Kidnapped restaurant manager cries everyday hoping for release

KOTA KINABALU: Kidnapped Seafood restaurant manager Thien Nyuk Fun (pic) is crying everyday with no sign of her release by her Abu Sayyaf captors.

Fear for the life of the 50-year-old widow is also mounting as reports from Jolo indicate her health is deteriorating rapidly in the jungles of southern Philippines. She suffers from high blood pressure and other medical conditions.

She has also been crying daily amid taunting by gunmen that they will behead her and fellow captive Bernard Then Ted Fen if their ransom demands are not met.

Thien and Then, a Sarawakian on holiday in Sandakan, were snatched from the Ocean King Seafood Restaurant in Sandakan on May 14 and taken to the southern Philippines island of Jolo by the gunmen.

Thien's condition is apparently worsening even though she has received her high blood pressure medication.

The 39-year-old Then, however, is holding out despite daily threats of being beheaded, according to a social worker who declined to be named.

Jolo based anti-kidnapping activist Prof Octovio Dinampo said that the two were being held by Abu Sayyaf sub commander Indang Susukan, who is demanding Pesos 30mil (about RM2.6mil) for their release.

However, the situation was being complicated as Indang's uncle Abu Hamry (a former general from Moro National Liberation Front or MNLF) wants Pesos 80mil (about RM7mil), he said.

Malaysian and Filipino intermediaries have been continuously in touch with the kidnappers, but the families are unable to raise the money and are hoping the Malaysian Government will intervene and secure their release.

Prof Dinampo said there was a real worry about a possible beheading as Abu Sayyaf had already beheaded a Filipino village chief on Aug 11 after his family failed to come up with the Pesos 1mil ransom.

The village chief was kidnapped on May 4 along with two other Cost Guard personnel.

However, the two coastguards reportedly escaped during a Philippines military assault on Aug 19.

"For now, I know the two Malaysians are alright," said Prof Dinampo.