No extradition order yet for captors of Malaysian hostages

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines - The military said they have not been received any order to extradite captured bandits linked to the kidnapping of two Malaysians.

Maj. Felimon Tan Jr., spokesman of the Western Mindanao Command, said the extradition order of Saddam Jailani and Khadaffy Kamsa, both members of the Abu Sayyaf group should course through the higher headquarters.

However, Tan said they were cooperating and sharing information with the Malaysian authorities on kidnapping cases of Malaysian victims.

“So far there is no notification from the concern agency about the extradition,” Tan said.

Tan believed the request will be through the Department of Foreign Affairs.

Malaysian police authorities in a statement quoted by a Malaysian-based press said it has already submitted application to the Philippine government for the extradition of the two arrested Abu Sayyaf members.

Jailani and Kamsa, separately captured last month in Sulu, were tagged in the kidnapping of two Malaysians, engineer Bernard Then Ted Fen and restaurant manager Thein Nyuk Fun in Sabah, Malaysia in May. Both were brought to Sulu as captives.

Fun was released on November 8 following alleged payment of huge ransom while Fen was beheaded a week later.