In this Tuesday, March 5, 2013 photo released by Malaysia's Ministry of Defense, Malaysian soldiers prepare their weapons before joining an assault near the area where a stand-off with Filipino gunmen took place, at Tanduo village in Lahad Datu, Borneo's Sabah state, Malaysia. Malaysian security forces on Wednesday, March, 6, 2013 battled a group of Filipino intruders in the rugged terrain of Borneo after they escaped a military assault with fighter jets and mortar fire on their hideout, police said. One Filipino was shot and believed killed. (AP Photo/Malaysia's Ministry of Defense)

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia - Malaysia is reinforcing efforts to block armed Filipino intruders from escaping by sea or vanishing into Borneo's population following deadly clashes that prompted the U.N. chief to urge both sides to seek a peaceful resolution.   

The conflict has wreaked political havoc for both Malaysia and the neighbouring Philippines, which spent weeks trying to dislodge nearly 200 members of an obscure Philippine Muslim clan who took over an entire Malaysian village to lay claim to a sprawling Borneo state they insist is theirs by royal birthright.

Malaysia mounted airstrikes and mortar attacks Monday against the clansmen, but most eluded capture in a coastal district brimming with palm oil plantations and forested hills.

Government and police officials said Wednesday they were tightening naval patrols and evacuating thousands of villagers away from danger.