Kota Kinabalu: The Philippines has confirmed Daily Express’ reports that a boy was actually among five Indonesian fishermen kidnapped from their boat in Tambisan Island waters off Lahad Datu on Jan 16.
Initially, authorities reported five adults — skipper Arsyad Dahlan (42), Arizal Kastamiran (29), La Baa (32), Riswanto Hayono (27), and Edi Lawalopo (53) — had been kidnapped.
However, the Express reports in March and June, citing an Indonesian security source, said Khairul, aged about 14,
had actually worked on their fishing boat and was kidnapped by suspected Abu Sayyaf men along with four other Indonesians.
On Sept 22, the Philippine Star confirmed the Express report, quoting a Philippine regional military spokesman as saying the five had been still alive and held by the Abu Sayyaf then.
The Philippine Star listed the hostages as Arsyad Dahlan, La Baa, Riswanto Hayono, Khairul and Syarizal Kastamiran. Therefore, Edi Lawalopo is actually not a hostage as reported.
The safe recovery of the victims remains a priority of the Joint Task Force Sulu, Lt. Col. Alaric delos Santos, spokesman for the Philippine military’s Western Mindanao Command or Westmincom, was reported by the Philippine Star as saying.
On Wednesday, Bernama reported Eastern Sabah Security Command (Esscom) chief Datuk Ahmad Fuad Othman as saying La Baa was killed in Patikul, Sulu, during a rescue operation by the Philippine military on Sept 28.
Ahmad Fuad said in the report the four other victims were Arsyad Dahlan, Riswanto Hayano, Edi Lawalopo and Syarizal Kastamiran.
Daily Express has reached out to Esscom in its WhatsApp media group for clarification on the differing lists of kidnap victims.
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