The Malaysian head of security in the area, Wan Abdul Bari Wan Abdul Khalid, was quoted by Bernama news agency as saying the pair were seized Saturday night. The perennially poor security situation in the area has prompted the Philippines, Malaysia and Indonesia to cooperate more closely on bringing the banditry to heel. The three countries agreed earlier this year to increase cooperation, including possible joint sea patrols. The waters between Malaysia's eastern state of Sabah on Borneo island and the southern Philippines have for years seen repeated kidnappings by the Abu Sayyaf militant group. On November 11 gunmen abducted five crewmen of a Vietnamese cargo vessel in southern Philippine waters.

Source: The Nation Bangkok November 20, 2016 07:42 UTC