Abu Sayyaf kidnap victim survived 6-month ordeal by praying, says paper

From the Malaysia Insider (Dec 21): Abu Sayyaf kidnap victim survived 6-month ordeal by praying, says paper

Fish-farm operator Chan Sai Chuin, who was abducted from Sabah's east coast in June before being freed nearly two weeks ago said he survived his ordeal by praying, The Sunday Star reported today.

Chained to a hut in the jungles of Jolo in the southern Philippines for more than half of his six-month captivity by his abductors Abu Sayyaf, the 32-year-old said he was moved deeper into the jungles amid sounds of exploding bombs and gunfire.

“I think we moved at least five times after landing in Jolo... I could only pray,” he was quoted as saying.

Chan and a Filipino worker identified only as Maslan, were abducted by two armed men at 12.40am from the fish farm they operated in Kampung Air Sapang on June 16.
However, Chan said his kidnappers did not mistreat him. They shared the same food, namely rice, potatoes and fish. He was also given medicine when he was ill.

The first food he ate upon his return were fruits and vegetables, which he "missed a lot".

His ordeal has left him 20kg lighter which he is taking positively.

“I hope to keep in shape at my current 70kg. I feel healthier now,” he was quoted as saying.

Relating his experience, Chan said he was not chained up for the first two months of his abduction, but was watched by at least 10 gunmen.

He was later chained by the ankle in a hut for the rest of his almost six-month captivity, the English daily said.

“It was quite boring as one hour felt like a year. I would sometimes make small talk with my captors who identified themselves as James Bond and Tom Cruise, among others,” he was quoted as saying.

He said the abductors spoke Malay but he found it hard to understand them at times.

He was also unaware of the identities of his captors as there were many leaders and sub leaders.

He said the thought of escaping his abductors never materialised as he was not familiar with the surrounding areas and he had no idea where he was.

“Apart from being surrounded by sea and jungles and not knowing where I was, I also did not have a map nor could I speak their language. It wouldn’t help if I tried to escape anyway,” he was quoted as saying, adding that since his release, he has gone to Johor to meet up with his parents and other relatives.

Despite his ordeal, Chan is determined to continue with his fish farm business.

“I am not afraid to go back to Kunak but it is better that we stay on the mainland (Kunak) and go daily to our fish farm,” he was quoted as saying, adding that there were already security forces keeping watch at the farm after his abduction.

Claims have surfaced from Philippines military intelligence and Jolo sources that about 10 million pesos or RM780,000 in ransom was paid to his abductors to secure his release, but Chan said he was told there was none.

He was unaware of his impending release until three men showed up in his hut on December 9, claiming to be policemen from Sabah, and asked him to follow them.

“I was sitting alone in a hut with my leg chained and was approached by the men just as I was about to fall asleep late at night.

“None of the abductors were around and these men had a key to unlock the chain, so I just followed them without asking much,” he was quoted as saying.

They arrived at the Sandakan jetty at 7am on December 10.

“It was then I knew I was free. I saw my wife there and ran to her.”

He praised his wife, Chin Pek Nyuen, who worked to secure his release.

http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/abu-sayyaf-kidnap-victim-survived-6-month-ordeal-by-praying-says-paper