TWO suspected Abu Sayyaf rebels were shot dead near Felda Sahabat 2 waters in Lahad Datu last night.

No identification documents were found on the duo, believed to be in their 30s to 40s.

Sabah police commissioner Omar Mammah said patrolling marine police personnel spotted two pump boats about 10 nautical miles from shore in the east coast’s curfew zone.

One of the suspects started shooting when the officers approached, he said.

“Police shot back in self-defence… other men in the second boat sped off into Philippine waters,” he told a press conference at the state police headquarters in Kapayan, Kota Kinabalu, today.

The body of one suspect was recovered from the boat, he said, and the other was found later, floating in nearby waters.

The bodies were brought to the marine police base in Lahad Datu, along with a rifle, two bullets and bullet shells.

“We have reason to believe that the men spotted are part of Abu Sayyaf and were trying to commit crimes in Malaysia,” said Omar.

The incident comes two days after the Eastern Sabah Security Command (ESSCom) played down a memo from the Indonesian consulate general, warning Indonesians of possible attacks by the southern Philippine-based terror group.

According to the leaked memo, which was signed by consul officer Muhmammad Muhisin Dollsada, three cell groups were heading towards Malaysia as of August 30 with the intent of kidnapping citizens, and targeting oil tankers, merchant ships, trawlers and boats.

ESSCom commander Hazani Ghazali described the information in the memo as inaccurate. – September 4, 2019.