Abu Sayyaf bandits seized a Korean and a Filipino crewman of a Korean-flagged cargo ship in Bongao, Tawi-tawi on Thursday, the military said Friday.

Maj. Filemon Tan, Jr., Western Mindanao Command pokesman, identified the victims as Park Chul Hong, the skipper of M/V Dong Bang Giant 2, and Filipino Glenn Alindajai, a resident of Cebu.

Tan said M/V Dong Bang Giant 2, a heavy loader carrier cargo ship, was bound for South Korea from Australia when it was intercepted by 10 Abu Sayyaf bandits aboard a speed boat.

He said the group is led by Jul Hassan, a follower of Sulu-based Abu Sayyaf sub- leader Idang Susukan.

He said the Joint Task Force Tawi-Tawi has alerted all units and sent military assets.

A total of 14 people the total number of hostages are in the hands of the Abu Sayyaf bandits.

The hostages are five Malaysians, four Filipinos, two Indonesians, and a Dutch birdwatcher. .DMS