SUSPECTED ABU SAYYAF SEIZE 10 OFF BORNEO

KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA — Filipino kidnap-for-ransom gangs raided two fishing boats and abducted 10 crew members on Tuesday in waters off Borneo Island, a Malaysian official and a maritime watchdog said.

The kidnapping, which came after a six-month lull of such activities, renewed concerns about security threats in Malaysia’s Sabah state, which is a short boat ride from the southern Philippine bases of Muslim militants and kidnapping gangs.

The Kuala Lumpur-based International Maritime Bureau said the fishing boats, carrying more than a dozen crew members, were approached by two vessels near the Philippine border.

It said the pirates boarded the fishing boats, confiscated documents and kidnapped 10 crew members before sailing toward Sitangkai Island in the Philippines.

The fishermen’s nationalities were not confirmed and Sabah police could not immediately be reached for comment.

A Malaysian official helping to monitor terrorism incidents said Abu Sayyaf militants are the prime suspects and were expected to make ransom demands.

The Abu Sayyaf has been blacklisted by the United States and Philippine governments as a terrorist organization for carrying out deadly bombings, ransom kidnappings and beheadings.

Though weakened by battle losses and surrenders, it remains a national security threat.

The Philippines, Malaysia and Indonesia have bolstered security along their sea border in the last few years to help ease piracy and kidnappings, primarily by the Abu Sayyaf.

But Malaysian media earlier this year cited intelligence reports that gunmen from the group have been plying sea borders at Sabah looking for new hostages to fund their campaign.

Tuesday’s incident followed the kidnapping of a Malaysian and two Indonesian fishermen by the group off Sabah state last December.

Authorities have imposed curfew in some parts of Sabah and planned to further bolster security.