Abu Sayyaf kidnaps restaurant manager, customer in Sabah

DAVAO CITY, Philippines – Suspected members of the notorious Abu Sayyaf Group snatched two Malaysians in a seaside restaurant near Sandakan in Sabah on Thursday evening, May 14.

The Star reported that 4 men swooped down on the popular Ocean King Seafood Restaurant at 7:49 pm.

One of the 4 men was armed with an automatic rifle, while another was carrying a pistol, the report said. 

Chung Yan Tsim, who owns the restaurant, was quoted saying that his 48-year-old sister-in-law and restaurant manager was taken away by the armed men along with a customer. 

The incident happened in less than a minute and there was no gunfire.

Chung said the armed men wore no masks and immediately fled using a boat. 

The Star reported that Eastern Sabah Security Command (ESSCOM) commander Datuk Abdul Rashid Harun said Malaysian security forces are now pursuing after the fleeing armed men. 

Meanwhile, the Philippine military’s Western Mindanao Command said it is monitoring the incident after the armed men were reported to be going toward the province of Tawi-Tawi. – Rappler.com