Claims of another 4 Malaysians kidnapped unconfirmed - IGP

The claims that another four Malaysians have been kidnapped off Sulu waters this morning could not be confirmed yet.

Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar said the police were still awaiting confirmation from Philippines authorities.

Philippines broadcaster ABS-CBN earlier today reported that gunmen have kidnapped four Malaysians from a ship off the east coast of Sabah, where Abu Sayyaf militants were known to operate.

The report, quoting Philippine regional army spokesman Felimon Tan, said the military was verifying the kidnapping claims.

"Whether or not they were seized by the Abu Sayyaf or brought to the Philippines, we have yet to confirm," Tan reportedly said.

Just last week, Abu Sayyaf militants had released four Malaysian sailors whom they held for more than two months.

READ: Four kidnapped victims return home

READ: Abu Sayyaf: Who, where and what they've done

The Abu Sayyaf, a loose network of Islamic militants, has earned millions of dollars from kidnappings in recent years.

Formed in the early 1990s, the Abu Sayyaf is a radical offshoot of a Muslim separatist insurgency in the south of the mainly Catholic Philippines.

The kidnap-for-ransom group regularly abduct foreigners and locals to extort money for their release.

Meanwhile, Bernama reported Sabah Police commissioner Datuk Abdul Rashid Harun saying in KOTA KINABALU, Sabah police had not received any report of an abduction in the state.

The police were awaiting word from their counterparts in the Philippines on the news report, he told reporters after the handing over of cows and Aidilfitri cookies at the Sabah Police headquarters.

The contribution came from Putatan MP Datuk Dr Marcus Mojigoh in appreciation of the police personnel who worked during the festive period.

Mojigoh suggested that a district police headquarters be built in Putatan as it had been upgraded to a district.