TROOPS belonging to the Joint Task Force Tawi-Tawi and Naval Forces Western Mindanao (NFWM) have launched intensified intelligence operation to locate the whereabouts of three Malaysian fishermen.
This developed as the Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom) has received report the victims -- a skipper and two crewmen -- were abducted by seven gunmen aboard a speedboat that sped toward Alice Reef and Bulubulu Island in Tawi-Tawi.
The suspects’ speedboat is powered by two engines of 75 horse power each, painted green and white with red line.
The Eastern Sabah Security Command (Esscom) reported the three Malaysian fishermen were seized around 11 p.m. Saturday, September 10, in the vicinity of Pom Pom Island off Sempurnah, Sabah.
The victims were among the seven crew of a trawler that was on fishing venture near Pom Pom Island.
The other four crewmen were unharmed.
Westmincom spokesman Major Filemon Tan Jr. said the Joint Task Force Tawi-Tawi and NFWM are validating the report that the suspects sped toward Tawi-Tawi province.
Tan said the troops have also established security points in the probable routes and passages of the suspects.
“Coordination and intelligence sharing with Esscom is now being done,” Tan said.
He said efforts continue to locate the whereabouts of the three Malaysian fishermen.