The Malaysian Insight

FISHERMEN on two boats on their way Semporna from Lahad Datu are believed to have been kidnapped early today.

It is believed that the incident happened near Tawi-Tawi, a southern Philippine island, about 2.45am, when the Eastern Sabah Security Command (ESSCom) dusk-till-dawn curfew was in force.

Unconfirmed reports said gunmen in two speedboats approached the fishing vessels and took four of the six crewmen on the first and six of the 10 people aboard the second.

The alleged kidnappers then headed towards the southern Philippine island of Sitangkai, a 15-minute speedboat ride from Tambisan in Sabah.

ESSCom commander Hazani Ghazali told The Malaysian Insight that it has yet to receive a report on the matter.

“I’m aware of this, but we have not yet received an official report from the fishermen or boat owners.”

The two fishing vessels were heading towards Semporna to renew the fishermen’s work permits in the east coast district today.

The identities and nationalities of the crewmen have yet to be determined. However, the victims are believed to be Filipinos with the Lepa Lepa documents issued in the 1970s.

Sabah police commissioner Omar Mammah declined to comment on the incident.

The remaining six fishermen were rescued by the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency. – June 18, 2019.