The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) confirmed that Abu Sayyaf group beheaded two Vietnamese sailors, who have been held as hostages for the last eight months.
The victims, identified as Hoang Thong and Hoang Va Hai, were two of six crew members kidnapped by the ASG, after it hijacked their ship, Royal 16 bulk-carrier, off Basilan waters, in November 2016. The military informed that their bodies were found by residents in Barangay Tumahubong, in Sumisip town, on July 5th.
The ASG is said to have killed the sailors due to the government’s no-ransom policy.
One crew member managed to escape, while the other three Vietnamese sailors are still being held by Abu Sayyaf, who, in all, hold 14 foreigners and eight Philippine citizens, according to Reuters.
Source: SAFETY4SEA