Military verifying if Filipinos killed in Malaysian anti-kidnap operation

ZAMBOANGA CITY – The military on Friday said it was still verifying a report that three Filipinos suspected of involvement in kidnappings in Sabah and nearby areas were killed by Malaysian authorities on Thursday.

Maj. Felimon Tan Jr., the spokesperson of the Western Mindanao Command based here, said they still had no confirmation of the incident that reportedly transpired on Darvel Bay in Pulau Bodgaya in Sempornah in Tawau district.

Earlier, Malaysian media reports said three other Filipinos were also arrested during the operation conducted by Malaysian authorities on a kidnap-for-ransom gang.

While the identities or affiliation of the suspects had not been made available as of yet, it was a known fact that only the Abu Sayyaf ventures into Malaysian territories in search of victims to abduct.