Navy denies yarn it killed 35 militants entering Sabah

From Malaya (Apr 26): Navy denies yarn it killed 35 militants entering Sabah

MILITARY officials yesterday disputed a claim of Malaysian defense minister Datuk Seri Dr. Ahmad Zahid Hamidi that Philippine Navy forces shot dead 35 Filipino militants while about to enter Malaysian waters last Wednesday.

“We have no information (on that). It’s very peaceful here,” said Capt. Renato Yonke, commander of the Naval Task Force 62 that is in charge of a naval blockade near the Malaysian border.

The blockade was put up by the Navy in February after members of the “Royal Sultanate Army” crossed over to Sabah to renew their claim over the territory.

Subsequent fighting with Malaysian forces led to loss of dozens of lives on both sides.
Military officials have said that the blockade was established to prevent reinforcements from going to Sabah and to render assistance to civilians affected by the conflict.

Thousands of Sabah residents have returned to Mindanao since then.

In its website, Malaysia’s Star Online quoted Hamidi as saying that Philippine Navy and Coast Guard forces shot dead the 35 militants last Wednesday before they could enter Malaysian waters when the suspects refused to turn back.

The report also quoted Hamid as saying that the militants were out to cause problems during the general election in Malaysia on May 5. “If they entered our waters, we would have taken them out. We will defend our country,” Hamidi reportedly said.

“We don’t know what their intention is,” said Yonke of the report.

“Evacuees are coming in but to say (militants) going out (to Sabah) and we opened fire at them, we have no information on that…It’s very peaceful here. If true, that will be known in Sulu, Tawi-tawi and Basilan,” he said.

“Our blockade remains in place and what we’re documenting are evacuees coming from the other side...We have not encountered any armed group (entering Malaysian waters),” the official said.

Navy spokesman Col. Edgard Arevalo said he conducted a check in the field and found no evidence to back up the report.

On whether the report was propaganda, Arevalo said: “That we cannot say. If the report quoted Malaysian sources, it’s difficult for us to comment. They (Malaysians) might as well be the one to establish that.”

President Aquino, in an interview Wednesday night in Brunei where he attended the Asean Summit, said he is still awaiting the results of the study he ordered concerning the country’s claim over Sabah. He said the study group that he formed has yet to submit its recommendations to him.

He said he wants a government decision that is based on logic, reason, and values while taking cognizance of the realities.

http://www.malaya.com.ph/index.php/news/nation/29652-navy-denies-yarn-it-killed-35-militants-entering-sabah