Sulu group leader Azzimudie’s fate still unknown

 News
Mar 072013
 
Sulu group leader Azzimudie’s fate still unknown

The Star-Asia News Network 11:57 am | Friday, March 8th, 2013 Malaysian troops in the mopping up and search operations in Tanduo village/The Star-Asia News Network LAHAD DATU– The fate of Sulu armed group leader Azzimudie Kiram remains unknown as Malaysian elite military and police teams enter into the final stage of search and mopping up operations at Kampung Tanduo and Kampung Tanjung Batu near here Friday. Azzimudie, the brother of self-proclaimed Sultan of Sulu Jamalul Kiram III, has failed to contact the Kiram family in Manila for the past two days and security forces expect to know what happened to him in a day or two. The so-called Royal Sulu Army general identified as Haji Musa was among the some 30 gunmen killed in a shootout at Kampung Tanjung Batu on Wednesday. Azzimudie and his trusted commanders were believed to be among those who slipped out of Kampung Tanduo on Sunday, two days before aerial and artillery bombardment began on Tuesday. Azzimudie told The Star over the telephone Wednesday that one of his sons was with him in Tanduo along with 200 to 300 of his followers, including six women. Malaysian security forces launched an all-out offensive against the intruders on Tuesday, after a stand-off that began on Feb 9. 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 Read More …

Analyst urges emotional restraint over conflict in Sabah

 News
Mar 042013
 
Analyst urges emotional restraint over conflict in Sabah

By Karen Boncocan INQUIRER.net, Radyo Inquirer DZIQ 990 AM 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.

Aquino on top of Sabah situation, says Drilon

 News
Mar 042013
 
Aquino on top of Sabah situation, says Drilon

By Tetch Torres-Tupas INQUIRER.net 3:30 pm | Monday, March 4th, 2013 President Benigno S. Aquino III. Malacañang Photo Bureau MANILA, Philippines—President Benigno Aquino is on top of the situation with regards to the conflict in Sabah, Senator Franklin Drilon, Team PNoy campaign manager, said Monday. At the same time Drilon appealed to the people to stop inserting politics in the Sabah issue. “Campaign rhetoric should take a backseat so that we can properly address the welfare of the 800,000 Filipinos living in Sabah. Already 300 of our countrymen have been deported. We are making this appeal in behalf of our compatriots who are living and earning their living in Malaysia,” Drilon said at a press conference. Aquino has been criticized for being in Pampanga campaigning with Team PNoy senatorial candidates while the exchange of firefight was ongoing in Lahad Datu, Sabah. “Let me tell you from personal knowledge that while the President had to fulfill that commitment of the speaking engagement with the local leaders, he had to leave the stage to go back to the room and continue monitor the situation,” Drilon said. “He continues to govern, he’s on top of the situation and he has a schedule to follow. However, we will repeat, the welfare of 800,000 Filipinos which are caught in this very delicate situation in Sabah will be more than prime interest,” he added. “Let us not muddle an already complicated situation,” Drilon said.

PH asks Malaysia to exercise maximum tolerance on sultan’s followers

 News
Mar 042013
 
PH asks Malaysia to exercise maximum tolerance on sultan’s followers

By Matikas Santos INQUIRER.net 3:02 pm | Monday, March 4th, 2013 DFA spokesman Assistant Secretary Raul Hernandez. INQUIRER.net FILE PHOTO MANILA, Philippines—The Philippines has asked the Malaysian government to exercise maximum tolerance in dealing with members of the Sultanate of Sulu’s “Royal Army” that figured in a weeks-long standoff in Sabah that turned violent last week. Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Spokesman Raul Hernandez told reporters Monday that Secretary Albert Del Rosario had met anew with Malaysian Ambassador Mohammad Zamri bin Mohammad Kassim and had handed over a note verbale. “The note verbale states that the governments of the Philippines and Malaysia both value the lives of their citizens and share the same objective of preventing further loss of lives and further bloodshed,” Hernandez said “In this light the Philippine government has called on the forces of the royal sultanate of Sulu led by Rajah Muda Agbimuddin Kiram to surrender peacefully,” he added. Hernandez said Del Rosario was set to fly to Kuala Lumpur to personally hand over the requests of the Philippine government to his counterpart in Malaysia, Foreign Minister Anifah Aman. The Philippines was requesting clearance to allow a Philippine Navy ship to dock and bring humanitarian and consular aid to Filipinos. He also reiterated the Philippines’ request for a full briefing on the operations carried out by Malaysian authorities against Kiram’s group.

‘We can’t interfere’— defense chief

 News
Mar 032013
 
‘We can’t interfere’— defense chief

By Frances MangosingINQUIRER.net 1:28 pm | Monday, March 4th, 2013 Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin. FILE PHOTO MANILA, Philippines – The Philippine government remains in talks with Malaysia despite skirmishes in Sabah over the weekend, but claimed they are not allowed to interfere. “Right now nakikipag-ugnayan tayo but because of the operation, hindi tayo pwede makialam. Call ng Malaysian govenment yun,” Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin said in a radio interview on Monday. Sultan Jamalul Kiram III’s followers and Malaysian security forces clashed in Sabah on Friday and Saturday, with fatalities on both sides. This prompted the Philippines to increase its security in Mindanao, with 10 Navy ships now deployed between Tawi-Tawi and Sabah, to prevent followers of Kiram to send reinforcements in Sabah. “Ang ginagawa natin ay pine-prevent natin ang movement noong galing dito papuntang Malaysia baka … may nagpapadala ng reinforcements para lalong palakihin ang gulo,” Gazmin said. Malaysia also reportedly heightened its security in Sabah. The defense chief though said they have not received reports that the  sultan’s followers from Mindanao were able to go to Sabah by speedboat early Saturday. Gazmin also said that President Benigno Aquino III has ordered to assist evacuees, and at the same time identify those who were involved in the standoff. “Ang (order sa atin)  ay tulungan ang evacuees at the same time i-identify ang mga na-involved sa standoff…kung ano ang participation nila tignan natin. But ang majority ng attention natin ay mga civilians na involved dito na pinaalis na sa area,” he Read More …

BI orders deportation of American pedophile

 News
Mar 032013
 
BI orders deportation of American pedophile

By Tetch Torres-TupasINQUIRER.net 1:19 pm | Monday, March 4th, 2013 MANILA, Philippines – The Bureau of Immigration has ordered the deportation of a convicted American pedophile wanted in the US for failure to report his location and activities to federal authorities. Immigration Commissioner Ricardo David said Earl Lynn Bagley, 60 who was arrested last February 4 at the Robinson’s Mall in Ermita, Manila will be deported for being an undesirable alien. David said Bagley is the subject of an arrest warrant issued last November by a US district court in Washington due to his failure to update his registration as a sex offender. Bagley’s passport was revoked by the State Department after he failed to update his registration as a sex offender in the US. In the Philippines, Immigration records showed that he did not extend his tourist visa since he last arrived in the country on April 17 last year. Meanwhile, Atty. Ma. Antonette Mangrobang, BI acting intelligence chief, Bagley’s offense stemmed from his failure to update his registration as a sex offender Mangrobang explained that the registration is a system in the US designed to enable authorities to keep track of the residence and activities of sex offenders. All 50 US states have reportedly passed laws requiring sex offenders, especially child sex offenders, to periodically report their residence upon leaving prison or after being convicted of their crime. Various websites on sex offenders revealed that on Oct. 29, 2004 a Seattle court sentenced Bagley to 51 months custody, including Read More …

Sulu sultan accuses Aquino of helping Malaysians instead of Filipinos

 News
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 …

Silence reigns in Sabah village after heavy firing—radio report

 News
Feb 282013
 
Silence reigns in Sabah village after heavy firing—radio report

By Allan NawalInquirer Mindanao 1:28 pm | Friday, March 1st, 2013 DAVAO CITY, Philippines—An uncanny silence now engulfs Felda Sahabat 17, a community in the seaside village of Tanjung in Tanduo, Lahad Datu following nearly an hour of gun fight between Malaysian security forces and members of the Sulu sultanate’s “royal army,” the short wave station Free Radio Sarawak near Sabah reported Friday. Another SW station based in Kota Kinabalu said more Malaysian security forces in full battle gear were seen heading for Tanduo and were expected to beef up security forces stationed there when  the stand-off between the two sides started February 12, three days after followers of Sultan Jamalul Kiram III landed in the village. Both stations said they could not confirm the number of casualties but their reporters quoted villagers as saying those being moved out for injuries were members of the Malaysian security forces. Abraham Iridjani, spokesperson for Jamalul Kiram, told Manila reporters that there had been injuries on the side of the “royal army” as well. Malaysian authorities remained mum on the firefight, the Kota Kinabalu station said. Reports by other Malaysian media said former Sabah minister Harris Salleh lamented the violence, saying “it would remain a scar forever” on Malaysia’s diplomatic image before the eyes of the world. Harris had earlier called for a peaceful resolution of the Sabah stand-off and proposed that Kuala Lumpur settle the claims of the heirs of the ancient sultanate by buying it out. He proposed that the sum Read More …

10 killed, 4 injured in Sabah firefight

 News
Feb 282013
 
10 killed, 4 injured in Sabah firefight

By Tetch TorresINQUIRER.net 1:15 pm | Friday, March 1st, 2013 MANILA, Philippines—At least 10 people died while four others were injured when a firefight broke out between the “royal army” of Sulu and Malaysian forces in Lahad Datu village in Sabah, the daughter of Sultan Jamalul Kiram III said Friday. Among those wounded is a woman, Princess Jaycel Kiram said in press conference in Manila. She said the information was relayed to the royal family by Rajah Muda, brother of the sultan and leader of the group that sailed from Mindanao to Lahad Datu on February 12 to stake a territorial claim on Sabah. The exchange of gunfire began at around 6 a.m. Friday when the Malaysian forces inched closer to the place where the group, which includes about 30 gunmen according to Filipino authorities,  has been holed up, Abraham Idjirani, spokesman for the Sultan of Sulu, said at the press conference. The group has no intention to leave the area despite the firefight, the sultan stressed. The Department of Foreign Affairs confirmed that shots were fired but denied reports there were casualties. Foreign Affairs spokesman Assistant Secretary Raul Hernandez told ABS-CBN network that the gunfire had stopped and there were no casualties. “What he (Philippine ambassador to Malaysia) relayed to Secretary del Rosario was that this incident happened earlier, and thank God there were no casualties,” Hernandez said. Scores of followers of Sultan Kiram have been facing off with Malaysian security forces in Lahad Datu village for more than Read More …

Kiram asks Aquino: Help us, not the Malaysians

 News
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 …

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