Here’s the 4am edition of my news site: Firefight nego ends (Ch News Asia headline: “Diplomatic efforts hit a roadblock”); PNoy calls on sultan followers to stand down (surrender was the word he used in his statement) ( abs-cbn headline: “Aquino addresses Sabah conflict”); “Sabah, Malaysia’s ‘Wild East’” (Agence France Presse, storified by interaksyon, rappler); “Aquino says Sabah is a conspiracy” (rappler); “Sultan daughter blasts Aquino over conspiracy claim” (abs-cbn); “Only an intervention can end Sabah conflict” (Inquirer); “KL sends ‘cavalry’ to Sabah” (Agence France Presse, Associated Press, the star, Asia News Network, storified by Inquirer). Read all the stories, to have a panoramic view of the Sabah firefight, with details and context, at:
Here’s the story on which the blog post title was based.From Agence France Presse :
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“The exact identities of the armed men remains a mystery, but Malaysia’s military chief, Zulkifeli Zin, told a press conference in Sabah on Sunday that the intruders appeared to have combat experience.
“Their “insurgency guerrilla technique is quite good,” he was quoted as saying.
“Zulkifeli said Malaysia’s military and the police were adopting a cautious approach in their plan to resolve the standoff with Agbimuddin’s group in Tanduao.
“He noted that Agbimuddin’s group had planned their location around the village in such a way that they would inflict casualties if Malaysian security forces enter the area.
“They are at the center and have people spread out, including snipers,” Zulkifeli said.
” “They know we will suffer casualties if we go in as the area is open,” he said.
” “They are under close surveillance by our special forces,” Zulkifeli said.
“But he added that while Malaysia was determined to “bring this episode to a close” as soon as possible, any action would take a little more time.”
More updates and stories in the 8am March 3, 2013 edition of my news site:
“Malaysian security forces had enforced a lockdown around Semporna town where the police and army have surrounded a water village .
“As of 3pm, villagers said a body was still lying on the sand and another on the wooden stilt walkway.
“No official confirmation was available of a hostage situation in the village. Some 1,000 families have fled the village in the aftermath of Saturday night’s gunfight with about 15 armed intruders.
“About 100kms from here in Kunak, the police and army were also on a manhunt for about 100 armed intruders who entered Kunak at about 10pm Saturday.
“In sahabat 17 about 300kms from here, the army was coordinating with police on the next course of action against the Sulu armed group cornered in Tanduo.” (thestar.com in Malaysia aggregated in my news site with more stories)
“Semporna villagers beat to death ex-Moro commander”
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“Sabah police says situation in Lahad Datu, Semporna, Kunak under control. “Three armed intruders were nabbed by the security forces in Kampung Tanduo, Lahad Datu as they tried to leave the cordoned area; while five policemen were shot dead in Kampung Seri Jaya Simunul, Semporna, and 10 armed intruders sighted in Kampung Lumalong and Kampung Dasar Lama in Kunak.” (same)
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“Semporna: Several villagers in Kg Senalang beat to death a 60-year-old former Moro National Liberation Front commander who was armed with a grenade launcher and had gathered several people at a mosque on Sunday.” (same)
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“Sabah police chief Datuk Hamza Taib said the 20-odd youths, who were angry with the commander, had confronted him, took away his weapons and beat him up. The commander later died.
“Bernama reports that in the 7am incident, the big-sized man, dressed in black and armed with a M16 rifle, was coming down a hill when he let off a few shots at the direction of the village.
“Villager Abdul Hani Samaullah, 44, told Bernama that the man shouted: “I’m the one who shot the police last night.”
” “The man then kicked open the doors of the houses and ordered the villagers to gather at a vacant area,” said Abdul Hani.
“He said the villagers attacked the man when he squatted down to light a cigarette and put down his rifle.
“On the situaion in Kg Simunul, Hamza said police were still ascertaining the number of people killed and injured in the shootout after Saturday night’s clash with armed Sulu intruders.
“Hamza made no mention of a hostage situation or if there was a stand-off with the gumnen.
“The army has cordoned off the village and was co-ordinating with the police on the situation. At least six ambulances were seen at the scene..” (same)
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Other stories: Masbate vice mayoralty killed (rappler) ; Pinoys in Sabah asked to be calm (abs-cbn)
World: Sri Lanka arrests 6 India fisherfolk amid tension in the region (ChNews Asia) ; Probing Hezbollah role in Syria (Al Jazeera); Doubt & clan politics in Russian cyberspace (Global Voices)
