Abus free Korean, Filipino hostages

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines – A South Korean ship captain and a Filipino crewman kidnapped by suspected Abu Sayyaf gunmen three months ago were released yesterday.

Officials said the Abu Sayyaf handed skipper Park Chul-hong and Glenn Alindajao over to Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) rebels based in Barangay Kagay, who turned them over to Sulu Gov. Abdusakur Tan II.

Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Jesus Dureza picked up the two former hostages from Tan and presented them to media in Davao City.

Park, skipper of bulk carrier M/V Dong Bang Giant 2, and Alindajao were seized by suspected Abu Sayyaf bandits off Sibutu Island in Tawi-Tawi last Oct. 20.

Dureza said no ransom was paid for the release of the two hostages. 

“As far as I know, for the Philippine government, there is no ransom. But if there are efforts by the private individuals, we have nothing to do with it,” he said. 

Dureza also said he is uncertain if it was indeed the Abu Sayyaf behind the kidnapping, suggesting pirates might have been involved.

“Let the military or the proper authorities determine what group they really are,” he said. 

The two former hostages said ten armed men boarded their vessel by climbing up a ladder from their speedboats.

They said the two of them were taken by the gunmen, who spared four other Koreans and 16 Filipino crewmembers.

The cargo ship was heading for South Korea from Australia when the gunmen boarded the ship, in the region where many sailors have been kidnapped.

“At first they were told that they were in a neighboring country nearby, only for them to discover that they were brought to Sulu,” Dureza said.

The two described their kidnappers as mostly youngsters. – Edith Regalado