MANILA, Philippines - The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) is now searching for a hijacked Malaysian-registered fishing boat.

PCG spokesman Commander Armand Balilo said Malaysian authorities told the PCG that 4 gunmen took over the trawler with Malaysian registration no. SSK 00313F, from its 6-man crew near Tigabu Island in Sandakan, Malaysia on March 16.

Balilo said the gunmen, who brought the ship and crew to Cagayan island in Tawi-Tawi, are demanding a ransom of Malaysian $150,000.

While PCG units in the immediate area verify the report, Balilo said the PCG issued a notice for all ships in the vicinity of the island to watch for the fishing trawler and render assistance to its crew if necessary.

The PCG spokesman added that they were also coordinating with military and police units in the area to locate the trawler and possibly mount a rescue operation.

Anyone with information on the location of the trawler and its crew should contact the PCG Command Center hotlines at 527-3877 and 527-8481 or send a text message at 0917PCGDOTC.