KOTA KINABALU – A member of the Abu Sayyaf militant group was shot dead by Filipino police in an operation in Panamao in the Sulu Archipelago yesterday.
The deceased is believed to be a follower of Munjur Yadah, one of 21 people wanted for cross-border crimes and kidnappings in Sabah.
Datuk Ahmad Fuad Othman, commander of the Eastern Sabah Security Command (ESSCom), said the suspect shot dead – Wahid Sahid – was not on the command’s wanted list.
Wahid has also not been recorded as having entered the Eastern Sabah Security Zone (ESSZone).
“We only put those with links to cross-border crimes in ESSZone in our wanted list,” he said.
However, ESSCom’s intelligence information showed that Wahid was a follower of Munjur, who is wanted by ESSCom.
Fuad said that ESSCom will enhance its security along Sabah’s coastline following the incident. This includes enhancing intelligence works to ensure that Abu Sayyaf militant members do not enter Malaysia.
“The Philippines’ security team is conducting large-scale operations on this group (Abu Sayyaf), while we will also enhance our security and inspection to stop its members from entering Sabah,” he said.
Earlier, a news portal had reported that an Abu Sayyaf member involved in the smuggling of firearms was killed in a police operation in Panamao yesterday.
The operation, involving police commanders and the armed forces, was conducted about 10.30am.
The portal quoted Philippine National Police chief Major General Debold Sinas as saying that the suspect, Wahid, was an active member of Abu Sayyaf who had been involved in kidnap-for-ransom cases in Sulu.
Sinas had recounted that a security officer disguised as a firearms buyer had entered a house that was under scrutiny. A security team then raided the house after he had identified the suspect, who was inside. However, the suspect fired his gun, prompting the security team to return fire, killing him.
Sinas also said an inspection of the house found three M14 rifles, one M4 Carbine, bullets and M203 hand grenade.
The Philippines police believe that the suspect had been involved in kidnappings at Barangay, Labuan and Zamboanga since January, targeting elite families.
In January, ESSCom had released its most-wanted list with 21 individuals involved in cross-border crimes at ESSZone, including five new names.
The five new suspects are Japs @ Mujafar Sawadjaan, Mujimmar Sawadjaan, Mundi Sawadjaan, Hj Wahad @ Talib, and Barah Udong @ Elvin.
Other names in the list are Apo Mike @ Majan Sahidjuan, Al Munjir Yadah, Salip Mura, Raden Abuh, Marajan @ Manajan Asiri, Sangbas Parisko, Hamsan Pakkan @ Black Cobra, Sabri Madrasul @ Salip Jul, Ben Tatoh Quirino, Jul @ Jul Hasan, Jul Aksan Abdurajan @ Halimaw, Tampi @ Bunju, Long Sahirin, Haibin Mubin @ Apo Kuhambo, Halipa, and Basaron Arok. – The Vibes, February 21, 2021
