6 Vietnamese sailors now with Sayyaf

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines – Suspected members of the Abu Sayyaf are now holding six Vietnamese sailors hostage in Basilan after they were taken from a cargo ship off an island near the province five days ago, according to sources.

A source disclosed that the captives were spotted at the boundary of Barangays Macalang and Baguindan in Tipo-Tipo town.

The source said the villagers saw the victims being guarded by around 30 gunmen who are not residents of Basilan.

“The villagers learned that the suspects were Sulu-based Abu Sayyaf,” the informant said.

The source said the bandits used a twin engine speedboat when they took Pham Min Tuan (skipper of the vessel) and crewmembers Do Trung Hieu, Hoang Vo, Tran Khac Dung, Huang Trung Thong and Huang Van Hai.

One of the victims’ companions Pham Van Trong was wounded when the gunmen hijacked the Vietnam registry cargo vessel M/V Royal 16 off Sibagu Island near Basilan last Friday while traveling from Vietnam to Davao City.

Col. Cirilo Donato, commander of the 104th Army Brigade and Joint Task Force Basilan, said they have no information yet as to the whereabouts of the hostages in Basilan.

Authorities also reported that no group has so far claimed responsibility for the kidnapping nor has any ransom demand been sent.