7,522 Filipinos have fled Sabah as of April 9

Carmela Fonbuena

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An April 9 report by the Crisis Management Committee (CMC) based in Zamboanga City shows that the total 7,522 Filipinos belong to 2,409 families

FLEEING SABAH. Inside Coast Guard's BRP EDSA DOS. File photo by Rappler/Carmela Fonbuena

MANILA, Philippines – A total of 7,522 Filipinos have fled Sabah since the March firefights between Malaysian security forces and followers of Sultan Jamalul Kiram III, who sailed to Lahad Datu to stake the claim of the Sultanate of Sulu on the terrirotry.

An April 9 report by the Crisis Management Committee (CMC) based in Zamboanga City showed that the total 7,522 Filipinos belong to 2,409 families. 

Small boats carrying up to 30 passengers continue to arrive daily. But CMC recorded a big group of 150 on Monday, April 8. They arrived in Siasi, Sulu from Sandakan, Sabah. They boarded a commercial vessel.

Before this, two big groups arrived on Saturday, April 6. Naval Boat 117 intercepted 242 evacuees from Sandakan on their way to Jolo. They were escorted to Jolo. On the same day, a group of 109 were also intercepted by Naval Boat 118. 

Most of the evacuees — 4,566 — arrived in Sulu province. A total of 2,804 evacuees arrived in Tawi-Tawi and 152 evacuees arrived in Basilan. 

Tension began when followers of the Sultanate of Sulu sailed to Lahad Datu in February to stake their claim on Sabah.

Malaysia claims about 70 Royal Security Force (RSF) members have been killed since the standoff between the RSF and Malaysian security forces. – Rappler.com

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