Halipa takes over from the Muktadirs

Abandoned vessel: The Sabah-registered boat found listing in waters off the Philippines on Thursday

KOTA KINABALU: A notorious Abu Sayyaf sub-commander is believed to be responsible for the kidnapping of three Sandakan-based Indonesian crewmen at gunpoint in the Sulu Sea off the Phi­­lippines.

Halipa, who is on the Eastern Sabah Security Command’s (Ess­com) most wanted list, is believed to have headed into Cagayan, his home base and is trying to get to Abu Sayyaf territory in Jolo with the hostages.

The three Indonesians have been identified by the Filipino officials as Hamdan Salim, 29, Subandi Sattu, 47, and Sudaling Samandung, 26.

It is learnt that Halipa’s group had first raided another Malaysian fishing vessel in Philippine waters but for some unknown reason, did not rob or take anyone.

He and his group proceeded to the Taganak island where they ab­­ducted the three Indonesians.

According to intelligence sources, the kidnap-for-ransom group had taken another three hostages but it is not clear whether it was from another raid involving Filipino fishing boats during their spree on Thursday.

It is understood that Sabah-based fishermen are risking fishing in Philippine waters due to better catches till April.

Halipa is believed to have worked with the now crippled notorious Muktadir brothers in several kidnappings in Sabah waters over the years. He was a known smuggler before turning full-time into kidnap-­for-ransom activities.

Malaysian security forces are waiting for word on the three Indonesian crewmen.

Esscom commander Datuk Wan Abdul Bari Wan Abdul Khalid said the authorities received a report of the abandoned boat on Thursday and later another report by the boat owner.

“We received a report about an empty vessel listing in waters between Baguan and Taganak islands off the Philippines at about 3.15pm Thursday, and later at about 6.03pm, got another report from the boat owner about his three missing crewmen,” he said.

He said Philippine security forces told them about the Sabah-regis­­tered vessel that was found with its engines still running.

“We are now waiting for confirmation from our counterparts in Manila,” Wan Adul Bari said.