Palace silence on alleged plot to extradite Kiram to Malaysia hit

MANILA, Philippines—The Sultanate of Sulu on Tuesday criticized Malacañang for remaining silent on the alleged plot to extradite Sultan Jamalul Kiram III and his followers to Malaysia over a bloody bid to revive a centuries-old land claim.

Abraham Idjirani, spokesperson of the Sultanate of Sulu, said Presidential Spokesman Edwin Lacierda refused to answer the allegation.

“Iyong sinasabing huwag nang patulan ay sapagkat kung papatulan ito, lalo silang madidiin sa sambayanang Pilipino,” Idjirani said in an interview with Radyo Inquirer 990AM.

Sulu Sultan Jamalul Kiram III: Defiant. AP FILE PHOTO

On Monday, the camp of Sulu Sultan Jamalul Kiram III accused Malacañang of secretly plotting to extradite Kiram and his followers to the ruling parliament of Malaysia.

“Magkano ba ang presyo na in-offer ng Malaysia para lang ang ating administrasyon ay hindi na sasang-ayon sa batas sa pagsusuko sa ating Sultan?” Idjirani asked.

The group earlier claimed that the information came from a “reliable source in government,” but Idjirani refused to identify him or her.

Idjirani said that sending Kiram and his “royal army” to Malaysia to face charges there would be a violation of the Philippine Constitution, citing that Manila and Kuala Lumpur have no extradition treaty.

In February, more than 200 armed followers of Kiram landed in the state of Sabah on Borneo island, reviving a centuries-old land claim by the long-defunct Sulu sultanate, once based in the southern Philippines.

For the full interview, listen to the attached audio clip from Radyo Inquirer 990AM.