Indonesian fishermen kidnapped off Sabah

ZAMBOANGA CITY – Three crew members of an Indonesian trawler were reported kidnapped off Sabah near the Philippine border province of Tawi-Tawi and their captors have demanded at least RM70,000 for their safe release.

Police are now investigating the report, according to the Malaysian newspaper The Star, which quoted Eastern Sabah Security Command Commander, Deputy Commissioner Hamzah Ahmad as saying that they were verifying the reports without further elaborating.

Philippine trawlers. (Imagea: Al Jacinto)

The report said the fishermen, whose trawler is registered in Sabah, are being held in Philippine waters just off Sabah’s east coast of Pulau Jambongan. “It was learned that the Sandakan-based fishing boat owner made a police report that was lodged on Monday (April 25) after crew’s family members were informed of the incident,” the report said.

It added that the trio was allegedly taken by gunmen off Pulau Jambongan which is near the southern Philippines’ Tawi-Tawi islands on Sunday (April 24) night. “The gunmen were allegedly asking for between RM70,000 and RM80,000 for the release of the fishing boat and its crew aged between 35 and 52,” the report said.

The newspaper said the Indonesian consul had met with the families of the kidnapped fishermen who are residing in Sabah’s Tawau City. In previous incidents, Sabah-registered fishing boats were seized by Philippine maritime authorities for encroaching with owners paying up to secure the release of their fishing boats and crew, according to The Star.

It was unclear whether the Abu Sayyaf group, blamed for the spate of piracy and ransom kidnappings in Sabah, was behind the attack. Philippine authorities have not released any report or statement about the kidnappings of the fishermen or whether the Abu Sayyaf was involved or not. (Mindanao Examiner)