Taiwan plots rescue of likely Abu hostage

From the Daily Tribune (Nov 24): Taiwan plots rescue of likely Abu hostage

Taiwan believed one of its nationals taken hostage last week while having a vacation in Malaysia is now in Mindanao and had drawn up a plan to resolve the abduction, Taipei Times said in an article.

“There is an integrated effort and everything has been properly planned for,” the newspaper quoted Taiwanese Minister of National Defense Yen Ming as saying.

Yen declined to give further information on the plan insisting that the government is “keeping a low profile” on the rescue effort for the safety of Chang An-wei, a 58-year-old businesswoman based in Shanghai.

Taiwan said it has been working with Malaysian and Philippine authorities to secure Chang’s safe return since she disappeared from the Malaysian resort island of Pom Pom, off the east coast of Sabah, following a Nov. 15 attack that left her male companion Hsu Li-min dead.

Malaysia’s English-language daily the Star also indicated that Malaysian police have obtained a recording of a conversation with the gunmen responsible for the abduction of Chang.

“We are quite sure that she is safe,” Malaysian Inspector-General of Police Kalid Abu Bakar was quoted as saying last Thursday. “Our officers are in Manila to discuss matters with the Philippine authorities. We have also involved the Taiwan representative in the Philippines,” Abu Bakar said.

Taiwan’s Minister of the Interior Lee Hong-yuan had said that Chang was taken to the Philippines unharmed by the attackers.

Lee also revealed that a telephone call believed to be from her captors mentioned a payment of ransom. Taipei Times said Lee’s revelation has led to a swirl of media speculation in Taiwan and Malaysia, including estimates on the amount of money demanded.

Criminal Investigation Bureau officials yesterday called for an end to the speculation, which they fear may endanger the safety of the hostage and hamper the investigation.
Abu Bakar also urged the media not to reveal details of the victim’s family to protect her safety.

Sabah Police commissioner Hamza Taib was said to have met with the victim’s brother, Chang Ta-kung, and assured him that Malaysian law enforcement is doing all it can to help locate her.

The Star reported that they likely took her to the Philippine island of Tawi Tawi and then to Jolo Island, often called the country’s kidnapping capital.

Malaysian police earlier said Al-Qaeda linked terror group the Abu Sayyaf was believed to be behind the killing of the Taiwanese tourist and the kidnapping of Chang.

The unidentified gunmen shot dead Li-Min Hsu, 57, and kidnapped Chang, 56, on Pom Pom Island, a popular scuba diving location in the eastern state of Sabah on Borneo island.

The incident — in a remote part that was rocked earlier this year by a bloody Philippine militant incursion — has underlined continued threats in the region despite a Malaysian security clampdown.

Abu Bakar said the Islamist extremist group Abu Sayyaf was suspected to be behind the attack. “We believe the terrorists were able to slip in because there has been a big mobilisation of resources of the Philippine armed forces from the country’s south to the north to help out in relief work for victims of Super Typhoon Haiyan,” he was quoted by national news agency Bernama as saying.

The record-breaking typhoon, which hit the Philippines eight days ago has left thousands dead and affected millions.

http://www.tribune.net.ph/headlines/taiwan-plots-rescue-of-likely-abu-hostage