A Vietnamese seaman has been rescued by the Philippines’ government from a local terrorist group.

Do Trung Hieu, a crew member of the Vietnamese ship MV Royal that was ambushed at sea last year, has been brought to safety after being held hostage by Filipino militant group Abu Sayyaf, Vietnam’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in an announcement on Monday.

“We have ordered the Embassy of Vietnam in Manila to carry out the necessary procedures for the repatriation of Hieu,” the ministry added.

However, the announcement did not state when and how the Vietnamese crewman was saved, or how many Vietnamese are still being held by the terrorists.

Hieu was among the crew members of the Vietnamese-flagged cargo ship MV Royal 16 that was ambushed and held hostage in November 2016, when they were sailing near Sibago Island off the town of Mohammad Ajul in Basilan.

Among the reported six hostages, one was released and then brought back to Vietnam.

The foreign ministry confirmed in July that three Vietnamese crewmen had been killed.

Hoang Trung Thong and Hoang Van Hai were murdered by Abu Sayyaf, while Tran Viet Van was also found dead following a raid on the group’s bunker in Tolo by the Filipino army in early April.

Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam!