Sabah assault: 15 dead

From the Philippine Star (Mar 2): Sabah assault: 15 dead



A standoff between Malaysian security forces and followers of Sulu Sultan Jamalul Kiram III ended in violence yesterday, with two Malaysian police officers and a Sabah villager and up to 12 of Kiram’s men killed as Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak declared his patience had run out.

Najib, quoted by state news agency Bernama, confirmed the Malaysian police deaths and said that 10 to 12 Filipinos had been killed after their group tried to break through a security cordon around a village in Lahad Datu where they had been holed up since Feb. 9.

Malacañang confirmed the deaths and called the turn of events “saddening.”

“We regret the loss of lives,” Presidential Communications Development and Strategic Planning Office Secretary Ricky Carandang told reporters last night after a meeting with President Aquino and other officials.

“We condole with the families of those who were lost,” Carandang said, adding that the standoff could not be considered over because Malaysian forces and followers of Kiram were still in the area.

“There now exists a small window of opportunity to arrive at a peaceful conclusion to the situation in Lahad Datu; we are exerting every effort to seize that opportunity, and are hopeful that the Kiram family and their followers will seize it with us, so that further bloodshed may be avoided,” Carandang said.

“Since the onset, our primary goal had been to resolve the situation without violence. That is why President Aquino urged the followers of the Kiram family to lay down their arms and return home, so that their grievances can be addressed through sober, productive dialogue,” Carandang said.

Carandang said they could not confirm reports that a crackdown on Filipinos in Sabah had begun because of the incident.

The group that battled with Malaysian forces was led by the sultan’s brother Agbimuddin, also called Raja Muda or crown prince.

More than 200 followers of the Sultanate of Sulu landed in Sabah last month, declaring the territory as their homeland.

Both the Philippine and Malaysian governments had repeatedly urged them to return home.

Reports said most of the Filipino gunmen had fled the fighting.

Najib said he had now given Malaysian security forces a mandate to take “any action” against the group.

“Do not test our patience, our patience has reached the limit,” he was quoted as saying earlier.

“We have a plan to remove them, they should have surrendered and left,” said Najib, who must call national elections by April and has come under pressure from the opposition for allowing the bizarre standoff to drag on.

Three Malaysian police officers were wounded in the shootout, police said.

The Philippines only confirmed one death among the group, saying that 10 had surrendered while the rest had fled towards the sea.

The sultanate’s spokesman Abraham Idjirani told reporters in Manila that the men had moved to another location to continue their fight and urged Malaysia to hold talks.

The confrontation had threatened to reignite tension between the Philippines and Malaysia. Ties have been periodically frayed by security and migration problems along their sea border.

The group is demanding recognition from Malaysia and renegotiation of the original terms of a lease on Sabah by the sultanate to a British trading company in the 19th century.

Bernama said two Malaysian policemen were killed in a mortar attack launched by the Filipinos.

Idjirani said 10 of the sultanate’s soldiers and a 28-year-old mother were killed in the attack started by Malaysian security forces.

News reports from Kota Kinabalu, quoting Lahad Datu residents, said scores of wounded Malaysian security forces had been seen being transported out of Tanduo village near Lahad Datu on military trucks.

The firefight began at 10 a.m. yesterday. By noon, Malaysian snipers were reportedly seen picking targets in the coastal town, according to Agbimuddin in a radio interview.

He said the Malaysian forces were only about 300 meters from his men.

“They came upon us so we had to defend ourselves,” Agbimuddin said.

He said they had the names of two fatalities in the sultan’s side but declined to reveal them at the moment.

“We appeal to you not to name them first so their relatives in Sulu will not react violently,” he said.

He also appealed for prayers from both the Muslim and Christian communities in the Philippines as he bared plans by the Sultanate of Sulu and North Borneo and the Kiram family to raise the incident before the Red Crescent and the Red Cross.

He also denied reports that Malaysian commandos had arrested Agbimuddin.

“We would like to deny the report in regard to the status of Raja Muda Kiram. We just talked to him, he is well, he’s not wounded, he is still leading the struggle. He is not among those killed or captured as reported by the Malaysian embassy. That (report) that the Raja Mudah is already captured and now in the hands of the Malaysian police commandos is false,” he said.

Idjirani said Agbimuuddin – referred to as Azzimudie by the Malaysian press – called him up early yesterday to report that Malaysian forces were already “penetrating the ground.” It was at around 10:30 a.m. when Malaysian commandos opened fire at Kiram’s men, killing 10 of them and injuring scores of others.

“We got this information directly from Raja Muda. So who are we going to believe? The people announcing from Malacañang or the Raja Muda himself?”

Idjirani said the sultanate had been made to believe that the problem would be finally resolved peacefully.

Standoff over

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said Malaysian Ambassador Mohammad Zamri bin Mohammad Kassim met yesterday afternoon with Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario to inform the latter of the assault.

“Secretary Del Rosario had a meeting with the Malaysian Ambassador at 2 this afternoon where Ambassador Kassim informed the secretary that the Malaysian authorities had conducted assault at Lahad Datu at 10 (yesterday) morning,” DFA spokesman Raul Hernandez said in a press briefing. “The ambassador said that the standoff is now over.”

The ambassador also informed Del Rosario that two police officers and a civilian were killed in the firefight. The DFA could not immediately confirm the casualties.

“We do not have any confirmation of those who have been wounded and who might have been killed during the operation based on our validation. We do not have the details of the operation yet,” Hernandez said.

According to Hernandez, Del Rosario handed a note verbale to the ambassador requesting clearance from the Malaysian government for the Philippine Navy ship BRP Tagbanua to proceed to Lahad Datu to bring Philippine medical personnel and provisions for the remaining supporters of Kiram.

“For those wounded as well as the others who might be arrested, we would like to have full access to them so that we can offer and extend consular assistance to the group,” he added.

The ship was dispatched Sunday night to ferry back civilians and supporters of Kiram.

The ship sailed from Bongao, Tawi-Tawi to the village of Tanduo in Lahad Datu.

The government appealed to the members of the Sultanate of Sulu’s “royal army” to leave Sabah for their own safety and vowed to address the core issues the “royal army” had raised.

The Philippines requested Malaysia to extend for several days the deadline for the supporters of Kiram to leave Sabah. There was no Malaysian response to the request.

Attack ‘uncalled for’

The sultan’s daughter Princess Jacel Kiram lashed out at Malaysia for launching the attack even as negotiations to end the standoff peacefully were ongoing.

“The unprovoked assault on the Lahad Datu encampment was uncalled for. We suffered now 14 casualties – 10 dead and four wounded. Blood has flowed,” she said.

“For the past two days, formal and informal talks have been initiated towards a peaceful settlement and disarmament has been discussed,” she said. “Up to now, sniping continues. Do we want more bloodshed or do we want this bloodshed to stop? We pose this question to the Malaysian government.”

She added that her uncle Agbimuddin “decided to go to Lahad Datu with 234 men with the firm belief to settle there peacefully and to defend their right to live in their homeland.”

“We appeal to the Malaysian government to please clarify: Are we engaging in a dialogue or is this an act of unilateral violence against the Sultanate of Sulu and North Borneo? We appeal for sobriety. The Sultan has ordered his brother to restrain but to be always ready to defend themselves,” she added.

She said violence could have been averted had the Philippine government stuck to its commitment to pursue dialogue and ensure a peaceful end to the standoff.

For her part, the sultan’s wife Fatima Cecilia Kiram accused Interior Secretary Manuel Roxas II of speaking for Malaysia.

“I don’t know if he is the spokesperson or is he speaking in behalf of Malaysia. Where is his patriotism as Filipino? Filipinos had been hurt, but why defend the enemy?” she said.

“It is sad to say that you are saying that the military of Malaysia is so patient. Instead of defending our people who are willing to sacrifice for the historical truth, to tell the world that we have been belittled, to tell the world that our people in Sabah are being deported inhumanely and yet he is speaking for Malaysia – that Malaysia is so patient, so patient, according to his statement,” Fatima said.

“He is defending Malaysia instead of his co-Filipinos. He is an anti-Muslim,” she added.

“The Filipinos in Sabah are feeling the same thing. If we can only swim to Sabah we will go there to defend it, even if we have to die in the process,” she said.

For the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF), Malaysia’s use of force would result in the escalation of hostilities in Sabah or possibly civil war.

“I am afraid there will be a civil war in Sabah because thousands of Bangsamoro are residing in Sabah,” Haji Gapul Hajirul, MNLF political chief, said.

“It’s only MNLF chairman Nur (Misuari) who could decide on the matter. Whatever his decision, we will follow,” Hajirul said. “Our Tausug brothers and sisters of Sulu and the Samals in Tawi-Tawi were saddened and are hurting by the turn of the events.”

More than 8,500 Filipinos, mostly Tausugs, are residing in Sabah and are potential supporters of the Sultanate of Sulu. Malaysia is paying the Sultanate of Sulu 5,300 ringgit annually as lease.

Meanwhile, the Makati City Police yesterday beefed up its presence around the Malaysian embassy on Tordesillas St. in Salcedo Village.

http://www.philstar.com/headlines/2013/03/02/914825/sabah-assault-15-dead

Troops to be charged with homicide for deaths of botanist Leonard Co, 2 others

From InterAksyon (Mar 1): Troops to be charged with homicide for deaths of botanist Leonard Co, 2 others

The Department of Justice has approved the filing of criminal charges of reckless imprudence resulting to homicide and attempted homicide against nine Army soldiers for the deaths of noted botanist Leonard Co and tow companions in late 2010.

The panel of prosecutors that investigated the case found no probable cause to charge the soldiers for murder.

Those to face the criminal case are 1st Lieutenant Ronald Odchimar, Corporal Marlon Mores, Privates First Class Albert Belmonte, William Bulic, Elmer Forteza, Alex Apostol, Roger Fabillar, Michael Babon and Gil Guimerey.

The prosecutors also recommended obstruction of justice charges filed against 27 other soldiers.
They are 2Lt Cameron D. Perez, Cpl Henrich M. Montecalvo, Pfc Noelito C. Eblamo, Pfc Ramelito V. Caayon, Pfc Julito K. Bucog, Pfc Enrique V. Barbarona, Pfc Elmer B. Tapac, Pfc Arvie M. Divinagracia, Pfc Jose D. Madrilejos, Cpl Jesus A. Verona, Pfc Leonard E. Regis, Pfc Richard O. Salandino, Pfc Apollo P. Elnar, Pfc Esperidion C. Java, Jr., Pfc Cornilio A. Coso, Pfc Ricardo L. Liguidliguid, Pfc Edjun A. Omawas, Pfc Modesto A. Camero, Jr., Pfc Elmer B. Costelo, Pfc Carlo Y. Romero, Pfc Godofredo B. Capatoy III, Pfc Andro B. Villanueva, Pfc Arnel C. Superales, Pfc Ramil L. Maguilano, Pfc Edyson M. Ferenal, Pfc Bob J. Alipoon and Pfc Enrico P. Malog.

In finding probable cause for reckless imprudence resulting in multiple homicide and attempted homicide, the prosecutors said: "We find that the victims were the actual targets of the respondents when they fired upon them. Without considering other circumstances, the act would have qualified the crime into murder."

"Unfortunately, we believe that, in good conscience and under normal circumstances, respondents would not have any malicious intent to injure, much more kill the victims had they known them to be civilians and not communist rebels as they had supposed them to be," the resolution said.

Colonel Arnulfo Marcelo Burgos Jr., spokesman of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, said they respect the DOJ decision.

“The AFP upholds the rule of law, respects and protects human rights and international humanitarian law. We will follow and adhere to the due process in the quest for truth and justice. In the process of investigation, we will remain cooperative,” Burgos said.

The military has maintained that Co, Sofronio Cortez and Julius Borromeo died in the crossfire during an encounter between soldiers of the 19th Infantry Battalion and communist rebels in Kananga, Leyte on November 15, 2010.

The victims were doing research work for the Energy Development Corp.

Two other members of their party survived and belied the military’s claim saying there had been no encounter.

The DOJ initially absolved the soldiers but later reinvestigated the case.

http://www.interaksyon.com/article/56126/troops-to-be-charged-with-homicide-for-deaths-of-botanist-leonard-co-2-others

Taiwan to hold live-fire drill in Spratlys

From InterAksyon (Mar 1): Taiwan to hold live-fire drill in Spratlys



A handout photo from Taiwan's defense ministry shows warships off Taiping Island. (AFP)

Taiwan's coast guard said Friday it would stage a live-fire exercise next month in disputed South China Sea islands, which Manila calls the West Philippine Sea, a move that could raise regional tensions.

The drill will take place on Taiping Island between April 9 and 11 in the Spratlys, a sprawling group of islands claimed in whole or part by Taiwan, China, Vietnam, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Brunei.

Among other weaponry, the drill will involve 40mm artillery and 120mm mortars, both shipped to the island last year to boost Taiwan's defense capability in the Spratlys, according to the coastguard.
Taiping is the biggest island in the Spratlys and has long been governed by Taiwan, which maintains a small coastguard garrison there.

Vietnam voiced anger after Taiwan moved the new, longer-range artillery and mortars to Taiping Island last year.

All claimants except Brunei have troops based on the archipelago of more than 100 islets, reefs and atolls, which cover a vast area but have a total landmass of less than five square kilometers.

The potentially resource-rich sea, home to important trade routes, is a potential military flashpoint and there has been a string of diplomatic rows between countries with overlapping territorial claims in recent years.

The Philippines and Vietnam have complained that China is becoming increasingly aggressive in its actions in the area -- such as harassing fishermen -- and also through bullying diplomatic tactics.

http://www.interaksyon.com/article/56128/taiwan-to-hold-live-fire-drill-in-spratlys

Sulu sultanate to seek US help, cites 1915 agreement

From InterAksyon (Mar 2): Sulu sultanate to seek US help, cites 1915 agreement

The Sulu sultanate will seek the help of the United States to back up its claim to Sabah by invoking a 1915 agreement that, among others, assures the sultanate of American protection.

Abraham Idjirani, spokesman of the sultanate, said Friday that their council would write the US embassy in Manila and invoke the so-called Carpenter agreement signed on March 22, 1915 between Sultan Hadji Jamalul Kiram and Frank W. Carpenter, governor of the then Department of Mindanao and Sulu.

“We are seeking the intervention of the United States of America as stated in the Kiram-Carpenter argument of 1915” in which the Americans “assured the sultan of Sulu of (its) full protection should a problem arise in Sabah between the sultan of Sulu and other foreign countries,” Idjirani said.

“That’s the US historical and moral obligation to us,” he told InterAksyon.

Idjirani also said they plan to press their claim before the International Court of Justice.

At the same time, he stressed that Sultan Jamalul Kiram III is not demanding an increase in the token annual rental paid by Malaysia but the recognition of their claim to Sabah.

The Kiram family, he said, "don't want an increase on rental, it is not about money."

"Ayaw ng sultan na sila lang ang makinabang sa upa, gusto ng royal house of Kiram na lahat ng Pilipino ay mag-profit sa natural wealth ng North Borneo o Sabah (The sultan doesn’t want his family alone to benefit from the rent, the royal house of Kiram wants all Filipinos to profit from the natural wealth of North Borneo or Sabah)," he said.

http://www.interaksyon.com/article/56176/sulu-sultanate-to-seek-us-help-cites-1915-agreement

Palace pushes unconditional surrender of sultan's men, says Sabah claim not abandoned

From InterAksyon (Mar 2): Palace pushes unconditional surrender of sultan's men, says Sabah claim not abandoned


The Philippine government insisted Saturday it did everything possible, “from Day One,” to avoid Friday’s bloodshed in Sabah, but said the only way it sees the standoff ending is for the unconditional surrender of the over 200 members of the Sulu sultanate’s army in Lahad Datu.

It also remained non-committal to the question of bringing the matter to an international tribunal, though it did not categorically rule out the suggested option to bring Malaysia before the International Court of Justice.

Sought for a reaction on the sultanate’s announcement of the ICJ option, Cabinet Secretary Rene Almendras said at a televised press conference in Malacanang, “ Some people are studying the Sabah claim. To say that we have given up the claim is inconsistent with President’s statement that he tasked a group to study the claim.”

For his part, Presidential Spokesman Edwin Lacierda said in a televised news briefing "The Philippine government has exerted all efforts for a peaceful resolution...we've done that since day one. We've tried our best...the best thing for them to do is to surrender.”

Moments before, Malacanang issued a statement by President Benigno Aquino Jr., pushing for the unconditional surrender of the sultan's followers still remaining in Lahad Datu after Friday's bloodbath.

PNoy’s call: please convey my message to yield

In a statement delivered by presidential spokesman Lacierda, Mr. Aquino called on to those who have influence and the capacity to reason with the Filipinos in Lahad Datu to convey his message to surrender.

"To those who have influence and the capacity to reason with those in Lahad Datu. I ask you to convey this message, surrender now, without condition," Mr. Aquino said in his statement.

Mr. Aquino noted that since the start of the incident on February 12, the Philippine government has been doing everything possible avoid bloodshed.

He blamed the followers of Kiram for not heeding them: “To our citizens in Lahad Datu, from the very start our objective has been to avoid the loss of lives and the shedding of blood. However, you did not join us in this objective. Because of the path you have taken, what we have been trying to avoid has come to pass.”

"The path that Filipinos chose in Lahad Datu was wrong and the correct thing to do now is to surrender.

Mr. Aquino said, “If you have grievances, the path you chose was wrong. The just, and indeed, the only correct thing for you to do is to surrender,” Mr. Aquino said.

Friday's bloodbath

The shooting early Friday morning in Sabah left a dozen followers of the sultanate dead, along with two Malaysian policemen. Sultan Jamalul Kiram III, quoting his younger brother in Lahad Datu, Raja Muda Agbimuddin Kiram, insisted the Malaysian police commandos attacked the Filipinos in Lahad Datu, but the Malaysian authorities said otherwise—the Filipinos fired first.

Lacierda stressed that "no one in this government is anti-Muslim" and surrendering could be the only option left by the Royal Sulu Army.

Lacierda issued the statement as Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said the deadline for the Filipinos to leave the village of Tanduo has passed and an all-out action will be taken against them.

Almendras also denied reports that no one from the President's Cabinet met with Sultan Jamalul Kiram III to discuss a peaceful resolution to the standoff.

Since the standoff started, Presidential political adviser Ronald Llamas and National Security Adviser Cesar Garcia talked to the sultan's camp, he said.

"That happened. Bakit sinasabi na walang member of the Cabinet who stepped out of their way to talk to them?" Almendras said.

Lacierda said Almendras, who is privy to discussions with the Kirams, can best attest to the exhaustive efforts taken by the Aquino administration prior to the bloodbath.

Almendras said: “I think the solution has always been, per instruction of the President, for a peaceful resolution.” He recalled the train of events and actions by parties concerned: “The crisis began Feb. 12. Malaysia sent a statement to the Philippine government Feb. 13. On Feb. 14, the National Security Cluster called. On Feb. 15, the President called a meeting in Bahay Pangarap.”

Almendras said the remarks by President Aquino that many criticized as being “arrogant” were made a good two weeks after the standoff, by way of illustrating how patiently Manila had handled the crisis.

"There were military, diplomatic, and political interactions at every level,” added Almendras, so “arrogance does not describe” the administration’s handling of the situation.

He said the “most important thing now is, “something happened and we’re trying to save as many lives as we can.”

He also likened the situation to a man who suddenly had an armed intruder in his house. “If that happened to you, how would you react?” he asked reporters.

http://www.interaksyon.com/article/56181/palace-pushes-unconditional-surrender-of-sultans-men-says-sabah-claim-not-abandoned

Malaysia threatens 'drastic' steps in Sabah siege

From InterAksyon (Mar 2): Malaysia threatens 'drastic' steps in Sabah siege

Malaysia threatened Saturday to take "drastic action" against intruding followers of a self-proclaimed Filipino sultan after a tense standoff erupted into a shootout that killed 14 people.

Twelve followers of the little-known sultan of Sulu and two Malaysian security personnel were killed in Friday's firefight, police said, as the more than two-week-old siege in a remote corner of Malaysia turned deadly.

Dozens of Filipinos have been holed up on Borneo island, surrounded by a massive Malaysian police and military cordon, since landing by boat from their nearby Philippine islands to insist the area belongs to their Islamic leader.

"We want them to surrender immediately. If they don't, they will face drastic action," Hamza Taib, police chief of the Malaysian state of Sabah where the drama was taking place, told AFP.

He declined to provide details of what security forces had in store but his comments echoed growing Malaysian impatience with the situation.

In Manila, Philippine President Benigno Aquino urged the gunmen to surrender immediately.

"To those who have influence and the capacity to reason with those in (the affected town of) Lahad Datu, I ask you to convey this message: surrender now, without conditions," he said in a statement.

Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak, whose government has been embarrassed by the security breach, said in the shootout's aftermath that he told police and armed forces to take whatever action was necessary to end the impasse.

"Now there is no grace period for the group to leave," he was quoted as saying by Malaysian media, blaming the intruders for sparking the violence.

But the deadly clash drew criticism from opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim.

"Why is our government lax about national security,?" he said in a statement late Friday, adding that the government must explain what transpired in the bloody clash claiming two Malaysian lives.

Muslim-majority Malaysia had previously avoided tough talk, expressing hope the intruders would leave peacefully.

But even if they give up, they will face Malaysian prosecution, Hamza said, after he met with Malaysia's home minister and other top security officials.

Local residents were staying indoors and the usually bustling coastal town of Lahad Datu was quiet with most shops closed on Saturday.

Georgina Paulino, a 50-year-old street vendor, complained that her business has been badly hit.
"People are afraid they could be shot if they come out," she told AFP.

The Filipinos, who are estimated to number between 100 and 300, sailed from their remote islands to press Jamalul Kiram III's claim to Sabah.

Kiram, 74, claims to be the heir to the Islamic sultanate of Sulu, which once controlled parts of the southern Philippines and a portion of Borneo.

The Sulu sultanate's power faded about a century ago but it has continued to receive nominal payments from Malaysia for Sabah under a historical lease arrangement passed down from European colonial powers.

http://www.interaksyon.com/article/56183/malaysia-threatens-drastic-steps-in-sabah-siege

We won't leave Sabah - Sultanate followers

From Rappler (Mar 2): We won't leave Sabah - Sultanate followers



SPOKESMAN. Abraham Idjirani says followers of the Sulu Sultanate have decided to stay put in Sabah. Photo by Jerald Uy

Followers of the Sulu Sultanate who remain holed up in Lahud Datu are preparing for the next attack of Malaysian police authorities after they buried their dead at sundown Friday, March 1. They will stay put in Sabah.

Quoting the leader of the Sultanate's Royal Forces, spokesperson Abraham Idjirani on Saturday, March 2, said, “After we buried our 9 brothers and sister at sundown everyone of the 214 left decided to die in Lahad Datu in pursuit of their dreams and aspiration."

Of the 214, 7 are women and 207 are men.

Those still in Sabah declared they are willing to die to fight for their patrimony, Idjirani said. “Honor above life – these are the words of our beloved Crown Prince Raja Muda Adbimuddin to his brother Sultan Jamalul Kiram III.”

More than half of them are armed only with a kris and barong (smaller than a kris), and about 40% have guns which they brought with them for protection.

As of 10:35 am, 10 of their men have been captured by Malaysian authorities while the number of casualties remain unchanged with 10 dead and 4 injured from their side, Idjirani said.

Heavy heart

“As we make this announcement in this moment of history, we are carrying a heavy heart. The Sultanate of Sulu in full council and family decide to put into the hands of Allah the fate of our brothers,” the spokesperson added.

“Let the blood of 10 martyrs charter the course of the new history of the Sultanate of Sulu.”

Idjirani also called for the US government to intervene, citing the 1915 Kiram-Carpenter Agreement, where the “US agreed to place the Sultanate of Sulu under their protection.”

“US cannot escape the fact that they have an obligation by assisting us, not through violent means but hanapan ng solusyon (to find solutions in this conflict),” Idjirani said.

Prevent bloodshed

On Friday night, the Aquino administration said it wants to take advantage of a "small window" to prevent further bloodshed in Sabah.

Communications Secretary Ricky Carandang told reporters, “There’s a small window that still exists to prevent further bloodshed, and to end this without any more loss of life." He also said, "We are exerting every effort now to use that window to try to contain and prevent any more violence. And we urge the Kiram family to seize this opportunity."

The Malaysian government had confirmed that at least 12 followers of Sultan Jamalul Kiram III were killed in the Friday morning assault on Lahad Datu that was meant to end the 17-day standoff. Two members of the Malaysian security forces were also killed. This brings to 14 the total number of people killed as a result of the assault. Idjirani however said they had 10 dead.

Idjarani said that before any decision could be made on whether the Sultanate will allow its people to return, the government and the Kirams need to sit down to talk about what he termed as "arrangements."

Carandang conceded the standoff could not be considered over because there were still Malaysian forces and the followers of Kiram in the area.

Carandang noted that Malaysian Prime Minister Najbi Razak had also said he wanted a peaceful end to the conflict. "We have no reason to believe otherwise," Carandang said, adding, “We’re taking him at his word."

http://www.rappler.com/nation/22917-sulu-sultanate-followers-to-stay-put-in-sabah

Palace to Kirams: Surrender

From Rappler (Mar 2): Palace to Kirams: Surrender

Malacañang is calling for the surrender of the followers of the Sultanate of Sulu to avoid further bloodshed.

Addressing Filipinos who have holed up in Lahad Datu in Sabah, President Benigno Aquino III said in a statement on Saturday, March 2, "To our citizens in Lahad Datu, from the very start our objective has been to avoid the loss of lives and the shedding of blood. However, you did not join us in this objective. Because of the path you have taken, what we have been trying to avoid has come to pass."

In a press conference also on Saturday, Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said that surrendering is the only thing left to do for Raja Muda Muedzul Lail Kiram, leader of Sulu Sultanate followers in Sabah, and his group.

Lacierda said that after the assault on Friday, March 1, which left 14 dead (12 of them from the side of Filipinos and 2 from the side of Malaysians), there is no telling what the Malaysian government will do at this point.

"There is no one in this Cabinet who is anti-Muslim. We are all concerned for the lives of Filipinos. Mahalaga po sa atin ngayon na sabihin na po sa kanila na sumuko na po kayo dahil ito na lamang po, maaring ito na lamang po ang inyong tanging magagawa dahil hindi po natin alam ang gagawin ng Malaysian authorities. Nangyari po yung nangyari kahapon at may namatay po sa side ng mga Malaysians so hindi po natin alam kung anong action ang gagawin nila," Lacierda said. (It's important for us to tell them to surrender because this might be the only thing you can do, given that we don't know what the Malaysian authorities can do. What happened yesterday resulted in the death of Malaysians so we don't know what action they will take.)

Reacting to the call for surrender, Sultan Kiram, through his spokesperson, said, "Pasuko nang pasuko. Bakit kami susuko sa sariling tahanan?" (They're asking us to surrender. Why should we surrender in our own home?)

Earlier, the spokesperson of the Kirams, Abraham Idjirani, said the 214 followers of the Sultanate are not leaving Lahad Datu. “After we buried our 9 brothers and sister at sundown everyone of the 214 left decided to die in Lahad Datu in pursuit of their dreams and aspiration." Of the 214, 7 are women and 207 are men.

“Honor above life – these are the words of our beloved Crown Prince Raja Muda Adbimuddin to his brother Sultan Jamalul Kiram III,” Idjirani said.

Drastic action

Malaysia threatened to take "drastic action" against Raja Muda and his followers after their tense standoff erupted in a fatal shootout. More than half of the 214 Filipinos from Sulu are armed with only a kris and barong (smaller than a kris), and about 40% have guns which they brought with them for protection.

The Filipinos have been holed up in Sabah, surrounded by a massive Malaysian police and military cordon, since landing by boat to insist the area belongs to their leader Jamalul Kiram III, a self-proclaimed sultan of Sulu.

"We want them to surrender immediately. If they don't, they will face drastic action," Hamza Taib, police chief of the Malaysian state of Sabah where the drama was taking place, told AFP.
He declined to provide details of what security forces had in store but his comments echoed growing Malaysian impatience with the situation.

Prime Minister Najib Razak, whose government has been embarrassed by the security breach, said in the shootout's aftermath that he told police and armed forces to take whatever action is necessary to end the impasse.

"Now there is no grace period for the group to leave," he was quoted as saying by Malaysian media, blaming the intruders for sparking the violence.

String of emissaries

Cabinet Secretary Jose Rene Almendras told members of the press that the Aquino administration has done everthing in its power to prevent any more bloodshed in Sabah.

Almendras clarified that the government had actually sent Presidential Adviser on Political Affairs Ronald Llamas and National Security Adviser Cesar Garcia as early as February 14 as emissaries to the Sultanate of Sulu.

After Llamas and Garcia, the government sent another set of emissaries composed of Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) OIC regional governor Mujiv Hataman who spoke Tausug and two other Muslim officials, General Quirol and an Assistant Secretary of Justice. Almendras said efforts were exerted to find a peaceful solution and prevent bloodshed. "The idea is every possible means was done, all options were done. There were military interactions, there were diplomatic interactions, there were political interactions at all levels."

Almendras said there had been constant communication and discussion between the Philippine government, the Sultanate of Sulu, and the Malaysian government after the incident on Friday.

Communication and discussions were done both in the Philippines and in Malaysia, especially after the incident that resulted in the loss of lives. Almendras said the official statement of the Malaysian government only indicated they did not provoke the incident.

Different versions

He however declined to disclose any more information on these discussions since there were two versions of the incident on Friday -- that of the Malaysian government's and the Sultanate of Sulu's -- that the government received.

On the pronouncement of the Sultanate of Sulu that they value honor over their life, Almendras said, "We are saddened, I am personally saddened by that statement. There are reports contrary to that. I will not claim authenticity to those either."

Lacierda debunked accusations that the President renounced the claim of the Sultanate of Sulu on Sabah. He stressed that the President had already tasked a group to study the claim.

"May nag-aaral po ng problema tungkol sa Sabah claim. Hindi nga ho namin maintindihan, sinasabi po nila, they’re accusing the President of renouncing the claim. That is inconsistent with the statement of the President when he said that, ‘I have tasked a group to study the claim.’" Lacierda said.

 

Prosecution

Muslim-majority Malaysia had previously avoided tough talk, expressing hope the intruders would leave peacefully.

But even if they give up, they will face Malaysian prosecution, Hamza said, after he met with Malaysia's home minister and other top security officials.

The interlopers, who have been variously estimated at between 100 to 300, sailed from their remote Philippine islands to press Kiram III's claim to Sabah.

Kiram, 74, claims to be the heir to the Islamic sultanate of Sulu, which once controlled parts of the southern Philippines and a portion of Borneo.

Hamza has said the shootout erupted when the armed Filipinos opened fire on police, who were attempting to tighten their security cordon. This was disputed by Kiram's group.

The Sulu sultanate's power faded about a century ago but it has continued to receive nominal payments from Malaysia for Sabah under a historical lease arrangement passed down from European colonial powers.

http://www.rappler.com/nation/22920-palace-to-kirams-surrender

Army Chief Lt. Gen. Noel Coballes vows to pursue transformation program

From the Philippine Information Agency (Mar 1): Army Chief Lt. Gen. Noel Coballes vows to pursue transformation program

Philippine Army chief Lt. Gen. Noel Coballes enjoins the officers and men of the 6th Infantry “Kampilan” Division (6th ID) to know and understand by heart the mission of the organization.

Gen. Coballes presided the 6th ID’is change of command ceremonies to incoming Kampilan Division commander Brig. Gen. Romero Gapuz from Maj. Gen. Caesar Ronnie Ordoyo.

Effective Feb. 28, Gapuz assumed the post of Kampilan Division commander vice Ordoyo who has been promoted to a new post as commander of the Southern Luzon Command (SOLCOM).

Prior to his assumption as 6th ID chief, Gapus was assistant deputy commander of the 4th Infantry Division

In his message, Gen. Coballes said the ceremony marks the traditional changing of the guards – reflective of the remarkable dynamism at the AFP duly institutionalized throughout the years of its existence, a character that made the organization strong and dependable to be able to confront the challenges that it may encounter.

“Today’s ceremonies signify the changing of the guards as a military tradition from one leader passing the torch to another equally competent leader,” Coballes said.

Coballes said, Ordoyo with his short stint as commander of the Kampilan Division has registered significant accomplishments – successful operations against armed threat groups, maintainance of peace, stable and safe environment in Mindanao just in time for the coming May elections, and most importantly, gaining the respect and administration of various stakeholders in the area.

As this developed Coballes vouched Gapuz’s competent, good leadership and vast experience as former assistant division commander of the 4th Infantry Division, confident he would surpass the challenges that lie ahead and ensures all out support to peace and development endeavors as the new commander of the Kampilan Division.

Coballes said he is determined to pursue the ongoing transformation program toward a disciplined and more motivated army, an endeavor to be able to fulfill the organization’s mandate, enjoining each and every member of the army to strive for excellence and professionalism in achieving their goals.

“All of us must know by heart our mission, our respective roles and accomplishments. It is important for us to be able to focus and understand the essence of urgency, doing our best to live with people’s expectations, ” Coballes said.

http://www.pia.gov.ph/news/index.php?article=1661362107083

No casualties in Sabah – DFA

From the Philippine News Agency (Mar 1): No casualties in Sabah – DFA

The Dept. of Foreign Affairs Friday denied reports there were Filipino casualties in a reported gunfight between the followers of a royal Muslim clan and Malaysian authorities in Sabah.

“We have talked to the Malaysian ambassador who confirmed there was firing in Lahad Datu this morning. He likewise said that there are no casualties and that the firing had stopped,” Foreign Affairs spokesman Raul Hernandez said in a television interview. Hernandez said the DFA is still verifying who fired the first shot.

Sultan of Sulu Rajah Mudah Agbimuddin Kiram sent the group, now locked in a tense standoff with Malaysian forces, on Feb. 9 to the resource-rich territory they claim as their own, creating a diplomatic crisis between Manila and Kuala Lumpur.

Malaysia regards the group as intruders. Sabah, located south of Mindanao, is territorially disputed by the Philippines and Malaysia.

A Philippine claim for sovereignty over Sabah has lain dormant for decades, but Malaysia continues to pay a yearly rent to the heirs of Sultan of Sulu, who claim to be the descendants of the original Filipino sultan who had control over the territory for centuries.

Earlier, the daughter of Sulu Sultan Jamalul Kiram III, Princess Jacel Kiram, said that Malaysian security forces have fired on their group. "We suffered 14 casualties, 10 dead and four wounded. Blood has flowed," she said.

The princess said this was despite at least two days of "formal and informal talks" for a peaceful settlement to the situation. The princess called on the Malaysian government to "clarify" if it is engaging in a dialogue or a unilateral course of action.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=&sid=&nid=&rid=502769

10 Filipino Sulu gunmen dead in Borneo gunfight: report

From the Philippine News Agency (Mar 1): 10 Filipino Sulu gunmen dead in Borneo gunfight: report

Filipino gunmen were killed and law enforcers injured as gunshots were fired in a standoff between a Filipino rebel group and Malaysian authorities on Friday in a village in Malaysia's Sabah state, Malaysian media reported.

At least 10 rebel gunmen were killed and four others injured, according to the Star, while three Malaysian forces were injured in the gunfight. Villagers said they saw bodies being taken out of the village as they continued to hear gunshots.

Home affairs minister Hishammuddin Hussein said in his twitter that the rebel gunmen had fired shots at the Malaysian security forces at 10 a.m. Friday morning, which may have triggered the gunfight. But he denied reports of casualties and said the negotiations would continue. A press conference by the Malaysian authorities is scheduled to be held at 4 p.m. Friday.

Malaysian security forces were said to have advanced into Tanduo village, where the rebel group was holed up in an enforced blockade after the rebel group failed to heed an ultimatum set by both the Filipino and Malaysian authorities to leave.

The rebels were reported to have fired shots in the air to warn off the Malaysian security forces a day earlier. Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak remarked at a press conference on Friday that "the group must realize that what they are doing is a serious offense."

The Malaysian government has set last Sunday a deadline for the rebel group to leave the country while the Filipino government extended it to Tuesday. Malaysian authorities have been in a standoff since February 9 with a group of about 180 Filipinos who invaded parts of Sabah's eastern Lahad Datu to reclaim the area as their ancestral territory.

Some 30 people among the group were said to be armed. Rounds of negotiation by officials from both Malaysia and the Philippines went futile as the rebel group insisted they will never surrender, rejecting calls by Philippine President Benigno Aquino III to leave Sabah peacefully.

The intruders were followers of Philippine sultan based in restive southern Philippines, Jamalul Kiram, who insisted Sabah is his home and that his Sulu sultanate once controlled parts of Borneo.

The Malaysian government had kept mum about the negotiation process, citing concerns that sensationalization on the case would jeopardize the group's deportation.

Raja Muda Agbimuddin Kiram, Jamalul's brother who led the " royal army" in Sabah, told Filipino radio dzBB in an interview on Friday that his group was being shot at and there have been casualties. The Malaysian forces were said to have come as close as 300 meters to where the group was holed up.

The Philippines has last Sunday sent a humanitarian ship with Filipino-Muslim leaders, social workers and medical personnel onboard to Sabah in an attempt to ferry back the women and other civilians among the rebel group.

Analysts have said the group had resorted to invading Sabah after they felt being left out in a landmark peace deal between the Philippine government and Muslim separatist group Moro Islamic Liberation Front, which was brokered by Malaysia.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=&sid=&nid=&rid=502794

Peace is at hand in Mindanao – Team PNoy

From the Philippine News Agency (Mar 1): Peace is at hand in Mindanao – Team PNoy

The administration coalition Team PNoy Friday welcomed the signing of the first of four annexes on the framework agreement between the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) on the Bangsamoro region.

Team PNoy spokesman Marikina Rep. Miro Quimbo said the signing is a testament to President Aquino’s resolve to end the armed conflict in Mindanao through negotiations. “We are glad that the peace talks are moving forward and peace is within reach,” Quimbo said.

Mindanao’s socio-economic development is an integral part of Team PNoy’s platform. The signing of the annex Thursday came after the 36thround of formal exploratory talks in Kuala Lumpur from Feb. 25-27.

In Team PNoy’s visit to Mindanao recently, Quimbo said the administration coalition emphasized the Bangsamoro peace process that is a pillar of President Aquino’s reform agenda. "The primary issue in Mindanao is the peace process. Mindanao is the only area in Asia where secessionist movement is still taking place,” he said. “We are at the threshold of genuinely ending it in a peaceful manner. But it is all anchored on the single message, that is, tuwid na daan."

Quimbo is upbeat that the President’s track record has gained the trust of Mindanao -- something that may not have been the case in 2010 -- and stressed that only the President could lead such a feat. He expressed confidence that Team PNoy candidates could reverse the trend in the midterm elections.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=&sid=&nid=&rid=502841

Malaysian PM confirms 2 commandos dead, 3 others injured in Borneo gunfight

From the Philippine News Agency (Mar 1): Malaysian PM confirms 2 commandos dead, 3 others injured in Borneo gunfight

Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak confirmed Friday that two Malaysian commandos were killed in a mortar attack while three others injured in a gunfight between security forces and a Filipino rebel group holed up in the Sabah state.

The rebel group first opened fire on the security force, Najib said, adding that 10 to 12 gunmen were killed. Najib said he was regret for the bloodshed, which his government had tried hard to avoid.

Meanwhile, full mandate has been given to Inspector-General of Police Ismail Omar and the Armed Forces Chief Zulkefli Mohd Zin to take necessary action.

Sabah police chief Hamza Taib told a press conference that all 12 gunmen ventured out of the village they occupied had been killed. Police said the bodies of the two killed commandos will be flied back to Kuala Lumpur before mid-night.

Earlier reports said Malaysian security forces had advanced into Tanduo village on Friday morning after the rebel group fired at police and refused to heed an ultimatum set by both the Filipino and Malaysian authorities to leave. The Malaysian government has set last Sunday a deadline for the rebel group to leave Malaysia but the Filipino government extended it to Tuesday.

Malaysian authorities have been in a standoff since Feb. 9 with a group of about 180 armed Filipinos who invaded Tanduo village in Sabah's eastern Lahad Datu to reclaim the area as their ancestral territory. Dozens of families living in the village were said to have been displaced following the Sulu rebels' occupation.

Rounds of negotiations by officials from both Malaysia and the Philippines with the rebel group failed as the rebel group insisted they would never surrender. The intruders were followers of Philippine sultan based in restive southern Philippines, Jamalul Kiram, who insisted Sabah was his home and that his Sulu sultanate once controlled parts of Borneo.

Analysts said the group had resorted to invading Sabah after they felt being left out in a landmark peace deal between the Filipino government and Muslim separatist group the Moro Islamic Liberation Front that was brokered by Malaysia.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=&sid=&nid=&rid=502870

MILF: MILF, GPH Peace Panels move forward on FAB Annexes

From the MILF Website (Feb 28): MILF, GPH Peace Panels move forward on FAB Annexes



The 36th round of Formal Exploratory Talks between the negotiating panels of government and the MILF in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on February 25-27 2013 opened with mixed feelings of uncertainty and a brush of hope as the Parties sought to continue to doggedly work on resolving the remaining contentious issues in the Annexes to the Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro (FAB).

 The unresolved contentious issues remained as stumbling blocks to the completion of the Annexes on Power Sharing, Wealth-Sharing, and Normalization. However, they succeeded to formally sign the Modalities and Transitional Arrangements of the FAB. Once the four Annexes have been completed, they become an integral part of the FAB that will now officially be the Compact Peace Agreement. The latter will guide the Transition Commission (TC) in the crafting of the Bangsamoro Basic Law, which, after it has gone through ratification through a plebiscite and Congressional approval, will launch the Transition Authority (TA) and eventually establish the regular Bangsamoro Government set for 2016.

The Panels focused on the unresolved issues in the four Annexes and the drafting of the Terms of Reference (TOR) for the Independent Commission for Policing. Towards the end of the gruelling negotiations characterized by hard bargaining and oftentimes uncompromising stances taken by both sides, the Annex on Modalities and Transitional Arrangements was completed and was finally signed on the third and final day of the negotiations. It should be recalled that acrimonious disagreements by the panels on the details of this Annex caused the technical impasse in the talks last December 2012. It took the Malaysian facilitator’s skilful diplomatic efforts to reconcile the differences between the panels.

On the other Annexes – Power-Sharing, Wealth Sharing and Normalization – the unresolved issues have been substantially narrowed down as the Technical Working Groups (TWGs) of the panels pursued their hair-splitting tasks to arrive at consensus. The process is such that those contentious issues which have not been resolved at the TWG level are raised to the panel level for further discussions; and when the panels still fail to reach a consensus or when decision at the higher level becomes imperative, these issues are elevated to their respective principals for final disposition. This is the case with the Annex on Wealth-Sharing in the 36th Round which reached completion and consensus both at the TWG and panel levels but had to be elevated to the respective principals of the negotiating parties.

With the final signing of the Annex on Modalities and Transitional Arrangements and the agreements on unresolved issues on Wealth Sharing, the MILF and GPH negotiating panels are very optimistic that the remaining issues in the Power-Sharing and Normalization Annexes will be completed in the next session of the talks before the end of March 2013.

Prof. Abhoud Syed M. Lingga, a member of the MILF Panel, when asked about this said: “We are keeping our fingers crossed that in the next session, all the Annexes shall have been completed.”
Another member of the MILF Panel, Maulana Alonto, who has just been named a member of the Transition Commission as with seven other MILF nominees, voiced the same opinion: “Despite variances in our positions on the remaining issues in the Annexes, we are quite confident that these can be reconciled. There is a long-established process or mechanism in the peace negotiations that invariably allows the resolution of conflicting positions. That’s why the peace negotiation not only survived but moved forward, although slowly, this past 15 years.”

Abdulla Camlian, another member of the MILF Panel and himself also now a member of the Transition Commission, echoed what Lingga and Alonto expressed. “I believe that with the big progress we’ve made in this latest negotiation here in Kuala Lumpur, we can complete everything by the end of March,” says Camlian.

When sought for his comments, Datu Antonio Kinoc, a member of the MILF Panel representing the Indigenous Peoples, had this to say: “I share the optimism of our chair and my other colleagues in the panel. We have made tremendous strides in our effort to complete all the Annexes in this session. There’s no reason why we cannot finish everything next month.”

On another note, the GPH and MILF PANEL expressed their profound thanks and gratitude to Mr. David Gorman, country representative of the Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue (CHD) for his contribution to the peace process as one of the earliest persons deeply involved International Contact Group (ICG). He will be relocating to Cyprus as managing director for EURASIA of the CHD.

http://www.luwaran.com/home/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=3123:-milf-gph-peace-panels-move-forward-on-fab-annexes&catid=31:general&Itemid=41

MILF: MILF peace panel invited to Manila Rotary International on Fab

From the MILF Website (Mar 1): MILF peace panel invited to Manila Rotary International on Fab



Members of the MILF peace panel led by Mohagher Iqbal are invited to the District Convention of the Rotary International District 3800 at the SMX Convention Center at the Asia Mall, Pasay City on March 2. The invitation letter was signed by Floro R. Francisco, Past President, Rotary Club of Manpasan, who stressed the need for the presence of the MILF negotiators in the forum, saying that it would be interesting for our members who come from the towns andcities that formerly constitute the old Province of Rizal as well aswhat is left of it after Metro Manila was constituted as a RegionalDistrict.

Originally, this group consisted of 89 Rotary Clubs from the cities of Malabon, Navotas, Caloocan, Valenzuela, Marikina, Pasig, San Juan and Mandaluyong and the cities/towns in Rizal.

Specifically, the letter spoke for the need to understand by their group the whole agenda of the Peace Process and the Road Map to be followed by the parties in implementing the FAB.

He said he expect that the MILF would make a presentation on the Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro (FAB) so that their members would be able to understand what the FAB is all about.

The letter was facilitated by Lawyer Mary Ann Arnado, who is the secretary general of the Mindanao People’s Caucus (MPC).

MPC is a member of the Civilian Protection Component (CPC) of the International Monitoring Team (IMT).
http://www.luwaran.com/home/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=3124:milf-peace-panel-invited-to-manila-rotary-international-on-fab&catid=31:general&Itemid=41