Philippines: 2 crew abducted from cargo boat in south

By Roy Ramos

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines (AA) - Suspected militants from a Daesh-linked group have kidnapped two Filipino men from a cargo boat in the Philippines’ troubled south, according to authorities.

The reported abduction off Sibago Island in Basilan province -- an Abu Sayyaf stronghold -- came hours after two Malaysian sailors were rescued following eight months in captivity in the nearby island province of Sulu.

Lt. Cmdr. Alvin Dagalea, a coast guard commander, told local RMN Radio that three speedboats surrounded the cargo boat and gunmen grabbed its captain and chief engineer Thursday afternoon.

The three speedboats reportedly then sped toward the coastal town of Tuburan, an Abu Sayyaf haven.

Since 1991, the group -- armed with mostly improvised explosive devices, mortars and automatic rifles -- has carried out bombings, kidnappings, assassinations and extortion. It has pledged allegiance to Daesh.

Before the latest abduction, the military had said that the rescue of the two Malaysians had brought the number of hostages held by the Abu Sayyaf to 30.

Of the captives, more than 20 are foreigners-- among them nationals of Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia and the Netherlands.