Pirates seize KL boats near RP

Pirates seize KL boats near RP

KUALA LUMPUR (Reuters): Pirates have hijacked six Malaysian vessels in the sea between the southern Philippines and East Malaysia in the past week, newspapers reported on Friday.

No crew members were harmed and four of the vessels were released after ransom was paid but one barge and a fishing trawler were still being held on an island in Philippine waters, the reports said.

It was not known if the hijackers, clad in military fatigues and carrying M-16 rifles, were linked with the Abu Sayyaf group of Philippine Muslim rebels who kidnapped three Americans and 17 Filipinos from a beach resort in the southern Philippines on May 27.

Reports said one barge carrying timber was released after the owner paid a 25,000 ringgit (US$6,579) ransom.

Owners of three fishing trawlers paid $1,316 each to have the vessels released.