MNLF to pursue Sulu sultanate's claim over Sabah

From the Philippine Star posted to ABS-CBN (May 13): MNLF to pursue Sulu sultanate's claim over Sabah

The Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) would continue pursuing the claim of the Sultanate of Sulu over Sabah and Sarawak by integrating the disputed territories to the Bangsamoro Republik, the group’s spokesman said yesterday.

Absalum Cerveza told The STAR that the petition for the declaration of independence of the Bangsamoro Republik has been submitted to the United Nations committee on decolonization.

He said the MNLF opted to adopt the so-called “Kosovo model” as a peaceful means to attaining independence.

Cerveza said the MNLF has renounced war and is pursuing the peaceful strategy similar to the declaration of Kosovo independence from Serbia in 2008.

Serbia has not recognized the declaration of independence by Kosovo, saying that it is illegal, and sought international validation from the International Court of Justice (ICJ), which said the declaration did not violate international law.

Aside from Sabah and Sarawak the Bangsamoro Republik also covers Mindanao, Sulu, Tawi-Tawi, Basilan and Palawan.

Cerveza said the declaration of the Bangsamoro Republik was an offshoot of the peace accord forged by the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), which the MNLF claimed is a “betrayal” of the 1996 peace agreement forged by the government and the MNLF.

“It’s only a matter of time,” he said.

Cerveza said the declaration of Sabah and Sarawak as part of the Bangsamoro Republik practically restores the historic and proprietary rights of the Sultanate of Sulu, which up to this time is being recognized by Malaysia.

http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/regions/05/13/15/mnlf-pursue-sulu-sultanates-claim-over-sabah