Hostages safe, Philippine activist assures Malaysia

From the Malay Mail Online (Aug 28): Hostages safe, Philippine activist assures Malaysia

Five Malaysian sailors captured by the Abu Sayyaf are safe amid the Philippines’ ongoing offensive to flush out members of the regional terror group, an anti-kidnap activist said.

Prof Octavio Dinampo sought to allay fears over the safety of the five sailors who have been held hostage since July 18 when they were snatched from their tugboat off Sabah’s restive east coast of Lahad Datu, The Sunday Star reported today.

 “They are guarded by men of Abu Sayyaf commander Apo Mike, whose name is Majan Sawadjan. They are constantly being moved,” the Filipino expert was quoted saying. However, the report did not mention how Dinampo came by the information.

The Philippines’ military was reported to have found a severed head believed to belong to a Filipino teen taken hostage since July 16 by the Abu Sayyaf in its restive Sulu province, said to be the militant group’s stronghold.

Under the leadership of its president Rodrigo Duterte, the Philippines have stepped up its action to wipe out the Abu Sayyaf, said to have links with global terror network, Islamic State.

In its latest strike yesterday, the Philippines military was reported to have killed an Abu Sayyaf sub-leader named Mohammad Said, also known as “Ama Maas” who has five standing warrants for murder, the Manila Bulletin reported.

The five hostages have been identified as Tayudin Anjut, 45, Abdul Rahim Summas, 62; Fandy Bakran, 26; Mohamad Jumadil Rahim, 23, and Mohd Ridzuan Ismail, 32.

Previously, four Sarawakian sailors were taken hostage from their vessel in the waters off Sabah’s Pulau Ligitan on April 1. They were released three months later after the Abu Sayyaf claimed to receive payment from the families though Malaysian police have denied ransom was paid.

Sarawakian Bernard Then was the first Malaysian reportedly beheaded by the violent Abu Sayyaf last November, following his abduction from a Sandakan restaurant on May 15 that same year.

http://www.themalaymailonline.com/malaysia/article/hostages-safe-philippine-activist-assures-malaysia