Heading to Mindanao
Most of the 20 militants held in the latest swoop were heading to the Abu Sayyaf Group’s stronghold.
KUALA LUMPUR: Most of the 20 militants held in the latest counterterrorism swoop were heading to Mindanao, still considered a stronghold for the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG).
Sixteen of the 20 suspects caught in multiple operations between Nov 30 and Dec 15 had been planning to go to southern Philippines to join the terrorist group.
Among them was a 50yearold man, who is a cousin of the slain emir of the Islamic State (IS) group in SouthEast Asia, Isnilon Hapilon.
Sources said the militants – mostly from various terror cells in Indonesia – would use Sabah, especially Sandakan, as a transit point to illegally head to Mindanao.
“Mindanao remains one of the strongholds for the ASG. Despite Marawi having been liberated by the Philippines’ security forces, militants, especially those from Indonesia, are heading there.
“Sabah is a popular transit choice for militants, given its close proximity to southern Philippines. Its vast sea lanes are also harder to monitor,” a source told The Star.
While there had not been any fresh call of “false jihad” spurring militants to Mindanao, sources said the ASG base there seemed to be a popular choice given its ties to IS.
Sources said Isnilon’s cousin had been actively recruiting in Kepong for the ASG since he fled southern Philippines in 2016 – even before the conflict in Marawi started.
“The suspect targeted his fellow Filipinos and those from Sabah.
“Authorities have not confirmed the number of people recruited, but the suspect is quite influential in the ASG ranks,” said another source.
Last Friday, InspectorGeneral of Police Tan Sri Mohamad Fuzi Harun said the 20 militants were detained by the Bukit Aman Special Branch Counter Terrorism Division with the aid of the Eastern Sabah Security Command (Esscom) between Nov 30 and Dec 15 in Kuala Lumpur, Sabah, Johor and Selangor.
He said 16 militants – seven Malaysians, four Indonesians and five Filipinos – were planning to head to southern Philippines when they were caught.
The four Indonesians had entered Sabah from Tarakan and Nunukan, Indonesia, en route to southern Philippines when they were held in Sandakan on Dec 4.
Six Malaysians and five Filipinos were also detained in Sandakan on Dec 10 while attempting to head to southern Philippines.