DAVAO CITY—Suspected Abu Sayyaf bandits freed this week a Korean ship captain and a Filipino crew member, who were taken captive off the coast of Tawi-Tawi on October 20.
The freed victims, Park Chul Hing and Glenn Alindajao of Cebu, were fetched by Presidential Peace Process Adviser Jesus Dureza from Jolo on Saturday.
The victims were taken captive by armed men, who attacked Korean vessel MV Dong Bang Giant near Bongao town.
BACKSTORY: Gunmen seize Pinoy crewman, Korean ship captain off Tawi-Tawi
Maj. Felimon Tan of the Western Mindanao Command said initial reports indicated the perpetrators were Abu Sayyaf bandits under Jul Hassan, a subleaader of Idang Susukan.
But Dureza told reporters it was not certain if the kidnappers were indeed members of the bandit group.