LAHAD DATU: Sabah police commissioner Hamza Taib(pic) today “strongly” denied reports that his men mistreated Filipino civilians living in Sabah, amid ongoing operations to flush out followers of Sulu Sultan Jamalul Kiram III.
He dismissed the reports of maltreatment, according to a report on online media.
“I strongly deny that. They can say anything but the focus of our operation is only in the two areas of Kampung Tanduo and Kampung Tanjung Batu,” he said.
Hamza also denied that shots were fired at Filipinos leaving Sandakan, as was reported.
Many Filipinos have been leaving Sabah since the Malaysian security forces started offensives against Kiram’s followers, who engaged them in deadly encounters since March 1.
While Kiram had offered a unilateral ceasefire last March 7, Malaysia has rejected it and demanded that Kiram’s followers lay down their arms without condition.
On the other hand, the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs had asked the Malaysian government to clarify reports that even Filipino civilians were being maltreated during the offensives.
Earlier today, DFA spokesman Raul Hernandez said they may initially coordinate with the Social Welfare Department in documenting the alleged cases of mistreatment, since a Philippine team in Sabah has been denied access to Ground Zero.
