Four Malaysians who were kidnapped by eight armed men in the waters of Semporna, Sabah on April 1, have been freed, according to The Star Online on Wednesday.
The four Sarawakian sailors were freed by their captors Abu Sayyaf and have returned to Sandakan, Sabah, early Wednesday.
Citing reports from Jolo, it was believed that Malaysian and Filipino negotiators managed to secure the four's release from the militant group after rounds of negotiation.
Astro AWANI is currently in the midst of contacting Sabah Police Commissioner Datuk Abdul Rashid Harun for confirmation.
The four individuals -- Wong Teck Kang, 31; Wong Hung Sing, 34; Wong Teck Chii, 29; and Johnny Lau Jung Hien, 21 were abducted off Pulau Ligitan while returning to Malaysia from the Philippines.
READ: Four Malaysians abducted in Sabah waters - Police
READ: Police name four Malaysians abducted in Sabah
In the 7pm incident, the four men, aged between 21 and 34, were working onboard the ship registered as 'Masfive 6', which had transported timber from Malaysia to Manila of the Philippines.
Astro Awani
Wed Jun 08 2016
The four Sarawakian sailors were freed by their captors Abu Sayyaf and have returned to Sandakan, Sabah, early Wednesday. The image shows the tugboat which was hijacked near Ligitan island. - Bernama Photo
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