Rumblings of discontent in Manila over handling of Sabah row

ARCHIVES 2013

By admin-s On Mar 10, 2013

(The Malaysian Insider) – “The Sultanate of Sulu had already heeded the call of the United Nations and has declared a ceasefire. This shows their sincerity in negotiating the claim on Sabah. They want resolution of the issue, not a war”

There is growing dissent among Philippine lawmakers over Manila’s handling of the Sulu incursion into Sabah, according to the republic’s media today.

In a report on The Manila Standard website, some lawmakers are also turning the issue into a campaign platform ahead senate elections there.

“Malaysia is supposed to be our partner is promoting peace in Mindanao but now they are slaughtering our people,” Bayan Muna Representative Teddy Casiño was quoted as saying in the report.

Casiño, who is vying for a seat in the Philippine senate, was critical of Malaysia’s refusal to entertain the Sulu forces call for a ceasefire, calling the response unreasonable and inhumane.

“The Sultanate of Sulu had already heeded the call of the United Nations and has declared a ceasefire. This shows their sincerity in negotiating the claim on Sabah. They want resolution of the issue, not a war,” Casiño said in the report.

“Their [Malaysia] media reports say 60 have been killed in Sabah, more than 50 killed by their forces. The continuous air strikes and attacks show Malaysia’s low regard for life and the people of Sabah. Do you think the public will believe that all those who were killed were supporters of the Sultanate of Sulu?”

Lawmakers aligned to President Benigno Aquino, such as Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr, however, parroted the official line blaming the Kiram clan, headed by self-styled “Sultan” Jamalul Kiram III, for the crisis and resultant deaths.

“The government has been in touch with Kiram from the very start. He was adamant,” Belmonte was quoted as saying.

“Even now, his men refuse to give up their arms. [Aquino] would not risk involving us in an armed conflict with Malaysia by backing Kiram’s intransigence. I fully agree with that decision,” he added.

Aquino reportedly called for a probe against Kiram and his cohorts after Malaysia demanded their extradition following their invasion into Sabah on February 9 that later led to deadly clashes with security forces there.

And while some lawmakers backed Malacanang Palace on the issue, they also urged the government to wield diplomacy in order to bring the matter to conclusion.