Taiwanese tourist kidnapped in Malaysia rescued in Sulu

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines - – Security forces rescued on Friday a 58-year-old Taiwanese tourist who was kidnapped in Sabah, Malaysia last month.

Chang An Wei, alias Evelyn Chang, 58, was abandoned by her captors in Barangay Liban in Talipao, Sulu, where she was spotted by the patrolling marine forces at about 4 p.m., according to Col. Jose Johriel Cenabre, chief of the Joint Task Force Sulu (JTFS) and the 2nd Marine Brigade.

Cenabre said a concerned citizen tipped them off about Chang’s location.

Chang and her husband Hsu Lim Min, 57, were vacationing at the Pom Pom Island Resort in  Semporna, Sabah when the gunmen kidnapped her on Nov. 15.

The gunmen killed her husband before dragging her into a speedboat that fled toward Tawi-Tawi.

Cenabre said the gunmen turned Chang over to the Abu Sayyaf militants who are known for kidnapping activities in the country.

He said he was not aware whether ransom was paid for the victim’s release.

Cenabre said Chang was brought to the trauma hospital at the Kuta Heneral Teodulfo Bautista in Barangay Busbus for check-up.

“The victim was haggard and tired but she’s in good condition when I met her at the hospital,” he said.

The official said Chang broke down in tears as she recounted her ordeal. She told authorities she did not see her husband being shot, but heard the gunfire as she was being dragged away by kidnappers who wore ski masks.

Chang was turned over to the National Intelligence Coordinating Agency (NICA) and was expected to be flown to Manila yesterday, according to Lt. Gen. Rustico Guerrero, Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom) chief.                 – With AP