18 ON ESSCOM WANTED LIST

Alert authorities if you see them, public told

THE Eastern Sabah Security Command (Esscom) has released its latest list of 18 terrorists here yesterday. They include Abu Sayyaf senior leader Isnilon Hapilon in Basilan and Maute group chief Abdullah Maute, both of whom are among those behind the violent clashes in Marawi City in the Philippines.

“The updated list is a result of the latest intelligence and tip-off from our Philippine counterparts,” Esscom commander Datuk Wan Abdul Bari Wan Abdul Khalid said, adding that four new individuals on the list are Ben Yadah @ Ben Tattoh, Arrah Saminddih, Berham Luthien @ Vietnam and Salip Mura.

Salip, whose picture is missing in the wanted list, is believed to be the leader of an Abu Sayyaf sub-group responsible for previous kidnapping attempts in the east coast of Sabah.

“Isnilon and Abdullah are in the latest list as they might flee to Sabah following the Philippine government’s offensive in Marawi. They could enter disguised as illegal immigrants or fishermen,” he said.

Isnilon is reported to be the designated leader of the Islamic State (IS) in Southeast Asia, and has ties with local extremist movements in the Philippines.

He is considered an elusive target, having been repeatedly injured in the past but escaping the authorities’ dragnet.

Salvador Muktadil @ Badong, Indang Susukan and Apo Mike @ Majan Sahidjuan are in the list, despite previous news reports from Philippines that the trio were purportedly killed.

Badong is suspected to have been killed in September last year and his body found in Siasi, Sulu while Indang was said to have been killed in an encounter with soldiers back in March while Apo Mike was believed killed in the same month.

Wan Abdul Bari said, however, there was no positive confirmation of the trio’s deaths from the Philippine authorities. He confirmed the deaths of six militants — Atai Susukan, Salip Sosong @ Mohamad Apsa Abdulla, Ibrahim, Durog Hussein, Berong Sairol @ Boy Master and Bensaudi Sairol @ Boy Pangit from the original 23 wanted persons.

The public is urged to contact Esscom operation centre at 089863181 or 013-8803585 if they have any information on those wanted.