MANILA, Philippines —The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) has intensified its search and rescue operations in Mindanao after the abduction of a Filipina and a Chinese national in Semporna, Malaysia, Malacanang said Saturday.
“According to the AFP, patuloy po ang best efforts natin for search and rescue doon sa probable areas in BASULTA (Basilan, Sulu, Tawi-tawi) kung saan allegedly dinala daw po ‘yung dalawa mula sa Sabah,” Deputy Presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said on radio.
(According to the AFP, search and rescue operations are focused in BASULTA (Basilan, Sulu, Tawi-tawi) where the two were allegedly brought.)
“Nagko-conduct na ng extensive search and naval blockade ang ating AFP para matingnan ang mga suspected seacrafts… ang mga hindi pangkaraniwang mga seacraft na nagta-travel doon sa mga lugar na ‘yon. Tapos na-alert na rin ang ibang WestMinCom (West Mindanao Command) units natin doon sa BASULTA area to aid in the search,” Valte added.
(The AFP is already conducting an extensive search and naval blockade to look into suspected seacrafts…those unusual seacrafts ferrying in those areas. We have also alerted the WestMinCom (West Mindanao Command) units in BASULTA to aid in the search.)
On Wednesday, a Filipino resort worker and a Chinese tourist have been abducted from a resort off Semporna in Malaysia.
The Philippine Embassy in Malaysia on Friday confirmed from local police authorities the identity of theFilipina kidnap victim as Marcelita M. Dayawan, aged 40.
AFP earlier reported that the the Abu Sayyaf group, a band of rebels in Mindanao infamous for its kidnap-for-ransom operations, is the prime suspect in the abduction.
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