The Moro National
Liberation Front (MNLF) has claimed that a further 1,000 fighters have
travelled to Sabah in small groups to support the followers of Sultan Jamalul
Kiram III. They have been engaged in clashes with the Malaysian armed forces
since the self-styled Royal Army of the Sultanate of Sulu landed on the eastern
coast of Sabah in early February. Whilst the figure of 1,000 fighters is most
likely political exaggeration, Kuala Lumpur has acknowledged that small groups
of armed supporters may have circumvented the naval cordon to support Filipino
fighters in Sabah loyal to Jamalul (see this week’s Malaysia Report).
President Aquino
repeated his criticism of the Sultan's followers for the incursion into Sabah
and, in a statement clearly aimed at MNLF leadership, hinted at hidden
financial backers being responsible for prolonging the standoff. Meanwhile, the
MNLF warned of a “long, protracted war” against Malaysia if Kuala Lumpur fails
to heed UN calls for a peaceful resolution of the crisis. In an attempt to seek
further advantage, the MNLF central committee said it would also petition the
Organisation of Islamic Cooperation following cases of human-rights violations
allegedly committed by Malaysian forces.
On 15 June Manila ordered its two remaining ships anchored near the Scarborough Shoals to return to port, citing bad weather conditions. While weather could have played a role, the move may have been an attempt to ease the standoff with China that began in April. However, it appears that the Philippines believed that China would order all its fishing vessels to withdraw from the area in response, but the Chinese Embassy in Manila has denied that Beijing made this commitment. Consequently, it is possible that Manila may redeploy ships to the Scarborough Shoals once the typhoon in the area has passed, reigniting tensions.
Former Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) and Defence Secretary Angelo Reyes committed suicide on 8 February, after being asked to testify again in a high-level corruption probe. General Reyes, once a key supporter of former President Gloria Arroyo, was one of several law-makers and senior officers under investigation.
Increasing violence has marred electoral campaigning in the Pilippines, particularly at the local level, and a number of candidates for mayoral and council positions have been killed. This even extends to the
