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Home Ministry confirms two M'sians killed in Philippine battles

The Home Ministry has confirmed the two individuals killed in battles with security forces in Marawi City, in Mindanao in the Philippines, were Malaysians.

However, Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, who is also home minister, said the ministry was now scrutinising details of the identities of the men before making further statements.

"I have discussed with the inspector-general of police (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 in Alor Gajah, Malacca, today.

Zahid said this when commenting on an English daily news report today, on the two Malaysians believed to have been among 13 suspected militants killed in the battles with the Philippine military.

It was also reported that 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 Islamic State group of militants.

Philippine authorities thanked

Zahid also thanked the Philippine authorities for cooperating and sharing information on the security issues involving the three countries, including Malaysia and Indonesia.

He said at the same time, the Malaysian authorities would monitor the security aspect 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.

On another development, Zahid said the Home 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 Raja Mohamed Affandi Raja Mohamed Noor said the 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," Raja Mohamed Affandi told reporters after launching the 'Ihya Ramadan Fund' at the Khalid Al-Walid Mosque in Kuala Lumpur today.

- Bernama

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