AP, Manila :
Filipino officials say Muslim militants have brought a Chinese tourist and a Filipino hotel receptionist to their jungle stronghold in the southern Philippines after kidnapping the women from a dive resort in eastern Malaysia early this month.
Three Philippine security officials say that based on numerous intelligence reports and accounts from villagers, the women are now being held in the predominantly Muslim province of Sulu, where the militant group Abu Sayyaf has been holding several foreign and Filipino hostages for ransom.
The officials spoke Friday to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to talk to reporters about the abductions.
