A MALAYSIAN woman held captive for nearly six months by Muslim militant group Abu Sayyaf was released by captors, authorities said Monday, Nov. 9.
Militants freed Thien Nyuk Fun, 50, late Sunday, Nov. 8, from the island of Jolo in Sulu province. However, her compatriot remains in the custody of Abu Sayyaf.
Two Filipino security officers, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because they aren’t authorized to speak with reporters, said Malaysian Bernard Then Ted Fen is still being held hostage by militants in Sulu, according to The Associated Press (AP).
Thien and Then were abducted in May from a restaurant in Sabah, Malaysia, where security was enhanced due to previous kidnappings by Abu Sayyaf militants in the area.
“I wish to thank all of them [authorities] for working hard to bring Thien home,” Sabah Chief Minister Musa Aman said in a statement.
The Filipino officers said a large ransom was paid in exchange for Thien’s freedom, but Malaysian police officials denied the claim, according to AP.
No further details were provided on the police statement, including who abducted the Malaysian nationals or the reasons for Thien’s release.
Thien is currently “healthy but weak and tired due to the long journey and also from the emotional aspect,” Sabah Police Commissioner Datuk Abdul Jalaluddin Abdul Rahman said, adding that efforts are being made to rescue Then, according to AP.
In the last two years, Abu Sayyaf has crossed the sea border and carried out at least half a dozen kidnappings in Malaysia, AP reported. In an April 2000 incident, militants abducted 21 Europeans and Asians and took them to Sulu where they were held for ransom. They were freed in batches after a ransom was paid the subsequent year.
“I urge the relevant authorities to remain vigilant at all times and keep our borders secure from further intrusion,” the official Bernama news agency quoted Aman saying.
The news agency also quoted Aman saying that Thein, a seafood restaurant manager, was freed after months of negotiation.
In late September, militants kidnapped two Canadians, a Norwegian and a Filipina in the southern region of the Philippines. Their whereabouts remain unknown; however, militants who said they were affiliated with Abu Sayyaf in an online video demanded $21 million for each of the three foreigners.
The group is also believed to be holding an Italian pizza restaurant owner who was kidnapped in October hostage.
Earlier this month, an elderly South Korean man who was kidnapped by the group in January, was found dead on Jolo island after falling ill while he was held hostage.
