DEMONSTRATORS ASSEMBLE; MARCOS EFFIGY; MARCHERS; POSTERS; DEMONSTRATORS BURN EFFIGY.




Initials PK/VS/PW/SC



Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: THOUSANDS OF DEMONSTRATORS TOOK PART IN A PROTEST IN THE STREETS OF KOTA KINABALU, CAPITAL OF SABAH, ON FRIDAY (SEPTEMBER 27) AGAINST CLAIMS BY THE PHILIPPINES TO THE STATE. ABOUT 3,000 YOUTHS GATHERED OUTSIDE A HOTEL IN WHICH THE CHIEF PHILIPPINES CUSTOMS LIAISON OFFICER, MR. FERNANDEO CERBERAS, WAS STAYING.

MR. CERBERAS IS UNDER MALAYSIA ORDERS TO LEAVE THE COUNTRY.

THE DEMONSTRATORS CARRIED PLACARDS THE BANNERS, AND CHANTED SLOGANS ATTACKING PRESIDENT MARCOS OF THE PHILIPPINES.

HOWEVER, THERE WAS NO VIOLENCE, DESPITE THE FACT FILIPINO OFFICIALS WATCHED THE DEMONSTRATORS FROM A HOTEL WINDOW.

ONE GROUP OF PROTESTORS CARRIED AN EFFIGY OF PRESIDENT MARCOS, WHICH WAS LATER BURNED.

SABAH, FORMERLY BRITISH NORTH BORNEO, AND NOW UNDER THE CONTROL OF MALAYSIA, IS CLAIMED BY THE PHILIPPINES AS PART OF ITS TERRITORY.