Sulu governor Abdusakur Tan has dismissed the report that fighters of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) under founding chairperson Nur Misuari were preparing a rescue mission for Filipinos in Sabah.

He also denied that 1,000 MNLF fighters were able to sneak into Sabah.

NONE "Misuari ( left ) is a revolutionary and propagandist. He knows how to use events for his ends, so you do not always listen to what he says. He can be a monger at times," Tan said in a brief statement through his spokesperson, Sonny Abing.

An exclusive report by News 5 showed that MNLF recruits were undergoing training in Jolo, Sulu in preparation of a rescue mission for allegedly abused Filipinos in Sabah.

Misuari was quoted as saying that these MNLF fighters were not members or allied with the Royal Security Force of the Sulu sultanate.

An earlier interview by sultanate spokesperson and secretary-general Abraham Idjirani said that sultanate fighters led by Raja Muda Agbimuddin Kiram received additional reinforcements on March 29 and April 5, thus increasing their forces to over 400.

Idjirani said these additional fighters were relatives of those harassed or killed by Malaysians in Sabah and were out to avenge their loved ones.

Idjirani, however, also could not confirm the reported entry of 1,000 MNLF fighters in Sabah, although he stressed that the sultanate maintains its stance of a unilateral ceasefire in the state.

He has also urged the Philippine government to intervene and stop the alleged abuses by Malaysians to prevent any further bloodshed.

- InterAksyon