The brothers, known as Badong @ Brown and Nikson @ Nelson, are back in the abduction business after being on the run from authorities in the past few months, reported English daily The Star today.

Filipino sources said the two Abu Sayyaf leaders were suspected to be behind the kidnapping of the Malaysian sailors, but could not confirm whether the abductees had been brought to Jolo.

Another Abu Sayyaf sub-commander, Al Habsi Misaya, and his men are believed to be helping Badong, who now calls himself Commander Brown, reported the daily.

The Philippines military said they were still verifying the report that the gunmen and their captives had arrived in Jolo.

However, Philippines presidential peace adviser Jesus Dureza said they had received reports of the kidnapping and indicated that the Abu Sayyaf might be involved.

The five sailors have been identified as Abd Rahim Summas, 62, Tayudin Anjut, 45, Fandy Bakran, 26, Mohd Zumadil Rahim, 23, all from Tawau, and Mohd Ridzuan Ismail, 32, from Pahang.

The five were reported missing from their tugboat at 3pm on Monday by its owners after the crewmen of other vessels spotted it drifting in Dent Haven waters, off Lahad Datu.

The Muktadir brothers, numbering between five and eight siblings and led by Nikson, have been on the run and keeping a low profile.

One of the brothers, Mindas Manda, was killed in Jolo in May last year. Another brother, Kadafi, was arrested by Philippine authorities in Jolo.

Sources said Nikson was keeping a low profile following the beheading of Malaysian hostage Bernard Thien on Nov 17.

In Kuala Lumpur, Deputy Inspector-General of Police Noor Rashid Ibrahim said they received information that five Malaysian sailors had been kidnapped and brought to southern Philippines.

He said they were believed to have been kidnapped by Abu Sayyaf-linked gunmen.

“We have received information that they were kidnapped and brought to Southern Philippines,” he told reporters.

According to Noor Rashid, there was no ransom demand from the kidnappers yet.

He said police had yet to ascertain the identity of the group of perpetrators.

Family members of the missing Malaysians believe that the five were kidnapped and were praying for their safe return.

The Star reported that Abd Rahim’s daughter, Hasnavati, said her father’s employer informed the family on Tuesday that he had received a call purportedly from the abductors late Monday.

However, Sabah Police Commissioner Abdul Rashid Harun said there were no calls from the kidnappers.