Deputy Foreign Minister Vu Hong Nam.

It came after being informed of the murder of two victims confirmed to be Vietnamese on Tuesday night by the terrorist group Abu Sayyaf, in Banrangay Tumahubong Sumisip and Basilan villages of the Philippines. The victims’ bodies were kept at Zamboanga hospital for identification. On Thursday, the two victims were confirmed as Hoang Trung Thong and Hoang Van Hai – two Vietnamese sailor of the ship Royal 16 who had been kidnapped by the Abu Sayyaf group in November last year.

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc said he is very sad and angry to hear that two Vietnamese citizens were abducted and barbarically and inhumanly murdered. The terrorists must be severely punished, he stressed. He called on the international community to unite in fighting terrorism for the sake of peace and stability, development, and prosperity.

The Department of Foreign Affairs of the Philippines issued a statement on Friday expressing its deep sadness over the murders. The Department stressed that the Philippine Government is resolute in its commitment in ensuring that the perpetrators of this vile act will be brought to justice.