The Abu Sayyaf group executed three of its remaining Vietnamese captives in a Sulu village.
Troops recovered the bullet-riddled body of Tran Khac Dung, alias Tran Viet Van, in Buhanginan village, Patikul, Sulu on July 8.
The Abu Sayyaf group on July 5 beheaded Vietnamese nationals Hoang Trung Thong and Hoang Va Hai in Barangay Tumahubong in Sumisip, Basilan.
The three victims were among the six Vietnamese sailors seized from the cargo vessel M/V Royal 16 last Nov. 11, 2016 in the vicinity of Sibagu Island, Basilan.
One of their companions, Hoang Vo, 28, was rescued late last month after he escaped at the height of the military operations in the vicinity of Sitio Kumonal, Sampinit Complex in Sumisip.
The two remaining captives from M/V Royal 16 are Pham Minh Tuan and Do Trung Hieu.
With hands tied behind their backs, the bodies of Hoang Thong and Hoang Va Hai were found with their severed heads beside them.
The Abu Sayyaf is known to behead hostages when ransom is not paid.
German national Jurgen Kantner, 70, was beheaded in February after the kidnappers’ demand for P30 million was not met.
In 2016, Abus beheaded two Canadian hostages, John Ridsdel and Robert Hall after ransom deadlines were missed.
In February, gunmen attacked another Vietnamese cargo ship M/V Giang Hain in the Sulu Sea, killing a Vietnamese crewman and kidnapping six others, including the vessel’s captain, said the Philippine Coast Guard and the ship’s owner.
Meanwhile, government forces in southern Philippines rescued two Filipino sailors kidnapped by Abu Sayyaf bandits seven months ago.
Boat mechanic Reyjim Rocabo, 41, and crew Roel Leones, 37, were on a motorcycle when intercepted by the Philippine National Police’s Anti-Kidnapping Group, the Sulu Provincial Police Office and the 501st Brigade under the Joint Task Force Sulu.
They were found at Daang Puti, Patikul, Sulu July 6. The two said they were under the guard of a certain Ben Tatoo and Almujer Yaddah during their captivity along with other kidnap victims.
Rocabo and Leones and two others – Noel Besconde, boat captain, and Roy Borja Ramos, a crewmember – of FB Ramona 2 who were forcibly taken by the Abu Sayyaf last December 20, 2016 on the Celebes Sea.
On April 13, after more than three months in captivity, Besconde was beheaded by Abu sub-leader Almujer Yadah at Sitio Pantay Minol, Barangay Tanum, Patikul, Sulu.
On June 8, government forces rescued Ramos at Barangay Lagtoh, Talipao, Sulu after he escaped captors in Patikul area two days prior.
To date, Abu bandits still hold 20 kidnap victims: 16 foreigners and four Filipinos.181
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Abus behead 3 Vietnamese, 2 Pinoy sailors rescued
