Malaysia Marine Police Commander Abdul Rahman Ahmad said Tuesday the police would use allavailable means to free the captives kidnapped by pirates from a Japanese tugboat in the Malacca Strait.

　　"We have contacted our counterparts in neighboring countries toidentify the pirates, and they may be able to help in the release of the captives," Abdul Rahman was quoted by local press as saying.

　　The pirates, said to have been armed with AK47 and M16 rifles and rocket launchers, had kidnapped captain Nobouo Indue, 54, chief engineer Shunji Kuroda, 51, both Japanese nationals, and Filipino engineer Sadang Paliawan, 41, Monday evening when the tugboat was hauling the junk, Kuroshio 1, about 45.5 nautical miles southwest of Tanjung Hantu off Perak waters in the Malacca Strait.