Palace: Up to Malaysian authorities to deal with Kiram followers who surrender

March 3, 2013 3:12pm


It will be up to Malaysian authorities to deal with supporters of Sulu Sultan Jamalul Kiram III who figured in Friday’s deadly clash in Sabah should they surrender, Malacañang said Sunday.

Deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte admitted this Sunday even as she maintained surrender is the best chance of the armed Filipinos for survival at this time.

“That is up to the Malaysian authorities. It is not a secret sila ang may control sa situation doon ngayon," Valte said on government-run dzRB radio, when asked if they will be arrested by Malaysian authorities if they surrender.

Malaysia had adopted an all-out stance against the followers of Kiram after Friday’s incident that left at least “10 to 12” Filipinos and two Malaysian commandos dead.

On Saturday, President Benigno Aquino III called on the Kiram followers to surrender without conditions but Kiram’s camp rejected the call and chose “honor over life.”

But Valte also lamented Kiram’s camp had so far rejected the Palace’s efforts to talk to them, dismissing its officials as “people (who) are only claiming to represent the president.”

On the other hand, she said the Philippine government already appealed to Malaysian authorities for time for the Kiram followers to withdraw, and Malaysia had accommodated these requests.

“Walang positive action sa kanilang side on that appeal (There was no positive action from the Kirams’ camp on that appeal),” she said.

For now, she said the Philippine government still has a pending request to Malaysia to allow Filipinos to get to the area in Sabah to treat the wounded.

Meanwhile, Valte declined to comment on reports that the Kirams’ camp will seek United States intervention.

Muslim leaders don’t approve of Kiram action


Valte also said many Muslim leaders did not approve of the action of Kiram’s followers in Sabah.

“Many Muslim leaders had already said ang paraan hindi dapat ganito. Habang meron kayong kini-claim dapat hindi idaan sa ganito," she said.

“Huwag natin idamay ang kapatid na Muslim na gusto ng kapayapaan, huwag idamay ang buong bansa (Let’s not drag our Muslim brethren or the nation into this),” she added. — LBG, GMA News