The Philippine media have confirmed that there were attempts by Filipinos to sail to Sabah to reinforce the Sulu intruders, but that they have sincebeen blocked by the Philippine police.

"That is the order from higher headquarters to prevent them from going there," Tawi-Tawi provincial police director Joselito Salido told The Philippine Star .

He claimed about 67 of the sultanate's followers had arrived in Bongao in preparation for a sea journey to Sabah, but had been advised not to pursue their plans.

Bongao is a town in the province of Tawi-Tawi, Philippines. It is located some 150km east of Lahad Datu.

NONE "We negotiated and talked with them to reconsider their plans as this will only contribute to the problem," Salido said.

He added that the men came from Basilan and Sulu, and were unarmed. He stressed that the situation in Bongao was calm.

On the other hand, InterAksyon.com , the online news portal of Philippine TV channel TV5, reported that self-proclaimed Sulu sultan Jamalul Kiram ( left ) said he cannot stop anyone from going to Sabah to reinforce his followers there.

Interviewed in his home at Maharlika Village, Taguig City, Jamalul said it was not only members of the Tausug tribe - to which he belongs - but also Yakan and Sama who want to go to Sabah if they had the chance.

"We cannot stop them," he said.

NONE When asked if he himself would send more of his followers to Sabah, Kiram said: "Our companions there are enough. They did not go there to fight, but to settle down. You know how hard it is in the Philippines. Most of them are fishermen, while others are farmers."

Jamalul claimed that last night he had spoken to his brother Azzimuddie Kiram, who is leading the armed group at Lahad Datu, and was told that Azzimuddie's followers in Sabah were unscathed by the massive assault mounted by Malaysian forces on Tanduo village yesterday.

According to ABS-CBNnews.com , Jamalul also slammed Kuala Lumpur for labelling his followers at Lahad Datu as " terrorists ".

The sultan's daughter, Jacel Kiram, said that the labelling is meant to prevent international intervention in Sabah.