9 fishermen kidnapped off Sabah released

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines — Nine of the 10 fishermen snatched by unidentified gunmen off the coast of Sabah were released in Sulu on Friday night.

The victims were spotted by personnel of the Talipao police in Barangay Kahawa, the Joint Task Force Sulu (JTFS) said in its report to the Western Mindanao Command.

The fate of the other fisherman was not immediately known.

“They said they were released by their captors since they have no money or anything to give as ransom,” the report stated.

The victims told police they were seized by gunmen on two speedboats in the waters off Lahad Datu on Tuesday.

Initial reports identified the fishermen only as Ogan, 20; Bongosan, 30; Samsul, 22;  Hj. Kando, 60;  Amil, 31; Apak, 50;  Inai, 22;  Kassim, 22; Memek, 28, and a 17-year-old, all members of the Badjau tribe.

The rescued victims were brought to the Sulu Integrated Provincial Health Office  for medical checkup. They were all found to be in good condition.

The police alerted the JTFS for a joint custodial debriefing of the victims to identify the kidnappers and file charges against them.

Malaysian authorities had earlier said the kidnappers brought their captives toward Tawi-Tawi.

The Armed Forces of the Philippines said it is “not sure” if Abu Sayyaf bandits were behind the kidnapping, noting that there are a number of lawless groups operating in Sabah.