Metro Manila (CNN Philippines) — The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said they were investigating reports of foreign crewmen who were allegedly abducted off the seas of Tawi-Tawi over the weekend.
BGen. Restituto Padilla, spokesperson of the AFP, said: “The AFP, through the WMC, has received initial information on the missing crewmen of a certain foreign owned vessel in the Zambasulta area. We could not yet confirm this information and at the moment, are in the process of validating it. We shall issue a statement once there is certainty that the said incident actually occurred. In the meantime, all our forces are on alert ready to assist if necessary and help ascertain the incident.”
Police sources said at least 10 foreign crewmen of a tugboat were abducted off the seas of Tawi-Tawi by men believed to be members of the Abu Sayyaf group (ASG).
The vessel was reportedly hijacked by armed men who are now allegedly asking the owner for P50 million.
Journalist Liza Jocson contributed to this report.
