KOTA KINABALU: A VAT 69 commando told the High Court here yesterday that he was separated from his team when he was assigned to check five houses at Kampung Tanduo in Lahad Datu where the Sulu gunmen were holed up.
Sergeant Mohd Rosli Sidek, 53, testifying before Justice Stephen Chung said on March 1, 2013 at about 10am, said he and his team were on their way to check those houses, but were split into two groups after they heard gunshots at other areas of responsibility.
He explained that he was at that time checking the second house, but when they reached an open area, their group was split into two. He however did not know where the other commandos went while only he and his team leader were left from his group.
He said he and team leader Inspector Shahar Omar just proceeded to the third house where he went up alone to check on it while Shahar, being the cover man, remained outside the house. However, nothing was found in the house.
Further under examination-in-chief by deputy public prosecutor Mohd Dusuki Mokhtar, the 19th witness testified that he and Shahar then ran and stopped at a small forest with many tall oil palm trees.
He then said in the forest he met his fellow commandos but was not sure why they were there. Shahar then re-grouped the team and the new team proceeded to check on the fourth house.
However, while they were halfway to the fourth house, someone fired at them from their left side.
Mohd Sidek then jumped to one of the oil palm trees to take cover as the shots were fired repeatedly.
To a question by Mohd Dusuki, he said he returned fire, about four shots, but then there was another person shooting at them from their right side.
He recalled that he saw two Sulu gunmen in full camouflage print uniforms taking cover behind the oil palm trees near the right side of the fourth house.
The terrorism trial against 29 accused persons including the nephew of the late self-styled Sulu Sultan III, Datu Jamalul Kiram, believed to be the man behind the intrusion at Kampung Tanduo, Lahad Datu, were charged with committing the offences at several places in Lahad Datu, Semporna and Sandakan between February 12 and April 10, 2013.
They face the mandatory death sentence while the rest provide for life imprisonment and a fine, upon conviction.
The trial held at a hall doubled as an open court at Kepayan prisons here was under tight security checks by prison and police personnel.
To another question by Mohd Dusuki, Mohd Rosli said not long after that, Shahar signalled using hand gestures telling them to retreat.
Mohd Rosli said while they were retreating, the gunmen still shot at them but he did not see what type of firearms their enemies were using, and he was kneeling down when he returned fire to the two enemies.
He further testified that when they reached a small forest, they once again regrouped the team and merged with another group from another area of responsibility lead by DSP Hakemal Hawari.
Mohd Rosli added that they defended the area up to March 2, 2013 before receiving another instruction from their leader.
The trial continues today.