Tugboat attacked by suspected Abu Sayyaf bandits but flares force gunmen to flee

KOTA KINABALU - An attempt by four masked men, including two believed armed with M16 rifles, to rob or kidnap 13 tugboat crewmen failed when the latter fired parachute flares to scare them off in the waters at Pegasus Reef, off Kinabatangan on Wednesday evening, Dec 5.

However, the tugboat skipper identified as Indonesian Didy Saviady was shot in the left leg when the gunmen fired two shots at him on the top deck of the vessel, said Sabah Police Commissioner Datuk Omar Mammah.

“He is however reported to be in stable condition after he was taken to Lahad Datu Hospital for treatment,” said Omar.

He said the victim fired the parachute flares at the gunmen when they climbed on board the tugboat, and this forced them to flee.

Omar said police investigation revealed that the incident happened at about 6.30pm when the armed men came in a speed boat and fired two shots towards the tugboat that was heading to Papua New Guinea from Bintulu, Sarawak to collect timber.

The 13 crewmen managed to hide before the gunmen climbed on board the vessel.

“The police were notified of the incident and a team from the marine operations force was deployed to the location,” said Omar.

Omar added that the police were still trying to identify the suspects and the case would be investigated under Section 3 of the Firearms (Increase Penalty) Act 1971.

It was learnt that the Magtrans II tugboat belonged to a company in Sarawak called Juanah Inovative Sdn. Bhd.

Excerpt from The Borneo Post (Sabah)7 Dec 2018