Intruders concede 10 dead, 10 captured, four injured

The self-proclaimed Sulu sultan Jamalul Kiram III has conceded that 10 of his followers at Lahad Datu died during the confrontation with Malaysian security forces, whereas another 10 have since been captured.

Four other followers were wounded, according to the sultan's spokesperson Abraham Idjirani who told this to the Reuters news agency.

"They will not come home, and would rather die fighting if cornered," he said of the remaining followers in Sabah.

Philippine media ABS-CBN also quoted Idjirani as saying that the sultanate demands information on the 10 fighters arrested by the Malaysian security forces.

On the claim by the Malaysian authorities that 13 Filipino intruders had been killed during the confrontation, Idjirani (right) insisted that the sultanate only lost 10 men, and that the remaining three may be civilians.

In another related development, despite Kuala Lumpur's request to extradite Jamalul to face charges in Malaysia for inciting anger and hatred, no constraint or action has been taken against the 75-year-old leader who is living in Taguig City, Manila.

According to GMA News, security has been tightened at his house yesterday evening following an alleged surveillance operation by three unidentified men.

Security guards were stationed at the gate of the house, and media personnel were told that tighter security measures may be imposed starting today.

Yesterday afternoon, the three unidentified men introduced themselves as members of a TV crew and were granted access to move freely around the house.

'No need to spy on us'

The sultan's representatives said that there was no need for anyone to spy on them as they have been open with the media since the standoff started last February, and that no charges has been filed against them.

Some media representatives were even allowed to plug their chargers into the house's outlets, they claimed.

In Tawi-Tawi, ABS-CBN reported that relatives of Jamalul's followers in Sabah are concerned about the lack of news from the group, and can only hope for a peaceful resolution while preparing for the worst.

It quoted Haj Nurkisa Kiram, wife of the group's leader Azzimudie Kiram, as saying that she has not been able to communicate with her husband since the shootings last Friday.

On the other hand, Philippine news portal InterAksyon says that Jamulul's daughter Jacel Kiram (right) has flown to Tawi-Tawi in a pre-dawn flight for a "humanitarian mission" due to the violence in Sabah. No details were given other than that she had been accompanied by a newscaster.

Philippine Daily Inquirer reported that former Philippine president Gloria Macapagal Arroyo has denied the accusation by president Benigno Aquino that her administration was involved in a conspiracy relating to the Sabah intrusion.

"She was shocked. I myself said, ‘What's this?' He (Aquino) might also accuse Gloria of being behind the death by firing squad of (our national hero Jose) Rizal," said Mike Arroyo, the former president's husband.