KUNAK: Armed men who kidnapped a fish breeder here may have reached southern Philippines.

The group of four appeared to have given the authorities the slip after they took 32-year-old Chan Sai Chiun from the fish farm at Kampung Sapang Air around midnight yesterday.

State Criminal Investigations Department chief Senior Assistant Commissioner Omar Mammah said this when met at the farm where the masked raiders struck.

Earlier Eastern Sabah Security Command (Esscom) Datuk Mohammad Mentek had also inspected the scene with Kunak assemblyman Datuk Nilwan Kabang who is also assistant Rural Development minister.

“They may have inside help,” Mohammad said adding the authorities will continue efforts to track down illegal immigrants to curb criminal activities in the Eastern Sabah Safety Zone (Esszone).

The kidnapping was the fourth since Esscom was formed following the intrusion by armed terrorists from southern Philippines in Lahad Datu in February last year.

The first kidnapping occurred at Pulau Pom Pom in Semporna in November last year followed by the second in April at the same district at the Singamata Adventures and Reef Resort not far from the town area.

Last month armed men struck at a fish breeding farm in Lahad Datu.

-NST