Navy intensifies southern border patrol amid abductions

ZAMBOANGA CITY - The Philippine Navy has tightened its noose near the border following the string of kidnappings staged by the Abu Sayyaf group in the coast of Sabah, Malaysia.

Commodore Reynaldo Yoma, chief of the Naval Forces Western Mindanao (NFWM), said additional patrol boats have been deployed to beef up the current security around the territorial waters between the Philippines and Malaysia to block the Abu Sayyaf bandits.

“Our vessels are on the lookout,” Yoma said referring to the Abu Sayyaf's recent breaches of the southern border to enter the neighboring Sabah.

Since November last year, the Abu Sayyaf Group has abducted four people, including a Chinese businessman, two Taiwanese tourists and a Filipina.

The Taiwanese victims and the Filipina have been separetely released by the bandits. They are still holding captive Yang Zai Lin, manager of the Wonderful Terrace Fish Farm.

“Our people are on alert watching the border,” Yoma reiterated.