Abductors of Chinese trader in Sabah may have fled to Tawi-Tawi

Sabah police have also detained for questioning at least 19 workers from the Wonderful Terrace Fish Farm on Pulau Baik, Malaysia's The Star Online reported Tuesday evening.

 

“The kidnappers from the southern Philippines successfully evaded capture in international waters after reaching Sibutu island in the Philippines,” the report quoted Sabah police commissioner Datuk Hamza Taib as saying.

 

Earlier Tuesday, at least five armed men abducted Chinese fish farm manager Yang Zai Lin.

 

Yang's abduction came a month after armed men abducted Chinese tourist Gao Huayun, 29, and Filipina resort worker Marcelita Dayawan, 40, from a floating resort in Sabah.

 

However, Hamza said police are still trying to identify the group involved in the kidnapping.

 

Citing initial reports, he said four of the gunmen may be between 30 and 40 years old, while the fifth was about 50.

 

Also, he said Sabah security personnel tried to intercept the boat used by the kidnappers, and shots were exchanged near Pulau Mataking. — Joel Locsin/ELR, GMA News