KOTA KINABALU: Two men, known as the Muktadil brothers, said to be responsible for series of kidnappings in Sabah, were killed in a shootout during a Philippines military operation in Sulu, today.
The notorious pair were identified as Nixon and Brown Muktadil, both leaders of a kidnap-for-ransom group (KFRG) linked to the Abu Sayyaf group.
According to a statement issued by Western Mindanao Command spokesman Major Filemon Tan, Joint Task Force Sulu conducted strike operations against the Abu Sayyaf kidnap-for-ransom group at 5am, which resulted in the death of the duo.
“The operation was carried out along with concerned citizens of Panglima Estino, Sulu in the vicinity of Tambulian Island, Daungdung, Pata, Sulu.
“The Muktadil brothers were involved in a series of kidnappings involving 26 Malaysians and Indonesians at the high seas of the boundaries of Malaysia, Indonesia and the Philippines.”
Filemon said the kidnap victims were crewmen of five different tugboats, adding that they were victims of the KFRG at different instances in the period of six months.
“These boats ply the said shipping routes to deliver coal and other commercial items.
“The death of the Muktadil brothers is a major blow to the group of ASG Sub-Leader Alhabsy Misaya because they serve as the sea guides and navigators during conduct of kidnapping at the high seas.”
The bodies were transported to the Sulu Provincial Police Office, Camp Asturias in Jolo. Filemon also said the Philippine security forces will continue to intensify operations in Sulu Camp Navarro, Calarian, Zamboanga City.
The latest kidnapping occurred on Sept 11, where gunmen stormed a fishing trawler with 16 people on board. The trawler was docked between Pulau Bodgaya and Pulau Bohey Dulang off Semporna. The suspects abducted three Filipino crewmen.
The latest abduction came two months after five Malaysian sailors were kidnapped by Abu Sayyaf gunmen.
On July 9, three Indonesian fishermen were kidnapped from a fishing trawler in waters near Sinakut, Lahad Datu during curfew hour.
On April 1, Filipino gunmen captured four Malaysians after storming a tugboat near Pulau Ligitan off Semporna. They were released on June 8.