Forces in Sabah on high alert after south Philippines violence flares up

Malaysian security forces have been placed on high alert at the borders of Sabah following fresh violence in Zamboanga City in the Philippines today.

Eastern Sabah Security Command (Esscom) director-general Mohammad Mentek told The Malaysian Insider that the alert was issued after they received reports of the attack by the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) rebels on Zamboanga City.

"Instructions were issued to our border security personnel, including the army and General Operations Force. The same applies to all the Royal Malaysian Navy patrols in the waters off Sabah," he said.

He rubbished allegations by the MNLF that there were some 4,000 foreign-trained Tausug fighters embedded in Sabah and Sarawak and who had been mobilised.

The MNLF claimed that the mobilisation of the fighters was to protect Tausugs, who were targeted by Malaysian authorities as part of a crackdown on illegal immigrants.

"This is a baseless claim which is similar to the revenge attack claim which surfaced in July.

"Back then, there were rumours circulating that a revenge attack was being plotted to avenge the deaths of Sulu intruders who died in the Lahad Datu incident in February," Mohammad said.

"The MNLF can claim anything they like, we know what is happening and will react appropriately," he said.

Mohammad stressed that the alert was issued based on events in Zamboanga City, and not due to the claims made by the MNLF.

The Philippine Star reported that six people had been killed and dozens more wounded and trapped after more than 100 suspected MNLF fighters infiltrated several coastal villages in Zamboanga City early today.