ZAMBOANGA CITY – Suspected Abu Sayyaf militants in the southern Philippine province of Sulu released Saturday nine out of 10 fishermen they seized off Lahad Datu town in Malaysia’s eastern state of Sabah.
The fate and identity of the last hostage remains unknown, but the rest were believed to be Filipinos who are long-time residents of Sabah. The fishermen were found by villagers in Talipao and quickly informed authorities. It was unknown is ransom had been paid for their freedom.
Sabah Police Commissioner Datuk Omar Mammah also confirmed the release of the fishermen, according to Malaysian newspaper, Borneo Post, but there were no immediate details, although it said the hostages are now with Filipino authorities. The Philippine police or military did not release any statement.
Gunmen on two speed boats intercepted the trawlers near Tambisan Island on June 18 while heading to Semporna town and abducted the fishermen and escaped towards Tawi-Tawi province, about 152 kilometers away from Sulu. The abduction occurred despite tight security being imposed by Malaysian police and military forces in Sabah due to persistent threats of ransom kidnappings and attacks by the Abu Sayyaf.
Just this month, Datuk Seri Abdul Hamid Bador, the Inspector-General of Police, warned that threats of kidnappings and cross-border raids by the Abu Sayyaf remain high, adding, attacks could happen any day at any time. He said the threats remain despite the establishment of Eastern Sabah Security Command (Esscom) and martial law in several areas in the state.
Abdul Hamid said the restructuring process is being carried out by the National Security Council (NSC) to further strengthen Esscom. “The threats to the islands of Sabah were there every day. This is because Sabah is very near to the Philippines and it only takes 15 minutes by speedboat to reach Philippines waters,” he said, noting that it is easy for the Abu Sayyaf to intrude into Malaysian waters. (The Zamboanga Post)
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