SANDAKAN: Six men from the southern Philippines' island of Basilan were nabbed during a high-speed boat pursuit in Pamaguan waters here, yesterday.
They were believed to be attempting to sneak into Sabah when the marine police spotted their boat at 1.30pm.
State marine police commander Assistant Commissioner Mohd Yazib Abd Aziz said the boat sped off when the patrol team approached it.
"A chase ensued and the boat sped off towards a beach. The skipper abandoned the boat in shallow waters and fled into the mangrove area.
"Based on inspection, the boat has no registration number and there were six men on board," he said in a statement.
Mohd Yazib said the passengers admitted to have entered the state via illegal sea route, adding that they have no identification documents.
He said the passengers were aged between 16 and 53.
"We have seized the boat and arrested the six individuals for further action under the Immigration Act," he said.
Eastern Sabah Security Command commander Datuk Hazani Ghazali meanwhile assured that the six people arrested yesterday were merely immigrants and did not pose security threat.
"We (have) conducted screening and interrogation. None of them are from Marawi or members of Abu Sayaff and kidnap group for ransom. They are ordinary illegal immigrants." he said.
