Phl taps Muslim scholars to study Sabah claim

MANILA, Philippines - Malacañang is reportedly consulting Muslim scholars and experts who can give insights and provide historical context to the country’s dormant claim over Sabah, which has been under Malaysian jurisdiction for decades.

A Palace source disclosed yesterday that the Office of the President has tapped the expertise of some professors from the country’s premiere state schools, like the University of the Philippines, on the highly sensitive territorial issue.  “We have been consulting with Muslim scholars, some of them are even elderly,” an insider told The STAR, noting President Aquino wants a comprehensive study on the issue.       

The source, however, could not give a categorical answer when asked about the prospects of the Philippines insisting on its Sabah claim.  Justice Secretary Leila de Lima earlier said she has already submitted to the President her report on the Sabah issue.

Aquino gave assurance that a careful assessment of the report would be conducted.  The Chief Executive said the study on the country’s claim on Sabah might take a long time since all the stakeholders concerned would have to be consulted on the matter.        

“So that has to go through the process. The concerned agencies, offices, etc., will have to provide comments,” Aquino said. He has tasked his legal team headed by Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa Jr. and Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Benjamin Caguioa to study the country’s historical and legal claims on Sabah.

The President has also ordered the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), the Department of Justice (DOJ), and the Office of the Executive Secretary to research and recommend a roadmap towards a peaceful resolution of the Sabah dispute.

The country’s claim on Sabah had been dormant since 1960s, until it was revived in mid-February by the Sulu sultanate, whose forces have refused to leave Lahad Datu. 

Cabinet Secretary Jose Rene Almendras assured the public the government is doing its best and everything would be done based on international laws, and not by force or violence.

Aquino commemorated the 45th anniversary of the Jabidah massacre in Corregidor last week, and gave assurance that a roadmap to a peaceful resolution of the Sabah dispute, and not just of the standoff, was being drawn up.          

He said both the massacre and the standoff were linked to the country’s claim over Sabah.        

“The resolution of this issue will begin not through speculation, opinion or guesswork, but by pinpointing indisputable truths. My duty is to dig into history to find truths and from there, set the direction that the nation should take with regard to the Sabah issue. I’ll make sure that direction will not lead us to violence,” he said.      

For his part, acting Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) Gov. Mujiv Hataman said they were continuously talking with all parties, including Sulu Sultan Jamalul Kiram III, to end the standoff.           

Hataman said Kiram’s brother Agbimuddin, who led the incursion in Lahad Datu, had asked him to fetch them after the firefight broke out on March 1.

“At that time, he wanted to be fetched. But I’m sure those in Taguig would say I wasn’t telling the truth,” Hataman said, referring to the sultan and other family members living in Maharlika Village in Taguig.