Cops prepared for fleeing Abu Sayyaf

KUALA LUMPUR: Police are ready to face the possibility that remnants of the Abu Sayyaf terror group may be fleeing to Sabah, said Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar.

“Police personnel, especially from special forces, are strategically placed at routes that we suspect may be used by the group,” he told reporters in Bukit Aman yesterday.

However, he believes that Abu Sayyaf’s operations have been dealt a big blow with the death of its leader Muamar Askali @ Abu Rami in Bohol and the surrender of 11 sub-leaders in Tawi-Tawi.

The Star highlighted on its front page a chilling plan by the group to carry out large-scale kidnappings of foreigners from island resorts in Sabah and the central Philippines, which was foiled when Muamar Askali was killed and the sub-leaders surrendered.

The threat is still present, however, and security forces of both countries remain on the alert.

On a separate matter, the IGP said Bukit Aman was still waiting for feedback from Thai authorities on Peter Chong’s claim that he was abducted in that country.

He said police in Pattaya have yet to give the results of their investigation into Chong’s claim.

Commenting on the activist going to Pattaya to supposedly meet a source, the IGP said Chong’s actions caused distress to society.

“He also wasted a lot of police man-hours investigating his disappearance,” said Khalid after presenting ranks and commendations to police personnel yesterday.