Malaysian forces capture 3 alleged Kiram supporters

MANILA, Philippines - Malaysian forces arrested on Sunday three people believed to be supporters of the sultanate of Sulu in Sandakan, state-run news agency Bernama reported yesterday.

Sabah Police Commissioner Datuk Hamza Taib was quoted as saying that the arrested persons would be charged in court.

The arrest raised to 107 the number of people detained for allegedly violating Malaysia’s Security Offenses Act 2012.

Bernama said a total of four clashes between Malaysian and Sulu sultanate forces were recorded last Sunday. No one was reported injured in the fighting that occurred between 8:05 a.m. and 5 p.m.

Malaysian forces are conducting clearing operations against the troops of the sultanate of Sulu.

Malaysian Army First Division chief Maj. Gen. Datuk Ahmad Zaki Mokhtar said security forces were using 12 armored cars with chain wheels to allow movement in all types of terrain.

More than 60 people have died since the fighting between the sultanate of Sulu and Malaysian forces started last March 1.

The daughter of Sultan of Sulu Jamalul Kiram III belied yesterday reports that the unilateral ceasefire that they have declared in Sabah has been lifted.

At a media forum in Quezon City, Princess Jacel Kiram said the they want to peacefully resolve the fighting in Sabah.

“Of course they have to defend themselves if they were attacked,” she said. “But they cannot initiate an attack.”

Jacel also denied reports that her uncle, Rajah Muda Agbimuddin Kiram, has fled Sabah and returned to the Philippines.

“He’s out of the danger zone, but he’s still in Sabah,” she said.

He and his troops have no intention to leave Sabah, she added.

Jacel said more than 40 armed supporters of the sultanate were able to enter Sabah last week.

“They were relatives of those who died,” she said. “We tried to stop them. In fact, we are doing our best to stop those who are in Sulu who want to go to Sabah.”

Jacel said the Aquino administration has not initiated another contact following the meeting between Interior Secretary Manuel Roxas II and her uncle Ismael Kiram.

They have not seen the sincerity of the Aquino administration in supporting the Philippine claim to Sabah, she added.

Jacel said she could not see what the government is waiting for to push the claim to Sabah.

“We have historical basis on claiming Sabah,” she said.

The STAR learned in Tawi-Tawi yesterday that members of the sultan’s forces remaining in Sabah have no choice but to fight after Malaysian security forces destroyed their boats.

Various sources said the Malaysian police and  military intend to wipe out the sultan’s forces.

Haji Faisal Malande, outgoing executive assistant to Tawi-Tawi Gov. Sadikul Sahali, said the conflict would end if Malaysia acknowledges and names the real heir of the Sulu sultanate as the Sultan of Sabah.

“That’s a win-win solution to end  this crisis,” he said.

Another source, who also asked not to be named, said Malaysia’s police and military appeared to have underestimated the fighting capabilities of the raja muda’s men.

Agbimuddin once served as district officer in Lahad Datu, which is equivalent to a mayor in the Philippines.

As of yesterday, around 10,000 Malaysian troops have yet to nail down the raja muda and his fighters after weeks of fighting.

The STAR learned that Navy and immigration personnel discovered that returning fighters of the sultanate were carrying imported canned goods for their families.

“When their luggage was searched, we found that they were carrying  imported canned goods and other groceries for their families back home,” a security official said.

Tawi-Tawi police director Senior Superintendent Joselito Salido said they were also carrying two  M16 rifles, a shotgun, and an M1 rifle.

“Yes, they were carrying bags of groceries, including cans of corned beef,” he said. – With Janvic Mateo, Jaime Laude, Mike Frialde