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Why Sultan Jamalul Kiram III declared a unilateral ceasefire at noon today

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By Raïssa Robles

At high noon today, Sultan Jamalul Kiram III declared a “unilateral ceasefire”.

This was after learning that he had caught the attention of no less than the United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon.

I believe Kiram’s main objective was to internationalize the claim to Sabah.

Earlier, Kiram’s wife, Celia, had said over radio station DZMM that Kiram had written to the  UN about  Sabah, which she described as “not the Kiram property alone [but] the patrimony of the Filipino people… of the Tausug people and of the whole Sultanate of Sulu.”

And Kiram had repeatedly called on the UN to intervene.

The UN chief, through his spokesman issued the following statement today:

6 March 2013 – Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today urged an end to violence and encouraged dialogue among all parties to peacefully resolve the situation in Sabah, Malaysia.

According to media reports, Malaysian troops are searching houses and terrain for armed members of a Filipino clan embroiled in a three-week conflict in Sabah on Borneo island. Related violence has reportedly left eight members of the Malaysian security forces and 19 clan members dead.

“The Secretary-General is closely following the situation in Sabah,” said a statement issued by his spokesperson. “He urges an end to the violence and encourages dialogue among all the parties for a peaceful resolution of the situation.”

Mr. Ban also expressed concern about the impact this situation may have on the civilian population, including migrants in the region.

“He urges all parties to facilitate delivery of humanitarian assistance and act in full respect of international human rights norms and standards,” said the statement.

You can view the UN statement here.

Of course nothing in the UN statement indicates that it recognizes the Sultanate of Sulu as an entity or Kiram as its  legitimate head.

However, this was also how the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) slowly gained status from being a mere break-away faction to a full-fledged legitimate organization recognized by international organizations.

The question now is – will the Sultan’s “royal army” in Sabah heed the ceasefire?

What will the Malaysian government do? How will the ruling party UMNO play this politically?

Will the Sabah issue be returned to the back burner once more?

Will all the competing branches of the Kiram family finally unite and talk with the Philippine government so that both can negotiate as one with Malaysia?

Comments

  1. Sovereignty resides with the people living thereat…. Even if the KIRAMs stay together in one voice over Sabah it should be only proprietarily claims because the people on Sabah had already spoken 1. During the 1963 referendum and 2. By not supporting the picnic invasion lately…..

    Filipinos living on small islets at Sulu area might also join the proprietarily claim of the Sultan on Sabah ,,,,but ASK them what nationality do they want, to be a Malaysian or Filipinos? ….they will select Malaysian citizenship….kayong taga Manila at ibang lugar , tumira kayo kasi muna sa lugar nila so that you will see in your own eyes how they reject our government and on the other way around you will also see how they love to be ” sana under nalang tayo na Malaysia ,,, masagana narin sana ang buhay natin…..

    • They didn’t.

      That was no referendum.

      That was like Marcos’ 1973 referendum on the Constitution.

      • [email protected]

        The decision by Sabahans to form an independent state on August 31, 1963 was never questioned to my understanding. However, the alleged referendum on the desire of Sabahans to join with the Federation of Malaysia has been questioned. It appears that only a survey was done instead of a referendum or a plebiscite. In a survey only a SAMPLE of qualified members of the whole population is involved, while a referendum or plebiscite includes ALL qualified members of the whole population. The State of Sabah became a federated state of Malaysia on September 16, 1963 or 16 days after Sabah became an independent state.

        I think that Sabah, if the Sabahans desired, could peacefully separate from Malaysia like what happened to Singapore in 1965. But a lot of help from third parties such as UN, Philippines, etc. is necessary.

        • Even today if they will conduct a referendum for the Sabahan’s to select if what sovereign power are they going to choose , M or P…. Palagay ko it will be an absurdity if they go with the Philipppines, because even inside the Sulu Area if we conduct the same , majority of the inhabitants will select Malaysia ( granting Malysia is willing to to take them as one of their citizens ) .

          They have seen and live in Sabah especially the KIRAMs . They knew the robust economy of M so as the peace and order thereat compared to our’s P especially in the Sulu area , so that only those violators of our LAW’s and the Constitution will remain to be a Filipinos if given a chance to select honestly.

        • But cut my head , even the Sabahan’s nor the Malaysian’s wanted the Sulu Area part of their SOVEREIGNTY……… Only those big Filipino businessmen and elite’s , especially those hungry of power’s and the corrupt’s in our government are the one who wanted to keep the Sulu Area still within our Sovereignty , the Philippines………Here they can do everything about our LAW’s on their FAVOR but not in Malaysia or Sabah…

        • Being a Muslim must not be an exception to violate our Municipal LAW’s much more our Constitution . But history will tell and records also even when the Sulu Area submitted themselves to the sovereign power of Spain and USA , they were treated with special consideration and attention….WHY?

          The Kalingas, Ifugaos the Ilonggots and others was able to FLEW to the mainstream of our society , following the Rules of Law and our Constitution. They don’t keep their GUN’s on public nor used them to violate our Municipal LAW’s , and if ever they had violated, they submitted themselves to the Court of Law and most often they were convicted… WHY? For our Muslim brother’s they were untouchables ? Like Misuari….still we wanted them to be part of the sovereignty of the Philippines…….DOUBLE STANDARD ba tayo lahat sa PILIPINAS ….

      • [email protected]

        There was no referendum. It was because according to the mission report on September 14, 1963 of the UN Secretary General –

        “There was no reference to a referendum or plebiscite in the request which was addressed to me. ”

        – from the governments of Malaya, Indonesia and Philippines on August 5, 1963 to ascertain the wishes of the peoples of Sabah and Sarawak. Conclusions after conclusions were made the basis of the alleged Sabahans’ wish to join Malaysia in 1963.

        See pages 2 & 4 of Annex 3 of the link: http://www.icj-cij.org/docket/files/102/10809.pdf?PHPSESSID=5c19dbe8e80c861d3384398fb1043fca

        And Malaysia was federated on September 16, 1963 or two days after the mission report on September 14, 1963. Sabi ni Mareng Winnie eh LUTONG MAKAW.

        IMO Sabahans NOW would rather separate from Malaysia and form an independent state.

    • Shut up you f.cking chinese troll. Enough already with your bullsh.t. I’ve read all your posts, enough is enough.

  2. PULL QUOTE


    Sultanate heirs seek unity

    The Council of Royal Sharifs (assets protector), heirs, and descendants of the sultanate of Sulu called for a united stand to have one voice to reclaim Sabah.

    “What is needed now under the present situation is for all legitimate claimants of Sabah to be united because we would want them to stand as one and we wanted to have one voice so that the international community will not get confused as to who should be the lead claimant,” said Sulu Rep. Tupay Loong, a member of the royal sharifs.

    He said the sharifs have conducted consultations and initiated efforts to bring all claimants together to speak as one voice to force the Malaysians to return Sabah to the sultanate.

    The Council of Royal Sharif have gathered all the datus and heirs of the sultanate from Sulu, Basilan, Tawi-Tawi and Palawan that signed early this week a manifesto detailing its unified stand.

    READ the rest of the Philstar article at Palace urged to first meet with Sulu sultan before reclaiming Sabah By Mike Frialde (The Philippine Star) | Updated March 28, 2013 – 12:00am

  3. Are the 24 signatories of The Manifesto direct descendants of the Sultanate of Sulu? (see the complete list of heirs at baycas #89.3. [‘Justice C. F. C. Macaskie of the High Court of North Borneo designated the … heirs of the deceased Sultan].)

    Sulu sultanate gets backing of ‘Council of Datus,’ denies receiving funds from Sabah

    By: Abigail Kwok, InterAksyon com
    March 27, 2013 2:12 PM

    MANILA, Philippines — (UPDATE – 4:22 p.m.) Heirs of the royal families of the sultanate of Sulu and North Boreneo and traditional leaders of Basilan, Tawi-Tawi, Palawan and the Zamboanga Peninsula have united to uphold their claim to Sabah and support Sultan Jamalul Kiram III, whose followers have been battling Malaysian security forces in the territory.

    At the same time, the Council of Datus, in a manifesto, also called for a “humanitarian ceasefire” in Sabah and the creation of a “Peace and Conciliation Commission” composed of Malaysia, the Philippines and the sultanate, and under the supervision of the United Nations, to negotiate a peaceful resolution of the claim to the claim to the territory.

    Meanwhile, the sultanate denied claims by Malaysian authorities that it has been receiving funds from residents of Sabah.

    Even as they upheld the legitimacy of the claim to Sabah, the signatories to the manifesto also stressed that “posturing, threats and armed actions, no matter how righteous,” were unacceptable and urged that “a humanitarian ceasefire should be declared immediately.”

    (View the manifesto here)

    The manifesto, signed during a meeting in Zamboanga City on March 13, was addressed to President Benigno Aquino III, Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak, Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao Governor Mujiv Hataman and Sultan Kiram.

    The signatories are:

    1. Datu Amorsolo Narrasid
    2. Datu Adzfar Julkarnain
    3. Dayang Dayang Putli Shalimar Ismael
    4. Datu Beukisar Julkarnain
    5. Datu Amman Halun
    6. Ferdi Aida Rabulan
    7. Javier Rasul III
    8. Mona Alia Ussam
    9. Jainal Abirin Tanedo
    10. Liddy Darlene Tanedo
    11. Inish Rija Gallebo
    12. Arliza Ussam
    13. Ustadz Almadih Baginda
    14. Datu Mulok Julkarnain
    15. Hajji Abdulgafur Rabulan
    16. Datu Tapia Julkarnain
    17. Dayang Dayang Putli Kumalla Elardo
    18. Miriam Gallebo
    19. Marvin Lorenzo
    20. Javier Juanito Tanedo Jr.
    21. Forzhia Tanedo
    22. Lanie Salamat Tanedo
    23. Muss J.R. Gallebo
    24. Hajji Khan Mariaw

    “We appeal to His Excellence, Secretary General Ban Ki-moon of the United Nations to immediately intervene for the cessation of hostilities and atrocities committed against innocent civilians mostly Muslims in the Sabah standoff,” the manifesto said, adding that the UN chief provide “safe zones” and “proper measures in resolving the crisis in Lahad Datu, Semporna and nearby villages, whereby the human rights of the Muslim civilians should be respected and protected.”

    The signatories also addressed copies of the manifesto to the United States, Great Britain, China, Indonesia, Brunei, Saudi Arabia, and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation.

    READ the rest of the news article at http://www.interaksyon.com/article/58114/sulu-sultanate-gets-backing-of-council-of-datus-denies-receiving-funds-from-sabah

  4. GOOD AM Raïssa.

    After submitting the Comment, nothing, wala. Not even ‘Duplicate….’ message or ‘Error establishing a…’ messages.

    —

    Oops, nakapasok dito etong out of place na comment (#101). Paki delete na lang please. Salamat.

    Inggat.

    • feedback.

      LOL!

      etong comment (#102), intended as a reply sa comment (#101). mayruong bug or error.

      paki delete na lang uli etong comments #101,102. Salamat uli.

  5. I can not post or submit this comment below at ‘I need your advice, guys’ and at ‘It’s not getting better’.

    So I am posting my comment here.

    —

    Raïssa

    DOJ Secretary De Lima has just submitted the legal brief on the Sabah claim to Pres. Aquino.

    The Malaysian PM has just announced to move residents from invasion zone, and setup (created) an Eastern Sabah Safety Zone , plus Pres. Aquino asked for the postponement of the GPH-MILF Peace Talks to April.

    You may have to publish online your ‘exclusives on Sabah’, suggestion only.

  6. De Lima submits legal brief on Sabah claim to Aquino

    By Christine O. Avendaño
    Philippine Daily Inquirer
    9:02 pm | Monday, March 25th, 2013

    MANILA, Philippines—Justice Secretary Leila de Lima said on Monday she had firmed up a government position on the Philippine claim to Sabah and had submitted it to President Aquino.

    De Lima declined to elaborate on the Department of Justice study made on orders of the President.

    “It’s a confidential study and I need to get clearance from the President if that can be shared to the public,” De Lima told reporters. She said the study was sent to the Palace last Friday.

    President Aquino ordered De Lima, Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa Jr. and the Presidential Communications Development and Strategic Planning Office to study the legal and historical aspects of the Sabah claim following the incursion into the area of the sultan of Sulu’s armed followers.

    “It remains the prerogative of the President whether to consider or not such study, or to adopt the same, if at all,” De Lima said.

    “The main questions [were]: Is the claim strong or not and should it be pursued before an appropriate tribunal, and what are the options in light of the current situation?” she said.

    De Lima also said she had received a report on the results of the joint investigation conducted by the Philippine National Police, National Bureau of Investigation and Criminal Investigative and Detection Group on the circumstances surrounding the sending of Sultan Jamalul Kiram III’s followers to Sabah, including their possible financiers.

    She declined to give details “until we file cases on certain personalities who may be found involved.”

    SOURCE: http://globalnation.inquirer.net/70245/de-lima-submits-legal-brief-on-sabah-claim-to-aquino

    Will PNoy announce OPENLY the Study Group’s (DOJ, DFA) findings?

  8. Aquino resets talks with MILF to April

    By TJ Burgonio
    Philippine Daily Inquirer
    7:00 pm | Monday, March 25th, 2013

    MANILA, Philippines—President Aquino ordered the postponement of talks with Moro rebels until next month even as he claimed that the talks were on track despite the Sabah crisis.

    On the President’s request, the 37th round of formal exploratory talks between the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front was reset from March 25 (Monday) to April, Secretary Teresita Deles said.

    Government peace panel chairperson Miriam Coronel-Ferrer was in Kuala Lumpur, as of Monday “to personally convey the request and to set with their counterparts the new date for the talks,” Deles said in a statement released by Malacañang.

    “As the President said today, it is important to finish all the annexes, which requires reaching a meeting of the minds on these annexes. This will, in turn, help in the process of crafting a new organic act so that the final outcome will be legislation all stakeholders agree to, and rally behind,’’ she said.

    Earlier in the day, the President acknowledged that both the government and the MILF must “come to an understanding on these annexes.”

    “So that the crafting of the new organic act will be something that all stakeholders can agree to and rally behind to,” he told reporters in an interview in Pasay City.

    In past speeches, the President predicted the forging of a comprehensive peace agreement by the end of March. Coronel-Ferrer said the agreement would be signed in April.

    The three-day talks, supposed to be the last, would tackle the remaining annexes of power-sharing, wealth-sharing and normalization, following the signing of the annex on transitional arrangements and modalities last month.

    The Oct. 15, 2012 framework agreement on Bangsamoro, plus the annexes, would comprise the comprehensive agreement.

    Mr. Aquino also said Monday that both parties have remained committed to finalizing the annexes despite the crisis triggered by the incursion of Agbimuddin Kiram and armed followers into Lahad Datu town in Sabah on February 12.

    “The Sabah issue should not affect the ongoing talks with the MILF,” he said.

    The crisis revived the claim by the heirs of the Sultanate of Sulu to Sabah, a state administered by Malaysia, which has played host to talks between the Philippine government and the Moro rebel group. Justice Secretary Leila de Lima was set to submit her study of the Sabah claim to the President.

    Meanwhile, Deles said the first en banc meeting of the 15-member Transition Commission, which would craft the Bangsamoro basic law that would be submitted to Congress, has been set for the first week of April.

    Coronel-Ferrer would discuss with her MILF counterpart the preparations for the Transition Commission, Deles said.

    Source: http://globalnation.inquirer.net/70227/aquino-resets-talks-with-milf-to-april

  9. At No. 62.1…

    Rene-Ipil says:
    March 14, 2013 at 1:41 pm

    @62

    IMO Baron de Overbeck knew fully well that the Sultan of Brunei had sovereignty over Sabah at the time. He knew also about the claim over Sabah by the Sultan of Sulu. And it was entirely possible that people from the Sultanate of Sulu were already occupying portions of Sabah then. So that Baron de Overbeck had to buy peace from the Sultan of Sulu but for a much lower consideration than that paid to the Sultan of Brunei.

    @Rene-Ipil,

    Ayon kay Ada Pryer, hindi pala bayad ng mga Kano ang naunang kontrata. Binayaran lang ni Overbeck ang kabuuan (ang naunang kontrata at ang extension) noong napasakamay na niya ang December 19, 1877 Deed. Kaya mahal ang bayad sa Sultan of Brunei.

    May istorya dito…

    http://raissarobles.com/2013/03/24/i-need-your-advice-guys/#comment-102762

    • Baycas@97

      According to Ada Pryer, as apparently told her by husband William, there was a more compelling reason why the Sultan of Sulu granted to Baron de Overbeck the concession area in Sabah. Please see my post @10 on “Ways to monetize confessions” in connection with your, and others’, comments thereat about Sabah.

  10. Civil society to Malaysia: Be consistent as a peace broker, end violence in Sabah crisis

    By: InterAksyon com
    March 24, 2013 1:07 PM

    MANILA, Philippines – Civil society groups are asking Malaysia to be consistent with its role as peace broker between the Government of the Philippines (GPH) and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), and sit down in a dialogue on the Sabah crisis and end the violence there.

    In a press conference Friday, the Mindanao Peaceweakers (MPW), a coalition of human rights and peace advocates from three regions said, said that while it believes that the GPH-MILF peace talks will not be derailed by the territorial dispute, the stakeholders must recognize the need to resolve the Sabah crisis.

    “Indeed we cannot totally insulate the GPH-MILF peace talks from issues that have implications on the ties between the Philippines and Malaysia who is the facilitator of the process,” MPW said.

    “Thus MPW believes that Malaysia must reiterate their commitment to peace by ending the violence in Sabah. Malaysia should enter into dialogue among parties involved to peacefully resolve the dispute the same way that it has sought to do with the GPH and the MILF,” it added.

    Gus Miclat, executive director of the Mindanao-based Initiatives for International Dialogue (IID), which is a secretariat of the MPW, also called on both the GPH and MILF to release a joint statement on the Sabah issue the soonest – not only to assure that the peace talks is moving, but also affirm “that the power of dialogue will deliver the promise of humanity in the districts of Sabah and Tawi-Tawi, Sulu.”

    To the GPH, MPW asked that it pursue the peace process resolutely while protecting the legitimate and human rights of its citizens affected by the violence in Sabah and addressing the needs of the refugees in Tawi-Tawi and Sulu.

    To the Sultan of Sulu, MPW also appeals to the Sultan of Sulu and his followers to maintain their earlier declaration of a unilateral ceasefire and exert all means to resolve the issue peacefully and honorably.

    “We urge them to be mindful of provocateurs that may use their legitimate concerns with other selfish agenda. The Sultanate has made their point,” Miclat said.

    To the parties involved in the Sabah conflict – the governments of Malaysia and the Philippines and the Sultanate of Sulu, the coalition asked them to implement a “humanitarian ceasefire” in the conflict-affected districts in Sabah and issued this 10-point call to the stakeholders:

    1. CEASE & DESIST MILITARY ACTION & ATTACKS of Malaysian police and army, as well as the followers of Sultan Kiram III by declaring a bilateral ceasefire and cessation of hostilities until the humanitarian crisis is fully addressed.

    2. A PUBLIC CALL FOR HUMANITARIAN ACTION to adequately address the humanitarian crisis in Lahad Datu, Sabah and Tawi-Tawi, Sulu.

    3. ADDRESS the forced evacuation and deportation of Filipinos and provide immediate consular assistance.

    4. ALLOW & PROVIDE SAFFE PASSAGE of independent local and international humanitarian groups to help conduct humanitarian action and monitor the situation;

    5. NEGOTIATE a consensus on the mechanics of “disengagement” of all armed actors in the conflict areas;

    6. URGE for the governments and the followers of Sultan Kiram III to discuss key issues on the table and exhaust dialogical means in conflict resolution.

    7. AGREE & IDENTIFY an external dialogue facilitator (specifically from among the ASEAN member-states) in bridging the process.

    8. DENOUNCE the reported increasing human rights violations caused by the Operation Daulat of the Malaysian Government in their mopping up operation against Kiram’s followers;

    9. DECRY the reckless abuse in rounding up Filipinos in Sabah whether documented or undocumented immigrants under the aegis of the Security Offence (Special Measures) Act 2012 (SOSMA) as reinforced by Operation Daulat;

    10. ENCOURAGE independent and civil society-led fact-finding missions to study and investigate on the status of the human rights situation in the districts of Sabah.

    MPW convenors include: Agong Peace Network (Agong), Bisayang Dako Alang saKalinaw (Bisdak), Consortium of Bangsamoro Civil Society (CBCS), Interreligious Solidarity Movement for Peace (IRSMP), Mindanao Peace Advocates Conference (MPAC) – Lawig Kalinaw, Mindanao Peoples Peace Movement (MPPM), Mindanao Peoples Caucus (MPC), and Mindanao Solidarity Network (MSN).

    SOURCE: http://www.interaksyon.com/article/57824/civil-society-to-malaysia-be-consistent-as-a-peace-broker-end-violence-in-sabah-crisis

    • @MUMBAKI answer to your comment # 95….

      Don’t be a WIMP ,,,,do you think the oppositions ( UNA ) have nothing to do with the Sabah incident ? Use your level 10 brain @mumbaki,,, if only we, the large majority of the Filipinos confirms the Sabah intrusions, all the UNAs candidate ay NAGDIDIWANG na at LUMABAS na sa mga LUNGGA nila and posted all your papers na TAMA sila at mali si PNOY sa pagiging silensyo nya sa pagsolvar dyan sa problema nila …. KASO we CONDEMNED ….so even Jacky ENRILE was riding on PNOYS decision in order for him to stay at the magic 12 of the Senate…. TELL ME KUNG MAY LUMABAS na UNA candidate who attacked PNOYs action on Sabah? Diba si Magsaysay lang na fake dahil like you she is also a WIMP of level 3 brain…

      Pero @mumbaki …..mag SPY ka karamihan sa mga maka UNA at mayayamang taga UNA are SECRETELY morally supporting KIRAMs causes if not FINANCIALLY….

      Intindihin mo ang binabasa mo sa HISTORY about Sabah and correlate with the FACTs para alam mo ang sinasabi mo .@mumbaki

      • @mumbaki ,, just answer all my comments here , and i am going to play majong herein TayTay , Palawan ( mandarin style ) for awhile…Read and understand your history correlate it with the Bible before posting your comments here…. If ever , don’t ever lie about Worl war 2 to support your Sabah claims he he…. I read the TWO books of the RISE and FALL of the THIRD REICH,…for one month kasi mahina akong magbasa ng ENGLISH pero,naintindihan kung maige…and also the Bible don’t lie also , cause I have with me, which I draw it , the Family tree from NOAH down under and it never reach the AETAs in the Philipppines nor the Incas of South America… He he. BYE @mumbaki…. Baka Kay BINAY ka kakampi ay wag kang magpapaniwala dyan. Unanong maitim iyan at magnanakaw din kagaya ni GLORYA mo. He he.

  11. If the Sabah incursion got support from Aquino’s political foes, then the President is doing precisely what they want him to do, namely ignore Kiram, kowtow to Malaysian will, and alienate a large chunk of the voting populace who support the claim on Sabah. Team P’noy will surely suffer UNLESS Aquino does a turnaround and expresses full support to Kiram, grows balls against Malaysia, and calls in the international community for a legal resolution on the matter.

    Take your pick. Our rights over Sabah and the senatorial (and presidential) elections OR electoral loss and continued amity with the Malaysians under the boiling anger of our Tausug brothers and the rest of the country who believe in our right over Sabah.

    • More Filipino electorate will vote for UNA candidates if we pursue the sovereignty issue and go to WAR with Malaysia over Sabah….PNOY was on the right track by prosecuting/investigating the CRAZY groups who went to a picnic invasion thereat because even on papers NATUTUWA pa ang anak ni KIRAM by telling ” nagpunta Lang daw sila sa Sabah para mag picnic ….he he so CRAZY …and TINGTING COJUANCO telling on papers , kaya raw tumakbong pagka SENADOR dahil Hindi daw sya bigyan ng trabaho ni PNOY…sour grapes diba kaya , she and the COPA’s are really the instigators and could be the financiers of the incursion to Sabah.

      If you read the letter of KIRAM to PNOY….nanghihingi sya ng pwesto sa administrassyon ni PNOY to work for his Government so that he can help daw the Mindanao problems and the Sulu areas…..he he … Nagpapansin ,,, reasons ba ng matinung leader ito, bakit hindi sya tumakbong Governador o Konsehal para makatulung sa kanyang LUGAR… At tingnan natin Kung gusto sya ng mga taga roon… NANAKOT sya na pag hindi sya kinuha ni PNOY ay manggugulo sila, sila kasama ng COPA at Misuaris group at mga tahimik na UNA bigwigs… At ito na nga ang nangyari….

      HINDI na MANGMANG ang Filipino @Mumbaki …para masulsulan ng ganitong SCHEMEs and then go with the KIRAMs to a war with Malaysia….PAKANA nila lahat Ito……wag kang mag alala …..ayaw din naming manalo si VILLAR at si BINAY sa pagka senador….LAMPASO ang UNA sa May ,,,,because PNOY stands with the MAJORITY or BIG MAJORITY of the Filipino people…. He really took his oath and owe allegiance to the Filipino people. Tayo ang BOSS ni PNOY….. Don’t be a WIMP @Mumbaki….kahit grade one student hindi conforme sa PANANAW mo …..tanungin mo ang APO mo dyan sa iNYO? He he

      • Correction please: More Filipinos will NOT VOTE for UNAs candidate if we go to war with Malaysia and pursue sovereignty issue over Sabah…. Will NOT VOTE for UNAs candidates…

      • Oh, have you read Kiram’s letter to P’noy? Can you please enlighten us on its contents? Perhaps if Malacanang paid more attention to it and did not simply lose it, the incursion would not have occurred.

        • O yes @mumbaki,… All were KABULASTUGAN ni Kiram . Oh come on…the fact that the PNOY Government were not interested in hiring the services of KIRAM kaya NAGWALA sya sa SOLSOL nina COPA at MISUARI….it was all an SCHEME from the start at ang AKALA nila BABABA ang performance rating ni PNOY ay HINDI naman at ang mga TAO sa atin , NAGALIT pa sa ginawa nilang paglusub sa Sabah ,kaya ngayon tuloy the UNAs candidates both local and national can not ride on the PICNIC EVENTs turned patayan sa mga KAMPON nila, otherwise lalo silang LULUBUG sa election ng MAYO…

          WIMP sa tingin KO sa lahat ng FILIPINO na sumang ayon sa Paglusub nila sa Sabah at nagpipilit that we have DOOMINION and SOVEREIGNTY over Sabah…

        • I think you are just bluffing Mr. Victin Luz. You show no proof of having read that letter. Nobody even speaks about it not even the President. Go fool someone else. Better yet, fool someone in your own Kuala Lumpur neighborhood. Judging from your English and Filipino, you are from from being a native Filipino.

        • I pity you @mumbaki ,…you read a lot books and papers about Sabah and the KIRAMs but because of your misunderstanding of all the FACTs that you were reading in comparison to the whole picture in the latest Sabah incident it REDUCES yourself to an ordinary and low class writer/journalist . And that makes you a WIMP and of leve 3 brain. You may ask me WHY?

          How did you arrived asking to choice between our Sabah’s right and the presidential election VS electoral losses then? And who are those TAUSUGs you were telling us ANGRY ? You are the ONE BLUFFING @mumbaki….. How can you say that ,, when here in Palawan i am surrounded by TAUSUGs neighbors and all were angry of the KIRAMs and MISUARI? I am challenging you to come and see us in Palawan to proved that i am not telling a lie and it was your wrong assessment on the whole situation that were all LIES…

          MAGALING ka ngang magsulat ng ENLISH , hindi mo naman naitindiahan Kung gaano kalalim ang SINASABI mo@mumbaki , sino sa atin ang BLUFFER ngayon?

        • A glimpse on the “lost letter?” of Kiram to President “elect” Aquino.

          “Agbimuddin wanted Aquino to articulate two points for the clan: The special power of attorney given by the sultanate of Sulu and North Borneo to the Philippine government was revoked in August 1989 for lack of political will to push forward the claim by previous administrations from the time of then President Diosdado Macapagal, and the ISRRC had been legally established instead, taking over all actions pertinent to the Sabah claim.

          Agbimuddin was appointed chairman of the ISRRC by his elder brother, the sultan, in June 2010.”
          “http://borneoinsider.com/2013/03/01/what-was-inside-kirams-lost-letter-to-aquino/”

        • “Specifically, Agbimuddin in the letter asked for guidance from the new President on what course of action the ISRRC should take, especially involving the Sabah claim.

          “With highest esteem, may we inform His Excellency that during the consultation process, we asked our supporters what action, under the guiding light of your administration, the ISRRC of the sultanate of Sulu and North Borneo would take or adopt anent the Sabah issue, which became the national contract between the government of the Philippines and the sultanate of Sulu and North Borneo pursuant to the filing of such claim in the United Nations against Great Britain and Malaysia in 1962,” Agbimuddin said.

          Anticipating Aquino’s participation in international forums such as the annual Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) leaders’ summit, Agbimuddin stated his clan’s position on the Sabah claim to guide the President in discussions on the issue in meetings with representatives of Malaysia.

          International forums

          Agbimuddin wanted Aquino to articulate two points for the clan: The special power of attorney given by the sultanate of Sulu and North Borneo to the Philippine government was revoked in August 1989 for lack of political will to push forward the claim by previous administrations from the time of then President Diosdado Macapagal, and the ISRRC had been legally established instead, taking over all actions pertinent to the Sabah claim.”

          Valid messages which, if paid proper attention by Malacanang, would have averted the Sabah incursion. I don’t solely blame the Sultan for his foolhardy, if not desperate act. Part of it lies on the President yet he appears to have washed his hands clean on the matter.

        • The most logical reason why we cannot blame the President with regards to the lost letter and the actions of Kirams.
          “The letter was dated June 28, 2010, two days before Aquino took his oath as President. Technically, then, he was not yet officially the sitting President.

          The letter was coursed through the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (Opapp) but since Secretary Teresita Deles had not yet assumed office at the time, another officer there received the letter and it was this officer who decided it was “not urgent.”

          If only the “heirs” of the Sultanate of Sulu is acting as one and united, guns are not needed to pursue their claim. They have been divided ever since. The father of Agbimuddin and Jamalul who is the crown prince at that time,stayed in Sabah for a long time. He was there waiting for the fulfillment of the promise made by Tunku Abdul Rahman that he will be the Sultan of Sabah.

        • Why would PNOY paid more attention to the KIRAMs or to his letter , are the KIRAMs representing the MAJORITY of us Filipinos? Tell me@ mumbaki ? Remember PNOY took his ought as President of the Philippines to PROTECT the FILIPINO people ( means the MAJORITY of us ) for the common good and welfare of the NATION…..KSP lang sila at maaring kasama ka … At alam mo ang taong kulang sa KSP ay almost are WIMP people… He he

        • agree with you there, victin. wimp na wimp talaga sila. if it was that important kiram should have given the letter personally to the president, considering that he lives in nearby taguig, not far from malakanyang, instead of sending it through slow mail. kiram really must be ignorant of office procedures not to write ‘for your urgent attention’ on the outside of the envelop. serves him right if he got no priority with the president.

        • Tama ka @moonie ,,, Kung talagang gusto nyang makausap FACE to FACE si PNOY ay magagawa nila ,kasama ang taga COPA… It was SCHEME and in BAD FAITH ,,para sa ganoon Kung ordinary mail walang papansin sa SULAT at may dahilan kanang mag PICNIC invasion sa Sabah… Iyan talaga ang gusto ng mga COPA at MISUARI Baka mga all along kasama na sya mga taga UNA, para in case we Filipinos confirm the incursion di HAHAKOT sila ng balde baldeng BOTO para sa kanila ….he he sorry it backfired on them…..sa tingin ko mga @MOONIE ay 9 : 3 in favor of PNOY team sa senate he he kaya iyang si @mumbaki ,,,, kunwari Lang iyan na maka PNOY he he . BINAY iyan he he.

        • @ monnie @ victin luz,

          Mabuti na lamang at hindi nagpadalos dalos nang decession ang ating presidente aquino at isinalang alang ang nakakarami at kabutihan nang lahat.

          Nakakainis at Nakakatakot naman itong si jamalul kiram lll dahil sa hindi lang nakaabot sa pangulo ang sulat ay kunwari nagpicnic lang silang mga armies sa SABAH hoy hindi picnic ang tawag doon? Invation ang ginawa ninyo doon at ngayon hihingi ka nang unilateral cease fire para ano pa? Akala kopa naman ay handa kayong mamatay sa inyong ipinaglalabang kasinungalingan…

          lturo mo na kasi financers ninyo at nang mabalik ang iyong kridibilidad at pagkatao?

  12. pwede ho ba huwag na tayong mag aksaya pa ng panahon at pagiisip sa sabah issue. with all due respect to all concerned, i have been trying to understand the continuing fascination with the royals of sulu and their sabah claim. i am reposting below:
    “Haven’t we heard of decolonization?
    Let us assume that the ICJ decided to recognize the Philippine claim to Sabah. Do we then expect the Sabahans to meekly accept this legal transfer of sovereignty? Are we prepared to wage a campaign of subjugation to enforce Philippine rule on a people who have staged their own rebellions against successive foreign rulers?”
    When i read the above in randy david’s column, i was stunned into a clear realization of how this whole preoccupation with the sabah issue is such a waste of energy and attention and that we should drop the claim.

    Read more: http://opinion.inquirer.net/48247/the-real-sovereign#ixzz2NbjCVSaR
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    • I believe the count now is…

      Drop – 3

      Claim – 0

      Revert to “back burner” policy – 2 (specifically waiting for Pilipinas to amass the arms to forcibly get Sabah in the future)

      • Can I change my vote of putting it into a backburner policy? I want it dropped now considering the latest news cropping up that we were duped all along by the Kirams into believing that the Philippine government has a claim on Sabah when there is none because they authorization reverted back to the Kirams in 1982.

        It would be foolish to put it into a backburner. Just drop the claim and let it be laid to rest. Let the Kirams fight their own war in Sabah.

        Look, nowhere can I see a FLAG of the Philippines on there when their spokesman speaks to the media. It’s just the Sultanate logo in there.

        • @ BFD,

          Tama ka BFD, Paano natin tutulungan ang sultan of SULO kasama mga royal armies nito gayong hindi naman ito nakikinig sa Pangulo natin at sa bansang Malaysia nang pauwiin ito noong nag INVADE sa SABAH…Gusto nila ay sila lang ang pakinggan gayong maraming mga tanong ang dapat sagutin at ayusin… Sila sila ngang mga HEIRS ay hindi nagkakasundo ay dadagdag pa tayo at pilit isasama sa kanilang GULONG inumpisahan…

    • pardon me, it’s hard not to be involved now. legal proceeding has started and 8 pinoys could be facing imprisonment for life or maybe death penalty in malaysia. our government has yet to be informed of their plight though. malaysia is keeping quiet. whispers are about that the 8 pinoys might be malaysian citizens, and so, under the mercy of malaysian king.

      when approached by the sultan (through his spokesman), US ambassador to manila, harry thomas, has refused to be drawn in the sabah dispute, despite the 1915 kiram-carpenter agreement that said US ought to give the sultanate full proctection, leaving it to our president and malaysian prime minister to resolve the issue.

      sultan kiram should get it by now that US is not supportive of armed aggression to a foreign country. if the sultan is brainy, he could send word to malaysian king and ask forgiveness, then acquiesce to president aquino. and start again.

      • I agree with you @moonie, but I think it could be better if KIRAM and the others who FINANCE the picnic invasion to Sabah must be brought to court at to be prosecuted here in the Philipppines.

        • It should not be a ” moro-moro ” court hearings , because if we do it this way and with the seriousness of the crime they had violated NOBODY will believe now with our Justice System, so we better have those living on the Sulu Area their INDEPENDENCE…

          We have to remember their crime’s committed are more serious than those committed by Col. Marantan’s fake police encounters so as the Maguindanao massacre.

          Dapat magising na tayo ng katotohanan na ang ating mga Muslim brothers sa area na iyan ay ayaw masakop ng LLUBUSAN ng ating justice system and our Constitution kahit noong panahon pa ng Kastila , Hapon at Amerikano…Sobrang tapang nila and always a big HINDRANCE to our GROWTH.

        • @ Victin Luz,

          Tama ka Victin Luz, Kahit napatalsik na ang convicted thief justice nato corona ay dapat pa rin ipakita nang ating hukuman lalo na nang supreme court na walang mayaman at makapangyarihan sa ating BATAS at ang lahat ay dapat pantay pantay…

      • @ moonie,

        Tama ka monnie, Ito dapat ginawa ni KIRAM kong talagang nasa ayos ang kanyang isip at diwa, kong tama ang balita last week nag declare ito nang guerrilya style nang pakikipaglaban (hit & run ba) na hindi naman dapat dahil labag na naman sa batas? Kong gusto talaga ni sultan Kiram lll nang tulong ay magsalita siya nang totoo at kong sino ang nagpasimuno at nag-udyok para sa ganitong maling pag invade sa SABAH para mapanagot mga nagpapa GULO sa ating bansa….

    • We, Filipinos, are indeed wimps that’s why many nations, left and right, are trampling upon us because of our uber-meekness and cowardice. We have nothing to be proud of except for our OFWs and our maids overseas- all others are exceptions like Banatao, etc.

      But if we grow some balls and assert our rights over Sabah, peacefully at first, then perhaps we will gain the grudging respect of even China or the United States. If all evidence points out to the fact that Sabah is rightfully ours, then we can try settle it peacefully. However, if it is futile in the end, we may use our right as a nation to reclaim it even by force.

      Patriotism and war builds and makes a cohesive nation. Just look at other countries which had to wage war. They have come out stronger and more united as a people in the end.

      • It all defend to what are we fighting for. If the Scarborough Shoal , we will fight China even as an underdog. And if ever China or any other ASIAN nations are interested to invade Palawan militarily then TELL DEATH DO US PART ” patay kung patay ” it is because people of Palawan are law abiding citizens…….

        But NOT on SABAH especially if you want us to fight with the KIRAMs and MISUARI ,,..he he kayo nalang dyan at inyo na ang SABAH ninyo…sumunud Muna kayo ng BATAS ng PILIPINAS.

        • war no longer solve problems. USA went to war with vietnam, and see what happens? USA also went to war in iraq, see what happens? in afghanistan, war is not solving problems, only adding more problems and more misery. lebanon was embroiled in war, also palestine, and now syria with no solution in sight. killing only leads to vengeance and more killing, landscape littered with debris, food become scarce, citizens are displaced, lost their belongings and become refugees in countries that are not always welcoming.

          japan lost in the 2nd world war and was brought down on its knees, takes a long time for them to recover. germany suffered and become divided nation, it’s only recently that it become one nation again. the war that happened in the balkans with the serbs, croats, and muslims devastated many. they all want peace now. war highlighted the importance of peace and goodwill.

          I’m not going to fight the sultan’s war over sabah. he can go there himself and fight his own war. and I really hope he will take his case to international court of justice where he’ll be strongly chastised for armed aggression against a peaceful country. I reckon ICJ is pro peace, not pro war.

        • ibahin mo ang sitwasyon sa Sabah. you can’t compare that with the US wars of aggression where the Americans had no moral ascendancy. The Palestine issue is centuries, even thousands of years in the making. Syria is a civil war happening due to a stubborn leader who has been un-liked by his people. The Balkans conflict was a mixed-up case of race and religion.

          Sabah is different because it was snatched from the Sultanate and, by extension, the Philippines in a modern era and continues to be held by a foreign occupier. Since all evidence points to the fact that it is currently on lease despite Malaysian denials, we have the moral ascendancy not less because Malaysia had aided and abetted the MNLF rebels to divert our attention away from Sabah.

          War is not a pleasant endeavor but when push comes to shove and no alternative can accomplish an aim, we, as a sovereign nation, must not act cowardly and slink away. That’s why we are constantly bullied since we have no balls to stand up to any foreign aggressor. We like to fight one another but we cannot even protect our own turf from outsiders. This is a Filipino malaise which I believe is partly attributable to the culture of religiosity. We need to break away from it.

        • People to at lengths and pains just to be politically correct when a solution to a problem can be had from the last option- use of force. War is happening in Mali with the incursion of Islamists who want to turn back the hands of time to ages past when women were third-class beings. War is happening in Syria with a people wanting to topple a dictator. War is occurring between the Chinese and the Americans at a subdued level. War is everywhere amidst a facade of quiet. In fact, war ended the atrocities of the Japanese in the country and Asia and the Germans in Europe. Their obsession with world domination was stopped by an Alliance. The Philippine-American War ended in defeat for our country but it showed our forefathers’ courage in the face of overwhelming force. War unites a divided country. That’s what we need to grow strong as a nation and not just some group of disparate islands in the Pacific. If as Miriam Santiago: http://opinion.inquirer.net/49361/sabah-issue-in-international-law and Winnie Monsod: http://opinion.inquirer.net/49303/clear-case-of-lutong-makaw say is true and the international system is not able to rectify the injustice subjected upon as by the British and the Malayans, then we, Filipinos, have the moral right to the use of force.

        • A true Filipino are the one who live with us under the Rule of Law not of Men We are of democratic form of Government ,Government by the people,for the people and of the people. We adhere to the principle of the majority majority , understand MAJORITY….Those who instigated the picnic invasion of Sabah, and if you are a voter here then you were really a WIMP and crazy too….MANANALO ang TEAM PNOY overwhelmingly against UNA @Mumbaki…he he , the GAGE was Jack ENRILE was favoring a peaceful solution to the Sabah conflict in order for him to stay STABLE at the magic 12 Senate hopefulls.

          MALI ang analysis mo @Mumbaki…..sulong yayain mo si TINGTING Cojuanco and go to Sabah ang fight for your principle.. Or ask PNOY to have a referendum for us to VOTE for you INDEPENDENCE in the Sulu area and you can win considerably … WIMP you are because you don’t USE you brain but you always used your anger and bullishness in the wrong direction….

          Ayaw naming gumastos sa giyerang gusto mo at AYAW naming mapugutan ng ULO…masakit iyon at bawal ang walang ULO sa langit at impyerno…he he

          8 for PNOY team—–4 for UNA team. Or worse 9 PNOY team ——-as 3 for UNA team………matatalo kayo @mumbaki he he

        • As if you know my politics, Mr. Victin Luz. Don’t get me wrong, I support a number of P’noy’s candidates but not all of them. And I am not supporting any of the UNA candidates. I know he mostly chose them not for their great principles but winnability thus excluding people of greater character and leadership potential like Tanada. What are Villar and Madrigal doing in his team, my golly. They already got the money, now they want to have everything. Nothing different with UNA except for Hontiveros and a few others.

          What I am saying is that IF his opponents took part in the incursion directly or indirectly, then they are mostly succeeding in taking away potential votes from Team P’noy with the President’s incompetence in handling the situation. I liked him for RH and other landmark laws as well as prosecuting Corona, et al. but Sabah may be his (potential) Waterloo.

        • Finally, I still think your above line of reasoning makes you the real wimp.

        • @erstwhile mumbaki, as you wrote “… last option- use of force.”

          With that, I’m inclined to exchange opinions.

          In fact in most cases, it may not be necessary should all avenues of dialogue are exhausted, tapping into diplomatic channels, civil discourse, or negotiations are undertaken, even before the UN – ICJ.

          SOME of the countries you cited as your examples to elucidate the use of armed forces or going into war, what are their relationships now? If not Allies, many are partners in treaties, with bilateral trades and into commerce. Is it Machiavellian to opt for war, then reintroduce a Marshall plan to rehabilitate the damage wrought by the victor on his defeated foe? And later to be his lap dog err trading partner, and declare his once captive foe as a new found friend?

          If Malaysia is The Philippines’ asian regional partner for Peace (GPH-MILF, ASEAN), why entertain the notion of going into war with your Malay brothers? Why spread the disease of evil, of war with another country who are facilitating a peace accord with your once domestic enemies.

          Are the present political leaders of Malaysia responsible for the sins of their former colonizers, or for the arrogant indifference of Great Britain to the rights of the Sultanate of Sulu (heirs) & their proprietary rights to Sabah?

          To keep it short, the present day heirs are divided. JamalUl Kiram III is a self proclaimed or self-styled Sultan of Sulu. The other legitimate heirs are not in agreement with JamalUl’s armed forces adventurism in Sabah. So Jamalul wants more money? Can his Royal Army occupy the whole of Sabah (as hostage) against Malaysia to pay more ‘rent’?

          If Raja Muda Agbimuddin Kiram is still alive and able, the civilian courts in Sabah are now the best lawful venues to assert their rights. The Philippines and/or Malaysia can provide them the best legal assistance.

        • Come on, Malaysia has not been the altruistic ‘brother’ as Filipinos have been led along to believe in the pursuit for peace in Mindanao. The admission that they fomented the war down south, funded, and trained the MNLF has been confirmed by no less than Mahathir Mohammad himself in AlJazeera. This policy has been pursued by Kuala Lumpur to deflect Philippine attention on Sabah So, for starters, don’t say that they are OUR partners for peace. I vehemently refuse and reject that statement.

          Secondly, the Marshall Plan was not even altruistic. The West needed to rebuild its bombed out neighbors for the normalization of the entire system. Hitler had to fall first before things could be normal. It is the capitalist system at work and none has come close to beating that. Heck, even the formerly communist Chinese are now consumed by it.

          We have what we call rectification or the correction of historical errors. Hong Kong was returned by the British to the Chinese even after over a hundred years.

          With the way Najib has reacted saying that Sabah is non-negotiable and eternally Malaysian, what do you think does it mean to Jamalul Kiram III and to the millions of Filipinos who still think that Sabah is theirs, regardless of PC people who take pains to distance themselves from the issue? Yes, the current leaders of Malaysia may not have any role on the thievery of Sabah in the mid-20th century but by choosing to observe the status quo- and harshly at that- they are in fact of the same ilk as their predecessors.

        • More links: http://borneoherald.blogspot.com/2013/03/lahad-datu-stand-off-najib-should-bear.html

          “Malaysia had had been involved in the southern Philippines’ Moro rebellion since decades ago. A scholar, Lino Miani, wrote in his paper that in the 1960s Malaysia, fearing a new confrontation between the country and the Philippines, began training the Moros and encouraged them to go back to the southern Philippines.

          This was a covert program that started in 1969 which was directed by the late Prime Minister Tunku Abdul Rahman. According to Mr. Miani, 90 Moros received weapons and guerilla warfare training in Pangkor, Perak. And this was the first of the 16 similar classes at the same place, while dozens more training took place in Sabah.

          The most famous person that came out of this program was Nur Misuari, who was a member of the first training class in Pangkor, who became the founder of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF). Misuari, an ethnic Tausug from Sulu, led the MNLF in fighting against the Philippines government bravely.

          Moreover, Sabah’s first governor, Tun Datu Mustapha Datu Harun, who was also an ethnic Tausug from Sulu, was suspected of arranging these military courses and smuggling weaponry to the Moros.

          “On Tun Mustapha’s watch, Moro struggling operations achieved an unprecedented scale,” says Miani.”

        • @erstwhile mumbaki

          Thanks for the affirmation.

          Altruistic or not, it’s too good a word to attribute to any of the countries you wrote. Malaysia’s Prime Minister Haji Mohammad Najib bin Tun Haji Abdul Razak in brokering or facilitating a Peace Accord between GPH and MILF (Bangsamoro) has nothing to do about altruism. Perhaps, the Malaysian PM was mending his predecessors’ mistakes of believing and supporting the moro insurgency or war for independence against & from the Phils’. gov’t.

          Former PM Mahathir Mohamad? He is past tense. And so it is with D Macapagal, F Marcos, C Aquino, F Ramos, GMA.

          It was already known at that time (in the 70s) that Malaysia’s ex PMs Abdul Razak Hussein and Hussein Onn were supportive of the MNLFs and other moro factions in their insurgency movement.

          Present Dispensation
          People make choices, don’t they? So it is with the current PM, to facilitate a Peace Accord. Obviously it didn’t work out with Malaysia’s previous PMs to support a moro insurgency war against christians (for independence) since it escalated their war between moros themselves. And now, some MNLF remnants are returning (blowback, karma) a dose back to Malaysia. Perhaps they felt betrayed or snubbed in favor of the MILFs in this current peace accord.

          PM Mohammad Najib Abdul Razak and Pres. Noy Aquino are now the new generation of leaders for peace initiatives and redevelopment of Muslim South (Bangsamoro). War didn’t improve the lot of the moros at the outset.

    • We, Filipinos, are indeed wimps that’s why many nations, left and right, are trampling upon us because of our uber-meekness and cowardice. We have nothing to be proud of except for our OFWs and our maids overseas- all others are exceptions like Banatao, etc.

      But if we grow some balls and assert our rights over Sabah, peacefully at first, then perhaps we will gain the grudging respect of even China or the United States. If all evidence points out to the fact that Sabah is rightfully ours, then we can try settle it peacefully. However, if it is futile in the end, we may use our right as a nation to reclaim it even by force.

      Patriotism and war builds and makes a cohesive nation. Just look at other countries which had to wage war. They have come out stronger and more united as a people in the end.

      • speak for yourself, erstwhile mumbaki, you’re the one that’s wimp, I’m not. many nations are investing in us, dealing with us, building their embassies here, not trampling us. maybe you have nothing to be proud of, but we have. we managed to get jobs in cut-throat industries and are much wanted, needed, that foreign embassies are requesting pinoy workers to work for them. we have much to be proud of. our beauty queens are well placed overseas, they’re well liked and respected. we are also winning accolades in international films, our actresses have won overseas best actresses award, same with our movie directors. maybe you dont know all this because you have been living under a rock.

        our products like coconut water drink ( buco) are in demand overseas as health drink. we have medical tourism with foreigners coming here for medical procedures, we have natural wonders that are famous the world over, we also have foreigners coming here to learn the english language. our jeepneys are unique, pictured and much admired internationally. we have many things to be proud of, but your mind seems to be stuck only with maids (domestic helpers), you really must be living under a rock.

        • Beauty queens? Actresses? Actors? Medical tourism? English? Jeepneys under polluted skies? Embassies (oh you mean North Sudan?)? Cut-throat industries like BPO and mining?

          All of the above are fringe things that are not unique to our country. In fact, it is laughable how Filipinos tend to pat their backs one too many times when an award has been received or a company says good things about the country. It is pitiful, indeed.

          And you dare call me a wimp for defending the claim on Sabah to the hilt? Come on, look at history and see how most of the successful nations today were forged from countless bloody wars internal and external. You are the wimp.

      • @erstwhile mumbaki, regarding “Patriotism and war builds and makes a cohesive nation. Just look at other countries which had to wage war. They have come out stronger and more united as a people in the end.”.

        Consider this –

        “Political Ponerology is a study of the founders and supporters of oppressive political regimes. Lobaczewski’s approach analyzes the common factors that lead to the propagation of man’s inhumanity to man. Morality and humanism cannot long withstand the predations of this evil. Knowledge of its nature – and its insidious effect on both individuals and groups – is the only antidote.“

      • [email protected]

        “Patriotism and war builds and makes a cohesive nation. Just look at other countries which had to wage war. They have come out stronger and more united as a people in the end.”

        China waged war. Result: China and Taiwan
        Korea waged war. Result: North and South Korea
        Timor waged war. Result: East and West Timor
        Yugoslavia waged war. Result: Bosnia, Serbia and Croatia
        Russia waged war. Result: Russia, Georgia, etc
        And others.

        “We, Filipinos, are indeed wimps”. Mumbaki. Maaaring totoo na ikaw ay duwag ayon sa iyo. Pero huwag mung idamay ang iba, lalo na ako.

        ” We have nothing to be proud of except for our OFWs and our maids overseas”. Is there anything wrong if I became proud of my two children who are both executives of world class companies in Canada and Australia? Is there anything to be ashamed of for our poor but decent and hard working kababayans?

        • Rene Ipil,

          Just a correction with your history.

          You are being selective with your data. Korea was a proxy war between the Russians and the Allies. China grew strong after the Koumintangs were driven from the mainland. Yugoslavia waged war? The Balkans conflict stemmed from ethnic and religious differences which simmered under the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. Russia waged war, huh? Georgia was conquered by the Russians in the early 20th century and was part of old USSR until the granting of independence in 1991.

          How about:

          1. The United States of America
          2. Germany
          3. France
          4. The Netherlands
          5. Vietnam
          6. Malaysia
          7. Russia
          8. UK
          9. Belgium

          …and many more. In fact, it is perhaps only Thailand which has not yet experienced war within or with another country.

        • [email protected]

          The ancient city of Ayuthaya was once conquered by Burma. Belgium is peopled by the Dutch, French and Germans until today. United in UK is a misnomer. Malaysia is federated and soon to be disintegrated. In fact Singapore separated from Malaysia before. Germany was East and West Berlin before EDSA people power. North and South Vietnam were also proxies of China/Russia and USA. In USA the states are federated but Afro-Americans, Asians, Latinos, etc. are disunited. Cassius Clay did not even want to fight in Vietnam.

          BTW, did not Filipinos wage war against Spain, USA, Japan, North Korea and North Vietnam, on their own or by proxy. Did it make Filipinos united per your standard? Your answer would be obviously not. But I fully respect your opinion. You are entitled to it.

        • The Netherlands remained neutral during World War I and wanted neutrality also in WWII but still invaded by the Germans until liberated by the Canadians.

        • The Dutch also fought the Spanish for decades. And they fought the Germans after the latter bombed and invaded their country in WWII.

          I don’t know about a disunited US but I’m not sure it is racial, rather a lingering Mason-Dixon line disunity but still the union has held after nearly 150 years.

          Germany fought almost all its neighbors and came out stronger even after defeat in WWII. In fact it created many of its industrial masterpieces in times of war with the defeated Eastern portion joining mainly due to economic reasons.

          We waged war against the Spanish, Japanese, and Americans but somehow lost in most cases. Why? Because we lacked unity among ourselves. This is different with the case of the Americans who had at least a country after they drove the British out. There was, more or less, a tacit recognition of a nation, albeit a white one. Philippines, when the whites came, was largely composed of disjoint groups. China overcame this with its long history of internal wars finally uniting its kingdoms. In the 20th century, it culminated with the routing of Chiang Kai-Shek and his Koumintang Party.

          Perhaps, we needed a massive internal bleeding to unite this country. But that is past behind and perhaps, unthinkable now. What we have is a situation where we may opt for the last resort- if all else fails- and kill two birds in one blow.

    • @kindredspirit,
      yes, yes.
      i see no reason to claim it for phl.
      as for me, of same age with pnoy, i have no inkling of the sabah and even its richness.
      i’ll be happy if sabah is given to kirams in part or in whole.
      i will also be happy if they(sabahans get their independence or total sovereignty over their land.
      wala tayong kapanapanalo sa usaping ito. ito’y usapin lang ng mga maharlika.
      ng mga sultan. maliwanag po iyan mula pa noong magsimula akong magbasa ng nasusulat ukol diyan…
      at ewan ko kung ano ang nakita ng mga taong nais angkinin ang sabah na hindi naman kamag-anak ng mga kiram. hindi kaya ang mga taong iyon na walang kinalaman sa usapin ang siya pang nanggagatong upang ito’y lalong mag-init?

      • I think, our president will soon issue official statement that will close the lid on sabah once and for all. so in the future, sabah issue cannot be resurrected. the kirams will not be happy, but they will have peace of mind.

        • To those who are mentioning of the Filipinos waging war against other countries, Spain, US, Japan, to tell you the truth, I cannot find anywhere in the whole history books that we were united even when we were at war.

          Just look at the history of the Katipunan, while there was a war going on with Spain, there was a leadership imbroglio involving Bonifacio and Aguinaldo with the former losing his life in the process, even though he was the founder of the Katipunan.

          Let’s look at the US-Philippine War where the Federalist (Filipino illustrados who espouse federalism) collaborated with the Americans to bring down the Filipino freedom fighters.

          Look at how Aguinaldo was captured, he was captured using the Macabebe Scouts of Pampanga.

          Let’s look at the Japanese invasion, there were many who became spies for the Japanese….

          From the start of our history, we were not really united. If I remember correctly from my readings, it was Visayan versus Luzon, Sultanate of Sulu versus other tribes in the Philippines.

          Bottom line, even in war, we have not been united. Even in peace we are not united.

          So I am amazed at how we can justify getting Filipinos to wage war and be united.

          Also, we are a peace loving people. We renounce war as a national policy. We do it in a legal way. It has always been and it always will be.

        • Mumbaki say,

          China overcame this with its long history of internal wars finally uniting its kingdoms. In the 20th century, it culminated with the routing of Chiang Kai-Shek and his Koumintang Party.

          Perhaps, we needed a massive internal bleeding to unite this country. But that is past behind and perhaps, unthinkable now. What we have is a situation where we may opt for the last resort- if all else fails- and kill two birds in one blow.

          Well Mumbaki,

          I find this “internal bleeding” thing really fascinating and at the same time discomforting. I’m amazed that you set an example China.

          Let’s see what China did when they drove out the Kuomintangs, we did see killings of the intlellectuals, the doctors, the yuppies, those who were in the A, B, and C crowd…. This was what we saw, the killing fields

          Is this what you mean by internal bleeding?

          As I recall, we have been internally bleeding since the Hukbalahap was born, which turned into an internal war, which is then abetted by the MNLF/MILF/Abu Sayyaff war in Mindanao.

  13. It appears now that the claim of the Sultanate of Sulu covers only about 2/3 of the whole Sabah excluding Kota Kinabalu and the Southern area of Sabah. So that the Philippines can now establish a consulate office in Kota Kinabalu regardless of the legitimacy of the Sultanate’s claim.

    As it is the Philippines cannot establish a consulate office in Sabah due to the Philippine’s possible sovereignty claim over Sabah. Of course a country does not establish a consulate office within its own territory. However, such consulate office is badly needed in Kota Kinabalu to assist Filipinos in Sabah especially under the present conditions in the area.

    Link: http://www.interaksyon.com/article/57501/entry-points–sultans-claim-does-not-cover-entire-sabah-plus-other-areas-of-talk-to-end-conflict

    • Reality is that Pilipinas cannot claim the whole of Sabah and the Kota Kinabalu consulate is a wise suggestion.

      As to self-determination…if ever Pilipinas pushes the claim…

      Comment No. 66

      baycas says:
      March 14, 2013 at 8:56 pm

      Self-determination trumps historical claims now.

      However, it’s kinda ironical that…

      Historically, self-determination was not genuinely consummated. May an actual referendum settle the issue?

      But look at reality here:

      The Sabah claim complicates the referendum process.

      Not many know that the claim excludes the interior of the state. The claimed area covers eastern Sabah, which was part of the Sulu sultanate, now part of the Philippines. It also covers the northern third of the state, which a victorious sultan in Brunei handed over to Sulu in return for the latter’s help in settling a palace dispute in the former’s favour. Sulu claims that eastern and northern Sabah were leased to the British North Borneo Company and sovereignty has since been transferred to the Philippine republic.

      Sabahans will not accept a two-part referendum, that is, the interior to decide whether it wants to be independent or part of Malaysia, and the Sabah claim areas to decide between Malaysia, the Philippines and independence.

      Keeping Sabah united would mean allowing the people of the state to decide whether they want independence or to be in either Malaysia or the Philippines.

      http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/opinion/2011/01/01/why-fear-a-referendum-in-sabah/

  14. If DONE with BAD FAITH and hiding VESTED INTEREST on both sides , anything passed including SABAHs sovereign rights of the Sultan of Sulu to the Philippine Government will FAIL..

    • How can the Philippine Government be the successor of sovereign power over Sabah when the Sultanate Himself and his people thereat never owe allegiance to our Constitution and to the Government?

      • History will tell, never did the Sultanate of Sulu submitted themselves to the sovereign authority to the Spanish Government nor to other Nations even to us… on PAPERs ..YES….ACTUALLY- NO .

        EVEN in Sabah the Sultan’s never have sovereign authority over the people thereat only proprietary rights over the LAND. What sovereignty now are they passing to us over SABAH….?

        • ISINUSUBO LANG TAYO…….. Pag napasa AMIN ang SABAH ano ho ba ang GUSTO nyong parte sa SABAH, Mr. Marcos , Mr. Macapagal , Mr. Quirino , tulungan nyo lang kaming maibalik ang Sabah na ibinigay ng pinsan naming na Sultan ng Brunei . SIYA pala ay nauna pang ipinaupa ang Sabah sa mga ENGLISH kaysa sa amin ng mas MAHAL PANG HALAGA… double cross na kami…. TAHIMIK PA SIYA o ayaw man lang magbigay ng KOMENTO na talagang ibinigay nila sa Amin ang Sabah.

          PNOY can not be corrupted and the proof was the HACIENDA LUISITA were now being distributed…..

      • victin, please know that under shariah law the sultanate cannot swear allegiance to our constitution and obey our laws. we are non-muslims and considered inferiors and infidels and killing us, burning our houses, schools and hospitals are not considered punishable offense under shariah law. google shariah law if you’re interested. incidentally, did you know that shariah law said it’s all right for muslims to be deceptive and to tell lies to non-muslims?

        • Ha ha ganoon ba @moonie Hindi KO po alam .Kung ganoon pala ay dapat magasarili nalang sila… Republic of Sulu…or…… KIRAM Republic ang itawag natin sa ating mga kapatid na Muslim sa lugar na iyan….. Pag one week vacation pweding Hindi na kailangan ang visa pag tayo ay dumalaw sa kanila and vice versa.

  15. @Raissa paki post naman po yung comment ko maraming salamat. Baka akalain nyo na spam kasi “waiting for moderation” pa din.

    I dont know if it went through since biglang may error page pag na click ko na yung submit, pero pag ni refresh nakalagay na yung “moderation”.

    T.Y. Again :)