Cops working with Manila to seek sailors’ release

KUALA TERENGGANU: The po­­lice are doing everything possible to bring back the five Malaysian sailors kidnapped from a tug boat off Lahad Datu waters in July, assured Deputy Inspector-General Tan Sri Noor Rashid Ibrahim.

“Negotiations are ongoing and the Philippines government is helping us.

“We also believe that they are healthy,” Noor Rashid said after closing the national-level Police Cadet Corp Camping in Kuala Nerus near here yesterday.

Noor Rashid added that he was unable to give further details on the case as it might jeopardise negotiations to release those kidnapped.

The Star reported that the five sailors, who were kidnapped on July 18, were now on Jolo island.

An Abu Sayyaf spokesman Abu Rami, called the daily and allowed one of the hostages Mohd Ridzuan Ismail, 32, to speak for eight mi­­nutes.

“We can’t bear it any more. We are in pain. All of us are sick. We have cuts on our bodies. We are weak. No food to eat. What’s more, we are beaten. There are people who want to shoot us. Please help us,” Mohd Ridzuan pleaded.

A day earlier, Abu Rami told The Star the kidnappers wanted 100 million pesos (RM8.5mil) for the release of the Malaysians.