UPDATE
Leader of Sulu terrorist group, Agbimuddin Kiram was believe to have given security forces a slip when they raided a settlement in Kampung Pinggir Bakau.
However, security forces have nabbed 33 suspects, including four belived to be involved in the shootout in Simunul on March 2nd, which claimed the lives of six policemen and six terrorists.
Two policemen were also injured after they were fired upon by Sulu terrorists during an operation in Kampung Tanduo and Kamping Tanjung Batu yesterday.
Source: New Straits Times
___
A teenage boy was killed in Kampung Sungai Ikan Bilik in Lahad Datu today, during the Ops Daulat to eliminate remaining Sulu gunmen.
Inspector General of Police, Tan Sri Ismail Omar said security personnel had stopped and questioned about five people around 9.45am, when they say some movements in the bushes. Reacting swiftly in fear that they were under attack by Sulu gunmen, the security team opened fire at the bushes.
The boy was said to be between ages 12 to 15, was later found dead behind the bushes. A man in his 30’s was injured in the leg.
Ismail advises people to stay away from the areas where police and the army were conducting the operation. It is now the sixth day of the Ops Daulat.
Source: The Star
____
Moro National Liberation Dront (MNLF) police chief officer, Gapul Hajirul warned that there are signs of a civil war in Sabah. “I am afraid there will be civil war in Sabah because thousands of Bangsamoro (Filipino Muslims) are residing in Sabah”.
Hajirul is not the only one. Princess Celia Fatima Kiram warned of a “long civil war” in Sabah. MNLF leaders have spoken out forcefully in the wake of the assaults. Islamic Council Committee of the MNLF, Habib Hashim Mudjahab said that he could no longer hold back his people from traveling to Sabah to defend their ethnic brethren from Malaysian forces. He quote:
“We are hurt and many of our people, even non-combatants are going to Sabah to sympathize with the Sultanate”.
MNLF leader, Nur Misuari warned that if Malaysia targets Filipinos based in Sabah, his group would consider it “tantamount to a declaration of war”. He also says that if Philippine President Benigno Aquino makes any attempt to arrest Sulu Sultan, Jamalul Kiram III, it would plunge the country into chaos.
Source: Asia Times
___
Sulu sultan, Jamalul Kiram III is calling for a ceasefire to the standoff in Sabah, following calls by United Nations Secretary General, Ban Ki-moon to end violence in Sabah.
He said this is out of respect to the call of the UN secretary-general to end violence and to ‘preserve lives’. As of now, 10 Sulu gunmen are dead, 10 captured, and for wounded.
Ban is monitoring the situation in Sabah and would like to see all parties engage in talks for peaceful resolution. He has also urged all parties to “facilitate the delivery of humanitarian assistance and act in full respect of international human rights norms and standards”.
___
Malaysian security forces have released photos of a mass grave containing the bodies of nine Sulu intrudes at Kampung Tanduo.
Defense Minister, Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said the armed forces have managed to seize weapons during the ‘mop-up’ operation.
“This is the proof, the bodies that we managed to gather, and we are in the process of collecting more bodies,” he told a press conference live on TV3 at Felda Sahabat Residence. (Source)
___
Local authorities have announced that they’ve yet to recover any bodies of Filipino militants despite the airstrikes yesterday.
However, Inspector General of Police, Tan Sri Ismail Omar revealed that one Sulu gunman was shot dead early this morning in a brief gunfire exchange between local security forces and 200 followers of the Sulu sultanate. (Source)
The assault yesterday had resulted in the killing of 30 Sulu militants. According to self-proclaimed Sulu “princess”, Jacel Kiram, Sulu leader Agbimuddin Kiram and his band of militants have survived the aerial assault.
“Raja Muda is still safe, willing to release captives in front of Red Cross and international media to show they were safely released”, ABS-CBN News Channel said in a Twitter posting on its interview with Jacel.
The Sulu princess was also unhappy that the Sulu were labeled ‘terrorist’.
She also relayed a message to Philippine president, Presient Benigno Aquino III: “We are Filipinos. As the leader of this country, you must protect the interests of the people”.
“We know we are armed with the truth”, she said. (Source)
___
Azzimudie Kiram, the leader of the Sulu Army group said that he is unfazed by the plans of the Malaysian government to deploy more troops to Sabah to neutralize them. He said that the hand his troops to stay put despite the Philippine and Malaysian government’s demands for them to end the stand-off. “This is now the time. We will have to be committed to fight for our rights. I’m asking them (Filipinos) to do something to support us. They cannot frighten us because we are fighting for our rights”.
In Kampung Tanduo, the police are seen seen taking position in oil plasm near the areas precaution against escaped intruders. Oil plantation workers are seen gathering under a shed as they were asked to stop work as the police spread around the plantation.
The nearest petrol station in Felda Sahabat, has run out of petrol and the nearest station in Bandar Cenderawasih, 30km from the conflict zone is also rationing petrol to reserve it for military vehicles.
Police chief, Ismail Omar says that the police and military are still facing resistance from the intruders. The enemies have fired several shots at the Malaysian security forces. No casualties have been recorded on Malaysian side, but the casualties on the enemy’s side are unknown.
“The public do not need to be worried as this operation is conducted in Kampung Tanduo only. The public is advised not to enter the operation area and follow the instruction and advice from police who are on duty along the road to Kampung Tanduo.”
Source: MalaysiaKini
___
Explosions were supposedly heard near Kampung Tandou at 7.30am this morning, causing hundred villagers to flee. According to sources, three fighter jets were bombed in Kampung Tanduo before troops went around 9am today.
A witness said that the villagers say jet fighters in the sky, bombing the place about four times. Villagers from Kampung Sungai Merah have been seen squeezing into lorries, with close to 50 of them on each vehicle to seek refuge in Kampung Embara Budi, but were turned away. Village chief, Rauf Bani, said the guards wouldn’t let them in, so they’re parked on the main road leading away from Kampung Tandou.
Prime Minister, Najib Tun Razak announced the security forces have launched an operation to apprehend the armed intruders. He said:
“As a peace-loving Muslim country that upholds the resolution of conflicts through negotiation, our efforts to avoid bloodshed were unsuccessful. Instead, our security forces were attacked and slain, while Malaysians especially those in Sabah fear for their safety. The government must take appropriate action to safeguard the dignity and sovereignty of the nation as demanded by the rakyat”.
Philippine President, Benigno Aquino also warned the intruders: “You will not succeed”.
In the meantime, up to seven army battalions are deployed to reinforce the police force, and preparations are being made at the main hospital to receive casualties.
Source: MalaysiaKini, New Straits Times
___
Five Malaysian policemen and two gunmen died in an ambushed on Saturday, at the village off the coast of Semporna, just 180km away from the Lahad Datu. A total of six policemen were confirmed dead due to the shootout by the Sulu gunmen. Sabah police commissioner, Datuk Hamza Taib told reporters that 12 Sulu gunmen were also killed in the clash between Malaysian General Operations Force members and gunmen. (Source)
Meanwhile, the Philippine embassy in Malaysia are offering their assistance to the Malaysian authorities to find a peaceful solution for the conflict in Lahad Datu.
The Philippine ambassador to Malaysia, J. Eduardo Malaya said in a statement they were in Lahad Datu on a consular, humanitarian mission and stated, “We are here to help”.
Malaya hopes to find a peaceful solution and to avoid further bloodshed, in line with the pronouncement of both President Aquino III and Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak.
Philippine Foreign Affairs Undersecretary (Deputy Minister), Jose S. Brillantes said:
“We would also like to extend consular assistance to the wounded and other affected nationals. It is important we work together closely in finding a peaceful closure to the situation. Each life is precious. Let us find ways to avoid further loss of lives”.
___
Two police commandos, Inspector Zulkifli Mamat and Sergeant Sabarudin were killed after police started their operations on the Sulu gunmen after a stand-off in Lahad Datu today. Four other policemen were also reported injured in the operations. (Source)
Sources say that the commandos were killed in the mortar attack after the police moved in at the Tanduo village here on Friday.
___
Two Sulu gunmen believed killed, with three policemen injured in an encounter in Tanduo village.
Malaysian security forces have yet to confirm the reports, and police have declined to comment if the gunfire was the start of a move against the gunmen led by Azzimudie Kiram.
Azzimudi reportedly told a Phillipines radio station that they were being shot at and had to defend themselves. (Source)
___
According to our Twitter feed, there were shots fired at Malaysian troops, by the armed Filipino intruders who are holed up in Kampung Tanduo
A Sabah-based radio station said that its reported that heavy firing was heard shortly after 10am. Malaysian authorities claimed that no one was injured, but villagers claimed seeing bodies being moved out. (Source)
Malaysian Digest reported that the Malaysian troops did not return fire but have retreated to avoid a full-blown shoot-out. (Source)
The armed Filipino rebel group say that they will ‘never surrender’ and are willing to die in Sabah.
The armed group, suspected of being a faction of a Phillipine Muslim rebel group, claims to belong to the ‘royal army’ of the Sulu sultanate and are believed to number about 180 people, with 30 gunmen among its ranks.
Filipino rebel group leader, Agbimuddin Kiram said,”The word surrender is something not good for us. We are not outlaws. We are not bad elements..we are law-abiding citizens”.
The group refuses to leave Sabah as they believe they are “subjects of the sultanate of Sulu”.
Shots were also reportedly to have been fired in Lahad Datu on the 24th of February.
We’ve yet to uncover any further details on reported casualties, but we will keep you updated on this matter.
