Chinese warships in ‘Tawi-Tawi areas’
Published on: Wednesday, August 21, 2019
By: Nikko Fabian
TAWI TAWI: Turtle Islands (Taganak) Mayor Mohd Faizal Jamalul claims Chinese warships have been spotted along the Sibutu Straights and areas close to the border between Philippines and Sabah.
He said local fishermen on several occasions spotted the Chinese warships in the area.
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“These big vessels were sailing along the Sibutu Strait in the southernmost municipality of Tawi-Tawi.”
“Fishermen have frequently spotted Chinese warships cruising from the south of Sibutu towards Pearl Bank and from the north between Mapun and Taganak and back to Sibutu Strait which is also close to the border between us and Sabah,” Faizal said.
Jamalul reiterated his people were puzzled by the presence of the warships also seen at Spot Islands near Taganak after traversing the border.
According to Jamalul, fishermen observed two sightings of Chinese battleships and a Coast Guard type warship passing the area this month.
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“We really don’t why but based on the sightings, the warships after passing the Sibutu Strait and going to Mapun will return to Spot Islands,” Jamalul said.
Spot Islands are scattered islets near Turtle Island or Taganak Island where an international oil company used to conduct drilling exploration due to its rich oil reserves.
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The said island municipality is also just less than an hour boat ride to Sandakan.
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