Malaysia goes on security alert after Zambo attacks

MANILA - Malaysia police ordered a security alert in its borders following the attacks in Zamboanga City allegedly led by factions from the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF), according to a report by Malaysia’s The Star.

The Star quoted Eastern Sabah Security Command (Esscom) director general Datuk Mohammad as saying: “We have informed our security and defense to be on the alert and Esscom is also coordinating with security forces following the incident.”

Early this year, the group called Royal Security Forces of Sulu Sultan Jamalul Kiram entered the borders via Sabah to declare jurisdiction there. Kiram’s group said they wanted to peacefully stay iin Sabah after being left out of the peace talks with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).

The issue led to skirmishes between Kiram’s forces and Malaysian police after Kiram's group claimed ownership of Sabah.

The issue of being left out in the peace talks has also forced some factions of the MNLF to declare independence from the government.

This became the bone of contention leading to clashes in Zamboanga City early Monday morning. The rogue group has held hostage a number of civilians.

“MNLF led by Nur Misuari who was left out of last year’s peace deal between Manila and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) has been restive and on Aug 13 had declared independence for the southern Philippines region which included Sabah,” Malaysia’s The Star reported.

“Many officials in Manila took lightly the ageing Misuari’s declaration of independence as they saw it as a move to threaten the Philippines government to include MNLF as party to the Malaysia-brokered peace process for Mindanao,” the same report read.