Skip to content
OurVote2022logo
mindanews-fact-check-logo-1
  • Business
  • Peace Process
  • Governance
  • Travel
  • Arts & Culture
  • Special Reports
  • Mindaviews
  • Pictures
Menu
  • Business
  • Peace Process
  • Governance
  • Travel
  • Arts & Culture
  • Special Reports
  • Mindaviews
  • Pictures

PH, Malaysia urged to jointly resolve Sabah issue

  • Violeta M. Gloria

-

  • March 1, 2013
Share this story

ILIGAN CITY (MindaNews/01 March)— Two peace advocates in Lanao del Norte urged Friday the Philippine and Malaysian governments to peacefully resolve the Sabah conflict arising from the claims of the heirs of the Sultanate of Sulu.

A firefight reportedly broke Friday morning between the Sultanate’s “Royal Security Forces” and Malaysian authorities, with allegedly 10 killed and four wounded on the part of the former.

In a statement earlier today, the DFA said that 10 of Kiram’s followers allegedly surrendered to Malaysian authorities.

“This issue should be resolved jointly by the Philippine and Malaysian governments,“ said Carino Antequisa of the Mindanao Peace-building Institute (MPI).

Two weeks ago, some 180 armed followers of the Sultanate of Sulu, headed by Sultan Jamalul Kiram III, holed up in Lahad Datu, Sabah to assert their historical claim over the area and also to express their dissatisfaction over their alleged exclusion in consultations for the Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro that was inked by the Philippine government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) last year.

Malaysian security forces had given them until Thursday to leave the area.

President Benigno Aquino III had asked Kiram’s followers to return peacefully to avoid possible bloodshed.

A ship has been sent to bring back the armed men, but Kiram rejected the offer.

Aquino also asked the Department of Foreign Affairs and the Department of Justice to study the sultanate’s claims.

“It cannot be denied that Sulu residents have historical claim over that ancestral domain, but the best solution is not through the barrels of the gun but through joint state discussion on the problem because the present truth is that the land claimed by Kiram and his group is already within the conflicting jurisdictions of the two states,” said Antequisa.

“Nothing will be lost to the Philippines and Malaysia if they will jointly deal with the Sultan and his followers from Sulu. I think it’s better for Malaysia to accommodate them temporarily rather than shot or deport them,” he said.

In a phone interview, Malaysian consul general Abdullah Zawawi, whose is currently in Mindanao, declined to comment on the situation in Sabah.

Antequisa suggested that Philippine and Malaysian governments declare Sabah as a “special zone” where Sulu people could live with the Malaysians pending the final resolution of the matter.

Abel Moya, former manager of Pakigdait Inc. that is involved in peace-building efforts in the conflict zones of Mindanao, also suggested that the parties in the Sabah problem should resolve the issue through negotiations or under the framework of conflict transformation.

“The resolution should be done within contextual historical analysis,” he said.

Moya urged the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace Process (OPAPP) to assist the DoJ and the DFA because “they have the mediation skills.”

OPAPP should also address their concern that they were excluded in the FAB, he added. (Violeta Gloria/MindaNews)

Your perspective matters! Leave a comment below and let us know what you think. We welcome diverse viewpoints and encourage respectful discussions. Don't hesitate to share your ideas or engage with others.
Advertisement
Rakrakan
Follow us on Facebook
Facebook
The MindaNews Podcast
-- ad here--

TOP STORIES

14 y/o student caught carrying unlicensed gun in North Cotabato

Mindanews September 25, 2023 6:56 pm

FACT CHECK: Sara Duterte did not blame rallies for 2-M slump in enrollment

Fact Check September 25, 2023 5:48 pm

NorMin produces less amid increase in coffee bean production nationwide

Froilan Gallardo September 23, 2023 10:19 am

Approval, trust ratings of Bongbong, Sara down – PUBLiCUS Asia survey

H. Marcos C. Mordeno September 22, 2023 2:46 pm

2 ride-hailing companies awaiting endorsement from Davao City Council

Miah Christine Bontilao September 22, 2023 2:21 pm

MINDAVIEWS

TURNING POINT: The Toothless Price Cap

William R. Adan September 19, 2023 10:39 am

UNDERSTANDING OUR HERITAGE (2): The Hindu-Buddist influences in our culture

Greg Hontiveros September 17, 2023 4:21 pm

TAUSUG IN DOHA: Always opt for the Best

Gamson Jr Mawallil Quijano September 17, 2023 2:52 pm
Read more MINDAVIEWS

BUSINESS NEWS

18 homegrown cafés joining Davao Coffee Crawl

Antonio L. Colina IV September 20, 2023 3:12 pm

25 delegates from Mindanao to join international expo in Sabah

Antonio L. Colina IV September 13, 2023 2:00 pm

Senator Villar cites EU’s GSP+ during tuna congress

Bong S. Sarmiento September 7, 2023 5:21 pm

Davao Region’s inflation rate lowest in Mindanao

Antonio L. Colina IV September 5, 2023 9:53 pm

Japanese firm looking for more suppliers of coconut-based food products

Mindanews August 31, 2023 2:35 pm

95 exhibitors to join Davao Agri Trade Expo

Antonio L. Colina IV August 23, 2023 5:48 pm

ARTS & CULTURE

Sarangani writers showcase literary works in Philippine Book Festival

Genory Vanz Alfasain August 27, 2023 4:11 pm

INTERACTIVE MAP | Cagayan de Oro Higalaay Festival 2023

Yas D. Ocampo August 25, 2023 2:00 pm

Davao City Events | Palawud x Holodeck, Budots: The Craze

Mindanews August 19, 2023 10:10 am

Kadayawan Festival 2023 event guide

Yas D. Ocampo August 7, 2023 4:01 pm

The MindaNews Podcast: Aubrey DS and the creative pursuits that drive us

Mindanews July 10, 2023 7:06 pm
eric gancio of yano

The MindaNews Podcast: Davao-based Eric Gancio and the return of Yano

Yas D. Ocampo June 2, 2023 5:15 pm

MindaNews is the news service arm of the Mindanao Institute of Journalism. It is composed of independent, professional journalists who believe and practice people empowerment through media.

23C Saturn St. GSIS Subdivision, Davao City Philippines Tel. No.: 082 297 4360 editor [at] mindanews.com
Facebook Twitter

© MindaNews 2016 -2023 | All Rights Reserved

About Us

Privacy Policy