THE dusk-to-dawn curfew in Sabah’s east coast has been extended until June 23 because of the ongoing conflict and imposition of martial law in Mindanao, the Philippines.

Militants linked to the so-called Islamic State (IS) and the Philippine army are engaged in clashes, which so far have claimed 170 lives.

Sabah police chief Ramli Din said the fresh 14-day curfew will be the 67th and covers the Tawau, Semporna, Kunak, Lahad Datu, Kinabatangan, Sandakan and Beluran districts.

“We need to be certain that there will be no longer any infiltration of militant groups into Sabah that are threatening international researchers and tourists visiting the resort islands.

“Information revealed the kidnapping-for-ransom Abu Sayaff group in the Philippines remains active, and security personnel will continue to establish their omnipresence to ensure security in the state remains intact for Sabahans, especially the resort operators and fishing communities in the state,” he said in a statement today.

The 6pm to 6am curfew was initiated after the Tanduo incursion on July 19, 2014.

Sabah security was on high alert after Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte declared martial law in Mindanao on May 23.

Eastern Sabah Security Command (Esscom) Commander Wan Abdul Bari Wan Abdul Khalid told The Malaysian Insight that they are monitoring the situation in the Philippines daily.

“Troops at all forward locations have been alerted and patrolling had been intensified ever since. We had also established joint and coordinated patrol between Malaysian marine police and the Philippines national police marine,” he said.

Security personnel from both countries had also met on five occasions to exchange at sea and will continue to do so until all threats have been eliminated, said Wan Abdul. – June 7, 2017.