ZAMBOANGA CITY (Mindanews/01 November) – A 73-year-old Korean national held captive for nine months and seven days by the Abu Sayyaf was found dead late Saturday evening in Patikul, Sulu, Brig. Gen. Alan Arrojado, Joint Task Group Sulu commander, said.
Arrojado said the body of kidnap victim Nwi-Seong ong, was discovered at around 10:30 p.m Saturday near the Sulu State College campus in Barangay Bangkal, Patikul by a resident who immediately informed the authorities.
Hong was seized by the Abu Sayyaf in the evening of January 24, this year, in Barangay Poblacion, R.T. Lim, Zamboanga Sibugay. He arrived in RT Lim town two days earlier to visit his businessman-son.
Hong was abducted with his son but the latter fought back and managed to escape.
Arrojado said the remains of Hong were brought to Camp General Teofulfo Bautista Station Hospital in Barangay Busbus, Jolo for examination. Hong’s body bore no gunshot wounds, he said.
According to Arrojado, investigation showed the Indanan-based Abu Sayyaf bandits brought Hong’s dead body to Barangay Bangkal.
He said the Scene of the Crime Operatives (SOCO) of the Philippine National Police reported that cause of Hong’s death is still undetermined and that Hong may have died “due to severe illness.” He added that olice intelligence operatives had monitored that Hong’s captors bought medicines last week.
He said the Indanan-based Abu Sayyaf bandits that held Hong captive are led by Idang Susukan and Anga Adji.
Hong’s cadaver was fetched by his son and a Korean companion who arrived Sunday morning in Jolo and left at 11:23 a.m. on board a military plane for Zamboanga en route to Manila. (MindaNews)