DFA identifies kidnapped Filipina in Malaysia

Department of Foreign Affairs building INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) has identified the Filipina that was kidnapped in Malaysia Wednesday night.

“The Philippine Embassy in Malaysia was able to confirm from local police authorities that the identity of the Filipina kidnap victim as that of Marcelita M. Dayawan, aged 40, and a staff member at the Singamata Resort,” DFA said in a statement Friday.

“Embassy officials are in touch with Ms. Dayawan’s relatives and are extending consular assistance,” it said.

Dayawan was with a 29-year old Chinese woman from Shanghai when they were seized from the Singamata Reef Resort in Semporna.

There were at least six perpetrators believed to be members of the extremist Abu Sayyaf group, which gained notoriety for the spate of kidnap-for-ransom cases in Mindanao.

Malaysian and Philippine officials have launched pursuit operations against the kidnappers.

“Philippine and Malaysian authorities are closely and actively working together towards the speedy resolution of the case,” DFA said.

“We continue to hope and pray for the immediate resolution of this incident and the safe return of the victims to their families,” it said.

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