Duterte visits military bases in Zamboanga, Basilan

President Rodrigo Duterte landed in Zamboanga City at past noon on Thursday to start his tour of military bases in Mindanao.

After arriving at the Edwin Andrews Air Base, Duterte and his party immediately left for Isabela in Basilan to meet officials of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Philippine National Police (PNP), as well as the local executives.

A tweet by Chino Gaston said that the President received a situation briefing from military commanders in Basilan.

A firefight between government troops and the Abu Sayyaf Group was reportedly ongoing when Duterte arrived in the area.

President Duterte receives situational briefing from Basilan commanders. pic.twitter.com/bYtfA3slha

— Chino Gaston (@chinogaston) July 21, 2016

From Basilan, Duterte will return to Zamboanga City for a meeting with the West Mindanao Command.

The bandits are holding Norwegian Kjartan Sekkingstad who was abucted in Samal Island in September 2015. His two Canadian companions were beheaded after the deadline for their ransom lapsed. Negotiations for the release of Sekkingstad are still ongoing.

Their Filipina companion Marites Flor was released by the bandits through presidential peace adviser Sec. Jesus Dureza a few days before Duterte took his oath as President.

The Abu Sayyaf is also holding a number of local captives, seven Indonesian sailors, and five Malaysian nationals. —NB/RSJ, GMA News