SANDAKAN: The Malaysian registered fishing boat, which was found abandoned in Philippines waters yesterday, has been towed to the Philippines security base at Taganak island.
Eastern Sabah Security Command (Esscom) commander Datuk Wan Abdul Bari Wan Abdul Khalid in a statement said, the Philippines security forces spotted the vessel floating in waters between Baguan and Taganak islands in southern Philippines.
“They have towed the vessel to Taganak Island. We received information of the discovery at 3.15pm yesterday and the vessel owner has lodged a report at the Sandakan police headquarters at 6.03pm.
“The owner has confirmed that three Indonesians are supposed to be on board the fishing vessel bearing the registration number BN 838/4F,” he said.
The crew members were missing when the boat was found and they are feared to have been kidnapped.
“We have contacted our Philippines counterpart on this matter and we are waiting for confirmation as well as updates with regards to the incident,” Bari added.