Kota Kinabalu: A boy, who the Philippine military confirmed to Daily Express was one of five Indonesian fishermen kidnapped from their boat in Lahad Datu waters in January, was recaptured by his Abu Sayyaf captors after he escaped in Sulu, southern Philippines, an Indonesian source said.
Ulta Levenia Nababan, a terrorism researcher at Jakarta-based think tank Galatea, named the boy as Khairul aged around 14.
“Khairul, one of five Indonesians kidnapped from Malaysian waters, was recaptured by the Abu Sayyaf, who were holding him and the other hostages,” Ulta told Daily Express, citing ground sources.
“A boat crew, Edi Lawalopo, 53, was reported by officials to be among those five kidnapped. This is not the case. It is actually Khairul.”
Ulta also said Abu Sayyaf sub-leader Majan Sahidjuan @ Apo Mike, who is wanted by the Eastern Sabah Security Command (Esscom), and another Abu Sayyaf man known as Tuan Annuh, said to be an ustaz, were holding the hostages in barangay or village Kagay, Indanan, Sulu
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