ESSCom tightens air, land surveillance in ESSZone to combat crimes

LAHADDATU: TheEasternSabah Security Command ( ESSCom) has tightened surveillance over the waters of the Eastern Sabah Security Zone ( ESSZone) in efforts to combat cross border crimes, including any attempts by Daesh militants to infiltrate the Philippines from ESSZone.

ESSCom commander Datuk Wan Abdul Bari Wan Abdul Khalid said ESSCom had been conducting operations despite the coming Aidilfitri celebration with all personnel on duty patrolling the waters and land within ESSZone.

“All ESSCom personnel are discharging their duties as usual and from time to time the surveillance of the ESSZone waters is strengthened with the Royal Malaysian Navy receiving 15 vessels as new defence assets in this area recently. In addition, the launch of three Malaysian, Indonesian and Philippine patrols in the Sulu waters on June 19 will ensure security is maintained and can curb the various cross border crimes,” he told Bernama.

So far ESSCom had not received any reports of Daesh militants from Indonesia using the waters of ESSZone as a route to enter the Philippines, he said.

Abdul Bari denied that the waters of Semporna, Lahad Datu and Sandakan was used as a route by Daesh militants to infiltrate the Philippines to aid the Maute group.

“We have no information on this matter, except for the latest on the arrest of three individuals believed to be Daesh militants who were detained in Sandakan,” he added. — Bernama