KOTA KINABALU: Sabah security forces are working with the Philippine authorities following the arrest of 11 people, eight Chinese nationals and three Malaysians, for illegal entry into their waters.
Sabah Police Commissioner Datuk Jauteh Dikun said they are monitoring the case and keeping themselves updated with probes from the Philippines.
He said their next course of action would include investigating the tour company involved in crossing the borders illegally.
He added that they would also investigate what other laws the company and tour guides had breached in this case once they get more details from the Philippine authorities.
“We wait for the investigation updates from our counterparts and will give our fullest cooperation,” Jauteh said when contacted.
Eastern Sabah Security Command commander Datuk Victor Sanjos said they are ready to assist Sabah police in the follow-up actions including raids, upon request.
The 11 individuals, comprising nine men and two women, who were on holiday in Semporna, were reportedly fishing on two motorised speedboats in Malaysian waters when they allegedly crossed into international waters last Sunday.
They were apprehended near Tugayo Hunasan, Sitangkai, Tawi-Tawi, in southern Philippines.
Earlier, the Philippine National Police Maritime Group in a statement posted on its Facebook page last Sunday said the Philippine coast guards detained 11 individuals for entering their waters illegally from Sabah.
“According to their statements, they were tourists who were on vacation in Semporna, Sabah, and were allegedly fishing in Malaysian waters when they unintentionally crossed into Philippine territory,” the authorities said in the post.
They said the group’s unauthorised entry into Philippine waters is a violation of the country’s immigration and maritime laws.
As per standard procedures, the foreigners and their vessels were escorted to the headquarters of the 24th Marine Company in Panglima Alari, Sitangkai, Tawi-Tawi.
They were subsequently transferred to Bongao, Tawi-Tawi, where they are currently in the custody of the Immigration Bureau for further investigation and documentation in accordance with legal protocols in the Philippines.
