Pinay abducted in Sabah reunites with family in Cotabato

Marcelita Dayawan, the Filipina resort worker abducted from a floating resort in Sabah on April 2, has finally been reunited with her family, a television report said on Saturday.

According to a report aired on GMA News TV's "Balitanghali," Dayawan met with her children in Cotabato City for the first time after being held captive along with a Chinese tourist by suspected Abu Sayyaf men.

In an exclusive interview aired on Balitanghali, Dayawan recounts her ordeal while in captivity.

"Sinabi ko, patayin niyo nalang kami. Sabi nila [kidnappers], 'hindi, pera lang kailangan namin'," she said.

"That time na muntik nang [lumubog] ang boat namin, takot na takot na ako na baka bigla nalang nila akong ihulog sa dagat kasi alam nilang wala akong pera," she added.

The report said Dayawan served as the cook for their abductors.

In an earlier interview with Malaysia's The Star Online, Dayawan, 40, said she was  "constantly threatened" if the family of Chinese tourist Gao Huayun did not pay ransom for both of them "within 20 days."

Dayawan and Gao spent 58 days in captivity in Jolo where they were guarded by at least 40 gunmen, the report said.

On Monday, the Philippine Embassy in Malaysia said it was preparing the repatriation of Dayawan after she was cleared by Malaysian police. — Amanda Fernandez /LBG, GMA News

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