DFA asks Kiram group anew to leave Sabah

4:39 pm | Monday, February 18th, 2013

DFA spokesman Raul Hernandez. INQUIRER.net FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—The Department of Foreign Affairs on Monday reiterated its call for a Filipino armed group holding fort in Sabah to return home peacefully saying the standoff could potentially impact the on-going peace talks in Mindanao and bilateral ties between the Philippines and Malaysia.

Assistant Secretary Raul Hernandez, the DFA spokesperson, said Philippine officials have been in constant coordination with their Malaysian counterparts in hopes of settling the standoff without bloodshed.

“We are endeavoring to have the group leave Lahad Datu peacefully and this remains to be a work in progress in coordination with the Malaysian government. We want this issue to be settled in a peaceful manner,” said Hernandez.

“What is important for now is for them to leave that area because this could affect existing issues we have including peace talks and possible bilateral relations,” said the official in a briefing Monday afternoon.

The DFA said the government has yet to officially confirm the identity and objectives of the armed group that landed on Sabah’s Lahad Datu district last week.

But Sultan Jamalul Kiram had said he sent the group of some 400 people, among them 20 armed men, to establish permanent residence in the area, asserting his family’s ancestral ownership over the land.

The DFA further lauded the Malaysian government’s peaceful approach to the dispute.

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Tags: Diplomacy , Foreign affairs , Global Nation , International relations , Malaysia , Philippines , Sabah , territorial dispute

DakuAkongUtin

The big question here is, Why is the Manila Govt allowing these Malayos to play a role in the peace process in Maguindanao in all these years? Kunsabo ang mga tagaleglegs with Kuala Lumpur. We know the Malayos have a keen interest in Mindanao so to divide the Maguindanaoans vs the Tausugs of Sulu, diba ?And while the issue of Sabah is not to be touch by any inch of discussion by the Manila Govt, diba ?
So in all these, it is the Manila Govt that is in part a backstabber to the whole story. Each of them backstab each other to further interest. Manila wants full control of Mindanao and peace to reign. And at the same time they dont want to deal with Sabah issue bec not healthy for the Malayos. So Manila Govt has no real control of all the forces in hand.

Even in the SOuth China Sea dispute they are calling for a fight against China by supporting the Japo rearming to balance the forces in Asia but back in the homefront they cannot even fight for the rights of the Sulu People in taking back Sabah. Mama Mia , ala vista baby.

johndcross1

Why don’t you change your name to: dakoakongulok?

DakuAkongUtin

Malalaki ang ulok at utin ko , kaya gusto ng kababaihan. Yan ba ang gusto mo ?

http://www.facebook.com/sabah.alkhaer.1 Sabah Al Khaer

May we know who is the present Sultan of Sulu and Sabah? Based on my readings, the following apparently act somehow as Sultan: 1. His Majesty (HM) Sultan Fuad A. Kiram I (Only Surviving Son of the HM Sultan Muhammad Esmail E. Kiram I) 2. HM Sultan Muedzil Lail Tan Kiram (son of the late Su…ltan Mahakattah A. Kiram (brother of Sultan Fuad A. Kiram); direct grandson of the late HM Sultan Muhammad Esmail E. Kiram I 3. HM Sultan Jamalul Kiram and/or Sultan Esmail Kiram II (brothers and both half nephews of HM Sultan Muhammad Esmail E. Kiram I; their brother Agbimuddin (Puing) Kiram is the leader of the Filipino group in Sabah now?). I believe that Sabah is owned by the Philippines but on condition that the country will be alble to take possesion of Sabah. Failure to do so means that the Kiram Family will reassume sovereignt… Is it true that Sultan Muedzil has not sanctioned the trip of our Souther Muslim brothers to Sabah? We have yet to read the official message of Sultan Fuad A. Kiram. Can someone please clarify this? As a Filipino I fully support Justice and Equity. Malaysia is paying rent and the lease cannot and should not be in Perpetuity….First things first…Who is the rightful Sultan of Sulu and Sabah??
johndcross1

DFA spokeman Hernandez SHUT-UP!!! You should instead encourage the people to stay put! If the government could not reclaim that territory then at least help those people by inspiring them to stay there for good & to send more!
alex chew

As reported by the Secretary-General of the United Nations, the independence of North Borneo was brought about as the result of the expressed wish of the majority of the people of the territory in a 1963 election.[28] This is further reinforced by the International Court of Justice view that,“…historic title, no matter how persuasively claimed on the basis of old legal instruments and exercises of authority, cannot – except in the most extraordinary circumstances – prevail in law over the rights of non-self-governing people to claim independence and establish their sovereignty through the exercise of bona fide self-determination.[28]so whats the issue here?
http://profile.yahoo.com/VS5EYSP4FPOTVQCJZ24NRE6Z2M Edgardo Mendoza

SABAH TERRETORYO NG PILIPNAS AT HINDI SA MALAYSIA SINAKOP TAYO NG ISPANYA KAYA NAPUNTA SA KANILA YAN SA MGA KAPATID NA TAUSUG YAN!
http://twitter.com/QuartzCrystals Joy&Kat

Why would the DFA ask the Kirams to leave Sabah? Unbelievable. Somebody sack this guy pronto.

DFA asks Kiram group anew to leave Sabah

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