Asia

3 Indonesians kidnapped by suspected Abu Sayyaf militants

Associated Press
Published | Updated

Indonesian Armed Forces Chief Gen. Gatot Nurmantyo, right, speaks to the media as Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi, second left, listens after their meeting on the abduction of three Indonesians by suspected Abu Sayyaf militants, in Jakarta, Indonesia, Monday, July 11, 2016. The suspected militants kidnapped three Indonesian fishermen on the weekend in the latest of a series of incidents highlighting weak security in the Celebes Sea that borders Malaysia, Indonesia and the Philippines. (AP Photo/Achmad Ibrahim) (The Associated Press)

Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi, left, speaks to the media as Armed Forces Chief Gen. Gatot Nurmantyo, right, listens after their meeting on the abduction of three Indonesians by suspected Abu Sayyaf militants, in Jakarta, Indonesia, Monday, July 11, 2016. The suspected militants kidnapped three Indonesian fishermen on the weekend in the latest of a series of incidents highlighting weak security in the Celebes Sea that borders Malaysia, Indonesia and the Philippines. (AP Photo/Achmad Ibrahim) (The Associated Press)

The head of Indonesia's intelligence agency says three Indonesians were kidnapped at sea by suspected Abu Sayyaf militants on the weekend.

Sutiyoso, who goes by one name, said Monday the men were working on a Malaysian fishing boat off Lahad Datu in the Malaysian part of northern Borneo.

He says several other crew on the boat escaped.

The kidnapping is the latest in a series of raids on boats this year by Abu Sayyaf militants based in the southern Philippines.

The kidnappings have highlighted weak security in the Cerebes Sea that borders Malaysia, Indonesia and the Philippines.