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MANILA, Philippines ? Six Malaysians have been released by a group of bandits who early this week hijacked their vessel and brought them to an undisclosed location on the island-province of Tawi-Tawi.
Malaysian authorities on Friday relayed the information to Rear Admiral Wilfredo Tamayo, commandant of the Philippine Coast Guard.
Reports reaching Tamayo said the hostages and their trawler were released "after payment of ransom" to the bandits.
The fishermen have returned safely to their homeport in Sandakan in the eastern Malaysian state of Sabah.
The identities of the bandits have yet to be determined, said Lieutenant Commander Armando Balilo, head of the PCG public affairs office.
Last Wednesday, Malaysian authorities alerted the PCG on the reported hijacking of a Sandakan-based fishing trawler off Tigabu Island near the Malaysian-Philippine border.
The PCG said the vessel was on its way to Sandakan when it was seized by four armed men.
"The boat and its crew were then brought to nearby Cagayan Island in Tawi-Tawi by the bandits who demanded money for the release of their captives," said Balilo.
The PCG "promptly alerted its unit in Tawi-Tawi to verify the report and to be on the lookout for the hijacked fishing vessel."
"PCG personnel were also directed to render assistance to the fishermen if necessary," said Balilo, adding the Coast Guard "also coordinated with the Navy and the Philippine National Police in the area for possible rescue operations."
