Identities confirmed for two Vietnamese nationals murdered by Abu Sayyaf in the Philippines.

The two victims are Vietnamese citizens Hoang Trung Thong and Hoang Van Hai, crew members of the Royal 16 ship who were kidnapped by Abu Sayyaf in November 2016.

Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Vu Hong Nam gave an interview regarding the incident in which two Vietnamese hostages were murdered by the Abu Sayyaf terrorist group in the Philippines.

Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Vu Hong Nam. Photo: World and Vietnam.

PV:Could you please provide information regarding the incident in which two Vietnamese hostages were murdered by the Abu Sayyaf terrorist group, and Vietnam's response?

Deputy Minister Vu Hong Nam:On the morning of July 5th, immediately upon receiving information that two victims, suspected to be Vietnamese citizens, had been murdered on the night of July 4th in Banrangay Tumahubong Sumisip village, Basilan, Philippines, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs summoned the Chargé d'affaires of the Philippine Embassy in Hanoi. Simultaneously, the Vietnamese Embassy in the Philippines contacted Philippine authorities requesting cooperation in preserving the bodies and verifying the identities of the victims.

On the afternoon of July 5th, the bodies of the victims were transported by the Philippine military to a hospital in Zamboanga for safekeeping while authorities carried out procedures to verify their identities. At 9:30 PM on July 6th, we sadly confirmed that the victims were two Vietnamese citizens, Hoang Trung Thong and Hoang Van Hai, crew members of the Royal 16 vessel, who were abducted by the Abu Sayyaf terrorist group in November 2016.

As soon as the information about the victims was confirmed, as you know, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc expressed his sorrow and outrage at the brutal and inhumane murder of two Vietnamese citizens by the Abu Sayyaf terrorist group and offered his condolences to the victims' families. The Prime Minister stated that those responsible for the deaths of the two Vietnamese citizens must be punished appropriately and called on the international community to join hands in combating terrorism.

Once again, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs strongly condemns the Abu Sayyaf terrorist group's murder of two Vietnamese citizens. We extend our deepest condolences to the families and loved ones of the victims and hope they will soon overcome this immense loss and grief.

PV:Could you please tell us what further measures the authorities will take to support the families of the victims?

Deputy Minister Vu Hong Nam:First and foremost, we will assist the families in arranging the funerals for the two victims as soon as possible. Although the Zamboanga region is under martial law and access is difficult, thanks to the support of Philippine authorities, representatives from the Vietnamese Embassy in the Philippines were present at the location where the victims' remains are being kept.

We are continuing to coordinate with Philippine authorities to assist the families of the victims in completing forensic and legal procedures and preparing the necessary conditions to bring the remains or ashes of the victims back to Vietnam for burial according to the families' wishes.

At the same time, we will continue to request that the Philippine authorities ensure the safety of Vietnamese citizens. To date, the Philippines has made every effort to support our requests..On June 22, 2017, Hoang Vo, a Vietnamese citizen and one of the sailors of the Royal 16 ship who was also kidnapped in November 2016, was released and returned to Vietnam and is currently undergoing medical treatment for his recovery.

We also urge shipowners and ship management companies whose vessels pass through areas with a high risk of piracy to strictly implement piracy prevention and avoidance measures as recommended by Vietnamese and international authorities, especially the latest recommendations from the Vietnam Maritime Administration.

PV:Thank you, Mr. Deputy Minister.

According to VOV