KOTA KINABALU: Abu Sayyaf-linked kidnap-for-ransom militants have again intruded into Sabah waters amidst a massive Philippine military crackdown on their bastion, Jolo. Rashid said based on the description given by the freed men, the suspects were in their 30s or 40s. Five armed men, one of them seen in military fatigues, slipped into the high-security waters of Tungku in Sabah’s east coast Lahad Datu district to grab the three fishermen from a Malaysian-owned trawler just before midnight on Saturday. Meanwhile, Philippine sources believed the abductors were heading towards Jolo but there were no official reports of any landing. Rashid said according to initial reports, the five armed men on a white speedboat pulled up near the Malaysian-registered tugboat before abducting the crewmen.

Source: The Star July 10, 2016 23:03 UTC