Disappearance of Germans near Palawan has no link to Sabah

The reported abduction last month of two German nationals who were sailing across the waters of Mindanao, near Palawan in Southern Phillipines, has no link to Sabah.

The Manila Times reported that Dr Stefan Viktor Okonek, 72, and his companion, Henrite Dielen, 42, went missing from their yacht on April 25 near Palawan, close to Kudat in the north of Sabah.

Sabah Police Commissioner Datuk Hamza Taib said the incident occurred outside Sabah's territorial waters.

"The disappearance of the German nationals has no link to Sabah," he told reporters after meeting Home Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and Chief Minister Datuk Musa Aman at Sri Gaya here on Thursday.

It is learnt the Germans who are long-time residents of Palawan, were taken to Jolo Island by the Abu Sayyaf extremist group.