Identities of three Malaysians killed in Marawi still unconfirmed

The identities of three Malaysians killed in battle with the Philippine armed forces in Marawi, Mindanao recently have yet to be verified.

Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar said the investigation was still going on to confirm those killed to avoid confusion because based on police information, there were five Malaysians who joined the Daish group in the Philippines.

"Police are still awaiting (the report) and from the five persons in the Philippines, one was confirmed dead last year.

"As such, we have not been able to verify who among them had been killed," he said when met by reporters, here, today.

The Philippine media had reported that two of three Malaysians killed were identified as Ustaz Abdulrahman Asmawi from Kelantan and Dr Kamsa Yahya from Kedah.

Meanwhile, Khalid received a courtesy call by China''s Public Security Minister, Guo Shengkun in Bukit Aman, here.

Guo who is on a four-day visit to Malaysia held an-hour long discussion with Khalid and other top police officers.

On the meeting, Khalid said it was held to further strengthen cooperation between the two countries which had long been established.

"The cordial relations have enabled us to resolve many problems quickly," he said.

Asked on the police inspector who was found dead with a gunshot wound in his forehead at the Pasir Puteh district police headquarters this morning, Khalid said police were still investigating the real cause of the incident.

Kelantan acting police chief, SAC Din Ahmad told a news conference that the 29-year-old man was found dead about 9am by a policeman who went looking for him after he failed to attend an administration meeting on behalf of the district''s Commercial CID head.

-- BERNAMA