MANILA – The number of supporters of self-proclaimed Sulu Sultan Jamalul Kiram III allegedly killed by Malaysian troops in Sabah has risen to 62, a Malaysian news agency reported.
According to a report by Bernama, another suspected Filipino gunman was shot dead during an armed clash with Malaysian forces in Kampung Tanjung Batu at 10:15 a.m. on Sunday.
Bernama quoted Army field commander Lt. Gen. Datuk Seri Zulkiple Kassim as saying that security forces were hunting three more Filipino intruders who escaped during the gunfight.
"Operation to hunt down remnants of terrorists will continue until Kampung Tanjung Batu is safe and free of terrorists," he said in a press conference in Felda Sahabat.
The body of the latest armed intruder to be killed has been handed over to forensic experts for an autopsy, the report added.
The remains of the other suspected sultan's followers were expected to be buried in Malaysia after the three days given by the Malaysian government to the Philippines to claim them ended on Sunday.
"There was no indication from Manila whether it wanted to claim the bodies although the three days given by Malaysian ends today," the report said.
Malaysian authorities said 104 people, including relatives of Sultan Kiram, have been detained for violating the Security Offenses (Special Measures) Act 2012. Another 241 have been detained for other offenses.
Mopping up operations continue in Kampung Tanduo and Tanjung Labian. Residents of the two villages may return to their house only when Malaysian authorities give them the green light.
Source:
http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/03/18/13/sabah-intruder-death-toll-rises-62-%E2%80%93-report
