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Soldiers searching for Abu Sayyaf bandits and Indonesian kidnap victims found one more of the captives who escaped Wednesday in Luuk town, Sulu. Earlier on Wednesday, Indonesia Mohammad Safyan was found by villagers off Luuk. GOOGLE MAP The military has found a second Indonesia kidnap victim who escaped his Abu Sayyaf captors in Sulu on Wednesday afternoon, authorities said Thursday. Western Mindanao Command spokesperson Major Filemon Tan said the kidnap victim identified himself as Ismail, chief officer of the tugboat “Charles.” Ismail was one of seven tugboat crew men abducted by the Abu Sayyaf in the waters of Tawi-Tawi last June 22. “Military troops were scouring the area looking for other Indonesian hostages when they found Ismail who identified himself to the military as a kidnap victim,” Tan said. Ismail is with Joint Task Force Sulu for medical check-up and will be turned over to Indonesian authorities as soon as possible. On Wednesday morning, another Indonesian captive, Mohammad Safyan, was found off the shores of Luuk town in Sulu after escaping from the Abu Sayyaf. RELATED STORY Indonesian captive due for beheading escapes Abu Sayyaf Latest PH receives first Japanese coast guard vessel Denok Miranda grateful to be back in the PBA ‘NPA leader’ in Misamis Oriental freed on bail for peace talks Duterte: We can’t build PH over bones of our countrymen Recommended Disclaimer: Comments do not represent the views of INQUIRER.net. We reserve the right to exclude comments which are inconsistent with our editorial standards. FULL DISCLAIMER View Comments Read More …

President Rodrigo Duterte on Wednesday, August 17, 2016, lashed out at the United Nations for its ‘stupid’ criticism of his government’s war against drugs. Duterte said even killings done by crime and drug syndicates were being attributed to his government. INQUIRER FILE President Rodrigo Duterte on Wednesday hit out at “stupid” United Nations’ criticism of his controversial crime war that has claimed 1,000 lives, warning the global body not to interfere. The political outsider, who swept to a landslide election victory in May largely on a pledge to kill tens of thousands of criminals, said he would continue his anti-drug crackdown despite mounting criticism, including from UN chief Ban Ki-moon. “Why would the United Nations be so easily swayed into interfering in the affairs of this republic? There are only 1,000 (killed),” he said at an event marking the 115th anniversary of the police force. READ: Duterte slams UN for ‘interfering’ in Philippine drug war | UN body condemns ‘illegal’ killings of PH drug suspects Duterte criticized the “stupid proposition” where the killings done by drug and criminal syndicates were being attributed to his government. Ban Ki-moon in June condemned Duterte’s apparent support for extrajudicial killings, saying they were “illegal and a breach of fundamental rights and freedoms”. The UN’s anti-drugs office also this month said it was “greatly concerned” by reports of extrajudicial killings of suspected drug dealers and users in the Philippines. The UN has made “a very stupid proposition”, Duterte said, warning them not to meddle in the country’s politics. Read More …

Members of Justice for Filipino American Veterans (JFAV) in Los Angeles speaking to news media. CONTRIBUTED LOS ANGELES – An organization of Filipino WWII veterans here added its voice to the opposition to the burial of former Philippine President Marcos in the country’s national heroes’ cemetery. In a press statement, the group Justice for Filipino American Veterans (JFAV) said that Marcos was a fake hero and that “he does not deserve to be honored as a hero and buried in the heroes’ cemetery.” The US Veterans Administration had concluded that Marcos had manufactured his own military medals. The JFAV, headed by Arturo Garcia, issued the statement as various social groups in the Philippines have created a Citizen’s Assembly on Sunday, August 14, to protest the burial of Marcos at the Libingan ng mga Bayani on September 18. Garcia criticized newly elected Pres. Rodrigo Duterte for having allowed his burial at the heroes’ cemetery. “Duterte insults the 250,000 Filipino American veterans who fought for democracy during World War II and the 73,000 victims of human rights violations during martial law, which includes his own mother,” he said. Duterte, a close friend of the Marcoses, appears bent on making true his promises to the late president’s family as a way for the country to heal. He called those who opposed his plan “yellow oppositionists” who are identified with his predecessor, Pres. Benigno Aquino Jr. “Duterte is a Marcos loyalist. He is not healing the nation, he is dividing the nation by siding Read More …

WATCH: UP’s Korus singing “Sana’y Wala Nang Wakas” in Toronto. MARISA ROQUE TORONTO, Ontario — To say that the University of the Philippines’ Korus capped its “Tour of the Americas” with a dazzling single performance in Toronto the evening of Saturday, August 13, would be an understatement. The 17-member University of the Philippines Concert Chorus brought the audience to its collective feet through four foot-stamping encores at the end of its three-hour performance of classic choral offerings dubbed “kontemporarius,” native music or “katutubo” and modern musical arrangements with a twist of well executed choreography called “koreokapela.” UPAA Toronto members Fanny Calucag, Maripi Leynes and Rose Nagallo are part of the registration. MARISA ROQUE The well-attended concert was held at Toronto International Celebration Church, the group’s soaring harmonies melding beautifully under the direction of artistic director and conductor Professor Janet (Jai) Sabas-Aracama. Korus began the evening with “Vytautas Miskinis’ Diffusa Est Gratia” (Grace Is Poured).  Glorious cascades of sacred choral music poured over the audience and set the stage for the “Gloria” from Ryan Cayabyab’s “Misa,” Ralph Manuel’s “Alleluia,” a mashup of “I Believe” and “Ave Maria” by Bread and Tucker, and Moses Hogan’s “My Soul’s Been Anchored in the Lord,” among others. Ken Quismundo and his wife Beth prepare to enjoy the show. MARISA ROQUE After the first intermission, Korus switched the mood from the divine to the mundane through familiar and well-loved folk tunes of the Philippines.  Toe tapping renditions of “Katakataka” by Suarez-Laureola, followed by a fisherman’s tale Read More …

Despite repeated pronouncements by his budget chief that it is not possible, President Rodrigo Duterte once again promised 100 percent salary increases for men in uniform. Duterte made the vow at the 115th police service anniversary in Camp Crame. “I have increased your salaries. You are the first, double your present salary. By December, you have gotten the full,” he said. “And I included the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the PDEA [Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency]… working and gambling with your lives facing criminals,” he added. Budget Secretary Benjamin Diokno had previously said that the raise for law enforcers cannot be fulfilled because there is nothing in the 2016 national budget that can be realigned to increase salaries. Duterte previously promised a pay raise for soldiers by August. Diokno had said this was not possible. Diokno added that adjusting the salaries and improving the pension system of uniformed men would be “a huge cost that we probably have to think very carefully.” —JST, GMA News