The Sulu Sultanate claim that Filipinos living in Sabah have captured four Malaysians in Semporna as hostages, but the police are unable to verify this claim.

According to Filipino media reports, Sulu Sultanate spokesperson Abraham Idjirani said that captured a Malaysian government official, two military officials and one police personnel.

police checkpoint in sabah lahad datu intrudersAccording to Abraham, the capture was conducted by Filipinos living in Sabah in response to an alleged slaying of an imam and his four sons in Semporna.

Abraham stressed that the Sulu Sultanate was not involved in the capture but have advised those responsible to care for their captives and feed them.

He said that the captives are to be used as hostages in response to the "brutality and atrocities" of the Malaysian police towards Filipinos living in Sabah.
Police unsure
However, as of 5pm, Sabah police chief Hamza Taib could not verify claims made by these Filipino media reports.
"So far, I cannot verify (this). I know the Philippines media have reported that they (intruders) are holding police officers hostage but so far we have not received any information about this," he said.
It is uncertain if Abraham's claims of a kidnapping was related the ambush on police personnel in Kampung Sri Jaya Simunul, Semporna.
This morning, inspector-general of police Ismail Omar revealed that five police personnel were killed during an ambush at the village while following up on a tip-off.

He said that the police managed to kill two gunmen. The police are currently trying to establish whether the gunmen were related to the Sulu Sultanate.
About 100 men loyal to the Sulu Sultanate are currently holding up in Kampung Tandou, Lahad Datu to stake claim over Sabah.

A gunfight broke out on Friday, leaving two police personnel dead while the Sulu Sultanate's side suffered 12 deaths.