Analyst urges emotional restraint over conflict in Sabah

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Mar 042013
 

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3:38 pm | Monday, March 4th, 2013

MANILA, Philippines – A political analyst on Monday called for emotional restraint as tension between the royal army of the Sultanate of Sulu and the Malaysian authorities escalated in Sabah.

In an interview with Radyo Inquirer, Professor Rommel Banlaoi, executive director of the Philippine Institute for Peace, Violence, and Terrorism, said that violent reactions from the public would only aggravate the situation.

“We have to exercise self-restraint,” he said, pointing out that he has observed “mutual reactions” from both sides of the Filipino and Malaysian people.

Violent reactions could spill over and cause further conflict, he said. “We are observers, we have to be calm.”

Banlaoi also urged the government to make a stand on the sultanate’s claim to Sabah.

“Dapat ma-clarify ang position ng gobyerno sa Sabah. Napapanahon na rin na ma-clarify ng gobyerno kung ano talaga ang opisyal na position nito–kung dormant man, ida-drop ba o ipapaglaban ba? [The government should clarify its position on the sultanate’s claim to Sabah. It is about time that the government clarify its official position—if it is dormant, will we drop it or will we fight for it?]” he asked.

For more of the interview, listen to Radyo Inquirer 990AM.

Sulu sultan accuses Aquino of helping Malaysians instead of Filipinos

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Mar 012013
 
Sulu sultan accuses Aquino of helping Malaysians instead of Filipinos

By Tetch Torres-TupasINQUIRER.net 2:33 pm | Friday, March 1st, 2013 Sultan Jamalul Kiram lll speaks during a news conference at his house in Maharlika Village, Taguig City. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO MANILA, Philippines—Sultan Jamalul Kiram III on Friday accused President Benigno Aquino III of helping the Malaysians instead of his fellow Filipinos who sailed to Sabah from Mindanao to stake a dormant territorial claim. “They (Aquino administration) should be helping us, not sue us,” Kiram  said at a press conference aired over Radyo Inquirer 990AM. President Benigno Aquino on Tuesday warned Kiram he would face the “full force of the law” unless he withdrew his gunmen from Sabah. Aquino also warned the sultan that he may have broken laws, including one banning citizens from inciting war that carries a maximum prison term of 12 years. But Kiram said he was “just surprised,” adding, “Help us. Because as I see it, (Aquino) is helping not the Filipinos.” He also said he prefers talking to the President “personally” instead “of an emissary who will relay a different version of what he wants to tell the President.” Shooting erupted Friday in Lahad Datu village that has been occupied by nearly 200 followers and family members of Kiram for three weeks. The conflict elevated the Sabah territorial issue, which has been a thorn in Philippine-Malaysian relations for decades, to a Philippine national security concern. The crisis erupted at a crucial stage of peace negotiations — brokered by Malaysia — between the Philippine government and the Read More …

Kiram asks Aquino: Help us, not the Malaysians

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Feb 282013
 
Kiram asks Aquino: Help us, not the Malaysians

By Tetch Torres-TupasINQUIRER.net 12:36 pm | Friday, March 1st, 2013 Sultan Jamalul Kiram lll speaks during a news conference at his house in Maharlika Village, Taguig City. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO MANILA, Philippines—Sultan Jamalul Kiram on Friday called on President Benigno Aquino III to help them, not the Malaysians “Tulungan nyo naman kami. Ang nakikita ko, ang tinutulungan nya ay hindi ang Pilipino. I am just surprised,” Kiram said at a press conference aired over Radyo Inquirer 990AM. Kiram made the call following the firefight that broke out between his supporters and Malaysian forces in Lahad Datu early Friday morning. Instead of helping his fellow Filipinos, Kiram asked why the government was instead considering the filing of criminal case against him. “Dapat tulungan nila kami. Hindi kami ang kakasuhan,” Kiram said, adding that he preferred talking personally to President Aquino instead of an emissary on how to resolve the situation in Lahad Datu. Kiram reiterated that he and his family were pressing for the ownership of Sabah based ‘‘on historical truth.” He also expressed dismay over the “studies” being conducted by the Philippine government over the legality of their claim on Sabah. “Study ng study. Gusto kaming paalisin sa lugar na aming pag-aari,” he said. Follow Us Recent Stories: Complete stories on our Digital Edition newsstand for tablets, netbooks and mobile phones; 14-issue free trial. About to step out? Get breaking alerts on your mobile.phone. Text ON INQ BREAKING to 4467, for Globe, Smart and Sun subscribers in the Philippines. Tags: Read More …

Sultan’s men, Malaysian forces exchange fire

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Feb 282013
 
Sultan’s men, Malaysian forces exchange fire

By Allan NawalPhilippine Daily Inquirer 11:17 am | Friday, March 1st, 2013 DAVAO CITY — Malaysian security forces clashed with members of the Sulu sltanate’s “royal army” Friday as they moved in to forcibly haul the “invaders” off Lahad Datu, a Sabah-based radio station said in its short wave broadcast monitored here. The station said its reporter was stationed near Felda 17, the seaside village where Agbimuddin Kiram and his armed followers of about 180 had been encamped since February 12. The station quoted its reporter as saying that he heard heavy firing shortly after 10 a.m. The Sabah radio said efforts to get comments from Malaysian authorities failed as they were mum on the incident but some villagers claimed seeing bodies being moved out. With earlier reports from INQUIRER.net, Radyo Inquirer 990AM. Follow Us Recent Stories: Complete stories on our Digital Edition newsstand for tablets, netbooks and mobile phones; 14-issue free trial. About to step out? Get breaking alerts on your mobile.phone. Text ON INQ BREAKING to 4467, for Globe, Smart and Sun subscribers in the Philippines. Tags: Conflict , Jamalul Kiram , Malaysia , Sabah Factual errors? Contact the Philippine Daily Inquirer’s day desk. Believe this article violates journalistic ethics? Contact the Inquirer’s Reader’s Advocate. Or write The Readers’ Advocate: c/o Philippine Daily Inquirer Chino Roces Avenue corner Yague and Mascardo Streets, Makati City, Metro Manila, Philippines Or fax nos. +63 2 8974793 to 94

‘Kiram followers to continue Sabah standoff’—Sulu sultanate spokesman

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Feb 262013
 
‘Kiram followers to continue Sabah standoff’—Sulu sultanate spokesman

By Jamie Marie Elona INQUIRER.net 4:59 pm | Tuesday, February 26th, 2013 Sultan of Sulu Jamalul Kiram III. AP FILE PHOTO MANILA, Philippines—Followers of Sultan Jamalul Kiram III will continue their standoff in Sabah until the government of Malaysia agrees to discuss the process by which the conflict can be resolved, Abraham Julpa Idjirani, secretary-general and spokesman of the Sulu sultanate and North Borneo said Tuesday. In an interview with Radyo INQUIRER 990AM, Idjirani said there is nothing to lose if the Malaysian government would consider a discussion with the Sultanate of Sulu through the intercession of the Philippine government. For the full interview, listen to the attached audio clip from Radyo Inquirer 990AM.