MANILA, Philippines – Philippine military officials say they have verified that two missing German tourists were abducted by Abu Sayyaf militants and are being held "unharmed" by the al-Qaida-linked gunmen in their jungle encampments in the south.
Regional military commander Lt. Gen. Rustico Guerrero said Thursday that the government has ordered troops to locate the Germans in Sulu province and ensure their safe recovery but he declined to say what the military intends to do.
He says the Abu Sayyaf is holding about 10 hostages, including the Germans and two other Europeans kidnapped two years ago.
Four military and police officials say Henrike Dielen and Stefan Okonek were taken at gunpoint from a yacht between Malaysia's Sabah state on Borneo Island and the western Philippine province of Palawan sometime in April.
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