Hopes rise for next-of-kin of three other hostages
Published on: Friday, March 24, 2017
Tawau: Family members of the remaining three people abducted in the Dent Heaven waters off Lahad Datu last year are keeping their fingers crossed now that two of them have been released. The two who were kidnapped last July 18, were released by the Philippine army during a confrontation at about 2am on Thursday.Gustiah Sultan, 46, said they have yet to receive any calls from Malaysian authorities, be it police or army to confirm the matter.
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"We are happy and grateful if, indeed, the report is true because this is the news we have been waiting for almost a year … time has passed without any news of our loved ones," said Gustiah whose husband, Tayudin Anjut, 45, was among those kidnapped. "Right now we cannot do anything else because there has been no official confirmation and information except to wait for further development from the authorities and pray they are all safe," she said. Gustiah who cried when she heard the claims said she has yet to contact the police or any Malaysian authorities for confirmation. According to her, they tried to go on with their normal lives but it was not easy, there was no peace of mind especially when kept in the dark over the security status of their missing family members who were not reachable since January. She said the last contact was when they managed to talk to one of the victims, Mohamad Jumadil, who requested for help in securing their release as they are unwell.
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Philippine media reported that two of the five kidnapped Malaysians were rescued by a marine team who launched an operation at Kg Tanah Paya in Carundong, Southwest Philippines. The duo were said to be now brought to the Teodulfo Bautista general camp in Jolo, Sulu for medical examination. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.
Daily Express Malaysia
The media reports which quoted two different sources named the rescued victims as Abdul Rahim and Fandy Bakran, while the other report named the rescued duo as Abdul Rahim and Tayudin.
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The five who were abducted by Abu Sayyaf group comprised four from Tawau, namely the skipper Abdul Rahim Summas, 62, Tayudin Anjut, 45, Fandy Bakran, 26, Mohamad Jumadil Rahim, 23, and Mohd Ridzuan Ismail, 32, from Felda Jengka 7, Pahang. All five were crew on the Serudong 3 tugboat which was heading to Semporna from Sandakan prior to being abducted. - Lagatah Toyos