PHL ship to arrive in Sabah Monday to evacuate Pinoys in standoff

A Philippine ship dispatched last weekend to fetch Filipinos involved in a standoff with Malaysian forces in Sabah is expected to arrive in the area noontime Monday, a Malaysian news site reported.

 

The Star website also said the "humanitarian mission" of the Philippine ship raised hopes the standoff may be over in as little as 72 hours, or by Thursday.

 

The report said the ship "is expected about noon Monday to help evacuate the civilians and five women in the group of about 180, seen as a sign that group leader Azzimudie Kiram is prepared to leave the village."

 

It also cited rising "expectations" that the standoff will finally end "within the next 72 hours."

 

The Star online said Malaysian forces are "holding their ground" less then 500 meters away from Tanduo village, where the Pinoys have been staying since Feb 9.

 

On Sunday, the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs said the Philippine ship (AT296) was dispatched Sunday night to bring back the 180-member group holed out in Lahad Datu. 

 

The DFA said the ship was to sail from Bongao, Tawi-Tawi to Tanduo in Lahad Datu in Sabah. It is being prepositioned near Sabah while talks with the group are underway. 

 

"Onboard the ship are Filipino-Muslim leaders as well as social workers and medical personnel," it said.

 

Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario said the ship was sent to the area on a humanitarian mission.

 

"We are deeply concerned about the presence of five women and other civilians in the group, and we urge them to board the ship without delay and return home," he said.

 

He also reiterated the government's call on the entire group to "go back to their homes and families, even at the same time, we are addressing the core issues they have raised."

 

On the other hand, The Star online said the armed Filipinos have run out of food supplies in Tanduo village, supposedly because of a total blockade "enforced on land and sea."

 

It also cited reports of dissent in the group, as many followers supposedly want to return to southern Philippines. The DFA earlier urged the Pinoys in Sabah involved in the standoff to leave the area peacefully to prevent armed confrontation with Malaysian authorities.