Federal police to release identities of Malaysian militants killed in Marawi (southern Philippines) battle
Members of a family carrying their belongings walk in front of other residents in vehicles as they flee from Marawi on the southern island of Mindanao, as fighting between militants and government forces continues. — AFP photo
ALOR GAJAH: The Home Ministry has confirmed that two of the individuals killed in battles with security forces in Marawi City, Mindanao in the Philippines were Malaysians.
Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, who is also Home Minister, said the ministry is now scrutinising details of the identities of the men before making further statements.
“I have discussed with the (Malaysian) Inspector-General of Police (Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar) and we are scrutinising the details although we have identified the duo and where they were from. Bukit Aman (federal police) will issue the intelligence information,” he told reporters after attending the opening ceremony of the Salmah Khamis Mosque in Kampung Durian Daun, Masjid Tanah here yesterday.
He said this when commenting on an English daily news report yesterday, on the two Malaysians believed to have been among 13 suspected militants killed in the battles with the Philippine military.
It was also reported the battles broke out since Tuesday when the Philippine authorities stormed the streets of Marawi to look for Abu Sayyaf leader, Isnilon Hapilon and the local terrorist group known as Maute which pledged allegiance to the Daesh group of militants.
Meanwhile, Ahmad Zahid thanked the Philippine authorities for cooperating and sharing information on the security issues involving Malaysia and Indonesia.
He said at the same time, the Malaysian authorities would monitor the security of the country via the Counter-Messaging Centre handled by the Anti-Terrorism Unit to identify intelligence information and track down the militants based on the information.
“We will also share the information with the Philippines and Indonesia…action will be based on the information,” he added.
In another development, he said the ministry had instructed Khalid, the Eastern Sabah Security Command (ESSCom) and Sabah police to be prepared and beef up security along the national territorial waters to ensure the safety of Malaysians would remain a top priority.
In Kuala Lumpur, Malaysian Armed Forces (MAF) chief Gen Tan Sri Raja Mohamed Affandi Raja Mohamed Noor said MAF had stepped up security along national borders to prevent infiltration of armed groups into the country following the battles.
“We are wary of some (of the militants) who might escape (from the Philippines) and infiltrate into the country (Malaysia). Hence, the beefed-up security in Sabah,” he told reporters after launching the ‘Ihya Ramadan Fund’ at the Khalid Al-Walid Mosque here yesterday. — Bernama