PETALING JAYA: The Philippine Daily Inquirer is reporting that thousands of Suluk from southern Philippines have sailed to Sabah to join forces with the armed intruders in Lahad Datu.

Quoting a source from the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF), the report claimed that many have made their way to Sabah in small boats to support the armed intrusion.

MNLF's Islamic Council Committee chairman Habib Hashim Mudjahab, told the Inquirer: "Many of our people are going to Sabah to help the sultanate. They sailed in small numbers so they can easily penetrate Sabah unnoticed."

"The naval blockade is of no use" he said, referring to a naval blockade by the Philippine navy and coast guard to ensure armed sympathisers do not join cross over to Sabah.

"President (Benigno) Aquino kept issuing statements favouring the Malaysians, which made our people agitated. The President must realise that it is about pride and honor, and our people are ready to sacrifice," Mudjahab said.

A retired educator in Tawi-Tawi, who asked not to be identified by name, said the sultanate of Sulu represented an extension of their rich heritage.

"They are the first Filipinos. The sultanate of Sulu was already there even before Philippines existed," he claimed.

A group of Sulu gunmen have been involved in a stand-off with Malaysian security forces in Kampung Tanduo in Lahad Datu, Sabah, since Feb 9.

An all-out attack was conducted by Malaysian forces on Tuesday to flush out the intruders.

Related Stories:
Lahad Datu: Aquino's spokesman says all was done to avoid bloodshed in Sabah
Lahad Datu: Groups protest outside Malaysian embassy in Manila
Lahad Datu: Sulu Sultan's spokesman says Malaysian jets missed Azzimudie Kiram
Lahad Datu: Suluks in Sabah say they are loyal to Malaysia

• Travel Picks: Top 10 golf resorts around the world
• Chinese premier criticizes EU move on trade measures
• Justice Department opposes AMR's $20 million severance for CEO Horton
• News Corp to take charge of up to $1.4 billion this quarter
• Wall Street Week Ahead: Investors look for signs in the rally's break
• Unhappy with how your fave series is faring? Amazon gives you a say
• Visa, Mastercard ask U.S. court to declare card fees are lawful
• Wall Street posts first weekly loss since mid-April on Fed angst
• IMF's Lagarde escapes formal investigation in court
• Politics of development pays dividend
• A thematic play seen
• Sarawak counters hogging the limelight
• Getting GST acceptance will be tough
• A yen for the unloved dollar standard
• Bitten by the music bug

• French soldier stabbed on patrol in Paris
• Thousands run final mile of Boston Marathon as memorial
• Trio arrested over London soldier murder

• Sweet revenge as Froch defeats Kessler
• Pandelela-Mun Yee and Yan Yee-Jun Hoong bag bronze medals in Mexico
• World No. 1 Nicol sinks Waters to reach British Open final
• China confident of sweeping aside their final opponents
• Koreans in the final despite Dong-keun’s loss
• Macdonald and Marques share the lead
• McIlroy among big names who miss the cut as Molinari leads
• Kuchar leads in weather-hit second round
• Two tied at the top as rain stops play in the Bahamas
• Nico Rosberg revels in the rain as Mercedes stamp their mark
• Whitmarsh: McLaren’s hopes were too high this season
• Affendi brushes off hand injury to win CP130 race in Terengganu
• Hafizh needs to step up a gear after coming in fifth
• Vignesa right on track to retain GT Open title
• Dragons’ Melton confident of getting the better of Pringle in Game 2

• Please wait.

• Give birth naturally, women urged
• Too blessed to be stressed
• It takes nearly 72 hours to get a new polycarbonate passport now
• Indian warships visit Malaysian waters
• ‘Harry Potter Wong’ casts his spell
• Theme parks and long holiday help fill Johor hotel rooms
• Exemplary educators
• The Wall Street Journal: Anwar asked Jusuf to broker deal over GE13
• DAP’s Ngeh in hot water over subservient tweet
• Why field candidates against allies, asks Shamsul