Sultanate of Sulu demand the return of Sabah from Malaysia?
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nufix
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Their home base lies on the neighboring country, the Philippines. Attacking it, wouldn't it be an act of war towards the Philippines?
They could try to ask philippine to hand out the leader of those terrorists first.If Philippine refuced，then they could open a war with that sultanate just like how USA attacked afgan.But anyway I don't think Malays have guts.
nufix
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Unfortunately, Philippines has claim too, and already given support for Sulu's legitimacy over Sabah. I don't think Philippines would hand out the Sultan to the Malays.
Different situation, different power. Invasion of Afghan was mainly to decline Taliban influence over Afghanistan, North Sabah dispute is about a Kingdom trying to regain its lost territory. That being said, the Sulu clan has historical claim which couldn't directly be accused of terrorism. Malaysia do not have enough power to smack Philippines, and guess who's behind the Pinoys if the war is broke out.
yes，I have said that malays don't have the guts.
Zero_wing
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oh please see some news he doing something creating a legal committee asking the idiots to surrender sending a team to Malaysia so please stop smoking opium.
Zero_wing
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What the hell are you talking? they are in Malaysia you idiot they fighting the Malaysians and we may be claiming Sabah but unlike your country we don't like or use force for territorial claims we use International standards and international law and Malaysia knows that we are not behind it its the idiots like yourself in Mindanao who think they better or higher than the law and better than the rest of their filipino countrymen and violence can solve everything because it works for them they have to realized that force is not answer and the should follow the law and coordinate and complain properly and lawfully not like this but like china they think they better and high than any law or anyone. Only a few of them learn to be responsible no wonder they are the poorest in the whole country.
Snomannen
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I have read a lot from Malaysia and Hong Kong, you are obviously the invaders, the murderers.
You spread the rumor that China's contributions in your country is "enslaving" your people, while your "smiling face" President are welcoming more Chinese contributions and thank them.
Your crazy, fired police officer can easily get heavy weapons and murdered a lot of our people, you people didn't apologize in order to conceal your inability and even insulted us for asking for apology.
You people dare attempt to become one of us, share our resources even through the contract is obviously written that you only work for us.
You are killing your own people, while spreading the rumor and blaming the Chinese government for "pushing Tibetan around".
Now you are supporting your crazy people to break into other countries and murder more innocent, peaceful people.
What a country.
rohailmalhi
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and see where US of A is standing today . Their economy effed up , thousands dead in war of spreading terror .
War is not a solution but a problem itself.
Malaya
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Sabah Air Strikes Hit Wrong Target; Kirams Army Spared
Malaysian Forces Bombed
By: Edd K. Usman
Published: March 6, 2013
Malaysian armed forces yesterday started their massive campaign against Rajah Muda Agbimuddin Kiram and his men, launching air strikes in a bid to end the three-week standoff in Sabah.
However, instead of hitting their target, the Malaysian bombers dropped two bombs on their own security forces, the Sultanate of Sulu said.
Abraham J. Iribani, spokesman of the sultanate and Sultan Jamalul Kiram III, said he spoke early Tuesday morning with the rajah mudah (crown prince), who disclosed the aerial assault by Malaysia.
Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak said the government had no choice but to quell Malaysias worst security crisis in years, sparked when militants invaded to claim the Malaysian state of Sabah for Kiram III.
The longer this invasion lasts, it is clear to the authorities that the invaders do not intend to leave Sabah, Najib said, adding that negotiations had gone nowhere.
The government must take action to safeguard the dignity and sovereignty of the country as required by the people.
The rajah muda, younger brother of the Sultan Kiram III, said they saw a jet plane hovering above at 9:30 a.m., but a bit far from their stronghold.
He told Idjirani the jet plane dropped two bombs on the Malaysian military and police forces encamped at Kampung Tanduo, Lahad Datu.
The bombing of the Malaysian security forces could not be confirmed independently as of press time.
Idjirani said the rajah muda was bewildered by the bombing of the Malaysian security forces.
But the rajah muda recalled that Kampung Tanduo, where the bombs were dropped, used to be his groups camp, but they abandoned this after Fridays fighting.
This could be the reason Malaysian bombers dropped two bombs in the area, not knowing that Malaysian security forces are now occupying the camp.
Idjirani described this as a divine intervention.
If the bombs were from Malaysia that is divine intervention. It shows that our only support is from divine intervention, he said.
At least two fighter jets roared over the standoff site from early morning, launching an air bombardment, a Malaysian reporter positioned about 20 kilometers away told AFP by phone.
There was a series of explosions in Tanduo. Intense bombing lasted for about half an hour, followed by a series of sporadic blasts, he said, asking not to be named.
An AFP reporter at a police roadblock about 30 kilometres from the assault saw heavy military helicopters flying toward Tanduo. Six ambulances also were seen speeding toward the site.
Three military trucks filled with dozens of soldiers also moved in the direction of Tanduo, located amid vast oil palm plantations.
Despite being ranged against Malaysias armed forces, air, naval, and foot soldiers, with tanks and fighter planes, the rajah muda remains defiant and vows to fight on.
You know it, whatever they do, we are not afraid because we are fighting for our right, said the rajah muda. The right of the Bangsa Suluk and the Filipino in general, if the Philippine government considers us Filipinos, is what were fighting for, he said.
He reiterated that he and his men will not start a fight.
If they start, we will defend ourselves. If not, we will not move, the rajah muda, leader of the originally 235 members of the Royal Security Force (RSF), said. Now down to just 215 men.
The group ventured on a journey home to Sabah on Feb. 11 and arrived a day later in Lahad Datu to settle and live peacefully in their ancestral home.
The raja muda also confirmed they are holding captives four Malaysian officers.
He added that he is open to returning to the Philippines on condition there will be no betrayal during the negotiations.
We will go home if there is no betrayal, he said, adding their rights (over Sabah) must be preserved.
The raja muda also appealed to the Bangsa Suluk (Tausug Nation) and the Filipinos in general to help them, saying this is the time for them unite behind them.
He added that he and his men have no problem with food, saying we are used to (surviving) wherever."
However, he appealed to the United Nations to send a medical team to Lahad Datu to attend to his wounded men and well as to bring food supplies.
With the Malaysian air strikes and mortar attacks against the Filipino armed men in Sabah, the Philippine government yesterday said it has no shortcomings and actually did everything to possible to prevent a violent end to the three-week standoff.
Presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda said they have exhausted measures to reach a peaceful solution to the conflict but the followers of the Sulu sultan have ignored government appeals to come home and instead pursued a path of violence.
Eight Malaysian policemen and 20 Filipinos were reportedly killed in the violent clashes since the supporters of Kiram III occupied Sabah last month. The group is led by the rajah muda.
Asked to comment on former National Security Adviser Norberto Gonzales statement that he is the Aquino administrations favorite suspect on the Sabah issue, Lacierda asked: Guilty siya? (Is he guilty?)
The President never mentioned anybody. He said that I will not name names until I have sufficient evidence, Lacierda added.
Misuari Warning
Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) founding Chairman Nur Misuari visited Kiram III yesterday, his second, and warned of chaos should the sultan be arrested on governments allegation he violated the Constitution.
He also practically admitted the presence of MNLF fighters in Sabah, but made it clear he did not order them to join the fighting.
Misuari strongly denied any hand on the Sabah standoff, saying if he were behind it then he would have sent thousands to the oil-rich island.
He slammed Aquino for his handling of the Sabah standoff.
What he (President) is doing is bad. It is unbecoming of a head of state. I cant forgive him, said Misuari.
He also warned Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak of consequences if the sultanates followers would be killed.
Sabah is our homeland. It is part of our sovereign territory, said Misuari.
As this developed, Sen. Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. said the Philippines, as a republic, has a factual, historical claim over Sabah.
But whatever else the issue there may be, the Sultan of Sulu and his people are Filipino citizens and, by virtue of that fact, they deserve protection from the government of the Philippines, Marcos said.
Pero bago natin pagusapan ang claim, protektahan muna natin ang mga Pilipino. We should talk to the Malaysians to spare the Filipinos from harm or harassment and to resolve this matter peacefully, he said (Before we discuss the territorial claim, Filipinos must first be protected.)
First and foremost, its the responsibility of the government to protect its citizens, he added.
The brief statement of Marcos on the issue did not touch on whether the administration of President Benigno S. Aquino III handled the Sabah situation well or not.
Fight For Our Rights
Yesterday, the Sultanate of Sulu asked President Aquino to abide by the Constitution by protecting your people and fight for the nations territorial rights.
Princess Jacel Kiram, daughter of Sultan Jamalul Kiram III, read the statement from the Sultanate of Sulu.
Mr. President, as long as Sultan Jamalul Kiram III and Rajah Muda Agbimuddin Kiram are standing by their belief to defend their rights over North Borneo (Sabah), please do not disrespect the integrity of their intentions, the sultanates statement read.
The President cannot wash his hands by turning your back on your own people, it said.
We are asking all the Filipino people now to pray for the safety of our Muslim brothers both in Malaysia and the Philippines and to a peaceful resolution of the Sabah issue.
Blunder
Meanwhile, former Senator Ramon Magsaysay Jr. said yesterday that President Aquino may have made a wrong decision in ignoring appeals for him to dialogue with the Kiram III and his family, noting that violence may have been averted had he agreed for talks.
Asked what advise he would have given Aquino had this been sought by Malacañang before Malaysia decided to attack the over 200 Filipinos holed up in Sabah, Magsaysay said he would have asked the chief executive to talk to Kiram and his family.
This is because the issue pertains to ownership problem. Had it been a question of sovereignty, a government-to-government negotiations would have been better and could have averted bloodshed, said Magsaysay.
Sabah issue is very complex. If you read former (Supreme Court) Justice Artemio Panganiban, it is an issue of sovereignty on the part of Malaysia and property on the part of the Filipinos, the Team PNoy senatorial candidate explained. (With reports from AFP, Genalyn D. Kabiling, Madel S. Namit, Mario B. Casayuran, and Ben R. Rosario)
Manila Bulletin
Kiram men in Sabah relax as Malaysian air force drops bombs
By Nikko Dizon
Philippine Daily Inquirer
MANILA, PhilippinesWere relaxing here. This was what Rajah Mudah Agbimuddin Kiram told Abraham Idjirani, spokesperson and secretary general of the Sultanate of Sulu and North Borneo, as Malaysia stepped up its offensive against members of the Sulu sultanates Royal Army in Sabah.
Idjirani also told the Inquirer by phone that according to the Agbimuddin Kiram, there were no casualties among the Kiram familys followers in the reported bombing runs by Malaysian air force planes.
I was on the phone with the rajah mudah (crown prince) two minutes ago and he told me that they are just relaxing there, Idjirani said.
He added that it was divine intervention that no one from the royal army was hit by the bombs dropped by the Malaysian air force.
Idjirani said that according to Agbimuddin Kiram, the bombs hit the Malaysian police and military.
Sultanate: Well fight to the last man
By Mike Frialde (The Philippine Star) | Updated March 6, 2013
MANILA, Philippines - As Malaysia unleashed its firepower on the supporters of Sulu Sultan Jamalul Kiram III, the Filipinos said yesterday they were shifting to guerrilla warfare and were prepared to fight to the last man rather than surrender.
The crown prince, the royal security force and the many patriots who landed voluntarily will fight to the last man protecting their dreams and aspirations, Kirams daughter Princess Jacel told reporters in Taguig City.
She was referring to her uncle Agbimuddin, also called raja muda or crown prince and leader of the sultans forces in Sabah.
Malaysian bombs and bullets had missed Agbimuddin, she said, citing reports from supporters holed up in Sabah.
Now as the battle rages under a tremendous and superior force by the Malaysian composite forces of air and naval bombardment including army and police forces, all we could do is to ask the Almighty Allah to protect our people in Lahad Datu, Semporna, Kunak, Sandakan and all over the island of Sabah, she said.
She said her uncles forces would continue the fight to reclaim and settle peacefully in our homeland.
She also lashed out at Malacañang for not doing enough to ensure a peaceful end to the standoff which began early last month.
Question, is it now clear that the government of P-Noy has given up and now pursues where to put the blame on the basis of imaginary conspiracies?
She denied that groups with vested interests were financing their Sabah activities.
Sultanate spokesman Abraham Idjirani said Agbimuddin himself had informed him that he had survived the Malaysian offensive.
This is to put to rest the black propaganda being waged by the Malaysian government. Raja Muda and his forces are all still alive, Idjirani said.
The fighting continues. The Raja Muda has now gone mobile after he felt the might of the Malaysian military, he said.
He said the last time Agbimuddin contacted him by cell phone was at 2:30 p.m.
He also said that Agbimuddin and his companions had already left their position when it was hit by Malaysian bombs.
He said Malaysian forces occupying the area may have been hit by their own bombs. It could be a case of friendly fire, he said. The Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF), meanwhile, said the sultans forces recovered two unexploded Malaysian bombs yesterday during a lull in the fighting.
The bombs are now in the custody of the Sultan Royal Army and are keeping these as evidence and for further documentation, an MNLF official said.
Idjirani also denied that the Kiram family has links with the Malaysian opposition led by Anwar Ibrahim.
We dont know Anwar Ibrahim, he said.
He said it was impossible for the sultan to meet with Anwar because he had to undergo dialysis regularly. In an interview over radio dzMM, Agbimuddin said they would only release their four captives two military commanders, a police officer and a civilian executive to an international body. With Jaime Laude
http://www.philstar.com/headlines/2013/03/06/916320/sultanate-well-fight-last-man
Malaysian Forces Bombed
By: Edd K. Usman
Published: March 6, 2013
Malaysian armed forces yesterday started their massive campaign against Rajah Muda Agbimuddin Kiram and his men, launching air strikes in a bid to end the three-week standoff in Sabah.
However, instead of hitting their target, the Malaysian bombers dropped two bombs on their own security forces, the Sultanate of Sulu said.
Abraham J. Iribani, spokesman of the sultanate and Sultan Jamalul Kiram III, said he spoke early Tuesday morning with the rajah mudah (crown prince), who disclosed the aerial assault by Malaysia.
Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak said the government had no choice but to quell Malaysias worst security crisis in years, sparked when militants invaded to claim the Malaysian state of Sabah for Kiram III.
The longer this invasion lasts, it is clear to the authorities that the invaders do not intend to leave Sabah, Najib said, adding that negotiations had gone nowhere.
The government must take action to safeguard the dignity and sovereignty of the country as required by the people.
The rajah muda, younger brother of the Sultan Kiram III, said they saw a jet plane hovering above at 9:30 a.m., but a bit far from their stronghold.
He told Idjirani the jet plane dropped two bombs on the Malaysian military and police forces encamped at Kampung Tanduo, Lahad Datu.
The bombing of the Malaysian security forces could not be confirmed independently as of press time.
Idjirani said the rajah muda was bewildered by the bombing of the Malaysian security forces.
But the rajah muda recalled that Kampung Tanduo, where the bombs were dropped, used to be his groups camp, but they abandoned this after Fridays fighting.
This could be the reason Malaysian bombers dropped two bombs in the area, not knowing that Malaysian security forces are now occupying the camp.
Idjirani described this as a divine intervention.
If the bombs were from Malaysia that is divine intervention. It shows that our only support is from divine intervention, he said.
At least two fighter jets roared over the standoff site from early morning, launching an air bombardment, a Malaysian reporter positioned about 20 kilometers away told AFP by phone.
There was a series of explosions in Tanduo. Intense bombing lasted for about half an hour, followed by a series of sporadic blasts, he said, asking not to be named.
An AFP reporter at a police roadblock about 30 kilometres from the assault saw heavy military helicopters flying toward Tanduo. Six ambulances also were seen speeding toward the site.
Three military trucks filled with dozens of soldiers also moved in the direction of Tanduo, located amid vast oil palm plantations.
Despite being ranged against Malaysias armed forces, air, naval, and foot soldiers, with tanks and fighter planes, the rajah muda remains defiant and vows to fight on.
You know it, whatever they do, we are not afraid because we are fighting for our right, said the rajah muda. The right of the Bangsa Suluk and the Filipino in general, if the Philippine government considers us Filipinos, is what were fighting for, he said.
He reiterated that he and his men will not start a fight.
If they start, we will defend ourselves. If not, we will not move, the rajah muda, leader of the originally 235 members of the Royal Security Force (RSF), said. Now down to just 215 men.
The group ventured on a journey home to Sabah on Feb. 11 and arrived a day later in Lahad Datu to settle and live peacefully in their ancestral home.
The raja muda also confirmed they are holding captives four Malaysian officers.
He added that he is open to returning to the Philippines on condition there will be no betrayal during the negotiations.
We will go home if there is no betrayal, he said, adding their rights (over Sabah) must be preserved.
The raja muda also appealed to the Bangsa Suluk (Tausug Nation) and the Filipinos in general to help them, saying this is the time for them unite behind them.
He added that he and his men have no problem with food, saying we are used to (surviving) wherever."
However, he appealed to the United Nations to send a medical team to Lahad Datu to attend to his wounded men and well as to bring food supplies.
With the Malaysian air strikes and mortar attacks against the Filipino armed men in Sabah, the Philippine government yesterday said it has no shortcomings and actually did everything to possible to prevent a violent end to the three-week standoff.
Presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda said they have exhausted measures to reach a peaceful solution to the conflict but the followers of the Sulu sultan have ignored government appeals to come home and instead pursued a path of violence.
Eight Malaysian policemen and 20 Filipinos were reportedly killed in the violent clashes since the supporters of Kiram III occupied Sabah last month. The group is led by the rajah muda.
Asked to comment on former National Security Adviser Norberto Gonzales statement that he is the Aquino administrations favorite suspect on the Sabah issue, Lacierda asked: Guilty siya? (Is he guilty?)
The President never mentioned anybody. He said that I will not name names until I have sufficient evidence, Lacierda added.
Misuari Warning
Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) founding Chairman Nur Misuari visited Kiram III yesterday, his second, and warned of chaos should the sultan be arrested on governments allegation he violated the Constitution.
He also practically admitted the presence of MNLF fighters in Sabah, but made it clear he did not order them to join the fighting.
Misuari strongly denied any hand on the Sabah standoff, saying if he were behind it then he would have sent thousands to the oil-rich island.
He slammed Aquino for his handling of the Sabah standoff.
What he (President) is doing is bad. It is unbecoming of a head of state. I cant forgive him, said Misuari.
He also warned Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak of consequences if the sultanates followers would be killed.
Sabah is our homeland. It is part of our sovereign territory, said Misuari.
As this developed, Sen. Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. said the Philippines, as a republic, has a factual, historical claim over Sabah.
But whatever else the issue there may be, the Sultan of Sulu and his people are Filipino citizens and, by virtue of that fact, they deserve protection from the government of the Philippines, Marcos said.
Pero bago natin pagusapan ang claim, protektahan muna natin ang mga Pilipino. We should talk to the Malaysians to spare the Filipinos from harm or harassment and to resolve this matter peacefully, he said (Before we discuss the territorial claim, Filipinos must first be protected.)
First and foremost, its the responsibility of the government to protect its citizens, he added.
The brief statement of Marcos on the issue did not touch on whether the administration of President Benigno S. Aquino III handled the Sabah situation well or not.
Fight For Our Rights
Yesterday, the Sultanate of Sulu asked President Aquino to abide by the Constitution by protecting your people and fight for the nations territorial rights.
Princess Jacel Kiram, daughter of Sultan Jamalul Kiram III, read the statement from the Sultanate of Sulu.
Mr. President, as long as Sultan Jamalul Kiram III and Rajah Muda Agbimuddin Kiram are standing by their belief to defend their rights over North Borneo (Sabah), please do not disrespect the integrity of their intentions, the sultanates statement read.
The President cannot wash his hands by turning your back on your own people, it said.
We are asking all the Filipino people now to pray for the safety of our Muslim brothers both in Malaysia and the Philippines and to a peaceful resolution of the Sabah issue.
Blunder
Meanwhile, former Senator Ramon Magsaysay Jr. said yesterday that President Aquino may have made a wrong decision in ignoring appeals for him to dialogue with the Kiram III and his family, noting that violence may have been averted had he agreed for talks.
Asked what advise he would have given Aquino had this been sought by Malacañang before Malaysia decided to attack the over 200 Filipinos holed up in Sabah, Magsaysay said he would have asked the chief executive to talk to Kiram and his family.
This is because the issue pertains to ownership problem. Had it been a question of sovereignty, a government-to-government negotiations would have been better and could have averted bloodshed, said Magsaysay.
Sabah issue is very complex. If you read former (Supreme Court) Justice Artemio Panganiban, it is an issue of sovereignty on the part of Malaysia and property on the part of the Filipinos, the Team PNoy senatorial candidate explained. (With reports from AFP, Genalyn D. Kabiling, Madel S. Namit, Mario B. Casayuran, and Ben R. Rosario)
Manila Bulletin
Kiram men in Sabah relax as Malaysian air force drops bombs
By Nikko Dizon
Philippine Daily Inquirer
MANILA, PhilippinesWere relaxing here. This was what Rajah Mudah Agbimuddin Kiram told Abraham Idjirani, spokesperson and secretary general of the Sultanate of Sulu and North Borneo, as Malaysia stepped up its offensive against members of the Sulu sultanates Royal Army in Sabah.
Idjirani also told the Inquirer by phone that according to the Agbimuddin Kiram, there were no casualties among the Kiram familys followers in the reported bombing runs by Malaysian air force planes.
I was on the phone with the rajah mudah (crown prince) two minutes ago and he told me that they are just relaxing there, Idjirani said.
He added that it was divine intervention that no one from the royal army was hit by the bombs dropped by the Malaysian air force.
Idjirani said that according to Agbimuddin Kiram, the bombs hit the Malaysian police and military.
Sultanate: Well fight to the last man
By Mike Frialde (The Philippine Star) | Updated March 6, 2013
MANILA, Philippines - As Malaysia unleashed its firepower on the supporters of Sulu Sultan Jamalul Kiram III, the Filipinos said yesterday they were shifting to guerrilla warfare and were prepared to fight to the last man rather than surrender.
The crown prince, the royal security force and the many patriots who landed voluntarily will fight to the last man protecting their dreams and aspirations, Kirams daughter Princess Jacel told reporters in Taguig City.
She was referring to her uncle Agbimuddin, also called raja muda or crown prince and leader of the sultans forces in Sabah.
Malaysian bombs and bullets had missed Agbimuddin, she said, citing reports from supporters holed up in Sabah.
Now as the battle rages under a tremendous and superior force by the Malaysian composite forces of air and naval bombardment including army and police forces, all we could do is to ask the Almighty Allah to protect our people in Lahad Datu, Semporna, Kunak, Sandakan and all over the island of Sabah, she said.
She said her uncles forces would continue the fight to reclaim and settle peacefully in our homeland.
She also lashed out at Malacañang for not doing enough to ensure a peaceful end to the standoff which began early last month.
Question, is it now clear that the government of P-Noy has given up and now pursues where to put the blame on the basis of imaginary conspiracies?
She denied that groups with vested interests were financing their Sabah activities.
Sultanate spokesman Abraham Idjirani said Agbimuddin himself had informed him that he had survived the Malaysian offensive.
This is to put to rest the black propaganda being waged by the Malaysian government. Raja Muda and his forces are all still alive, Idjirani said.
The fighting continues. The Raja Muda has now gone mobile after he felt the might of the Malaysian military, he said.
He said the last time Agbimuddin contacted him by cell phone was at 2:30 p.m.
He also said that Agbimuddin and his companions had already left their position when it was hit by Malaysian bombs.
He said Malaysian forces occupying the area may have been hit by their own bombs. It could be a case of friendly fire, he said. The Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF), meanwhile, said the sultans forces recovered two unexploded Malaysian bombs yesterday during a lull in the fighting.
The bombs are now in the custody of the Sultan Royal Army and are keeping these as evidence and for further documentation, an MNLF official said.
Idjirani also denied that the Kiram family has links with the Malaysian opposition led by Anwar Ibrahim.
We dont know Anwar Ibrahim, he said.
He said it was impossible for the sultan to meet with Anwar because he had to undergo dialysis regularly. In an interview over radio dzMM, Agbimuddin said they would only release their four captives two military commanders, a police officer and a civilian executive to an international body. With Jaime Laude
http://www.philstar.com/headlines/2013/03/06/916320/sultanate-well-fight-last-man
Malaya
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Q & A on Sabah | Del Rosario admits 'lost' Sultan's letter found in DFA and other revelations
By: Department of Foreign Affairs
March 6, 2013
(This Q & A was e-mailed to media outfits by the Department of Foreign Affairs early Wednesday morning, a few hours after DFA Secretary Albert del Rosario arrived from Kuala Lumpur. Here, among others, he took full responsibility for the letter of the Sultan of Sulu to President Aquino that was "lost in the bureaucratic maze." The letter, written just before Aquino took office, wanted an audience with the President to discuss the Sabah claim.)
1. What transpired in the discussions between Secretary del Rosario and the Malaysian officials?
The Secretary, in pursuing a peaceful resolution, has been in contact on a daily basis with the Foreign Minister and other officials of Malaysia. The trip to Malaysia is consistent with that effort. During this particular trip, the Secretary continued seeking the exercise of maximum tolerance to avert further loss of lives. The Secretary also followed up on the Philippines’ requests for a full briefing on the situation, for clearance for the Philippine Navy ship to proceed to Lahad Datu and for humanitarian and consular services to be made available to the Filipinos in Lahad Datu.
While in Malaysia, the Secretary likewise sought the consideration for women and other civilians not involved in the hostilities to be able to exit the area of conflict.
The Secretary was also specifically tasked by the President to explore avenues to end the standoff that is acceptable to all parties.
2. Was the Secretary able to achieve his objectives?
The abovementioned requests are still being considered in light of the security environment.
3. What avenues did the Philippine Government explore domestically for a peaceful resolution to save lives?
From the outset of this conflict, the Philippine Government has been pursuing options which could lead to a peaceful resolution where no lives would be lost. Sultan Jamalul Kiram’s group was well aware of this as they were directly involved. These options, which involve the peaceful withdrawal of the Kiram group from Lahad Datu in order to ensure that lives are not compromised, were relentlessly pursued on a 24/7 basis. Unfortunately, some of these plans did not merit acceptance by all parties and those that did could not be implemented in time. The Philippine Government’s constructive efforts were overtaken by events that were beyond its control.
With the peaceful withdrawal, the President initially offered that no charges would be filed and that an avenue for discussion would be made available.
4. What avenues did the Secretary explore with the Malaysian officials?
The Secretary worked with the Malaysian officials in ensuring that maximum restraint was exercised for the first two weeks. Until hostilities erupted, Malaysia agreed on a peaceful withdrawal where no charges would be filed. Even as hostilities had begun, the Secretary was still exploring the option of peaceful withdrawal.
5. What avenues did the Secretary explore with the Malaysians during this trip to end the standoff?
In meeting with the Foreign and Defense Ministers, the Secretary again pursued the possibility of allowing for an unconditional surrender of the group to avert further loss of lives and allow them to return to their respective homes and families. Negotiations for this remain in progress.
6. Despite our request for maximum tolerance, why were airstrikes and ground operations still conducted?
This is a question that can best be answered by the Malaysians.
7. Is it true that the Secretary agreed with the Malaysian authorities’ labelling the Filipino group as “terrorist”?
According to Ambassador Malaya who was present at the meeting, the report is out of context and the Secretary did not label the Filipino group as “terrorist.”
In Semporna, there were alleged acts of terrorism. As reported by the Malaysian Foreign Minister, after the police forces were lured into an ambush and killed, their bodies were brutally mutilated and desecrated. If indeed these atrocities were committed as reported to him, the Secretary and the Foreign Minister both agreed that these were, at the very least, terroristic acts.
8. Will this affect the GPH-MILF Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro?
It should not affect the peace process with the MILF.
9. How many casualties were there from the latest assault?
We do not have information on the number of casualties from the latest assault.
10. Is the standoff over?
According to the Malaysian Foreign Minister, as of noontime of 5 March, actions by the Malaysian security forces are ongoing.
11. What is the Philippine Government’s plan to avert further loss of lives?
The Philippine Government will continue to explore all possible channels in an effort to achieve the objective of minimizing the loss of life and bringing the matter to an expeditious conclusion.
12. If the members of the Kiram group are criminally charged by the Malaysian authorities, would the Philippine Government assist them and how?
Consistent with the President’s policy of caring for the Filipino people wherever they are, the Philippine Government will provide the necessary assistance.
13. What is the Secretary’s comment on the news that thousands of Tausugs are now sailing to Sabah?
There is a close cooperation between the Philippine and Malaysian navies to jointly enforce a blockade for such an eventuality.
14. What is the DFA’s position on the Sabah claim?
The DFA has been named a member of the team tasked to undertake the necessary study on the Sabah claim.
15. On the issue of the “missing” letter, what does the DFA know about it?
On the issue of the missing letter written by Raja Muda Agbimuddin Kiram to the President days before the President took his oath in June 2010, that letter has been found with the DFA. The Secretary is taking full responsibility for the oversight.
16. What is the Secretary’s opinion on Sultan Jamalul Kiram’s letter to the United Nations (UN) Human Rights Committee?
It is Sultan Jamalul Kiram’s right to appeal to the UN Human Rights Committee.
17. What is the Secretary’s opinion on Misuari’s suggestion to involve the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC)?
It is a domestic issue and is therefore outside the purview of the OIC.
18. Is the Philippine Government reinforcing the security of the Malaysian Embassy in Manila and the Malaysian Consulate-General in Davao City?
Yes. The Philippine Government has provided appropriate security to these diplomatic establishments in accordance with the Vienna Conventions on Diplomatic and on Consular Relations.
19. In light of the advisory issued by the Malaysian Embassy in Manila for Malaysian citizens in the Philippines to exercise additional precaution, is the DFA planning on issuing a similar advisory for Filipinos in Malaysia?
For now, the Philippine Embassy in Kuala Lumpur has issued an appeal to Filipinos in Sabah to remain calm and abide by the guidelines issued by local authorities.
20. With everything that has happened, how would the Secretary describe Philippines-Malaysia relations?
The relationship remains strong and both countries continue to exert efforts for enhancement of their bilateral relations. The Secretary believes that a close cooperation between the two countries is necessary for dealing with the challenges presented by the current issue.
Q & A on Sabah | Del Rosario admits 'lost' Sultan's letter found in DFA and other revelations - InterAksyon.com
By: Department of Foreign Affairs
March 6, 2013
(This Q & A was e-mailed to media outfits by the Department of Foreign Affairs early Wednesday morning, a few hours after DFA Secretary Albert del Rosario arrived from Kuala Lumpur. Here, among others, he took full responsibility for the letter of the Sultan of Sulu to President Aquino that was "lost in the bureaucratic maze." The letter, written just before Aquino took office, wanted an audience with the President to discuss the Sabah claim.)
1. What transpired in the discussions between Secretary del Rosario and the Malaysian officials?
The Secretary, in pursuing a peaceful resolution, has been in contact on a daily basis with the Foreign Minister and other officials of Malaysia. The trip to Malaysia is consistent with that effort. During this particular trip, the Secretary continued seeking the exercise of maximum tolerance to avert further loss of lives. The Secretary also followed up on the Philippines’ requests for a full briefing on the situation, for clearance for the Philippine Navy ship to proceed to Lahad Datu and for humanitarian and consular services to be made available to the Filipinos in Lahad Datu.
While in Malaysia, the Secretary likewise sought the consideration for women and other civilians not involved in the hostilities to be able to exit the area of conflict.
The Secretary was also specifically tasked by the President to explore avenues to end the standoff that is acceptable to all parties.
2. Was the Secretary able to achieve his objectives?
The abovementioned requests are still being considered in light of the security environment.
3. What avenues did the Philippine Government explore domestically for a peaceful resolution to save lives?
From the outset of this conflict, the Philippine Government has been pursuing options which could lead to a peaceful resolution where no lives would be lost. Sultan Jamalul Kiram’s group was well aware of this as they were directly involved. These options, which involve the peaceful withdrawal of the Kiram group from Lahad Datu in order to ensure that lives are not compromised, were relentlessly pursued on a 24/7 basis. Unfortunately, some of these plans did not merit acceptance by all parties and those that did could not be implemented in time. The Philippine Government’s constructive efforts were overtaken by events that were beyond its control.
With the peaceful withdrawal, the President initially offered that no charges would be filed and that an avenue for discussion would be made available.
4. What avenues did the Secretary explore with the Malaysian officials?
The Secretary worked with the Malaysian officials in ensuring that maximum restraint was exercised for the first two weeks. Until hostilities erupted, Malaysia agreed on a peaceful withdrawal where no charges would be filed. Even as hostilities had begun, the Secretary was still exploring the option of peaceful withdrawal.
5. What avenues did the Secretary explore with the Malaysians during this trip to end the standoff?
In meeting with the Foreign and Defense Ministers, the Secretary again pursued the possibility of allowing for an unconditional surrender of the group to avert further loss of lives and allow them to return to their respective homes and families. Negotiations for this remain in progress.
6. Despite our request for maximum tolerance, why were airstrikes and ground operations still conducted?
This is a question that can best be answered by the Malaysians.
7. Is it true that the Secretary agreed with the Malaysian authorities’ labelling the Filipino group as “terrorist”?
According to Ambassador Malaya who was present at the meeting, the report is out of context and the Secretary did not label the Filipino group as “terrorist.”
In Semporna, there were alleged acts of terrorism. As reported by the Malaysian Foreign Minister, after the police forces were lured into an ambush and killed, their bodies were brutally mutilated and desecrated. If indeed these atrocities were committed as reported to him, the Secretary and the Foreign Minister both agreed that these were, at the very least, terroristic acts.
8. Will this affect the GPH-MILF Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro?
It should not affect the peace process with the MILF.
9. How many casualties were there from the latest assault?
We do not have information on the number of casualties from the latest assault.
10. Is the standoff over?
According to the Malaysian Foreign Minister, as of noontime of 5 March, actions by the Malaysian security forces are ongoing.
11. What is the Philippine Government’s plan to avert further loss of lives?
The Philippine Government will continue to explore all possible channels in an effort to achieve the objective of minimizing the loss of life and bringing the matter to an expeditious conclusion.
12. If the members of the Kiram group are criminally charged by the Malaysian authorities, would the Philippine Government assist them and how?
Consistent with the President’s policy of caring for the Filipino people wherever they are, the Philippine Government will provide the necessary assistance.
13. What is the Secretary’s comment on the news that thousands of Tausugs are now sailing to Sabah?
There is a close cooperation between the Philippine and Malaysian navies to jointly enforce a blockade for such an eventuality.
14. What is the DFA’s position on the Sabah claim?
The DFA has been named a member of the team tasked to undertake the necessary study on the Sabah claim.
15. On the issue of the “missing” letter, what does the DFA know about it?
On the issue of the missing letter written by Raja Muda Agbimuddin Kiram to the President days before the President took his oath in June 2010, that letter has been found with the DFA. The Secretary is taking full responsibility for the oversight.
16. What is the Secretary’s opinion on Sultan Jamalul Kiram’s letter to the United Nations (UN) Human Rights Committee?
It is Sultan Jamalul Kiram’s right to appeal to the UN Human Rights Committee.
17. What is the Secretary’s opinion on Misuari’s suggestion to involve the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC)?
It is a domestic issue and is therefore outside the purview of the OIC.
18. Is the Philippine Government reinforcing the security of the Malaysian Embassy in Manila and the Malaysian Consulate-General in Davao City?
Yes. The Philippine Government has provided appropriate security to these diplomatic establishments in accordance with the Vienna Conventions on Diplomatic and on Consular Relations.
19. In light of the advisory issued by the Malaysian Embassy in Manila for Malaysian citizens in the Philippines to exercise additional precaution, is the DFA planning on issuing a similar advisory for Filipinos in Malaysia?
For now, the Philippine Embassy in Kuala Lumpur has issued an appeal to Filipinos in Sabah to remain calm and abide by the guidelines issued by local authorities.
20. With everything that has happened, how would the Secretary describe Philippines-Malaysia relations?
The relationship remains strong and both countries continue to exert efforts for enhancement of their bilateral relations. The Secretary believes that a close cooperation between the two countries is necessary for dealing with the challenges presented by the current issue.
Q & A on Sabah | Del Rosario admits 'lost' Sultan's letter found in DFA and other revelations - InterAksyon.com
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MNLF says its fighters heading to Sabah to aid Sultan's men
March 6, 2013
Battle-hardened Moro guerrillas have sailed from the Philippines to reinforce followers of Sulu Sultan Jamalul Kiram III who are battling Malaysian forces in Sabah, one of their leaders said Wednesday.
The fighters are veteran members of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) who waged a decades-long insurgency against the Philippine government before signing a 1996 peace pact, Muhajab Hashim told AFP.
"Many have slipped through the security forces. They know the area like the back of their hands because they trained there in the past," Hashim told AFP.
"We are expecting more of them to join (the fighting) even if our official instruction is for them to refrain from going."
He could not say how many MNLF fighters had managed to slip through naval cordons set up by the Philippines and Malaysia, but said "thousands" had earlier expressed interest in joining.
Hashim is chairman of the MNLF's Islamic Command Council overseeing all the group's armed forces, which was meant to disarm as part of the 1996 peace pact but never fully complied.
He said that although MNLF leaders had not officially instructed their men to sail to Malaysia, they fully supported the sultan's efforts to reclaim the Malaysian state of Sabah as his territory.
"MNLF fighters are adherents of the sultan, we are followers. So there is more than an alliance," he said. "We feel very strongly against the attacks against our brothers from Sulu."
Malaysian security forces launched a major offensive on Tuesday to end a three-week standoff between followers of Kiram that has left at least 27 people dead.
However, the sultan's aides said in Manila that their followers, believed to originally number between 100 and 300, had escaped Tuesday's attacks.
The MNLF was founded by Muslim scholar Nur Misuari to fight for a Muslim homeland in the southern Philippine island of Mindanao in the late 1960s, and had once received support from Malaysia.
MNLF says its fighters heading to Sabah to aid sultan's men | News | GMA News Online
Philippines’ Sabah ghosts come back to haunt Aquino
More than 40 years ago a young senator delivered a speech in the Philippine Senate exposing a cabal hatched by then President Ferdinand Marcos to invade Sabah under codename ‘Operation Merdeka’.
A group of young Muslim recruits was covertly trained in an island off Manila Bay for an invasion of Sabah, now a flashpoint in the diplomatic relations between Malaysia and the Philippines, according to the late Senator Benigno Aquino Jr.
Philippine President Benigno Aquino III talks about the Sabah standoff at a news conference in Malaysia Monday.
He has been widely criticised for his handling of the incident. Pic: AP.
At that time, the Philippines had not yet dropped its claim to the northern Borneo territory that had been ruled by the Sultanate of Sulu until it was leased in the 1800s to a British trading company, which in turn ceded it to the Malaysian government. Malaysia eventually annexed Sabah to its territory.
The botched plan to invade Sabah led to the massacre of all but one of the 28 Muslim recruits. He later revealed the harrowing ordeal as they were mistreated by the government soldiers who trained them, and later executed many of them.
While the late senator denounced the Jabidah Massacre (also known as the Corregidor Massacre), he never renounced the historical Philippine claim on Sabah.
In the years that followed, after Martial Law was declared in 1972, the Philippine government essentially abandoned its sovereign assertion over the mineral-rich Sabah region of Borneo. While it has not legally and diplomatically renounced its claim, it has failed to seriously pursue its case before any international bodies and courts.
Following the outbreak of the Moro rebellion in Mindanao in the 1970s, Philippine governments wisely shied away from pursuing any claims on Sabah as Malaysia was then viewed as a potential source of materiel and financial support for the Moro rebel forces.
Malaysia would later play a major role in the peace agreements between the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) of Nur Misuari and the Ramos administration and the ongoing peace talks between the Philippine government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF). Malaysia, in fact, is the third country facilitator in the GPH-MILF peace talks that the Philippine government says it is now winding up. Obviously, Malaysia has its own agenda in agreeing to broker the peace negotiations – Sabah being high on the list.
Given these contexts, it would now be diplomatic suicide for the present Philippine government to entertain any thoughts of reviving the Sabah claim even if some 280 armed “followers” of the heirs of the Sultan Sulu are now holed up in an island off Sabah in mainland Borneo and engaging Malaysian security forces in armed confrontation. As of this writing, 27 have been killed from both sides from what the Malaysian press is now describing as an invasion. But for the Filipino ‘invaders’, their foray into Sabah is always a “journey back home.”
But is the namesake and son of the late senator, Philippines President Benigno Aquino III, morally and legally right in his outright dismissal of the continuing claims of the heirs of Sultanate of Sulu over Sabah?
Or better still, is threatening to file charges against Kiram and his band of followers the correct strategy to ease the tension in Sabah? Will his late father, a consummate politician, give a stamp of approval on his current stand on the issue?
Anybody who is below the age 50 will have less appreciation of the Sabah issue. It was an insignificant issue for President Aquino until the Kirams set foot, fully armed, on Borneo
Now it has become a diplomatic and a domestic headache for the president. He has been widely criticized for his initial nonchalance at the beginning of the stand-off.
Then he turned intransigent when defied by the Kirams. Now he is crying conspiracy. For this, the President is taking a beating in public opinion.
I seriously doubt if his later father would have taken the same position his son is now doggedly defending. But there is no use invoking the memories of the dead.
Philippines’ Sabah ghosts come back to haunt Aquino | Asia News – Politics, Media, Education | Asian Correspondent
DFA: Close PHL-Malaysia cooperation key to resolving Sabah crisis
March 6, 2013
As it maintained Philippine-Malaysia ties remain strong despite the crisis in Sabah, the Department of Foreign Affairs said Wednesday said close cooperation will be crucial in resolving the problem.
DFA spokesman Raul Hernandez said both sides continue to work toward a peaceful solution to the crisis, which stemmed from the standoff between followers of Sulu Sultan Jamalul Kiram III and Malaysian security forces.
"Importante ang close cooperation sa ganitong challenges ... Patuloy ang ating pakikipag-ugnayan sa kanila, kasama rito ang issue na ito," Hernandez said in an interview on dzBB radio.
When asked how the Sabah row had affected Philippine-Malaysia ties, he said, "sa ngayon malakas naman ang ating relasyon sa Malaysia."
A three-week standoff between Kiram's followers and Malaysian forces in Sabah led to a clash that killed 12 Filipinos and two Malaysian commandos last March 1.
On March 2, another clash killed six Malaysian policemen and at least six Filipinos.
Last Tuesday, Malaysian forces assaulted the area where Kiram's followers were believed to be hiding.
Meanwhile, Hernandez reassured Filipinos in Sabah that Philippine officials will make sure their rights are protected.
He said this is particularly true for undocumented Filipinos who may be deported.
"Tayo 'pag alam natin dine-deport ang ating kababayan fina-facilitate natin ito at para magawa ang deportation sa magandang pamamaraan," he said.
"(T)inutulungan natin to make sure ang karapatan nila 'di ma-violate," he added.
But as for Kiram's followers, Hernandez said the Philippine government had been working for a peaceful settlement but they did not cooperate.
"(W)alang cooperation galing sa kanila so nangyari ang dapat hindi nangyari," he said
DFA: Close PHL-Malaysia cooperation key to resolving Sabah crisis | News | GMA News Online
March 6, 2013
Battle-hardened Moro guerrillas have sailed from the Philippines to reinforce followers of Sulu Sultan Jamalul Kiram III who are battling Malaysian forces in Sabah, one of their leaders said Wednesday.
The fighters are veteran members of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) who waged a decades-long insurgency against the Philippine government before signing a 1996 peace pact, Muhajab Hashim told AFP.
"Many have slipped through the security forces. They know the area like the back of their hands because they trained there in the past," Hashim told AFP.
"We are expecting more of them to join (the fighting) even if our official instruction is for them to refrain from going."
He could not say how many MNLF fighters had managed to slip through naval cordons set up by the Philippines and Malaysia, but said "thousands" had earlier expressed interest in joining.
Hashim is chairman of the MNLF's Islamic Command Council overseeing all the group's armed forces, which was meant to disarm as part of the 1996 peace pact but never fully complied.
He said that although MNLF leaders had not officially instructed their men to sail to Malaysia, they fully supported the sultan's efforts to reclaim the Malaysian state of Sabah as his territory.
"MNLF fighters are adherents of the sultan, we are followers. So there is more than an alliance," he said. "We feel very strongly against the attacks against our brothers from Sulu."
Malaysian security forces launched a major offensive on Tuesday to end a three-week standoff between followers of Kiram that has left at least 27 people dead.
However, the sultan's aides said in Manila that their followers, believed to originally number between 100 and 300, had escaped Tuesday's attacks.
The MNLF was founded by Muslim scholar Nur Misuari to fight for a Muslim homeland in the southern Philippine island of Mindanao in the late 1960s, and had once received support from Malaysia.
MNLF says its fighters heading to Sabah to aid sultan's men | News | GMA News Online
Philippines’ Sabah ghosts come back to haunt Aquino
More than 40 years ago a young senator delivered a speech in the Philippine Senate exposing a cabal hatched by then President Ferdinand Marcos to invade Sabah under codename ‘Operation Merdeka’.
A group of young Muslim recruits was covertly trained in an island off Manila Bay for an invasion of Sabah, now a flashpoint in the diplomatic relations between Malaysia and the Philippines, according to the late Senator Benigno Aquino Jr.
Philippine President Benigno Aquino III talks about the Sabah standoff at a news conference in Malaysia Monday.
He has been widely criticised for his handling of the incident. Pic: AP.
At that time, the Philippines had not yet dropped its claim to the northern Borneo territory that had been ruled by the Sultanate of Sulu until it was leased in the 1800s to a British trading company, which in turn ceded it to the Malaysian government. Malaysia eventually annexed Sabah to its territory.
The botched plan to invade Sabah led to the massacre of all but one of the 28 Muslim recruits. He later revealed the harrowing ordeal as they were mistreated by the government soldiers who trained them, and later executed many of them.
While the late senator denounced the Jabidah Massacre (also known as the Corregidor Massacre), he never renounced the historical Philippine claim on Sabah.
In the years that followed, after Martial Law was declared in 1972, the Philippine government essentially abandoned its sovereign assertion over the mineral-rich Sabah region of Borneo. While it has not legally and diplomatically renounced its claim, it has failed to seriously pursue its case before any international bodies and courts.
Following the outbreak of the Moro rebellion in Mindanao in the 1970s, Philippine governments wisely shied away from pursuing any claims on Sabah as Malaysia was then viewed as a potential source of materiel and financial support for the Moro rebel forces.
Malaysia would later play a major role in the peace agreements between the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) of Nur Misuari and the Ramos administration and the ongoing peace talks between the Philippine government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF). Malaysia, in fact, is the third country facilitator in the GPH-MILF peace talks that the Philippine government says it is now winding up. Obviously, Malaysia has its own agenda in agreeing to broker the peace negotiations – Sabah being high on the list.
Given these contexts, it would now be diplomatic suicide for the present Philippine government to entertain any thoughts of reviving the Sabah claim even if some 280 armed “followers” of the heirs of the Sultan Sulu are now holed up in an island off Sabah in mainland Borneo and engaging Malaysian security forces in armed confrontation. As of this writing, 27 have been killed from both sides from what the Malaysian press is now describing as an invasion. But for the Filipino ‘invaders’, their foray into Sabah is always a “journey back home.”
But is the namesake and son of the late senator, Philippines President Benigno Aquino III, morally and legally right in his outright dismissal of the continuing claims of the heirs of Sultanate of Sulu over Sabah?
Or better still, is threatening to file charges against Kiram and his band of followers the correct strategy to ease the tension in Sabah? Will his late father, a consummate politician, give a stamp of approval on his current stand on the issue?
Anybody who is below the age 50 will have less appreciation of the Sabah issue. It was an insignificant issue for President Aquino until the Kirams set foot, fully armed, on Borneo
Now it has become a diplomatic and a domestic headache for the president. He has been widely criticized for his initial nonchalance at the beginning of the stand-off.
Then he turned intransigent when defied by the Kirams. Now he is crying conspiracy. For this, the President is taking a beating in public opinion.
I seriously doubt if his later father would have taken the same position his son is now doggedly defending. But there is no use invoking the memories of the dead.
Philippines’ Sabah ghosts come back to haunt Aquino | Asia News – Politics, Media, Education | Asian Correspondent
DFA: Close PHL-Malaysia cooperation key to resolving Sabah crisis
March 6, 2013
As it maintained Philippine-Malaysia ties remain strong despite the crisis in Sabah, the Department of Foreign Affairs said Wednesday said close cooperation will be crucial in resolving the problem.
DFA spokesman Raul Hernandez said both sides continue to work toward a peaceful solution to the crisis, which stemmed from the standoff between followers of Sulu Sultan Jamalul Kiram III and Malaysian security forces.
"Importante ang close cooperation sa ganitong challenges ... Patuloy ang ating pakikipag-ugnayan sa kanila, kasama rito ang issue na ito," Hernandez said in an interview on dzBB radio.
When asked how the Sabah row had affected Philippine-Malaysia ties, he said, "sa ngayon malakas naman ang ating relasyon sa Malaysia."
A three-week standoff between Kiram's followers and Malaysian forces in Sabah led to a clash that killed 12 Filipinos and two Malaysian commandos last March 1.
On March 2, another clash killed six Malaysian policemen and at least six Filipinos.
Last Tuesday, Malaysian forces assaulted the area where Kiram's followers were believed to be hiding.
Meanwhile, Hernandez reassured Filipinos in Sabah that Philippine officials will make sure their rights are protected.
He said this is particularly true for undocumented Filipinos who may be deported.
"Tayo 'pag alam natin dine-deport ang ating kababayan fina-facilitate natin ito at para magawa ang deportation sa magandang pamamaraan," he said.
"(T)inutulungan natin to make sure ang karapatan nila 'di ma-violate," he added.
But as for Kiram's followers, Hernandez said the Philippine government had been working for a peaceful settlement but they did not cooperate.
"(W)alang cooperation galing sa kanila so nangyari ang dapat hindi nangyari," he said
DFA: Close PHL-Malaysia cooperation key to resolving Sabah crisis | News | GMA News Online
nufix
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Malaysian Forces Bombed
Sabah Air Strikes Hit Wrong Target; Kiram’s Army Spared
Published: March 6, 2013
Malaysian armed forces yesterday started their massive campaign against Rajah Muda Agbimuddin Kiram and his men, launching air strikes in a bid to end the three-week standoff in Sabah.
However, instead of hitting their target, the Malaysian bombers dropped two bombs on their own security forces, the Sultanate of Sulu said.
Abraham J. Iribani, spokesman of the sultanate and Sultan Jamalul Kiram III, said he spoke early Tuesday morning with the rajah mudah (crown prince), who disclosed the aerial assault by Malaysia.
Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak said the government had no choice but to quell Malaysia’s worst security crisis in years, sparked when militants invaded to claim the Malaysian state of Sabah for Kiram III.
“The longer this invasion lasts, it is clear to the authorities that the invaders do not intend to leave Sabah,” Najib said, adding that negotiations had gone nowhere.
“The government must take action to safeguard the dignity and sovereignty of the country as required by the people.”
The rajah muda, younger brother of the Sultan Kiram III, said they saw a jet plane hovering above at 9:30 a.m., but a bit far from their stronghold.
He told Idjirani the jet plane dropped two bombs on the Malaysian military and police forces encamped at Kampung Tanduo, Lahad Datu.
The bombing of the Malaysian security forces could not be confirmed independently as of press time.
Idjirani said the rajah muda was bewildered by the bombing of the Malaysian security forces.
But the rajah muda recalled that Kampung Tanduo, where the bombs were dropped, used to be his group’s camp, but they abandoned this after Friday’s fighting.
This could be the reason Malaysian bombers dropped two bombs in the area, not knowing that Malaysian security forces are now occupying the camp.
Idjirani described this as a “divine intervention.”
“If the bombs were from Malaysia that is divine intervention. It shows that our only support is from divine intervention,” he said.
At least two fighter jets roared over the standoff site from early morning, launching an air bombardment, a Malaysian reporter positioned about 20 kilometers away told AFP by phone.
“There was a series of explosions in Tanduo. Intense bombing lasted for about half an hour,” followed by a series of sporadic blasts, he said, asking not to be named.
An AFP reporter at a police roadblock about 30 kilometres from the assault saw heavy military helicopters flying toward Tanduo. Six ambulances also were seen speeding toward the site.
Three military trucks filled with dozens of soldiers also moved in the direction of Tanduo, located amid vast oil palm plantations.
Despite being ranged against Malaysia’s armed forces, air, naval, and foot soldiers, with tanks and fighter planes, the rajah muda remains defiant and vows to fight on.
“You know it, whatever they do, we are not afraid because we are fighting for our right,” said the rajah muda. The right of the Bangsa Suluk and the Filipino in general, if the Philippine government considers us Filipinos, is what we’re fighting for, he said.
He reiterated that he and his men will not start a fight.
“If they start, we will defend ourselves. If not, we will not move,” the rajah muda, leader of the originally 235 members of the Royal Security Force (RSF), said. Now down to just 215 men.
The group ventured on a “journey home” to Sabah on Feb. 11 and arrived a day later in Lahad Datu to settle and live peacefully in their “ancestral home.”
The raja muda also confirmed they are holding captives – four Malaysian officers.
He added that he is open to returning to the Philippines on condition there will be no betrayal during the negotiations.
“We will go home if there is no betrayal,” he said, adding their rights (over Sabah) must be preserved.
The raja muda also appealed to the “Bangsa Suluk” (Tausug Nation) and the Filipinos in general to help them, saying this is the time for them unite behind them.
He added that he and his men have no problem with food, saying “we are used to (surviving) wherever."
However, he appealed to the United Nations to send a medical team to Lahad Datu to attend to his wounded men and well as to bring food supplies.
With the Malaysian air strikes and mortar attacks against the Filipino armed men in Sabah, the Philippine government yesterday said it has no shortcomings and actually “did everything to possible” to prevent a violent end to the three-week standoff.
Presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda said they have exhausted measures to reach a peaceful solution to the conflict but the followers of the Sulu sultan have ignored government appeals to come home and instead pursued a “path of violence.”
Eight Malaysian policemen and 20 Filipinos were reportedly killed in the violent clashes since the supporters of Kiram III occupied Sabah last month. The group is led by the rajah muda.
Asked to comment on former National Security Adviser Norberto Gonzales statement that he is the Aquino administration’s “favorite suspect” on the Sabah issue, Lacierda asked: “Guilty siya?” (Is he guilty?)
“The President never mentioned anybody. He said that I will not name names until I have sufficient evidence,” Lacierda added.
Misuari Warning
Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) founding Chairman Nur Misuari visited Kiram III yesterday, his second, and warned of chaos should the sultan be arrested on government’s allegation he violated the Constitution.
He also practically admitted the presence of MNLF fighters in Sabah, but made it clear he did not order them to join the fighting.
Misuari strongly denied any hand on the Sabah standoff, saying if he were behind it then he would have sent thousands to the oil-rich island.
He slammed Aquino for his handling of the Sabah standoff.
“What he (President) is doing is bad. It is unbecoming of a head of state. I can’t forgive him,” said Misuari.
He also warned Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak of “consequences” if the sultanate’s followers would be killed.
“Sabah is our homeland. It is part of our sovereign territory,” said Misuari.
As this developed, Sen. Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. said the Philippines, as a republic, has a factual, historical claim over Sabah.
“But whatever else the issue there may be, the Sultan of Sulu and his people are Filipino citizens and, by virtue of that fact, they deserve protection from the government of the Philippines,’’ Marcos said.
“Pero bago natin pagusapan ang claim, protektahan muna natin ang mga Pilipino. We should talk to the Malaysians to spare the Filipinos from harm or harassment and to resolve this matter peacefully,” he said (Before we discuss the territorial claim, Filipinos must first be protected.)
“First and foremost, it’s the responsibility of the government to protect its citizens,” he added.
The brief statement of Marcos on the issue did not touch on whether the administration of President Benigno S. Aquino III handled the Sabah situation well or not.
Fight For Our Rights
Yesterday, the Sultanate of Sulu asked President Aquino to abide by the Constitution by protecting “your people and fight for the nation’s territorial rights.”
Princess Jacel Kiram, daughter of Sultan Jamalul Kiram III, read the statement from the Sultanate of Sulu.
“Mr. President, as long as Sultan Jamalul Kiram III and Rajah Muda Agbimuddin Kiram are standing by their belief to defend their rights over North Borneo (Sabah), please do not disrespect the integrity of their intentions,” the sultanate’s statement read.
The President “cannot wash his hands by turning your back on your own people,” it said.
“We are asking all the Filipino people now to pray for the safety of our Muslim brothers both in Malaysia and the Philippines and to a peaceful resolution of the Sabah issue.”
Blunder
Meanwhile, former Senator Ramon Magsaysay Jr. said yesterday that President Aquino may have made a wrong decision in ignoring appeals for him to dialogue with the Kiram III and his family, noting that violence may have been averted had he agreed for talks.
Asked what advise he would have given Aquino had this been sought by Malacañang before Malaysia decided to attack the over 200 Filipinos holed up in Sabah, Magsaysay said he would have asked the chief executive to talk to Kiram and his family.
“This is because the issue pertains to ownership problem. Had it been a question of sovereignty, a government-to-government negotiations would have been better and could have averted bloodshed,” said Magsaysay.
“Sabah issue is very complex. If you read former (Supreme Court) Justice Artemio Panganiban, it is an issue of sovereignty on the part of Malaysia and property on the part of the Filipinos,” the Team PNoy senatorial candidate explained. (With reports from AFP, Genalyn D. Kabiling, Madel S. Namit, Mario B. Casayuran, and Ben R. Rosario)
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Sabah Air Strikes Hit Wrong Target; Kiram’s Army Spared
Published: March 6, 2013
Malaysian armed forces yesterday started their massive campaign against Rajah Muda Agbimuddin Kiram and his men, launching air strikes in a bid to end the three-week standoff in Sabah.
However, instead of hitting their target, the Malaysian bombers dropped two bombs on their own security forces, the Sultanate of Sulu said.
Abraham J. Iribani, spokesman of the sultanate and Sultan Jamalul Kiram III, said he spoke early Tuesday morning with the rajah mudah (crown prince), who disclosed the aerial assault by Malaysia.
Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak said the government had no choice but to quell Malaysia’s worst security crisis in years, sparked when militants invaded to claim the Malaysian state of Sabah for Kiram III.
“The longer this invasion lasts, it is clear to the authorities that the invaders do not intend to leave Sabah,” Najib said, adding that negotiations had gone nowhere.
“The government must take action to safeguard the dignity and sovereignty of the country as required by the people.”
The rajah muda, younger brother of the Sultan Kiram III, said they saw a jet plane hovering above at 9:30 a.m., but a bit far from their stronghold.
He told Idjirani the jet plane dropped two bombs on the Malaysian military and police forces encamped at Kampung Tanduo, Lahad Datu.
The bombing of the Malaysian security forces could not be confirmed independently as of press time.
Idjirani said the rajah muda was bewildered by the bombing of the Malaysian security forces.
But the rajah muda recalled that Kampung Tanduo, where the bombs were dropped, used to be his group’s camp, but they abandoned this after Friday’s fighting.
This could be the reason Malaysian bombers dropped two bombs in the area, not knowing that Malaysian security forces are now occupying the camp.
Idjirani described this as a “divine intervention.”
“If the bombs were from Malaysia that is divine intervention. It shows that our only support is from divine intervention,” he said.
At least two fighter jets roared over the standoff site from early morning, launching an air bombardment, a Malaysian reporter positioned about 20 kilometers away told AFP by phone.
“There was a series of explosions in Tanduo. Intense bombing lasted for about half an hour,” followed by a series of sporadic blasts, he said, asking not to be named.
An AFP reporter at a police roadblock about 30 kilometres from the assault saw heavy military helicopters flying toward Tanduo. Six ambulances also were seen speeding toward the site.
Three military trucks filled with dozens of soldiers also moved in the direction of Tanduo, located amid vast oil palm plantations.
Despite being ranged against Malaysia’s armed forces, air, naval, and foot soldiers, with tanks and fighter planes, the rajah muda remains defiant and vows to fight on.
“You know it, whatever they do, we are not afraid because we are fighting for our right,” said the rajah muda. The right of the Bangsa Suluk and the Filipino in general, if the Philippine government considers us Filipinos, is what we’re fighting for, he said.
He reiterated that he and his men will not start a fight.
“If they start, we will defend ourselves. If not, we will not move,” the rajah muda, leader of the originally 235 members of the Royal Security Force (RSF), said. Now down to just 215 men.
The group ventured on a “journey home” to Sabah on Feb. 11 and arrived a day later in Lahad Datu to settle and live peacefully in their “ancestral home.”
The raja muda also confirmed they are holding captives – four Malaysian officers.
He added that he is open to returning to the Philippines on condition there will be no betrayal during the negotiations.
“We will go home if there is no betrayal,” he said, adding their rights (over Sabah) must be preserved.
The raja muda also appealed to the “Bangsa Suluk” (Tausug Nation) and the Filipinos in general to help them, saying this is the time for them unite behind them.
He added that he and his men have no problem with food, saying “we are used to (surviving) wherever."
However, he appealed to the United Nations to send a medical team to Lahad Datu to attend to his wounded men and well as to bring food supplies.
With the Malaysian air strikes and mortar attacks against the Filipino armed men in Sabah, the Philippine government yesterday said it has no shortcomings and actually “did everything to possible” to prevent a violent end to the three-week standoff.
Presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda said they have exhausted measures to reach a peaceful solution to the conflict but the followers of the Sulu sultan have ignored government appeals to come home and instead pursued a “path of violence.”
Eight Malaysian policemen and 20 Filipinos were reportedly killed in the violent clashes since the supporters of Kiram III occupied Sabah last month. The group is led by the rajah muda.
Asked to comment on former National Security Adviser Norberto Gonzales statement that he is the Aquino administration’s “favorite suspect” on the Sabah issue, Lacierda asked: “Guilty siya?” (Is he guilty?)
“The President never mentioned anybody. He said that I will not name names until I have sufficient evidence,” Lacierda added.
Misuari Warning
Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) founding Chairman Nur Misuari visited Kiram III yesterday, his second, and warned of chaos should the sultan be arrested on government’s allegation he violated the Constitution.
He also practically admitted the presence of MNLF fighters in Sabah, but made it clear he did not order them to join the fighting.
Misuari strongly denied any hand on the Sabah standoff, saying if he were behind it then he would have sent thousands to the oil-rich island.
He slammed Aquino for his handling of the Sabah standoff.
“What he (President) is doing is bad. It is unbecoming of a head of state. I can’t forgive him,” said Misuari.
He also warned Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak of “consequences” if the sultanate’s followers would be killed.
“Sabah is our homeland. It is part of our sovereign territory,” said Misuari.
As this developed, Sen. Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. said the Philippines, as a republic, has a factual, historical claim over Sabah.
“But whatever else the issue there may be, the Sultan of Sulu and his people are Filipino citizens and, by virtue of that fact, they deserve protection from the government of the Philippines,’’ Marcos said.
“Pero bago natin pagusapan ang claim, protektahan muna natin ang mga Pilipino. We should talk to the Malaysians to spare the Filipinos from harm or harassment and to resolve this matter peacefully,” he said (Before we discuss the territorial claim, Filipinos must first be protected.)
“First and foremost, it’s the responsibility of the government to protect its citizens,” he added.
The brief statement of Marcos on the issue did not touch on whether the administration of President Benigno S. Aquino III handled the Sabah situation well or not.
Fight For Our Rights
Yesterday, the Sultanate of Sulu asked President Aquino to abide by the Constitution by protecting “your people and fight for the nation’s territorial rights.”
Princess Jacel Kiram, daughter of Sultan Jamalul Kiram III, read the statement from the Sultanate of Sulu.
“Mr. President, as long as Sultan Jamalul Kiram III and Rajah Muda Agbimuddin Kiram are standing by their belief to defend their rights over North Borneo (Sabah), please do not disrespect the integrity of their intentions,” the sultanate’s statement read.
The President “cannot wash his hands by turning your back on your own people,” it said.
“We are asking all the Filipino people now to pray for the safety of our Muslim brothers both in Malaysia and the Philippines and to a peaceful resolution of the Sabah issue.”
Blunder
Meanwhile, former Senator Ramon Magsaysay Jr. said yesterday that President Aquino may have made a wrong decision in ignoring appeals for him to dialogue with the Kiram III and his family, noting that violence may have been averted had he agreed for talks.
Asked what advise he would have given Aquino had this been sought by Malacañang before Malaysia decided to attack the over 200 Filipinos holed up in Sabah, Magsaysay said he would have asked the chief executive to talk to Kiram and his family.
“This is because the issue pertains to ownership problem. Had it been a question of sovereignty, a government-to-government negotiations would have been better and could have averted bloodshed,” said Magsaysay.
“Sabah issue is very complex. If you read former (Supreme Court) Justice Artemio Panganiban, it is an issue of sovereignty on the part of Malaysia and property on the part of the Filipinos,” the Team PNoy senatorial candidate explained. (With reports from AFP, Genalyn D. Kabiling, Madel S. Namit, Mario B. Casayuran, and Ben R. Rosario)
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