Esscom forces engage eight boats; Filipino intruder shot, captured

KOTA KINABALU: Malaysian security forces shot at and captured a suspected Filipino intruder in a standoff with eight boatmen in separate pump boats in waters off Pulau Bakungan Kecil that borders southern Philippines.

Soldiers from the Eastern Sabah Security Command (Esscom) were forced to shoot one of the intruders and sink his boat when he threatened to attack them after they were found trying to sneak into Sabah's waters from neighbouring Philippines island of Bakungan Besar at about 1.45pm on Wednesday.

However, seven other intruders immediately fled in their pump boats back into Philippines waters.

The 22-year-old suspect has been admitted to the Duchess of Kent Hospital for treatment of gunshot wounds.

Esscom commander Datuk Abdul Rashid Harun said that prior to the shooting, soldiers had intercepted eight pump boats heading towards Pulau Selingan in Sandakan.

He said they fired three warning shots at them demanding their surrender. However, only two of them turned back while six others remained in defiance.

"One of the intruders brandished a parang at security forces, prompting an attack from our side," he said on Thursday.

Abdul Rashid said the suspect was shot and his boat sank in the incident. He was later taken into custody and brought to the hospital for treatment.

"Investigations into the suspect's background is being carried out," he said, adding that security forces will continue strengthening security to prevent any intrusion in the 10 districts under the Eastern Sabah Security Zone (Esszone).

The 10 districts are Kudat, Kota Marudu, Pitas, Beluran, Sandakan, Kinabatangan, Lahad Datu, Kunak, Semporna and Tawau.