Philippine troops rescued four Vietnamese sailors kidnapped by Abu Sayyaf terrorists nine months ago and found a fifth hostage dead, an army spokeswoman said on Friday.
The sailors were found in a remote island in Tawi-tawi, more than 1,000 km south of Manila, Captain Jo-Ann Petinglay stated.
The hostages were among the 17 crew members of the bulk carrier MV Giang Hai 5, which was attacked by terrorists from the Abu Sayyaf armed group, affiliated to ISIS, of the nearby island of Jolo in February.
Two of the sailors were killed during the attack, while 10 were rescued and five kidnapped by the insurgents.
Petinglay said the troops had found the five hostages in Languyan town, but one died due to illness he suffered during his captivity.
Petinglay said the Abu Sayyaf militants were still holding nine foreigners and Filipino hostages in Jolo.
