Tourist abducted from Pom Pom Island rescued
KUALA LUMPUR: A Taiwanese woman tourist, who was abducted by an armed group on Pom Pom Island off Semporna on Nov 15, has been rescued, says Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar.
"Congratulations to the Philippine security forces; the Taiwanese national abducted on Pom Pom has been rescued," he tweeted.
He also tweeted that the Malaysian police was awaiting news on the latest developments from authorities there.
Khalid said the woman, An-Wei Chang, rescued in Sulu, was at Merin Hospital and would be flown to Zamboanga City today, adding the 58-year-old was taken to hospital for preliminary observation.
Details of the rescue mission, however, were still sketchy.
On Nov 15, An-Wei and her husband, Li-Min Hsu, 57, were confronted by a group of armed men, believed to be members of separatist group Abu Sayyaf, during a vacation at one of the island's resorts.
In the 1am incident, the group shot her husband twice in the chest and ribs in a scuffle while trying to kidnap her.
The Taiwanese couple had arrived in Malaysia on Nov 12 and were scheduled to leave on Nov 20.
Authorities believe that her kidnappers had taken her across the border towards southern Philippines. The Malaysian police then widened the search and sought the assistance of the Philippines authorities.
An-Wei's brother, Richard had travelled to Malaysia before heading to the Philippines to secure the release of his sister.
It was reported that the Malaysian police believe contact might have been made between the armed group and the Taiwanese authorities directly.
