Eleven illegals nabbed after sea chase off Sandakan

The boat that was involved in bringing in illegals off Pulau Berhala near Sandakan

KOTA KINABALU: Police foiled a bid to smuggle in illegals from southern Philippines following a high speed chase at sea off the east coast Sandakan district early Saturday.

Sabah Police Commissioner Datuk Jalaluddin Abdul Rahman said 11 people, including an infant, were held after the boat they were travelling in capsized following a collision with the police vessel.

He said the boatman of the vessel died during the incident.

Jalaluddin said a six personnel of the General Operations Force Tiger Platoon unit were carrying out a long range patrol in waters off Pulau Berhala when they spotted a vessel heading from the direction of the Philippine island of Taganak at about 2.30am.

The police personnel ordered the boatman to stop but he refused.

Instead, the boatman sped up the vessel and the police gave chase.

The police personnel fired a green flare as both vessels passed through waters off Pulau Berhala.

The boatman continued to ignore several warning shots from the policemen as he tried to outrun them while speeding towards the direction of Taganak.

Suddenly the boat hit the police vessel causing it to overturn throwing all those board into the sea.

Jalaluddin said the police rescued four males and five females, aged between 12 and 25, as well as the infant.

He said body of the boatman was recovered from the capsized vessel and the rescued passengers were taken to Sandakan.