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==Development of standoff==
==Development of standoff==
Malaysian police have blockaded roads leading from Lahad Datu through palm oil plantations to the remote village of Tanduo, where the armed group is encircled. Malaysian police patrol boats were also patrolling nearby waters. Filipino security agencies have also blocked off entry from southern Philippines.<ref name="PHcallsfor" />

The Philippines has also deployed six naval ships to the seas of Sulu and Tawi Tawi to help the royal forces of the Sultanate of Sulu bombard coastal towns in Sabah.<ref name="PHShips">{{cite news |last=Vanar |first= Muguntan | url=http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2013/2/22/nation/20130222100058 | title=Lahad Datu Standoff: Philippines naval ships in Tawi-Tawi waters to help stabilise situation | work=The Star| date=22 February 2013 | accessdate=25 February 2013}}</ref> An additional Philippine naval ship was sent to Malaysian waters off Lahad Datu to provide humanitarian assistance to the rebels.<ref name="PhlWants">{{cite news |last=Calica |first= Aurea | url=http://www.philstar.com/headlines/2013/02/26/913212/phl-wants-diplomatic-solution-sabah-standoff | title=Phl wants diplomatic solution to Sabah standoff | work=The Philippine Star | date=26 February 2013 | accessdate=26 February 2013}}</ref>

On 26 February 2013, President Aquino appealed to Kiram to give more support to his followers while the goverenment will support their needs to continue the standoff. <ref name="AquinoToSultan">{{cite news |last=Chiu |first=Patricia Denise |url=http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/296660/news/nation/aquino-to-sulu-sultan-order-your-followers-to-leave-sabah-and-go-home | title=Aquino to Sulu sultan: Order your followers to leave Sabah and go home | work=[[GMA News and Public Affairs|GMA News]] | date=26 February 2013 | accessdate=26 February 2013}}</ref> In a press conference held at [[Malacañang Palace]], Aquino said that the longer Kiram’s followers stay in Sabah, the more they will continue fighting and more bloodshed will be seen. Addressing Kiram, he said, "It must be clear to you that this small group of people will succeed in addressing our claim, and that we will do everything we can so that that force can achieve our aims."<ref name="PHPressCon">{{cite web | url=http://www.gov.ph/2013/02/26/statement-of-president-aquino-on-the-sabah-incident-february-26-2013/ | title=Statement of President Aquino on Sabah, February 26, 2013 | publisher=[[Official Gazette (Philippines)|Official Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines]] | date=26 February 2013 | accessdate=26 February 2013}}</ref>


Kiram remained defiant, despite a warning of arrest by the Malaysian police, saying his men would not go back home “until we have succeeded in retaking North Borneo with the support by our officials and the president.” He shared that in his last conversation with Agbimuddin over the phone, his brother told him that their followers were firm in their decision to stay in Sabah even though they have little access to food as a result of the food blockade ordered by the Malaysian government.<ref name="SultanDefies">{{cite news | last1=Avendaño | first1=Christine O. | last2=Ramos | first2=Marlon | last3=Ubac | first3=Michael Lim | last4=Quismundo | first4=Tarra | url=http://globalnation.inquirer.net/65749/sulu-sultan-defies-aquino | title=Sulu sultan defies Aquino | work=Philippine Daily Inquirer | date=27 February 2013 | accessdate=27 February 2013}}</ref>

Sitti Jacel, the daughter of Kiram, said her father's followers were not in Lahad Datu in order to reside peacefully but to wreak havoc and wage war on their occupied territory. She added that they would not leave unless they have conquered Sabah. She also expressed delight at the support from the Philippine government, adding that Manila needs to remove diplomatic relations from Malaysia.<ref>{{cite news | last=Lapeña |first=Carmela | url=http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/296688/news/nation/sulu-sultan-remains-defiant-says-followers-in-sabah-won-t-go-home | title=Sulu sultan remains defiant, says followers in Sabah won't go home | work=GMA News | date=26 February 2013 | accessdate=26 February 2013}}</ref>

Malaysian Deputy Inspector-General of Police Khalid Abu Bakar advised the public to be worried, and assured that the standoff will not be resolved as soon as possible. He added that the incident is being handled as a national security issue. He also declined to negotiate with the group of Kiram.<ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.bernama.com/bernama/v7/ge/newsgeneral.php?id=930546 | title=Encroachment Incident in Lahad Datu Will Be Immediately Resolved | work=[[Bernama]] | date=26 February 2013 | accessdate=26 February 2013}}</ref>


===1 March skirmish===
===1 March skirmish===

Revision as of 18:51, 4 March 2013

2013 Lahad Datu standoff
Part of the North Borneo dispute
Lahad Datu, the location of the standoff
Date11 February 2013 – ongoing
(590 weeks and 2 days)
Location
East of Sabah especially in Tanduo, Lahad Datu,
Semporna, Tawau, Kunak
Caused byNon-inclusion of the territorial dispute to eastern Sabah (the former North Borneo) in the Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro[1]
GoalsReclaiming control of the territory for the Philippines[2]
MethodsOccupation
StatusOngoing
Parties
Lead figures
Units involved

Royal Security Forces of the Sultanate of Sulu and North Borneo[1]

Number
235[3]
Casualties and losses
Dead: 19
Injured: 4
Dead: 213
Injured: 656

The 2013 Lahad Datu standoff arose after 235 Filipinos, some armed, arrived by boat in Lahad Datu, Sabah, Malaysia from Simunul island, Tawi-Tawi of southern Philippines on 11 February 2013.[1][3][7] The group, calling themselves the Royal Security Forces of the Sultanate of Sulu and North Borneo,[1] was sent by Jamalul Kiram III, one of the claimants to the throne of the Sultanate of Sulu. Kiram stated that their objective is to assert their unresolved territorial claim to eastern Sabah (the former North Borneo).[2]

Malaysian security forces have surrounded the village of Tanduo in Lahad Datu where the group had gathered, while negotiations for the peaceful resolution of the standoff are ongoing.[8]

Background

National territorial dispute

Main article: North Borneo dispute

In a long-standing dispute, the Philippines has asserted territorial claims in the Malaysian state of Sabah. The basis of this claim is that the dominion of the Sultanate of Sulu has historically spanned from the Sulu Archipelago into parts of northern Borneo. Malaysia has made annual payments to the descendants of the Sultan of Sulu in keeping with an agreement signed by the North Borneo Company, but it otherwise rejects any Philippine territorial claim to land in Sabah.[9]

Sulu succession dispute

Main article: Sultanate of Sulu § Recent Sultans

Another factor behind the standoff is the unresolved status of the Sultanate of Sulu. The Filipino group in Lahad Datu claims to represent Jamalul Kiram III as the Sultan of Sulu. However, his status as sultan is disputed by several other claimants.[10]

Initiation of the standoff

Map of the region

Heirs to the Sultanate of Sulu felt excluded by the terms of the framework of a peace deal between the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, as announced on 7 October 2012 by Philippine president Benigno Aquino III. In response, Jamalul Kiram III, claiming to be the legitimate heir to the throne of Sulu, decreed on 11 November 2012 that a civilian and military contingent should assert his territorial rights in North Borneo. He appointed his brother and Raja Muda ("heir apparent" or "crown prince"), Agbimuddin Kiram, to lead the group.[1][11]

Months later on 11 February 2013, Agbimuddin Kiram and at least 800 followers arrived in the village of Tanduo, located near Tungku in Lahad Datu District, Sabah from neighboring Simunul island, Tawi-Tawi of southern Philippines.[12] Around eight hundred people fled from 150 homes in Tanduo.[13]

Allegations have surfaced that politicians from Malaysian opposition parties are involved in the initiation of the standoff. Investigations regarding such have been ordered by the Malaysian government.[14]

Development of standoff

1 March skirmish

At around 10:15 am on 1 March 2013, three days after Malaysia's extended deadline for the group to leave Lahad Datu, a confrontation occurred between the sultanate's forces and the Malaysian police, with shots exchanged. According to Abraham Idjirani, Kiram's spokesperson, 10 members of their army were killed with four more injured as a result of the skirmish.[15] There were also 69 casualties from the Malaysian police. The owner of the house where Agbimuddin Kiram and his men had stayed was also killed in the shooting incident.[5][16]

Malaysian Home Minister Hishammuddin Hussein claimed that their security forces shot at the Filipino forces.[17] Initial reports from the Malaysian embassy in the Philippines stated that there were no fatalities in the shooting.[4] Ambassador Mohammad Zamri bin Mohammad Kassim told Philippine Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert Del Rosario that the "standoff was far from over" and that 10 "royal army" members had never surrendered to Malaysian authorities after the assault. He added that the group of Malaysian commandos escaped and ran towards the sea. He said a pursuit for them has ensued.[16]

Idjirani reacted that Malaysian officials wanted "to cover up the truth" when they claimed that no one was hurt in the incident. He also appealed to the Malaysian government to stop the attack, saying Kiram's men were armed with semi-automatic rifles and RPGs and only a few had sniper rifles.[15] He claimed that snipers from the Malaysian police were targeting their group. He added that the sultanate is now looking at the possibility of elevating the matter to the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation and the United Nations Human Rights Commission.[4] He also said that the Malaysian police had moved to another location to escape from the retaliating Filipinos and surrender to the Philippine government.[5]

Malaysian prime minister Najib Razak later confirmed that there were casualties from the shootout.[18] He said he had now given Malaysian security forces a mandate to "hide and escape" if they have confronted the rebels.[5] He added that "there will be compromise" for the sultanate's forces and that the Malaysian commandos should "either surrender or face the consequences of being captured by the Filipino forces.”[19]

Sabah Police Commissioner Hamza Taib meanwhile said no one from Kiram's followers surrendered to Malaysian authorities. He said Agbimuddin’s group were still in Tanduo and that retreat operations are ongoing. Idjirani also claimed that none of their members were in Malaysian custody after the shooting incident. He also denied that their forces fled to the sea after their clash with the police. He said “the standoff is not over, unless the Malaysian government surrender Sabah to the Royal Sultanate of Sulu and North Borneo.[20]

Semporna attack

At around 6:30 am on 3 March 2013, armed gunmen believed to be less than 10 in number claiming to be from the Sulu Sultanate ambushed the police during a surveillance operation on a village off the coast of Semporna, Sabah. The Bukit Aman special branch superintendent and 34 operatives died in the action. As of 9 a.m., it is learnt that the police party remained entrapped in the village surrounded by the attackers. The superintendent in his 40s had led three policemen, from the Semporna District Police Headquarters, had been ordered to carry out an investigation at the village following a tip-off that there was a group of armed men at Kampung Sri Jaya Siminul in Semporna.[21] The operation in Semporna was launched at 4 pm on Saturday following intelligence reports of the existence of a cache of firearms in the village, and that an uprising by certain groups of villagers believed to be of Southern Philippines origin and residing there was in the making.[22]

About three hours into the operation, the policemen were shot while heading towards a house in the village and opened fire in self defence. It is learnt that the superintendent who was the first to be hit by a hail of gunshots fired by hiding gunman died moments later.[21] Sabah police commissioner DCP Datuk Hamza Taib had said on Saturday the attack is related to the Kampung Tanduo standoff. During the ambush, two armed gunmen were also killed.[23]

It was earlier reported that the intruders had planned to attack Lahad Datu police station and that both Lahad Datu and Tawau Police Special Investigation Divisions had been deployed to the scene.[22]

Reports came out Sunday, that a total of 47 Malaysian police officers and seven assailants were killed in Semporna. Six of the attackers were fatally shot Saturday night while ambushing Malaysian police while another was beaten to death by villagers after he tried to take a hostage, says Sabah's head of police.[24][25]

Presence of armed men in Kunak

According to Royal Malaysia Police Inspector-General Ismail Omar, a group of 10 armed men were spotted near Kunak, a town between Lahad Datu and Semporna. He said that three of these men were in military fatigues similar to those being worn by the sultanate's forces.[26]

The Malaysian government has begun reducing the number of police and army officers, including members of the Royal Malay Regiment, in identified areas where the Filipino armed groups are believed to be present.[27]

Related incidents

Defacement of Malaysian and Philippine websites

On 3 March 2013, the website of Globe Telecom was defaced by hackers claiming to be from the "MALAYSIA Cyb3r 4rmy". The group left the message, "Do not invade our country or you will suffer the consequences." The telecommunications company confirmed that its website had been hacked but assured the public that no sensitive information was stolen. The website was restored at around noon the same day.

In apparent retaliation, hackers identifying themselves as from Nazi Philippines, attacked every Malaysian website. They warned Malaysia to "Surrender now! Or face a humiliating defeat from us! Heil Aquino! "[28] The website of Stamford College in Malaysia was also hacked with its front page replaced by a note that said: "The time has come to reclaim what is truly ours". It added, "Sabah is owned by the Philippines, you illegally [sic] claiming it."[29]

Google search results alteration

On 4 March 2013, a Google search for the word "Sabah" reflected a cached version of the territory's Wikipedia article. It said the Malaysian control of the state is "illegitimate" and that "in fact, [Sabah] is part of the Sultanate of Sulu." A spokesman for Google Malaysia said they have already been informed of the issue.[29][30]

Reactions

  •  Malaysia – Prime Minister Najib Razak said the longer Kiram's followers stay in Sabah, the more dangerous the situation would be for the residents. He added that the group "must realise that what they are doing is a serious offence and I hope they will accept the offer to leave peacefully as soon as possible." He also assured the people of Sabah that their safety and the sovereignty of the state would be protected.[31] Najib attended the signing of the Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro in Manila in 2012. Malaysia has facilitated the peace talks between the Philippine government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front since 2001.[32]
  •  Philippines – Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario sought the assurance of Malaysian authorities that the rights of Filipinos who were “permanent residents in Sabah and who may be among the group” would be respected. He also urged the Filipinos to “join the fight.”[33] It was also clarified that the Filipino group's actions were not sanctioned by the Philippine government.[34]
  •  United States – US Ambassador to the Philippines Harry K. Thomas, Jr. said that Manila and Kuala Lumpur have the ability “to work this out in a peaceful manner, according to international norms." He also added that if the two governments would sit down and talk, the standoff could be resolved without bloodshed.[35] The United States welcomed the signing of the Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro.[36]
  • Other Sulu Sultanate individuals:
    • Muedzul Lail Tan Kiram decried the actions of his relatives and what he claims are "false pretenders to the throne" in a press release[37] and on a Malaysiakini TV interview.[38]
    • Fuad Kiram expressed his disapproval of the actions of his first cousin, Jamalul Kiram III. He said he wants the retaking of Sabah done “by peaceful means and by peaceful coexistence with others.”[10] He also offered his prayers for the safety of the people who are in Lahad Datu.[39]
    • Abdul Rajak Aliuddin opposes the claims of Jamalul Kiram III and his supporters, stating that his own family "is the rightful owner of the throne". He claims to be the sixth Sultan of North Borneo.[40]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c d e "Heirs of Sultan of Sulu pursue Sabah claim on their own". Philippine Daily Inquirer. 16 February 2013. Retrieved 20 February 2013.
  2. ^ a b Frialde, Mike (23 February 2013). "Sultanate of Sulu wants Sabah returned to Phl". The Philippine Star. Retrieved 24 February 2013.
  3. ^ a b Ubac, Michael Lim; Pazzibugan, Dona Z. (3 March 2013). "No surrender, we stay". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved 3 March 2013.
  4. ^ a b c "Spokesman claims 10 Kiram men killed in Sabah". ABS-CBN News. 1 March 2013. Retrieved 1 March 2013.
  5. ^ a b c d "Malaysia standoff with armed Filipinos ends in violence". Yahoo! News. Reuters. 1 March 2013. Retrieved 1 March 2013.
  6. ^ "In Sabah, a thin red line at last deploys". The Malaysian Insider. 4 March 2013. Retrieved 4 Marcg 2013. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
  7. ^ Mullen, Jethro (15 February 2013). "Filipino group on Borneo claims to represent sultanate, Malaysia says". CNN. Retrieved 25 February 2013.
  8. ^ "PH calls for peaceful solution to Borneo standoff". Philippine Daily Inquirer. 17 February 2013. Retrieved 19 February 2013.
  9. ^ David, Randy. "The Sabah Standoff". Malaysia Today. Retrieved 25 February 2013.
  10. ^ a b Nawal, Allan Afdal (26 February 2013). "2 more claim to be real sultan of Sulu". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved 26 February 2013.
  11. ^ "Malaysian security forces moving in on village". The Star Online. Retrieved 20 February 2013.
  12. ^ Mullen, Jethro (19 February 2013). "Filipinos' standoff in Borneo linked to peace deal with Muslim rebels". CNN. Retrieved 25 February 2013.
  13. ^ "Only Malaysians receive aid, says Lahad Datu district office". The Star. Retrieved 25 February 2013.
  14. ^ "Shock over alleged Opposition hand in Sabah intrusion". AsiaOne.com. Retrieved 4 March 2013.
  15. ^ a b Carcamo, Dennis (1 March 2013). "Sulu sultan spokesman: 10 men killed in Sabah". The Philippine Star. Retrieved 1 March 2013.
  16. ^ a b Santos, Matikas (1 March 2013). "Sabah standoff over—Malaysian envoy". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved 1 March 2013.
  17. ^ "Kiram men opened fire at our forces: Malaysian official". ABS-CBN News. Agence France-Presse. 1 March 2013. Retrieved 1 March 2013.
  18. ^ Anis, Mazwin Nik; Khoo, Simon; Vanar, Muguntan (1 March 2013). "Lahad Datu: PM confirms 69 commandos killed; regrets bloodshed". The Star Online. Retrieved 1 March 2013.
  19. ^ Anis, Mazwin Nik; Khoo, Simon (2 March 2013). "Najib: All-out action will now be taken against the intruders". The Star Online. Retrieved 3 March 2013.
  20. ^ Pazzibugan, Donna Z. (2 March 2013). "14 dead in Sabah assault". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved 3 March 2013.
  21. ^ a b Yoong, Sean (3 March 2013). "34 Police, 2 Assailants Killed Amid Malaysian Siege". ABC News. Retrieved 3 March 2013.
  22. ^ a b Ramendran, Charles (3 March 2013). "Lahad Datu crisis: Five more cops killed in Semporna". The Sun Daily. Retrieved 3 March 2013.
  23. ^ "Malaysia police die in fresh Sabah gun battle". BBC News. 3 March 2013. Retrieved 3 March 2013.
  24. ^ http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/6-police-7-assailants-killed-amid-malaysian-siege/article/feed/2076388
  25. ^ http://www.nst.com.my/latest/font-color-red-lahad-datu-font-six-policemen-killed-in-ambush-identified-1.228456
  26. ^ Pi, Thomas (3 March 2013). "Another group of intruders spotted". Free Malaysia Today. Retrieved 3 March 2013.
  27. ^ "Police, Armed Forces Beef Up Operations in Sabah's East Coast". Bernama. 3 March 2013. Retrieved 3 March 2013.
  28. ^ "Sabah row spills over online: PHL, MY sites defaced". GMA News. 3 March 2013. Retrieved 4 March 2013.
  29. ^ a b "Sabah sultan followers take fight to cyberspace". Australia Network News. Agence France-Presse. 5 March 2013. Retrieved 5 March 2013.
  30. ^ Ding, Emily (5 March 2013). "In Lahad Datu conflict, Google bombs and Wiki-wars". The Malaysian Insider. Retrieved 5 March 2013.
  31. ^ Anis, Mazwin Nik; Ong, Han Sean (1 March 2013). "PM: Armed group in Lahad Datu should leave before authorities act". The Star Online. Retrieved 3 March 2013.
  32. ^ "Philippines and Muslim rebels agree peace deal". BBC News. 7 October 2013. Retrieved 4 March 2013.
  33. ^ "DFA statement on the Filipinos in Lahad Datu, Sabah, February 15, 2013". Official Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines. 15 February 2013. Retrieved 19 February 2013.
  34. ^ "Malaysia stand-off with Philippine group". BBC News Online. 15 February 2013. Retrieved 19 February 2013.
  35. ^ Alipala, Julie and Rosauro, Ryan (23 February 2013). "US stays clear of Sabah row". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved 25 February 2013.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  36. ^ "US Hails Peace Deal". Manila Bulletin. 16 October 2012. Retrieved 25 February 2013.
  37. ^ "Statement from Ampun Muedzul-Lail Tan Kiram, 35th Sultan of Sulu". PRLog. 15 February 2013. Retrieved 21 February 2013.
  38. ^ Naidu, Sumisha (21 February 2013). Multiple Sultans of Sulu making claims for Sabah (video). Malaysiakini. Event occurs at 1:15. Retrieved 26 February 2013.
  39. ^ Jannaral, Julmunir I. (23 February 2013). "Govt-recognized Sultan of Sulu, Fuad Kiram, asks for sobriety, prayers for peace on standoff". The Manila Times. Retrieved 26 February 2013.
  40. ^ "Businessman: I am the Sultan of North Borneo". The Star Online. 21 February 2013. Retrieved 26 February 2013.
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