2 killed in foiled Sabah intrusion

From the Mindanao Examiner (Sep 4, 2019): 2 killed in foiled Sabah intrusion

Malaysian security forces killed two gunmen in a sea battle off Lahad Datu in Sabah near the southern Filipino province of Tawi-Tawi, reports said Wednesday.

Malaysian media said the fighting erupted after security forces intercepted two motorboats trying to sneak into Lahad Datu. The passengers from one of the boats opened fire on a patrol vessel sparking a sea chase which ended in a deadly shootout.

The other boat managed to escape and headed towards the southern Philippines, but security forces retrieved the bodies of the slain gunmen and their boat, according to Sabah Police Commissioner Datuk Omar Mammah.

“They were acting suspiciously so the security forces turned on their siren and blue lights and tried to intercept the two. Immediately a shot was fired from one of the boats towards the security forces while another started leaving, heading in the direction of southern Philippines,” he said during a press conference.

There were no reports of casualties of the side of security forces and the identities if the slain gunmen remain unknown. It was unclear whether they were Abu Sayyaf militants on a kidnap-for-ransom mission. A rifle was also recovered from the boat.

Indonesia, citing an intelligence report, earlier warned Malaysia that Abu Sayyaf militants may strike inside Sabah, according to a report by the Malaysian Mail. “Security forces are on the alert after Indonesia issued a warning about raiders from southern Philippines seeking hostages to fund their militant activities,” it said Wednesday.

Omar said the slain gunmen could be part of a “scouting party” and possibly looking for potential kidnap victims. “If they were fishermen, they won’t have firearms on them. We also didn’t find smuggled goods on board so they’re likely either spotters looking for victims to kidnap or militants looking for violence. We are looking into a few possibilities,” he said.

“They are estimated to be between 30 to 40 years old. We have taken their fingerprints for identification. The pump boat they were on did not have any registration number. We believe the two suspects and the other boat were attempting some crime when we came across them,” he added.

There were also intelligence reports that 3 groups of Abu Sayyaf militants were targeting several ships in Sabah and among them are Kapal Batubara, Kapal Tanker, Nelayan Kapal Lengkong and Kapal Tarik Udang. And militants may also strike in several places there, including the islands of Bakongan, Bahala, Sandakan, Mamiang, Tambisan and Taganak.

The Abu Sayyaf has raided Sabah many times in the past and brought their victims to the southern Philippines and ransomed them off to private negotiators.

https://mindanaoexaminer.com/2-killed-in-failed-sabah-intrusion/