The violent exchange of attacks in Sabah has been hurting thousands of Filipino Muslims in the Philippines, a group of Muslim leaders said on Monday.
In a press conference, governors from five provinces under the Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) urged the followers of Sulu Sultan Jamalul Kiram III to come home.
Related story: Aquino warns 'conspirators' in Sabah standoff
"The relatives and communities here at home are suffering as a result
of his followers actions in Sabah," the ARMM governors said in a
statement.
"Moreover, 600,000 Filipinos quietly and peacefully
living and working in Sabah are now caught up in this conflict, which
they are not a party to," they added.
Tawi-Tawi Gov. Badikul
Sahali, Sulu Gov. Abdusakur Tan, Maguindanao Gov. Ismael Mangudadatu,
Basilan Gov. Jum Akbar, and Lanao del Sur Gov. Mamintal Adiong Jr.
issued the statement in a press conference in Greenhills San Juan
Monday.
Acting ARMM governor Mujiv Hataman was also in the press briefing.
Seeing
their Muslim brothers - Malaysians and Filipinos - die in Lahud Datu in
Sabah has been hurting them, as the Filipino community monitor
developments from North Borneo.
"We are calling on all parties to
exert more effort to resolve the stand off in a peaceful and honorable
manner. We appeal to Sultan Jamalul Kiram III to call on his followers
to peaceably come home," they said.
"While we understand,
respect, and honor the claims of the heirs of the sultanate of Sulu to
Sabah, we urge Sultan Kiram to take into account that aggression and
violence is not the way to advance this cause," they added.
The ARMM leaders also asked Kiram's clan to abide by the international rules and protocol in pursuing their claim.
"Let
us settle the issue of Sabah in a peaceful and honorable way. We all
want peace with dignity and justice and we can achieve it by working
together in a peaceful manner," they said,
Meanwhile, a lawmaker
from Mindanao has called on the House of Representatives to hold a
special session to look into the country's claim of ownership over
Sabah.
Davao City Rep. Karlo Alexei Nograles also urged the
Senate to conduct sessions, where lawmakers can come up with a
legislation that may address the problem concerning Sabah.
"There is a deep-rooted cause of this conflict which should not be taken for granted," Nograles said.
"There is also a very good way to help solve this impasse through the good offices of the parliament," he added.
He
added that House Speaker Feliciano Belmonte and Senate President Juan
Ponce Enrile may even invite counterpart parliamentarians from Malaysia
into the special session.
"We in Congress could open a way to
make direct contact with our parliamentary counterparts in Malaysia and
use our established goodwill to help find an honorable alternative
without prejudice to mutual national interests," he said.
Related story: Sabah clashes may escalate with potential flash points
Nograles, vice chair of House Committee on Human Rights, also called for
a ceasefire in Sabah to prevent further "bloody confrontation and
possible conflagration."
Nograles added that nobody could win under an atmosphere of confrontation that would only result to more bloodshed.
"We
must first stop this unnecessary violence which is now getting worse.
We have to talk this in a more conducive atmosphere. A ceasefire (should
be) in order," Nograles emphasized.
At least 30 people have been
killed in a series of firefight between Malaysian police and the
followers of Sulu Sultan Jamalul Kiram III.
Kiram, who has been
staying in Taguig, said his followers went to Lahud Datu to insist theor
calim of ownership over Sabah, which has remained dormant since the
Martial Law.
His group continues to defy Malaysian demands for
them to leave the disputed territory despite warnings of "drastic
measures" from Malaysian government to address the threat.
