AsiaOperationsPiracy

Indonesian crew held in suspected Abu Sayyaf kidnapping

The Indonesian Embassy in Manila yesterday confirmed reports that an Indonesian tug, Brahma 12, has been hijacked in the far south of the Philippines with the 10-strong crew held hostage.

Reports in the Philippines suggest the attack was conducted by the militant group Abu Sayyaf although the Indonesian embassy has not confirmed this. Ransom in excess of $1m has allegedly been demanded.

The tugboat was seized just off the island of Tawi-Tawi.

Abu Sayyaf has taken a number of hostages recently. Earlier this month it posted a video of three foreign hostages, two Canadians and one Norwegian, who are being held for ransoms totalling to $60m.

Sam Chambers

Starting out with the Informa Group in 2000 in Hong Kong, Sam Chambers became editor of Maritime Asia magazine as well as East Asia Editor for the world’s oldest newspaper, Lloyd’s List. In 2005 he pursued a freelance career and wrote for a variety of titles including taking on the role of Asia Editor at Seatrade magazine and China correspondent for Supply Chain Asia. His work has also appeared in The Economist, The New York Times, The Sunday Times and The International Herald Tribune.
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