Kiram group calls for prisoner swap with Malaysian forces

From GMA News (Mar 8): Kiram group calls for prisoner swap with Malaysian forces

The camp of Sulu Sultan Jamalul Kiram III on Friday called for a prisoner swap with Malaysia in light of the bloody clashes between the sultan's followers and Malaysian security forces in Sabah.

A report by Sherrie Ann Torres on “Quick Response Team” quoted Kiram's group as saying that four Malaysian fighters, including a colonel, are currently in their custody as prisoners.

Malaysian authorities, meanwhile, said they have captured 10 of Kiram's fighters in Sabah after the 17-day standoff there that started early February gave way to a series of clashes, the report said.

Kiram, who has declared a unilateral ceasefire with Malaysia, wants an independent group to facilitate the prisoner swap, the report said.



GMA News Online tried calling Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) spokesperson Raul Hernandez for a comment, but he could not be reached as of press time.

According to Abraham Idjirani, spokesman for the Sulu sultanate, the group — led by Kiram's brother Raja Muda Agbimuddin — has not eaten for two days based on information reaching them.

The DFA is negotiating with the Malaysian authorities to have access to the captured followers of Kiram as the Philippine government maintains its call for Kiram's followers in Sabah to surrender.

Last February, Kiram sent around 300 followers to fight for a territorial stake on Sabah, a resource-rich part of the Borneo island, basing their claim on a historical agreement with the Brunei sultanate during the British colonization in Malaysia.

http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/298406/news/nation/kiram-group-calls-for-prisoner-swap-with-malaysian-forces