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Timeline of the Sabah crisis: February to March
Here is a timeline of the events.
Feb 14, 2013 (Thursday) – Suspected Filipino gunmen numbering between 80 to 100 were cornered in the Malaysian state of Sabah on Borneo island, triggering the start of the standoff.
February 18, 2013 (Monday)
Sulu Sultan Jamalul Kiram III claims that the Sabah standoff is a direct result of the peace pact between the Philippine government and Moro rebels late in 2012.
February 19, 2013 (Tuesday)
Philippine presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte asked the public to wait for the results of ongoing discussions between Malaysia and the Philippines.
“What I can tell you is that discussions are ongoing between the Philippine and Malaysian authorities, as well as the parties involved in the incident. So hintayin po natin ‘yung magiging bunga ‘nung mga pag-uusap na ‘yon,” Valte said.
February 20, 2013 (Wednesday)
Home Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein said Malaysian security forces are in control of the Sabah standoff and warned the Sulu Royal Army of the consequences if they refuse to surrender.
“If this cannot be accepted by the group, then we, who are in control, will make the necessary decision. I hope they don't push our authorities to that extent," he said.
Malaysia rejects the ceasefire offer of the Kiram camp and said they've killed 31 militants since the start of the standoff.
March 8, 2013: (Friday) - Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak tells Aquino in a phone conversation on Thursday that the Sulu Royal Army must surrender to resolve the conflict.
“I told him that they will have to lay down their weapons unconditionally,” Najib was quoted in the report as saying in response to Aquino.
On the other hand, Kiram's camp which claimed earlier to have captured four Malaysians calls for a prisoner swap facilitated by an independent group with Malaysian forces who also earlier claimed to have arrested 10 militants.
Meanwhile, the Philippine Navy intercepted two boats with 121 Filipino evacuees from Sabah who were on their way to Tawi-tawi.
March 9, 2013 (Saturday) – Malaysian security forces say that they have arrested 79 people while another suspected militant who was escaping a cordon was shot dead bringing the total death toll of the month old crisis to 61.
“Up to now the police have arrested 79 suspects whom we believe have some links with the intrusion,” Federal police chief Ismail Omar said.
But Kiram's camp denied that the lone fatality on Saturday was a member of the Sulu Royal Army with Sulu Sultanate spokesman Abraham Idjirani claiming it as black propaganda by the Malaysian side.
Ismail also said on Friday they have arrested over 50 men and women found outside the battle zone who were being investigated for “committing terorist acts.”
Later in the day, the Malaysian police said they arrested 33 more suspected Kiram sympathizers, four of whom were allegedly linked to the killing of two Malaysian policemen in an encounter on March 2.
Meanwhile, the DFA sought a clarification with the Malaysian side on reports that Filipinos in Lahad Datu were allegedly being rounded up and subjected to human rights violations by the Malaysian security forces.
“The Department urges the Malaysian government to take steps to clarify these alleged incidents... The allegations are alarming and should be properly and immediately addressed by concerned authorities," the DFA said in a statement.
On the other hand, Sabah police commissioner Datuk Hamza Taib denied reports of maltreatment against Filipino civilians.
“I strongly deny that. They can say anything but the focus of our operation is only in the two areas of Kampung Tanduo and Kampung Tanjung Batu,” The Star online quoted him as saying.
Meanwhile, Social Welfare Secretary Dinky Soliman said relief goods such as rice and food were sent to Jolo, Sulu, Bonggao, Tawi-Tawi and Basilan to address the needs of the Filipino refugees there.
The DSWD also said they have documented around 750 Filipinos who fled Sabah following the conflict that reached its climax on March 1 which may result in a state of calamity to be imposed over Tawi-Tawi due to an expected exodus of evacuees from Sabah.
March 12, 2013 (Tuesday)
Sabah Police Commissioner Datuk Hamza Taib told the Star Online that the body of Haji Musa, a general of the Sulu Royal Army, was recovered in Kampung Tanjung Batu.
In a Bernama news report, Taib said 54 Kiram followers have been killed so far, 97 others were detained for supposed links with Kiram's followers, while 122 were held for allegedly being in the prohibited zone during the operations.
The Malaysian police also claimed they detained a supposedly close relative of Kiram whom they refused to identify.
On the domestic side, the Philippine Coast Guard rescued two Filipinos who fled Sabah due to the conflict. The rescued men alleged that many Filipinos were being shot by Malaysian authorities in Sabah.
Meanwhile, Princess Jacel Kiram asserted her right to speak on the Sabah claim after her uncle Bantilan Ismail Kiram II, said the princess, as a woman, was not allowed under Islamic law to speak on major issues.
March 13, 2013 (Wednesday)
Kiram's group belied Malaysia's claim that Haji Musa, a general of the Royal Sulu Army, was killed in an encounter.
There were also two boats carrying suspected armed followers of Sultan Kiram which were intercepted off Tawi-Tawi by the Philippine Navy and were taken to Bongao town for further investigation.
Malaysian Defense Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, meanwhile, warned the Philippine media against giving inaccurate reports regarding the alleged abuses being committed by Malaysian authorities on Filipino civilians in Sabah.
In Manila, the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) “invited” members of the Kiram family to its headquarters in connection with its investigation on the alleged conspiracy that led to the Sabah conflict.
March 14, 2013 (Thursday)
The death toll rose to 66 as of Tuesday including 56 Filipinos, nine Malaysians and a teenage boy of unknown nationality.
Suspected supporters of Sulu Sultan Kiram III, numbering over 30, were intercepted by the Philippine Navy on Wednesday boarding two boats off the coast of Tawi-tawi. Justice Secretary Leila de Lima said charges will be filed against these men.
Malaysia also gave the Philippines three days to reclaim their dead in Sabah.
“If there is no response in three days, we will go ahead and bury the dead,” Police commissioner Datuk Hamza Taib of Sabah said in a news conference in Lahad Datu.
There were also 61 Filipinos and nine Malaysians dead, according to the Sabah police chief.
March 16, 2013 (Saturday)
Sabah police commissioner Datuk Hamza Taib said they are certain Raja Muda Agbimuddin Kiram, a leader of the Royal Sulu Army fled to the Philippines despite the Sulu Sultan's camp in Manila insisting he is still in Sabah using a Malaysian sim card to keep in touch with the sultanate.
Hamza said they will seek for the extradition of Raja Muda Azzimudie Kiram.
“We have begun investigations and will compile evidence to extradite him to mainland Malaysia to face charges,” Hamza said in a press conference on Saturday morning.
He added that Malaysian authorities estimate roughly less than 50 of Kiram's followers are still in the Lahad Datu area in Sabah. The Malaysian defense minister also allowed foreign media to cover the crisis, saying that the remaining RSA members are starving.
There were 61 suspected militants and 9 Malaysians to have been killed in the numerous firefights while 100 people have been arrested for suspicion to having links to the militants, according to the latest Malaysian police figures.
Meanwhile, the Philippine police in Tawi-Tawi are searching for signs of Raja Muda Azzimudie Kiram who was said to have fled Sabah, according to the Malaysian security forces.
March 17, 2013 (Sunday)
Malaysian forces said some of Kiram's relatives were among the 104 people they detained. Malaysia also said it may take at least a month before they allow the Philippine government access to the detainees.
Malaysian figures say that at least 104 people had been arrested so far while 232 people were held under different laws, Hamza said. (http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/299697/news/nation/another-suspected-kiram-follower-held-in-sabah)
Meanwhile, another suspected member of the RSA was killed in a clash, bringing the death toll of suspected followers of Kiram to 62.
Malaysian forces are also considering the possibility that Kiram's brother who led the RSA in Sabah might still be there despite earlier claims that he has fled to the Philippines.
On the other hand, Aquino accused unnamed "promoters of conflict" for providing the RSA hefty funding to assert their claim to Sabah.
March 18, 2013 (Monday)
The camp of Kiram mulls lifting the unilateral ceasefire they declared on March 7, 2013 after the death of another follower saying that the Malaysian forces have taken advantage of the ceasfire to drive them out.
They have also sought assistance from the DFA to provide legal assistance to the Filipinos detained in Sabah.
President Aquino, on the other hand, likened the alleged conspirators behind the Sabah incursion to former Philippine President Marcos.
“Hanggang ngayon, alam nating may mga nagtatangka pa ring gamitin ang karaniwang Moro upang magtulak ng sariling agenda," Aquino said in his speech commemorating the 45th anniversary of the Jabidah Massacre.
Meanwhile, Malaysian authorities may go after hackers from the Philippines and Malaysia alike after some 200 websites have been affected by the cyber war.
March 19, 2013 (Tuesday)
The sultan's brother — Raja Muda Azzimudie (Agbimuddin) Kiram — who is leading the RSA in Sabah, reportedly made a brief phone call home on Monday night, lasting less than a minute, according to the Sulu Sultanate.
Kiram's daughter, Jacel, also said over 100 Mindanaoans from Sulu, Tawi-Tawi, Basilan and Zamboanga have expressed their willingness to join the fight for Sabah.
On the other hand, the Philippine and Malaysian government started to discuss the repatriation of the 28 bodies of alleged members of the RSA.
More than 200 Filipinos who were displaced due to the clashes in Sabah arrived in Tawi-Tawi.
Meanwhile, the Malaysian police tightened border security in Sabah and Sawarak to prevent the RSA from escaping. Their Philippine counterparts are focusing patrols in Mindanao to prevent Kiram supporters from sailing to Sabah.
March 20, 2013 (Wednesday)
Sultanate spokesman Abraham Idjirani claimed that “A1” intelligence sources said a Malaysian colonel along with four commandos have arrived in the Philippines to kill Sulu Sultan Jamalul Kiram III.
Due to the supposed threat, Philippine National Police on Wednesday assured Sulu Sultan Jamalul Kiram III and his supporters of ample protection.
Meanwhile, 107 suspected Kiram supporters will be facing the Malaysian court for various offenses such as possession of firearms.
Malaysian forces are also planning a “temporary burial” for the 28 slain Kiram followers due to lack of space in Malaysian morgues.
Starting April 15, 2013, Malaysia will be requiring barter traders to show their passports amid the Sabah crisis.
March 21, 2013 (Thursday)
Two followers of Sulu Sultan Jamalul Kiram III face death penalties while life terms await six others after they were charged before a makeshift Magistrate's Court in Sabah on Wednesday afternoon.
The Palace assured the public that they are closely monitoring the cases of the Kiram followers in Sabah.
Meanwhile, the Sabah Law Association said they will make sure that the eight Kiram followers are given due process during their trial in Malaysia.
Another Kiram follower was killed during a clash bringing to 63 the number of killed Kiram followers but only 30 bodies have been recovered so far.
The Kiram camp said there are 166 remaining RSA members in Sabah but the Malaysian government believes the number is less than 60.
President Aquino said the government would provide assistance to the eight Filipinos charged with terrorism in Sabah despite their disapproval of Kiram's cause.
March 22, 2013 (Friday)
Malaysian Armed Forces General Tan Sri Zulkifeli Mohd Zin claimed Azzimudie has gone back to the Philippines jumping from one island to another in Mindanao. But Kiram's camp maintained that the sultan's brother is still in Sabah.
Malaysian officials also said there is no racial issue in the prosecution of Kiram's eight followers.
Meanwhile, the DFA announced that Malaysia granted their request to have access to the detained Filipinos through the Philippine Embassy in Kuala Lumpur.
March 23, 2013 (Saturday)
Malaysian police forces claimed that the arrest of one alleged military commander of the RSA will cripple the group's operations.
Malaysian Defense Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi also belied earlier reports that they have sent a Malaysian death squad of commandos to kill Kiram.
"Our commandos were not sent to the Philippines to assassinate him and we have no plans to do so. ... We are not as wicked as him to commit killings after intruding into another country," he said, according to the New Straits Times.
Police Deputy Inspector General Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar also said the 103 detained followers of Kiram may go free as early as April 1 if Malaysian police fail to gather substantial evidence against them.
March 24, 2013 (Sunday)
Malaysian authorities identified the captured “military commander” as Datu Amirbahar Hushin Kiram.
Meanwhile, Sultanate spokesman Abraham Idjirani said the elusive brother of Kiram and field commander of the RSA, Azzimudie, last communicated with them on Saturday.
Four suspected Kiram followers – including two children – were also reportedly killed during a clash in Tanjung Batu.
The total number of bodies of Kiram followers retrieved is 42.
March 25, 2013 (Monday)
Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak announced that residents located in areas deemed to be vulnerable to foreign infiltration will be relocated.
“The primary cause of the invasion of terrorists ... is the existence of settlements considered easily exposed to the danger of infiltration by illegal immigrants and stateless persons,” Najib said.
Meanwhile, a local court in Tawi-Tawi said the Department of Justice must first conduct a preliminary investigation before hearing the lodged cases on 38 Kiram followers intercepted en route to the province earlier.
There will also be a probe on the Kiram follower who claimed he was paid to join the RSA deployed to Sabah in February.
March 26, 2013 (Tuesday)
Malaysian forces released 42 of 116 suspected Kiram followers while a Kiram follower surrendered to Malaysian security forces after trying to flee.
The total number of Kiram followers killed is 67, according to Malaysian figures.
Meanwhile, the DFA reminded Philippine government agencies not to refer to Sabah as a part of Malaysia.
The DOJ decided to bring the case of 36 alleged supporters of Sulu Sultan Jamalul Kiram III apprehended in Tawi-Tawi all the way to Manila for a preliminary investigation.
March 27, 2013 (Wednesday)
Philippine Vice President Jejomar Binay reportedly met with Malaysia's Ambassador to the Philippines on Monday to discuss the Sabah crisis.
March 28, 2013 (Thursday)
Another suspected Kiram follower was shot dead after he allegedly attacked a member of the Malaysian security forces.
March 30, 2013 (Saturday)
The NDRRMC said nearly 5,000 Filipinos have fled Sabah and sought refuge in Mindanao after the violent shootout between Malaysian forces and the RSA that occurred in March 1.
The 38 alleged Kiram followers who were intercepted en route to Tawi-Tawi has appealed to the local court to reduce their bail for they are poor, old and sick.
Deputy Finance Minister Datuk Dr Awang Adek Hussin ordered Malaysia's central bank to report large withdrawals of money, in their attempt to monitor the money trail of Kiram's supporters in Sabah.
Meanwhile, Sabah police commissioner Datuk Hamza Taib said two villages—Tanjung Batu and Tanjung Labian—have been cleared of Kiram's followers.
March 31, 2013 (Sunday)
The Philippine Embassy in Kuala Lumpur announced it was given access last Thursday, March 28, to the eight persons charged with terrorism-related offenses for allegedly taking part in the clashes against Sabah police. It was still unclear if the eight are Filipinos.
