Kidnap-for-ransom groups dealt a major blow

KOTA KINABALU: The shooting to death of three kidnappers and capture of two others in Semporna is a major blow to the southern Philippines based kidnap-for-ransom groups which have been tormenting Sabah’s east coast.

Though they have yet to positively identify the five men, police and Eastern Sabah Security Command (Esscom) officials believe that they were among an estimated 23 identified cross border kidnappers wanted by Sabah.