DPA/Manila

The Philippine military yesterday received a consignment of new M4 rifles to replace the M16s that have been in use since the 1960s.
Philippine President Benigno Aquino led the ceremonial distribution of the rifles, of which the military has purchased 63,286 from US manufacturer Remington for more than P2.4bn.
More than 27,000 rifles were delivered last month, and the rest would be handed over in December, as part of a modernisation programme, Aquino said.
The president recalled seeing soldiers working to keep their rusty M16s in functioning condition.
“As we gather here today, we witness the end of a time when our soldiers have to rely on courage and quick fixes to fulfil their duties,” he said.
“Under our capability upgrade programme, we match our soldiers’ skill and courage with modern equipment.”
Armed forces chief of staff General Gregorio Pio Catapang said troops were “very happy” with the new rifles.
“These rifles are like their wives when at combat. Now they can be confident that their weapons are good so they can fight whatever enemy they will confront.”
Catapang said Aquino, a gun enthusiast, joined a test fire of the M4 rifles on the weekend, adding: “We all hit our targets.”
 lPhilippine troops were scouring the jungles of a southern island where Islamist militants were suspected to be holding captive two German nationals, military sources said yesterday.
Search and rescue efforts are ongoing,» an intelligence source said, asked about photos of the missing men that surfaced on the Internet.
 The photos circulating online showed Stephan Victor Okoveix, 71, and Henrike Diesen, 55, holding a German flag and surrounded by 10 armed men with partly covered faces.
 The intelligence source said the photo appears to be authentic, but declined to give more details.
 Senior Superintendent Abraham Orbita, police commander in Sulu province, where the hostages are believed to be held, said the photo “ is one of several pictures and videos we know that are spreading around”.
 He said Abu Sayyaf rebels were believed to be the source of the photos and videos.
 Okoveix and Diesen were allegedly seized by Abu Sayyaf rebels from their yacht off the western province of Palawan on April 25.
 Orbita said they were believed to have been brought to Jolo island, 1,000km south of Manila, a part of Sulu province, which is a stronghold of the Abu Sayyaf, blamed for previous kidnappings of foreigners.
 A Filipino hostage freed by the Abu Sayyaf last month told authorities that he saw the German nationals during his time in captivity.
l Data from the Philippine National Police showed that the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) is the safest place for women in the country.
The region comprising the provinces of Lanao Del Sur, Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi accounted for only 82 of the 23,622 crimes against women based on the PNP Directorate for Investigative Detective Management figures covering January to June this year.
The ARMM, which was created in 1989, is known for the heavy presence of secessionist Muslim rebels, bandits and pirates.
Mimaropa comprising Mindoro Oriental and Occidental, Romblon and Palawan, was second with 247 cases followed by Ilocos Region (257), Cagayan Valley (258), Cordillera Autonomous Region (395), Eastern Visayas (569), Central Luzon (678), Bicol (714), Western Mindanao (840), Caraga (1,090) and Southern Tagalog (1,256).
Western Visayas consisting of Aklan, Antique, Negros Occidental, Capiz, Guimaras and Iloilo, is the most dangerous with 4,175 cases followed by Northern Mindanao (Camiguin, Misamis Oriental, Lanao del Norte, Bukidnon and Misamis Occidental) with 4,198 cases.
Davao Region is the third most dangerous place for women with 3,866 cases followed by Central Visayas (Bohol, Cebu, Negros Oriental and Siquijor) with 1, 973 cases; Central Mindanao (South Cotabato, Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Sarangani and General Santos City) with 1,647 cases and Metro Manila with 1, 369 cases.