DONGBANG GIANT NO.2

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Skipper and crew member of cargo ship released by terrorists

Park Chul Hong, the skipper of the "Dongbang Giant 2", was greeted by the former Sulu governor Abdusakur Tan at Jolo airport in Sulu on Jan 14, 2017. He was held in captivity by the militant Abu Sayyaf group for nearly three months before he returned to Korea on Jan 15, a day after his release from the southern Philippine island of Jolo. Park Chul Hong arrived at Incheon International Airport at around 4:30 a.m. While the captain's health was not bad, he was to be hospitalised for thorough medical check-up. Park and Filipino crew Glenn Alindajao were released in the morning of Jan 14 by the Abu Sayyaf, under an arrangement negotiated with the help of rebels belonging to the Moro National Liberation Front. They were then flown out of the island by a presidential adviser on peace efforts. Their vessel was sailing to Australia from South Korea when 10 Abu Sayyaf terrorists boarded it in October 2016 and abducted Park and Alindajao. The government had not paid a ransom. The ship's owner negotiated with the terrorist group who allegedly threatened to kill the hostages unless it received a ransom. The Korean Foreign Ministry also supported the release effort alongside its Filipino counterpart.

Captain and crew member kidnapped by Abu Sayyaf militants

20 gunmen attacked the "Dongbang Giant No.2" on Oct 20, 2016, south of Bongao upon Tawitawi Island in the Celebes Sea. The heavy lift ship was en route from Australia to Masan. The Militants, allegedly belonging to the Abu Sayyaf group, kidnapped the Korean master and a Filipino crew member. The victims were identified as ship captain Park Chul Hing and crewman Glenn Alindajao from Cebu. Other crewmen were not seized and one managed to call his family, which reported the assault to authorities. Philippines anti terror teams and the Philippine Navy were alerted. In the afternoon the vessel drifting or anchored south of Bongao.