MANILA—Suspected Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) bandits abducted four Indonesian crewmen of a tugboat while passing the waters of Sitangkai, Tawi-Tawi and Lahad Datu, Sabah on Friday.
Western Mindanao Command spokesperson Major Filemon Tan identified the attacked tugboat as T/B Henry manned by four Indonesians and six Malaysians.
One of the Malaysian crewmen was shot and seriously wounded by the bandits. It was not immediately known whether the latter was shot for resisting or just to serve as warning.
Tan said the Malaysian was now undergoing treatment at a Sempornah hospital.
The incident took place between 5 and 6:30 p.m. when five to seven heavily-armed bandits boarded the vessel and snatched the victims at gunpoint, dragging towards their blue-gray speedboat which then sailed to the direction of Malaysia.
The tugboat and its remaining crew were later rescued by Malaysian authorities.
Last March 26, ASG bandits also abducted 10 Indonesians from a barge and a tugboat while passing Tawi-Tawi. The tugboat and barge were also seized by the bandits.
The 10 abducted Indonesians were still believed held by the bandits.