Sultan’s followers defiant

CEBU, Philippines - As Malaysia unleashed its firepower on the supporters of Sulu Sultan Jamalul Kiram III, the Filipinos said yesterday they are now bracing for guerilla warfare and are prepared to “fight to the last man” rather than surrender.

“The crown prince, the royal security force and the many patriots who landed voluntarily will fight to the last man protecting their dreams and aspirations,” Kiram’s daughter Princess Jacel told reporters in Taguig City.

She was referring to her uncle Agbimuddin, also called Raja Muda or crown prince and leader of the sultan’s forces in Sabah.

Malaysian bombs and bullets had missed Agbimuddin, she said, citing reports from supporters holed up in Sabah.

“Now as the battle rages under a tremendous and superior force by the Malaysian composite forces of air and naval bombardment including army and police forces, all we could do is to ask the Almighty Allah to protect our people in Lahad Datu, Semporna, Kunak, Sandakan and all over the island of Sabah,” she said.

She said her uncle’s forces would continue the fight to “reclaim and settle peacefully in our homeland.”

She also lashed out at Malacañang for not doing enough to ensure a peaceful end to the standoff which began early last month.

“Question, is it now clear that the government of P-Noy has given up and now pursues where to put the blame on the basis of imaginary conspiracies?”

She denied that groups with vested interests were financing their Sabah activities.

Sultanate spokesman Abraham Idjirani said Agbimuddin himself had informed him that he had survived the Malaysian offensive.

“This is to put to rest the black propaganda being waged by the Malaysian government. Raja Muda and his forces are all still alive,” Idjirani said.

“The fighting continues. The Raja Muda has now gone mobile after he felt the might of the Malaysian military,” he said.

He said the last time Agbimuddin contacted him by cell phone was at 2:30 p.m.

He also said that Agbimuddin and his companions had already left their position when it was hit by Malaysian bombs.

He said Malaysian forces occupying the area may have been hit by their own bombs. “It could be a case of friendly fire,” he said. The Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF), meanwhile, said the sultan’s forces recovered two unexploded Malaysian bombs yesterday during a lull in the fighting.

“The bombs are now in the custody of the Sultan Royal Army and are keeping these as evidence and for further documentation,” an MNLF official said.

Idjirani also denied that the Kiram family has links with the Malaysian opposition led by Anwar Ibrahim.

“We don’t know Anwar Ibrahim,” he said.

He said it was impossible for the sultan to meet with Anwar because he had to undergo dialysis regularly. In an interview over radio dzMM, Agbimuddin said they would only release their four captives  –  two military commanders, a police officer and a civilian executive – to an international body. - Philippine Star News Service (FREEMAN)