The Filipino government is directing all relevant resources towards tracking down and apprehending the group of armed men responsible for the kidnapping of two women from the Singamata Reef Resort off Semporna.
To date, there has been no contact or any form of engagement with the armed group, but the Philippine Armed Forces (AFP) and police force were on high alert on many of islands of the Sulu archipelago.
On April 2, two Gao Hua Yuan, 29, of China and Marcy Dayawan, 40, of the Philippines, were abducted from the Singamata Reef Resort near Semporna by a group of armed men.
Malaysian and Filipino authorities said the two women may have been taken to southern Philippines, either to the provinces of Sulu, Tawi Tawi, or Basilan.
Many of the islands in the three provinces could be reached by boat from the Semporna area within two to 24 hours.
Captain Ryan Lacuesta, speaking for the 2nd Marine Brigade based in Tailpao, Sulu, said they had received information on the kidnapping, but no data could be confirmed.
“There are many islands in the Sulu (archipelago) and they could be anywhere. This is why we need to verify all the information we get before making any move or confirming anything in relation to the kidnapping.
“There has been no contact or even sighting by our men except for ground information, and we are monitoring the information and working closely with the police, along with other counterparts.”
Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) vice-chairman Ghadzali Jaafar said his organization had also not received any confirmed reports on the kidnapping.
“We have made calls to our followers, supporters and friends in the south to provide us with information and probably allow us to extend help to free the two women if they were brought over to our side of the border,” he said.
“No one has come forward to claim responsibility, so it is not easy for us to know what is really happening.”
See Also: Extensive search for two women abducted from Sabah resort
Story: The New Straits Times
