'No signs of Agbimuddin in Phl yet'

MANILA, Philippines - There are no indications that Agbimuddin Kiram, brother of Sulu Sultan Jamalul Kiram III, has returned to the Philippines as claimed by Malaysian authorities, a military source said Monday.

The source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, believes Agbimuddin is unlikely to return home soon.

“We do not have indicators that he (Agbimuddin) has returned. Malaysian officials are the ones claiming that. But there are no indications or reports that he is now in the Philippines or he has been sighted in the Philippines,” the military source said.

”I don’t think he will return to the Philippines. The order of (Sulu sultan) Jamalul Kiram (III) was for him to stay (in Sabah). He cannot disobey that,” he added.

The source believes the sultanate followers will only come home if instructed by the sultan.

At least 38 sultanate supporters have returned to the country and have been intercepted by Philippine authorities, he added. 

The source believes the aim of the Kirams is not really to win the conflict against Malaysia but to gain international attention.

On Sunday, Malaysian officials said they would continue their manhunt for Agbimuddin despite their previous announcement that he has returned to the Philippines.

While Malaysian officials claim that Agbimuddin, also called Raja Muda, has left Sabah, questions about his whereabouts remain.

Malaysian officials were quoted in previous reports as saying that the Kiram forces have been “totally defeated” yet clashes in Sabah continue.

Citing “intelligence reports,” Malaysian armed forces chief Zulkifeli Zin said Agbimuddin had managed to slip out of Malaysia and had abandoned his troops in Sabah.

Supporters of the Sulu Sultanate deny this, dismissing the Malaysian government’s statements as propaganda. Some observers believe the press statements of Malaysian security leaders were meant to demoralize the sultanate followers.

Sabah is being administered by Malaysia but is being claimed by the Philippines.

Last month, about 200 followers of the Sulu sultanate led by Agbimuddin went to Sabah to assert their claim to the area, which they consider their homeland.

Clashes ensued after the Kiram group refused to leave the area despite the deadlines set by Malaysian government.

Aquino himself has asked the Kiram group to shun violence even as he threatened them by enumerating the possible cases they would face once they return home.

The Sulu sultan, however, maintained that leaving Sabah is not an option.