Hijacked Malaysian boat brought to Tawi-Tawi

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said a Malaysian fishing boat with six crewmen was reportedly hijacked by at least four armed men and brought to Tawi-Tawi early Tuesday morning.

PCG commandant Admiral Wilfredo Tamayo said they also received information from Malaysian authorities that the armed group is reportedly demanding 150,000 Malaysian ringgit as ransom for the release of the fishermen.

Reports said the Malaysia-registered fishing trawler was returning to its homeport in Sandakan, Sabah when it was hijacked and later brought somewhere near Cagayan de Sulu in Tawi-Tawi.

Tamayo immediately ordered the issuance of a Notice to Mariners (Notam) to alert vessels passing near the area to be on the lookout for the trawler.     – Evelyn Macairan