Ramli: Offensive against Abu Sayyaf will be positive for Sabah

KOTA KINABALU: The Philippines’ military offensive against the Abu Sayyaf kidnap-for-ransom group would lead to an improved security situation in eastern Sabah’s sea borders, Sabah Police Commissioner Datuk Ramli Din said.

“If this is true, as announced by the Philippine military, it will have an impact on Sabah. It will make it more difficult for the cross border kidnap groups,” he said.

He was asked to comment on official and unofficial reports that some key Abu Sayyaf figures were killed in the ongoing military offensive.

Among those whom intelligence sources believed have been killed are Idang Susukan and Majan Sahidjuan, also known as Apo Mike.

The Philippines had anno­unced the death of Buchoy Hassan, known as Black or Bocoi, who was based in Sitangkai in the Tawi Tawi islands close to Sabah’s eastern borders.

Bocoi, who is also wanted by Eastern Sabah Security Command, was a key drug smuggler and fuel supplier who acted as a guide for kidnap- for-ransom groups in Sabah.