KOTA KINABALU (THE STAR/ASIA NEWS NETWORK) - Police are trying to determine if a 33-year-old man who was arrested with 30 live bullets in the east coast Sandakan district has any links to militant groups in southern Philippines.

"This is part of our investigations," said Sabah Police Criminal Investigations Department (CID) chief Datuk Salehhudin Abdul Rahman.

Police also arrested the man's 13-year-old daughter in the raid on their unnumbered house at Kampung Mangkalinau, about 6km from Sandakan town, on Sept 20.

He said the bullets were for an M16 assault rifle. Also recovered were three spent shells.

Police also found a 65cm-long sword during the raid, walkie talkies, mobile phones and military fatigues.

The CID chief said the man tested positive for drugs .

He added that police were investigating the case under Section 8(a) of the Penal Code, which carries a maximum jail term of seven years and a RM10,000 (S$13,562) fine upon conviction.