Malaysia denies 700 more gunmen from Sulu now in Sabah

MANILA, Philippines—Malaysian police on Friday denied rumors that more Filipinos have entered Sabah to reinforce the embattled Sulu “royal army.”

Malaysian police Inspector-General Tan Sri Ismail Omar told Malaysian media in a press conference that false reports of 700 more gunmen from Sulu have been circulating through text messages and social media.

“I received information that there are SMS and social media postings which falsely claim that these gunmen have entered Kota Kinabalu and Tawau to create chaos,” Omar was quoted as saying by Malaysia’s The Star.

“It is not true. Do not believe in reports which are not confirmed by the police and military. Please inform the police if you see any information via social media or text messages,” he said.

The Sulu “royal army” has been the subject of manhunt operations by Malaysian security forces for the past three days following the order of Prime Minister Najib Razak for an offensive to end the tense three-week standoff.

An estimated 200 supporters of the Sultanate of Sulu, led by Raja Muda Agbimuddin Kiram, sailed into Sabah February 11 and encamped in Tanduao Village in Lahad Datu to reclaim what they insist is their rightful territory.

An official of the Moro National Liberation Front previously stated that about 10,000 Tausugs from the southern provinces of the Philippines were sailing to Sabah to help their Muslim comrades there.

“We can no longer prevent our people. We are hurt and many of our people, even the non-combatants, are going to Sabah to help the sultanate,” Habib Hashim Mudjahab, chair of the MNLF’s Islamic Council Committee had said.