Another cop killed in Semporna skirmish, says IGP

Members of police force carry the coffin of deceased Corporal Sabaruddin bin Daud, 47. — Pic by Saw Siow FengSEMPORNA, March 3 — Another policeman was killed in an ambush in Sri Jaya here today, bringing to eight the number of police personnel killed after three weeks of a Filipino militant incursion into Sabah, police said tonight. Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Ismail Omar confirmed the death, saying that a total of six militants were also killed in the skirmish 150km from Lahad Datu where the bulk of militants have set up camp.
Five policemen were confirmed killed yesterday while police reported only two militants died in the gunfight at the Kampung Simunul water village here.
In a statement earlier today, Ismail said the police are working with the military to hunt down 10 suspects, three who are armed, after they escaped from a police siege in Kampung Tanduo, near Lahad Datu where a Filipino Muslim clan claiming ownership of Sabah had dug in since entering the state on February 9.
"To date, the police have succeeded in capturing three intruders who tried to escape from police siege in Kampung Tanduo," he told a news conference in Lahad Datu.

The Star also reported that the police at present have accounted for 19 of the 25 policemen caught in the ambush. As of press time, the bodies of six slain policemen have been taken to the Semporna hospital. A Malaysian, reported to be the home owner where the Filipinos were hiding, also died in the Lahad Datu shootout.
Five other policemen died in an attack in Kampung Seri Jaya Siminul in Semporna last night.
The IGP has advised residents living near the three districts not to panic and not to listen to rumours, urging them to contact the nearest police station or check the Sabah police website for further information.
A Filipino Muslim clan claiming royal lineage from the Sulu sultanate had intruded into Sabah on February 9 staking ownership over parts of the Borneo state.
The armed group, estimated to number between 100 and 200 people, have maintained they will not surrender their claim to the land, despite entreaties from the Philippine President Benigno Aquino III.
Putrajaya, which had earlier attempted to negotiate a peaceful resolution with the gunmen, have warned they will not hesitate to resort to arms against the group to get them to leave Sabah.

Source themalaysianinsider