This just came in. AsiaOne reports that about 10,000 members of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) were sailing to Sabah to help their beleaguered Sulu friends in support of Sultan Kiram's claim for the state.
And I really wonder what was Nur Misuari's (chairman of MNLF who opposed the KL-initiated peace plan for Mindanao) motive when he offered a few days ago to mediate the standoff in Lahad Datu.
I am more alarmed with allegations by a MNLF representative that the Philippines marines 'are easy to pass through'.
The 'war' against the Sulu terrorists is far from over. Although the number of casualty on the Sulu side has yet to be confirmed, there are reports than about 20 bodies were discovered after we launched a massive air and ground attack on their position in Tanduo.
Taking into account there were more than 200 of them who holed up in various locations, it means many of them are still moving freely.
Yes, we didn't want the war in the first place but when diplomacy failed, it left us to no choice but to defend our sovereignty at all cost. Even Manila has labelled them as terrorists who tried to run a wedge between Malaysia and the Philippines.
And while our police claimed victory in neutralising the Sulus, the enemy was still very much in comfort, refuting the claim as rubbish.
Besides, what are we doing to avoid any backlash on our soldiers monitoring the peace process in Mindanao, and Malaysians in all parts of the Philippines?
I don't think Malaysians will take revenge on the estimated 800,00 Pinoys in the country, mostly in Sabah because they understand very well that we are not entering a war or confrontation with the Philippines but with a group of terrorists.
However, when some 1,000 Sulus and their supporters staged a demo in front of our embassy in Makati yesterday, it will spell more trouble should we fail to take whatever necessary precaution and measure to ensure the safety of our nationals there.
Yes, I have faith in our security forces in Sabah but we must be on high alert. Even the US failed to detect the 9/11 attacks on New York!
Thousands of Tausug from Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi have sailed to Sabah to reinforce members of the so-called royal army of the sultanate of Sulu who are fighting it out with Malaysian security forces, a Moro National Liberation Front official said Tuesday.I really don't like this. Despite IGP Ismail Omar's assurance that our shore is well taken care of with the deployment of more police personnel and equipment, the rumor about a Malaysian captain detained on suspicion of collaborating with the Sulu invaders, is not good enough.
"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, told the Philippine Daily Inquirer by phone.
And I really wonder what was Nur Misuari's (chairman of MNLF who opposed the KL-initiated peace plan for Mindanao) motive when he offered a few days ago to mediate the standoff in Lahad Datu.
I am more alarmed with allegations by a MNLF representative that the Philippines marines 'are easy to pass through'.
"The naval blockade is of no use; our military should have known that. We did that before at the height of Marcos regime. We can easily go to Sabah and blend with the people there," he added. He was referring to a naval blockade thrown up by the Philippine Navy and Coast Guard to ensure armed sympathizers do not joined the beleaguered men in Sabah as reinforcements.What does that mean?
The 'war' against the Sulu terrorists is far from over. Although the number of casualty on the Sulu side has yet to be confirmed, there are reports than about 20 bodies were discovered after we launched a massive air and ground attack on their position in Tanduo.
Taking into account there were more than 200 of them who holed up in various locations, it means many of them are still moving freely.
Yes, we didn't want the war in the first place but when diplomacy failed, it left us to no choice but to defend our sovereignty at all cost. Even Manila has labelled them as terrorists who tried to run a wedge between Malaysia and the Philippines.
And while our police claimed victory in neutralising the Sulus, the enemy was still very much in comfort, refuting the claim as rubbish.
"... in an interview aired over dzBB radio, Sultanate spokesman Abraham Idjirani said they received a call from the sultan's brother Raja Muda Azzimudie shortly after 11 a.m. saying he was fine. "Nagpapahinga sina Raja Muda at ang kanyang kasamahan pero buo pa rin sila [Raja Muda and his men are resting now but they are still alive]," he said. He quoted Azzimudie as saying the Malaysian security forces dropped at least two bombs but these were far from their position..."As at midnight, no specific reports came in about the actual number of casualties on both sides and as to whether the joint police-army operation will resume in the morning. We can understand why the military imposed a blackout on such details but it led to many speculations and the feel of uncertainty.
Besides, what are we doing to avoid any backlash on our soldiers monitoring the peace process in Mindanao, and Malaysians in all parts of the Philippines?
I don't think Malaysians will take revenge on the estimated 800,00 Pinoys in the country, mostly in Sabah because they understand very well that we are not entering a war or confrontation with the Philippines but with a group of terrorists.
However, when some 1,000 Sulus and their supporters staged a demo in front of our embassy in Makati yesterday, it will spell more trouble should we fail to take whatever necessary precaution and measure to ensure the safety of our nationals there.
Yes, I have faith in our security forces in Sabah but we must be on high alert. Even the US failed to detect the 9/11 attacks on New York!