Three fishing boat crew members were reported to have been kidnapped from nearby Pom Pom Island off Semporna earlier today (Sept 11).

Eastern Sabah Security Command (ESSCom) commander Datuk Wan Abdul Bari Abdul Khalid confirmed receiving a report regarding the kidnapping from owner of the fishing trawler at 1.59am.

“I can only confirm a kidnapping had occurred in which a boat was seized and three people were taken. Further information will be given by the Sabah police commissioner during a press conference later,” he said.

The owner, said Wan Abdul Bari, reported that gunmen, believed to be Filipino, charged at their vessel at gunpoint and took with them three crew members before fleeing in a speedboat towards southern Philippines.

In the meantime, Sabah police commissioner Datuk Abdul Rashid Harun said they have been notified of the matter and were investigating the report.

ESSCom has said that security forces were on high alert along the border as the Philippines military had launched an all out offensive against the Abu Sayyaf in Jolo.

Only two months ago, five Malaysian sailors were also believed to have been kidnapped after the tugboat they were sailing in was found abandoned in Dent Haven waters off Lahad Datu.

On Nov 15, 2013, gunmen stormed a resort on Pom Pom Island, killing a Taiwanese tourist before taking the victim’s wife hostage.

She was released the following month after a ransom was reportedly paid.

Source:
courtesy of THE BORNEO POST

by BorneoPost

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