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Fighting Involving Philippine Group in Malaysia, 14 Killed


Former Sultan of Sulu Jamalul Kiram III (seated at R) with his followers display placards in front of Blue Mosque in Maharlika village, Taguig city, south of Manila, March 1, 2013
Former Sultan of Sulu Jamalul Kiram III (seated at R) with his followers display placards in front of Blue Mosque in Maharlika village, Taguig city, south of Manila, March 1, 2013
At least 14 people have been killed in fighting between Malaysian security forces and an armed Philippine group.

The police chief in Malaysia's Sabah state -- Hamza Taib -- said 12 members of the group were killed, along with two police officers.

The gunbattle occurred in the Borneo village of Lahad Datu, where the Filipinos had been holed up for two weeks to press a territorial claim.

They are followers of a self-proclaimed heir to the Islamic Sultanate of Sulu -- which once controlled parts of Borneo, along with southern Philippine islands.

Hamza said the standoff was continuing, despite reports it had ended.
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