Malaysian police intercept alleged Tawi-Tawi smuggler's craft – report

A boatman was killed, and 11 suspects, presumed to be Filipinos, were arrested off Sandakan town in Sabah on Saturday after Malaysian police chased down a boat that was allegedly trying to smuggle in illegals from the southern Philippines, a Malaysian news site reported.

According to Malaysia's The Star Online, six police officers from the General Operations Force Tiger Platoon were patrolling off Berhala Island when they spotted the alleged smuggler's boat. The craft had supposedly sailed from Taganak Island, Tawi-Tawi.

Sabah Police Commissioner Datuk Jalaluddin Abdul Rahman explained that the police officers gave chase after the boat refused to stop and instead tried to speed away.

The alleged smuggler's boat then collided with the police vessel and capsized, killing the boatman.

The police officers were able to rescue 11 people from the capsized boat - four males and five females aged between 12 and 25, and an infant. All of them were taken into custody.

The Malaysian police officers were also able to recover the boatman's body. — Joel Locsin/DVM, GMA News

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