Palace sees death of Sulu Sultan won't affect study on Philippine claim over Sabah

From Sun Star (Oct 20): Palace sees death of Sulu Sultan won't affect study on Philippine claim over Sabah

Malacanang said Sunday that the government's study on its claim over Sabah would not be affected by the death of Sulu Sultan Jamalul Kiram III.

Deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte, in an interview over dzRB Radyo ng Bayan, also offered condolences to the family of Kiram who passed away early Sunday due to multiple organ failure at the age of 75.

"The study is still ongoing and the question presupposes that the claim is dependent on one person, which it is not, so the study is still ongoing," she said.

President Benigno Aquino III ordered last March a study into the territorial claim over Sabah.

He made the order after Kiram's brother and hundreds of followers sailed to Lahad Datu in Sabah last February to claim the Malaysian state. The standoff between Kiram's men and the Malaysian forces ended up in a bloody encounter.

"We offer our condolences to the bereaved family and to his (Kiram's) loved ones," Valte said.

http://www.sunstar.com.ph/breaking-news/2013/10/20/palace-sees-death-sulu-sultan-wont-affect-study-philippine-claim-over-sabah