43 hostages grabbed from Malaysian Borneo waters released with ransom, security agency reveals

This despite Philippine and Indonesian governments' denials ransom was paid.

Eastern Sabah Security Command (Esscom) chief Victor Sanjos inspects troops in Lahad Datu district, Sabah state, Malaysian Borneo. Esscom oversees security in eastern Sabah. (Esscom file pic)

KOTA KINABALU: A security agency in Malaysian Borneo has revealed that 43 hostages grabbed from its waters over the years by Filipino kidnappers were released with ransom despite previous denials by the Philippine and Indonesian governments that no payments were made to the abductors to secure the captives’ freedom.

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