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| Southeast Asia |
| Video of Abu Sayyaf hostage pleading for help emerges |
| 2019-01-07 |
| [Straits Times] An Indonesian kidnapped by Abu Sayyaf-linked gunmen from waters off Pulau Gaya in Semporna last September 11, has been seen pleading for help in a video. The man, Samsul Sangunim, is shown in a freshly dug hole, crying and pleading for help in the video that appeared on social media. He was heard saying: "Tolong saya boss, tolong saya boss, tolong... (please help boss, please help boss, please help)." According to sources in the Philippines, the video was sent by his Abu Sayyaf abductors to the owner of a fishing boat in an effort by the gunmen to demand ransom for his release. Samsul was kidnapped at gunpoint together with another Indonesian fishing crew member Usman Yusof, while in waters off Pulau Gaya in Semporna. Usman managed to flee his captors on December 5, and has been reunited with his family in Indonesia. Samsul is being kept together with three other captives - a Malaysian and two Indonesians- who were grabbed by gunmen from the fishing boat in waters off Kinabatangan close to the Tawi Tawi chain of islands in the Philippines. It is believed that most negotiations for the release of the captives were being made directly with the families or boat owners. According to media reports, the Abu Sayyaf group had demanded 4 million pesos for the safe release of Usman and Samsul. The hostages are believed to be held under Hatib Sawadjan and his sub-commander Indang Susukan. |
| Posted by:ryuge |