Del Rosario flies to Malaysia in bid to stop violence in Sabah

MANILA, Philippines - Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario flew to Malaysia on Monday afternoon to meet Malaysian Foreign Minister Anifah Aman in an effort to stop further violence in Lahad Datu, Sabah.

Del Rosario's mission comes after the standoff between Sulu Sultan Jamalul Kiram III's royal army and the Malaysian security forces erupted into a firefight which left several people dead.

“The loss of lives in Sabah is deeply regrettable. We offer our profound condolences to the families of the victims of this unfortunate incident,” Department of Foreign Affairs Spokesman Raul Hernandez said.

The Cabinet secretary is also on a mission to personally convey the request of the Philippine government for a full briefing by the Malaysian authorities on the situation, a report published by the DFA noted.

It added that Del Rosario will also request "for the Philippine Navy ship AT-296 Tagbanua to proceed to Lahad Datu to enable the Philippine medical personnel aboard to provide humanitarian and consular assistance and provide medical care to the wounded and ferry them and the remaining members of the group back to their respective homes and families." 

Del Rosario has been in touch with the Malaysian authorities on a daily basis to discuss possible resolutions to the ongoing standoff, the state agency added.