[Mindanao Examiner] Malaysia on Tuesday confirmed that the Abu Sayyaf was behind the kidnappings of five Malaysian tugboat crewmen who disappeared in Sabah. No further details were made available by the Malaysian police and Philippine authorities were also silent on the reports. The Borneo Post reported last week that Abu Sayyaf militants demanded P200 million in exchange for the safe release of the hostages. It said that one of the hostages phoned his employer to say that they are being held in Basilan province.
Anjut said the kidnappers were demanding the ransoms for their freedom, but Philippine military and police authorities could not immediately confirm nor deny the reports.
The sailors, all crew members of the tugboat Seruduna 3, disappeared at sea off Lahad Datu town on July 18. Their tugboat was recovered by authorities with its engine still running. The boat was set to return to Semporna after its barge delivered its cargo to Sandakan City.
The Abu Sayyaf also seized 7 other Indonesian tugboat crewmen on June 22 in the Sulu Sea Those hostages were last reported being sighted in Luuk town. The boat was heading to Samarinda in East Kalimantan when gunmen on speedboats intercepted it. Indonesian media reported that the tugboat skipper phoned his wife and told her that they were intercepted at sea by Abu Sayyaf gunmen who were also demanding over P200 million for their safe release.