DA NANG, VIETNAM—Philippine authorities were able to recover four Vietnamese sailors who were abducted by the Abu Sayyaf on Friday but only three of them are alive, Malacañang said Saturday.
“I am able to confirm that Philippine authorities were able to recover four kidnapped victims. Three of them were recovered alive,” Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque said in a news briefing here.
“Unfortunately, the fourth one was already lifeless when he was recovered,” he added.
Roque denied that there was ransom given for the sailors’ release.
Roque said that Manila is saddened by the incident.
“The Philippine government expresses their condolences and sympathies to the family of the fourth Vietnamese fisherman who has been found dead,” he said.
The President, who skipped the gala dinner for Apec leaders, wasn’t able to attend the event last night due to the recovery efforts for the Vietnamese sailors, Roque said.
“It was important for the Philippine President in fact to supervise the recovery efforts. I can confirm that the fishermen are currently in the custody of the Philippine Navy,” he added.
Roque said that the rescued sailors are already being debriefed and will soon be seen by Vietnamese authorities.
