Philippines alerted on latest kidnapping in Malaysia

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines  – The military has been alerted by its Malaysian counterpart  regarding the kidnapping of five crewmembers of a Malaysian fishing boat in the waters off Lahad Datu in Sabah.

The Joint Task Force Tawi-Tawi (JTFT) said the Malaysian military informed them that the incident occurred on Saturday.

“Malaysia has yet to ascertain if the victims were brought to the Philippines,” Maj. Arvin John Encinas, spokesman for the Western Mindanao Command, said.

Encinas said the information indicated that three of the eight crewmembers were rescued in Lahad Datu.

The crewmembers were identified as Abdul Latif, Daeng Akbal, and Pian Bin Janiru. They told authorities that their captors used a boat with 40-horsepower twin engines.

The kidnappers were wearing black suits and their faces were covered with masks.

Among those missing were Riswanto bin Hayono, Edi bin Lawalopo, La Baa, Arizal Kastamiran and Arshad bin Dahlan.

Encinas said the JTFT intensified  intelligence monitoring in possible entry areas of the kidnappers.