Still no sighting of kidnapped Chinese, Filipina in Sulu

ZAMBOANGA CITY - The abducted Chinese tourist and Filipino resort staff reportedly brought by bandits to Sulu province have not been spotted in any area in the southernmost part of Mindanao, a military official said Tuesday.

Capt. Ryan Lacuesta, spokesman of the 2nd Marine Brigade, said that the military have been receiving several information on the supposed whereabouts of Gao Hua Yuan and Filipino Marcelita Dayawan.

“However, these information remained unverified and troops continue the pursuit operation on the ground to determine their presence,” Lacuesta said.

Yuan from Shanghai, China and Dayawan were kidnapped from the Singahmata Reef Resort off Semporna, Sabah last April 2. Authorities said the victims were forced by seven gunmen into a speedboat and brought to Sulu.

There are reports that the kidnappers are members of the dreaded Abu Sayyaf Group.

Lacuesta said that the military is still in the process of filtering the various information on the possible whereabouts of the two victims.

Meanwhile, reports said that the Malaysian authorities already have announced developments in their efforts to safely recover the kidnap victims.