ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines – A Korean seized by Abu Sayyaf bandits in January was found dead in Sulu on Saturday night.
The body of Nwi Seong Hong, 74, was found by civilians at around 10:30 p.m. near the Sulu State College in Barangay Bangkal, Patikul town, Brig. Gen. Alan Arrojado, chief of Joint Task Group Sulu, said yesterday.
Arrojado said the civilians immediately reported the matter to the authorities, who picked up the cadaver and brought it to the Kuta Heneral Teodulfo Bautista Station Hospital in Barangay Busbus, Jolo.
He said the Philippine National Police-Scene of the Crime Operations (PNP-SOCO) confirmed that the body belonged to Hong.
Investigation showed Hong died of an illness while in captivity in the hinterlands of Indanan town. The bandits dumped his body in Patikul.
Arrojado said they will coordinate with the Korean embassy for the transport of Hong’s body to Manila.
A South Korean foreign ministry official, who declined to be identified, had earlier confirmed the death, South Korea’s Yonhap News Agency reported.
It identified the victim as a “74-year-old… surnamed Hong,” adding that “if the body turns out to be our national, we will investigate with Philippine authorities on how he died and in what circumstances.”
South Korean embassy spokesmen in Manila could not be contacted for comment.
Hong was seized along with his son at his home in R. T. Lim town, Zamboanga Sibugay on Jan. 24.
The victim’s son managed to escape after he fought off the kidnappers.
Arrojado said the kidnappers were followers of Abu Sayyaf sub-leaders Idang Susukan and Anga Adji, who were based in Indanan.
He said SOCO personnel found no gunshot wound on Hong’s body and the cause of death was undetermined.
“Intelligence reports, however, showed the victim could have died of an illness, because the kidnappers were monitored last week to have bought medicine,” Arrojado said.