SANDAKAN: A German man was reportedly kidnapped while his girlfriend was shot dead when gunmen stormed their yacht off Malaysian waters yesterday.
According to an Associated Press report, Abu Sayyaf militants made the claim yesterday and the Philippines military is now trying to verify the claims.
The report, quoting regional military spokesman Major Filemon Tan, said Abu Sayyaf spokesman Muamar Askali had claimed that the militants kidnapped Juegen Kantner. They also reportedly killed his female companion as the couple were cruising off Malaysia.
Tan said the woman might have put up a struggle or tried to escape, which led to her getting killed.
It was alleged that the yacht was last spotted sailing in waters off Tambisan, Lahad Datu last week.