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| Southeast Asia |
| Malaysian-trained MNLF fighters join sultan in Sabah |
| 2013-03-05 |
| Malaysian security forces are now facing battle-hardened, Malaysian-trained commanders of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF), who know Sabah well. Hadji Acmad Bayam, former chief propagandist of the MNLF, told this yesterday to the Manila Bulletin, adding that these MNLF forces may have a huge arsena at their disposal, hidden deep in Sabah's rugged terrain. Among the firearms are Belgian-made G1 and FAL, which former Libyan leader Colonel Moammar Gaddafi supplied through Malaysia. Bayam said Filipinos in Sabah, who are not part of the forces of the Sultanate of Sulu, have already joined the fighting in reaction to what they considered to be Malaysian "atrocities" for killing Imam Maas and his four sons. He recalled that Malaysia's leadership had even suspected the then chief minister of Sabah, Tun Mustapha, a Tausug from Sulu, of "conspiring" with MNLF Chairman Nur Misuari. He said, "You know, if Mindanao is to Manila, Sabah is to Kuala Lumpur," explaining that Mindanao and Sabah are the "milking cows" of the Philippines and Malaysia, respectively, because of their rich natural resources. Last Sunday, Abraham J. Idjirani, spokesman of Sultan Kiram III, said 40 people from Basilan, Sulu, Tawi-Tawi, and Zamboanga Peninsula breached the blockades and reached Lahad Datu, the scene of the standoff that erupted into a firefight. He said there are many others who are now trying to come to Sabah and help the sultan's followers. Bayam said that he sees no turning back with the situation in Sabah. On the other hand, he said this gives the US an opportunity to correct the "historical error" it committed against the Moro people. He said this was even acknowledged by the administration of then President George Bush in response to a letter from the late Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) Chairman Ustadhz Salamat Hashim. Bayam said, "This is the best time and opportunity. They should seize the fleeting opportunity or lost it forever. As the only leader of the free world, the only guardian of human rights, freedom and democracy, the American government has the opportunity to correct the historical error against the Moro people." Meanwhile, Sultan Kiram III, feeling abandoned by the Philippines, yesterday said they are now relying on the United Nations, United States, and United Kingdom for help. He said they are no longer waiting for help from the Acquino administration because none will come anyway. On Aquino's appeal to preserve the lives of the Sultanate of Sulu's followers, the sultan struck a defiant note. He said, "No more. There is no more preservation... it's in the hands of Almighty Allah." |
| Posted by:ryuge |
| #1 What sayeth ABU SAYAF/ABU SAYYAFF + other newbie foreign militant-terror Boyz to the PHIL??? Region??? |
| Posted by: JosephMendiola 2013-03-05 18:39 |