Abductions prompt rethink on sea security

KOTA KINABALU: An emerging trend by Filipino kidnap-for-ransom groups targeting slow moving tugboats on international sea lanes bordering Sabah and southern Philippines has forced a rethink on sea security.

Security officials in Sabah are closely analysing daring raids by Filipino gunmen on three tugboats in a space of three weeks in which 19 sailors – 15 Indonesians and four Malaysians – were abducted.