Amid the row between followers of Sulu Sultan Jamalul Kiram III and Malaysian security forces in Sabah, security has been increased for Malaysian monitors of an ongoing ceasefire between the Philippine government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, a Mindanao news site reported.
The Armed Forces of the Philippines added security for the Malaysian-led International Monitoring Team in five cities in Mindanao as a precautionary measure, according to a report on MindaNews on Tuesday.
MindaNews quoted senior military adviser to the government peace panel Brig. Gen. Leo Ferrer as saying in a text message that the added security was "for precautionary measures".
He added the beefed-up security, which involved AFP "force protection units," went into effect March 1, and covered all team sites, including the IMT headquarters in Cotabato City.
On March 1, a violent shootout occurred between Kiram's followers and Malaysian security forces. At least 12 Filipinos and two Malaysian commandos were killed.
The next day, another clash left six Malaysian policemen and at least six Filipinos dead. Last Tuesday, Malaysian forces conducted an assault on the area where the Kiram group was believed hiding.
The IMT has monitored the ceasefire since 2004. It has representatives from Malaysia, Brunei, Indonesia, Japan, Libya and Norway, and non-government organizations.
Malaysia had helped broker the peace negotiations between the Philippine government and the MILF.
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