KUALA LUMPUR, April 3 — Wisma Putra said today that the Malaysian authorities are working together with their counterparts in the Philippines to secure the release of the four Malaysians who were nabbed on Friday by suspected Filipino militants off an island in Sabah.
In a statement, the Foreign Affairs Ministry also condemned the abduction as a “senseless and barbaric” act, and offered Putrajaya’s sympathies to the families of the four individuals who have been identified as Wong Teck Kang, 31; Wong Hung Sing, 34; Wong Teck Chii, 29; and Johnny Lau Jung Hien, 21.
“The Malaysian authorities including the Embassy of Malaysia in Manila and Consulate General in Davao City will work closely with the relevant agencies and authorities in the Philippines to assist in the ongoing investigation and working towards securing their release,” the statement said.
Yesterday, Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar said the police have yet to receive a ransom demand from the abductors.
He also said police were still investigating if the abduction involved members of the notorious Abu Sayyaf militant group in the Philippines.
According to reports, the four, who were working aboard the Malaysian-registered barge MV Massive 6, were taken by the eight gunmen while they were in waters off Ligitan Island in Sabah.
MV Massive 6, which reportedly transports timber from Malaysia to Manila, was, at the time, returning to Malaysia.
