Sulu sultan confirms shooting of 35 followers

MANILA, Philippines - The Sultanate of Sulu on Friday confirmed the fatal shooting of some 35 supporters of the sultanate’s Royal Security Force (RSF) as earlier reported by Malaysia’s Star Online.

However, Abraham Idjirani, spokesman of the Sultanate said the shooting was done by members of the Malaysian Navy on Wednesday night.

Idjirani told reporters that the information on the shooting was relayed to him Friday by Guro Bata II, a top commander of the RSF who is now in Lahad Datu in Sabah.

“He (Bata) called me up and informed me that members of the Malaysian Navy on speedboats were the ones who shot them on Wednesday night while in Malaysian waters. The bodies were then taken to Philippine waters where they were dumped overboard,” said Idjirani.

On Thursday, Star Online reported that the 35 RSF supporters were allegedly shot by the Philippine Navy as they tried to cross into Sabah from Sulu.

The Star Online quoted Malaysian Defense Minister Datuk Seri Dr. Ahmad Zahid Hamidi as saying that the armed men were shot by Philippine Navy and Coast guard personnel before they could enter Malaysian waters with the reported mission of disrupting the upcoming Malaysian elections.

"If they had entered our waters, we would have taken them out. We will defend our country," Zahid said in a press conference in George Town, Penang.

Zahid cited intelligence reports that the “Sulu militants” were out to terrorize the Malaysian general election on May 5.

The report was earlier denied by both the Philippine Navy and by the Sulu Sultanate.

Idjirani has assured that the 500-strong Royal Security Force of the Sulu Sultanate who are now in Lahad Datu in Sabah under the command of Agbimuddin Kiram will not disrupt Malaysia’s elections.

The RSF has been locked in a standoff with Malaysian security forces since they landed in Lahad Datu last February 12.