Malaysia: Officials rescue three abducted fishermen off Pasigan Island, Tawi-Tawi Province, March 18 /update 2

Event

Philippine authorities rescued three Indonesian kidnap victims of the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) off Pasigan Island, Tawi-Tawi Province, late March 18. The victims were among five Indonesian fishers abducted by the ASG from the waters around Tambisan Island near Lahad Datu, Sabah State, Malaysia, Jan. 16, 2020. Officials stated that ASG killed one of the kidnap victims in Patikul, Sulu Province, southern Mindanao, Sept. 28, 2020, while the status of another abductee remains unknown. The Philippine authorities will likely conduct additional operations to find the remaining kidnap victim.

Context

The overall threat of kidnapping around coastal areas of Sabah State and far southern Mindanao is severe. ASG periodically launches incursions into Malaysian territorial waters to perpetrate kidnappings before fleeing back to southern Mindanao in the southern Philippines with their hostages. ASG is also known to outsource kidnappings to local criminal gangs, financially compensating these groups for abducting high-value targets, which include Indonesian, Malaysian, and Vietnamese nationals in the surrounding coastal waters.

Advice

If operating in coastal areas in Sabah State and southern Mindanao, exercise a high degree of vigilance due to the threat of kidnapping. Do not discuss plans and routes publicly. Individuals operating in the area long term should vary routes and times of travel. Limit exposure to insecure areas and traveling at night. If travel outside of major cities is essential, consider using trusted and vetted security personnel and knowledgeable drivers.