A group of Filipino protestors gathered at the Malaysian embassy in Manila on Tuesday demanding to end the hostilities in Sabah.

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Muslim and Christian groups in Manila were up in arms on Tuesday protesting against the assault by Malaysian security forces on followers of the Sulu sultanate in Sabah, forcing the Malaysian embassy to shut down its operations.

Worried protestors fear that the assaults will endanger the lives of many Filipinos living and working in Sabah. They called on the Malaysian government to end hostilities, and expressed support for the Sultanate of Sulu's claims to Sabah.

The spokesman for the New Patriotic alliance claimed that “Sabah is part of the Philippines” and they are now exercising “sovereignty” by asking the Malaysian army to end the conflict. Muslim clerics and Catholics priests in Manila also came together to pray for peace in the troubled eastern Malaysian province.

Meanwhile, latest Philippine media reports say that thousands of battle-hardened Muslim guerrillas are travelling to Sabah to aid their beleaguered comrades.

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According to the Phillippine Daily Inquirer, thousands of Suluk from southern Philippines have sailed to Sabah to join forces with the armed intruders in Lahad Datu. At least 10,000 members of the self-proclaimed “royal army” of the Sultanate of Sulu from Basilan, Sulu, Tawi-Tawi and Zamboanga have made their way to Sabah in small boats to support their beleaguered comrades, the news site said.

Malaysia's military on Tuesday launched a fierce assault including jet fighters on up to 300 Filipino intruders after a deadly three-week standoff, but the militants' supporters said they had escaped and were alive and well.

Observers and analysts have warned that violent reactions may lead to further conflicts if emotional distresses are left untreated.

The chairman of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF)'s Islamic Council Committee, Habib Hashim Mudjahab, said the group is not able to control the Filipinos from retaliating in this incident.

"Even the non-combatants are going to Sabah to help the sultanate,” he said.

Click on for photos of the protest against Malaysian assault in Manila.