IGP: Armed men in Lahad Datu followers of 'a descendent of Sultan of Sulu'

KOTA KINABALU: Members of the armed group from the Philippines that landed in Lahad Datu have declared themselves to be followers of "a descendant of the Sultan of Sulu".

They have demanded to be be recognised as the "Royal Sulu Sultanate Army" and that the subjects of the Sulu Sultan in Sabah not be deported to the Philippines.

Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Ismail Omar said the group did not want to be associated with any militant group from the Philippines.

"They have made known their demands while we have told them that they need to leave the country," he told a press conference here Thursday.

Ismail said negotiations were still ongoing to get them to return to their country.