Hostages' families appeal for end to military
assault
KOTA KINABALU, Sept 18
(Bernama) -- The families of two Malaysians held hostage by an armed group in Jolo,
southern Philippines, today appealed for an end to the military assault on rebel bases in
Jolo to allow negotiations to begin on securing the release of the hostages.
Three Malaysians -- Mohamad Noh Sulaiman, Joe Joseph Jongkinoh and Kan Wei Chong -- were
abducted from a dive resort on Pandanan island, off Semporna in Sabah, by an armed group
on Sept 10 and taken by boat to Jolo.
N.Pakkialaksmi @ Siti, wife of Mohamad Noh, and Nancy Nair, wife of Joe Joseph, urged the
Philippine government to explore other ways first of securing the release of the hostages.
"Secure the safe release of the hostages first," said Siti when met at the
office of her husband's employers, Tanjung Aru Tours & Travel Sdn Bhd, here.
Siti and Nancy were at the Tanjung Aru Tours and Travel office to deliver letters, daily
necessities and medicine destined for their husbands in Jolo.
The packages will be handed over to Filipino businessman Lee Peng Wee who will then find a
way to deliver them to Jolo.
Lee, a presidential adviser on the Mindanao economy, had played a role in helping secure
the release of nine Malaysians who were abducted together with 12 foreigners from a dive
resort on Sipadan island off Sabah by an armed group on April 23 and taken by boat to
Jolo.
Siti said: "My husband suffers from sinusitis and gastric pains. He needs to take his
medicine regularly".
She said the children also often asked for their father.
"They frequently watch the news on television in case they could catch a glimpse of
their father," said Siti.
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