The Philippine police arrested four people suspected to belong to the Abu Sayyaf group which has linked to the kidnapping of Vietnamese sailors in 2016.

An Abu Sayyaf group

Director of the Basilan Provincial Police Office Nixon Muksan said the suspects were arrested in a raid in Lamitan City, Basilan island, in Mindanao on July 17.

According to investigation, the four suspects have participated in the hijack of cargo vessel M/V Royal 16 in November, 2016 and abducted six Vietnamese crew members.

One of the victims identified as Hoang Vo managed to escape on June 22 while two other victims, namely Hoang Trung Thong and Hoang Van Hai were killed by the Abu Sayyaf group in Basilan on July 5.

Right after receiving the verification of the victims, Vietnam’s Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc expressed his deep sadness and anger over the barbaric and inhuman murder of the terrorist group, and conveyed his condolences to the bereaved.

The PM said those who caused the death of the two Vietnamese citizens must be severely punished.

He called on the international community to join hands to prevent terrorism. 

Vietnam’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs strongly condemned the murderous behaviour of the terrorist group and sent the deepest condolences to family members of the victims. 

VNA