Esscom investigating claims Malaysian financed Zamboanga City attack

From the Star Online (Oct 29): Esscom investigating claims Malaysian financed Zamboanga City attack

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysian authorities are seeking more information on a claim that the Moro National Liberation Front's (MNLF) attack in Zamboanga City in September was supported by a financier in Malaysia.

Eastern Sabah Security Command (Esscom) director-general Datuk Mohamad Mentek said he was aware about this development.

"We're gathering information on this matter," he told Bernama when contacted Tuesday.

The Philippine Star reported that the Philippine National Police were tracking down the financier of a Malaysian national who claimed that he received weekly disbursements from his benefactor in Malaysia to finance the attack.

It cited a Malaysian national as saying that the financier sent him US$20,000 (RM63,000) a week to support MNLF operations in Zamboanga City that started on Sept 9.

Meanwhile, former Malaysian ambassador to the Philippines Datuk Seri Dr Ibrahim Saad urged the Home Ministry to investigate the claim, describing it as a "serious security matter".

"I was surprised to read the report," he said when contacted.

According to the article, more than 400 MNLF members stormed Zamboanga City to seize city hall and raise the flag of an 'independent Bangsamoro Republik'.

The siege saw some 190 MNLF fighters killed after more than three weeks of fighting and 292 other suspects were either captured or surrendered.

Twenty-three soldiers and policemen were killed and 180 were wounded, while 12 civilians were killed, the online version of the daily said.

http://www.thestar.com.my/News/Nation/2013/10/29/Esscom-investigate-msian-finance-zamboanga.aspx