The Royal Malaysian Navy and Marine Patrol were reported to have rescued the six sailors.
Philippine Navy Cmdr. Earl Reyes, Task Force Tawi-tawi commander, confirmed the report and told MindaNews that the task force has been patrolling the borders at the Sibutu and Languyan areas since Friday night.[]
Friday night’s attack was the third in a month when foreign-owned tugboats plying Tawi-Tawi waters are harassed by the ASG in southern Philippines.
Evening of April 12, the Sabah police reported that eight armed men on board a jungkong-type of vessel presented themselves as Abu Sayyaf members, approached a Malaysian tugboat and abducted four Malaysian crew members.[]
