Duterte credited the safe release of Sekkingstad and 3 Indonesian hostages of the Abu Sayyaf to the efforts of Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) leader Nur Misuari, Chief Peace Adviser Jesus Dureza, and former Sulu governor Sakur Tan.

"[Misuari] all along assured us that he would need time but he would succeed. It was a long, long negotiation as far as I'm concerned. I talked to Misuari even in the Cabinet meetings. I had him called, and he assured me that we would be able to recover alive and well Kjartan. And so we are here," he said, motioning to Sekkingstad who sat near him.

'Happy to be alive'

In his brief statement, Sekkingstad thanked the President, Dureza, and Misuari, as well as Norwegian officials and his families in the Philippines and Norway.

"I am very happy to be alive and free. It's a beautiful feeling," said the Norwegian.
Norwegian Ambassador to the Philippines Erik Førner thanked Duterte for the Philippine government's "outstanding help" to secure the release of Sekkingstad.

"The President's personal commitment even before he took office has been crucial to solve this issue," Førner said.

Duterte made the commitment to Førner when they met in Davao City on June 24.
The Abu Sayyaf freed Sekkingstad on Friday, September 16, a year after the group abducted the Norwegian and 3 others from a resort in Samal Island in Davao del Norte.

Sekkingstad told reporters in Indanan, Sulu, before he was brought to Davao City to meet with Duterte that he felt "lucky to be alive." Two others in his group of 4 were – Canadians John Ridsdel and Robert Hall were executed for non-payment of ransom – while Filipina Marites Flor was released earlier.

Sekkingstad was released to the MNLF, which turned him over to Dureza and Tan on Sunday afternoon. He was to leave Davao City Saturday night.

The Norwegian government denied it paid ransom, while the Philippine government maintained its no-ransom policy.

A military source had said a P30-million ransom payment was made for Sekkingstad.
Duterte himself had said as much in an interview with reporters on August 25, when he mentioned that P50 million had been paid for the Norwegian's release. He said then that while ransom payment had been made, Sekkingstad had not yet been released as the Abu Sayyaf wanted more money.

On Saturday, Indonesians Lorence Koten, Theorus Kopong, and Emanuel Arakain were also freed by the Abu Sayyaf after their two-month captivity. They were flown from Sulu to the Western Mindanao Command in Zamboanga City, where they were turned over to Indonesian authorities led by Defense Minister Ryamizard Ryacudu. From Zamboanga, the Indonesians flew back to Jakarta.

http://www.rappler.com/nation/146589-duterte-abu-sayyaf-freed-hostage-norway-promise

Norwegian, Indonesians, savor first day of freedom from Abu Sayyaf

From InterAksyon (Sep 18): Norwegian, Indonesians, savor first day of freedom from Abu Sayyaf



Presidential peace adviser Jesus Dureza arrives in Davao City Sunday after getting custody of Norwegian Kjartan Sekkingstad (in back), freed by the Abu Sayyaf Group on Saturday. The Norwegian was first brought to MNLF founder Nur Misuari. PHOTO BY GEM AVANCENA, NEWS5-DAVAO

A Norwegian and three Indonesian seamen held hostage in the southern Philippines were turned over to a government envoy on Sunday after being freed by Islamic extremists who had beheaded two captives earlier this year.

Kjartan Sekkingstad and the  Indonesians, who had been held by Abu Sayyaf militants, were handed over to envoy Jesus Dureza in the town of Indanan on Jolo island, said an AFP reporter at the scene.

The transfer took place at the heavily guarded camp of another Muslim rebel leader Nur Misuari, whose group assisted in the release, according to the government. 

Sekkingstad was abducted from a high-end tourist resort which he managed in September 2015, along with two Canadians who were later beheaded.

It was still unclear if the three freed Indonesians were the same ones kidnapped by armed men off a fishing trawler in Malaysian waters in July.

The Abu Sayyaf freed Sekkingstad on Saturday, handing him over to Misuari who is engaged in peace talks with the government and at whose camp he spent the night, Dureza said earlier.

Escorted by a small contingent of Jolo police, Dureza, Misuari, the freed captives and local officials met in a building surrounded by hundreds of Misuari's fighters from the Moro National Liberation Front before leaving for a military camp, the reporter said.

The military has said that after a medical check-up and debriefing, Sekkingstad would fly to the southern city of Davao to be received by President Rodrigo Duterte.

John Ridsdel and Robert Hall, the two Canadians seized with Sekkingstad, were beheaded after a ransom demand of about 300 million pesos ($6.5 million) was not met. Ridsdel was murdered in April and Hall in June.

Duterte's spokesman Martin Andanar said in Manila that "the government maintains the no-ransom policy".

"Now, if there is a third party like his family that paid, we do not known anything about that," he told reporters.

Norwegian foreign affairs communications chief Frode Andersen told AFP by phone that "the Norwegian government does not pay ransom in this case or any other case".

However, a spokesman for the Abu Sayyaf was quoted in a local newspaper on Sunday as saying the group received 30 million pesos (about $625,000) for the Norwegian.

The Abu Sayyaf is a loose network of militants formed in the 1990s with seed money from Osama bin Laden's Al-Qaeda network.

It is based in remote Muslim-populated southern islands in the mainly Catholic Philippines, and has earned millions of dollars in ransom from kidnappings -- often targeting foreigners.

While its leaders have in recent years pledged allegiance to the Islamic State group, analysts say the Abu Sayyaf is mainly focused on a lucrative kidnapping business rather than religious ideology.

The group, which is blamed for the worst terror attacks in Philippine history and is listed by the United States as a terrorist organisation, has been the target of a military operation since August.

http://interaksyon.com/article/132539/norwegian-indonesians-savor-first-day-of-freedom-from-abu-sayyaf

Duterte cites Nur's role in release of Abu Sayyaf captives; says terrorism 'everywhere'

From InterAksyon (Sep 18): Duterte cites Nur's role in release of Abu Sayyaf captives; says terrorism 'everywhere'



Misuari, seen with MNLF followers in this September 2014 Agence France-Presse file photo, was credited by President Duterte with helping secure the release of Abu Sayyaf captive Kjartan Sekkingstad.

Freed Abu Sayyaf hostage Kjartan Sekkingstad relished his newfound freedom on Sunday, after he was presented by President Rodrigo Duterte to the media in Davao City, following the Norwegian national's release on Saturday.

Duterte gave full praise to his Presidential Peace Adviser Jesus Dureza, and MNLF founding chairman Nur Misuari, for securing the release of Sekkingstad. Duterte also gave credit to former Sulu Governor Sakur Tan.

"I'm very happy to be alive and free. It's a beautiful feeling," Sekkingstad said, after expressing his "heartfelt thank you" to those responsible for his release.

According to Duterte, Misuari had negotiated with the Abu Sayyaf for the release, after armed men abducted Sekkingstad, together with Canadians Robert Hall and John Ridsdel, and Filipina Marites Flor, in August last year at the Ocean View Samal Resort in Samal, Davao del Norte. Other reports put the kidnapping at September, also last year.

Ridsdel and Hall were beheaded in April and June, respectively. Flor was released also in June, a few weeks after Hall's execution.

"It was a long, long negotiation, as far as I'm concerned," Duterte said, noting that he had talked to Misuari on the phone during Cabinet meetings. The latter said he needed time, but promised that he would succeed.

The President said he had simply been "directing" the three  - Misuari, Dureza and Tan - with regard to going about the job, and had invested in them "the full authority to negotiate" and ensure that nothing like it happened again.

According to Dureza, they took Sekkingstad into custody at 2:00 p.m. Sunday, recovering him from Misuari's camp. In turn, said Dureza, Misuari received Sekkingstad from his captors on Saturday.

According to reports, an Abu Sayyaf spokesman said they received P30 million in ransom.

3 Indonesians released

Dureza added that they also received three abducted Indonesians, who were then turned over to a representative of the Indonesian government in Jolo on Sunday. They were already on their way to Jakarta.

"Your travails in life are over, until such time that we get the... you want true justice, we will give them," Duterte told Sekkingstad, who is set to return home soon.

"Is it safe in Mindanao? I cannot tell you now, but we are trying our very best to put order in this country," Duterte told the media. "We would need time to put everything in order."

"Terrorism is everywhere. New York just blew up. So wala tayong (we have no)... there is no escaping terrorism. That is the next great battle of the century, terrorism and civilization," he added. The President was referring to the "intentional" explosion that injured 29 people in New York's Chelsea district at the weekend.

http://interaksyon.com/article/132543/duterte-cites-nurs-role-in-release-of-abu-sayyaf-captives-says-terrorism-everywhere

INFOGRAPHIC | Over 4,300 families affected by Sulu fighting: DSWD

From InterAksyon (Sep 18): INFOGRAPHIC | Over 4,300 families affected by Sulu fighting: DSWD



Over 4,300 families have seen their lives disrupted by the continuing conflict in Sulu, where the Armed Forces of the Philippines is rooting out Abu Sayyaf members, the Department of Social Welfare and Development has reported.

Of the 4,355 families (or 23,069 persons), DSWD said in a status report as of Sept. 17 that it had served most of those affected, or 4,326  families (22,895 persons).

Among the prepositioned goods deployed to help the affected communities are P6.5 million worth of food packs; as well as P324,280 worth of other food items; and P954,590 worth of nonfood items.

The campaign against the Abu Sayyaf Group was stepped up after it beheaded two of its captives, a Canadian businessman and a Filipino teenager whose family could not pay ransom.

President Duterte said Saturday that while he was keen on pursuing peace talks with the two main Moro groups - the Moro Islamic Liberation Front and the Nur Misuari faction of the Moro National Liberation Front - there would be no negotiations with the Abu Sayyaf, for whom, he said, nothing less than a "caliphate" in Southeast Asia is the only goal.
http://interaksyon.com/article/132545/infographic--over-4300-families-affected-by-sulu-fighting-dswd

Abu Sayyaf frees 3 Indon sailors in Southern Philippines

From the Mindanao Examiner (Sep 18): Abu Sayyaf frees 3 Indon sailors in Southern Philippines



A former Indonesian army general Kivlan Zein and Tarhata Misuari, wife of Moro National Liberation Front chairman Nur Misuari, with Indonesian sailors – Mochammad Ariyanto Mijnan, Lorens Peter, Dede Irfan Hilmi and Samsir , who were freed by the Abu Sayyaf in Sulu province in southern Philippines in May 2016. The Abu Sayyaf has freed on Sunday, September 18, 2016 Indonesian tugboat crew members Teo Kopong, Lorenz Koten and Emmanuel (not in photo) following negotiations by Zein. (Mindanao Examiner Photo)

Abu Sayyaf jihadists on Sunday freed 3 Indonesian tugboat crew members in the southern Philippine province of Sulu where security forces are battling the notorious group tied to Islamic State.

Military intelligence reports said Teo Kopong, Lorenz Koten and Emmanuel – who were kidnapped in July in Sabah, Malaysia – had been handed over by the Abu Sayyaf to the former rebel group Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF).

Some P30 million in ransoms were reportedly paid to the Abu Sayyaf by Indonesian negotiators led by former Indonesian army general Kivlan Zein.

No other details were available surrounding the negotiations, but the safe release of the hostages came barely two days after Abu Sayyaf also freed a Norwegian hostage Kjartan Sekkingstad for P30 million ransoms. The militants handed over Sekkingstad to an MNLF commander Tahil Sali, who allegedly helped in the negotiations, according to an army report.

The Philippine military’s Western Mindanao Command had linked Sali to deadly attacks against government forces in Sulu and that he fought alongside the Abu Sayyaf in recent years.

Zein – through the MNLF under its chieftain Nur Misuari – also negotiated for the separate release of 14 kidnapped Indonesian sailors in Sulu in May this year.

The Abu Sayyaf – which pledged allegiance with the Islamic State militant group – is still holding four Malaysian sailors, three Filipino fishermen, a Dutch photographer and a Japanese treasure hunter in southern Philippines.

http://mindanaoexaminer.com/abu-sayyaf-frees-3-indon-sailors-in-southern-philippines/

PHLPost checks status of PVAO pensioners

From the Philippine Information Agency (Sep 18): PHLPost checks status of PVAO pensioners

The Philippine Postal Corporation (PHLPost) has been tapped by the Philippine Veteran’s Affairs Office (PVAO) to facilitate the nationwide delivery of status verification forms and monitoring of its accomplishments by PVAO pensioners, particularly those residing in far-flung areas.

The PVAO is mandated to provide immediate and adequate care, benefits and other forms of assistance to war veterans of military campaigns, their surviving spouses and orphans and provide mechanism to ensure that pensions are received only by eligible and legitimate pensioners to effectively prevent losses of fund to the government.

PHLPost and PVAO signed the agreement in order to determine the living status of the pensioners and gather other information for the same purpose in ensuring the uninterrupted payment or appropriate termination of pension.

PHLPost agrees to effectively and promptly deliver, through personal delivery by Postman the PVAO status verification forms to pensioner, particularly those residing in areas that are geographically distant from the PVAO Fields Service Extension Offices, but with available post offices.

The Pensioner’s Verification Program is expected to clean any discrepancy on list of valid pensioners who received monthly pension from PVAO.

It is important to re-validate the pensioner’s status to avoid the suspension of Pensioner’s benefits.

Under the agreement, the PVAO shall issue a letter to pensioner authorizing PHLPost to undertake personal verification during their home visit activity.

The agency will provide PHLPost electronically, the list of pensioners for verification with the following data, full name, present address and postal code, contact number, date of birth, picture of pensioner and name of guardian.

The PVAO will also provide PHLPost the guidelines for verification, if the pensioners are still alive, if deceased and whereabouts of the pensioners.

The postman will deliver to pensioners their individual verification forms and capture the latest photo, biometrics date (fingerprint impressions) and other information about the pensioner and transmit the accomplished Status Verification Forms.

The project shall involve the nationwide verification of the PVAO pensioners, including pensioners from the NSO lists of deceased persons which cannot be validated by the PVAO through records matching and phone verification.

The PVAO expects pensioners to comply with these requirements, using the manpower and facilities of PHLPost.

http://news.pia.gov.ph/article/view/2131474139498/phlpost-checks-status-of-pvao-pensioners

Army camp supports war against illegal drugs

From the Philippine Information Agency (Sep 18): Army camp supports war against illegal drugs

The Philippine Army’s 5th Infantry Division based in this town vowed to support the new administration’s all-out war against illegal drugs.

Brig. Gen. Paul Atal, commanding general of the 5th ID, expressed his willingness to cleanse all his soldiers against illegal drugs in support to President Rodrigo Duterte’s war on drugs.

He said they conducted massive information dissemination activities, in collaboration with the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), to suppress illegal drugs use among the camp’s soldiers.

Atal said in order to ensure the cleansing of ranks of soldiers against illegal drugs, some 600 camp soldiers were subjected to a mandatory drug testing in coordination with the Regional Treatment and Rehabilitation Center in Ilagan City.

As a result, he said at least one soldier and 13 Citizens' Armed Forces Geographical Unit Active Auxiliaries (CAAs) were found positive using illegal drugs.

“The soldier and the 13 CAAs were already discharged from the military service and terminated as members of the CAAs, respectively,” the commanding general said.

To intensify their support in the illegal drugs campaign, Atal invited PDEA Regional Director Laurefel P. Gabales to discuss the various types of prohibited drugs that are widely abused in the entire country; the effects of illegal drugs in every individual; how addiction leads to criminalities; preparation and issuance of Search Warrants; the role of Military during the conduct of Buy-Bust Operations; and the penalties and punishment for those persons caught by authorities violating the Comprehensive Dangerous Act of 2002 or the Republic Act No. 9165.

http://news.pia.gov.ph/article/view/481473990409/army-camp-supports-war-against-illegal-drugs

Duterte receives Norwegian hostage in Davao

From the Philippine Information Agency (Sep 19): Duterte receives Norwegian hostage in Davao

President Rodrigo Duterte received Norwegian hostage Kjartan Sekkingstad in Davao City on Sunday night.

Now a free man, Sekkingstad, accompanied by Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Jesus Dureza, was presented to the President following his release in Jolo after a year in captivity.

The President particularly cited the efforts of Secretary Dureza, MNLF Chairman Nur Misuari and former Sulu Governor Sakur Tan for securing the Norwegian hostage’s release.

“It was a long, long negotiation,” the President said. “They (negotiators) showed us we need time to succeed … to assure the hostage is alive and well.”

An ecstatic Sekkingstad meanwhile expressed his “heartfelt” gratitude to the President saying he is “happy to be alive and free and it is a beautiful feeling.”

Ambassador Erik Forner of the Royal Norwegian Embassy likewise thanked President Duterte for his “outstanding help and commitment to secure the release of Sekkingstad even before he took office (as President).”

Sekkingstad’s release comes in such an auspicious time as his home country, Norway, serves as host to the Philippine government peace talks with the CPP/NPA/NDF. The second round of peace talks is set to resume in Oslo next month.

http://news.pia.gov.ph/article/view/2131474214346/duterte-receives-norwegian-hostage-in-davao

Military reserve units can be used in anti-crime drive -- DND

From the Philippine News Agency (Sep 18): Military reserve units can be used in anti-crime drive -- DND

Military reservist units can be use in the ongoing fight against illegal drugs, graft and corruption and criminality.

This was stressed by Department of National Defense (DND) undersecretary Ricardo David as the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) concluded its celebration of the 37th National Reservist Week Saturday.

"Reservists will be our reliable partners in the fight against illegal drugs, graft and corruption and criminality," he added.

David also expressed confidence that the AFP leadership shall continue to focus its programs and activities in the enhancement of their operational capabilities and readiness of all reservists.

This year's National Reservist Week theme is “Laang Kawal: Patuloy ba Naghahanda at Nagsasanay tungo sa Mapayapa, Masagana at Maunlad na Bayan”.

As a leveling up activity, 15 provinces organized a Ready Reserve Battalion (RRBn) adopting the joint force structure representing the three major services.

The number of participating provinces will increase in the succeeding years until 81 provinces of the entire country will have its respective Joint Force Ready Reserve Battalion.

The Joint Force RRBns will assist the Unified Commands during Humanitarian and Disaster Response Operations.

David also asked for support in the move of President Rodrigo Duterte to make the Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC) mandatory for our schools.

“The revival of the ROTC will inculcate the sense of patriotism, the sense of discipline as we as the sense of good citizenship,” he said.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=923971

Soldiers happy with Chief Executive's promise of new pistols

From the Philippine News Agency (Sep 18): Soldiers happy with Chief Executive's promise of new pistols

Troopers, especially those belonging to the elite 1st Scout Ranger Regiment, are very happy with President Rodrigo Duterte's announcement to provide them with a brand-new Glock 30 .45 pistol.

This move highlights the Chief Executive value for the soldiery, Armed Forces public affairs chief Col. Edgard Arevalo said.

Also, these new pistols are an incentive to the Bulacan-based 1st Scout Ranger Regiment for doing their job well, he added.

The guns will be delivered by October.

Additional weapons are also scheduled to be provided to other military units.

Morale of all soldiers, both officers and enlisted personnel, very high, thanks to the frequent visit of Duterte in various military camps nationwide.

Arevalo said that having the Chief Executive in your midst, not only the Defense chief and ranking military officers, talking to you, shaking your hand, and asking about your welfare certainly brings a huge morale boost to troopers in the frontlines.

"He (President Duterte) really talks and care about the men in the ground. He also talks to the commander to hear for himself what they really need in the field and how can the government can address it immediately for the good of our soldiers," Arevalo said in Filipino.

"There is no request within reason, by our soldiers, that the President did not respond positively to," the AFP official stated.

Arevalo said that this is the first time in military and Philippine history that an elected-President takes time to visit various military command headquarters and their personnel.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=923973

Military troops recover another hostages -- Palace

From the Philippine News Agency (Sep 18): Military troops recover another hostages -- Palace

A day after Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) released unhurt Norwegian Kjartan Sekkingstad in Jolo, Sulu, a Palace official said on Sunday that military troops have recovered another hostages.

”I believe, the new development was that there were other hostages recovered by our government troops aside from the Norwegian,” Presidential Communications Operations (PCO) Secretary Martin Andanar said on Sunday in an interview with state-run Radyo ng Bayan.

Andanar said Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Secretary Jesus Dureza will give the additional information about other hostages recovered by the military troops.

”I still have no other development. Let’s wait for the word from Secretary Dureza,” Andanar said.

On Saturday, the ASG bandits freed Sekkingstad almost one year after he and three others – Canadians John Ridsdell, Robert Hall and Filipina Marites Flor, were abducted at Ocean View Resort in Samal Island in Davao on September 21, 2015.

The two Canadians were beheaded by the Abu Sayyaf bandits while Flor was set free last July.

Amid reports that the ASG has been paid PHP50 million for the release of the Norwegian hostage, Andanar said the government maintains a 'no ransom policy'.

”I repeat, we have no that kind of policy. The government maintain a no ransom policy. If there is a family member or a third party who paid, we have no information, but as far as the gov’t is concern, we maintain a no ransom policy,” Andanar explained.

Andanar said the Norwegian thanked President Rodrigo Duterte.

According to Dureza, Sekkingstad was released by his captors at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday somewhere in Patikul, Sulu.

Dureza said the Norwegian stayed overnight at the place of Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) chairman Nur Misuari who volunteered to host Sekkingstad’ stay due to heavy rains and nightfall.

He said the men of Misuari and former Sulu Govenor Sakur Tan and other volunteers helped in the release of Sekkinstad.

Andanar said the release of Norwegian would not mean that the government will stop its massive military operations against the Abu Sayyaf terrorists.

”It’s (the release of Norwegian) is a good development and the government’s war against terrorism will continue,” he said.

The Norwegian is set to be presented by Dureza to President Duterte on Sunday.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=923975

PA denies arresting elderly guerilla in northern Luzon

From the Philippine News Agency (Sep 18): PA denies arresting elderly guerilla in northern Luzon

The Philippine Army (PA) vehemently denied reports that its troops in northern Luzon have arrested an elderly guerilla, violating the standing government ceasefire with the New People's Army (NPA).

"He was not arrested. The alleged elderly ex-guerilla opted to return to the folds of the law,” PA spokesperson Col. Benjamin L. Hao said.

He added that were no arrest of NPA members and their supporters in Kalinga.

"Since the start of the ceasefire of the government with the NPAs, many of their supporters and old members in Northern Luzon, including a 73-year old Marcos Aggalao from Kalinga, voluntarily surrendered to the PA," Hao added,

After the mass surrender of 69 NPA supporters in northern Luzon last month, another four surrendered to the military this September.

All of the surrenderers were sent to and processed by the local DSWD in the province, Hao pointed out.

"The PA strictly observes the ceasefire with the NPAs. The PA believes that an effective ceasefire is a significant path in attaining peace in our country," Hao said.

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Norwegian ASG captive now in custody of Presidential Peace Adviser Dureza

From the Philippine News Agency (Sep 18): Norwegian ASG captive now in custody of Presidential Peace Adviser Dureza

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) has confirmed the transfer of former Norwegian Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) captive Kjartn Sekkingstand to Presidential Peace Adviser Jesus "Jess" Dureza on Sunday afternoon.

"For info, we confirm the transfer to Secretary Dureza of the Norwegian kidnap victim and the arrival of the released three Indonesian at Headquarters of Joint Task Force-Sulu under Brig. Gen . Arnel Dela Vega. Secretary Dureza and party are on their way now to Davao from Jolo. They left around 2:40 p.m.," AFP spokesperson Brig.Gen. Restituto Padilla said.

Meanwhile, the three Indonesians who were also freed on Saturday will be flown to Western Mindanao Command headquarters in Zamboanga City where they will be met by WMC head Lt. Gen. Mayoralgo Dela Cruz, he added.

Sekkingstand was freed in Sulu around 4:00 p.m. Saturday. The former was abducted together with John Ridsel, Robert Hall and Marites Flor on Sept. 21, 2015 at the Ocean View Resort in Samal Island.

Both Hall and Ridsell were beheaded by the bandits while Flor was freed by the ASG last June 22.

Meanwhile, troops of the 601st Infantry Brigade under Col. Cirilito E. Sobejana, Jr. encountered at 5:00 p.m. Saturday alleged members of a private armed group believed to be under a certain "Mayor Sangki" at Barangay Saniag, Ampatuan town in Maguindanao.

The encounter resulted in the recovery of high-powered firearms including one M-60 machine gun; one M-203; five M-14 rifles; and more than 4,600 rounds of ammunition including 15 rounds of 81mm mortar, three rounds of 60mm mortar, and 14 rounds of 40mm grenades, three rounds of rifle grenade, 8 rounds of ammunition for 12-gauge shotgun, improvised four-cap automatic grenade launcher, and a commercial handheld radio.

The discovery and confiscation of this large cache of arms and ammunition and a big number of explosives and ordnance that may be converted to improvised explosive devises (IEDs) is an enormous accomplishment.

"Where if not for the vigilance and unrelenting performance of duty by our troops, the possible occurrence of explosions that could cause lives and injuries could not have been prevented," Dela Vega said.

For his part, AFP chief-of-staff Gen. Ricardo Visaya said, “The multi-dimensional role of the AFP and the multi-faceted challenges that the Western Mindanao Command and Eastern Mindanao Command face in their areas of operation do not stop us from delivering results in the name of peace and security.”

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=924032