AsiaOperationsPiracy

Abu Sayyaf beheads two seafarers

Philippine armed forces discovered the beheaded bodies this morning of two Vietnamese seafarers abducted by Muslim terror group Abu Sayyaf last November.

The two were among six sailors kidnapped from the tug Royal 16 off Sibago Island, Basilan on November 11, 2016.

Last month, one of the sailors, Hoang Vo, 28, managed to escape and was retrieved by government troops in Sitio Kumonal, Sampini Complex, Sumisip.

Three sailors from the Royal 16 — Pham Minh Tuan, Do Trung Hieu, and Tran Khac Dung — are still in captivity.

Abu Sayyaf militants are holding a total of 22 hostages at present, including 16 foreigners. Failure to pay ransoms usually results in beheadings from the group.

Sam Chambers

Starting out with the Informa Group in 2000 in Hong Kong, Sam Chambers became editor of Maritime Asia magazine as well as East Asia Editor for the world’s oldest newspaper, Lloyd’s List. In 2005 he pursued a freelance career and wrote for a variety of titles including taking on the role of Asia Editor at Seatrade magazine and China correspondent for Supply Chain Asia. His work has also appeared in The Economist, The New York Times, The Sunday Times and The International Herald Tribune.
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