‘No ransom demand for Indonesian fishermen’ ‘

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines — The military has denied reports attributed to Philippine authorities that Abu Sayyaf bandits demanded ransom for the release of three Indonesian fishermen kidnapped in the waters off Sabah last month.

“There is no report or information from the ground to confirm reports of ransom. It was not even confirmed that the Abu Sayyaf was behind the kidnapping,” Maj. Arvin John Encinas, spokesman for the Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom), said yesterday.

The Eastern Sabah Security Command said Philippine authorities confirmed that Abu Sayyaf bandits contacted the family of one of the captives a few days after the incident and asked for an undetermined amount of ransom.

Gunmen on two pumpboats snatched the fishermen in the waters off Lahad Datu on Sept. 23. The captives were reportedly brought to Tawi-Tawi.

“Matagal na naming pina-mo-monitor yan pero walang confirmation. Wala kasing nakakita na nasa area ng Westmincom,” Encinas said.

He said residents of Tawi-Tawi have not monitored the fishermen and their captors.

Encinas said the motorboats allegedly used by the kidnappers were not spotted either in Tawi-Tawi or Sulu.

The captives were identified as Samiun Maniu, 27, Maharudin Lunani, 48, and Muhammas Farhan, 27.

A source had earlier told The STAR that Abu Sayyaf bandits perpetrated the kidnapping.

In January, a Malaysian and two Indonesian fishermen kidnapped off the coast of Sabah were reportedly brought to Sulu and turned over to Abu Sayyaf bandits.

Malaysian authorities said lawless groups behind the kidnappings could have ties with the Abu Sayyaf.

According to the Westmincom, all the captives of the Abu Sayyaf were either freed or had escaped.