MANILA, Philippines – Soldiers were deployed to a remote southern island where Islamic militants are believed to have taken two hostages seized from a Malaysian resort, the military said Friday (April 4th) according to AFP.

The Abu Sayyaf are the prime suspects in Wednesday's abductions of a Chinese tourist and a Filipina resort worker, armed forces spokesman Ramon Zagala said.

He said seven gunmen aboard a white speedboat are believed to have taken the women from Sabah to Simunul in the Tawi-Tawi islands.

Zagala said the kidnappers were thought to be affiliated with Abu Sayyaf "sub-commander" Murphy Ambang Ladjia, involved in the 2000 kidnapping of 21 people from another Sabah resort.