Kota Kinabalu: Besides the so-called Royal Sulu Army terrorists that invaded Sabah at Kg Tanduo, Lahad Datu in 2012 and Filipino Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) that conducted kidnappings there are six active sub-groups that can still pose a threat to Sabah’s security.

“They are helping the Kidnap-For-Ransom Group (KFRG) and supporting the Islamic State (IS) struggle,” said Esscom Senior Intelligence Officer ASP Nustad bin Kirino at an online seminar on “Understanding the security threats to Sabah and Sarawak” organised by the Sabah and Sarawak Affairs Division of the Prime Minister’s Department, recently.

Also supporting these Filipino terrorists are Al Qaeda, Daesh and others active in the islands of the Philippines and Indonesia.

ASP Nustad recalled the history of the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) which existed since the early 1990s in Jolo, Philippines. “Its leader Abdul Radzak Janjalani, an Islamic religious teacher in Jolo, was killed in a battle with Philippine security forces around 1998.