MANILA, Philippines – The Filipino photographer who escaped his abductors in Tawi-Tawi has decided to stay on the island while there is still no word on the situation of the 2 foreigners who were also kidnapped.

Ivan Sarenas was kidnapped along with Ewold Horn of the Netherlands and Lorenze Vinziguerre of Switzerland last Wednesday.

He escaped by jumping off the boat of their abductors.

Sarenas served as the guide of the 2 foreigners, who went to Tawi-Tawi to take photographs of the wildlife.

The Philippine National Police in Tawi-Tawi said they have tracked down the boat used by the suspects who were last seen in Languyan near Sulu.

In Davao City, a thanksgiving mass was offered by Sarenas's mother Bella, who was able to talk to her son on the phone.

"Sabi ko, ‘I love you, anak. Are you okay? Are you injured?’ Sabi niya, ‘No, no, I'm safe. I'm okay. We're on our way to the governor's office so huwag kayo mag-alala," she said.

Meanwhile, the Department of Tourism (DOT) expressed concern about the effects the kidnapping will have on the tourism industry.

“It is very unfortunate because Tawi-Tawi has already been picking up in terms of tourism. It’s going to be a setback but of course that should not stop up us from pursuing these plans,” said Mary June Bugante, regional director of DOT Region 9.

Aside from the 2 Europeans, kidnappers are still holding Australian national Warren Rodwell.

Police have yet to determine if the same group is behind the abduction. -- Reports from Jewel Reyes, ABS-CBN News Zamboanga; ANC