The daughter of Sulu sultan Jamalul Kiram III today said her uncle Azzimudie Kiram remains “safe” even as she claimed civilians, including women and children, were among those killed by what she called Malaysia’s “maximum violence.”

NONE Malaysian inspector-general of police Ismail Omar ( left ) too had said the “ general ” who was among 31 Filipinos slain in a clash Wednesday night is not Azzimudie, the Sulu crown prince who led more than 200 followers to press the sultanate's claim on Sabah.

"It's not (Azzimudie), it is (the body of) one of their leaders," Ismail had told a press conference at Felda Sahabat Residence in Sabah this morning.

Speaking a day after Malaysia rejected her father’s declaration of a unilateral ceasefire and as fresh explosions and fighter jet flights were reported over Lahad Datu town, Princess Jacel Kiram reiterated her family’s appeal for "international institutions to possibly intervene in the situation to resolve this matter peacefully".

She also called on President Benigno Aquino III to protect Filipinos in Sabah.

The princess said Azzimudie talked to one of his brothers over the phone early today, stating that he and his group remain “safe” in the face of Malaysian security forces’ statements the former had suffered heavy casualties since fighting broke out a exactly a week ago.

Pleas for 'maximum tolerance'

Malaysia says its forces have killed a total of 52 Filipinos but lost eight police officers since fighting broke out in Sabah last Friday.

On Tuesday, despite pleas for “maximum tolerance” from the Philippine government, Malaysian security forces mounted a massive assault on Kampung Tanduo in Lahad Datu where Azzimuddie and his group have been holding out.

NONE The princess said that the reports of possible new air strikes today were nothing new because the attacks by Malaysian forces have been relentless, even into the early morning hours.

“Instead of maximum tolerance, they are enforcing maximum violence,” Princess Jacel said.

She claimed they learned of the alleged civilian casualties, a pregnant woman and a child reportedly among them, from Filipinos in Sabah they have been in contact with.

"I talked to a woman who could not stop crying because yesterday, women and children were being shot. It is indiscriminate firing despite the calls for maximum tolerance," the princess alleged to reporters at the sultan's residence in Maharlika Village, Taguig City, Manila.

However, she could not say how many women and children have allegedly been killed in the attacks.

In rejecting the ceasefire, Malaysian officials, led by Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak called on the sultanate’s followers to surrender without condition or be annihilated.

- InterAksyon

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