PH Navy disputes report of Sulu reinforcements slipping past blockade

From InterAksyon (Mar 8): PH Navy disputes report of Sulu reinforcements slipping past blockade

The Philippine Navy on Friday disputed reports that hundreds or even thousands of followers and supporters of Sulu Sultan Jamalul Kiram III were able to slip past the naval blockade to go to Sabah and reinforce the fighters there.

Lieutenant Commander Gregory Fabic, acting chief of public affairs of the Philippine Navy, said a movement of such magnitude would not go unnoticed by troops constantly patrolling the waters off Sulu and Tawi-Tawi.

Although intelligence reports showed that there were a number of supporters, a "movement of hundreds, more so thousands, can't be done unnoticed."

"The naval barriers along our borders are well patrolled by both our Naval Forces West (NFW) in Palawan and Naval Forces Western Mindanao (NFWM) in Zamboanga and their Marine units have adequately covered all possible ports where they will be available to monitor their movements. In fact, barrier patrols have been able to control movements both in and out," Fabic said.

He said barrier patrols were also assisting evacuees from Sabah.

When tensions escalated between the Royal Sulu Army and Malaysian forces, the Philippine Navy, under orders of Malacanang, deployed BRP Tagbanua (AT 296) on February 25. Repatriation teams composed of doctors, nurses and social workers were also on standby in the vessel.

"The defense in Sabah is a law enforcement activity. Hence, the Philippine Navy’s contribution in resolving the crisis is just to enhance its naval barrier as well as to reinforce maritime security in the vicinity of Mangsee in Palawan and in the waters off Sulu and Tawi-Tawi to ensure that no more Kiram followers will be able to slip through the backdoor channel to prevent further escalation of the situation," Fabic said.

The Philippine Navy supports calls for a peaceful resolution to the standoff.

http://www.interaksyon.com/article/56648/ph-navy-disputes-report-of-sulu-reinforcements-slipping-past-blockade