Senatorial candidate Teodoro Casiño. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines—After criticizing the Philippine government’s position on the Sabah standoff, senatorial bet Teddy Casiño on Saturday assailed the Malaysian government for “slaughtering our people.”
He said Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak’s rejection of the Sulu sultan’s call for a ceasefire was an “unreasonable and inhumane stand.”
“Malaysia is supposed to be our partner in promoting peace in Mindanao but now they are slaughtering our people,” said the candidate of the Makabayan Coalition.
“The Sultanate of Sulu has 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.
Casiño also raised humanitarian concerns over the armed conflict in Sabah.
“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,” he said.
“Do you think the public will believe that all those who were killed were supporters of the Sultanate of Sulu? With the massive military operation of Malaysia, it is highly improbable that there are no, or little ‘collateral damage.’ I’ve seen some photographs from the media and many look like civilians,” the three-term representative of the Bayan Muna party-list said.
Casiño reiterated his appeal to President Aquino to engage in a dialogue with Sultan Jamalul Kiram III to resolve the issues peacefully and to come to a consensus on how to deal with Malaysia on the Sabah claim, including raising it to the International Court of Justice.
He earlier criticized the Aquino government for appearing to take the side of the Malaysian government against the sultanate’s men, thereby weakening the dormant Philippine claim to the territory.
Last week, Casiño filed a resolution in the House of Representatives seeking to investigate what he described as Aquino’s mishandling of the situation and undermining of the Philippine claim to Sabah.
He also filed a resolution calling for raising the Sabah claim to the International Court of Justice.