Pinay resort worker abducted in Sabah not quite cleared to return to PHL

A Filipina resort worker who was abducted along with a Chinese tourist from a Sabah floating resort last April is not quite cleared to return to the Philippines, Sabah police said Saturday.

Sabah Police Commissioner Datuk Hamza Taib said Marcelita Dayawan, 40, will be sent back to the Philippines but only after police confirm she is not linked to the kidnapping, Malaysia's The Star Online reported.

"If we are sure that Mimi (Dayawan's nickname) was not involved in the Singamata resort kidnap, she will be sent back to her family in the Philippines," the report quoted him as saying.

Dayawan and Chinese tourist Gao Hua Yuan, 29, were released Friday, nearly two months after they were abducted from a Sabah floating resort last April 2.

The two were brought to Sabah, with Gao expected to return home to China Saturday.

Hamza said Bukit Aman and state police have recorded statements from Dayawan.

The Star Online report noted Dayawan did not have the proper travel documents or a work permit while she was working at the resort. — Joel Locsin/JDS, GMA News

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