Sulu sultanate scores Noy

MANILA, Philippines - The sultanate of Sulu yesterday scored President Aquino for accepting fugitive Janet Lim-Napoles in Malacañang when he has been refusing to meet with Sultan Jamalul Kiram III regarding the Sabah claim.

In a statement sent to The STAR, sultanate secretary general Abraham Idjirani said the President’s act allegedly shows the “double standard of justice” in the country.

Presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda earlier justified Aquino’s move, as he noted that former presidents, particularly Manuel Quezon, had also met with fugitives who wanted to surrender.

Idjirani said Sultan Kiram, a law-abiding citizen, has been seeking a meeting with Aquino and even wrote him several times. He said the sultan has not received any response from the President.

He lamented that Napoles, a fugitive, was even escorted by Aquino to Camp Crame.