Philippine troops were scouring the jungles of a southern island where Islamist militants were suspected to be holding captive two German nationals, military sources said Wednesday.
“Search and rescue efforts are ongoing,” an intelligence source said, asked about photos of the missing men that surfaced on the internet.
The photos circulating online showed Stephan Victor Okoveix, 71, and Henrike Diesen, 55, holding a German flag and surrounded by 10 armed men with partly covered faces.
The intelligence source said the photo appears to be authentic, but declined to give more details.
Senior Superintendent Abraham Orbita, police commander in Sulu province, where the hostages are believed to be held, said the photo “is one of several pictures and videos we know that are spreading around.”
He said Abu Sayyaf rebels were believed to be the source of the photos and videos.
Okoveix and Diesen were allegedly seized by Abu Sayyaf rebels from their yacht off the western province of Palawan on April 25.
Orbita said they were believed to have been brought to Jolo island, 1,000 kilometres south of Manila, a part of Sulu province, which is a stronghold of the Abu Sayyaf, blamed for previous kidnappings of foreigners.
A Filipino hostage freed by the Abu Sayyaf last month told authorities that he saw the German nationals during his time in captivity.
GNA
