KL asked to probe robbery case

KL asked to probe robbery case

MANILA (DPA): Manila asked authorities in Kuala Lumpur yesterday to investigate a report that the crew of a Malaysian Navy vessel robbed a Philippine boat inside its own territorial waters, the country's top foreign affairs official said.

Foreign Affairs Secretary Domingo Siazon said the Philippine ambassador to Malaysia had already brought the allegation to the attention of Malaysian Foreign Affairs Minister Abdullah Badawi.

Reports last month said armed Malaysian sailors boarded a Philippine vessel anchored off Boaan island near Tawi-Tawi province in the southern Philippines on Aug. 20.

The Filipino seamen said the Malaysian crew took their belongings and then sped off out of Philippine waters.

Officials said the Philippines would have to wait for results of the investigation being done by the armed forces' southern command before deciding whether to file a diplomatic protest.