Kiram’s Tausugs expected to launch ‘pockets of resistance’

From the Daily Tribune (Mar 19): Kiram’s Tausugs expected to launch ‘pockets of resistance’

Fighting between followers of Sultan Jamalul Kiram III of Sulu and Malaysian security forces may drag on as the Tausug fighters are expected to launch “pockets of resistance” against Malaysia, while families of those killed during the conflict will surely avenge the loss of their loved ones.

A ranking security official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, theorized that Malaysia would be facing “pockets of resistance” against the followers of Kiram, led by his brother, crown prince Raja Muda Agbimmudin Kiram, who are still in Sabah. Aside from the resistance from Raja Muda’s group, Malaysian security forces would also be ready for the action of the families of those slain during intensified police and military operations in various parts of Sabah during the past weeks.

“It (fighting) will drag on but not as intensely as before…maybe pockets of resistance,” said the official.

As of yesterday, Malaysian authorities reported the killing of 62 followers of the Kirams while 104 have been detained since “Operasi Daulat”, the intensified police and military operations plan launched against members of the Royal Security Force of the Sultanate of Sulu, last March 1.

“My (assessment) is that it would become a sort of resistance movement especially from the families of the fighters killed…they will surely take revenge against the Malaysian police,” he added.

The official expressed fears that the resistance may lead to the use of improvised explosive device (IED) in the future.

The source said that Malaysian forces would have difficulty dealing with the Tausug clansmen who reinforced the group of Raja Muda. He said that those who were with Raja Muda when he sailed to Sabah last Feb. 9 were not actually prepared for an armed conflict with Malaysia.

“They (companions of Raja Muda) did not expect that there will be fighting like this but the Tausugs who went there...Malaysia will have difficulty because for sure they (Tausug clansmen) were better prepared psychologically,” the official said.

Raja Muda led more than 200 followers in their “homecoming” in Sabah last Feb. 9. Three days later, they occupied a compound in Tanduao village that led to a standoff with Malaysian forces.

On March 1, Malaysian forces attacked the group of Raja Muda sparking the two-week long armed conflict.

The Kirams said that the group of Raja Muda went to Sabah to settle in their “homeland” peacefully. Sultan Jamalul remained firm that he will not order his brother to return to the Philippines.

The official also said that there are no indications that Raja Muda has returned to the country to evade Sabah assault as claimed by Malaysian authorities.

“We still don’t have indicators that he (Raja Muda) is here, only the Malaysians are saying that but there are no indications or report that he is here in the Philippines or sighted in the Philippines,” the source said.

“I don’t (think) he is going back to the Philippines…the order to him by Jamalul Kiram is to stay there. He cannot disobey the order of his brother. He will only come back if Jamalul orders him to return,” he added.

Despite assertions by Malaysian authorities claiming Raja Muda had fled already and abandoned his group in Sabah, the Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) Gov. Mujiv Hataman confirmed yesterday that Raja Muda could not be found in either the southern Philippines or in Lahad Datu, Sabah.

“First, as of now, we have not seen him in the Philippines. But the Malaysian government had its declaration that there are no more Royal Security Forces in Lahad Datu. And, in fact, in the case of our humanitarian mission, as of three days ago, I talked to the head of CMC Ambassador Ed Malaya that they had already access in the area where the Royal Forces positioned,” Hataman said.

“At that time, he wanted be pulled out. But I will say from March 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, as well with Governor Sadikul, and Sultan Esmail (Kiram) talked directly to Agbimuddin at that time asking for a rescue,” Hataman said.

He added that the conversation went through when Agbimuddin had made a call to Esmail.

Hataman said he really was uncertain of the whereabouts of Agbimuddin.

From the very start the directive of the President is to have a peaceful resolution. So it should be, whether Muslim or whoever may ask, don’t add to the heat but objectively address the problem about Sabah, Hataman said.

Hataman said that the conflict in the past four decades had been ignited by the issue of Sabah claim which was being backed-up by individuals to promote conflict naming former President Ferdinand Marcos.

“Imagine, 45 years ago it was also ignited by Sabah. Second, today again is Sabah. But if will look at it, this is not what the Moro people want. There is a backing of somebody. In 1968, who was at the back of it? It was Marcos. Now, we are sure there is one backing this, but let the authorities identify who are these individuals,” Hataman said.

Hataman said the crisis in Sabah is over. “Actually, there in Sabah, the crisis is over. There was a declaration that the crisis is over.

Meanwhile, the militant Kilusang Mayo Uno described yesterday President Aquino’s call for talks over the Sabah crisis as a poor attempt at saving face, saying the chief executive wants to appear like he’s standing up for peace and the country’s sovereignty after allowing Malaysian authorities to kill Filipinos in Sabah and violate their human rights in a prepared statement.

Aquino’s call, made last Sunday at the graduation rites of the Philippine Military Academy in Baguio City, came after 62 Filipinos and 10 Malaysian police and military forces were already killed and after allegations of abuses of Filipinos’ human rights surfaced in the course of the Malaysian government’s armed offensive in the disputed territory.

“Aquino cheered when the Malaysian government was launching a massacre of Filipinos in Sabah and was violating Filipinos’ human rights. Now, he wants to project himself as a peace advocate and a patriot. What a hypocrite,” said Roger Soluta, KMU secretary-general.

“What will he say when he faces Malaysia? He hasn’t issued a clear stand on the country’s territorial claim to Sabah. He will most likely formally surrender the country’s long-standing claim to the disputed territory,” he said.

“Aquino will most likely talk about clean-up operations with Malaysia, about how to punish Filipinos who are suspected of being part of the Sulu Sultanate’s forces. That’s not standing up for peace or for the country’s sovereignty,” he added.


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