Congress urged: Pass resolution authorizing Malacañang to revive Sabah claim

MANILA, Philippines - A Muslim group leader on Friday called on the Senate and the House of Representatives to pass a resolution authorizing Malacañang to pursue the Philippine claim over Sabah, peacefully and legally.

Amina Rasul, president of the Philippine Center for Islam and Democracy (PCID), also urged the government to create a Sabah committee, under the Office of the President, to address the Philippine claim over the island state.

Rasul said that the members of the committee should include the Department of Foreign Affairs, Department of Justice, Department of National Defense, Mindanao Development Authority, the Office of the Presidential Adviser of the Peace Process and the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, National Commission on Muslim Filipinos and a representative of the Sultanate of Sulu and a representative to the heirs to Sabah.

Rasul said Congress should also pass a resolution to express the sense of both chambers on the crisis on Lahad Datu.

“We pray that leaders, Filipino and Malaysian, will prioritize the lives and citizens and peace and security of both our countries,” she said.

The PCID is commemorating the Bangsamoro Day on March 18, the infamous day of the Jabidah Massacre where young Tausug mujahideen were killed by the military in 1968 after the botched attempt by the Marcos regime to send a special assault team to Sabah to reclaim it.

In a statement, Rasul said the PCID is reiterating the widespread call for a peaceful and diplomatic resolution to the Sabah debacle between the Royal Army of the Sultanate of Sulu and the Malaysian forces.

“We join the United Nations’ call for both parties to dialogue and avoid further destruction of lives and property,” she said.

The group also called on the Malaysian government to allow the Red Crescent to enter the area to be able to provide medical assistance and humanitarian aid to the victims and casualties.