Guerilla tactics used by Sulu intruders ineffective - army field commander

From the Malaysia Chronicle (Mar 20): Guerilla tactics used by Sulu intruders ineffective - army field commander

LAHAD DATU- Although experienced in guerrilla warfare in southern Philippines since 1899, the guerrilla tactics used by Sulu armed intruders have failed to breach the country's defence.

Instead, the Malaysian Armed Forces (ATM) which used guerrilla tactics defending the country against the communist threat between 1984 and 1989 succeeded in crippling the group.

"The guerrilla tactics used by intruders currently holding out in Tanjung Batu can't match the tactics of our security forces.

This is proven by the 62 intruders shot dead," said Army Field Commander Lt Gen Datuk Seri Zulkiple Kassim.

ATM's tactics are constantly enhanced and streamlined with various training and additional assets to ensure that national sovereignty is protected.

"We are the only country in the world to have won the war against the communists using guerrilla tactics," he added.

Meanwhile, Armed Forces Chief Gen Tan Sri Mohd Zulkifeli Mohd Zin said security forces fired mortar and heavy artillery before entering the intruders' fortress.

"This tactic is used to ensure the safety of security forces and because of the challenging terrain including forest, swamp and farms.

"The intruders who use snipers ,are familiar with these areas."

He said weapons used by them include Garand and M-16rifles, favourites among snipers since they could shoot up to 550 metres.

The National Blue Ocean Strategy (NBOS) introduced by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak four years ago also contributed to the success of Ops Daulat.

Inspector-General of Police, Tan Sri Ismail Omar said the security situation in Sabah east coast returned to normal two weeks after Ops Daulat was launched.

Proof of Ops Daulat success was seen from the 107 people detained under the Safety Offences Act (Special Measures) 2012 (SOSMA) and 241 people detained for entering the red zone.

Under NBOS, security forces could mobilise the assets of various security agencies and help implementation of Eastern Sabah Security Command (ESSCOM) which covers 1,400 km of Sabah east coast.

Ismail said the creation of ESSCOM announced by Najib on March 7 was to protect sovereignty and security in the districts of Kudat, Tawau, Kunak, Sandakan and Lahad Datu.

Since the intrusion of Lahad Datu on February 12, 10 security forces members were killed in Ops Daulat.

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