Three Malaysians Held Hostage in the Philippines Freed

Philippine troops have rescued three Malaysians held captive by Abu Sayyaf rebels, the military said on Monday –EPA photo.

Kuala Lumpur, 2 Jumadil Akhir 1438/27 March 2017 (MINA) – Three Malaysian hostages, kidnaped by the Abu Sayyaf group last July in southern Philippines, have been released during a military operation carried out by the Philippines security authorities, KUNA reported, citing the statement’s Malaysian authorities on Monday.

The three Malaysians were kidnapped by the bandits off Lahad Datu in Sabah State last July, Eastern Sabah’s Security Command commander Bari Abd Khalid said in a statement.

Two other Malaysian hostages were also rescued from the group in front of Pata Island last week, he added.

The two were rescued when they were abandoned by their captors as a naval patrol closed in.

Abu Sayyaf militants survive mostly on ransom kidnappings, extortion and other acts of banditry by targeting tugboats in the seas bordering the southern Philippines, Malaysia and Indonesia. (T/RS5/RS1)

Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA)