An international group says pirates have taken three people hostage from a Japanese boat in the Malacca Straits. It is the second such incident in the area in three days. The International Maritime Bureau says the pirates are believed to be holding the Japanese captain and chief engineer of the vessel as well as a Philippine crewmember. Eleven other crewmembers are believed to be safe. A spokesman said the boat sent a call for help when it was attacked near Penang Island.