Relatives of kidnap victims among four arrested

KOTA KINABALU - Police have zeroed in on four suspects from 17 individuals picked up in relation to the kidnap of two women from Singamata Adventures and Reef Resort near Semporna.

Two of them are resort workers and the rest are close relatives of Marcy Dawan, the Filipino worker who was one of the victims.

The rest, according to Sabah police commissioner Datuk Hamza Taib, were illegal immigrants.

"All of them, including the four people, are being detained under the Immigration Act," he told the NST when contacted.

On Wednesday at 10.30pm, seven gunmen kidnapped resort staff Marcy, 40, and Chinese tourist Gao Hua Yua, 29.

It is learnt that Marcy was working at the resort without a permit.

The suspects had successfully crossed over to the Philippines waters and had taken their victims to an island in the southern Philippines.

Police classified the case as kidnapping for ransom and did not deny inside job and the involvement of Abu Sayyaf millitant.

Meanwhile, to a question on an individual identified as Haji Gulam who is sought by Philippines authority in connection of the kidnap incident, Hamza refused to comment.

"I know who they (kidnappers) are and so far there is no demand made," he said.

NST