| Malaysia reassured its hostages in Jolo safe
KUALA
LUMPUR, Oct 23 (Bernama) -- The Philippine government has reassured Malaysia that the
three Malaysia hostages held by armed rebels in Jolo are safe, Foreign Minister Datuk Seri
Syed Hamid Albar said Monday.
He said the assurance came from Philippine Foreign Secretary Domingo L. Siazon when they
met during the recently concluded Asia-Europe (Asem) summit in Seoul, South Korea.
"There are no latest developments but all we know and have been told is that the
three Malaysians are safe and have been spotted by the Philippine military," he told
reporters after receiving the Republic of Benin Foreign Minister Adji Antoine at his
office, here.
He said Siazon had assured Malaysia that rescue efforts by the Philippine military would
continue but there was no set time frame for the operation.
"I call on the families of the three Malaysians to be patient and hope for the
best," he added.
On Sept 10, armed rebels abducted three Malaysians from the Pandanan resort island, off
the Sabah east coast. The three are resort manager Mohamed Noh Sulaiman, divemaster Joseph
Joe Ongkinoh and contractor Kan Wei Chong.
Asked if Malaysia intended send in its troops to rescue the three, Syed Hamid said it
would not send in its military for the operation.
"This is because the operation is in Philippine territory and we should respect their
rights," he added.
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