Pinoy exodus from Sabah continues; 130 refugees intercepted

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines – The exodus of Filipinos escaping from the conflict in Sabah continues as the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) intercepted Friday at least 130 more refugees on board a motorboat in the waters of Tawi-Tawi.

Lt. Commander Lawrence Roque, commander of the PCG station in Bongao, said the refugees – mostly women, children and the  elderly – were intercepted off Taganak Island, also known as Turtle Island, near Sandakan, Sabah.

They were escorted to Bongao, the capital of Tawi-Tawi, where they were assisted by Task Force Tabang, which was formed to help civilians displaced by the hostilities in Sabah.

They said they escaped for fear that they would be rounded up by Malaysian security forces.

Earlier, two batches of Filipino refugees were intercepted by the Philippine Navy on board two motorboats from Sandakan.

Workers from the social welfare and health departments in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao were dispatched to attend to the needs of the refugees brought by a Navy patrol boat to Patikul, Sulu. 

Phl embassy in KL remains open

The Philippines’ top diplomat in Malaysia said yesterday that the Philippine embassy in Kuala Lumpur remains open.

Ambassador J. Eduardo Malaya said they have put in place security measures to ensure the safety of embassy personnel and their families.

He said the Kuala Lumpur police force is also securing the embassy against protesters.

“We have a job to do, particularly to extend humanitarian assistance to those who have been displaced or otherwise adversely affected by the incident,” Malaya said in a message posted on his Facebook account.

“The officers and staff of the Philippine embassy are working doubly hard and are focused on helping those who have been wounded or captured,” he added.

Members of the United Malays National Organization (UMNO)-Youth held a rally last Thursday in front of the Philippine embassy in Kuala Lumpur demanding the extradition of Sulu Sultan Jamalul Kiram III.

Representatives from different non-government organizations in Malaysia also staged a rally in front of the embassy yesterday.

In an event called “Ops Bunga” (Operation Flower), a number of Malaysians brought flowers in front of the embassy to show that Malaysia is a peaceful nation.

Although the relationship between the Malaysian and Philippine governments appears unaffected by the conflict in Sabah, the people-to-people relations between the two countries could be hurt due to rising nationalist sentiment, according to researchers of US think tank Center for Strategic and international Studies (CSIS).

Gregory Poling, Phoebe DePadua and Jennifer Frentasia, authors of “Critical Questions” and researchers for Southeast Asia Studies at the CSIS in Washington, said that “many groups in the Philippines sympathize with Sulu Sultan Jamalul Kiram’s cause and believe that he has been wronged by history.”

Meanwhile, the Philippine Ambassadors Foundation Inc. (PAFI) has expressed concern over the hostilities in Sabah.

Lauro Baja Jr., chairman of the Board of Governors of PAFI, called for a dialogue among the parties concerned to end the crisis.

“The foundation calls for renewed efforts for dialogue among parties concerned and to search for ways to resolve issues through peaceful means in accordance with the Manila Accord of 1963,” said Baja, a former foreign affairs undersecretary for policy and Permanent Representative to the United Nations.

“There is no duty more noble and more sacred for a leader of a country than to fight for the lives, properties, and the rights of his own people,” Baja added.

Clear info on Sabah conflict sought

Meanwhile, the Washington-based Human Rights Watch (HRW) called on the Malaysian government yesterday to provide clear and accurate information on the Sabah fighting.

Phil Robertson, HRW deputy director for Asia, said what is happening in the conflict zone is “murky.”

He added the Malaysian authorities should ensure the protection of all civilians and allow humanitarian access for the provision of emergency assistance to those who are affected by the violence.

Since day one of the fighting, the Malaysian authorities have imposed a total news blackout on their all-out military campaign aimed at crushing around 235 followers of Agbimuddin Kiram.

The Malaysian police announced the arrest of 79 individuals in Sabah the other day.

“We’re concerned about the Malaysian government’s use of the Security Offenses Special Measures Act (SOSMA) to detain individuals, and call on the government to either charge them with criminal offense or release them,” Robertson said.

Meanwhile, Mindanao bishops yesterday urged President Aquino to heed the United Nation’s call for a peaceful end to the hostilities in Sabah.

The bishops issued a statement entitled “Save our people – with honor.”

“We pray that government leaders on both sides demonstrate wisdom and statesmanship in preventing further bloodshed,” the bishops said.

The statement was signed by Digos Bishop Guillermo Afable, Cotabato Auxiliary Bishop Jose Colin Bagaforo, Surigao Bishop Antonieto Cabajog, Malaybalay Bishop Jose Cabantan, Iligan Bishop Elenito Galido, Marbel Bishop Dinualdo Gutierrez, Isabela Bishop Martin Jumoad, Jolo Bishop Angelito Lampon, Cagayan de Oro Archbishop Antonio Ledesma, Marawi Bishop Edwin de la Peña and Cotabato Archbishop Orlando Quevedo.

For his part, Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano yesterday called on the government to look after the welfare of Filipino women working in Sabah.

“These women have left the country to work in Malaysia with the hope of providing better lives for their families. Now, they are in danger of being displaced. The government must see to it that they will have livelihood opportunities in case they return home,” he added.  – With Pia Lee-Brago, John Unson, Jaime Laude, Marvin Sy