Police shoot dead Filipino wanted criminal in shootout

KUNAK, Sabah: Police shot dead a Filipino man in the waters of Pulau Burung near here early today after the wanted criminal opened fire at a police patrol team which approached the boat he was in.
Deputy Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Noor Rashid Ibrahim (pix) said the 50-year-old man was wanted in connection with several cases including robbing fishermen at sea and being a stooge for kidnapping for ransom in Kunak and nearby districts.
At a press conference at the Kunak Police headquarters here, he said a police team, engaged in the Ops Sea Hunter operation, led by Kunak Police chief Supt Mohd Nasaruddin M Nasir, had set out to sea in a camouflage boat following a tip-off from the public.
At about 2.30am, the police team spotted a blue pump boat in the waters of Pulau Burung and when it drew near and the police identified themselves, the man opened fire at the police in his attempt to escape, he said.
"The police returned fire and, in the ensuing shootout, the man was shot in the chest and died," he said.
Noor Rashid said police found a revolver, three rounds of ammunition and a bullet shell, and a Samurai sword from the boat.
He said the man, known as Tarab, had been arrested previously but was not prosecuted for lack of evidence.
Noor Rashid said the police success was another effort to maintain peace at sea off Sabah under the Ops Sea Hunter operation launched early this year. — Bernama