More than 400 “volunteer fighters” of the so-called sultanate of Sulu have arrived in Lahad Datu, Sabah, to reinforce the sultanate’s “Royal Security Forces (RSF),” triggering clashes with Malaysian security forces, the sultanate’s spokesperson said on Tuesday.
Two more bodies identified as armed followers of the Sulu Sultan Jamalul Kiram were recovered Wednesday, bringing to 58 the number of dead from the “royal army,” Malaysian Armed Forces chief Zulkifeli Mohd Zinsaid later in the day.
Militant groups on Tuesday staged a protest at the Malaysian Embassy in Makati City amid fresh attacks on the Sultanate of Sulu’s ‘Royal Army,’ urging President Benigno Aquino III to “stop campaigning” and instead, focus on resolving the tension in Sabah.
The “Royal Army” of the Sultanate of Sulu has no plans to surrender despite being bombed by Malaysian security forces in Lahad Datu, Sabah Tuesday morning.
Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero on Tuesday proposed the creation of a diplomatic office in Sabah to attend to Filipinos who would be affected by the fighting there between the Malaysian forces and the followers of the sultan of Sulu.
The sultan of Sulu and his supporters in Sabah have found an ally in Senator Ferdinand “Bong-Bong” Marcos Jr., who called on the Aquino administration to “protect” first the sultanate before discussing the country’s claim over the disputed land.
The Malaysian prime minister has directed Malaysian intelligence to investigate claims that the opposition was among parties responsible in instigating the heir of the Sulu Sultanate to reclaim Sabah.
Malaysian security forces clashed with members of the Sulu sultanate’s “royal army” Friday, with casualties feared on both sides, reports culled by INQUIRER.net.
A legislator on Thursday urged the Philippine government to consider reviving its claim to Sabah amid a standoff between the Malaysian authorities and a group claiming to be members of the Sultan of Sulu.
Reelectionist Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV on Wednesday called on the Aquino administration to make known its policy on the country’s claim to Sabah and on the standoff between Malaysian security forces and a group of armed followers of the sultan of Sulu in the eastern Malaysian territory.
Followers of a Philippine sultan who crossed to the Malaysian state of Sabah this month will not leave and are reclaiming the area as their ancestral territory, the sultan said Sunday amid a tense standoff.
