Sunday, 18 September 2016 | MYT 12:52 PM
Three Indonesian hostages kidnapped near Lahad Datu freed
Nur Misuari (in red) - AFP pix
KOTA KINABALU: Abu Sayyaf gunmen have freed three Indonesian nationals taken from a Malaysian fishing vessel near the east coast Lahad Datu district more than a month ago.
Southern Philippines anti-kidnapping activist Prof Octavio Dinampo told The Star Sunday that the three fishermen were released late Saturday.
He said the Indonesians - Lorence Koten, 34, Teodorus Kopong, 42, and Emanuel, 46 - were set free by their captors near the town of Patikul.
Moro National Liberation Front spokesman Prof Samsula Adju, said the three men were already with the group’s chairman Nur Misuari in Indanan town.
He said the Abu Sayyaf had released the Indonesian captives to the MNLF and they would be handed over the Indonesian government representatives in Jolo.
The three men were abducted on July 9 while fishing about 3.6 nautical miles off Kampung Sinakut near Lahad Datu.
On the five Malaysian tug boat crewmen abducted on July 18, also near Lahad Datu, Octavio said they remained safe amid an ongoing offensive against the Abu Sayyaf gunmen.
