Marines to be sent to Tawi-Tawi

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines – A Marine battalion will be deployed to secure Tawi-Tawi’s coastal areas amid recent kidnappings by Abu Sayyaf gunmen.

Maj. Filemon Tan Jr., spokesman for the Western Mindanao Command, said the Marine Battalion Landing Team 9 was pulled out from this city to reinforce the troops in Tawi-Tawi.

Tan said the deployment of additional troops was agreed upon during a tripartite meeting of the Philippines, Malaysia and Indonesia on May 5.

Abu Sayyaf bandits kidnapped four Indonesian fishermen near the border of Malaysia in Tawi-Tawi and four Malaysian fishermen near Sabah’s Ligitan Island last month.

Ten crewmembers of an Indonesian tugboat were seized off East Kalimantan, Indonesia on March 26.

Except for the four Malaysians, the kidnap victims have been released reportedly after the payment of ransom.