The Philippine police have been alerted for possible interdiction, in the event four gunmen and their two victims were headed their way, following last night's kidnapping at a seafood restaurant near the Sandakan coastline.
In a statement here today, the Philippine Embassy expressed concern and hoped that with intensified cooperation, the incident would be resolved soon.
It said the Philippine authorities, notably maritime units and anti-kidnapping operatives closely coordinated with their Malaysian counterparts to address threats from kidnap gangs.
In the 8pm incident yesterday, four men stormed the Ocean King Seafood Restaurant, a popular seafood outlet in Sandakan, and abducted the female restaurant manager and a customer who was a tourist from Sarawak.
READ:
Two individuals kidnapped in Sandakan - ESSCOM director
Police hunting for Ocean King Restaurant kidnappers and victims
The kidnappers who wore no mask escaped in a boat.
Sandakan is about an hour's speed boat ride from the southern Philippine island of Bakungan Besar.
Security forces have not ruled out the kidnappers may be linked to the terror group Abu Sayyaf.
In Kota Kinabalu, Parti Bersatu Sabah deputy president Datuk Seri Dr Maximus Ongkili said a major upgrade on surveillance and standard of intelligence operations was needed to prevent recurrence of kidnapping cases in Sabah.
Ongkili, who is also Kota Marudu MP, said this had to be done soon to protect the safety and security of the people, failing which it would affect the people's confidence in the country's security system and ability to handle terrorists, including foreign elements.
He was speaking to reporters after a media briefing on the state Kaamatan festival celebration here today.
Expressing disappointment on the recent kidnapping cases, Ongkili said the government spared no effort, including setting up the Eastern Sabah Security Command (Esscom) and supplying assets to ensure safety and security.
However, kidnapping cases continued to occur. "I think something is wrong. (That's why) We need a major upgrade (standard) on surveillance and intelligence. I believe they (Esscom) are capable of doing it but the system has to be improved, and if they have additional assets, they should ask for it and coordinate," said Ongkili, who is also energy, green technology and water minister.
Bernama
Fri May 15 2015
The Philippine police have been alerted for possible interdiction, in the event four gunmen and their two victims were headed their way. - Astro AWANI Photo
Mokhzani letak jawatan pengerusi Maxis, Hamidah dilantik pengerusi sementara
Maxis Bhd hari ini mengumumkan bahawa Pengerusinya, Tan Sri Mokhzani Mahathir akan meletak jawatan berkuat kuasa 30 Jun, 2024.
Jemaah haji diingatkan tidak terlibat aktiviti politik
Selain nasihat berwaspada dengan cuaca panas, bakal haji yang berada di tanah suci dingatkan hanya tumpukan kepada ibadah sahaja dan elak daripada terlibat dalam aktiviti yang berunsurkan politik
50 pelajar SK Zainab (1) pamer bakat dalam sukan badminton
Kota Bharu, Kelantan menjadi destinasi pilihan seterusnya buat Kem Badminton Astro mencari bakat baru. Seramai 50 orang pelajar Sekolah Kebangsaan Zainab (1) dari darjah empat hingga enam hadir ke Dewan Badminton Tengku Anis, mempamerkan bakat dan kebolehan mereka di atas gelanggang.
The Experts, saji pengalaman rompakan berkeluarga terbesar
Filem The Experts mempertaruhkan jalan cerita yang diinspirasikan kejadian sebenar dan dipadatkan dengan elemen komedi, keluarga dan aksi.
AWANI Ringkas: Serangan balai polis | Bom petrol di pusat hiburan
Ikuti rangkuman berita utama yang menjadi tumpuan sepanjang hari di Astro AWANI menerusi AWANI Ringkas.
Serangan Balai Polis Ulu Tiram: Tujuh individu akan direman esok
Tujuh individu yang ditahan awal pagi tadi kerana dipercayai mempunyai kaitan dengan serangan di Balai Polis Ulu Tiram akan dibawa ke Mahkamah Majistret esok bagi mendapatkan perintah reman.
Perekrutan ahli JI masih berlaku dalam keluarga - Pakar
Prof Dr Mohd Mizan Mohammad Aslam berkata gerakan JI dalam anggota keluarga disifatkan masih efektif walaupun kumpulan terbabit tidak berinteraksi antara satu sama lain.
Orang kampung sekitar Ulu Tiram rasa terancam
Situasi di Kampung Sungai Ulu Tiram, alamat terakhir suspek yang mati ditembak.
Firdaus Azil, Wartawan Astro AWANI
Firdaus Azil, Wartawan Astro AWANI
KBS harap siasatan insiden serangan terhadap pemain bola sepak diselesaikan
Kementerian Belia dan Sukan (KBS) berharap siasatan berkaitan insiden serangan melibatkan tiga pemain bola sepak negara baru-baru ini dapat diselesaikan secepat mungkin, kata Menterinya Hannah Yeoh.
FAM pertimbang wujudkan kembali program Harimau Muda
Persatuan Bolasepak Malaysia (FAM) sedang melihat potensi untuk mewujudkan kembali program Harimau Muda antaranya bertujuan sebagai platform kesinambungan kepada pembangunan pemain muda negara.