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The Mindanao Examiner
September 24-30, 2018
Indonesian embassy receives freed fishermen, praises military efforts ZAMBOANGA CITY – Three kidnapped Indonesian fishermen freed by the Abu Sayyaf have been handed over to Ambassador Dr. Sinyo Harry Sarundajang who
flew to Zamboanga City in southern Philippines to receive the trio. Hamdam Salim, Subandi Sattuh, and Sudarlan Samansung were released September 15 by
the Abu Sayyaf to the group of Nur Misuari, chairman of the Moro National Liberation Front, in Indanan town. It was unknown whether the Abu Sayyaf
Military photos released to the regional newspaper Mindanao Examiner show the 3 freed Indonesian fishermen with Lt. Gen. Arnel dela Vega, commander of the Western Mindanao Command, and Ambassador Dr. Sinyo Harry Sarundajang who flew to Zamboanga City to receive the trio.
Troops rescue escaped NPA medic in Davao City
A military photo shows the escaped NPA medic, her face blurred to protect her identity and retaliation from the communist rebel group. DAVAO CITY – A female medic of the communist rebel group New People’s Army in North Cotabato province was rescued by soldiers after after a daring escape from their commander who sexually abused her and four others. The 20-year medic, who is a member of the Pulang Bagani Command 2, said she escaped from the NPA after their leader,
Ka Botchoy, abused them. The fate of the others is unknown. The military’s Eastern Mindanao Command confirmed the report and said the medic is now in the care of the 19th Infantry Battalion following her rescue on September 17 in Calinan district in Davao City. It said the medic’s father sought assistance from the army and guided the soldiers
to his daughter’s hideout. The medic said she and four others from Magpet town joined the NPA in March this year after being lured by rebels. “Misulod mi diri aron mawala ang mga pagpahimulos, apan naa ra man diay gihapon pagpanghimulos sulod sa armado (We joined the NPA to stop the abuses, yet we suffer the same within the organization),” she told the military. Lt. Col. Ehrlich Noel Paraso, commander of the 19th Infantry Battalion, also confirmed the medic’s statement and condemned the NPA for preying on its own female members for sexual satisfaction. “I call on to the local leaders of the NPA terrorists to stop the exploitation of women and minors and other forms of abuses they are committing against the people. NPA terrorists are continuously recruiting members to join their failed armed struggle, yet they have rotten ranks and system,” he said. There was no immediate statement from the NPA on the medic’s claims. The group has been fighting for a separate state in the country. (Mindanao Examiner)
received ransom in exchange for the freedom of the hostages, but the military said its relentless campaign against the terrorist group contributed largely to the release of the fishermen. Lt. Gen. Arnel dela Vega, commander of the Western Mindanao Command, led the handover of the fishermen to the Indonesian ambassador, who expressed gratitude to the military for its efforts in recovering the hostages. “We give our assurance
that we will always be of assistance for the common interest of our country and the Indonesian government,” Dela Vega said. Security forces continue to hunt down the Abu Sayyaf which is still holding several Filipino and foreign hostages. Just recently, soldiers clashed with some 100 militants under Radulan Sahiron and Hajan Sawadjaan in Patikul town and killed 7 fighters and wounded Sawadjaan.
President Rodrigo Duterte has ordered the military to destroy the Abu Sayyaf, blamed for the spate of terrorism and killings of innocent civilians. Many of its leaders had been destroyed by the military the past years and hundreds have surrendered in Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi, including Zamboanga City after the government offered amnesty in an effort to bring them back to the fold of the law. (Mindanao Examiner)