KOTA KINABALU: Three fishing boat crew members have been kidnapped by gunmen in waters near Pulau Pom Pom off Semporna early today.
Eastern Sabah Security Command (Esscom) commander Datuk Wan Abdul Bari Abdul Khalid confirmed receiving a report from a fishing vessel owner on the missing men at 1.59am.
"The owner claimed that gunmen had stormed his vessel with three people on board and kidnapped the crew members, including boat captain and a mechanic.
"So far, they are believed to have been taken to a neighbouring country," he said.
Meanwhile, Sabah police commissioner Datuk Abdul Rashid Harun said they have been notified of the matter and were investigating the report.
Malaysian security forces have been on full alert for people fleeing southern Philippines after its government launched a full scale offensive against the Abu Sayyaf militant group and its affiliates in Sulu.
Two months ago, five Malaysian sailors were believed kidnapped after the tugboat which they boarded was found abandoned at Dent Haven waters off Lahad Datu.
The last kidnapping on Pom Pom Island occurred on Nov 15, 2013 where heavily armed kidnappers stormed a resort, killed a Taiwanese tourist before taking his wife hostage and brought her to southern Philippines.
The victim was released the following month after a ransom demand was reportedly paid to secure her release.