NORTH COTABATO, Philippines – The municipal government of Midsayap has given cash and food assistance to the children of Marcelita Dayawan-Tamalla, an overseas Filipino worker snatched along with a Chinese tourist in Sabah, Malaysia more than a week ago.
Acting Midsayap Mayor Morata Mantil personally gave the assistance to Tamalla’s two children at their residence in Barangay Agriculture on Tuesday.
Tamalla, who works at the Singmata Reef Resort in Semporna, was snatched by suspected Abu Sayyaf militants along with Gao Huayan of Shanghai, China.
Authorities believe the kidnappers took the victims to Sulu on a motorboat.
Mantil said North Cotabato Gov. Emmylou Taliño-Mendoza ordered the provincial social welfare office to look after Tamalla’s children and provide them with their needs.
Tamalla, who is in her early 40s, is a widow of a member of the Philippine Marine Corps.
Mantil said the Midsayap municipal government and Mendoza’s office are overseeing the welfare of Tamalla’s children, who are living with their relatives.