Family members prepare to release the lit sky lantern.
SIBU: The family members of four Sarawakian seafarers believed to be held hostage in the Southern Philippines, sent their prayers heavenward on Saturday with a sky lantern.
The lantern carried a message in Chinese wishing for the safe return of their loved ones on the deadline of the payment of ransom.
Wong Chee Ming, the father of hostages Wong Teck Kang and Wong Teck Chii, said the family members were worried because they had not heard anything about the four.
“Teck Kang used to call home every six days to convey the ransom message on the demand of the militants. I have received three calls. The last call was received on April 23. No more calls now.
“We are worried about their safety because in the last call, Teck Kang mentioned the continual air strikes launched by the Philippines army, causing them to be on the run,” he said.
Wong said they prayed that the four were not hurt during the air strikes.
“We wait nightly. Teck Kang used to call at between 6pm and 8pm.”
Yesterday, Tommy Lau, brother of Johnny Lau, went to the police station in the hope of getting news about the hostages.
However, the outcome of the meeting was not made public.
The Wong brothers and Lau – their cousin – were kidnapped along with Wong Hung Sing on April 1 while heading to Tawau from the Philippines.