Manila wants peaceful end to Sabah stand-off with Malaysia

Manila seeks safety of Filipinos claiming rights to parts of Sabah in Borneo

Malaysian armed policemen return from patrol in Tanjung Labian near Lahad Datu, on the Malaysian part of Borneo island. Photo: AFP

The Philippines yesterday called for a peaceful end to a tense stand-off between Malaysian forces and a group of gunmen claiming to be followers of the heir of a former Borneo sultan.

The group, estimated at 200 with dozens believed to be armed, landed by boat near the town of Lahad Datu in Malaysia's Sabah state from the neighbouring Philippines on Tuesday.

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