Malaysia's Esscom Alerts Philippine Security Forces On Abandoned Boat

SANDAKAN (Sabah, Malaysia), Jan 21 (Bernama) -- The Eastern Sabah Security Command (ESSCom) has contacted the Philippine security forces upon discovering a Sandakan-registered trawler - minus the crewmen - in the waters of the neighbouring country. The fishing vessel was found in the waters between Baguan Island and Taganak Island on Thursday afternoon. ESSCom commander DCP Wan Abdul Bari Wan Abdul Khalid said the security command was waiting for development on the incident from the Philippine security forces. He said information on the fishing vessel was conveyed to the Philippines at 3.15pm. "The vessel was found with its engine running but there was no sign of any crewman. "The Philippine forces later tugged the boat to Taganak Island located in the waters of that country, he said in a statement here Friday. Wan Abdul Bari said the prawn fishing trawler owner lodged a police report over the missing boat and its three Indonesian crew members at 6.03pm at the Sandakan police headquarters. Sandakan city is located in east Malaysian state Sabah. --BERNAMA