Navy: 121 Pinoy evacuees aboard two boats from Sabah now on way to Tawi-Tawi

Published March 8, 2013 10:55am

(UPDATED 1:30 p.m.) - At least 121 Filipinos were aboard the two motorized vessels that were heading for Tawi-Tawi from Sabah before they were intercepted by the Philippine Navy early on Friday. Philippine Navy spokesman Lt. Cmdr. Gregory Fabic said in a radio interview they also found sacks of rice and foodstuff aboard the two ships. "Yung destination nila, papuntang Bongao. In-escort ng Philippine Navy papuntang Bongao para sa proper disposition," Fabic said in an interview on dzBB radio.

On Thursday, Malaysia had set up a tight blockade and defensive line at Sabah's east coast.

Earlier this week, a vessel carrying Filipinos fleeing from the conflict in Sabah arrived in Tawi-Tawi.

Malaysian forces had adopted an all-out stance against Kiram's followers after a series of fatal clashes since March 1.

On Thursday, the sultan declared a unilateral ceasefire after the United Nations called for a peaceful resolution to the conflict, but Malaysia has rejected the ceasefire offer. —KG/VVP, GMA News

Tags: sabah, sabahstandoff, sabahcrisis, sabahclaim, jamalulkiramiii