ESSCom, police still probing identity of criminals shot in Kalabakan

LAHAD DATU: The Eastern Sabah Security Command (ESSCom) and police are still looking into the identity of the criminals shot dead in Kalabakan, Tawau on Tuesday and both authorities denied they had revealed the identity of the gunmen as reported in a local newspaper.
ESSCom commander DCP Datuk Hazani Ghazali said a newspaper portal had on March 1 carried the story with the heading 'Abu Sayyaf Leader Shot Dead in Tawau' and the report was picked up by foreign media which created panic among domestic and international tourists visiting Eastern Sabah.
"We are disappointed over the matter as security forces are still investigating the incident," he said in a statement here today.
Hazani said the report had jeopardised the overall operation of security forces to track down the suspects and the weapons involved as well as who is linked with the suspects and group.
Following the development, Hazani said ESSCom would carry out an internal investigation to identify the individual or party concerned who reveal the information for further legal action.
Meanwhile, he urged the media to verify with the authorities any information received before announcing it to the public to maintain the integrity of security interests and operation confidentiality.
Hazani also repeated his call on residents living in Eastern Sabah Security Zone (ESSZone) to channel any information to security forces on any suspicious criminal activities.
On Tuesday, three men believed to be from an organised crime group were shot dead by police at a plantation at Batu 2, Jalan Kalabakan-Keningau in Tawau at about 3.20pm. — Bernama