Terror suspects nabbed
KOTA KINABALU: Eight Filipinos, who are members of the Abu Sayyaf group, have been arrested in a special operation in Taman Sri Arjuna, Beaufort, said Sabah Police Commissioner Datuk Hazani Ghazali.
They were nabbed with 29 other Philippine nationals in a mangrove swamp area during the operation conducted by police and the Eastern Sabah Security Command (ESSCom) at 3am two days ago.
“We have checked with Philippine security forces and they confirmed that the eight men are members of the Abu Sayyaf group who escaped to Sabah following an operation conducted by security forces in the southern part of the country.
“Checks also found that two of the Abu
Sayyaf group members are on the list of men wanted by the Philippine government,” he told a media conference, which was also attended by ESSCom commander Datuk Ahmad Fuad Othman at the Sabah police contingent headquarters yesterday.
He said preliminary investigations found that those detained were not involved in kidnap-forransom in the state and were believed to be using Sabah as a hideout.
He said the two men wanted by the Philippine government were involved in battles against its security forces and kidnapping of foreigners in the Philippines. Those arrested have been remanded for seven days from Sunday.
The success was the result of cooperation between police, ESSCom and security forces from the Philippines, he added.
Hazani said the investigation would focus on establishing how and when the eight entered Malaysia and whether an Abu Sayyaf cell existed in Sabah or if they had received help from the Daesh terrorist group.
“We seized from them several documents, including temporary Malaysian identification receipts believed to be fake.
“They are also suspected to have brought in firearms from the Philippines but we could not find these weapons yet.
“We want to know who their established contacts are in Sabah. Legal action will be taken against anyone affiliated with them,” he said.
He said police and ESSCom would strengthen security control, especially at sea, to prevent illegal immigrants from entering.