SUNDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2014

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aittimes.net

02 07All Star,Thunderdragons

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Page 05‘Port congestion to last until 2015’

PSME Kuwait holds ‘outreach feeding program’

MANILA: In this handout photo released by Armed Forces of the Philippines-Pubic Affairs Office (AFP-PAO) who authorised Agence France-Presseto use the photo, shows the two Germans kidnapped by Islamic militants, Stefan Okonek, center, and his partner Henrike Dielen, center right, asthey are welcomed by unidentified German embassy officials shortly after arriving at a military air base in Manila from Zamboanga City. TwoGermans kidnapped by Islamic militants in the Philippines are safely back at their embassy in Manila, officials said after a harrowing six-monthordeal in which they endured constant threats of beheading. —AFP

MANILA: The proposed Bangsamoro regional setupfor Mindanao must demonstrate its capability to be asubstantial improvement over the AutonomousRegion in Muslim Mindanao if it wants mass-basedsupport, British Ambassador Asif Ahmad said Friday.

Speaking to reporters in the course of his visit tothe ARMM, Ahmad said the establishment of the newpolitical entity would make no difference unless it isable to provide for such basic needs as livelihood,education, food, shelter, transport, communications,infrastructure, and security for its people. “Let’s makeuse of the gains achieved in the peace talks by imple-menting the provisions therein for the greater good,”he said. —Inquirer.net

‘Bangsamoro must prove itself better than ARMM’

MANILA: The Philippines has rebuffed a US request todispatch medical workers to Ebola-hit regions, with thehealth ministry saying boosting the country’s defencesagainst any local outbreaks was the priority.

The United Nations has launched a global appealfor more help to fight the viral epidemic that has killedmore than 4,000 people this year, mainly in Guinea,Liberia and Sierra Leone.

The United States and Britain had also specificallyasked the Philippines to pitch in by deploying itshealth sector personnel, Health Secretary Enrique Onasaid last week.

At the time, Ona said Manila was consideringdeploying substantial numbers of volunteer healthworkers to help out in epidemic-stricken West Africa,saying it was “something of a responsibility for ourcountry” to respond to the call.

But on Friday ministry spokesman Lyndon Lee Suysaid Manila had for now ruled out sending medicalpersonnel, and was instead considering providing cashand other forms of assistance.

“As of the moment, we’re not really keen on send-ing human assistance, but we are not closing the pos-sibility,” he told a news conference. “Enhancing capabil-ity first (is the priority) before we can send assistance,”he added at a joint news conference with a regionalofficial of the World Health Organization.

Continued on Page 3

Philippines rebuffs request to send medics to Ebola-hit areas

MANILA: Two Germans kidnapped by Islamic militants inthe Philippines are safely back at their Manila embassy,officials said yesterday after a harrowing six-month ordealin which they endured threats of beheading and seem-ingly routine cruelty. Officials said a private plane flewStefan Okonek, in his 70s, and his partner Henrike Dielen,in her 50s, to Manila from the southern port ofZamboanga at dawn after the Abu Sayyaf gunmenreleased them late Friday.

“With the release from captivity of the two Germannationals, our security forces will continue efforts to stemthe tide of criminality perpetrated by bandit elements,”President Benigno Aquino’s spokesman Herminio Colomasaid in a statement.

Germany’s foreign ministry and the Philippine militaryalso confirmed the hostages had arrived at the embassyin Manila. “We are relieved to confirm that the twoGermans are no longer in the hands of their kidnappers.They are being taken care of at the embassy in Manila,”said a German foreign ministry spokesman. “We thank thegovernment of the Philippines for their close collabora-tion, undertaken with full confidence,” the spokesmanadded.

The Abu Sayyaf had given the German governmentuntil Friday to pay a $5.6 million ransom and withdraw itssupport for US offensives against jihadists in Syria andIraq. The Abu Sayyaf militants in an interview with theManila-based radio confirmed the payment of a huge ran-

som in exchange for the freedom of their captive Germancouple in the jungle of Sulu Friday night, its spokesmansaid. Abu Sayyaf spokesman Abu Rami confirmed that theP250-million ransom was delivered before the 3 p.m. ulti-matum they set on Friday to behead one of the Germans.“Dumating talaga ang demand na P250 million pesos.Walang labis walang kulang,” Abu Rami said over the localradio DXRZ of Radio Mindanao Network (RMN) minutesafter they released about Stefan Viktor Okonek and wifeHenrike Dielen at 8:45 p.m. Abu Rami said that althoughthe other demand was not met, they maintained their callfor the German government to stop its support to theUnited States campaign against the Islamic State in Iraqand Syria (ISIS). Continued on Page 3

Hostages arrive at German embassy after Philippine ordeal

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2014 2

Lens Artist Kuwait organizes fun shoot KUWAIT: A fun shoot was organized recently by a group of Filipino photographers ‘LENS ARTISTS’ in Kuwait. The program was part of a workshop to coach new members inthe photography techniques, lighting. The group is planning more activities in the coming days. For details please contact Tel. 50611591. Maraming salamat po!

KUWAIT: With a combination of best roll-off of Ahmad Fahmi,Saleh Al Faraj and Abel Nitikusumo bowler keglers, the NUSAN-TARA Team have finally made to claim the Tea of the Week withan impressive total pinfalls of 2885 while the Z’CLAS Strikersstill on the top position clinching rank 1 post against the oppo-nent Android Rollers (2887 - 2669) in this PBAK 4th SeasonLeague Bowling tournament, supported by DUNKIN’ DONUTS.With just a four more week games, the top eight teams are allin a dash to grasp a position for the finals games. In this week’squalifying rounds, Team All Star Strikers is on hot pursue whenthey dominated and posted a significant score of 2846 andchanged their position from 8th up to 4th for the first time withAsian air Safari trailing right behind leaving a significant pins toattain further. Mar Evangelista combined with Obet Cabrera ofTHUNDERDRAGONS team vigorously grabs the highest scratchwith handicap 2785 pinfalls against opponent and lifting themto the 2nd rank replacing Asian Air Safari (2955-2505).Meanwhile incomplete crew of Asian Air Safari faced unexpect-ed slide from 2nd to 5th rank while Dollarco experienced thesame fate from 4th to 8th rank as last position in the magic 8.

Meanwhile, Kevin Andaya of team Z’CLAS Strikers easilygrab the Individual High Game from Uly Meneses when Kevingave an impressive score of 255 pinfalls (255-232) entitled himas the youngest highest scorer in this category. Team UAEExchange played as bye have maintained its position to 3rdrank while Cozmo and Ahmadi King Pin on the 6th and 7thslots respectively.

PBAK would like to acknowledge and extend its sincereappreciation to Mr. Ahmed Hamed, Operations Manager ofDUNKIN’ DONUTS Kuwait for their Support to League tourna-ments. For those who wish to join and/or be a new member ofPBAK, please call our membership officer Lito Mercado97117262 or VP Hermie Saliba 676154808

PBAK 4th season league 2014All Star, Thunderdragons win

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2014 3Hostages arrive ...Continued from Page 1

Rami said the ransom was delivered by government emissaries. Sourcessaid the ransom money was contained in several black bags which were trans-ported via a private plane that landed in the city. The group threatened tobehead one of the hostages unless the demands were met.

Philippine authorities said the two hostages were snatched at sea in April asthey sailed near the western Philippine island of Palawan.

During their captivity, believed spent on the Abu Sayyaf stronghold of Joloisland, the kidnappers who are notorious for cruelty used the press and socialmedia to threaten the hostages’ lives and force Berlin to fork up the cash.

The couple were forced to beg for their lives in telephone calls to a localradio station as well as uploads of video clips on the Internet.

In one video clip Okonek stood on a hole in the ground that he said he wastold would become his grave. In another he screamed in pain as his kidnappershit him repeatedly on the head.

‘No more, no less’The kidnappers, a notorious band of militants with links to Al-Qaeda but

who recently pledged alliance to the Islamic State group in Iraq and Syria,claimed Friday they collected “no more, no less” than their ransom demand.

Filipino officials said they could not confirm this.“We are still trying to determine the details of their rescue. There is no

change to the government’s ‘no ransom’ policy,” Coloma, the presidentialspokesman, said in a statement.

Labelled a terrorist group by the United States and Philippine governments,the Abu Sayyaf is a loose band of a few hundred militants founded in the 1990sby Abdurajak Janjalani, an Islamic preacher and veteran of the Afghanistanwar. It was set up with seed money from Al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden’sbrother-in-law.

It has kidnapped dozens of foreign aid workers, missionaries and tourists inthe south.

By ransoming off its hostages for millions of dollars the group was able toraise funds to buy more arms, and it cemented its brutal reputation by behead-ing some of its captives — including an American tourist seized in 2002. TheAbu Sayyaf claims it is fighting to establish an independent Islamic homelandin the Muslim populated south of the mainly Catholic Philippines.

In July, a video appeared on YouTube in which one of the Abu Sayyaf’s lead-ers pledged allegiance to the Islamic State extremists who have taken controlof large parts of Iraq and Syria.

But Philippine authorities say the Abu Sayyaf is mainly a criminal gang inter-ested in kidnappings-for-ransom and other lucrative illegal activities. Thegroup is believed to be holding at least 13 other hostages, including five for-eigners, according the Philippine military.

Last year, the group freed retired Australian soldier Warren Rodwell andJordanian journalist Baker Atyani after ransoms were reportedly paid. The twowere abducted separately and each held captive for over a year.—AFP

Philippines rebuffs ...

Continued from Page 1Several hundred Filipino health workers will be trained to handle

any domestic Ebola emergency, Lee Suy said. Experts from the WHO,the International Committee of the Red Cross, Medecins SansFrontieres and the US Johns Hopkins University will train them on theproper use of protective clothing, handling of patients, contact-tracingand infection control. “We know the risk and we are addressing therisk,” Lee Suy said.

Twenty government hospitals will meanwhile be retrofitted tohandle Ebola-stricken patients, with three to be designated specificallyas treatment centres, Lee Suy said. The government has also asked pri-vate hospitals to consider handling Ebola patients, he said. “This is notthe first time we are addressing a threat like Ebola. We had SARS andH1N1 (bird flu),” he said. WHO country representative Julie Hall, speak-ing beside Lee Suy, said Manila had a “very strong foundation” to han-dle a domestic Ebola threat following its experience containing theSevere Acute Respiratory Syndrome. The country also has a network of“first responders” in place in case of epidemics, said Hall. —AFP

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2014 4

‘Sports Fest 2014’ kicks off KUWAIT: The ‘First Sports Fest 2014’ organized by the Filipino Community in Kuwait (Filcom), kicked off last Friday at Qadsiya Sporting Club in Hawally. The event startedwith the ‘Hataw Pinoy Zumba’ participated by Philippine Charge d’Affaires to Kuwait Atty Raul Dado and Labor Attache Atty Cesar Chavez. Various Filipino organizationsjoined the opening ceremony subsequently followed by other sporting activities.

Francis J. Kong empowers Pinoys in Kuwait

KUWAIT: A leadership seminar was organized lastFriday at Qadsiya Gym in Hawally with their chiefguest from Manila, Francis J. Kong. Organized byFilinvest International, Francis J. Kong’s presenceenabled organizations and some Pinoys in Kuwait todevelop leadership and get some tips/techniques,from a well-known lecturer and entrepreneur.Western Union sponsored the event.

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2014 5KUWAIT: In its effort to deliver more smilesto our dear kabayans in Kuwait, LBC ispleased to launch its early holiday treat forall its customers - the MOVE IT TO WIN ITPROMO where lots of prizes await thosewho will send through LBC cargo andremittance star ting October 1 toDecember 15, 2014.

Dubbed “Ang pinaka-engrandengpadama ng LBC sa Middle East”, the promoaspires to give back to the millions of OFWsthat are currently residing within GCC bygiving away lots of exciting prizes that canbe won in the next 12 weeks through theweekly, monthly and grand draws.

A new House & Lot from Nuvali Avida inSta. Rosa Laguna awaits the lucky winnerfor the Regional Grand Draw in December.In addition, Two (2) Brand New Toyota YarisSedan 2015 Edition will also be raffled offfor cargo and remittance customers. “Ourcustomers are kabayans who work hard toprovide and send their padala to theirfamilies back home. As a friend who makestheir day, we at LBC want to reward them

by giving everyone a chance to win shop-ping vouchers in the weekly draws, travelvouchers for roundtrip t ickets to thePhilippines during the monthly draws,brand new cars and a dream house & lotfor our grand draws. They just need tosend their sea or air cargo via LBC fromOctober 1 to December 15 to automatical-ly join the electronic raffle,” says AllanBautista, LBC Marketing Manager forMiddle East.

In exclusive partnership with TRANS-FAST, their remittance users can also get achance to win a Brand New car inDecember for as long as they claim theirremittances through any of 1,100 LBCbranch locations in the Phil ippines.P10,000 are to be won weekly along withRoundtrip tickets to the Philippines in themonthly draws. “This holiday season, weencourage everyone to Move it with LBC!”added Bautista. See flyers or visit LBC web-site at www.lbcexpress.com or call the 24/7hotline at 996-16522/224-61522 for moredetails of the Move It to Win It Promo.

Move it and win it with LBC!

KUWAIT: Jeralyn Coloma - 1st Weekly Winner - Kuwait receiving the voucher from LBCRep Rian Jay Poblete Banaga at their head office in Kuwait City.

MANILA: The public should brace for moretraffic jams on roads around the Port of Manilaas port decongestion is not expected to becompleted until early 2015.

Trade Secretary Gregory Domingo madethe assessment recently at the budget hearingconducted by the Senate committee onfinance.

Domingo said there are about 78,000 ship-ping containers stuck in the Manila port thatneed to be moved out, but only 4,500 contain-ers are taken out of the port daily.

At the rate things are going, Domingo saidit would take until the first quarter of 2015 toremove the shipping containers at the POM.

He also expressed support for calls toextend operating hours at the POM on week-ends.

Proper coordination among government

agencies, truckers, shippers and brokers is alsoneeded to avoid further overcrowding at thePOM.

The port congestion was caused by thetruck ban imposed by the city government ofManila last February.

Meanwhile, the Philippine Ports Authority(PPA) will be tapping the New ContainerTerminal (NCT ) 2 of the Subic BayMetropolitan Authority (SBMA) as an exten-sion of Manila’s ports to address port conges-tion. The PPA and SBMA agreed that for a year,the NCT 2 would accommodate some of thecargoes intended for the POM and the ManilaInternational Container Port (MICP).

Under a memorandum of agreement, theNCT 2 would only be utilized as an extensionfacility of the two Manila ports for the follow-ing reasons. —The Philippine Star

‘Port congestion to last until 2015’

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2014 6

KUWAIT: The Filipino Badminton Committee(FBC) with the support of Alghanim Nationalopened its ‘1st Level A Challenge’ and 51stBadminton Tournament dubbed asIncorporator’s Cup at Kuwait Disabled SportsClub, Hawally last Friday. Philippine Charged’Affaires and Consul General Atty Raul Dadopresided the ceremonial toss of the tournament.The 3-week tournament was participated by topplayers from Indian Badminton Association inKuwait and from Indonesian BadmintonAssociation and FBC.

Alghanim National committed to provide

the cash prizes for the winning tandem asfollows: Champion KD140, 2nd place KD100,3rd place KD 70 and 4th place KD40.

With more exciting events and activitiesevery Friday, FBC also improved their paymentsystem for its tournament fees that are nowaccepted via K-net and online membership reg-istration through their www.fbckpi.com web-site. Meanwhile, FBC Chairman Dr. ChieUmandap express sincere gratitude to theirsponsors Al Ghanim National Trading Companyand Alghanim National Foundation for provid-ing the cash prizes.

Al Ghanim National Badminton Tournament opens

Elimination results ‘Level A Challenge’ are as follows:

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2014 7

PSME Kuwait holds ‘outreach feeding program’ KUWAIT: In celebration of its 7th year founding anniversary , the Philippine Society of Mechanical Engineers Kuwait Chapter (PSME-Kuwait) conducted an ‘Outreach feeding program’ headed byChapter President Engr. Francisco Olpindo III. The program was attended by our own Labor Attache Hon. Atty. Cesar L. Chavez Jr. who gave a welcome remark that explained reasons about theplight of the wards and their future plans on them.

Moreover, as the program progressed Engr. Marvin Ermac serenaded the wards with his rendition of some ballad songs which drew applause and cheers from the crowd on his intermissionnumbers. It also included parlor games, singing contest and some intermission number in the part of the wards that made them smile and laugh and followed by a sumptuous dinner packed andfree phone calls to their love ones in the Philippines.

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2014

‘Sports Fest 2014’ kicks off

Page 4

KUWAIT: The Filipino International Triathletes Kuwait (FiTK ) held a tr iathlon simulation event recently at theK heiran R esor t in preparat ion for the upcomingMcDonald’s Flying Start Triathlon V7 on October 25. FiT Kled by President Nesty Jun Verdeprado, established July

25, 2014 is affiliated to Filipino International TriathletesClub which also has its chapters in Qatar (FiT Q) and theUnited Arab Emirates (FiT U). The Filipino InternationalTriathletes Club (FiT Club) is an independent non-profitathletic organization, a non-exclusive group that aims to

encourage and assist residents of its locality to take up thetriathlon as a sport. Its mission is to promote the triathlonas a sport, develop athletic capabilities and communitydevelopment. Fit K members swam, biked and ran duringthe simulation.

Filipino International Triathletes Kuwait organises simulation