Kidnapped cop has made 68 phone calls to his wife since July 12 – CP

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KOTA KINABALU: Marine police Constable Zakiah Aleip has made a total of 68 telephone calls to his family since he was kidnapped by intruders at the Mabul Water Bungalow Resort in Semporna on July 12.

Sabah Police Commissioner Datuk Jalaluddin Abdul Rahman said the last phone call made by the 26-year-old marine policeman to his family was on Friday afternoon informing that he was safe.

Jalaluddin said Zakiah also managed to speak to his wife and his father, and the constable’s wife had also spoken to the kidnappers.

“This group of kidnappers has been moving Zakiah from one place to another, sometimes in the forest or remote villages.

“They (kidnappers) are on the run as they fear of being hunted and caught by security forces,” he said at a press conference at the state police headquarters in Kepayan here yesterday.

According to Jalaluddin, negotiation for the release of Zakiah is still ongoing even though the group is sticking to its initial ransom demand.

“We have offered them a reasonable amount but they did not agree and still want the initial price.

“What is important right now is the safety of Zakiah, we will not give up, no matter how long it takes,” he said.

It was reported that the group of kidnappers had demanded RM10 million for the release of Zakiah.

The incident happened on July 12 when masked gunmen, armed with heavy machine guns, ambushed marine policemen who were at the Mabul Water Bungalow Resort in Semporna around 11.10pm.

Zakiah’s colleague, Corporal Abdul Rajah Jamuan, 32, was killed in action while fighting the intruders.

Initial police investigation believed the attackers had wanted to kidnap someone at the resort but instead attacked the two policemen who were having their meals at a security post at the resort when the incident happened.

Abdul Rajah’s body was found below the jetty of the resort while Zakia was reported missing.

The masked gunmen, clad in military fatigues, reportedly crossed over to the Tawi Tawi chain of island in southern Philippines.

It was said that the gunmen had rowed slowly into the area with their boats during low tide before climbing up the resort’s jetty from the back of the building and shooting started as soon as they entered the building.