Author Topic: Firefight Breaks Out in Sabah (Read 2959 times)

islander · « **on:** March 01, 2013, 04:02:03 PM »

Firefight Breaks Out in Sabah

By Edd K. Usman
March 1, 2013

After three weeks of the Sabah standoff, a firefight broke out today at about 10 a.m. as members of the Malaysian police allegedly attacked the camp of Rajah Muda Agbimuddin Kiram in Kampung Tanduo, Lahad Datu.

Rajah Muda

(a developing story from Manila Bulletin as of 10:51 a.m., Philippine time)

http://www.mb.com.ph/

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islander · « **Reply #1 on:** March 01, 2013, 04:10:30 PM »

one version, as reported from malaysia --

Updated: Fri, 01 Mar 2013 06:32:41 GMT | By Agence France-Presse

Filipino gunmen open fire on Malaysia forces: officials

Malaysia said Friday that Filipino gunmen had opened fire at the scene of a tense stand-off over a territorial dispute, but denied they had returned fire as rebels claimed 10 of their group were killed.

Malaysia's Home Minister Hishammuddin Hussein wrote on Twitter that shots had been fired in the Sabah village of Lahad Datu, but that security forces had not retaliated and that the group continued to be surrounded.

"I confirm that our security forces have not taken a single shot but were shot at at 10am this morning!" he tweeted.

He later told The Star newspaper that there had been "no deaths".

Philippine President Benigno Aquino's spokeswoman Abigail Valte told reporters that security forces had fired "warning shots" but played down reports of a firefight.

"Warning shots were fired. There was no gunfight. There were no casualties," she said.

Malaysia's ambassador to the Philippines told Foreign Secretary Albert del Rosario that the gunfire had stopped and there were no reports of casualties, foreign affairs spokesman Raul Hernandez said on local television.

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islander · « **Reply #2 on:** March 01, 2013, 04:12:20 PM »

However, a spokesman for the self-proclaimed Filipino Muslim sultan who sent the men to Sabah to stake their territorial claim, alleged the Malaysian authorities had shot dead 10 members of the group.

Scores of followers of Jamalul Kiram II, the self-proclaimed heir to the Filipino Muslim sultanate of Sulu have been facing off with Malaysian forces in the village for more than two weeks.

The group, which includes about 30 gunmen according to Filipino authorities, sailed from their remote southern Philippine island homes to Lahad Datu on February 12.

Abraham Idjirani, Kiram's spokesman, claimed snipers from the Malaysian forces had killed 10 of the sultan's men and wounded four other members of the party.

"I talked to (the group's leader) by telephone just now and asked him how many of his men were martyred. He told me 10. I enquired about the wounded and he said four," Idjirani told a news conference at Kiram's Manila home.

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islander · « **Reply #3 on:** March 01, 2013, 04:12:58 PM »

"They are not leaving," he said of Kiram's men. "The fighting will continue."

President Benigno Aquino's spokesman Ricky Carandang said the Malaysian authorities had briefed Manila about how the Malaysian forces had fired warning shots.

He stressed they did not receive any reports of casualties.

"This was not a firefight, that's what we were told. What we know is that there were some members of the party who tried to break out of the area where they are being contained and they were arrested by the Malaysian authorities."

Carandang added: "The foreign department and other concerned cabinet members are talking to Malaysian counterparts for this to remain peaceful."

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islander · « **Reply #4 on:** March 01, 2013, 04:13:56 PM »

Kiram says he is the head of the Islamic Sultanate of Sulu, which once controlled parts of Borneo including the site of the stand-off, as well as southern Philippine islands.

The sultanate leased northern Borneo to Europeans in the 1870s.

While the sultanate's authority gradually faded as Western colonial powers exerted their influence over the region, it continued to receive lease payments for Sabah.

The former British colony became part of the federation of Malaysia when it was formed in 1963.

Kiram and the other heirs of the sultan still receive nominal annual compensation from Malaysia in the equivalent of about $1,700.

Idjirani suggested last week that the men would stand down if the compensation were substantially raised.

http://news.malaysia.msn.com/

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islander · « **Reply #5 on:** March 01, 2013, 04:24:29 PM »

one philippine version--

Kiram: Putukan na rito. We are surrounded!

ABS-CBNnews.com
Updated as of 03/01/2013 12:10 PM

MANILA (3rd UPDATE) â€“ Malaysian forces have opened fire at the royal army of the Sultanate of Sulu in Sabah, Malaysia, the sultanate's spokesperson confirmed on Friday.

Abraham Idjirani, speaking to ANC, said: "The first shot was done by the Malaysian police authorities. And as been said by (crown prince) Datu Raja Muda (Agbimuddin Kiram), if that happens wala na silang option except to fire back."

"There was an exchange of fire," he added.

Raja Muda Agbimuddin Kiram told DZRH they have been surrounded by Malaysian authorities. He said at least one of their group had been wounded in the firefight.

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islander · « **Reply #6 on:** March 01, 2013, 04:24:48 PM »

"Nagbabarilan na! Mayroon ng tinamaan sa amin, isang wounded," he said.

"Putukan na rito. We are surrounded! Tapos na ang salita, Tapos na ang salita! We will fight today."

Princess Fatima Kiram, wife of Sulu Sultan Jamalul Kiram III, said she received unconfirmed reports that Malaysian authorities have arrested Kiram, the leader of the group in Lahad Datu.

She said that before the encounter, the Malaysian police were only 200 meters away from the group of Kiram.

"Lahat nanduon sa paligid nila," she told radio dzMM.

more at http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/03/01/13/spokesman-confirms-exchange-fire-sabah

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islander · « **Reply #7 on:** March 01, 2013, 04:29:29 PM »

another development--

DFA: Sabah standoff over; 2 Malaysian cops killed

by David Dizon, ABS-CBNnews.com
Updated as of 03/01/2013 3:45 PM

10 from Kiram group surrender; others on the run

MANILA - The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Friday said 2 Malaysian police officers were killed and one wounded after being shot at by followers of Datu Raja Muda Agbimuddin in Sabah, Malaysia.

"Malaysian authorities, particularly the Malaysian police, are now pursuing the group. Two were killed and 1 wounded from the Malaysian police after their vehicle(s) were fired upon by the Kiram group. The ambassador said the standoff is now over," Foreign Affairs spokesman Raul Hernandez said in a statement.

Hernandez said the DFA is still validating a report from the group of Sultan Jamalul Kiram III that 10 followers of Raja Muda were killed while 4 others were wounded in the shooting.

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islander · « **Reply #8 on:** March 01, 2013, 04:30:36 PM »

"What we have from the Malaysian ambassador is that 10 men of the Kirams surrendered and 1 owner of the house where Kiram stayed was killed. From the Malaysian authorities, 2 were killed and 1 was wounded after the Malaysian police vehicle was fired upon by the Kiram group," he said.

Two of Kiram's men also escaped and ran towards the sea, according to the Malaysian ambassador. Hernandez said they have no information if those who left Kiram's group were able to escape.

He said Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario asked the Malaysian ambassador to the Philippines for a full briefing of the operations conducted by Malaysian forces in Lahad Datu.

He said del Rosario submitted a note verbale to the ambassador, asking for full access to Raja Muda's group so that the Philippine government could give medical treatment to the wounded and provide consular assistance to the rest of the group

"Secretary del Rosario also requested clearance for the Philippine Navy ship AT-296 BRP Tagbanua to proceed to Lahad Datu to enable Philippine medical personnel abroad to attend to the wounded and ferry them and the remaining members of the group back to their respective homes and families," he said.

http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/

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islander · « **Reply #9 on:** March 01, 2013, 04:44:18 PM »

the blame game begins--

Sultan Kiram didn't listen to PNoy: Mar

Posted at 03/01/2013 1:11 PM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=noBhPfF9eho#

MANILA - Interior and Local Government Secretary Manuel "Mar" Roxas said the Kiram clan should have listened to the President when he appealed to Sultan Jamalul Kiram III to order his followers to leave Sabah.

An exchange of fire occurred between the royal army and Malaysian police authorities Friday morning in Lahad Datu town where Kiram's followers have been holed up since February 12.

"Malinaw na malinaw 'no. With all due respect sa pamilya Kiram, malinaw na malinaw ang plano ng gobyerno. Matagal nang sinasabi ng gobyerno na pauwiin na natin ang ating mga kababayan dun. Eh matigas ang ulo. Ayaw makinig 'no," Roxas told radio dzMM.

Roxas also said that with the reported shooting incident in Sabah, this is not the right time to argue on who should reach out first.

more at http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/video/nation/03/01/13/sultan-kiram-didnt-listen-pnoy-mar

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islander · « **Reply #10 on:** March 01, 2013, 04:46:46 PM »

Mar speaking for Malaysia, says sultan's wife

By Dharel Placido, ABS-CBNnews.com
Updated as of 03/01/2013 2:51 PM

MANILA â€“ Fatima Kiram, wife of Suu Sultan Jamalaul Kiram III, on Friday accused Interior Secretary Manuel "Mar" Roxas II of siding with Malaysia in the Sabah standoff.

Fatima lamented Roxas's recent statement that Malaysia had been very patient in dealing with the sultanate's followers, who have been holed up in Sabah for over two weeks now to assert their ownership of the territory.

"Is he the spokesperson of Malaysia to the extent of sacrificing the lives of our 10 Tausug warriors? I don't know. I really don't know if he is spokesperson, speaking in behalf of Malaysia," she said at a press conference.

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islander · « **Reply #11 on:** March 01, 2013, 04:47:57 PM »

"Nasaan na ang pagka-patriotic o pagka-Pilipino? Kapag ang mga kapatid natin ay nasaktan sa ibang lugar, bakit natin ipapagtanggol ang mga kalaban natin?"

Fatima issued this statement following a gunfight between the Malaysian forces and the the sultan's followers, led by crown prince Raja Muda Agbimuddin Kiram. The gunfight claimed at least 10 lives, according to the sultanate's spokesman Abraham Idjirani, citing information he gathered from the crown prince.

ABS-CBN News has yet to verify the report.

Out of frustration, Fatima blurted: "Is he anti-Muslim? I think he is, I can say that he is anti-Muslim!"

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islander · « **Reply #12 on:** March 01, 2013, 04:49:13 PM »

Roxas, in a subsequent interview with radio dzMM, said he will not yet comment on Fatima's tirades.

"Well, baka 'di ko na muna papatulan dahil 'di ko naman nadinig. Ang punto lang dito, patuloy na ang pamahalaan ay buong-buo na sinisikap gawin ang lahat para malutas ang sitwasyon na ito," he said.

Roxas also said he has not yet received any confirmation that 10 people indeed died during the gunfight on Friday morning, the first major one to occur since the sultanate's followers arrived in Sabah last February 12.

"Pinapa-verify natin ang reports. Of course nababahala tayo. Sinisugurado nating mananatiling ligatas ang mga kababayan doon. Iyan ang dailan kung bakit ginagawa ang lahat at nananawagan ang pamahalaan natin sa lahat ng panig na manatiling marahan at hindi hayaan ang dumating pa sa karasahan ang sitwasyong ito," Roxas said.

http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/

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balong · « **Reply #13 on:** March 01, 2013, 05:09:35 PM »

Kiram says he is the head of the Islamic Sultanate of Sulu, which once controlled parts of Borneo including the site of the stand-off, as well as southern Philippine islands.

The sultanate leased northern Borneo to Europeans in the 1870s.

While the sultanate's authority gradually faded as Western colonial powers exerted their influence over the region, it continued to receive lease payments for Sabah.

The former British colony became part of the federation of Malaysia when it was formed in 1963.

Kiram and the other heirs of the sultan still receive nominal annual compensation from Malaysia in the equivalent of about $1,700.

Idjirani suggested last week that the men would stand down if the compensation were substantially raised.

http://news.malaysia.msn.com/

so it all comes down to MONEY. mao diay ni naka ingon sa gera. mas maajo pa tingali ug wa na lay kwartahay. balik ta ug barter system.

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islander · « **Reply #14 on:** March 01, 2013, 05:48:13 PM »

so it all comes down to MONEY. mao diay ni naka ingon sa gera. mas maajo pa tingali ug wa na lay kwartahay. balik ta ug barter system.

here are hopes then that with all your money, you are not ready for war.

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taga tigbao · « **Reply #15 on:** March 01, 2013, 06:52:43 PM »

Guol huna hunaon ang nahitabo sa mga Pilipino didtos Malaysia.

The Philippine government is disappointing!

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taga tigbao · « **Reply #16 on:** March 01, 2013, 06:54:17 PM »

I quote from yahoo Philippines:

Imagine telling the Sultan and his followers asserting their right over their property in the hands of Malaysia that it is a â€œhopeless cause.â€

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balong · « **Reply #17 on:** March 01, 2013, 07:11:24 PM »

here are hopes then that with all your money, you are not ready for war.

i am ready for anything islander. wa koy problema nga bijaan naho ang kwarta total jamo man pod koy kwarta. estorya ray ga daghan ba

;D;D

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hofelina · « **Reply #18 on:** March 01, 2013, 07:14:51 PM »

this is a very precarious situation.

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balong · « **Reply #19 on:** March 01, 2013, 07:18:23 PM »

Guol huna hunaon ang nahitabo sa mga Pilipino didtos Malaysia.

The Philippine government is disappointing!

di ta maka basol sa atong goberno. kay ug mo take side ta ni kiram, that means we will be going to war against malaysia. daku ug gasto ang gera.

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balong · « **Reply #20 on:** March 01, 2013, 07:24:56 PM »

The former British colony became part of the federation of Malaysia when it was formed in 1963.

Kiram and the other heirs of the sultan still receive nominal annual compensation from Malaysia in the equivalent of about $1,700.

ang maajong gibuhat ni kiram, nangajo na lang unta ug increase sa compensation. kay gamay ra man ang ijang sakop. lupig jud sila kong makig gera sa malaysia. negosyo man gud nga daku ning gera. kinhangan ka ug dakung pohonan. naa kay kwarta para palit ug armas ug pang sweldo sa imong mga sundalo.

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balong · « **Reply #21 on:** March 01, 2013, 07:27:03 PM »

this is a very precarious situation.

hello tweety bird

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islander · « **Reply #22 on:** March 01, 2013, 07:29:13 PM »

I quote from yahoo Philippines:

Imagine telling the Sultan and his followers asserting their right over their property in the hands of Malaysia that it is a â€œhopeless cause.â€

the way i understand it, the context of the statement is such that the "hopeless cause" refers to the way the sultan's grievances are being expressed, not the validity or non-validity of his claims to sabah. i quote the full text thus:

"And so this is my appeal to you: These are your people, your people. It behooves you to recall them. It must be clear to you that this small group of people will not succeed in addressing your grievances, and that there is no way that force can achieve your aims," he said in a statement he read during the briefing. The text of the statement was posted on the Official Gazette website after the briefing. Aquino added Kiram should use his influence "to prevail on countrymen to desist from this hopeless cause."

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islander · « **Reply #23 on:** March 01, 2013, 07:43:12 PM »

we all understand that as children, we didn't get our way with tantrums. we even end up getting spanked. so it is in this case.

people just can't go to a place, much less a place administered by a foreign country for decades, and expect to seize it as their own. there are many other considerations (historical, economic, etc.) and channels (legal, diplomatic, international standing, etc.) for such desires to bear whatever fruit.

closer to home and on a smaller scale, tag-iya tag yuta nga daghang squatters, mapusilan pa ta kun atong papahawaon, gawas sa decades of fighting in court for your right to your own property. it's sickening, but a proper process is a proper process.

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MikeLigalig.com · « **Reply #24 on:** March 01, 2013, 07:44:25 PM »

These Filipino Muslims in Sabah who are fighting for what truly belongs to us should be declared national heroes.

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islander · « **Reply #25 on:** March 01, 2013, 07:54:58 PM »

nominally, it is as if it belongs to us, they being filipinos just like us. so our country owns sabah, historically because of the sultanate. china is calling on a similar claim-- historical, they say, about their claim to the spratlys and scarborough/panatag shoal. are we backing out? not at all. don't expect malaysia to back out as well. that is why the philippines is treading so carefully on this issue.

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Lorenzo · « **Reply #26 on:** March 02, 2013, 10:38:54 AM »

Malaysian paramilitary troops

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Lorenzo · « **Reply #27 on:** March 02, 2013, 10:39:15 AM »

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Lorenzo · « **Reply #28 on:** March 02, 2013, 10:41:16 AM »

The Malaysian Special Forces Commando Unit. They were unleashed on the Filipinos.

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Lorenzo · « **Reply #29 on:** March 02, 2013, 10:44:23 AM »

The Tausug Warriors of Sulu

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Lorenzo · « **Reply #30 on:** March 02, 2013, 10:49:11 AM »

Who neutralized the Sulu Royal Army?

Answer: The Malaysian Elite Special Forces, known in Bahasa Malay as Pasukan Operasi Khusus Malaysia

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