Kidnapped British couple rescued after Philippines gun battle

A British businessman and his Filipino wife have been rescued from their abductors in the southern Philippines, the country’s army has said.

Allan Arthur Hyrons, 70, and wife Wilma were taken from their beach resort on the southern island of Mindanao by four armed men on 4 October.

They were freed after a gun battle with the kidnappers in the neighbouring Sulu region at about 17:00 GMT on Sunday. The couple were taken for medical checks after their abductors fled.

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Source: bbc.co.uk

Suspected Abu Sayyaf member nabbed, 16 pipe bombs seized during Sulu ops

A suspected Abu Sayyaf member was nabbed by government security forces during a follow-up operation in Indanan, Sulu on Tuesday.

On Thursday, authorities identified the alleged local terrorist as a certain Mang. He reportedly confessed to authorities about some improvised explosive device at a safehouse in Barangay Paligue.

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Source: gmanetwork.com

Curfew in ESSZone extended until Nov 11

KOTA KINABALU: The curfew in the waters off seven districts in the Eastern Sabah Security Zone (ESSZone), which ends tomorrow, has been extended to Nov 7, said Sabah Police Commissioner Datuk Omar Mammah.

The curfew from 6 pm to 6 am covers the waters off Tawau, Semporna, Kunak, Lahad Datu, Kinabatangan, Sandakan and Beluran, he said in a statement today.

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Source: theborneopost.com

Military seizes bomb-making material in Sulu

By CNN Philippines Staff

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, September 17)— The military recovered nearly a ton of a bomb-making inputs during an operation in Sulu on Saturday.

In a statement Tuesday, the Joint Task Force Sulu said authorities have seized at least 700 kilograms of ammonium nitrate and another bomb component, an 81-mm mortar fuse in Barangay Latih in Patikul town over the weekend.

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Source: cnnphilippines.com

U.S. puts Abu Sayyaf sub-leader Sawadjaan on global terror list

Along with Hatib Hajan Sawadjaan – who is said to be the leader of the Islamic State in the Philippines – a female named Almaida Marani Salvin is also included on the United States’ blacklist

Sofia Tomacruz

MANILA, Philippines – The United States has added Abu Sayyaff sub-leader Hatib Hajan Sawadjaan, who is said to be the leader of the Islamic State (ISIS) in the Philippines, to its list of global terrorists.

Along with Sawadjaan, a female named Almaida Marani Salvin was also included in the US Treasury’s sanctions blacklist. Salvin was said to have “materially assisted, sponsored, or provided financial, material, or technological support ” to ISIS-Philippines.

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Source: rappler.com

Curfew in ESSZone extended to Aug 24

KOTA KINABALU: Curfew in the waters off seven districts in the Eastern Sabah Security Zone (ESSZone) which ends tomorrow will be extended until Aug 24.

Sabah Police Commissioner Datuk Omar Mammah said the curfew from 6pm to 6am covers the waters of Tawau, Semporna, Kunak, Lahad Datu, Kinabatangan, Sandakan and Beluran.

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Source: nst.com.my

5 battalions of police commandos to fight Abu Sayyaf

By Aaron Recuenco

The five battalions of the police’s elite Special Action Force (SAF), which President Duterte early in his term had ordered to be formed, may see action in Mindanao as part of the effort to wipe out the extremist Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG).

Gen. Oscar Albayalde, chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP), said the five battalions of SAF commandos are nearing completion of their commando training and would graduate as soon as they pass the test mission.

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Source: news.mb.com.ph

Marine battalion off to Sulu to beef up hunt for terrorists

ZAMBOANGA CITY –– A Marine battalion has been deployed to Sulu to beef up the government’s security presence in the province, rocked by recent bombings in a military facility, and grappling with a long-running bout with terrorists.

Their mission: “Destroy the Abu Sayyaf … and establish a peaceful and stable environment in Sulu,” said Rear Admiral Erick Kagaoan, commander of Naval Forces Western Mindanao.

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Source: newsinfo.inquirer.net

Westmincom to focus on Abu Sayyaf in Sulu

Roel Pareño

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines — The new leadership of the military’s Western Mindanao Command will rest the weight of its campaign in Sulu, considered among the remaining problem areas in Mindanao, its outgoing commander Lt. Gen. Arnel dela Vega said.

Dela Vega, who opted for early retirement from the service, will be replaced by Maj. Gen. Cirilito Sobejana in a change of command ceremony on Friday.

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Source: philstar.com

Abus release 9 hostages

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia — Abu Sayyaf gunmen released nine hostages after finding that they were Bajau fishermen who had no money to pay for their ransom, Malaysian and Philippine officials said on Saturday.

The military said the nine men were found walking along a road in Talipao, Sulu, on Friday, three days after they were abducted in waters off Lahad Datu in Borneo on June 18.

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Source: globalnation.inquirer.net