After nearly two months, a Filipina resort worker and a Chinese tourist who were abducted from a floating resort in Sabah last April have regained their freedom, a Malaysian news site said late Friday.
Malaysia's New Straits Times reported the two—Marcelita Dayawan, 40, and Gao Hua Yuan, 29—were rescued Friday morning in a joint operation between Philippine and Malaysian authorities.
The report said the two were rescued from Jolo at 10:30 a.m., then brought to the east coast of Sabah. Sabah Police Commissioner Datuk Hamza Taib said both victims arrived there 4:30 p.m. ().
The report did not say if the armed men behind the abduction were from the Abu Sayyaf Group.
Last April 2, armed men had abducted Dayawan and Gao from the Singamata Adventures and Reef Resort.
Malaysian PM says no ransom paid, thanks security forces
A separate report on Malaysia's Bernama news agency said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak claimed no ransom was paid.
He also thanked the security forces for successfully securing the release of the two victims, adding the government was taking steps to facilitate the return of the Chinese home.
"I have just been briefed by the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) that the two women abducted from a resort in Sabah last April had been rescued by our authorities. No ransom was paid to secure their release," he said.
"Many thanks to the Phillipine security forces for the assistance and hard work in the release of two victims kidnapped from Semporna, Sabah.
Congratulations to the Special Branch @PDRMsia, on the continued hard work that succeeded in releasing the two hostages. The victims were in good health," he said.
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