DFA, MNLF appeal for sobriety, peaceful end to Sabah standoff

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippine government on Friday reiterated its appeal to the Sultanate of Sulu to order its followers holed up in Lahad Datu, Sabah to return to the Philippines.

This after members of the Malaysian security forces fired at the sultanate's royal army, which sparked a firefight on Friday morning.

"Sana maresolba ito sa mapayapang paraan kaya importante yung desisyon ni Sultan Jamalul na pauwiin na ung kanyang mga tauhan doon pabalik dito sa kanilang mga pamilya sa Mindanao," Foreign Affairs spokesperson Assistant Secretary Raul Hernandez said.

Hernandez added that they are still getting details and other information regarding reports of exchange of fire between Kiram's followers and Malaysian authorities.

"The Malaysian government has full control of that place so ang maganda lang na gagawin dito ngayon iwasan ang mga pag danak ng dugo o walang masaktan o masugatan ay kung iyong mga tauhan natin doon na magwithdraw na at umuwi na sa kani-kanilang tahanan," the government official said.

Hernandez pointed out that the Malaysian government has yet to reply to Foreign Affairs Secreary Albert del Rosario's request for an extension of "several days" for Kiram's followers to leave Lahad Datu, where the group has been hold up for two weeks now.

"May deadline since Tuesday pero minarapat ni Secretary del Rosario na humingi uli ng deadline for several days para mapag-isapan nang maigi ng mga tauhan ni Sultan Jamalul Kiram at yung grupo nya...yung mensahe ng ating Pangulo tungkol sa sitwasyon dito sa Lahad Datu," Hernandez said.

He said he is hoping that the Sultan's family would reconsider its decision to stay put in the area.

"Sana isaalang -alang ng pamilya Kiram ang kapakanan at kaligtasan ng mga kababayan na nandun sa Lahad Datu,"  Hernandez said.

MNLF appeals to Malaysia

The Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF), a rebel group based in Mindanao with an existing peace agreement with the Philippine government, appealed to Malaysian authorities to halt the attack on the royal army of the sultanate.

Habib Mujahab Hashim, senior leader to the MNLF central committee and chairman of the Islamic Command Council (ICC), said they were alarmed of the rising tension which already broke into a firefight.

There were reports that followers of the sultanate and some members of the MNLF were massing in some islands off Tawi-Tawi province, which is just a few hours away from Sabah.

Hashim said they are not discounting on the possibility of movement from some sympathizers of the Sultanate of Sulu, but stressed that the MNLF leadership has not ordered its men to get involved in the dispute.

“We are appealing for sobriety from both sides,” Hashim added.