Sulu sultan to haul Aquino to int’l court

From the Daily Tribune (Mar 17): Sulu sultan to haul Aquino to int’l court

The family of Sulu Sultan Jamalul Kiram III plans to charge the governments of President Aquino and Malaysia before the International Court of Justice for failing to protect Filipinos caught in the crossfire between the Malaysian authorities and Kiram’s brother Raja Muda’s forces.

Jose Aspiras, counsel for the Kirams, meanwhile, said aside from elevating the Saba issue to the United Nations (UN), the family is also studying the possibility of suing the Philippine government for its failure to protect Filipinos in Sabah.

“We could elevate the whole issue before the United Nations and the UN Human Rights Council with regard to the reported human rights violations being committed by the Malaysian police against our fellow Filipinos,” Aspiras said.

“But we could also file a case against the Philippine government for failing to protect its citizens caught in the conflict,” he stressed.

Reiterating her family’s accusation the administration is lawyering for the Malaysians, Princess Jacel Kiram yesterday bared her family has practically lost any hope the Aquino government will push forward the country’s claim to the resource-rich Sabah, calling the Aquino administration “inutile.”

At the weekly Kapihan sa Annabelle’s, Kiram, daughter of the Sulu Sultan, said her family turned down the proposal of Interior Secretary Manuel Roxas II for her father’s followers to “disengage.”

“There was nothing substantial reached in the talks between my uncle (Esmail Kiram) and Secretary Mar Roxas as all secretary Mar was asking for is the disengagement of the my father’s followers in Sabah,” said the Princess. “Disengagement is nothing different from surrender which the Palace had been asking from my father’s followers.”

“So, we have to reject his proposal,” she stressed.

The Sultan’s daughter also belied reports her father did not authorize her uncle to talk with Roxas in behalf of their family.

“He (Esmail) was authorized by my father to talk with Secretary Roxas but he was not authorized to commit,” Jacel averred.

Jacel also bared that contrary to reports, his uncle, Raja Muda had been killed in Sabah by the Malaysian police.

“I had just talked to him the other day and my uncle was also able to speak to him yesterday,” Jacel bared.

Asked what transpired during their conversation with the alleged leader of the Royal Army of the Sultanate of Sulu, Jacel said their conversation with Raja Muda only lasted a few seconds although she declined to comment if it was out of fear the call was being was being monitored by both the Malaysian and Philippine governments.

“He only told that us that only 23 of their forces have been killed since violence erupted two weeks ago,” said Jacel. But what is important is that we are assured he is alive. The fact that we heard his voice brought happiness to us.”

“Maybe there is divine intervention there. Maybe God has a rason for keeping him alive,” Jacel said.

The younger Kiram also denied that those killed in Semporna in Sabah were members of his father’s followers saying they were civilians who decided to stage an uprising following reprisals from the Malaysian police.

“The Filipinos in Semporna staged an uprising after their homes were raided by Malaysian police. Based on reports, there was an old man that the Malaysian police ordered to be exposed to the sun until he died,” Jacel said.

“But instead of helping our fellow Filipinos in Sabah, this government is lawyering for the Malaysians, echoing every word they utter,” she lamented.

Jacel reiterated her family, aside from the historical facts, have legal documents to support their claim to Sabah, which the Aquino administration had been continuously ignoring.

“We have the legal documents to support our claim and we are doing this not only for our family, but for the country,” said Jacel.

“Malaysia is a rich country but 23 percent of its gross national product (GNP) comes from Sabah. Imagine what that 23 percent in gross national product (GNP) contribution could do for our country if we could reclaim Sabah,” said the Sultan’s daughter.

Asked if they are still hopeful the government would assist them pursue their claim on Sabah, Jacel replied in the negative.

“We have practically lost all hope under this inutile government,” she stressed.

Told that United Nationalist Alliance (UNA) senatorial bets Mitos Magsaysay and Dick Gordon commented Aquino might have committed impeachable offenses including betrayal of public trust and culpable violation of the constitution through his pronouncements and inaction on the issue, Jacel retorted, “What should be done must be done.”

Still hoping for a peaceful resolution on the Sabah conflict, Jacel asked the Filipinos to help them pray that the president might be enlightened on the issue.

“Please help us pray that the president and his administration be enlightened on the issue,” said Jacel.
http://www.tribune.net.ph/headlines/item/11787-sulu-sultan-to-haul-aquino-to-int’l-court.html