PHL embassy officials visit alleged Kiram followers in Sabah

Philippine Embassy officials in Kuala Lumpur were given access last Thursday to the eight individuals charged by Malaysia with terrorism-related offenses for allegedly taking part in deadly clashes in Sabah. Philippine Ambassador Eduardo Malaya, in a statement, did not say if the eight were indeed Filipinos but noted it is “a standing policy for the Philippine government to provide appropriate consular assistance to nationals in distress, whether or not we agree with their acts or advocacies.” Malaya identified the eight individuals facing criminal charges as Atik Hussin Bin Abu Bakar, Basad H. Manuel, Habil Bin Suhaili, Holland Bin Kalbi, Thimhar Hadil Suhaili, Lin Bin Mad Salleh, Kadir Bin Uyung and Lating Bin Tiong. They were the first to face charges since close to 200 followers of Sulu Sultan Jamalul Kiram III sailed to the coastal town of Lahad Datu from Tawi-Tawi last month to press ownership over Sabah. At least 100 more Filipinos are in Malaysian custody, according to reports. The gunfights between Malaysian security forces and Kiram's followers have killed dozens of the sultan's men and forced most of them to flee Lahad Datu to neighboring towns. A few have been reported to have slipped back in Tawi-Tawi. Kiram said he sent his followers to Sabah to reclaim their homeland as efforts to get it back from Malaysia have been relegated to the backburner by the Philippine government. The embassy team, led by First Secretary and Consul Antonina Mendoza-Oblena and Director Renato Villa, talked to the eight individuals at the prison facility in Tawau on March 28 and enquired about their conditions. They also asked the eight of their places of origin and respective families, the embassy said. “We would like to ensure that their rights as accused are respected and that they have legal representation when court sessions resume on April 12, as promised by Malaysian authorities,” Malaya said, The consular jail visit was conducted after arrangements were made with the Malaysian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Attorney General’s Chambers and Tawau prison officials. Malaya declined to provide further details on the visit due to the sensitivity of the cases. The embassy also said it may find difficulty in extending consular assistance to Kiram's brother, Raja Muda Agbimuddin (Azzimudie) Kiram, in light of revelations that he had acquired Malaysian citizenship. In an interview with reporters on March 23, Malaysian Defense Minister Datuk Seri Zahid Hamidi earlier confirmed that Agbimuddin is a Malaysian citizen who worked as a civil servant in Sabah. He said that Agbimuddin was an assistant district officer in Kudat under the administration of former Sabah Chief Minister Tun Datu Mustapha Datu Harun. — Michaela del Callar/BM, GMA News