KL insists Kiram followers should lay down their arms first

MANILA, Philippines – The only apparent option left for the Sulu “royal army” in Sabah is for them to lay down their arms, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said Friday.

DFA Spokesman Raul Hernandez said this after the Malaysian government rejected the unilateral declaration of a ceasefire by Sultan Jamalul Kiram III Thursday.

“Because of the rejection by the Malaysian authorities of the unilateral ceasefire declared by the Kirams, it could be that this would be the remaining option for the Kirams,” Hernandez told reporters in a press conference Friday.

He said that they should lay down their arms “in order to save the lives of the remaining Filipinos in that area as well as to avoid more bloodshed.”

When asked how the members of the Sulu “royal army” would be treated after they have laid down their arms, Hernandez said they have not information yet on how that would happen.

“I would not know what would happen if they lay down their arms but as far as we are concerned, the only thing that would prevent the loss of further lives would be to lay down their arms,” Hernandez said.

“The operationalization of this would depend on the people on the ground,” he said.

The Sulu “royal army” has been on the run since the Malaysian authorities decided to end the more than three weeks standoff in Tanduao village, Lahad Datu, Sabah with air and ground assaults.

The United Nations Secretary-General has called for an end to the violence Thursday prompting Sultan Kiram to declare the unilateral ceasefire.

Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak however rejected the ceasefire saying the supporters of the Sultan should “unconditionally surrender.”

At least 30 have already been killed in the conflict from both sides.