Zamboanga (CNN Philippines) — The six crew members who were abducted by lawless elements in waters off Basilan on Friday were identified by the ship’s electrician who was able to escape the abductors.
The six abducted crew members were identified as Pham Minh Tuan, the ship captain, Do Trung Hieu, Hoang Vo, Tran Khac Dung, Hoang Trung Thong, and Huang Van Hai.
The ship electrician was identified as Lai Linh Kao.
Kao gave the information during an interview with police personnel from the Zamboanga Police Criminal Investigation Section on Saturday morning.
The Vietnamese electrician was brought to a hospital in Zamboanga after sustaining a gunshot wound at the back.
Kao said he was shot by the hijackers after he ran away from them in the course of the abduction.
The Western Mindanao Command said the Vietnamese Bulk Carrier MV Royal 16 was moving toward Davao City and was within the vicinity of Sibago Island, Basilan Strait when the armed men attacked the vessel on Friday. It added the abductors were able to flee on a speedboat.
